By Kathleen Mullane
“Oh What a Night”!
Well, where do I begin to start describing the Athea Church Concert on Sunday night, which was a fundraiser to send young volunteers and some invalids from the parish to Lourdes in June. Firstly well done to Domhnall de Barra along with Fr. Duggan for organizing the event and to have it in the church was so brilliant, the Lord was looking down on us all!
The church was packed to capacity and first on were the schoolchildren whose singing, dancing and music were a joy to watch – what talent! Well done to the teachers and parents alike. The Finucane sisters, Margaret Carroll and Domhnall and friends were all excellent in their song and music. Canon Tony Mullins had everyone up off their seats singing “There’s a better world awaiting in the sky Lord” – it reminded us of that Gospel singing with everyone clapping along – what an atmosphere. John Joe Tierney’s set dancers and Josephine O’Connor’s belted out their steps. My aunt Daisy Kearney’s storytelling had all in stitches! Nora Butler’s singing captured everyone’s hearts and the finale with the Athea Wrenboys was a treat. A huge amount of spot prizes, vouchers, money donations were so gratefully received and all the money raised will help to send the volunteers and invalids to Lourdes. This is what the church needs and all the youth involved. Well done.
Well another St. Patrick’s day over and gone and it was a “blustery one” to say the least! However, many families braved the elements and off they went, umbrellas, weather gear etc and despite getting soaked to the skin everyone agreed it was worth the effort. Dublin was lucky, in that it stayed relatively dry, and the colours and atmosphere and all the different nationalities both in the parade and visiting Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day was great to see.
Congrats to Stacey Galvin and James Kenrick, Galeside who have welcomed their new little baby Conor into the family, a little brother for Chloe and Owen.
Congrats to proud grandparents Mary and Denny Mulvihill, on the birth of baby Tadhg in the U.S.A., a little brother for Charlie, Jenna and Cora. Congrats to the proud parents also Teddy and Paula.
Tom Scanlon of Knockfinisk was laid to rest after Requiem Mass on last Monday here in Athea. Incidentally Tom was great when we were collecting the scrap to pay off the debt on the hall, he gave us a great amount. May he rest in Peace.
Congrats to Jamie Collins, son of Pius and Margaret, who married Siobhán O’Connor of Ballylongford on Thursday last. The reception was held at The Killarney Muckross Hotel where everyone had a great day.