By Kathleen Mullane
‘Happy Birthdays’
Another weekend of special ‘birthdays’ this past weekend here in Athea. On Saturday night last, twins Amy & Rachel Griffin (daughters of Jeanelle and Gerry of Templeathea) celebrated their 21st birthdays at the Top of the Town with a grand get-together of family, relatives and friends. A brilliant night was enjoyed by everyone. We wish the twins the very best as they continue with their nursing studies.
Also on Saturday night a surprise party was ‘sprung on’ Margaret O’Connor of Upper Athea who turned ‘60’. Everyone got together at Brown Joe’s for the celebration which was attended by family and a large circle of friends. Congrats and good wishes to ‘Mag’ on this special occasion – hopefully she gets time off from washing the Athea GAA jerseys!
Well done to the parents and children of the 2018 Communion Class who had their 1st Mass, doing their programme “Do this in memory” on Saturday evening last. All the parents were involved along with the children and of course Fr. Duggan, as always, made it a unique celebration, making them all feel at ease. The choir complimented the occasion and it was lovely that little Ella Ahern R.I.P. was remembered having received her 1st communion last year.
Well next Sunday, October 1st is a big day here in Athea when the Athea Horse and Pony Races take place at 1pm in Glenagore on the lands of Helen and Mike O’Keeffe. They start at 1pm and hopefully it will be a nice day which promises to be a great family day out with loads going on for the kids as well. All the money raised will go towards paying for a defibrillator. Everyone is welcome.
Next weekend before all masses the collection will be taken up in aid of Epilepsy – you are asked to give as generously as you can.
Well it was a lovely day in Knockdown on Sunday last where a 5k and 10k took place all in aid of the Children’s Hospital in Crumlin. Organized by Colm Hassett (C.H. Fitness) helped by team members who helped with the training namely Donal Leahy, Mark and Jonathan Doody and Denise O’Riordan. Registration began at 10.30am and the race proper started at 12 mid-day on a beautiful sunny day. It was great to see moms, dads, kids etc taking part. Ta Mullane (Knockdown Arms) made teas/coffees available to everyone and was so helpful. Liz O’Sullivan was the 1st lady home in the 5k in 23.14 and Mark Doody the first man in the 5k in 23.14. The 1st Lady home in the 10k was Joanne Maharg in 51.40 and the 1st man was Tony O’Sullivan in 52.33. The 1st under 16 home was Eamon Sheehy – 20.46 and the 2nd child home was Sean Maharg 28.53. Well done to all who participated and did fund-raising for the event, we will have a final figure in the near future to present to Crumlin.
Apologies to Matt Tierney in last week’s newsletter on naming him as grandfather to Elaine and Rob Collins’ new baby. It should have read – congrats to “John Chris Tierney”. Hope anyone wasn’t insulted.