By Kathleen Mullane

Out & About

Sincere congrats and good wishes are extended to Liam Woulfe (son of Nancy and Timmy, Gortnagross) who has recently become engaged to Kathy Sheehan from Clare. Wishing them all the very best for the future.

Congrats are also sent to Meadhbh Nash, a renowned player for Athea Ladies Football team, who was recently married to Niall Crowley. Wishing them every happiness.

Well the launch of the Athea Tidy Towns Defibrillator Phonebox was watched all over the world live on Facebook and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. It’s lovely to see it now, especially in the evening time lit up on the street and the sponsorship plaques so willingly donated by the various clubs and families.

Next Sunday after 11am mass there will be a Rosary in Holy Cross cemetery for all deceased buried there. A special box is in the church where you can put in your list of names to be remembered during November, or the “Remembrance Tree” in the sanctuary can hold your loved ones names also.

Yoga has begun with Linda Mumbray in the hall each Monday night from 7-8.30pm. You can pay on a weekly basis, if you like.

Well, every week I write my few lines, Christmas seems to be getting nearer and nearer! If you haven’t sent off your shoebox, – to the best of my knowledge the closing date has now passed, however you may know some child or family in your area that may need a bit of help – it’s that time of year that we must not be always thinking about ‘Me’ or ‘Us’ but ‘Them’. I’m sure many have in the past got requests from Concern, Trócaire and others, asking for a gift such as chickens, school lunches, water, solar-lights etc for those who really need our help and ask us to sponsor these much needed gifts. I always do these and I like to add the ‘Lifeboat’ people, who go out in all kinds of weather putting their lives at risk to try and save lives and also Milford Hospice who also do untold work for those affected by Cancer. I suppose the list is endless but if we all do our little bit, it will make us feel that bit better at having helped someone at this very ‘Happy’ time of the year, but for some it can be one of the ‘Saddest’ times – so reach out and be a good friend and Samaritan.

The NFA (Neurofibromatosis Association of Ireland) are liaising with 17 year old Shannon Brady, a Leaving Cert Applied student at Coláiste Íde agus Iosef in Abbeyfeale. Shannon, from Upper Athea, is organizing a Charity Ball in aid to the NFA with all proceeds going to the charity. Shannon and three of her family members suffer from this condition which is a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on nerve tissue. These tumours can develop anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

The Charity Ball is taking place in the Listowel Arms Hotel on Sat. November 18th and it is hoped that a bus will travel from Athea. Tickets are €50 for adults & €15 for children under 12 and includes a 4 course meal, music with Different Sounds + Disco with DJ Excel. There will be loads of spot prizes and Michael Healy Rae will present the Awards.

Thought for the Week:- “A man’s true wealth is the good he does in the world”.