By Kathleen Mullane

Sincere sympathy is extended to the White family Athea – Billy, Tom, Ned, Betty, Brownie, Joan and Margaret on the unexpected death of their brother Micheál in Kinsale during the week. Many travelled to pay their last respects on Thursday evening at O’Donovan’s funeral parlour in Kinsale. Sympathy also goes to Micheál’s family. ‘May he rest in peace’.

Sympathy also goes to Nora Hunt of Coole on the death of her uncle, suddenly, in England. Maurice McAuliffe’s funeral takes place in England this week. Sympathy goes to the McAuliffe. ‘May the light of heaven be his’.

The much looked forward to Going Strong Christmas dinner will be taking place at the Top of the Town on December 6th. Mass will take place at 12.30 followed by dinner and music and of course the usual great evening of fun, spot prizes and dancing. You are asked to please give your name to any of the following so that the committee will know the numbers attending. Names to be given as soon as possible to Máireád Langan, Glenagragra, 42254, Peggy Casey Athea Village, 42134 or Rose at Brouder’s Shop. If anyone, business or individual, would like to give a spot prize it would be very welcome. Thanks goes to all who supported the church gate collection.

December 1st is a date to put in your diary! Rose, here at Brouder’s Shop, will once again be opening her Christmas Shop, and rumour has it that the ‘man with the long white beard’ may be passing this way that day. It’s great we have local shops in our little village and that we are never stuck for the essentials like a lot of other small towns and villages – long may it last.

“What next” – I say – the latest transplant to come on the news is a “Head Transplant”. The latest took place in China, I think, -an 80 hour operation that cost 85 million. Wouldn’t that amount of money be a lot better spent on those starving and homeless people in the world, ravaged by war, earthquakes, storms etc. If you had someone pass away belonging to you would you like their head on another body? Or whose head would you like? In my opinion scientists have gone a bit too far!

Congrats and well done to both the U12 and U14 boys basketball teams who won both their games on Sunday last against Cahirciveen, here in the hall. “A Thriller” to say the least, so intense and at such a rapid pace. The final score was 53-59. Congrats and well done to all the players and of course Trish Aherne trainer – what can one say – ‘The Vixens’ are a force to be dealt with!