By Kathleen Mullane

Well, yet another week of “glorious sunshine” all over the country. Everyone agreed that at times it was “overbearing” but I suppose  we must realise, seeing as we aren’t used to such high temperatures, that like our counterparts in other European countries, that maybe there should be “siesta time” from 2– 4 pm where some close up shop or just sit back!. Not easy, I hear you say, when turf has to be  brought home, silage to be cut and hay to be saved. The extreme heat would really drain you and you could forget about sleeping much at night. All said and done, wasn’t it glorious to wake up to sunshine and go to bed with a fabulous red sky –  long may it last.

The wedding took place recently of Michael Leahy of Beenanaspug, Athea, son of Tina and John, The Nurseries, to Sheila Enright, daughter of Billy and Mary of Ballylongford. The wedding took place at St. Michael’s Church, Ballylongford with the nuptial ceremony performed by Fr. Pádraig Kennelly. The best man was Conor Leahy and the groomsmen were John Leahy, Mick Nolan and Jeremiah Keane. The bridesmaids were Marie Daly, Sandra Enright, Grace Leahy and Kiera Daly. The reception was held at the Killarney Heights Hotel where a great day was enjoyed by everyone.  Congrats to the newlyweds and the best of luck to them for the future.

For the month of July children up to 18 years old can travel free on ours or anyone’s Limerick Local Link buses. This is a Summer initiative that’s in place in recent years. Buses travel to Newcastle West on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The Tidy Towns group are busy keeping all the flowers watered. Thankfully they have stream water and don’t have to use the mains water. 

Fr. Duggan thanked the parish for supporting the Lourdes fund-raiser night which enabled invalids from the parish travel to Lourdes last week. Another great trip was had by everyone and with two nurses, two handmaids and brancardier from Athea, he said we may be proud of the input Athea has on the pilgrimage. I was sorry myself not to be there this year but next year we plan to go again. Something draws you back there and, if you haven’t yet gone on the Limerick pilgrimage, try and make it; you’ll be glad you did. Any youth that go always want to return.

A barbecue is being organised in the near future for the teenagers and youth of the parish. This may coincide with a Mass which it is hoped to be held on the hill at Tony Costello’s, across from Holy Cross –  more about this later.