By Kathleen Mullane

“Come on Limerick” 

A very big crowd attended the special mass at Holy Cross cemetery on Tuesday evening last in memory of all the deceased buried there, both parishioners and many more from outside parishes. In all a very memorable occasion. Well done to all those who helped out with the preparations – altar-chairs-choir etc.

Despite the rain another nice day was had by all those who travelled on the parish pilgrimage to Knock on Thursday last.

Great news that Athea has been short-listed as a finalist in the Limerick ‘Going for Gold’ category. Votes are very important for this – more news in regard to this in the near future. Our little village is looking wonderful  at the moment – flowers are blooming – houses have been painted and what a difference it makes. I know it’s sad when some unoccupied buildings take from the look – but hopefully, who knows, they may be occupied at some stage, as most premises in the area have now been sold.

Colleen Reidy, who has had her little bakery stall every Friday here in Athea, leaves us, unfortunately, this past weekend. Each Friday there was “a great buzz” at her stall, a meeting place where her cakes, bread, buns etc were ‘swiped up’ quickly. Even at Christmas time there was the hot mulled wine, at Easter, the bunnies on the cakes, St. Patrick’s Day, ‘the green, white and gold’ decorations! She will be sadly missed from her corner, but hopefully she will continue on a lesser scale. We wish her the best for the future and will miss the ‘banter’, jokes and of course the lovely baking! Thanks Colleen for making Athea “the hive of activity”.

Congrats to Mary O’Mahony of Coole who has once again become a grandmother. Her son Tommy and wife Sophie having been blessed with their second baby, a little boy they are naming Finn. Best wishes to all.

Well I’m sure “all eyes” were glued to the Limerick game on Sunday last, whether on TV or if you were lucky enough to be in Croke Park. And what a game it was. Heart-stopping – entertaining – sporting and so much more. One never knew who was going to be the winner, even into extra time – the pace of hurling is so quick anything can happen even in a few minutes. Even if you weren’t from Limerick many were rooting for the team anyway. Well they are into the final now and what an occasion that is going to be. Hopefully they will go all the way now. Keep the prayers up!