By Kathleen Mullane
“Happy St. Patrick’s Day”
Can I start by wishing everyone both “at home and abroad” a very happy St. Patrick’s Day this weekend. It’s the day that everyone claims to have some little drop of Irish blood in them. This year I’ve heard that the amount of cities and tourist attractions that are going to be lit up ‘Green’ for the occasion has far surpassed any other year – over 400 plus it seems – so from Australia to the U.S.A. – from the Arc de Triomphe in France to Dubai and from China to the U.K., all will be proud to show their friendship and alliance with our ‘little Green Isle’, no doubt the parades will attract huge crowds all over Ireland and the world. And with Monday being a bank holiday it should indeed be a lovely weekend. And maybe don’t forget to wear “the bit of green” – years ago we had the green ribbons in our hair, badges and shamrock in abundance and cards being sent to our loved ones abroad – so maybe a text or call to wish family “A Happy St. Patrick’s Day” away from home!
A sincere congrats and happy birthday wishes to my neighbour Rachel Greaney (daughter of Ita and Tommy) who celebrated her “18th” birthday last week and had a surprise get-together with friends and family on Friday night last. A great night was enjoyed by all.
Sympathy to Lillian O’Carroll and family on the death of her brother Sean Fitzgerald in England and also to Noel Roche, Eileen Naughton and Nora Cunningham on the death of their sister Kitty in Chicago. May they rest in peace.
Lovely to see such a dedicated team of hard-working men and women weeding etc on Saturday morning last – the Tidy Towns people are a huge asset to our community. Hopefully we all will help out as always on Good Friday – the great ‘Clean Up Day’.
Well tickets are out and posters are up for the great fund-raising concert for the Lourdes invalids and youth volunteers which Athea parish will be sending to Lourdes in June. The Grand Concert will take place here in our church on Sunday, March 31st at 7pm. Emily Clarke is one of the main guests (Emily can be heard each Thursday morning from 9am-11am on Limerick Mid West 102fm) and she is the voice in our church at weekends on her C.D. Niamh Mulqueen, Donie & Maura, Domhnall de Barra and guests and many more musicians will give of their time and services on the night. It should be a fantastic night and hopefully everyone will give their support. There will be an abundance of prizes also for the raffle on the night. Incidentally the day is ‘Mother’s Day’ also so it would be a lovely present for families to give to their Mothers. Tickets are just €10 and are on sale locally or you can contact myself on the above number.