By Kathleen Mullane

On Sunday 26th May Nicole O’Sullivan will be holding a “Stepathon”  here in the hall from 12-2pm – this is a fund-raiser that Nicole is holding for M.S. You are asked to support this very worthy cause and invited to join in the stepathon if you want, it’s great exercise, all in aid of a very worthy cause.

Well is was my first time going to the “Ladies Monthly Night Out” on Friday night last at Brown Joe’s and it wont’ be my last! It was “a laugh a minute” and as they say “Laughter is the best medicine”. Teresa O’Halloran along with her great “band of helpers” really are a credit. It was a fundraiser for the Lourdes fund and the great sum of €325 was raised on the night – well done to all. The raffle had some wonderful hampers and prizes kindly sponsored. From the bingo to the quiz and of course the fun games it was a brilliant night and it ended up with line-dancing and a bit of “ABBA” and Teresa really was “The Dancing Queen”. Watch out for the next night.

This Saturday sees the very special First Holy Communion Day for the boys and girls here in Athea N.S. Hopefully they will all have a lovely day and that the sun will shine out for them.

Congrats and good wishes are extended to Catherine and Haulie Liston of Dirreen who have become grandparents again. Their daughter Carol and husband Liam O’Connor having been blessed with twin boys they are naming Paddy and Mikey, little brothers for Ellie-Mai, Molly and Liam Óg. Best wishes are sent to the proud parents likewise.

It’s lovely to see the new colourful painted stones that the Athea Craft group (who meet on Wednesday’s in the hall) have placed on the Athea Fairy Trail. They bring the trail to life, which has also been cleared by the group. It’s a lovely area for the kids to travel and I’m sure there will be many more features added in the near future. Well done to all.

The 3rd draw of ‘Split the Bucket’ will take place on next Saturday night after evening mass. Don’t forget to be in with a chance of winning half the combined amount put your €2 in the envelopes provided in the bars, shop and business premises in the village along with your phone number and who knows – you may be the lucky one. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far enabling 3 Youth Volunteers and 4 parishioners to travel to Lourdes in June. We are also grateful for the loose change you put in the buckets.