By Kathleen Mullane

A special ‘Memorial Mass’ will be held on this coming Saturday, May 25th at 11am here in our church for the late Seán Fitzgerald who passed away recently in England. Seán was the son of the late Hannie and Mossie Fitzgerald, Park, Athea. ‘Go ndeana Dia trócaire le na h’anam.

Don’t forget the very important “STEPATHON” being held in the hall on Sunday next May 26th from 12-2pm. Nicole O’Sullivan is hosting it in aid of M.S. Your support on the day would be most welcome.

The death took place over the weekend (following a brief illness) of Catherine Liston of Lower Dirreen. She had been in the care of the Palliative Care Unit at Kerry General Hospital. Her remains reposed at the family home on Sunday evening where a large crowd gathered to pay their final respects. Requiem mass on Monday was followed by burial to Holy Cross Cemetery. Catherine was a very popular lady in the Athea community, always having time to talk and a smile and a joke for everyone – she will be sadly missed by her loving family and sympathy is offered to her husband Haulie, son Ian, daughters Carol and Gillian, relatives and many friends. ‘May the light of heaven be hers.

Well preparations are well underway for the forthcoming ‘Fleadh Cheoil’ over the bank holiday weekend. The Memorial Hall has been given a complete ‘face-lift’ and painted inside and outside and is looking great. Collins’ shop has been extended and is a huge asset to our village. Where can you  now get milk, bread or any essentials late at night ? – here in Athea is the answer. And we congratulate Paul, along with all the workers, staff etc who were involved in getting this great extension done in exceptionally quick time. Well done. Thankfully we are one of the few small villages who have every convenience at our disposal – so support ‘Local’ is the name of the game!

The “Crowing of Our Lady” took place here in the church at Sunday morning mass. The boys and girls who had received their 1st Holy Communion recently were all involved in the ceremony which was lovely and all dressed up in their Communion attire. In all a lovely ceremony for May.

Well another Eurovision over and yet again all the Eastern Block Countries voting for each other. However it was good to see The Netherlands winning with a ballad rather than a mad stage show!