By Kathleen Mullane

“What a Weekend”

Oh my God – how does one even start to begin describing this past weekend!. It started on Friday morning with the Coffee Morning at the hall which attracted a huge crowd for the much looked forward to fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House – all kinds of cakes, buns etc were enjoyed by everyone.

On Saturday we had the great hurling match between Cappawhite and Kilmoyley up at Páirc na nGael, which again attracted a great crowd. And wasn’t it great to see Billy Collins in his nineties presenting the cup to the winning Kilmoyley team. Everyone enjoyed the teas/coffees etc in the clubhouse, again provided by the hard-working fundraising committee for the Ronald McDonald House – donations were again willingly given on the day there also.

Then it came to Sunday “D-Day”. The ‘Buzz’ started early as families with their babies and buggies – dogs in tow converged on the hall to register for the 5k Fun, Run/Walk. Declan O’Carroll had the place ‘booming’ with his music. Photographers were in abundance. Everyone had made such an effort to come along and dress in Red & White. Houses had red/white flags, buntings, balloons and so much more. Margaret Carroll’s house incidentally won the best decorated premises.

People came from ‘Far & Wide’ to support the worthy cause. Hundreds waited outside in the sunshine for the 12 o’clock start. The ‘Countdown’ was on and what a sight it was to behold. ‘A sea’ of people in Red & White all going up the hill. It was, to say the least, EMOTIONAL & HEART-WARMING – everyone had got behind the brilliant hard-working and dedicated committee that made this all happen! They can’t be praised enough. And everyone has agreed that Athea, though a small enough community, has so much going for it – everyone is ready and willing to support and help out at each function no matter what. All were delighted with the eats, drinks, fruit etc at the hall after the walk – prizes were given out – the kids got their goody bags from the Athea Giant even some of the parents and kids did a bit of disco-dancing in the yard to the music – Linda Mumbray, our Yoga teacher, included! The Gardaí did a great job along with the stewards and Red Cross who gave of their time. I’m sure the day “will go down in History” and will be spoken about for a long time. I even heard people saying already, there should be a day every year for Ronald McDonald.

Well done to each and every one who helped out and to all of you who came along and gave so generously – it will forever be remembered.

Congrats to Shane Mulvihill and Ashley Murphy who were blessed with their new baby boy Aidan James recently – congrats also to the proud grandparents Mary T. and Denny Mulvihill.

This Saturday at 11am sees the blessing of all animals at the church. St. Francis of Assisi was a lover of animals and his feast occurred last week – so bring along your cats, dogs, hamsters or whatever and Fr. Duggan will be on hand to bless them in the church grounds.

Congrats and good wishes go to Margaret Collins of Lower Athea (daughter of Cathy and Tom) who celebrated her 21st birthday along with her family and friends recently.

Thanks to all who gave so generously to the collection for Epilepsy Ireland last weekend – the total amount collected was €565 and thanks to Seanie Hanrahan who helped me out.

Well done to the Athea Tidy Towns who went up by 9 marks in this year’s competition and deservedly so. Another great boost for Athea. 

Fr. Duggan hopes in the near future to help our young people to gain in confidence by helping them with reading and preparing them for interviews etc, having done so in Rockwell College when teaching there. Already some of the young readers have gained so much confidence, it’s great to see.