by Domhnall de Barra
Sean and June Herbert, Coventry, on their 6oth Wedding Anniversary
Delighted to start this week with a photo of Sean and June Herbert who celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary recently. Thanks to their daughter Christine for sending it on. Sean is originally from Clash. His father, Tom Herbert and his mother, Nonie Enright emigrated to Coventry when the family were very young. They were very good to me when I arrived in Coventry in the early ’60s and we have been friends ever since. Congratulations to them both and we look forward to meeting them on their annual visit to Athea after the summer (Covid permitting!!)
This week we have items from Peg Prendeville, Tom Aherne, Marian Harnett and Kathleen Mullane. We also welcome a new contributor, Jer Kennelly who will keep us up to date with his column: Knockanure Notes. Jer is a historian and a correspondent for the Kerryman for many years. He also sent us the following photos that date back a while:
The top two are from a Baby Show in Athea in 1970 and the third is the wedding of Pat Leahy, Moyvane, and Betty Quinn, Athea. A trip down memory lane.
On the Church front there are three bits of news: Fr. Duggan is coming back soon, the Church is opening again and Mass from Athea will be available again next Sunday at 11am.
The Church will re-open on Monday, May 18th from 10am – 2pm each day, for visits. There are strict guidelines that must be followed by all who visit. There is a one way system with entrance through the side door on the left and exit through the side door on the right. These are well signposted. The main door remains shut. Social distancing and use of hand sanitizers is mandatory so some areas and seats will not be in use. It is a welcome change for all those who were in the habit of paying a visit when they could.
Last Sunday saw the first streaming of Mass for St. Barthomolew’s Church via Athea Tidy Towns Facebook page. Well done to Fr. Tony, Margaret Carroll and the choir and of coursed Damien Ahern. It was watched by Athea people from all over the world as could be seen by the comments that poured in. It is on again next Sunday. Many of our more elderly may not be up to speed with Facebook so, if you know anyone who might need a hand to log on, show them how to. The older people, more than any other group, would appreciate seeing, and partaking in, the Mass again.
Monday sees a partial return to work with a few more stores opening. Golf Clubs are open but, I’m afraid that is no good to me. Because I live more than 5 kls from the course in Ardagh, I am not allowed to play. This sounds daft to me. I sit in my jeep and am on my own going to the golf club. What difference does it make whether I am travelling for 5 minutes or 20 minutes? I am meeting nobody and stopping nowhere. I know that unnecessary travel has to be curtailed but surely common sense comes into play here. If it is strictly enforced then most of the members will not be able to enjoy a return to the sport they love.
Great weather for the turf at the moment so, take advantage of it. One thing for sure, sooner or later the rain is going to come and when it does it might stay for a while.
If anyone wants to include an anniversary notice or a thanksgiving prayer, just drop them into the Community Council office in the village and I will pick them up there.
Stay Safe