By Damien Ahern

Our flowers have now been removed and the baskets are in storage for another year. The fine weather early in the summer helped the flowers to blossom and added colour to the street at a time when some colour and joy was needed. Thanks to all our volunteers who kept the baskets watered throughout the summer.

Work on the River Walk continues. Some bulbs were planted in the last few days and the arch was also erected on site. The arch is of a large size and will provide the perfect setting for photographs. The benches have also arrived and will be installed in the coming months. Thanks to our sponsors who have come on board to fund these benches. 

Unfortunately it is not possible to have our annual church gate collection this year. Instead, we will be setting up a gofundme page online and will also be placing collecting buckets in local establishments for the month of November. The Athea community have always been of huge support to us financially and we expect this year will be no different. Unlike other tidy towns groups we continued to erect our flowers and work on the River Walk during the Covid Lockdown. Your support is very much appreciated.

We were delighted to receive funding to erect a Public Water Bottle Refilling station from Limerick City & County Council. We are currently preparing Artwork for the water station and it is hoped this fountain will be erected in the centre of the village. Thanks to Councillor John Sheahan for providing funding towards the erection of the fountain. With a large amount of cyclists passing through the village, we expect the fountain will be well utilised. 

The Athea Voluntary Housing Committee must be complimented for the excellent paint job organised on their property on Colbert Street. The bright blue colour adds to our streetscape and fits in well with its surroundings. Thanks to our local artist Mary Teresa Hurley for recommending paint choices and the job well done by Noel O’Sullivan Painter.

Huge thanks to the FAS workers under the watchful eye of Jim Carmody who have been a huge support to our tidy towns efforts. The village always looks so well maintained and is a credit to all concerned.

We would like to offer our sympathies to our treasurer Henry Moran and the extended Moran family on the sad passing of Henry’s sister – Mairéad Lehane RIP. May her gentle soul rest in peace.