By Tom Aherne

Saint Kieran’s GAA club held their annual general meeting online on Friday, November  21, on the Microsoft teams’ site.  Chairman David Woulfe welcomed all 31, and the various reports and addresses were dealt with during an upbeat and  positive meeting.  During his address David recalled a year that no one could imagine, since lockdown on March 12 disrupted the playing season. He thanked Ian Mackessy for organising the site, which he believed  was the first in the county to be held this way. Highlights included the road hurling last Christmas which was very successful, and over the past five years €12,000 has been given to local charities.

The club walks around the village over an eight week period was very popular and attracted large crowds twice weekly. Thanks to Deirdre and all the stewards who organised and kept everybody safe. Ivan Neary and Paul Moriarty and the area response group were thanked for the work they did during the lockdown months. Donal McEnery and the Bord Na Nóg  were thanked for the work they are doing with the underage players. The Cúl Camp was held with reduced numbers and the Covid officers Aisling Hayes, Deirdre Ambrose and the various team supervisors were thanked.

The highlights on the curtailed playing season were few with no honours won, but progress was made by the minor hurlers who reached the semi final. The senior footballers bowed out tamely from the County championship but retained their status and will compete in their 50th year in the topflight in 2021. The U-21 Footballers season should commence in early 2021. Darragh Treacy was congratulated on his success  with Limerick footballers, as were all club players who represented  the county.  Best wishes were sent to Sophie Hennessy and Róisín Ambrose from the Old Mill ladies club and the Limerick team contesting the All Ireland semi final.

Financially it was a very good year for the club who entered 2020 in the red but exited in the black.  This was due mainly to the success of the Christmas Draw 2019, scrap metal collection, U-21 static cycle and the church gate collection. The numbers in the Limerick Development draw were up and all who gave sponsorship were thanked. The club membership rates for 2021 remain the same as they were, and the online club force is proving very successful. All the club officers, development draw promoters, club force personnel and the front line staff around the locality were also thanked. Two club Gaels who passed on during the year John Mullins and Donal Mulvihill were remembered for their service and dedication, as were all members who suffered bereavements.

The following  officers were elected to run the club in 2020. Chairman David Woulfe, Vice-Chairman Patrick Windle, Secretary Ivan Neary,  Ass-Secretary Owen Hayes, Treasurer Tom Harnett, Ass-Treasurer Ian Mackessy, PRO Owen Hayes, Children’s Officer Deirdre Ambrose,  Irish Officer John Hough. A club committee was put in place  and most of the football and hurling management teams for 2021 were appointed.

The Charity Road Hurling competition will be held on Sunday, December 27, if Covid-19 allows. All funds raised on the day will be donated to three local charities Milford Hospice and the Night Daffodil Nurses, who do wonderful work in our communities, and Pieta House. It is a very enjoyable event and growing in popularity each year, and all support will be greatly appreciated. All who assisted and supported the club during the year were thanked. It is hoped to run the Oskar fundraiser in November 2021, if life returns to near normal. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with hopes high for a successful year for all.

The death has taken place of Ellen (Nellie) Barry, nee Carrig, Church View, Askeaton, suddenly on Saturday,  November 14. Pre-deceased by her beloved husband Paddy. She was a member of the well known Carrig family from Creeves Cross. Reposing at her home until arrival at St  Mary’s Church, Askeaton on Wednesday, November 14, for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial took place  afterwards in Relig Mhuire Cemetery, Askeaton. We extend our sympathy to  her daughters Mary and Lisa, son in law Mike, Lisa’s partner John, grandchildren Jack, Ava, Mia and Cathal, brothers, sisters, relatives,  extended Carrig family in the locality and a wide circle of friends. May she rest in peace.

“Lights on the Horizon” is a newly published hardback book of poetry, fiction and drama, created to honour Ireland’s frontline heroes. It was written during thelockdown in March 2020, and it reflects people’s experiences during this difficult time. It features collections of short stories, poetry, fiction and photography. Peg Prendeville from Knockdown has two poems included “Spring Cleaning the World” and “Life with Covid-19.”

The last dates for Christmas posting has been announced for standard post as follows, Parcels and letters  to the Rest of the World is December 7. Parcels to America is December 7 and letters  December 11. Parcels to the Rest of Europe is December 12 and letters December 17. Parcels and letters to Great Britain is December 18, and both to Northern Ireland is December 19. The last day for posting parcels and letters around Ireland is Monday, December 21.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for November will be held on Limerick Live 95fm during the sports show on Saturday, November 28. The star prizes this month is a two nights Spa Break in Fitzgerald’s Woodland  House Hotel and Spa Adare, and dinner in Timmy Mac’s Bistro. To join contact the local St Kieran’s club members in person, or online.

The annual Milford Hospice Light up a Memory Christmas Tree event will be held online this year on Sunday, December 6. Lights can be sponsored  from now until Christmas for €5, and they will remain illuminated on the tree until Sunday, January 3, 2021. The lights can be purchased online at www.milfordcarecentre.ir or by calling the Fundraising Department at Milford Care Centre at 061 485859. The ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook and on their website at 6pm on Sunday, December 6.

Congratulations to Donal O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry who won €100 in the Athea GAA Club Development Draw held outdoors on Sunday, November 15 at their Gaelic grounds.

The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, November 16, in the Community Centre, Ardagh. The numbers drawn were 3,10,23,27  and there was no winner of the €3,300 Jackpot.  Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Kate Ambrose Ardagh (online), Josie and Maggie, Deirdre Ambrose (online), Patsy Duggan c/o Ann Mullins, and Rosemary Enright Hodgson (online).  Next week’s jackpot will be €3,400. People can play online using club force on the club’s Facebook page, with 6pm on Monday evening the deadline. The tickets are also on sale at the usual outlets, and all support will be appreciated.               

Creeves Celtic held their eight split the pot fundraiser draw at Hanley’s Foodstore, Creeves, on Monday, November 16. Congratulations to Mary Jo O’Keeffe who won €142. The entry fee is €2 with €1 going to the club and the other €1 to be paid out in prize money each week. The envelopes to place your two Euro in plus details, are available at  Hanley’s Food store Creeves and from committee members. Participants can also sign up to a standing order made payable to the club, contributing €9 per month. The forms are available from committee members, and the  draws will be held on Monday nights and all support will be appreciated.

Congratulations to Ronan Costello, Tournafulla, who won €180 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, November 20. Tickets cost €2 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloney’s Carrigkerry) or from the radio station. All support is very much appreciated. New volunteers to get involved in all aspects of the station are needed at present. The roles available include research and studio work, fundraising, creating new talk shows, documentaries and lots more. Contact the station at 069-66200 if interested.

By Marian Harnett

SANTA COMES TO ABBEYFEALE: He will be chatting to children and reading out their letters at 5.45pm on Friday, November 27 on the Abbeyfeale Christmas Lights FB page and at 6.30pm he’ll turn on the Christmas lights. An event not to be missed.

ANNUAL MASS FOR BEREAVED FAMILIES: Mass for parishioners who were bereaved in the past twelve months will be celebrated next Friday evening, 27th of November at 7.00p.m. Unfortunately, due to the current restrictions on attendance at church, it is not possible to have family members attend in Church. However, the Mass will be livestreamed on our Church Services TV webcam at www.abbeyfealeparish.ie. During the Mass the names of all who have died since the 1st of November last year will be read out and a candle will be lit for each one of them. Please pass this information to relatives who live outside of the parish.

SHOP LOCAL:  We are grateful to all the local shops and businesses who help distribute the Parish Newsletter each weekend. It helps parishioners keep in touch with the parish. At this challenging time of restrictions for all shops and businesses we encourage parishioners to support where possible local shops and businesses, especially in the lead up to Christmas.

VISIT PARISH CHURCH:  The Blessed Sacrament chapel is open each weekday from 11.00am to 6.00pm and on Sunday’s from 1.00pm – 6pm.

RED WEDNESDAY 2020:  Red Wednesday is an initiative of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Catholic charity dedicated to the support of suffering and persecuted Christians. In Ireland, Red Wednesday will take place on November 25. Red Wednesday is a day to draw attention to the plight of those who are persecuted and oppressed for their religious beliefs. Cathedrals, churches and public buildings around the world will light up in red to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Parish Church in Abbeyfeale will be lit up in red from Tuesday, November 24 -Tuesday, December 1. It is clear that the persecution of Christians is worse today than at any time in history. In terms of the number of people involved, the gravity of the acts committed, and their impact, not only are Christians more persecuted than any other faith group, but ever-increasing numbers are experiencing the worst forms of persecution. Red Wednesday provides us with an opportunity to pray for all who suffer because of their Christian faith. Along with lighting up our church in red, parishioners will have an opportunity to pray for suffering Christians during two hours of Adoration. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Wednesday from 11am – 1p.m.  Entrance to the Church will be through the Blessed Sacrament Chapel door. Why not call into the church and spend a few minutes in prayer. On the evening of Wednesday 25th,you may like to link into a Liturgy of Witness with Archbishop Eamon Martin from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh at 7:30pm. This is a beautiful opportunity for the faithful to gather as a community of witnesses and pray not only for persecuted Christians –but also for the persecutors of Christians.

COMPLETE THE LYRICS: Mary Murphy has been thinking about the past year and has put together a few lines. She’s hoping that people will don their thinking caps and continue the lyrics to make a song that will be our anthem for 2020:  ‘’Ring a Ring a Rosy, As the year declines, We’ll remember 2020 and the Quare Old times.’’  We’ll have a Christmas cake from the Abbeyfeale Farmers’ Market for the best effort.

NOONANS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:  The family have organised an online fundraiser and you can donate at this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/noonans-lights-for-charity

WEST LIMERICK COMMUNITY RADIO PLAYING THEIR PART:  WL102fm has provided a great service throughout West Limerick since the lockdown began with Mass broadcast every Sunday morning at 10am to all the people who are cocooning .  Advertising and fundraising pay their expenses and like everyone else they need money to survive.  Please buy a ticket for their weekly draw and help them stay on air – it’s as simple as that – you’ll never miss the water ‘til the well runs dry.  Tickets on sale at Ann Lyons’s, The Square for €2 each and Moss the Farmers’.

By Jer Kennelly

THE DEATH took place on 13th November 2020 of John Joe Barry of Knockanure Village, Moyvane and formerly of Birmingham, England, peacefully in University Hospital Kerry surrounded by his loving wife and family. Predeceased by his parents Mick and Mai Barry, Knockanure. John Joe, beloved husband of Mary and loving father to Theresa (Athea) Angela (Moyvane) Anthony (Mayo) Mary, Bernadette, Michael and Brenda (Birmingham) 17 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, neighbours and his many friends.

He went to England in 1956 and married Mary and raised his family in England, retiring and came home to build a house on his father’s site in Knockanure, he was an only child.

His Requiem Mass was celebrated in Knockanure church on 16th November 2020.

DEATH of William Liam Bunce, 55 years old. Formerly of Lenamore, Ballylongford. Husband of Ann (nee Sheehy) Bunce.  Father of Sean, Brian, Aidan, & Maura.  Son of Margaret Ryan & John Bunce.  Brother of Kathleen Fitzmaurice, Breda Gaggioli, Marie McEnery, Evelyn Mullins & John Bunce.

Funeral Thursday 9:15 am from Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W 95th St. Oak Lawn to St. Gerald Church for Mass at 10am (4pm Irish time). Date published 17^th November 2020.

DEATH of Kathleen O’Brien (née Hynes), Church Road, Moyvane, and late of Renvyle, Connemara, on November 16th, 2020. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Mick, daughter Pamela, sons Mike and Kieran, grandchildren, brother Peter, sister Barbara, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends.

DEATH of Margaret (Peg) Moloney (née Stack), Tullahinell, Ballylongford, on November 11th, 2020, wife of the recently deceased Patrick. Survived by children, Dolly, Peter, Ned, Patrick and Tony, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, brothers Brendan, Phil and Jim, daughters-in-law Irene, Julie and Marian, son-in-law John, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces.

DEATH of Bridget Guerin (née Moran), Dooncaha, Tarbert, on November 15th, 2020. Survived by her husband Sean, sister Sr. Catherine, brother-in-law Francis, and extended family.

DEATH of Marie Buckley(nee Moore) of Main Street, Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary on November 13th 2020, Marie wife of the late John, mother of Anne (O’Meara), Patricia, Nóirín, Maura and Sinéad, adored Nana of Aoife, Doireann and Eimhin and much loved sister of the late John J Moore and recently deceased Kathleen Dunleavy. Her husband John Buckley was a native of Moyvane, died about 25 years ago.

ANNIVERSARIES: Fr. John Horan, Joan Mullane, John Timothy Soules, Bridie Robinson, Jim Hudson, James McCarthy, Pat Foley, John Buckley, Maura Gallahue, Nell O’Carroll, Mattie Walsh, Con Bunce, Phil Scanlon, Bridie Quille, Eileen O’Brien, Sr. Goretti Francis Stack, Mass Moyvane;  Sat 21st  at 7.30pm for Deceased of the Sheehan family, Kilbaha, Dick, Peggy, Tom, John, Mary Vaughan, Myles & baby Richard Sheehan;  Sun 22^nd at 11.00am for Holy Souls (all on the November List);Mon 23rd  at  7.00pm Memorial Mass for all whose funerals were celebrated, see list on top; Tues 24th  at  7.30pm for Willie & Mary Keane, Lenamore;  Wed 25th at 7.30pm for Johnny Quinn, Leitrim Middle; Thurs 26th at 7.30pm for Patrick Scanlon, Moher; Sat 28^th at 7.30pm for Margaret & Johnny Meade, Aughrim, and mass on Sun 29th at 11.00am for  Peggy & Mick Sheehan, Leitrim Middle.

Mass Knockanure on feast Christ our loving King Sun 22nd  at 9.30am for Holy Souls (all on November List); Fri 27^th at 7.30pm for Paddy Flavin, Kilmeaney, his wife Bridie & his brother Jack, and Mass on Sun 29th at 9.30am  for Holy Souls (all on the November List).

MOYVANE ICA Family Fun Day will have to be cancelled this year due to Covid 19. Santa and Mrs. Claus would like to reassure all the boys and girls that they will be at the Marian Hall again in 2021.

MOYVANE GAA AGM 2020: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and following public health guidelines, we are unable to hold our 2020 AGM in the normal fashion.  Croke Park has given Clubs the option of holding an ‘AGM Day’ which we have accepted. The format is as follows: The Moyvane AGM Day date will be Friday, December 11th. All AGM documents, including Minutes of the 2019 AGM, Secretary’s Report, Financial Report and Chairman’s Address, will be available to Club Members before AGM day. To request a copy of these documents, please send your email address to [email protected] and you will be furnished with same. All motions, nominations for officer roles, questions relating to the AGM documents and items for other business must be emailed to  [email protected] or posted to Aine Cronin, Mail Road Cross by Friday, November 27th.  Correspondence received after this date cannot be considered. On the AGM Day the current Executive Committee will elect the officers for 2021 along with Management for Minor, U20, Junior and Senior teams. All questions on the AGM documents will be answered by email within 7 days after AGM day. Results of motions and items of other business will be dealt with by the Executive Committee and emailed within 14 days of the AGM date. Please contact Áine on 087/0906892 if you have any queries.

ROAD Closed from Gale Bridge to Athea for several days, and much diverted traffic, speeding to make time, due to having to travel in a circle. Locals were complaining for several years about the condition of road.

WALK starting on Tuesday, December 1, Joe Dowling of Carrigkerry,  will start his charity walk in the Demesne in Newcastle West, and aims to complete the walk by mid-December. Joe is asking anyone that can afford a   donation , to contact Councillor Francis Foley in Tadgh O’Connor’s in Newcastle West, Dooley’s Pharmacy in The Square, Newcastle West,  Pat Geaney, Knockaderry or Moloney’s Shop in Carrigkerry where you can put your name on a Sponsorship card. 100% of the funding will go to the NCBI . Joe is a brother of Michael J Dowling CEO  of Northwell Health New York, who was recently announced as  a winner of a Presidential  Distinguished  Service Award which will be presented in December.

GREEN Procurement webinar run by Limerick County Council, due to be held on 17^th Nov. details from the Limerick EGLA2020 on YouTube. Farmers who spent generations draining their land, are now being agitated by a proposed Re-Wetting Scheme.

Green-Schools and Irish Water had their 2020 awards ceremony online with a presentation shown on screens in 24 schools around the country.

NEW day care centre in Listowel for people living with Alzheimer’s is being furnished and to open in January. Estimated that 170 in vicinity of Listowel have Alzheimer’s.

SAFEGUARDING SUNDAY -MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF THE DIOCESAN SAFEGUARDING COMMITTEE. 

This is a unique Safeguarding Sunday, unique in the respect that there are no children present in the body of the Church and no altar servers to assist at Masses. Face to face ministry with children has been suspended across the diocese since March. The importance of getting children back into parish life once it is safe to do so has been highlighted by the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee.  When restrictions are lifted the National Board for Safeguarding Children will audit the Diocese. In the interest of best practice and transparency the Diocesan Safeguarding Committee welcomes this audit.  Anyone who would like to report a current or past safeguarding concern is advised to contact the Designated Liaison Person for the Diocese on 087/6362780. Our grateful thanks to our two safeguarding reps here in our Parish, Mary Kennelly, Moyvane and Mary O’Flaherty, Knockanure.

FULL MOON on 30^th November.

FARMERS are seven times more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases than people working in other professions, according to press reports.

AWARD: Kieran Spaight Tarbert student, the overall winner of the competition during Ireland’s first lockdown, for his two-minute presentation and prototype of a safety device for cyclists, under the theme of ‘Go Green, Be Sustainable’. Special Merit Award: EZ Tie Close, Desmond College, Newcastlewest.  https://www.studententerprise.ie/national-finalist-winners-2020/

HISTORY Museum – Changing Faces, Changing Places – A History of Limerick Retailing 1940-2018 Do you remember shopping in Limerick city as a child? Where did your mother/gran/aunt do the shopping? Or did your family’s menfolk ever shop? Where were the shops? What shop stands out in your memory?

If you are interested in participating – and we hope you are – please contact Dr Helene Bradley Davies or Dr Maura Cronin by email to ([email protected]) or phone (061-204996) Office hours.

KNOCK Advent Programme- 24 Nov- A series of online reflections for Advent with Jim Deeds and Brendan McManus SJ. Join them every Tuesday and Thursday as they travel though Advent; a time or preparation and waiting for the birth of the Christ child. They invite you to go on a scriptural and Ignatian journey through the themes of Advent, relating them to everyday experience.

For more information, check out https://www.knockshrine.ie/events/2020-11-24/?v=d2cb7bbc0d23

TALKS: Dr Jessie Rogers, lectures in Scripture at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, having previously taught at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick and at the Dominican Biblical Institute, Limerick. She is a Godly Play trainer, and a spiritual guide. For further information, please contact [email protected]

ARTS: The Kerry County Council Arts Grants application process is now open for projects and activities taking place in 2021. The closing date for receipt of applications is 1pm on Thursday, December 17th 2020.