Happy 80th Birthday Catherine

Pictured with Kathleen Atkins (Niece) David, her husband and their 2 sons Dylan and Jamie – we sang Happy birthday from outside the window to her.

Catherine Goulding celebrated her 80th birthday on February 8th. She is recovering after surgery on 14th December, having spent 8 weeks in U.H.L.

She is now in the outstanding care of St. Ita’s Respite in Newcastle West. She wants to thank all her outstanding neighbours and friends for all their support and phone calls and for all those who prayed for her, lit candles and sent Get Well wishes while in hospital and for all the birthday cards, presents and flowers for her 80th. She thanks family in the U.S.A. and U.K. for all their support.

St. Ita’s staff made her day so special for her and were kept busy bringing up all the cards and presents that were dropped for her. Just a special thanks for everyone’s kindness, generosity and support at this time.

St. Bartholomew’s Church, Athea

Mass Intentions next weekend

Friday Feb 26^th 7.30pm   Dan & John Hanrahan and their parents Jeremiah & Eileen Hanrahan.

Lenten Pack

There are still some Lenten Packs available in the church which includes a Lenten prayer card and the Trócaire box.

Offertory collection & Lenten stations

Sincere thanks to all who supported our collection last Sunday afternoon.

The Rosary, The Devine Mercy Chaplet and The Stations of the Cross.

The Rosary will be recited before mass on Friday and Saturday evening at 7.15pm and on Sunday morning at 10.15am. The Devine Mercy Chaplet will be said each Thursday evening at 7.15pm and the Stations of the Cross will take place each Friday evening at 7pm before the rosary and mass.

All masses are live streamed on the Church Services TV network via the following link

https://churchservices.tv/athea

Church opening

The Church is open daily for private prayer. If you wish to book an anniversary mass, a wedding or baptism date or get a mass card signed please contact

Fr. Brendan on 087-0562674 or Siobhán on 087-2237858.

Diocesan Events

1   Breather session for Healthcare Worker

The February session for healthcare workers will be on Thursday 25^th of February, there will be a session at 3pm and another at 8pm, please encourage any family members or parishioners working in any capacity in healthcare, to avail of this short time out to nourish themselves.  You can register for this event here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/healthcare_breather.

Happenings

By Domhnall de Barra

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Joe Burke over the weekend. Joe, from Athenry in East Galway, was one of the greatest and best known traditional musicians of all time. Paddy O’Brien is credited with devising the B/C method of playing the two row accordion but it was Joe that perfected it. Back in the middle of the last century, it was he who set the standard for all of us who were learning at the time. Sadly, try though we did, we never reached  that plateau on which he reigned supreme. I first met him when he adjudicated me at the All-Britain Fleadh Cheoil in Glasgow in the early ‘sixties. We met afterwards for a pint and a chat and we have been friends ever since. The well worn cliché “larger than  life” has been attributed to many people but Joe did indeed fit that description. He had a tall, stately bearing with that distinctive beard of latter years and a smile that endeared him to all in a room when he made an entrance. He spoke in his beautiful, soft East Galway accent and though he never raised his voice, when he said something he commanded attention. He had a ready wit and was a great story teller. I remember one time, in the early ’seventies, when there was an All-Ireland in Listowel and Joe was due to perform at a concert there. I was living near Listowel at the time, on the Tarbert Road not too far from where Lyons’ Funeral Home is situated now.

A couple of days before the fleadh a knock came to the door and there stood Joe with his accordion in his hand. He had been making his way from Galway and as he drove along he noticed a noise, or as he said “a growl” coming from the back axel. As he put it “ the growl got worse but the car was going fine until I came off the ferry and was heading towards Listowel. All of a sudden the growl stopped and I was delighted until I realised the car had stopped too.”  He hitched a lift to my house and we soon got the rest of his belongings, he wouldn’t leave the accordion, and got the car to a garage to be ready for when he wanted to go home which could be any day of the following week depending on how well the fleadh was going. We soldiered together through many a fleadh cheoil and shared the stage on numerous tours of  America, Ireland and Britain. In recent years we haven’t met up so much but I have great memories of the nights we spent together, drinking and telling yarns with the odd tune thrown in.

It is a pity, due to the pandemic, that we aren’t allowed to give him the send off that he truly deserves but it may be a blessing in disguise because it would be a huge ordeal for his wife Ann and their relations to try and deal with the thousands of people who would flock to pay their respects. We are left with great memories of a mighty man and musician who will always be remembered whenever the subject of traditional music is raised. We owe him a great debt for the wealth of music he has left us  and the joy he gave us over the years. I will never again hear “the Bucks of Oranmore” played without shedding a silent tear. Farewell Joe, you left a huge footprint on the traditional scene and we will not see your likes again. May you rest in peace.

I am always encouraging people to contribute to this newsletter and I will publish any letter or email received as long as the author attached his/her name and address. If the writer does not want to have the name published we will respect that wish and just say “name and address supplied”. If however there is no name attached, it is our policy, and a long established journalistic principle, not to publish the letter. It is a pity therefore that I cannot include a very good letter I got last week in reply to my article “into the future” which asked the question about the future for Athea. The write agrees with a lot of what I had to say and makes a few suggestions and while I will not include all the letter I would like to share the following excerpt

“The main issue here is the lack of housing in Athea. Upon conversing with a local Estate Agent recently, I have been reliably informed that  they have in fact six families on their waiting lists seeking a home in Athea, mostly made up of young families with the required mortgage approval in place. This is direct evidence of the current attraction towards living in Athea. I’m sure other agents have experienced similar demand.

I invite your readers to take a walk down Con Colbert  Street at their next opportunity – observe how many buildings and overhead living spaces remain vacant?  One must ask themselves the question – is this fair on our youth who are so desperately seeking to be part of our community. Having these buildings occupied would result in a vibrant village centre injecting life into the village. I would plead with the owners of these buildings to consider selling, renting or renovating these spaces to make them into liveable spaces. The local authority also need to step up here with regard to enforcing the Derelict Housing Act, the neglect of owners of these properties has gone on long enough.

Similarly, many of the housing stock in the countryside is under occupied. If provided with the opportunity I am sure there are many elderly living in the countryside (myself included) who would be more than willing to sell their house in return for a small suitable house near all the services in  our village, reducing the feeling of isolation.”

Food for thought there and many thanks to the writer of that letter for giving us the benefit of his/her observations. Please keep sending in correspondence but remember to include name and address. We will respect your privacy if you so wish.

By Peg Prendeville

Monday was a very welcome fine day when the birds were singing, snowdrops and daffodils beginning to open up and the sun in the sky. What a difference it makes. I know it was followed by strong wind and rain but at least we savoured it for a while and enjoyed it while it lasted.

“Ireland Reads” is part of the government-backed Keep Well initiative, and will encourage everyone to discover the joy of reading and participate in a national day of reading on Thursday, 25th February. It’s all about promoting the power of reading for enjoyment and wellbeing – combating lockdown by encouraging people to get into a habit of regularly setting aside time to sit and read a book, a poem, a comic, a newspaper, whatever works for them. I quote “ Research shows that children who read a lot when they are young are more likely to become lifelong readers and gain significant knowledge along the way. For adults, studies have found that reading for pleasure enhances empathy, understanding of the self, and is effective in combating loneliness. In a year when we have all been searching for new ways to break out mentally from our daily routines as well as connect with others we can’t meet right now, reading offers a way to escape, to lift our mood, and to take part in a communal experience we can share across our household bubbles.”

It is such a pity that the libraries are closed due to Covid 19 as there are many people who relied on library books to pass the long winter evenings. I know that books can be read online but there is nothing like having a book in the hand ‘til you drop off to sleep and let it fall to the ground. Check out https://www.irelandreads.ie

The Curse of Covid

When someone goes to hospital

It was the natural thing to do

To go and sit beside them

And bring them all the news.

That was the way it used to be

‘til Coronavirus came

And got rid of nightly visits.

It should hang its head in shame.

We’re now left with window visits

Or talking on the phone

No tender touch to ease the fear

For each person is alone

With only latex touch for comfort

From a kind and caring nurse

With blue gowns and masks and shields

To keep out that wretched curse.

We all are longing for the day

When normal times return again

And we can hug and kiss our loved ones

Without fear of killing them.

I pray that day will come quite soon

Meantime I hope and pray and trust

That all the people we love so much

Will understand why we cannot touch.

By Tom Ahern

We extend sympathy to Henry Long and family, Rooskagh on the passing of his father Jim Long (Jim) Long, Suttons Cross, Ramsgrange, Wexford on Monday, February 15. In accordance with current restrictions regarding public gatherings a private cremation took place on Friday, February 19.  The Long family were proprietors  of the Central Bar in Main Street, Ardagh for a number of years. They are also associated with Rathkeale Boxing club, with Henry a coach and son Cormac winning numerous titles. Sympathy also to all the  other family members, and may he rest in Peace.

Enrolments are now open  for the coming school year 2021/22, at Kilcolman N.S. Enrolment forms can be found on the school website www.kilcolmanns.com and can be returned by post or by email to [email protected]

The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, February 15. The numbers drawn were 7, 14, 26 and 30 and there was no winner of the €4,400 Jackpot.  Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each:  Tommy Greaney, c/o Denis Greaney, Alex JC O’Sullivan, c/o Dawn, Ita and Tadhg Dineen, Ardagh, Breda Fulham, Ballyvoughan and Luke and Niamh c/o Mackessy’s. Next Monday night’s Jackpot will  be €4,500. 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 split the pot draw at Hanley’s Food store,  Creeves, on Monday, February 15. Congratulations to Emer Feehan who won €120. The weekly   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. People can also sign up by standing order for €9 per month. The  draws will be held on Monday nights, and all support will be appreciated.

People may have noticed an increase in fuel prices in recent weeks. Petrol has gone up around ten cents per litre since Christmas, for no apparent reason. Consumers are hard pressed as it is especially at this time of the year, and fuel also rose in last October’s Budget.

The Bard of Sliabh Luachra Johnny Walsh  from Mountcollins is steeped in music, song, dance and Gaelic games. His latest The Mighty Men from the Shannonside composition pays tribute to the Limerick hurlers who won the All Ireland Championship last December. Written and performed by Johnny with a lovely music beat  the CD is priced €5 and on sale in select outlets due to Covid restrictions. It is receiving great airplay on Radio Kerry, Cork and Clare  102fm etc and all proceeds will go to Milford Hospice Limerick. Johnny told me he is close to his sale target but copies are still available and all support will be greatly appreciated.

Johnny has been involved with West Limerick GAA, the County Board, and Scór since the mid 1990s, and his colourful match reports and poems have featured in all the local papers. Over the years Johnny has been very generous with his time and talents, (attending numerous functions and events) to all clubs and organisations. A born entertainer, composer and storyteller (pure true) par excellence Johnny has lit up many a  stage and venue, to the delight of all present. It is now people’s  chance to return the favour to Johnny and to support the great work that Milford Care Centre do. Johnny can be contacted on 086-3517589 to arrange a copy.

Congratulations to Katie Phillips c/o Tony Hayes shop, who won €210 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50draw, held on Friday, February 19. This was the first draw for 2021 due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Tickets cost €2 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloney’s Carrigkerry) or from the radio station. All support will be appreciated as finances are tight due to lack of fundraising. The radio station is off limits to members of the public at present, with only volunteers allowed access. When restrictions are lifted all will be very welcome to visit and get involved in programming. A number of exciting new programmes are in the pipeline for later in the year. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.

Notes are scarce due to Covid so this week we look back on parish notes from 50 years ago.

A Telephone Kiosk has been put up in Carrigkerry Village but is not yet in service. A dangerous bend in the village is to be removed by Limerick Council before the Kiosk is connected. The  district will then have a 24 hour service. It is a must needed amenity as the community has no resident priest, doctor, vet , etc.

This week’s house dance in aid of Carrigkerry Festival will be held at Peg O’Connell’s farmhouse, Glensharrold. This lovely thatched farm house was recently featured in Rural Roundabout by Martin Ryan. Peg was a member of Cumann na mBan in her young days before moving to Glensharrold. Peg’s late husband Maurice worked at the Old Mill Creamery. The social will take place this Saturday night and will consist of  a 41 Drive, and house dance, etc. Teas will be served by the ladies social committee. The bean a tí extends a céad míle fáilte to all.

Record prices are being paid for grazing land in West Limerick and to date prices ranging  up to 30 pounds per statute acre have been paid for lands let on the 11 month system.

The death occurred at Saint Nessan’s Hospital, Croom of John T Woulfe Ballyine Newcastle West  who was a respected member  of the farming community. The funeral was from Ardagh Church to Grange Cemetery. The death of Mrs Margaret Morrow (nee Casey) occurred at her residence, Ballyine, Carrigkerry recently. The funeral was from Carrigkerry Church to Churchtown Cemetery.

Johnny Walsh on Song

The Bard of Sliabh Luachra Johnny Walsh  from Mountcollins is steeped in music song dance and Gaelic games. His latest The Mighty Men from the Shannonside composition pays tribute to the Limerick hurlers who won the All Ireland Championship last December. Written and performed by Johnny with a lovely music beat  the CD is priced €5 and on sale in select outlets due to Covid restrictions.  It is receiving great airplay on Radio Kerry, Cork and Clare etc and all proceeds will go to Milford Hospice Limerick. Johnny told me he is close to his sale target but copies are still available and all support will be greatly appreciated.

Johnny has been involved with West Limerick GAA, the County Board, and Scór since the mid 1990s, and his colourful match reports and poems have featured in all the local papers. Over the years Johnny has been very generous with his time and talents, (attending numerous functions and events)  to all clubs and organisations.  A born entertainer, composer and storyteller (pure true) par excellence Johnny has lit up many a  stage and venue, to the delight of all present. It is now peoples  chance to return the favour to Johnny and to support the great work that Milford  Care Centre do. Johnny can be contacted on 086-3517589 to arrange a copy