By Marian Harnett
PROLOGUE: The person who falls and gets up is much stronger than the one who never fell.
DEATHS. Sincere sympathy to the O’Sullivan family, Mountcollins on the death of Brett Audsley and the O’Connell family on the death of Peg Doody O’Connell, New St. May they rest in peace.
GLIN CASTLE TO GO GREEN: ‘St Patrick’s Festival 2021 will be marked virtually with an online programme celebrating Limerick’s ‘Edge and Embrace. Limerick Tourism, Culture and Arts Department are working in partnership with Fáilte Ireland to light up buildings across Limerick City and County from Saturday, March 13 – 20 inclusive, to celebrate St Patrick’s Day’. Despite the pandemic, the show goes on, online on St Patrick’s Festival TV (SPF TV) at stpatricksfestival.ie from March 12 – 17, offering more than 100 events.
CLOSURE OF ABBEYFEALE BRANCH OF BANK OF IRELAND: Fintan Quirke, the last Porter in the Bank of Ireland, was in touch to say that the bank arrived in Abbeyfeale in 1876 and was known then as The National Bank. The first Porter to work there was Mr. Wrenn from New Street whose son Lornie became the Garda Commissioner in the late 70’s and was involved in several high profile cases. Fintan also told me that in the early years of the 20th. Century the bank had two sub offices in Athea and Brosna and travelled out to them by pony and trap carrying the cash box on the floor of the trap! Different times indeed.
EDUCATION: Kerry College will take part in a ‘Career Path Expo’ on Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11 from 3pm to 8pm. Career Path Expo is a free, online, virtual and interactive.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE: Are you interested in developing or expanding your social enterprise? Have you an innovative approach to addressing community needs? ‘Cooperating to Succeed’ is an imaginative yet practical programme designed to support social entrepreneurs, providing a year-long training and support package, tailored to your current needs. For further information please contact [email protected] or 069 66294.
RETAIL SUPPORT TRAINING PROGRAMME: West Limerick Resources along with the Local Enterprise Office are offering this FREE Online Training to Retailers in the West Limerick area, presented by Ireland’s leading consultant in the artisan food manufacturing and retail sectors, James Burke. There will be two workshops. Workshop 1 – Driving Aggressive Sales Growth will be held on Monday, March 22 from 9.00 to 1.00pm and Workshop 2 – Driving Online Sales will be held on Monday, March 29 from 11.00am to 1.00pm. All participants will be offered a free business assessment as part of the training. Please note this training is limited to 10 participants. In relation to one-to-one, group meetings and the current situation regarding Coronavirus, please see Notice to Public above. For further information and to book your place, please contact Aimee Grigg at West Limerick Resources on 069 66295 or email [email protected]
TAKEOUT AVAILABLE: We all need something to look forward to during these months of pandemic so why not treat yourself to a meal from Leens Hotel. Available from 1-8pm seven days a week. Special menu available for Mothers’ Day. Conor McCarthy’s Kitchen Table has also reopened for Takeaway and the Green Gourmet in Convent St. is open for takeaway until 3pm Monday to Friday.
CHURCH CLOSURE: Fr Tony Mullins 0872600414, Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030, Fr Denis Mullane 087/26219. Due to current restrictions around Covid-19 parishioners are not allowed to attend Mass inside the Church Building but you are more than welcome to attend Mass in the Church Car Park in the comfort of your own car and listen to Mass on the Car Park Radio on 107fm. Due to current restrictions only 6 people are allowed to attend weddings and 10 to attend funerals. The Blessed Sacrament chapel is open every day from 11-6pm for private prayer. During Lent there will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Monday evening from 6-7pm and on Thursday mornings after the 10am Mass until 12 noon. St Anthony Novena take place each Monday evening during the 7pm Mass. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help each Friday morning at 10am Mass. Stations of the Cross every Friday at 9.30am. Mass Intentions: Intentions for the week. Thursday10am Lisa Doran. No Saturday morning Mass. 6.30pm Pa Colbert, Killarney Road, Billy & Joan Colbert, Killarney Road. Mary Clancy, New Street, Month’s Mind. Sunday 10am Ned & Peg Leahy, The Millstream their son Emmet and Daughter Ita Kelly. Sean & Margaret and Lukeen Scannell, The Hill. 12 noon Kitty Fitzgerald, The Railway Bar.
ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT: An Garda Síochána is asking the public to be aware of the rise in investment fraud scams. Unfortunately such scams are becoming more prevalent, particularly during the pandemic due to increased online traffic and targeting of the general public by criminals using ever increasingly sophisticated means. An investment fraud scam is a fraud where criminals pose as investment managers, promise quick and high rates of return, and simply steal your money. The fraudster uses various investment schemes such as in rare metals, overseas property, and alternative energy schemes such as carbon credits and forestry. Promises are made of fast, enormous returns, once in a lifetime opportunities and can be seen to be endorsed by reputable business people or celebrities but this is without their knowledge. How to avoid Investment Fraud scams: If it is too good to be true, it probably is. Do your own research and be wary of wild claims. Always seek independent financial and legal advice before making any investments. Check the various registers on the Central Bank of Ireland’s website. Use regulated investment firms where possible (Virtual assets are not currently regulated in Ireland). Do not respond to unsolicited approaches or cold-calls. Don’t click on links for websites that you don’t know. NEVER EVER disclose your bank account passwords or codes. NEVER allow anyone remote access to your computer. Further information on investment and other fraud types can be found on www.garda.ieand www.fraudSMART.ie Abbeyfeale Gardai can be reached on 068 30010.