By Marian Harnett

PROLOGUE:  Enjoy all you have while pursuing all you want.

GLÓRACH BINGO: Glorious weather ensured a large turnout at the GAA grounds in Abbeyfeale last Sunday for our weekly drive-in Bingo. The effervescent Tom Madigan took up the mantle once again of calling out the numbers, and any despondency felt by our Kerry contingent after the match on Saturday quickly receded over the course of a memorable afternoon. Once again, thanks to all involved who have ensured the safe and smooth running of this event, and to our loyal patrons. Familiar faces and newcomers all welcome at the usual starting time of 2 pm each Sunday.

PAT FEELEY ON LYRIC FM:  With obvious distractions for many Limerick people over the last few weeks, some may have missed the compilation of some of Pat Feeley’s memorable programmes that appeared on Lyric FM.  If you did, simply go to the RTE Lyric FM Player site; the three programmes broadcast can be accessed under ‘The Lyric Feature’.

WELCOME HOME FR. TIM AND SORRY FOR YOUR TROUBLE!:  Delighted to have Fr. Tim Galvin home from his Mission in South Sudan for a few months but how well Kerry had to lose to Tyrone at the weekend.  The Kilmanahan native will have to pray for Mayo on Saturday week at 5pm and use all his influence with the Man Above to get that curse called off.

FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING CENTRE, MOUNTMAHON, ABBEYFEALE (THE OLD TECH):

The following free courses still have some spaces left: Sewing for Beginners, Beginners knitting, Payroll Manual & Computerised (Level 5), Bookkeeping manual and computerised (Level 5), Childcare Level 5, Healthcare Level 5, Sign Language, Winter window box gardening, making a podcast, Upcycling Furniture, Local history.

Please call the office on 06831198 for more information, Email: [email protected] or register at www.learningandskills.ie.

BALLYHEIGUE PATTERN DAY:  This year Bishop Ray Browne will celebrate Mass in Our Lady’s Well and Grotto, Ballyheigue on Wednesday, August 8 at 12 noon, Mass will be streamed live on www. dioceseofkerry.ie facebook page. In the interests of safety and fairness there will be no congregation present on the day. The Well and Grotto will remain closed for the duration of the Mass and will reopen at 1.30pm after which you are most welcome to come for private prayer.

INVITATION:  You are invited to attend Abbeyfeale Community Council AGM on Thursday, September 16 at Fr. Casey’s G.A.A. Clubhouse @7.30 p.m.  ACC has secured the investment of over six hundred thousand euro for our community in the past five years. Projects include The new Business Hub, walkways in Abbeyfeale Town Park, heritage signage, provision of defibrillators and many more. Abbeyfeale is about to undergo momentous changes with the implementation of the new traffic management plan, the development of the Greenway and the proposed Abbeyfeale bypass.

Have your voice heard now. Join the ACC – at the heart of Abbeyfeale. Stronger together!

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration in the main church every Friday, beginning after the 10.00am Mass – 6.00pm. Entrance through the front door of the church. Please note that when there is a Wedding Mass celebrated on a Friday, adoration will be from 4 to 6.00pm.

CHARITY Cycle on the Limerick Greenway on Saturday, September 11 in aid of Little Blue Heroes Foundation.

VEHICLE RUN:   Paudie Fitzmaurice Memorial Vehicle run, begins at the Mart in Castleisland at noon on Sunday, September 5.

TRAINING: Cycle Against Suicide are working to train and deploy a network of ‘Community Buddies’ into communities in Kerry and all across Ireland.    The Community Buddy programme is peer to peer support and is centred around a structured but supportive conversation in a safe and non-judgemental space.  It allows an individual to discuss how they are coping or not coping and working with the Buddy to discuss (and co-produce) ways of moving forward to overcome the challenges.  The training to become a Community Buddy is 2 full days or four evenings currently being delivered via zoom.  Full details are available at: https://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/community-buddy-club/

FOOD FAIR: Listowel Food Fair will be held from Thursday, November 4 until Monday, November 8 – Family & Children, Festivals, Food & Drink. Since its inception in 1995, the Listowel Food Fair has continued to develop successfully and is now an established event in the calendar of Kerry festivals.

COMMUNITY RADIO:  WL102fm are relying on tickets sales for their weekly draw to keep them on air as this is the only fundraiser that they can hold at the minute.  Tickets are available in Kathleen’s Food Store, Convent St., Mikey’s stall in the Square, Moss the Farmers’ and also in the Siopa Nua.  Fr. Tony is very thankful to the volunteers who make it possible to broadcast Mass to the people of West Limerick every Sunday morning at 10am from Abbeyfeale.

STORYTELLING: Listowel International Storytelling Festival returns in-person to Listowel from Friday, September 17 – 19.    Now in its 3rd year the festival will feature a packed programme of events including storytelling sessions & workshops, story & history walks, music sessions and children’s storytelling. We are especially thrilled to have acclaimed storyteller Maria Gillen as our Artistic Director for the festival. Our full programme will be available soon, but follow our Social Media pages or visit www.kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival/ for updates on special guests and events.

BALLYLONGFORD BLACKSMITHING FAIR:   A new event will take place in  Ballylongford on the weekend of  Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26 next.  Blacksmithing displays in the Creamery and grounds from Forged in Ireland , hand forged and old wares for sale, food and refreshments on sale and roving musicians.  It will be a family friendly weekend with admission only €5 and under 16’s free.