By Marian Harnett
DEATHS: We offer our sincere sympathies to the families of the late Pauline Murphy, Ballaugh and Eileen Leahy, Bogmount on their recent deaths. May they rest in peace.
CONGRATULATIONS: Delighted that our own Cllr. Francis Foley is the new Cathaoirleach of the Newcastlewest Electoral Area. We offer our congratulations to his wife Helen, mother Rita and family.
WEST LIMERICK SINGING CLUB: Friday, July 1 at the Ramble Inn, Church St., Guest Singer Ella Marie O’Dwyer. All welcome.
MARGARET RETIRES: A note from retired Garda Nicholas Leonard Ballaugh with the news that “After almost 30 years’ sterling and dedicated service, Margaret McAuliffe-Clarke retired recently from her post as Garda Staff member at Abbeyfeale Garda Station. Always helpful and good-natured, Margaret will be greatly missed by her Garda and Staff colleagues, and by the wider Abbeyfeale public amongst whom she had made many good friends and was highly respected. We thank Margaret for her service to our community and for her kind friendship and we wish her and her husband, Barry, every blessing and a long, happy, healthy and well-earned retirement in her beloved County Cork.”
GLOBAL STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS: The Global Student Etrepreneur Awards is the premier global competition for students who own and operate a business while attending college and still studying. They support student entrepreneurs with mentorship, recognition and connections to take their businesses to the next level of success. We in Abbeyfeale do not realise the amount of talent that abounds in our community until you hear that young Nick Cotter Jnr. Dromtrasna co- founder of Cotter Bros Firewood, Cotter Organic Lamb and Cotter Agrictech, son of Jackie and Nicky Cotter is in the running for Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year. Not alone is he representing Ireland but he is also representing Europe as he is in the last six competitors from the 60 that began the journey and the remainder are from South America and India. A film crew spent two days in Dromtrasna so you can imagine that the publicity for Ireland will be huge as there aren’t as many places as beautiful as Dromtrasna on a summer’s evening. At 5pm this Thursday, June 30 the winner will be announced on the GSEA You Tube Channel. Be sure and watch. You’ll find the link on Cotter Agritech.
MEALS ON WHEELS NOW AVAILABLE FROM ST. ITA’S DAY CARE CENTRE: Meals on Wheels are available from the Centre – to book a delivery ring 068 51850.
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: If you are interested in travelling to Lourdes this September 22-27 contacts Fr. Tony. Staying at the Hotel La Solitude, complimentary group insurance, cost €789. Pilgrims must be fully vaccinated to travel as part of this group.
ARA NA FEILE SUMMER OUTING: Twenty seven members of Abbeyfeale’s Active Retirement group set off on a beautiful day last Wednesday for Clonmacnoise and then made their way by cruiser into Athlone where they had a tour booked in Athlone Castle. Clonmacnoise situated on the River Shannon and founded by St. Ciarán in the middle of the 6th. Century consists of the remains of a cathedral, several churches and a fine heritage centre and museum where we were able to view a film on the founding of the settlement and see the original sculptured crosses replicas of which are to be seen outside in the graveyard. We were given a tour as a group and the guide was well able to bring us back in our imaginations to times past and it made for a very interesting and informative hour. It was time then to make our way to the landing pier to go on board our cruiser for a two hour cruise of the Shannon where we were treated to a talk on its fish life by the very entertaining and knowledgeable Captain and views of the bird life and swans and the cattle who graze the land through which the Shannon meanders on its way to Athlone. The older name for Athlone was Áth Mór – the great ford- reflecting the fact that this was one of the most strategic fording points across the great River Shannon, linking east and west (Archaeology Ireland Heritage Guide No 88). It was a Kerry man who gave us the tour of the castle and then it was time to return to our bus and our jolly bus driver Andy for a trip back to NCW for a very enjoyable dinner at the Silver Room. It was a great day out in good company and all thanks to the organisational skills of a number of the members. Roll on September when the group meetings resume.
A CALL OUT FOR SUMMER CLOTHES: – Ukrainian children boys & girls 4 to 10 years. T shirts, shorts, pants, dresses, shoes, runners, sandals etc. Clothes in good condition that your children have grown out of. These can be dropped out to the Ardagh Community Centre anytime between 8. 30am – 4p.m.Monday to Saturday. They are still looking for bikes for adults and children so that they could use the Greenway.
AFTERNOON TEA DANCE: Plaza Hall, Listowel on Sunday, July 17 at 3pm in aid of Ard Churam Fuchsia Centre for Dementia/Alzheimer.
MUNSTER FLEADH: The Munster Fleadh takes place in NCW from July 10-16.
LOUGH DERG THREE DAY PILGRIMAGE: A pilgrimage will leave from Abbeyfeale in mid-July and call to Knock coming home. The season opened on Wednesday, June 1 and runs until August 15, (Saturday, August 13 is final day to begin the Pilgrimage).Admission €80 | Booking advised | Concessions available for students, seniors and groups. All booking info, including organised parish groups available at www.loughderg.org,email [email protected] or telephone 0(0353)71 9861518. Lough Derg, Pettigo, Co Donegal, F94 N289
RATHFREDAGH CHESHIRE HOME GARDEN FETE: Rathfredagh Sunday, July 3.
LISTOWEL LARTIGUE MONORAIL: The museum is located on the John B. Keane Road and is now open from 1pm. to 4.30pm., daily.
GRASSROOTS GAA: Stories are being collected for publication, details from 086 821 7631, or contact [email protected]