by Marian Harnett
DEATH: Sincere sympathy to his mother Betty, children Rachael and Mark and extended family on the recent death of Stephen O’Sullivan, Railway Rd and The Hill. May he rest in peace.
WEDDING BELLS: Huge congratulations to Elaine Stryker, Knocknagoshel, daughter of Eileen and Edwin and granddaughter of Jackie Harnett, Purt and James Riordan, Templeglantine son of Mikey and MaryAnn who were married in The Church of the Assumption, Abbeyfeale last weekend. We wish them many years of health and happiness.
GLOBAL STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS: He did it! Nick Cotter Jnr. from Dromtrasna, Abbeyfeale – one of our own – is the Global – take note, not local, not national, not European but the Global Student Entrepreneur of 2022. This did not happen by accident or good fortune but by utilising blood, sweat and tears and hard slog. The Global Student Entrepreneur 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. Nick Cotter Jnr. Dromtrasna co- founder with his younger brother Jack of Cotter Bros Firewood, Cotter Organic Lamb and Cotter Agrictech, son of Jackie and Nicky Cotter competed against 60 other student entrepreneurs won through and put Ireland, Co. Limerick, Abbeyfeale and Dromtrasna on the world map. 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. You’ll find the link to watch the announcement on Cotter Agritech.
ABBEYFEALE TOWN PARK: The next time you visit the Town Park call down to the pond and take note of the seat there overlooking it – it is made from oak salvaged from the Jeannie Johnson. On the way back up to the carpark you might call to the toilet block where the donation box is located and give an offering – every euro counts. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful facility on our doorstep when you think of the exercise machines, the lovely walks, and the two playgrounds for the children, the soccer court, the basketball court, Zoe’s zip line, the ducks and hens and so so much more. It’s also an opportunity to socialise in a safe environment. You won’t miss the occasional euro and any funds that can be raised won’t go astray.
ROMANCE SCAMS: Loneliness exacerbated by the lock down has led to people going on line looking for a partner. Don’t give away more than your Christian name – people can pretend to be anyone they like so why give them free information and definitely the minute he asks for money no matter for what – a sick child, a business proposition, a lost wallet – drop him. I know someone in her early 70’s who is in a nursing home, has access to a lap top and who accepts all FB friend requests from the opposite sex in order to see how long she can lead them on until they look for the cash. She says it’s a great way to pass the time and she’s nearly as good as a novelist with the tales she spins – ‘ Come into my parlour said the spider to the fly’.
OSKARS: The Oskars will be taking place in the Devon Inn on Friday, October 21. This fundraiser for St. Ita’s Sheltered Housing has been rescheduled from October 2020.
DANAHER MCGRATH TRUST SCHOLARSHIP: Young people from Athea, Abbeyfeale, Mountcollins, Tournafulla and Templeglantine are invited to apply for a range of scholarships from a minimum of €2,000 to a maximum of €5,000 that are open to full time college students. Application forms are available from Abbeyfeale Credit Union, local secondary schools or Woulfe Murphy Solicitors. Closing date is August 31 and terms and conditions apply.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: The Abbeyfeale Christmas Lights committee say “In our town, we believe in Christmas. With this in mind, we started 5 years ago to provide new lighting. Every year we work very hard with volunteers to fundraise so that we can add to our stock. We need to raise a lot of money to finish our task “ Log onto I donate and you can enter a raffle for two Garth Brooks tickets for his concert in September with all monies going to the Abbeyfeale Christmas Lights committee www.idonate.ie/AbbeyfealeChristmasLights.
DAY CARE CENTRE: Now open to visitors every Tuesday. Contact Jane on 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.
FAMILY FUN DAY: Tournafulla and District Vintage Club Family Fun Day and a Tractor/Car run will take place on Sunday July 10. Proceeds to local organisations and Ukraine.
RAMBLING HOUSE: Jim Lyons’s Rambling House in Knockalougha is back on the third Tuesday of each month so in July it will be held on Tuesday 19.
BEST Wishes to Kearney’s Home Baking, celebrating 30 years in business this year.
TINTEAN Theatre Ballybunion on July 24th. Three legends of traditional Irish music will perform at Ballybunion Arts Festival. Dermot Byrne is on the button accordion, Steve Cooney is on guitar and Dezi Donnelly will play fiddle.
FLEADH Cheoil na Mumhan in Newcastle West, July 10-16. If you are illing to help for a day contact 0879654451. The Fleadh competition timetable can be viewed on the Munster Comhaltas website.
BUS TO KNOCK: The following trips to Knock are taking place : On Sunday July 24 to mark Grandparents Day. Then on the weekend of Sunday August 21st – Monday August 22nd Peggy Lynch’s Knock & Lough Derg overnight tour will travel. Further details from O’Callaghan Coach Holidays on 064 6631095.
BIKE HIRE: Greenway bike hire now available at Rathkeale, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale, details from 087 372 6914.
MUNSTER FLEADH: The Munster Fleadh takes place in NCW from July 10-16.