By Jer Kennelly
The Man Behind the Monument
Professor Michael J. O’Kelly was born in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick in 1915. Although he was Christened as Michael, his family called him Brian.
He was one of Ireland’s most prominent archaeologists, having studied at University College Cork. His legacy is long-standing and his body of work is incredibly well respected in the field of archaeological academia. Shortly after graduating with his MA, he was appointed to the role of curator at the Cork Public Museum, a position which he retained for over 20 years. He also replaced his great mentor Seán O’Ríordáin as head of the archaeology department at his alma mater, UCC.
Newgrange is largely regarded as his life’s work, his magnum opus as it were. His name has become synonymous with the monument.
GRIT: Kerry County Council are providing deposits of grit at 97 locations across Kerry.
CAUTION many dates of events may be changed, due to weather.
Christmas Confessions will be held in Listowel on Mon. 19th Dec. at 8.00pm.
Christmas Eve 24Dec Mass Listry Radio Kerry at 6pm
PARISH: Parish Office closed Thurs. 22nd Dec. to Thurs. 4th Jan.’23.
Christmas Wishes from Fr. Brendan; As this Christmas season arrives, every good wish and Blessing. Let me also thank you all for your support in different ways through the year. Special mention is made of you who contribute financially as well as those who have been engaged in tasks such as those of general maintenance, altar servers, choirs, Councils, cleaners, counters, florists, readers, Eucharistic ministers, sacristans, parish secretary and if anyone was omitted, my apologies. Thank you. Be assured that your participation is treasured.
WALK Run: Moyvane Development Association’s 2nd annual Christmas Dash: 6k Run & 3k Walk will take place on Tuesday December 27th. Starting at Community Sports Hall at 12 noon. Registration from 11.00am to 11.50am. Prize For Best Dressed Runner & Walker!
EVENTS: Scoil Chorp Chríost Knockanure: Christmas Prayer Service on Tues. 20th Dec. in Corpus Christi Church Knockanure at 7 p.m. All Welcome. Help Santa stop the Grinch from stealing Christmas at Table Top Sale at Knockanure Community Centre. Children free to Santa and receive a treat. December 18th 2pm to 5pm. Hope to see you there.
The Samaritans of Kerry will hold Church Gate Collections on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day across all Kerry Parishes.
BIRTHDAY: Belated happy Birthday to Phyllis O’Connor of Kilbaha, who celebrated her 92nd birthday last month.
Moyvane GAA would like to wish Martin Kennelly all the best as he steps down as treasurer of the club after 41 years.
FUNDING promised for Moyvane – Refurbish the former Garda Station building to include amenities for the community: tea/coffee dock with outside seating area – €250,000.
CEILI: A set Céilí will be held at the Marian Hall, Moyvane on Tuesday, December 27 from 3pm. Music by Taylors Cross.
MEMORY Room with the Live Crib opened on Sunday 18th December after mass in Duagh, old photos to display in the Memory Room.
DUAGH WALK In aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital will take place at 11.30am on St. Stephens Day from O’Brien’s Bar. All welcome.
NEW: Listowel Writers’ Week has appointed Stephen Connolly, as curator for next year’s festival.
LARGE number of passengers will travel through Kerry Airport during Christmas season on flights from London, Manchester, Frankfurt Hahn and Dublin.
DRIVERS will be tested for drug and alcohol use at Garda checkpoints during the Christmas period as part of a six-week road safety campaign.
FROST: Severe frost has disrupted the lives of many elderly and vulnerable people. No plans in place for emergency water leaks after frost thaws, a serious worry also to many. Farmers have been under stress coping both inside and out. Elderly farmers have serious worries for both themselves and their animals, as the countryside has so few active young people willing to help.
RAMBLING HOUSES: Knockalougha on the 3rd. Tuesday of the month; Listowel Rambling House takes place on the last Thursday of every month from 9.15 pm in the Seanachai Centre.
QUIZ: The Annual Athea Coiste na nÓg quiz will take place on Wednesday December 28th at the Top of the Town at 9pm. The night will also feature an early bird round and spot prizes. Entry €10.
VISIT by RTÉ: A film crew from RTÉ will visit Athea GAA Club on Thursday January 5th at 5.30pm as part of the Ireland Lights Up initiative in conjunction with Operation Transformation.
SCHOLARSHIPS: The JP McManus Scholarships, are administered by a number of trustees, established in 1996 and since then a total of 209 students have been awarded scholarships to fund their third-level education.
LONG KICK: St. Stephens morning? Glin GAA hold their 2nd annual GAA Long Kick Competition at 11.30am, kick off at 12 noon, at their pitch.
BOOKS: Izzy’s Magical Football Adventure; Izzy’s Magical Camogie Adventure, Izzy’s Magical Soccer Adventure and Izzy’s Magical Christmas Adventure are aimed at readers from age seven onwards starting to read independently. They could equally be read to a younger child. They are based around the themes of promoting strong girls, encouraging girls to play sport and girl’s ability to play sport at a high level.
MASS: Sat 24th Dec 6.00pm Christmas Eve – Mass in Tarbert; 7.00pm Christmas Eve – Mass in Ballylongford, and 8.00pm Christmas Eve – Mass in Asdee. Duagh Church Christmas Eve at 7.30pm.
THOUGHT: The most important part of Christmas is the first six letters. So easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of the season but so true; Believing in yourself is the first step to success: Live this day and the next appreciating the little things.
It is the best way to make every day a perfect day