End of an Era

On Saturday night last, Betty and Johnny Cotter put the towels on the taps for the last time at the Top of the Town. Few have left such an impression such as they have on our community. We can all remember great nights there be it parties, anniversaries, sessions or dancing to the many bands who graced the stage over the years. There was a great buzz there at the weekends a few years ago but, alas, times have changed completely in recent years and the dancing lounge is almost a thing of the past. Over the years Johnny and Betty have been more than generous in sponsoring worthy causes and catering for local clubs and organisations so it is no wonder that there were so many presentations made to the couple over the holidays. Happy retirement to you both.

Athea Vintage members and Athea Wrenboys making a presentation to Betty and Johnny on their retirement

The Way I See It

By Domhnall de Barra

Happy new year to you all. For me, the greatest thing about Christmas was St. Stephen’s Day for two reasons; the wrenboys and the fact that I didn’t have to listen to one more Christmas song. Don’t get me wrong, it is not that I don’t like them but when you have listened to “O Holy Night “ for the 500th time since early in November it starts to grate on the nerves.  The build up to the festive season starts so early now that when it does come it is almost an anti-climax. It seems to start earlier and earlier each year and I think it actually takes away from what should be a great family celebration. We seem to have lost what it is all about because of all the commercialism and the needless spending on presents and food that will end up in the bin in the New Year. In days gone by decorations were put up  on Christmas Eve and the twelve days were observed ending up on Little Christmas Day or Nollaig na mBan as they call it in Kerry. The three big days were  Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Little Christmas Day. On these occasions the family feasted on turkey or goose with all the trimmings and there were holidays of obligation meaning Mass had to be attended. Now, even though we start many weeks in advance, there seems to be a rush to end the festive season as soon as possible. Christmas Day is the only day Mass is obligatory and everyone is back to work and some schools open after New Year’s Day. Little Christmas Day is just another work day except for the fact that some women like to go out for a meal or a few drinks, a practice again fuelled by commercialism.  January is a month that hasn’t a whole pile to recommend it. The weather is usually cold and wet and some of us fear the statement from the bank letting us know how much overdrawn we are after all the spending. It does however start a new year and gives us a chance to take stock and  decide to do better in future. Yes, we all make resolutions, most of them will be broken by February but it is no harm to try. Perhaps it would be better if we set ourselves attainable goals like how we treat each other and being more kind and considerate rather than giving up the drink, fags and trying to lose weight. If we could harness the good will that exists at Christmas time and bring it forward to the new year we would all be in a better place. My own resolution for this year is to think more before I act or open my mouth. Things done and said on impulse can be embarrassing on reflection so, fingers crossed. Let’s hope 2023 will bring an end to the war in Ukraine and an improvement in the homelessness, lack of hospital beds and road accidents in our own country.

2022 was the year we got back to something like normal living after being held hostage by Covid for a couple of years. People started to go out again attending matches, concerts and other events and the airlines were busy taking people on holidays abroad once again. Unfortunately it was also a year that got turned on its head when Putin decided to invade Ukraine. Suddenly the cost of gas and electricity went sky high and filling up the car with diesel or petrol was almost double what it was a year before.  Seems like everything on the shop shelves increased making it very difficult for some people to make ends meet. Lack of affordable housing reached crisis level and our hospitals couldn’t cope with the amount of people trying to gain admission. On the plus side we have full employment in the country with vacancies in many professions. No longer do people have to emigrate, they do so by choice.  A few highlights for me were the three in a row by Limerick hurlers, the County Fleadh in Athea, the retirement party for Dr. Murphy and the celebration of 50 years by Athea Comhaltas branch.  I am looking forward to taking it a bit easier in 2023 creating more time for other activities that are on the bucket list. I am still going to do some work but on a smaller scale and, if God spares me, I will spend more time on the golf course. Golf is great exercise for the mind and body. You are out on the course for over four hours at a time getting fresh air and exercising every part of the body which is very important when you get to my age when “use it or lose it” comes into play.  “Go mbeimíd beo ar an am seo arís”.

The recent demonstrations outside a hotel that is used to house refugees shows the dark side of our nature and the sectarianism that exists in our community. It is only a small minority but they make a lot of noise and they get themselves heard and, no doubt, people all over the world will see the headlines and get the impression that we are all like that. We Irish should be the last in the world to reject people looking for sanctuary or a better life for themselves. For decades our people were forced, through oppression, poverty and famine, to leave our shores and seek shelter in foreign lands. It wasn’t always easy and I remember myself seeing signs in the windows of lodging houses in England reading: “no blacks, no dogs, no Irish”.   We were labelled as “the drunken Irish” and “the fighting Irish” but gradually we established ourselves in our adopted communities and eventually became leaders and one of the most respected nations in the world.  We have nothing to fear from people who are less fortunate than ourselves, especially those who are fleeing the murderous deeds of the likes of Putin in Ukraine. Like it or not, the world is now multicultural and we should embrace it and celebrate the different cultures and traditions that will enrich and add colour to our society. Remember, it is only by accident of birth that we live where we live.

St. Bartholomew’s Church Athea

Mass Intentions next weekend Sun Jan 15^th at 11am:  Sr. Margaret and Sr. Josephine Lynch.

Sean O’Halloran. Michael (Micky) Flaherty and his wife Kate & daughter Mary. Ellen & Bernard O’Sullivan and their grandson Ciaran O’Sullivan. Kevin Barrett, Tom Barrett & Moss Barrett.

Ministers of the Word

Marie White & Amy O’Connor                       

Ministers of the Eucharist

Marie White & Amy O’Connor Mary Hunt & Betty Ahern

Weekday Masses this week Tuesday morning at 9.30 followed by Eucharistic Adoration and

the Devine Mercy Chaplet and Thursday evening at 7pm.

All masses are streamed live on https://www.churchservices.tv/athea

Baptisms are on the fourth Sunday of each month at 12 noon. Please book with the parish office.

Parish Office: Mon/Wed/Fri 11am-1pm. Call 087-3331459. Email [email protected]

Thank You: Fr. Mullins and Fr. Russell would like to express their thanks and appreciation  to parishioners who contributed to the recent Christmas Dues Collection. Your generosity and support are very much appreciated.

Members of Athea Golf Society making a presentation to Betty Cotter on her retirement.