By Marian Harnett

CONGRATULATIONS ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL LENIHAN:  On Saturday last through the power of the internet and YouTube we were able to watch Bishop Michael installed as Archbishop of San Pedro Sula Archdiocese in Honduras. It was so obvious in what high regard he is held there. During his address to the congregation  he spoke about his love for Abbeyfeale and his family here and sent word to thank the parish for the support and kindness he has received over the years.   We look forward to meeting him this summer during his annual trip to Europe. The link to the recording is: https://www.youturbe,com sanisidro.tv LaCeiba

FUINNEAMH IN CONCERT:  The band who have recently performed on TG4 and RTE 1 return home to help raise funds for Fleadh by the Feale.  The concert will be held at the Glórach Theatre on Saturday, March 25.  Tickets €15.  Booking 087 1383940.

  1. PATRICK’S DAY:  Abbeyfeale does things the Green Way’.  Family Fun 2.30 -8pm.  Face Painting, Kids Entertainment, and Prizes for Best Float, Best Shop Window, Busking, prizes for Best Dressed Family, Lady, Baby, Best Blinged Bike and Best Dressed Dog. Photo Booth in the alley near Leen’s Hotel.  The church and the Library will be lit up in green on the evening of the 16th.   Parade from 4pm.  Spend the day with family and friends and keep it local.

‘TEARING AND DRAGGING’: The Abbeyside Players have a winner on their hands and seats are booking out fast, the play continues its run this coming Thursday, March 16, Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19.   A portion of the proceeds will go to local charities including St. Ita’s Day Care Centre, Palliative Care, and charity shops Vincent’s and Sue Ryders. Tickets €10 booking line 087 1383940. Doors open 7.15pm, Show on stage 8pm.   Don’t miss out on a great night’s entertainment.

TEMPLEGLANTINE CAMOGIE CLUB RECRUITMENT DRIVE:   U6, U8,U10, U12, and U14 teams are looking for members. If you were born in the years 2015/2016 contact Margaret on 087 2440786, born in the years 2013/2014 contact Kiara on 087 9287847, born in the years 2011/2012 contact Brigid on 087 9288499 and born in 2009/2010 contact Olive 087 7645582.  Training for U6 started outdoors at Templeglantine pitch from 10.30 – 11.15am on Saturday March 4.Training for U8 has started indoors on Tuesdays 5-6pm at Fr. Casey’s.  Training for U10 started Saturday, March 11 from 9.30 -11am in Templeglantine.  Training for U12 is to be confirmed.  Training for U14 9 – 10.15 outdoors at Templeglantine pitch started March 4.  Registration now open.

DRAMA WORKSHOP IN ABBEYFEALE: John Nelligan sent the following; “ Anyone  can  Whistle!  If that’s true, and it is; then that principle will, also, hold good for the assertion that “Anyone can Act”. As we, all, know the journey of a thousand miles starts with that very first, faltering, step. Equally, the path to a career in Hollywood starts with attendance at the Drama League of Ireland workshop on acting skills at Glórach on March 25th.  Famous actors, from our Tri-County area of Cork, Kerry and Limerick, who benefitted, greatly, from attending acting workshops are, Cillian Murphy, Michael Fassbender, Richard Harris, Fiona Shaw and Lorcan Curtin.  Somebody once said that: “Life is an act and we are all actors in the arena of life.”  Therefore, a helping hand in navigating the currents of modern life is always welcome.  So, don’t delay in booking one of the, just, twenty places available, by e-mailing [email protected] or phoning 01 296 9343.  Attendance costs €20, with the workshop opening at 10am and closing at 5pm.”

TOURIST OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Work has started on bringing a Tourist Office to Abbeyfeale and you can help make it happen! Are you a proud Abbeyfeale person? Do you have 2 hours or more per week to welcome visitors to our beautiful town and give them some information that will help them enjoy their visit? We have hours to suit your lifestyle. The new Tourist Office will be in the WorkBase E-Hub building on Abbeyfeale’s main street. Full training will be provided Contact [email protected] if you are interested.

FESTIVAL:   Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival, Lisselton: 23rd – 26th March.

The 2023 festival seeks to honour the memory of Pádraig Liath Ó Conchubhair, who was born in Lisselton in the parish of Ballydonoghue in 1745 and died around 1820.  He was a Hedge Schoolmaster, Poet and renowned Academic who established The Lisselton Bardic Court, known as  ‘Cúirt na Súagh’, The Court of the Wise. Full details of competitions and workshops are available on ballydbardfest.com.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY:  We gathered at Dan Moloney’s Tea Rooms on Wednesday, March 8.  Thirty plus women who all live in or around Abbeyfeale and who wanted to have a social get together and some music and a sing song with a few jokes thrown in we enjoyed the couple of hours so much that we’re planning another afternoon as soon as we can come up with an excuse.  Watch this space.

DOG WARDEN: It may be the excitement of the sight of the straight road stretching from the Search and Rescue headquarters all the way up to the Town park and the promise of a walk there but the pavement from there on is covered in dog poop and my local correspondent tells me that the plan is to patrol the road for the next few weeks in order to find the owners who are not equipped with plastic bags.  There is a substantial fine following the offence of not cleaning up after your pooch.

DOLLY DAY:  The O’Connor family are continuing to fund raise for Kerry Hospice and Comfort for Chemo.  This time the late Jim’s sister Cora is organising a Dolly Day in honour of Dolly Parton when an attempt will be made to establish a Guinness World Record for the most people dressed as Dolly Parton.  Cora has form with making the Guinness Book of Records as she it was who organised Nunday in Listowel some years ago.

Spring term of Drama Classes by Therese will be kicking off in The Glorach Theatre, Abbeyfeale on April 1st. Ages 7-12. For more information contact Therese on 0861944852

by Therese will be kicking off in The Glorach Theatre,Abbeyfeale on April 1st. Ages 7-12. For more information contact Therese on 0861944852

LOURDES:   Youth Pilgrimage 2023 22nd – 27th June. For booking details contact Karen at 061-350000 or email at [email protected]

Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2023. Led by Bishop Brendan Leahy. 22th – 27th June. Direct return flights from Shannon to Lourdes. For booking contact Joe Walsh Tours,

Telephone 01-2410800 or email [email protected] €879 per person, full board, all taxes included.

GLÓRACH BINGO:  Every Monday at 8pm.  Over 18’s. All welcome.

FATIMA: Fully escorted pilgrimage ex Dublin airport, May 9th-15th’23, Spiritual Director Fr. Noel Spring, Contact Premier Travel 021-4277700, email [email protected] or Maureen Harty 066-7131328 .

ABBEYFEALE YOUTH CLUB:  Delighted to report that the 1st. year youth club is up and running.  Organiser Noreen Flynn Culhane 087 2353306 would like to thank the parents who helped to get club back up and open.

UPDATE ON MARY’S MEALS:  The response to this appeal has been phenomenal and Mary Flynn and staff at the Siopa Milsean have agreed to take all donations and keep them for Angela Moore who will collect them.  “ Mary’s Meals – Coin Collection, we are appealing to you for your old coins that are in jam jars, vases and odd pots around the house. We are using these to translate into food to feed the children in Mary’s Meals School Feeding Programmes. Because Mary’s Meals can provide a meal for 11c, your generosity can make a massive difference. You don’t need to count it! If you are willing to donate Irish, sterling or foreign coins/notes, please contact Angela Moore at 089-4339592 or [email protected].

  1. ITAS DAY CARE: Open to visitors every Tuesday.  Morning Coffee and scones.  Lunch, card game, music and dancing.   Contact Jane on 068 51850. Meals on Wheels available Monday to Friday (except for Bank Holidays etc) Soup €1; Main Course €7,Dessert €2.The menu is put on the St Ita’s Day Care Abbeyfeale Facebook page on Friday for the following week. Call 068 51850 for enquiries and booking. Call before 10.30 am on the day.

HOT DESK:  Work Base E-Hub at Old Bank Building on Main Street is open for Business. For full details and pricing on Private Office Suites, Meeting Room, Hot-desks etc contact Ken Tobin on 086 816 2105.

REOPENING OF ABBEYFEALE MART:  A sale is held every Saturday so please support.   For further information  087 6903172/ 087 9480484.

BRIDGE CLUB:  Abbeyfeale Bridge Club meet at St. Ita’s Day Care Centre every Thursday from 7.30pm.  New members welcome.

ABBEYFEALE’S NIGHT AT THE OSKARS: The DVD’s and the USB sticks are on sale at the Day Care Centre, Toddy Mc Mahons, Batt’s in the Square and An Siopa Milsean .  The DVD’s will retail at €10 each and the USB sticks at €15.  Contact Jane at the Day Care Centre on 068 51850.