By Kathleen Mullane

WHAT A WEEKEND 

Well I’m e-mailing my few lines this week would you believe from Lanzarote. I wasn’t expecting to be at this side of the GLOBE, but when you have family that sometimes surprise you with things, you just have to go with the FLOW. Well last week the newsletter was online as Donal was in America so no doubt he will have news on his travels too.

First of all I will start by offering our sympathy to The Moran Family on Tommy’s passing last week and unfortunately we couldn’t be at the funeral. But thankfully with modern technology it was wonderful to be able to watch on the webcam in his church in Rathfarnham. Canon Tony celebrated a beautiful mass concelebrated by 5 other priests including Fr Brendan Duggan and Fr. Tim O’Leary. Tommy had friends far and wide all over the world and as Fr. Tony said in his homily he mixed with politicians and presidents but he never forgot those less well off. His home was Dublin but his roots stood firm in Athea.

Tommy was cremated in Dublin and I’m sure many will join with me in offering sympathy to his beloved wife Sheila his family  and adoring grandchildren. No doubt he will be missed by many far and wide, but will be remembered at Red Cow as a meeting place for all Limerick hurling enthusiasts and more. May his generous soul rest in peace.

On Thursday last Athea N.S. held a pyjama day in his memory with funds raised going to Pieta House. Not very long ago he had made the journey from Dublin to present Hurley’s to the schoolchildren in Ardagh, Carrigkerry and Athea national schools. He was adamant that hurling would take off here in his area and I’m sure in the not too distant future who knows, a player may be on the Limerick team from our area  and wouldn’t he be a proud man in the heavens above. Lovely tributes were made by his family and grandchildren at the mass in memory of the man who they had known as Dad and the Boss.

Sincere sympathy is also extended to Sean O’Shea and his family in Templeathea on the death of his niece Meadhbh Cameron, nee Moran, of Rathkeale who passed away at a very young age last week. Sympathy to her husband Lee and all her family at this difficult time. May she rest in peace.

Well just a little insight into St. Patrick’s Day here in Lanzarote, Mass at 11 am saw the little church packed after 10.20 many having to stand outside. An Irish music group played lovely music before Mass. We were treated to brilliant Irish dancing during mass up and down the aisle.!!!!The congregation wore green hats,  flowers, clothes everything Green. Boolavogue was sung by the whole congregation near the end of Mass. The Spanish priest came down after mass with a tall St. Patrick’s hat on him. 

Outside the church more music and dancing with hundreds gathered I’ve never seen as much GREEN in my life together.! The Mayor then with the consulate opened a huge open-air concert which went on from 12 mid-day till 10 o’clock that night with food and drink-stalls all around . The costumes and attire were something else. The mayor thanked the Irish business people in Lanzarote saying 262,000 visitors came from Ireland last year. To end the weekend Ireland won the Grand Slam which put the Icing On The Cake. Everyone here was IRISH.

Well enough about my travels hope everyone at home had a great Irish weekend and all the Mother’s especially had a lovely Mother’s Day. Again I tuned in to Fr. Tony’s  Mass in Athea where he read a lovely poem for Mothers.

See you all this week on Home Soil again.!!!