Jack O’Sullivan enjoying the wedding car with Neilus O’Sullivan and
Caroline Murphy who were
married last
Saturday

Athea Drama Group on Stage

Athea Drama Group take to the stage early this year for a three night run on Thursday, 24th, Sat. 26th and Sun 27th. October. This is a fundraiser for the proposed Athea Playground, a very worthy cause.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí  Éireann

Athea branch of Comhaltas had their AGM on Monday Oct 7th in Batt’s Bar. During the night tributes were paid to the former Vice Chair, Pat Langan who sadly passed away during the year. Music, singing and dancing classes are going well with success at competitions up to two second places at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford. Our next session is on Saturday, October 19th at Flynn’s Bar in Knockanure. The branch would love to invite new members. All you need is a love of Irish traditional music, song, dance or just a bit of craic. Plans are in progress to have a Christmas concert. Watch this space.

Glin Men’s Shed

The GLIN MEN’S SHED want to pass on their appreciation  & huge thanks to the local people of ATHEA in supporting us & purchasing our wares in the Square last FRIDAY morning.

Sales far exceeded  our expectations & we are greatly indebted  to the interest  & support we received.

A million thanks for all

The Way I See It

By Domhnall de Barra

The latest news is that e-scooters are to be banned on all public transport in Ireland.  The reason given is the danger of the batteries overheating and going on fire. I don’t know what research this is based on but I have never heard of an e-scooter causing a problem. Even if they were prone to be overheating, surely they won’t do so when they are turned off as they would be when carried on board a bus or train.  Most of us carry a phone in our pockets and these are powered by lithium batteries, like the scooters. Will we now have a rule that prohibits us bringing them on public transport?  E-scooters are used mainly by young people, many of them students who find it hard to make ends meet. They are a great help to them getting to college and other places but they also need to use public transport because many of them live on the outskirts of the cities due to the high cost of accommodation. There are others who have made the decision to leave their cars at home and use public transport and e-scooters to get to work. Will this new rule mean that many will go back to using their cars at a time when we are all being encouraged to reduce our carbon footprint. If so it would be a backward step at a critical time in the history of the world.

The budget didn’t have many surprises mainly due to the fact that all the contents were leaked beforehand so that the actual reading of the budget was a bit of an anti-climax. It was however worrying that  the advice of the fiscal watchdogs was ignored completely with the result that we may eventually be heading for a recession. The government had an unusual problem; too much money so they tried the Gay Byrne method of “something for everyone in the audience”. I have no problem with people who are in need being helped but giving universal raises is only going to put more money into circulation and overheat the economy. I have never understood why means testing cannot be used. Surely, in this day and age, with all the technology available, it should be easy to devise a method of deciding who is deserving and who is not. It is not right that multi-millionaires are getting the children’s allowance, money and other help with bills they do not need or want. It was quite obvious that this budget was designed with an eye on the upcoming general election which will be held in November or next Spring. Many commentators  seem to think that it will be in November but the Taoiseach and Taniste both say that it won’t be until the new year. Mind you they haven’t exactly said that, they said the government would run its full course which means its over when its over regardless of when it ends. I just wish they could be honest with us for a change but I forget I am talking about politicians and honesty is not very high on their list of  priorities. Whenever it happens I hope people turn out to vote. It is easy to get fed up and say “a pox on all your houses” but the right to vote wasn’t easily won and there are millions of people around the world who have no say in who their rulers are. My advice, for what its worth is:  don’t blindly follow party lines, vote for the person who you think will do the best job for you. Don’t be taken in by false promises. Regardless of who is in power it will be more of the same with very little change.

In her column today, Kathleen makes reference to the number of young people who are involved in sport in the parish and what a good thing it is. We can be very proud of what we have achieved in Athea over the years. I mentioned before about the time when we had to tog out beneath bushes and go to matches on the back of a lorry. Now, thanks to the efforts of the G.A.A, Soccer Club, Con Colbert Community Hall, the School and others we have facilities that are second to none. The playing pitches are as god as you will find anywhere and the sports hall has a floor that is top of the range. That is why it is so much in demand by groups from all over Munster all year round. Great credit is due to the people who , not only dreamed of having theses facilities but, made them happen. It is staggering how much money has been raised over the years by volunteers who give their time to improve the parish. Sometimes the most active are the ones who go unnoticed. We owe a great debt of gratitude to them all because they have created an environment where our young people can participate in whatever sport or pastime they like in safe and comfortable surroundings. Outside of sport, the best thing that happened to Athea was the formation of the Credit Union. It has been behind the community since it started and continues to fund many worthwhile projects. Then we have the cultural side of things with the local Comhaltas branch keeping the music, song and dance alive. Athea was always well known for its musicians, dancers, singers and poets and it is great to see so many youngsters following in their footsteps. All in all, i think we are very lucky to live in such a dynamic community where we look after each other’s needs in an almost crime-free environment. Who wouldn’t want to live here?

Church Notices

Parish Pastoral Unit (Athea/ Abbeyfeale/ Mountcollins/ Templeglantine/ Tournafulla).

Fr. Tom Mangan 087-2348226, Fr. Willie Russell 087 2272825, Fr. Denis Mullane 087 2621911.

Masses this week- Tuesday morning 9.30am and Thursday evening 7pm.

Eucharistic Adoration and The Devine Mercy Chaplet on Tuesday morning after mass.

Bible Study continues in Athea Library every Wednesday evening at 7.30pm.

Mass Intentions: Saturday Oct 12^th at 7.3pm – Ned Ahern – Months Mind.

Angela Leach (1st Anniversary). Jack Stackpoole & his wife Bridie and son Peter.

Patrick & Margaret Higgins (Glasha).

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

Baptisms take place on the fourth weekend of the month. Parents who wish to baptise their child in the next few months should contact Siobhan on 087-3331459.

Parish Administration: Tues-Fri 11am-1pm. call Siobhan on 087-3331459, outside of these hours text or email [email protected]     Facebook:  Athea Parish Church Community

Athea Community Council

Lucky Numbers Draw 07/10/2024

No’s Drawn: 2,  8,  21,  25. No Winner

Lucky Dips

Willie Galvin,                    Abbeyfeale

Padraig McMahon,            GAA

Leo & Eilish,                     Athea

Billy O’Connor, Gortnagross

Sellers Prize:  D. De Barra & Lal Browne

Next Draw:  14/10/’24   Venue:  Brown Joe’s

Jackpot €22,900

All smiles while attending the Listowel October horse fair on Thursday were Pat White from Athea with friends Jim McDermott,
Tom Doyle and Pat Curtin.
Photo Moss Joe Browne.

by Kathleen Mullane

 OUT AND ABOUT

Just in the door after a walk up the road this lovely Monday evening and it’s still bright thankfully at 7.30. It was great en route to see all the young boys up at The Vales Soccer pitch  being put through their paces by their dedicated trainers and parents. If one goes walking to the GAA track on nearly every evening, you will see girls and boys of different age groups, whether it be with their hurleys and sliotars or kicking a Football again being coached and put through their paces by their coaches and trainers . Down to the Sports Hall then where Trish will be at full steam with her groups of Basketball players learning the Moves and basketball shoots. Isn’t it wonderful that we as a small parish have all these wonderful facilities available for our young people. In a recent survey it showed that 1 in 5 kids drop out of sport in secondary school and that is such a pity. Sport keeps our young people on the straight and narrow and out of harm’s way and should be encouraged always so keep it up and well done to all those wonderful coahes, trainers and parents who are always there to give of their time and instruction .

Lovely to see all the lovely bits and pieces that were on display here in Athea last Friday by Glin Men’s Shed, really lovely hand-made goods.  Who knows, in the not too distant future, Athea might have an Athea -Men’s Shed as there are many gifted men here in our parish not to mention the gifted ladies.

Athea welcomed Fr. Tom Mangan to our parish Last Saturday night when he celebrated his first Mass here with us replacing Fr. Tony both being from the same Ardagh-Carrigkerry area and both having a great love of song and music which of course is delightful . Hopefully the clash of Fr. Willie being a Clare man and Fr. Tom, who I know gives a great rendition of Limerick You’re my Lady, won’t cause Aggro,  I don’t think it will, maybe a bit of banter alright which is healthy of course.

Don’t forget the Bible Study on the upcoming Sunday readings continues each Wednesday night at the Library at 7.30 with Pat Higgins, all are welcome  and there will be a cuppa and chat after.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Happiness is a Journey not a Destination .

Treasure every Moment you have and Treasure it more

because you shared it with Someone Special

Special enough to spend your Time with —

Always Remember, Time Waits For No One.

by Peg Prendeville

The pupils of Ballyhahill school who took part in the Horse Riding competition

Ballyhahill School competed in its first ever Horse Riding Competition. On last Sunday some of their talented riders participated in the competition which was held in Maryville, Co. Cork. At 6am they set off and students from the junior class and the senior class saddled up and showed off their equestrian skills. The children received medals and rosettes for their efforts. Congratulations too to Cleo, Àine, Rìain, Saibh, Ayda, Klara and Grace who participated. They are all horse riding enthusiasts and I have to confess that I am proud to say that five out of the seven are my grandchildren! Well done to the teachers and parents who facilitated this and gave the students a great experience. The pupils are collecting returnable bottles and cans to make money for their school and were delighted recently to be able to add €175 to the account. Well done all.

We’ve got a few lovely days recently so we took advantage and set off for Ennistymon in Clare where Jim’s sister lives. Going out for a day with a wheelchair is not always easy and requires some forethought but it is worth the hassle. Not all houses are wheelchair friendly and can be a bit of a nightmare to enter so we bring a ramp to gain access. There is a lovely walk in Lahinch with the beach on one side and the golf course on the other. It was as warm as any day in summer and a tonic at this time of year. Lovely too to catch up with family and be home again that night in our own corner. I thank God for blessings like this.

I see lots on FB these days about the Northern Lights being visible but I’m afraid there is too much cloud in these parts. I haven’t seen them yet anyhow but I believe they were seen in Glenastar by my sister. This phenomenon seems to be becoming more frequent. Climate change? I don’t know.

Sunday Mass is in Ballyhahill at 9.30am each week from now til around Easter 2025.