by Marian Harnett
MISSING FROM ATHEA: 73 year old John Mc Sweeney has been missing from his home in Athea since afternoon on Saturday, January 6. Please pray that he is found.
SCRIBBLING FOR CHARITY: West Limerick author, Pat McLoughlin recently launched his 6th book ‘The Unbreakable Dream’. It was launched by Minister, Patrick O’ Donovan at Longcourt House Hotel in Newcastle West. The proceeds from the novel will go to Milford Care Centre/Hospice to whom Pat has already presented a cheque for €1250.00. A few remaining copies of the book are still available at Siopa Milsean.
THE HUNT MUSEUM LAUNCES THE KITE POWER FESTIVAL: FUN WITH WIND ENERGY: Inspiring Creativity, Community, Recycling and Clean Energy Advocacy.
- Kite-Making Workshops reusing Christmas packaging to take place across the County in January
- Kite Power Festival takes place on Sunday 11thFebruary in Limerick and Shannon, Co Clare.
The Hunt Museum is organising a county and city-wide Kite Power Festival as part of its current exhibition to highlight the power of wind as an energy resource. The museum is calling on Kite enthusiasts and novices to get creative with recyclable materials and paint the sky of Limerick and Shannon, Co Clare with vibrant kites on 11 February 2024. The Kite Power Festival takes the Hunt Museum’s Climate Change exhibition “Night’s Candles are Burnt Out: Climate, Culture, Change & Community”, outside its walls and onto the streets and hills of Limerick as it showcases the power of wind through art, culture and a fun community event. In a visually captivating and eco-friendly manner, this unique family experience, sponsored by The Shannon Airport Group in collaboration with the Limerick.ie Festivals scheme, encourages participants to reuse their Christmas wrapping paper and tinsel and give it new life in the skies powered by the abundant wind in the Mid-West. To help people get involved, Lumen Street Theatre will host a series of Kite Making Workshops across Limerick City and County and in Shannon Town. Some Men’s Shed groups will also host their own Kite Making days. Speaking at the launch, Jill Cousins, Director, Hunt Museum said, “We want to continue to engage people emotionally through art and creativity in campaigning for change to renewable energy sources. The idea behind “Nights Candles are Burnt Out” is the use of culture to develop real understanding of the need to change both personally and nationally. We want to be able to achieve Climate Action 2021 targets by 2030. By promoting clean energy in a fun and unique way, we hope to inspire individuals and communities to embrace sustainable energy solutions.” Sinéad Murphy, Head of Sustainability at The Shannon Airport Group said, “We are delighted to sponsor this exciting event that will raise awareness in a fun and engaging way of the power of wind as a clean energy resource. Ireland, and the west coast in particular, has one of the world’s leading wind resources, so raising awareness of the opportunities this brings to our region is really key. We would encourage everyone, schools, families, community groups to get involved to promote this great initiative”. Prizes will be given in each location for:
- The best flyer
- The best use of recycled Christmas packaging and decoration
- The best artistic design
After the festival, all Kites can be lent to The Hunt Museum for a post Festival exhibition.
Save the Date – Festival Highlights:
Saturday, January 13: Lumen Workshop in Adare
Saturday, January 20: Lumen Workshop in Kilmallock
Saturday, January 27: Lumen Workshop in Newcastle West
Tuesday, January 30: Lumen Workshop in Limerick Learning Hub
Saturday, February 3: Lumen Workshop in Abbeyfeale
Saturday, February 3: Hunt Museum Kite Making Day
Saturday, February 3: Men’s Shed Kite Making Day
Sunday, February 11: Kite Power Festival across Limerick & Shannon .
ABBEYFEALE – WHO WE ARE; John Nelligan has been analysing the census returns for the town of Abbeyfeale and sent me the following for inclusion in this weeks notes. He deserves a big thank you for the all the work he put in.
Total Male Female
Pop.
2206 1,068 1,138
Age Male Female
Group
60+ 257 283
30-60 428 459
0-30 383 396
Status
Single 1,217
Married 716
Separated 77
Divorced 76
Widowed 120
Religious Affiliation
Catholic 1.861
Other 126
Atheist 159
Not stated 60
Ethnic/Cultural
Background
White Irish
Traveller 222
Other White 141
Black/Black Irish 34
Asian/Asian Irish 46
Other 51
Not Stated 39
533
By Place of Birth
U K 154
Poland 60
Other Europe 60
India 13
Rest World 76
Not Stated 38
Total: 401
Further analysis to follow.
TRIP TO THE PANTO: Those wishing to go to the Killorglin players sixty first Panto ‘Goldie Locks and the Three Bears’ on Sunday, January 28 must confirm booking next week with payment. We will be leaving Newcastle West at 12 noon bus stop opposite the Longcourt House Hotel and picking up in Abbeyfeale bus stop outside the church at 12.15pm. On route we will be stopping for tea/coffee and scone – everyone responsible for this refreshment – then onto Panto for the 3pm Matinee. On the way home we will be stopping at the River Island Hotel for dinner, desert, tea/coffee. Children have special menu. All seats must be confirmed by payment next week to ensure booking. Please contact Maureen 087 9845102 for booking and more information.
- ITA’S PARISH SOCIAL: Sunday, January 14 in St. Ita’s Hall, Raheenagh. Tea and finger food served. Dancing at 8pm to Michael Regan. Tickets €20. Further information John 083 1312938.
YOGA CLASSES IN FR. CASEY’S: Every Monday from 7-8.30pm with Mike Houlihan.
RECOVERY HAVEN: Kerry Cancer Support House will have a Designer Fashion Showcase event taking place in the Gleneagle INEC Arena on February 1st, 2024. The date – St Brigid’s Day – is particularly poignant for those involved, with the show set to incorporate the extraordinary Irish saint and mark her 1500th anniversary. Renowned fashion designer Colin Horgan will be the star attraction of the event, showcasing several pieces from his new collection, while beloved Ballyheigue designer Don O’Neill – the charity’s newly appointed Patron – will showcase a select few pieces from his fashion archive. The event will be MC’d by legendary RTE broadcaster, Mary Kennedy. Tickets are only €30 and are for sale at Recovery Haven Kerry, 5 Haigs Terrace Tralee or at the Gleneagle INEC box office, they can also be purchased online or by contacting local volunteers Mary McGill or Marion Drummond. For further information please ring 066 7192122.
WALK IN THE NCW DESMENE: We will be back walking in the Desmene on Tuesday 9th January, we meet at the entrance to Soccer Car Park. Everyone is most welcome and
you can walk at your own pace. A very sociable get together with
friends. Further information Maureen 087 9845102.
ST.ITA’S DAY CARE AND SHELTERED HOUSING: Meals on Wheels – Available to Everyone. Collect from the Centre or have it delivered. Monday, January 8 Pork Chop or Turkey Burger. Tuesday, January 9 Chicken Fillet or Roast Beef. Wednesday, January 10 Toddy’s Homemade Sausages or Lamb Chop. Thursday, January 11th Shepherds Pie or Sweet and Sour Chicken. Friday, January 12. Fish of the Day or Meat Alternative. Please let us know if you require a Gluten Free option. Price List Soup €1, Main Meal €7, Half portion €5. Plate of Vegetables and Potatoes €3. Dessert €2.
CHURCH NOTES: Co Parish Priests of the Pastoral Area: Fr Denis Mullane 087/2621911 Fr Tony Mullins 087/2600414 Fr Willie Russell 087/2272825 Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030 Fr James Ambrose (Retired) Tel 087/7740753. Divine Mercy Meetings will take place every Monday evening after 7 pm Mass.. Baptisms in Abbeyfeale will be celebrated on the first Saturday of each month at 5.00pm. Also, on the second Sunday of the month after the 12noon Mass. Contact the Sacristy 068/51915 during Mass Times.
Mass Intentions for the coming week: Wednesday 10am Thanksgiving Mass. Thursday 10am Derek Walsh 1st Anniversary. Mary O’Brien 1st Anniversary. & Thomas O’Brien 8th Anniversary. Friday 11am Funeral Mass for Richard O’Brien, Clash. Intentions for next weekend Saturday 6.30pm Jim & Peg O’Grady and their son James Meenkilly. Tom Aherne, Glenashrone 2nd Anniversary. Sunday 12noon Bridie & Jeremiah Moriarty The Hill. Parish Clerk: The Parish Clerks collection will be collected at all Masses this weekend. A word of thanks to Anne our parish clerk for the time and commitment to the church and to the parish. We know you will be generous in your acknowledgment of her service. You can also make a donation next weekend by using the envelopes in your box and place them in the collection boxes at the entrances to the church. Return to School: As our schools reopen after the Christmas holidays we wish all our students and staff members every blessing for the new school term. Feast of St Ita. Monday 15th January. St Ita was born in Co. Waterford of noble and Christian parents. Early on she set her mind on serving Christ in religious life. She founded a monastery in Kileedy, Co Limerick, which attracted a great variety of young people. She was given the title ‘Foster –Mother of the Saints of Ireland.’ She died in 570. St Ita’s feast day will be celebrated in the parish of Kileedy on Monday 15 th January. Citizens Advice Helpline Are open to dealing with your queries Monday to Friday. You can contact between 9:30am and 4:15pm by phone on 0761-07-5780, or by email at [email protected] Aware Depression & Bipolar Disorder Support www.aware.ie Tel: Freephone 1800 80 48 48 (available 7 days, 10am-10pm). Email: [email protected] Bodywhys Eating Disorders Associations of Ireland www.bodywhys.ie Email: [email protected] 01 2107906.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Takes place each Friday in the Sacristy in Duagh Church from 3pm until public rosary at 7pm followed by Mass at 7.30pm. It also takes place in Abbeyfeale Blessed Sacrament Chapel following Mass in the church at 10am and continues until 7pm.
TEA DANCE in Asdee Community Centre on Sunday, February 4 fro 2.30 – 5.30pm. – Fundraiser in aid of Cenacolo Community, Knock. A community of people with addiction. Prizes and Raffle. Prizes include – Return trip to Medjugorje for 1 person in 2024. Overnight stay for 2 people & evening meal in Adare Manor. B. & B. for 2 people at the Woodlands Hotel, Adare. Raffle will take place at the Tea Dance.
PARKRUN in Listowel takes place every Saturday morning from 9:30am.
MEDJUGORJE PILGRIMAGES 2024 1st—8th May 2024 & 18th—25th Sept 2024. Cost €510. For further information contact Tom Collins: 086 8380406 .
ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT: Don’t share any bank codes. Hang up on callers wanting to fix your computer. Don’t make investment decisions – wait for the New Year and get independent financial advice. Be wary of requests for money from family members – ring them and check it out. Unfortunately, some people send emails pretending to be from the bank. They are usually looking for security details. The bank will never ask customers to provide details of debit or credit card details through email or links in an email. Try to advise young members of your family of the dangers of drug taking; risk of addiction, running up drug debts to dealers, if caught and receive a conviction in the courts foreign travel at risk.