Thady Hunt, who was the recipient of the Plunkett Award 2023, for his contribution to the Co-operative movement, with members of his family at the Award ceremony in Plunkett House, Dublin on 15/12/23
A message from the
Playground Committee
“As the new year begins we wanted to share all the work our committee have done behind the scenes.
We have met with engineers, architects, surveyors, our local counsellors and representatives from the planning department at Limerick County Council. . Our committee worked really hard to survey our village and surroundings and we listened to what you had to say when it came to your local recreational area . You can see from the drawings that are soon to be submitted to Limerick County Council for Planning approval that we have amenities that have something for everyone . A massive playground space, including a Zipline, ability swings, slides, climbing frames, toddler area and much more. . We have a multi use all weather pitch. We have a community garden with Poly tunnels. We have a gazebo for meeting friends in all weather. A walking track the whole perimeter of the recreational area and also a smaller walking track around the pitch We have toilets, a coffee dock and plenty of seating areas. We have outdoor gym equipment and a small inclusive garden. There will be ample parking space. We look forward to putting our planning application forward and appreciate all of the support we have gotten from the people of Athea, our local counsellors, local businesses and other community groups. Wishing health, happiness and success in 2024.
Proposed Athea Playground
Community Council Lotto
The next draw is on Monday 15th with a Jackpot of €19,000.
The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
All the festivities have come to an end and we are now in the cold reality of January. Christmas must be the biggest anti-climax after three months preparation and looking forward and now we are left with the bills and lots of presents we don’t want. Still, it is all worth it if people are nice to each other even for a short while. Christmas has changed a lot over the years and , while thinking about that, I recalled one particular time when I was only in short pants, so it is quite a long time ago. We ran down the stairs, early Christmas morning, to see what Santy (we never said “Santa”) had brought us. There was something for everyone and then there was a long packet with “Dan & Jed” written on it. We tore off the wrapping to discover two hurleys and a ball and we would have run out straight away to start using them if it wasn’t dark and we had to go to Mass anyway. We always went to first Mass in Abbeyfeale in my father’s lorry and of course we were dressed in our best clothes for the occasion. We had two sets of clothes in those days, one for during the weak and the “new “ ones for Sundays and Holidays of Obligation. As soon as we got back from Mass, while my mother was distracted with the baby, we got our hurleys, ran across the road to Mick Phil’s field and started to play. We were still wearing our best clothes but we never thought of that. There had been a lot of rain the night before so the ground was muddy and soon enough we were covered with dirt. Our game came to stop when we heard Mom roaring at us from the door of the house “come in here at once. Look at the cut of your new clothes, I’ll kill the two of ye”. With a great sense of foreboding we crossed the road knowing we were in for it. Those were the days of “spare the rod and spoil the child” and my mother had no intention of spoiling any of her children. We stood shivering as she reached behind the picture on the wall for the sally rod she kept handy there. This rod was about a yard long , tapering from one end to the other. The thin end would wrap itself around the back of the collops and backside leaving red weals that stung like hell. We had learned from experience that there was no point in running, it would only make things worse, so we awaited our punishment crying loudly as she raised the rod over us. The swish through the air and the sting of the strike never came. Mom’s face softened as she looked at the two of us and then with a kind of half smile she said: “Ye can thank yere lucky stars ‘tis Christmas Day. Get out of them clothes and ye’d better behave yereselves for the rest of the day.”. She didn’t have to ask us twice as we shot up the stairs like two hares, delighted with our stay of execution and put on the old rags. It might seem like cruelty nowadays but a couple of whacks of the rod did us no harm at all. Yes, it stung for a while and then it was gone and forgotten. I never got a walloping I did not deserve and it taught me a valuable lesson about consequences for my actions. Families were much bigger in bygone days and it was difficult to keep control over them all but we knew when we did wrong and took our punishment when it was due. We got great use out of those two hurleys and we couldn’t wait to show them off at school where most of the lads had only furze roots and bits of boards to hit the ball with. I have no idea why that Christmas came to mind but I am glad it did. The kindness Mom showed on that day gives me a warm feeling. Kindness should not be confined to the festive season though. There will be plenty of opportunities throughout the year for us all to show a better side of ourselves.
Patrick Langan R.I.P.
A Far From Ordinary Man
Patrick Langan would describe himself as an ordinary man and in many ways he’d be right. During his life he did ordinary things; went to school, got an apprenticeship and qualified as a mechanic, worked hard, got married and raised a good family. The thing is, he did all the ordinary things in a very extraordinary way. He was gifted with many talents which he used, not only for himself but for the good of others as well. He was a brilliant mechanic and could work on all types of engines from the biggest machines to restoring old clapped out bangers. This led to his love of vintage cars and tractors, a love that was very evident in the works of art he created. Through the vintage he was involved in raising hundreds of thousands of Euro for charitable organisations. Much of his work was done behind the scenes and he never wanted to be in the limelight. He was always willing to help anyone and nothing was too much trouble for him. I remember meeting him at a session many years ago at a time when we were preparing to host the County Fleadh Cheoil in Athea. “Do ye want a hand”, he asked me and of course I took him up on his offer with alacrity. He came to our next meeting and was a regular on the committee since culminating in his election to the post of Vice-Chairman of the branch the year before he died. He would be the first to volunteer if there was any job to be done and he was a great influence at our meetings. He could be stubborn as well and, if he didn’t like some proposal, he would let you know in no uncertain manner what he thought of it but he had something that is sadly missing in our leaders today – common sense. No session was complete without a few verses from Patrick who had a beautiful singing voice. He loved traditional music as well, in fact you could say most of his leisure time was spent on his two great passions; vintage and trad. No, this was no ordinary man; ordinary people don’t have funerals like he had. Throngs of people attended the funeral home and the Church which was full to capacity with scores of people waiting outside. The graveyard too was well attended and it was very fitting that, as he was lowered into the grave, the air was filled with the sound of vintage tractors at full revs. Then there was a song from his brother George and his two favourite tunes, The Battering Ram and Miss McCloud;s Reel, were played by his Comhaltas friends. A fitting send off for a far from ordinary man. He will be sadly missed by Mairead and the family but also by all of us who had the good fortune to know him and work with him. There is a couple of lines in one of his favourite songs that are very appropriate at this time:
“ My dreaming of home is now ended,
a more radiant vision I see,
where God and His Mother are waiting,
with Heavenly Angels for me”
Well, the waiting is over and I have no doubt that, as I write these few lines, the Heavens are resounding to the strains of “My Home at the Foot of Slieve Bloom”
Rest in |Peace
Domhnall de Barra
Thank You
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Diarmuid and Aine O’Riordan and the staff of O’Riordans Pharmacy for the meet & greet event they organised on Friday 15th December to mark my retirement. The large turnout of valued customers, friends and family was overwhelming and very much appreciated – it was a great joy to reminisce, laugh and share stories together.
I would also like to thank those who could not make it on the evening but have since called, sent cards and general good wishes.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 33 years working in the pharmacy and treasure dearly all the friendships I’ve made during that time.
Wishing continued success to O’Riordans Pharmacy and a Happy New Year to you all where I look forward to meeting with you in a different capacity.
Best wishes,
Nora White
Church Notices
Ide Naofe Pastoral Area (Athea, Abbey Feale, Mountcollins, Templeglantine and Tournafulla).
Canon Tony Mullins 087 2600414, Fr. Willie Russell 087 2272825, Fr. Denis Mullane 087 2621911 and Fr Dan Lane 087 2533030 (retired). Weekday masses Tuesday morning 9.30am and Thursday evening 7pm. Mass Intentions Sunday Jan 14th 11am – Liam & Noreen Mullane. Kitty Danagher (Gortnagross), Sean O’Halloran, Sr. Margaret & Sr. Josephine Lynch (Glasha), Joe Brouder (Colbert St.), Mickey Flaherty & his daughter Mary. Ellen & Bernard O’Sullivan and their grandson Kieran – All masses are streamed live on https://www.churchservices.tv/athea
Baptisms will be celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month at 12noon. Next baptism course on Tues Jan 9th in the sacristy, Athea at 8pm. Please contact Siobhan 087-3331459 for further details.
Eucharistic Adoration and The Devine Mercy Chaplet on Tuesday morning after mass.
Parish Administration: Tues-Fri 11am-1pm. call Siobhan on 087-3331459, outside these hours text or email [email protected]
We bid you Adieu
From Knockdown Vintage Club
On January 2nd last, it was with great sadness that we bid a fond farewell to our founder and esteemed Chairman Patrick Langan.
In 2010 in a corner of the Knockdown Arms, no doubt on a Saturday night, Patrick, with the help of Dave Noonan hatched up a plan- and from it followed the birth of Knockdown Vintage Club. The first event was held on that year and this was the foundation for what was to follow. It can now be said that it has been an outstanding success. It has grown and developed over the years to be one of the best Vintage runs of its kind in the country. This achievement is due in no small way to the passion and expertise that Patrick showed for his love of this event.
Patrick was born with an inbuilt passion for all things mechanical and proved to be outstanding in his field of expertise. The love of Zetor’s no doubt originated from his days in Morrissey’s in Abbeyfeale. But of course, his greatest pride was his blue 1956 Fordson Major. And he had his well-worn blue cap to match it.
It is no surprise then, deriving from his skill, that he would turn his hand to restoring several old vintage tractors. He never surrendered to any snags without finding the resolution to the problem with sheer gusto and determination.
No Vintage Day or indeed any other special occasion would be complete without a rendition of some wonderful traditional songs that only Patrick could deliver with that brilliant vocal sound that was second to none and exclusive to Patrick.
Patrick, thank you for your commitment, humour and song and the legacy that you have left us. You will be sadly missed and always remembered by all at Knockdown Vintage Club.
As you join the Choirs of Angels in your heavenly home, we hope that you are teaching them the words of “The Old Threshing Mill”
Patrick, until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
And to finish with the words of your favorite song:
“Please God won’t you make me my heaven near my home at the foot of Slieve Bloom”