Caoimhe Ahern receiving her trophy from Tadhg Ó Maolcatha, Cathaoirleach, Comhairle na Mumhan
Congratulations
To Caoimhe Ahern, Knockfinisk, who came first in the Munster finals of Ceol an Gheimhridh in Cashel last weekend. Caoimhe is a member of Athea Comhaltas Branch and also a great concertina player.
Health Athea
Health Athea are holding a fundraiser on behalf of the Irish Heart Foundation on Saturday 17th February, 2024, (outside Collins’ Shop.) Funds raised help to support people living with Stroke and Heart Conditions across Ireland. All donations are very much appreciated.
Dog Fouling
An appeal once again to dog owners to please clean up after them on the streets of the village. It is the law and it makes life more pleasant for others. Dogs should not be at large without being on a leash.
Athea footballers Callum Buckley, James Hunt and Evan Curry who celebrated their joint 18th birthdays at Brown Joe’s on Saturday night last.
The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
Michael Fitzmaurice, TD for Galway-Roscommon, has joined the new political party, Independent Ireland which was formed by Limerick’s Richard O’Donoghue and Cork’s Michael Collins. This party hopes to find support in rural Ireland and offer an alternative to those who want to oust Fine Gael/Fianna Fail but don’t want to vote for Sinn Fein. I have been an admirer of Micheal Fitzmaurice for many years and have enjoyed listening to him in debates where he brings a touch of common sense when it comes to plans, especially by the Green Party, to make changes that would destroy rural life as we know it. He comes from an area where there is a good deal of bogland and he was particularly annoyed at the thought of rewetting land that is being used by small farmers in his area. It is very easy for people who live in towns and cities to come up with bright ideas about how to save the planet but they do not think through the consequences for those who work on and live off the land. For years farmers were advised, and even given grants, to cut down hedgerows, use fertiliser, drain their lands and maximise their output. They did that and I well remember seeing contractors in most of our farms making drains to take the water away. The result was more land that was fit for tillage and hay and farming became more intensified. As a result it became good business and the produce became our biggest asset. Irish food is famous all over the world and we are rightly proud of it. Now we have suggestions to change all that because of global warming. Of course something must be done but, as I have often said before, we are but a tiny speck on the globe and unless the big powers like China, India, the US and South America come on board, we will not make a bit of difference even if we kill every cow and let the land go to waste. Donald Trump has promised that, if he gets elected in America (he says “when”), he will reverse the trend towards electric cars and open up the traditional car factories again. He also says he will open the mines again, as he said , it will be “dig baby, dig”. The chances of him becoming president are getting better day by day as Joe Biden’s health and memory come under scrutiny. With this prospect in mind, is it right to ask rural Ireland to make decisions that will destroy, not only their livelihoods but the future of small towns and villages everywhere. I don’t know if this new political party will have any great success because there have been a number started over the years that eventually fell by the wayside. If they can attract a few more of the rural independent TDs, who have good following in their constituencies, to their ranks they could do damage to the established parties in the next election. At least they will give people an opportunity to vote for an alternative to Tweedledum and Tweedledee. I wish them well.
The plan to ban motor traffic from Central Dublin shows how badly we are prepared for change in this country. We had it with the push to get everyone into electric cars before having the charging points ready around the country. It must be very annoying to arrive at a charging station to find all the points occupied and have to wait an hour or more to get hooked up and then have to wait while your car is being charged. Even worse to arrive at a point and find it out of order. Surely a greater effort should have been made to provide the service before the big sell on EVs. There is also of course the question of electricity supply. If we all go over to electric vehicles, where is all the power going to come from? As it is, we are in danger of power outages at certain times of the year due to over demand. Putting the cart before the horse achieves nothing. The Dublin plan is an example. Public transport is not good enough to accommodate the people who have to go to the city centre every day. The proposers cite other cities that have traffic free centres but they all have great transport infrastructures. When I am in London, Paris or New York, I wouldn’t dream of driving in the city centre because the public transport is so good. The underground systems are absolutely wonderful, travelling frequently and on time, and at a reasonable fee, to get within a short walking distance of any place in the city. Dublin does not have an underground system which is its biggest problem. Yes, the Luas and the Dart are there but they only cover certain areas and the buses are infrequent and unpredictable. I know something has to be done about the traffic congestion but banning it in the city just moves the problem up the road a bit. Until public transport is fit for purpose it will be a disaster.
I heard another harebrained suggestion on the radio today. It was from another “save the planet” group who want to put a limit on the number of tourists allowed into the country every year. The reason given is the fact that they have to fly to get here and then when they have arrived they use cars and take up spaces in houses at a time when we don’t have enough. Over the years, the government, through Bórd Failte, have spent billions promoting Irish tourism because it has been a lifesaver for this country, especially for those along the Western seaboard. They have succeeded in making “The Wild Atlantic Way” and “Ireland’s Ancient East” attractive to people from all over the world who come here to sample our hospitality. While here they spend lots of money on food, goods and entertainment and that money is vital to the survival of many communities. Imagine what would happen if there weren’t any tourists. Places like Killarney would become ghost towns and many parts of rural Ireland would be subject to mass emigration again. Is this really the way forward.? “Save the planet” by all means but what is the point if those who are left are like they were back in the dark ages. The way some people want us to act, we might as well all commit suicide now and leave the planet to the animals.
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 this week Tuesday & Wednesday morning 9.30am.
Ash Wednesday Feb 14th
Ashes will be distributed after mass at 9.30am and the prayer service at 7pm.
Lenten Scripture Reflection: A Journey through the Bible, Starting Wednesday Feb 21st
and every Wednesday until Mar 27th in the Library, Athea from 7.30pm-8.30pm.
Presented by Pat Higgins 087=2034626 and Sean O Mocháin 087-2321375.
Followed by a cuppa and chat.
Mass Intentions next weekend Sunday Feb 18h at 11am: Sr. Rosarii O’Sullivan (months mind). Ella Ahern. Tom & Stephen Casey. James & Ann Larkin. Jack & Peggy Danaher & their son John.
Jim O’ Mahony – Coole East. Ellen & Patrick Kelleghan, their daughter Maureen & son Stephen.
All masses are streamed live on https://www.churchservices.tv/athea
Eucharistic Adoration and The Devine Mercy Chaplet on Tuesday morning after mass.
Baptisms are on the fourth Sunday of the month, contact Siobhan for further details.
Parish Administration: Tues-Fri 11am-1pm. call Siobhan on 087-3331459, outside these hours text or email [email protected]
Athea Community Council
Lucky Numbers Draw 19/02/2024
No’s Drawn: 6, 22, 23, 24. No Winner
Lucky Dips
Marian Cotter, Coole West
Francie Flavin, Athea
Nora Barry, Batt’s Bar
Seán Fitzgerald, Coole East
Sellers Prize: Jerry Brouder & Agatha Barrett
Next Draw: 26/02/’24 Venue: Brown Joe’s
Jackpot €19,600
Help Carol Liston O Connor Fight MND
by Damien Ahern
*As positive mindset and a positive outlook will move mountains*
An amazing show of support on Monday night at The Devon Inn from the communities of Athea & Broadford and beyond to help launch the Carol Liston O Connor & Family Fundraising Weekend from April 12 – 14th. Contributions on the gofundme page have raised the amazing sum of over €80,000 to date, with many other individuals and organisations getting in touch to plan their own individual fundraising events.
The link to the gofundme page is – https://www.gofundme.com/…/