Athea Drama Group
It’s hard to believe we are almost halfway through our run of our 2024 production of Turning Mammy. The play is being very well received, and has played to packed audiences to date. Proceeds from our opening night were donated to the Carol Liston O’Connor Fund – totalling €3,300. Thanks to all who supported so generously.
We have three shows remaining, March 21st, 23rd & 24th at 8pm at Con Colbert Memorial Hall. ‘Turning Mammy’ has a rich vein of humour running throughout, with the lively wit of rural Leitrim.Sisters Martha and Mary live together on the family farm. Mary is involved in a long term search for her baby adopted at birth, while Martha is involved in a long term wait for neighbour, Ambrose’s Mammy to die so that she can finally marry the love of her life.
The phone line is currently very busy so the advice is to book early to avoid disappointment by text/whatsapp 087 6926746. Please note this play is not suitable for Under 12s.
Cast and Crew with Carol Liston O’Connor and family
All Revved Up and Ready To Go
Patrick Langan Memorial Run
It’s that time of year again when all roads lead to Knockdown, Athea where Knockdown Vintage Club will host their Annual Charity Road Run on Sunday 24th March. This year’s event is indeed tinged with great sadness with the loss of our esteemed founder and Chairman Patrick Langan who departed this life in December last RIP. This year’s event will be run in his memory – The Patrick Langan Memorial Vintage Run.
Registration will commence at 11 O’ Clock. Light Refreshments will be served before and after the Run.
The Mid -Western Cancer Foundation UHL and Parkinson’s Association of Ireland Mid-West Branch are the beneficiaries of this year’s event.
The Vintage Club welcomes all VINTAGE Cars and Tractors.
A raffle will also be held on the day with numerous prizes including
€300.00 voucher for Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel & Spa.
€150.00 Voucher for the Crown Decorating Centre Newcastle West
Monster Hamper
And Numerous other prizes.
In addition, we have an extra House Draw on the day for amazing prizes: –
One night Midweek break at The Johnstown Estate Hotel and Spa
for two including B & B and 4 Course Dinner.
€100.00 One for All Voucher.
Hamper.
And lots more
There will also be a special draw for all those who participate on the day.
A Super Auction will commence at 4pm where every thing from a needle to an anchor will be available at bargain prices.
Music by different Sounds from 5 to 7pm along with Local Musicians who will entertain us during the day.
Come along and join us for a Fun packed day out.
The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
“Níl fhios again go cinnte cá rugadh Naomh Pádraig” . I remember well, many years ago at school, having to learn off a passage on St. Patrick that began with those words which translate as, “we don’t know for certain where St. Patrick was born”. Opinion is divided as to whether he came from England or France. We do know that he was brought here as a slave so it is more than likely he came from Wales. When we think of slavery, more than likely we think of the African slaves in America but not all slavers were American and not all slaves were black Africans. Slavery was very common in olden times and there are numerous references to it in the Bible. Ireland was no different, especially along the eastern seaboard where small boats would cross the Irish Sea to raid settlements along the Welsh coast. They plundered and looted what they could and brought back some of the young and the fittest to be sold in Ireland as slaves to the rich land owning chieftains. We don’t know much about his first time here except that he was minding sheep on a hill and eventually escaped. When he returned to convert the people to Christianity he seems to have had an easy task and quickly made a name for himself. Much of what is written about that period can be taken with a pinch of salt. He did not, for instance preach Catholicism, as some would like to claim, it wasn’t very widespread at the time. There is also the also a mixture of fact and myth in the accounts of that time. The banishing of the snakes from the country can be placed in the latter category. As one wit stated “he might have got rid of some snakes but he left more than a few of the two-legged variety behind”. Anyway, he did have great success and became our national saint so every year we celebrate on March 17th. It is not, however a celebration of the saint or his life, it is now an excuse for the worst type of Paddwhackery and Plastic-Paddyism as people all over the world wear green, don ridiculous outfits and get drunk. That may be a bit of an overstatement because there are also a lot of good parades and other events that highlight the best of being Irish. It is amazing that a little country like ours, a small island off the coast of Europe with a population that would fit into most European cities, has such worldwide appeal. I suppose we can thank the famine for that because it forced the Irish to leave and try to build a life in other countries. We didn’t just stop at the nearest refuge, we spread to all corners of the world so no matter where we go today we will find somebody with Irish blood in their veins. From humble beginnings the Irish emigrants got involved in their adopted countries and became prominent in business and politics to such an extent that many have held the highest office, president of the USA. What is it about us that makes us different? I don’t know but we certainly punch above our weight in sport and the various arts. Over the years out athletes, boxers, golfers and swimmers have had great success and our writers and poets are world famous. At one time, under the reign of Jack Charlton, our soccer team was ranked 6th in the world while our rugby team have been at no.1. Our actors are the best in the game and our traditional music is getting more popular by the day. There are now branches of Comhaltas in every continent with the latest branch being set up in Dubai. Wee excel at modern music as well with artists like Sinead O’Connor, Shane McGowan and of course the no. 1 band in the world for years: U2. Yes, we have a lot to be proud of so it is no wonder that we want to celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day. The fact that it has nothing at all to do with the actual saint is another matter. I was glad to be able to play a few tunes on the day and I spare a thought for the man who, despite being enslaved here, returned to save us and, yes, my middle name is Patrick!
I wonder what kind of reception would St. Patrick get if he came to Ireland today. We were always known as Ireland of the welcomes but the “cead míle fáilte” seems to have gone in recent times. The fact that he was a single male from a foreign country would be enough to cause some people to object to his being here. He would be lucky to get a tent on the street and hope not to be molested. He would be ok for last weekend because, in a very cynical move, the tents were removed from the city centre to what turned out to be a far from suitable location on the outskirts. It is obvious this was done as a cosmetic exercise for the many who would come to the capital for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There is no reason why people should be in tents on the streets. The city is full of empty office spaces and what about the religious orders? They have buildings in abundance such as empty convents, that would give a modicum of shelter to these poor people. I know it is not ideal but it is better than what is happening at the moment. There is also the fact that there are boarded up houses in every town in the country that could be easily made ready for occupation if the will was there. There is a problem with the amount of people coming for asylum but these are the times we live in and we are obliged, morally and legally, to do our best to accommodate them. We are a rich country by comparison with others and we are lucky to live in a free and democratic society that wants to care for all sections of the community. We should not take this for granted when we see the amount of dictatorships that have sprung up around the globe. Just look at what happens in places like Russia where any opposition to the ruling regime is regarded as treason and punishable by imprisonment or even death. The government needs to come up with answers and do it fast or else we may see a big change in political circles. The far right are gaining ground throughout Europe and we are no exception here. All I can say is; God help us if they ever get into power, it would be unthinkable.
Church Notices
Parish Pastoral Unit (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 morning 9.30am and Thursday evening 7pm.
Eucharistic Adoration and The Devine Mercy Chaplet on Tuesday morning after mass.
Lay Liturgy with Stations of the Cross on Friday morning at 9.30am.
Sacrament of Confirmation: Bishop Brendan Leahy will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in Athea this Wednesday March 20th at 11am
Mass Intentions next weekend Sunday Mar 24th 11am : Mary Pallas (months mind) & her husband Tom. John Horgan (1st A/v). Tim Murphy. Michael Carroll. Margaret O’Connor. Michael & Ellen O’Keeffe. Mary McMahon.
All masses are streamed live on https://www.churchservices.tv/athea
Lenten Scripture Reflection: A Journey through the Bible, Every Wednesday evening during Lent in the Library, Athea from 7.30pm-8.30pm. Followed by a cuppa and chat.
Baptisms on the fourth Saturday of the month (Mar 23rd), contact Siobhan for further details.
Parish Administration: Tues-Fri 11am-1pm. call Siobhan on 087-3331459, outside these hours text or email [email protected]
“Companions on the Journey;” Desert Day in preparation for Holy Week. Silent Retreat with Eucharist & Reconciliation, Saturday March 23rd 10.30am to 5pm in Limerick Diocesan Centre. Booking is essential, contact Phyllis at 087 963 6893.
Athea Community Council
Lucky Numbers Draw 18/03/2024
No’s Drawn: 3, 10, 11, 29. No Winner
Lucky Dips
Paudie Flavin, Kilmorna
Sean & Ciara, Dirreen
Tom & Lynda Mahony, Lyntom House
Angela McEnery, H/Side Drive
Sellers Prize: D. de Barra & Batt’s Bar
Next Draw: 25/03/’24 Venue: Batt’s Bar
Jackpot €20,000