Jim Flavin’s Work on  Display in Limerick

The Hunt Museum

“It was a special occasion today as we held the official unveiling of the late Jim Flavin’s bronze sculpture “Wave Form” in our museum’s garden!

From Athea in Co. Limerick, Jim Flavin was known by the visual art community of Ireland for his dedication to the art of bronze casting. In 1993 he founded Bronze Art Ltd. together with his wife Rosemary and silversmith Niall Bruton.

We were honoured to have Jim’s wife, Rosemary, and their son Michael present at the unveiling, along with Limerick’s Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Eileen Coleman of Limerick City and County Council, along with other representatives from L.C.C.C.

Wave Form is now a proud permanent fixture to our garden on display with our Museum in a Garden sculptures, open for the public to visit”

Jim’s wife Rosemary sent me the following

“Jim was from Templeathea and he was very pleased to be invited to do the sculpture for ‘The Giant’s Garden’s and the other commemorating the Aherne brothers.

He made a work in bronze for Limerick City in 1987. It had been sited by the Potato Market. The area evolved with urban signage, bicycle park etc and no longer suited.

Limerick City and County Council worked with myself and my son Michael Flavin to have the work refurbished. The bronze was cleaned and repatinated and given  a new base in native stone, Wicklow granite. The piece was unveiled in its new home on Tuesday last. The official PR release went out only today from Limerick City.”

Athea will be forever grateful to Jim for sharing his great talent with us and leaving us with such  fantastic art work.

Renewing Search for Jack Keane

Following a recent meeting, a further attempt to find Jack Keane, who has been missing for the past three years,  will be undertaken on June 15th. Meeting at the Hall at 9.30am and making way to the water tower for 10.00am.  The organisers are appealing to anyone who can spare a few hours to come along and help.

The Way I See It

By Domhnall de Barra

The news of a murder in nearby Knockanure over the weekend has cast a great shadow over the parish. One hears of these happenings on the radio and TV every day but when it happens to someone well known locally it is a different matter entirely. Our hearts and prayers are with the Kennelly family in this tying time for them and our hope is that the perpetrator will be brought to justice without delay.

Once again I want to appeal to the G.A.A. to stop playing our National Anthem before football and hurling games. These are our national games, of which we are all really proud, and the idea of playing the anthem is a good one but unfortunately the attention given to it by players and spectators alike is nothing short of insulting. Once upon a time there was a ban by the G.A.A. on so-called “foreign games”, rugby and soccer and even attending one of their games was enough to get a player suspended yet, when the anthem is played at a rugby or soccer match, the proper respect is give to it. Gaelic players don’t stand to attention but continuously move and fidget while the song is being played or sung and then they don’t wait for the final few bars before breaking off.  The spectators too ignore the last part of the anthem and drown it out with shouts of encouragement for their teams. The anthem should have great significance to us as a nation. Just listen to the Welsh, Scottish, French, English and many more nations singing their anthems with pride to the very last note. I get sentimental every time I hear them and I would dearly love to hear the same at Croke Park or at any of the stadiums around the country where our games are played. I don’t believe the players mean any disrespect but it has worsened over the years so it is now time to either change the way we behave or not play the anthem at all. It will take a lot to re-educate both players and spectators but it is a job worth doing. Many people gave their life’s blood so that we might be a free nation. We should never take that for granted. I wouldn’t like anyone to think I am anti G.A.A., far from it. The happiest times of my young days were playing for Athea and I must give credit to the local club for the vast improvements they have made over the years. The pitch is in great shape and the facilities are second to none. The latest work on the car park is the icing on the cake with parking spaces clearly outlined on a beautiful tarmac surface. I also notice a lot of people using the walk path around the perimeter. It is a great facility for young and old alike and takes away the danger of walking on the roads.. Fair play to the committee; it is a far cry from the times when we used to tog out under bushes. I remember well cycling into the village for an u-14 match somewhere and then having to walk out the road a little to climb onto the back of an open lorry with turf rails on. When we got to the field of play it might be covered in cow dung because, at certain times of the year it would be used for grazing. The same thing applied to our home venue, the old “high field” directly across the road from the current pitch.  At times you might have to hunt the cattle off the pitch before commencing the match. Though the field was uneven and had a slope sideways, there was a great spring in the ground and many is the good match was played on it. Anyway it is good to see the great facilities that our young sports people enjoy today. Well done to all.

In recent years there has been a great push to send everyone to university to study for degrees. The result is there is now a shortage of  people in various trades and professions. There is an old saying “he who has a trade has an estate” and it is quite true.  The world will always need trades persons and there is good money to be made and great satisfaction to be had from a job well done. I was listening to a story this week on the radio about a young lad at school, many years ago,  who had problems with written words and, even though he was quite intelligent, he just couldn’t grasp reading. In today’s world he could get the help necessary to overcome this problem but things were different back then so he was left at the back of the class. His father was the local gravedigger so when he died suddenly the son applied to take over the job. During his interview it was discovered that he could not read so he was told he couldn’t have he job because reading the inscriptions on gravestones was important otherwise people would be buried in the wrong graves.  He worked for a farmer for a while and eventually went to America where he did various jobs before going to Texas at a time when people were drilling for oil. He was one of the lucky ones and soon found the “black gold”. He became one of the wealthiest oil tycoons in America and had a great life. One day he was with one of his financial advisors who asked him to read a document. “I can’t read”  he said which astonished his employee who said: “you made all this money without being able to read. Imagine how much you could have made if you could read”.  “No”, he replied, “if I could read I would be a grave digger back in Ireland”. Over the years I have met many people who were very successful in life despite having very little formal education so having lots of letters after your name is not necessarily the only road to success. The university of life is the best educator of all and lessons learnt in at are never forgotten.

Church Notices

Parish Pastoral Unit (Athea, Abbeyfeale, 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).

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

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

Mass Intentions: Thurs May 30^th 7pm – Moss Brouder – 1^st Anniversary.

Sat June 1^st 7.30pm: Joan O’Connor. Thomas Broderick & Joan Pyke. Margaret O’Connell.

Connie O’Sullivan (1st A/v). Thomas & Kit Woulfe.

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

Baptisms take place on the fourth weekend of the month. The next baptismal preparation meeting takes place in the sacristy Templeglantine on Tuesday evening June 11^th at 8pm.

Parents who wish to baptise their child in the next few months should contact Siobhan on

087-3331459 for further details. First Holy Congratulations to the boys and girls of second class who celebrated their First Holy Communion last weekend. Thank you to their parents, teachers, the school choir, and Margaret Carroll and all who helped prepare the children for the Sacrament. Thanks also to those who helped prepared the church for the occasion.

The annual Corpus Christi Procession through the village will take place on Sat June 9^th.

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  27/05/2024

No’s Drawn: 7,  8,  16,  18.  No Winner

Lucky Dips

Christopher Barrett,           Lower Road

Noreen O’Connor,             Gortnagross

Rae O’Carroll,                   Upper Athea

Mike Fitzgibbon, c/o Batt’s Bar

Sellers Prize: Agatha Barrett & Lal Browne

 Next Draw:  03/06/’24     Venue:  Brown Joe’s

Jackpot €21,000

A very Happy Birthday to Timmy Woulfe who celebrates a significant birthday on June 1^st. Timmy is pictured with his beginners set dancing students at Athea Library on Monday night. Wishing Timmy many more years of good health and dancing!

by Tom Aherne

NANCY BROUDER: The death has occurred of Nancy (Anna) Brouder (nee Wolfe) Gortnadroma, Ballyhahill and formerly of Bridge House Athea, peacefully at UHL on Friday May 17, in her 90th year. Predeceased by her husband Raymond. Reposing at St Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Monday May 20 from 5pm to 8pm. The Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr Tim Curtin at 12 noon on Tuesday. Burial followed in the local cemetery. Sympathy to her daughters Margaret and Rose, sons Neilie, Thomas, Patsy, Raymond, Christopher, grandchildren, great grand children, nephews, nieces, sisters Birdie, Ellen Ann,  Agatha, brother Neilie, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, relatives and friends. May she Rest in Peace.

CEMETERY MASS: Fr Austin Mc Namara celebrated the annual Kilbradern Cemetery Mass on Sunday May 19 at 7.30pm. It was a lovely sunny evening and over 100 people attended. The birds on the nearby trees provided the choir. The cemetery is always well maintained and well done to the committee and workers who look after it.

SCOR SUCCESS: Congratulations to Reens Ardagh native Mike Larkin who was a member of the Banogue novelty act team who won the All-Ireland Senior Scór title at the  Gleneagle Hotel Killarney on Saturday May 18. Mike has spent a lifetime involved in drama and entertainment.

FIRST COMMUNION: Congratulations to the students from Coolcappa/Kilcolman who recently received their First Holy Communion. Thanks to all who assisted them along the way.

SENSORY GARDEN: Carrigkerry sensory garden committee would like to thank Councillor Liam Galvin € 2,000, Councillor Tom Ruddle €1,000 and Councillor Michael Collins €2,500 for funding towards the development of the sensory garden. Councillor John Sheahan from Glin earlier gave  € 5,000 from his fund to be used in the clearing of the site.  The sensory garden and Campaign House replica will be added attractions beside the playground.

CAPITAL FUNDING: A new capital funding programme has been announced by the department of rural and community development to assist communities across Ireland called the Enhancement Programme 2024. Funding of € 241, 287, has been awarded to 93 projects across Limerick. Included is a grant of € 945.00 for Carrigkerry Community Centre.

RETIREMENT: Alva Quaid last week announced her retirement from inter county action with Limerick after many years of dedicated service.  Alva Neary from Main Street Ardagh and daughter of former Kilkenny hurler Tom enjoyed a rewarding career also with her club Old Mill. Now married to Thomas Quaid from Effin, son of Breda ( also Kilkenny) and the late Tommy (Limerick, Feohanagh and Effin hurler) has decided to concentrate on the club action. Alva won an All-Ireland medal in 2010 when Limerick defeated Louth and enjoyed many other successes during her lengthy inter-county career. Thanks to Alva for all the enjoyment she provided for spectators down the years.

HERITAGE MEETING: St Kieran’s Heritage Association held a meeting at Ardagh Hall on Wednesday May 22. Present: Richard Mc Donnell, Chuck Lee, Michael Ambrose, David Dillane, Gerard Greaney, John Hough, Brendan Duggan, John P. Sullivan, Ned Liston and Mary Byrnes. Apologies: Theresa Doyle Mc Mahon.  Vice Chairman John Hough opened the meeting, The minutes from the A.G.M. were read.  First to be discussed was the 50th anniversary of the amalgamation of the Ardagh C.D.S. and Ballyclough. It was intended to hold a commemoration ceremony in early May, but this was postponed until the end of September or early October. It is hoped to hold a festival weekend. Some suggestions were Presenting framed Ardagh butter wrap to former staff committee members. Have a butter making competition. An exhibition of tankards (churns) and old equipment. It is now proposed to hold the 160th anniversary celebration of William Smith O Brien`s death on  July 12. Have a walk to Rathgonan and a talk, music and refreshments in the hall afterwards. Paul Moriarty is writing a play. John to check on progress. Baptismal Font from Rathgonan Church is being restored at the moment. Request for a microphone to be used at meetings in the future. Hoping to have a tour later in the year, maybe to Cork and Spike Island.

GAELIC GAMES: Newcastle West defeated St Kieran’s by 2-15 to 0-8 in the West Senior Football League at Coolcappa on Monday May 20. They led by 1-7 to 0-3 at half time. Team Con Enright, Mike Shanahan, Aaron Heffernan, Anthony Mullins,  Mossie Shine, Brendan Mc Carthy, Sean Long,  Cormac Mann, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Noel Callanan 0-1, Sean Ryan, Mikey Long, Dylan Moloney 0-2, John Hayes 0-4, Luke Corrigan. Subs Darragh Mc Mahon, Kevin Meade 0-1, Jack Sullivan, Jack Mulqueen, Oisin Commane.  St Kieran’s defeated  Adare  by 1-12 to 0-9 at Coolcappa in the West Junior B Hurling league on Thursday May 16. In Round 5 played in Ballingarry on Thursday May 23, St Kieran’s drew 0-15 to 1-12 with Granagh/Ballingarry.

St Kieran’s Under 15 hurling team will represent Limerick in the 2024 Féile na Gael C Finals on Saturday June 22. The club are seeking donations to help cover the cost of their Féile journey. Any support will be greatly appreciated towards the cost of gear, transport and general expenses.

SOCCER NEWS: In the Premier Division of the Desmond League Creeves Celtic lost 1-0 at home to Glin Rovers on Friday May 17. The defeat saw Creeves title ambitions fade after leading the table for most of the season. Carrig Celtic and Kilcolman Rovers had no matches. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Creeves Celtic lost 1-0 at home to Breska Rovers B and Kilcolman Rovers had no match.

COMMUNITY GAMES: St Kieran’s participants  have been competing in the various events in athletics, soccer and gymnastics in recent weeks. They have represented their club well and enjoyed the experience. The annual sports day will be held on Monday June 3, with registration at 1pm.

CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for May was held on Saturday May 25 and announced on Limerick Live 95. Congratulations to Kenneth Greaney and Ciara Mann who each won € 200.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday May 20.The numbers drawn were 9,17,23,24, , and  there was no  winner of the € 5,200 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received  € 40 each Erin Hennessy Carrigkerry, Grace Hough Ardagh, Dawn and Martin O’Sullivan c/o Dawn’s Newcastle West, Lorraine Flavin Coolcappa, May Gallagher Ardagh. Next week’s  Jackpot will be € 5,300. People can play online using club force on the club’s Facebook page, with 6pm on Monday evening the deadline. The tickets are also on sale at the usual outlets, and all support will be appreciated.  Both organisations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.

RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Mary Kelly Newcastle West, who won € 245 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday May 24. The tickets cost € 2, or 3 for € 5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloneys Carrigkerry,  and from the radio station.  All support will be appreciated. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.

CRECHE FUNDRAISER: Kilcolman Community Crèche located in West Limerick is a not-for-profit community Crèche and has been running since 2007. The Crèche provides essential childcare services to Kilcolman and a large number of surrounding areas. As the demand for after-school service continues to be high, in order to continue to meet the needs of the local community and surrounding areas the Board are looking to expand this service. They are currently fundraising with the goal to place a modular building on the site of the Crèche, which will cater for this group of children in their care. Please spread the word or donate any amount you can. Search “Kilcolman Community Creche” on Gofundme.com to donate. Thank you so much for your support.

CEMETERY MASSES DATES: Mass will be celebrated in Mount Pleasant Cemetery Borrigone on Sunday June 2, at 2pm, Glin Church grounds on Sunday June 9, at 2pm, Kilfergus Cemetery on Sunday  June 16, at 2pm, Kinnard Cemetery on Monday  June 17, at 7.30pm,  Shanagolden Cemetery on Sunday June 23, at 2pm, Borrigone Well on Thursday August 15, at 3pm, Coolcappa August 15, at 7.30pm, Clonagh Cemetery  on Sunday September 8, at 2pm.

FLEADH CHEOIL: The County Limerick Fleadh Cheoil will be held in Kilfinane over the June Bank Holiday weekend.   Free open air concerts featuring music, song and dance on Saturday from 4-6pm and 7.30-9pm.  A Céilí on the street will be held  on Sunday June 2 from 7.30pm to 9pm. Music by Donie Nolan and friends. Best of luck to all the local competitors who will be competing.

FLEADH NUA: The Fleadh Nua will be held in Ennis town over the June Bank Holiday weekend with musicians and dancers participating in competitions, sessions, Céili and general entertainment. Taylor’s Cross will be playing for a set Céili in Cois na hAbhna on Saturday June 1, from 9pm-12am and admission is € 10.

SUNFLOWER DAYS: The National Sunflower  Hospice Movement Sunflower Days for 2024 are Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8. People can get involved by volunteering, supporting or dedicating a sunflower in memory of a loved one online. All the local funds raised will go to Milford Care Centre Limerick.

SCHOOL REUNION: The annual St Catherine’s Convent Newcastle West reunion will be held in the Longcourt Hotel on Saturday June 8 at 3pm. The first reunion was held in 2022 and it was a very enjoyable occasion. All previous students and teachers are invited to attend.

FÉILE FUNDRAISER: Old Mill Ladies Under 15 football team will represent Limerick in the 2024 Féile na Gael in Moyle, Tipperary on Saturday June 29. It will be the third occasion for the club after competing in 1998 and 2014. The club are seeking donations to help cover the cost of their Féile journey. Any support will be greatly appreciated towards the cost of gear, transport and general expenses.

bu Kathleen Mullane

    HERE AND THERE 

Well didn’t the girls and boys of the 1st Communion Class do so well on Saturday last on their very special day. All looked so beautiful decked out in their finery, congrats to all their parents and their teachers for bringing them this far and so well prepared they were a credit to themselves . Its a pity the day wasn’t so nice and dry but I’m sure none the less that they all had a lovely time which will give them great memories.

This Saturday evening sees the Special Mass for all those doing exams in the next week —Junior and Leaving Cert alike. It will be led by Margaret Carroll and her Youth Choir which no doubt will make it extra special. Everyone is welcome and all the students are wished all the very best.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Mary and Jer Keane of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, on the recent sudden passing of their daughter Bridget. Sympathy to Bridget’s partner Thomas O’Mahony and son Josh of Markievicz Park along with Bridget’s sister Joanne and her many relatives and close friends. Huge crowd paid their final respects at the family home in Kilmorna on Thursday evening last. Requiem Mass which was concelebrated in Athea Church  was followed by burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. May she rest in Eternal Peace.

Sympathy is also extended to Tim Quinn, formerly of Templeathea and Foynes,  and to his daughters Sinead and Lisa, on the passing of Tim’s wife Christina after a short illness during the past week . May the light of Heaven be hers.

Congrats to Eoin Sheahan of Knocknagorna who recently did so well coming in 5th place in his age group in the World Irish Dance Association World Championship which was held in Liege in Belgium . Watch out Michael Flatley, a star in Athea.

On Saturday June 8th the Corpus Christi procession,  which last year was indeed a lovely spectacle, will take place here after the Evening Mass. The Confirmation Class will take part along with the 1st Communion class and as always the households and shops etc from the Church down to the Hall are asked to put out their little altars, holy pictures, statues, flowers etc en route. The Rosary will be recited and hymns sung ,and afterwards there will be a cup of tea in the Hall for all. If Anyone would like to help out or maybe give in a bit of baking or whatever it would be most welcome I’m sure. All that’s needed is a nice dry evening hopefully.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Too many people think the Grass is Greener somewhere else—-

But the Grass is green where you Water it.

REMEMBER THAT.