Members of Athea Gun Club and Helen from Batt’s Bar releasing 60 ducks into the localA river
More Ducks!
Well done to Athea Gun Club who recently released 60 ducks into the river by the bridge. A word to motorists to be careful of ducks wandering onto the road.
Lucy Brouder and Aoibheann Barrett who helped Athea Gun Club put ducks into the river last week
ARTS AND CRAFTS SUMMER CAMP:
Workshop lasting ttwenty hours of sculpture, painting, drawing and mixed media for children aged 7-12 years from 11-3pm July 8 -12
Teach na Feile, New St., Abbeyfeale. Book now Norma 087 1027327.
Road & TT
National Championships
In Athea
There will be an Open Information Meeting at 9pm in Athea GAA Clubhouse in relation to these championships. All are welcome.
Hannah Scanlon, Dirreen casting her vote in Athea on Friday last at the age of 102. An example to us all.
The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
I always like to get a bit of feedback on some of my scribbles here, even if it is not complimentary, otherwise I might think nobody is reading this piece. What I write is only my own humble opinion and I am lucky that I have the opportunity to put my thoughts on paper each week. There would be something wrong if everybody agreed with me because we all differ and I am open to correction at all times. One of the items I did get a reaction to was the one on the abuse of our National Anthem at GAA matches. I didn’t have one negative comment and I am wondering if somebody actually relayed the feelings to the powers that be in the GAA because I was pleasantly surprised last Sunday when Limerick and Clare lined up behind the band and stood to attention for the playing of the anthem right to the last note. The crowd did their usual cheering about three quarters of the way through but it did not affect the players and, if this continues, I am hoping their example will rub off on the followers and restore a bit of respect. I know that people do not disrespect the anthem intentionally and just get carried away in the moment but wouldn’t it be nice to hear the whole stadium filled with the type of passion that we see from other countries when their anthem is played. Anyway, well done to the Munster Council who made the change and to both sides who gave an example for all teams going forward.
The elections took centre stage over the weekend with great interest in who will or will not be elected. The tallymen were busy giving us statistics to ponder but the one figure that disappointed me was the one that told us only about half of those eligible to do so cast their votes. As I said last week, our right to vote was hard won by men and women who put their lives on the line so that we might have the right to decide our own destiny and we should repay them by exercising that right by using our votes. Some of the people who didn’t vote will be the first ones to complain about their local councillor and what is not being done for them. I say, if you haven’t bothered to vote then you do not have the right to criticize anyone. We are so lucky to live in a democracy where we get an opportunity to decide who our leaders are. There are so many countries in the world where the people are downtrodden and dictated to and they would give anything to have what we have so we shouldn’t take our freedom for granted. The results of the local election in West Linerick, Newcastle West area, were, I suppose, predictable with all the sitting councillors returned. Congratulations to them all especially to John Sheahan who is very helpful to us in Athea. Commiserations to all those who didn’t make it and thank you for standing and making n election of it. As I write this it looks like John Moran is about to make history as the first directly elected Mayor of Limerick. He seems to have enough of a lead at the moment but, politics being what politics, all may have changed by the time you read this. John’s people came from Clash and he has already had a very distinguished career. He definitely has what it takes to do a good job for Limerick City and County and it would be great to have one of our own to call on.
The situation in Ghaza continues to deteriorate with Israel pushing to rescue hostages and wipe out Hamas in the process. In doing so they are killing hundreds of innocent civilians and there is absolutely no justification for it. Let us suppose that whey succeed in getting rid of Hamas , do they think that will be the end of resistance from the Palestinians? By killing so many civilians and destroying their houses as well as starving them through not letting aid trucks through they are creating tomorrow’s freedom fighters. If I was a teenager in Ghaza who had seen my home demolished and my family members killed, it wouldn’t take much to persuade me to take up arms and try to get revenge. I say freedom fighter but others may say terrorist. It depends on what side you are on. Of course all war is wrong but it is a reality and once it begins, the gloves are off. The only way to end this conflict is around the negotiating table. Both sides will have to compromise and it is up to the international community to make sure this happens. I am pessimistic about the prospect of a peace in the near future because Israel does not seem to take any notice of what the rest of the world thinks. As long as they are being supplied with the weapons they need they will continue so it is up to those supplying them to call a halt.
To get back to the elections, isn’t it strange to see, in this day and age, hundreds of people counting votes by hand? Surely it is time to come into the 21st century and have electronic voting machines that will simplify the process and will produce a result in no time. I know there was a problem with electronic machines in the past but technology is improving every day and we now have more people capable of ensuring the job is done right. With the old system people make mistakes when marking a paper and the result is that there are a lot of spoilt votes. With the electronic system a button is pressed and there should be a way of checking what choices are made before submitting the final choice. Whether we like it or not, machines are now more accurate and reliable than humans. Every time we have an election there are close calls and recounts are demanded. I have never heard of a recount producing exactly the same number as the first time and I am sure if it was done a hundred times the results would all be different. This is no reflection on those who work so hard counting the ballot papers because it is easy to miscount, especially if you are doing the same thing hour after hour. It is worth giving it another go.
Tim Joe Riordan from Dirreen with the turf he has saved this year. Tim is one of the last to cut turf in the old traditional way.
Church Notices
Parish Pastoral Unit (Athea/ Abbeyfeale/ Mountcollins/ Templeglantine/ Tournafulla).
Canon Tony Mullins 087 2600414, Fr. Willie Russell 087 2272825, Fr. Denis Mullane 087 2621911.
Masses this week- Tuesday morning 9.15am and Thursday evening 7pm.
Eucharistic Adoration and The Devine Mercy Chaplet on Tuesday morning after mass.
Mass Intentions: Sat June 8th 7.30pm: Michael Haslam. Patsy & Margaret and Eileen Broderick. 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 11th at 8pm.
Parents who wish to baptise their child in the next few months should contact Siobhan on
087-3331459 for further details.
Parish Administration: Tues-Fri 11am-1pm. call Siobhan on 087-3331459, outside these hours text or email [email protected]
Fitzpatrick’s Listowel are travelling to Lough Derg on June 28th-30th.Call 087-3249822 for details. Novena In Honour of St. Anthony takes place in St. John’s Cathedral 5th -13th June.
Athea Community Council Lucky Numbers Draw
17/06/2024 No’s Drawn: 10, 21, 23, 27. No Winner
Lucky Dips
Noreen Barry, Cratloe
Angela & Keegan, H/Side Drive
Remie Mahony, Templeathea
Eileen O’Sullivan, Glasha
Sellers Prize: Ned Mahony & Lal Browne
Next Draw: 24/06/’24 Venue: Brown Joe’s
Jackpot €21,300
Athea Community Games
hosted Group 4 of the county art competition on Saturday 8th June last in the hall welcoming young artists from Dromcollogher/Broadford, St. Kieran’s, Newcastlewest and Athea. These are some photos of the Athea competitors.
Below: Some of the Athea children who took part in the art competition
