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Athea Vintage Club presents €2,3000 to Local Charities

Athea Vintage presenting €2,000 to Mid West Parkinson Association

Athea Vintage Club were delighted to present the funds from last year’s Vintage & Modern Road Run to two deserving charities.

We want to say huge thank you to everyone who has supported the club over the past years, however, particularly in 2023. The Vintage & Modern Road Run was held in September 2023 , our online raffle completed in Novemeber 2023 and donations continued to come in until January 2024. It was phenomenal that once again our parish and surrounding areas never fail to support local charities.

We sincerely want to thank everyone who contributed their time, sponsorship and all those who attended on the day – it was amazing to see Athea Village so energised and the atmosphere was electric.

Firstly, we presented €2000 to Mid West Parkinson Association who provide essential support to our area. The services provided in Wedt Limerick give huge support to our community and we were delighted to present funds help this worthy cause.

Secondly, we presented Sophie Mulligan and her parents Melissa & Alan €21000 for Ronald McDonald House who have given invaluable support to the family so they could focus solely on Sophie.

As token from the club – we presented Melissa with a signed Limerick Senior Hurling Jersey (Many thanks to Richard O Donoghue TD & Seamus McNamara for helping us) & we presented Alan with a signed Cork Senior Hurling Jersey (Many thanks to for Pat Ryan for helping us).

It was an honour to be able to present the funds to Sophie who was a superstar on the evening smiling and clapping for everyone.

We want to sincerely thank all our sponsors who have continually helped to run our Road Run every year without hesitation.

We look forward to having our annual Road Run on September 8th 2024. Follow us on social media for more info.

Facebook – Athea Vintave Club & Road Run

Sophie Mulligan and her parents Melissa & Alan who received €2,1000 for Ronald McDonald House

The Way I See It

By Domhnall de Barra

The All-Ireland football final took centre stage on Sunday with Galway and Armagh trying to get their hands on the Sam Maguire Cup. I watched it from the comfort of my own armchair and my immediate reaction to the game was: what a contrast between it and the hurling final. While the hurling was full of skill, excitement, and frequent scoring , the football lacked all three. It was , to say the least, boring. There were endless passages of players passing the ball backwards and forwards across the pitch trying to create the perfect opening for somebody to go for a point. It is now the case that players are loathe to have a shot outside of 30 yards in case they miss or lose possession. The game is being coached to death by people who copy soccer moves and blanket defensive formations killing the man to man tussles we used to have in the past. This game was no better or worse that most other games this year. It was great for Galway and Armagh but had little to offer to neutrals like myself who love and have played the game in the past. Some changes to the rules will have to be made if  the skill is not to be stifled altogether.  Maybe defenders should not be allowed beyond the halfway line and forwards likewise confined to their own half. In this way the game would open up with more long, kicked passes and more scoring opportunities for skilful attackers.  It is sickening to see  a forward near the corner flag kick the ball backwards beyond the halfway line. In days gone by that ball would be kicked high into the square giving the forwards at least an opportunity to score. Anyway, it is what it is so congratulations to Armagh who managed the modern game just a little better than Galway whop seemed to be suffering from nerves, missing a couple of easy shots for the post. It is hard to believe that we are  only in July and all the inter-county action is all over; strange times.

Last week I was sickened by another event on television. It was the address to the houses of congress in America by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He came into the chambers to a reception that one might give to a famous pop or film star. When he started to give his address the members stood and applauded at the end of every sentence.  This is a man who is a war criminal and who is also facing trial in his own country as soon as he leaves office.  This is the man who justifies the bombing of schools and hospitals if there is a suspicion that there are Hamas fighters hiding nearby. This is the man who has destroyed thousands of homes leaving people with nothing and nowhere to go and who has stopped trucks with much needed food and medicine from passing the borders. Yes, there is a trickle getting through but one cannot help thinking that it is a way of punishing all the Palestinians people. The blood is not just on his hands. He could not do what he did, and continues to do, without the help of America who supply the arms. They say Israel has a right to defend itself and nobody can condone what happened on October 7th but there is no need for the mass killing and starvation of a whole nation. America is culpable. If my friend is attacked and wishes to defend himself and asks me for a gun, I think I would be justified in giving it to him but if he then shoots several innocent bystanders to get at his enemy then I am also at fault. This is like a chess game played by big players on a board and, unfortunately, the Palestinians are just the pawns. America could bring this war to an end in the morning if it really wanted to. The big danger is that it will spread in the region and, if Iran gets involved, we are in for a huge war that will engulf the whole region. The sooner there is a change of regime in America, the better. In the meantime more and more innocent civilians will become just statistics of the casualty count.

The fallout from the Bishop Casey revelations continues. I must admit it came as a bit of a shock to me because I knew the man well, or at least I thought I did. It begs the question; do you ever really know anybody?  The abuse of young people by religious organisations is well documented but I am afraid it is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many out there who suffered abuse but did not, or indeed could not, report it. Why?, the fear of not being believed and the shame of what happened and how they would be treated afterwards. It is a fact that  some who were brave enough to complain were not believed and the authorities took the word of the clergyman. Members of religious organisations were highly revered in days gone by and we thought they could not, or would not, be capable of doing any wrong. We thought these people were chosen by God to carry out His ministry on earth. and as such were above normal temptation. How wrong we were. Unfortunately those abusers have sullied the names of really good priests, brothers and nuns who have done, and still do, tremendous good work. They should not all be tarred with the same brush. Those who do offend should be treated the same as any other criminal. In the past the authorities were happy to let the Church deal with its own offenders. This is not good enough as the Church has been more concerned with defending its own reputation rather than making an example of those who certainly do not follow in the footsteps of Christ. Our thoughts and prayers should be with the victims who have suffered in silence for years.

Feasibility Study and Architectural Design of  Athea Community Council Building

Athea Community Council Ltd are delighted to inform you that the feasibility study and architectural design of the Athea Community Council owned building on Con Colbert Street (formally Cáirde Duchais) has commenced. Following a tender process, James Corbett Architects, based in Limerick City, have been appointed as the contractor to complete these works. Working in conjunction with Limerick City & County Council, this study and design service has been funded by the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2022, provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Thanks to all the sellers and buyers of the Athea Community Council Weekly Lotto and the help and support of Athea & District Credit Union, the loan for the building has now been fully paid off and we continue to build on our savings to invest in this building in the future as well as carrying out village maintenance work and acting as a sponsoring body for our current CE scheme under the guidance of Pat King and Clare Ryan.

Over the coming weeks, we will be requesting the community of Athea to share their ideas and opinions on the future use of this building, and how the building could be designed to cater for the needs of the parish in the future. We have many fine existing facilities in the parish including Con Colbert Hall, Carnegie Library, GAA Meeting Room, Athea United Rooms and others. We do not wish to compete with these facilities but rather to cater for a need that is not currently being met in theparish. Everyone who have visited the building to date is pleasantly surprised by the sheer size and potential of the building, which may serve many purposes in the future.

We will shortly be advertising some in person consultation sessions where we will be encouraging as many people as possible to attend and we will also have an on line survey which we hope we can attract submissions from those currently not living in the parish. The survey and design must be completed by mid-November 2024 due to project funding deadline. By this date, we hope to have finalised the future use for this building based on the feedback received, and submit an application for Planning Permission to Limerick City and County Council. Once we have completed this process, we will then aim to submit for funding to the Town & Village Renewal Scheme. This is an exciting time for our community, and we look forward to you sharing your ideas with us. The building survey work has commenced and engineers will be on site in the coming days.

Thanks to everyone who continues to support the weekly Athea Community Council Draw with the jackpot now standing at €21,900 Anyone interested in assisting us to fundraise for the future development of the building can do so by becoming a seller for the weekly draw. Please contact any member of Athea Community Council for further information.

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 9.30am and Friday evening 7pm.

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

No mass Intentions next weekend – Sat August 3^rd at 7.30pm:

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

Baptisms take place on the fourth weekend of the month. Parents who wish to baptise their child in the next few months should contact Siobhan on 087-3331459.

Parish Administration: Tues-Fri 11am-1pm. call Siobhan on 087-3331459, outside of these hours text or email [email protected]     Facebook:  Athea Parish Church Community

Athea Community Council  Lucky Numbers Draw  29/07/2024

No’s Drawn: 10,  20,  24,  26.  No Winner

Lucky Dips

Shauna Lynch,                              Listowel

Tim Enright,                                 Moyvane

George O’Connor,             Lower Road

Joan Buckley, c/o Lal

Sellers Prize:  Lal Browne & Batt’s Bar

Next Draw:  05/08/’24  Venue:  Batt’s Bar

Jackpot €21,900

Playground Fundraiser

South West Road Racing, Athea are having a fund-raiser for Athea playground Development

by Tom Aherne

FLEADH CHEOIL: Congratulations to all the members of the Ardagh/Carrigkerry  Comhaltas branch who participated  in the various competitions in the recent Munster Fleadh Cheoil held in Thurles.  The prize winners progress to Fleadh Cheoil  na hEireann which takes place in Wexford from Sunday  August 4, to Sunday August 11.

PJ AHERN PODCAST: Patricia Ahern from Knockfinisk has compiled a podcast about her great grand uncle PJ (Patrick John) Ahern from Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. PJ was a poet, writer and community activist who contributed to the local newspapers of the time. Patricia herself a poet and writer has contributed  material to West Limerick 102 Radio and to various outlets in the UK where she is based. She has been researching his life story in the past year. The result is very interesting and well worth a listen to. Patricia intends to continue her research and to make his work available to access in the future. Her research to date can be accessed on the Journeys into Genealogy  web site: https//journeysintogenealogy.co.uk

GAELIC GAMES:  John Doyle from the St Kieran’s club was a member of the Limerick team defeated by Kerry by 1-10 to 0-7 in the All-Ireland Gaelic Masters Football Championship at Dromcollogher on Friday July 19. Alan Daly from the club is leading the race for the Limerick Senior Football  Club Championship Golden Boot Award after two rounds. He has scored 1-13 and leads by four points from Josh Ryan, Daniel Daly and Danny Frewen. St Kieran’s defeated Pallasgreen by 4-15 to 1-13 in the County Minor B Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 2  played in Pallasgreen on Wednesday July 24. They led by 3-6 to 0-6 at half time. The Junior B footballers received a walkover from Glin in the West Championship on Thursday July 25.

CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for July was held on  Saturday July 27 and announced during the Limerick Live 95fm sports show from 10am to 11am. The St Kieran’s club had no winner this month. Congratulations to Mike Barrett the former St Kieran’s player now residing in Rathkeale who won € 200 in the draw. The entry fee for  the draw is € 10, per month and € 21,000 will be given out in prize money each month.  To join contact the local St Kieran’s club members in person, or online through the Club force App with direct options available. The club will receive 50% of all membership received which is vital for the running of it over the year.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday July 22.The numbers drawn were  4,7,19,29, and  there was no  winner of the € 6,100 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received  € 40 each: John and Catherine Noonan Ardagh, Christine Kiely Newcastle West, Sophie Hennessy Carrigkerry, O’Donovan family Shanagolden, Sean O’Sullivan Skehanagh, Ardagh. Next week’s  Jackpot will be      € 6,200. 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.

FLAG FLOOR: The weekly music and set dancing session,  for the summer months at the Flag Floor Glensharrold, Carrigkerry  continues on Tuesday’s from  9pm to 11.30pm,teas are served,  and all are welcome for a good night’s entertainment. Admission €5. Taylors Cross will be playing for an open air Céilí in Kilrush Square on Sunday August 4,  from 7-9.30pm.

LYREACROMPANE FESTIVAL: The annual Dan Paddy Andy  festival celebrating its 26th anniversary will take place in Lyreacrompane  north Kerry over the August weekend  from Friday 2 to Monday 5.  The Sean Keane concert  with support artists, will be held in the marquee on Friday 2 from 9pm.Tickets cost €30. A Honda 50 run  at 12 noon on Saturday. A kid’s party club from 1.30pm. Dancing to Seamus Moore from 4-6pm, Admission € 12. Dancing to Paudie Mc Auliffe from 10pm to 1am, Admission €12. A 5/10k walk  will be held on Sunday from 11am, Dancing to Eddie Lee and the Coffey’s from 3-6pm, with a waltzing competition for trophies. More dancing from 9.30pm with Ger Healy followed by Jack Keogh from Wicklow, Admission € 15. A  guided bog walk on Monday from 11am, turf cutting, tea and scones, Adults € 10, children €5. Dancing from 2pm to 7pm with Mike Condon followed by Bernie Heaney Kildare, Admission € 15. Cash only entry to events and no card facility available. All the details can be got from Joe Harrington on 087- 2853570.

VINTAGE DAY: Carrigkerry Playground and Sensory Park  fundraising vintage run and family Day will take place on Sunday August 4. Registration at 12.30pm at Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry. All tractors, cars and motorbikes are welcome to participate. A children’s vehicle run will be held at 1pm. Lines are currently on sale at € 5 for a raffle with 10 prizes on offer. 1st  prize: Overnight stay, dinner, breakfast at the Woodlands Hotel for two people. 2nd prize: XBOX Series S.  3rd prize: € 200 Super Value Shopping Voucher ”M&K Interiors”.  4th prize: One ton of ash firewood (Con Keane). 5th  prize: One ton of ash firewood (Con Keane). Sixth prize: € 100 ”One4All” Black Diamond Photography.  7th prize: € 100 Voucher  ”Green Finger” Fencing and Poly Tunnels.  8th prize: Wine Hamper Tom Ahern ”Autos.”  9th prize: ”This is you € 50 Voucher Lisa Daly. 10th prize: ”La Belle” (Voucher) Marie Roche Beauticians. The draw will take place in Moore’s Bar later that evening. There will be a family fun day also, plus  Disco and BBQ and live music in the bar. All support appreciated.

CEMETERY MASSES DATES: Mass (St Molua) will be celebrated, at, Ardagh Cemetery on Monday August 5, at 7.30pm, Kilscannell Cemetery on Wednesday August 7, at 7.30pm, Borrigone Well on Thursday August 15, at 3pm, Coolcappa  Cemetery on August 15, at 7.30pm, Clonagh Cemetery  on Sunday September 8, at 2pm.

ARDAGH BINGO: The Ardagh Community Centre Fundraising Bingo evening takes place on Wednesday August 7, at 8pm sharp. There is € 2,000 in prize money with a raffle for lots of prizes on the night. If anyone would like to donate spot prizes, it will be greatly welcomed. All support  from within and outside the parish will be greatly appreciated.

GREENWAY OUTING: The Great Southern Trail Group are organising a trip to New Ross, Wexford Greenway on Saturday August 31. Departing from the Market Yard Newcastle West at 8pm. The cost of the coach and meals is € 75. Contact Pat Condon on 069-62344 or Liam O’Mahony on 087-6471956 or email greatsoutherntrail @gmail.com

by Peg Prendeville

Ger White, Peg Prendeville,  Helen Martin and Bridie Murphy. Four Faley  sisters meet up recently.

Last week I had the opportunity to take a week away from home thanks to daughter Sarah, home from Dubai, who took over the reins. It was good to be able to come and go as I pleased, take naps when I wanted and get up when I liked. I spent a few days with daughter Maura in Abbeyleix taking in a day at the beach in Tramore. It was over 50 years since I had been in Tramore and that was as a young adult who spent a week there with friends. Obviously it has been modernised and expanded since then. I had not realised how big the beach is and I enjoyed a lovely walk along the prom. It was not sunny but pleasant for walking. My time with Maura included a hospital visit to the Mater with Lucy who is still waiting on the Spinal surgery. It seems that more tests have to be done before she is cleared for the operation which is major. But we hope and we trust. I went from Abbeyleix to Athlone for a meet up with three of my sisters which was fun. Unfortunately the fourth could not get away to join us. The final leg of my travels was a trip to Dublin from where I had booked a day trip to Belfast and the Giant’s causeway which I’ve always wanted to see. This worked out very well, thanks to the Wild Rovers Tour bus. Thanks to my neighbour Rita O’Hagan who offered me a bed to lay my body on after the day before returning home the next day. All my travelling was done by public transport and I have to say I was most impressed. If one is not tied to time one can get either a bus or train to any part of the country. Having free travel is the added bonus of course. All arrived on time with no hassle at all. I really enjoyed the “Black taxi” tour of Belfast and was both fascinated and saddened by all the murals and peace walls (more like dividing walls!) in the Catholic area of west Belfast. Our guide there, who was from the Nationalist side, informed us that the gates through these walls are closed every night to prevent travelling from one side to the other. So, I thought, there is no real peace yet, but it is a bit better than what it was. My impression of the bit of city I saw was a bit dismal with the only colour being the many murals on the walls. From the city we continued travelling north to Dunluce castle and the Giant’s Causeway. We’ve all seen photos of the Causeway but it was nice to be there. Lots of stones for climbing if one is young and flexible but with a daughter at home with a broken ankle I decided not to tempt fate so I just sat and admired and watched the adventures of others as I realised I had travelled from the bottom of the country in Tramore right to the top of Antrim. I appreciated the free time I had but at this stage was ready to return home and take up my caring duties again. And Jim was glad to have me back!

I had a call from Michael Dillane from Listowel. Michael, originally from Clounleharde, wishes to thank the many people who attended the funeral of his son Kevin recently. He had not the chance to meet everybody but wants people to know he appreciated their presence.

The Old Burial Ground of Ath na gCorp in Clounlehard, Ballyhahill (near Gary Flavin’s house)  is the site where 400 men, women and children were slaughtered by Elizabethan forces on March 12, 1580. The official opening of the memorial plaque which has been erected to honour the lives lost in that battle will be held on Sunday August 18 at 3pm. All welcome