Members of Athea Comhaltas, Gun Club, Fishing Club and Duck & Swan Committee making a presentation to Helen Barry, Batt’s Bar, at the weekend

End of an era

Batt’s Bar, one of the oldest pubs in Athea, sadly closed it’s doors on Monday night. It was probably the last traditional pub in the area and big crowds attended over the holiday weekend for a final drink. Don’t know what the future will bring but it is hoped that it might re-open in the not too distant future. In the meantime we wish the proprietor, Helen Barry, the best of luck  in her, temporary we hope, retirement.

Chair Yoga

In Knockanure Community Centre on Wednesdays at 11am. Fee €10

Athea Tidy Towns

Following the recent spell of fine weather, our group are out of hibernation and planning hard for the season ahead. Projects we are hoping will come to fruition this year include; repair of stone work, new ‘Welcome to Athea’ signs on the Lower & Upper Athea Roads, completion and launch of Athea Heritage Trail, upgrade of Giant’s Garden/ Athea Fairy Mountain, work to Wildflower Meadow, painting of flower basket stands and finding a new home for Jim Dunn’s Mural.

To help us achieve these aims, and others, we are planning to meet up each Tuesday evening from 6.30pm and would appreciate some help from our community. Many hands do make light work for all. We also operate a Whatsapp Group, and if anyone would like to be added to this group to be kept up to date on projects and to lend a hand, please do get in touch with any member of the committee or contact Damien on 0879042477.

Many thanks to all who took part in Team Limerick Clean Up. We are very grateful to all those who help out with keeping our roads clean, especially those who maintain the roads right throughout the year. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

The Way I See It

By Domhnall de Barra

On Easter Sunday there were  celebrations to commemorate the Easter rising over 100 years ago. The proclamation was read out and it got me thinking about the men and women who bravely defied the forces of the Crown to gain freedom. It was not a glorious battle that ended with a great victory, far from it. The rising did not have the full support of all the people and it was suppressed by superior military forces. It was what happened afterwards that stirred the nation. The English decided to make an example of the leaders of the revolution and duly executed them. Among those was our own Con Colbert. This was their big mistake and the aftermath was the meeting in London where Michael Collins and his team secured freedom for 26 of the 32 counties. This was not accepted by some members of the IRA and a civil war ensued that pitted neighbour against neighbour and sometimes even brother against brother. Civil wars are the worst types of conflicts and there were many atrocities on both sides until eventually peace arrived along with the birth of the Ireland we know today. Great credit is due to the people who managed the country in the early stages. This was after the 1st World War and there was literally no money around but they gradually got the country going and looked after the people who were in dire need at the time. There were lean years but they managed to find houses for all who needed them and, later on, they introduce  the Dole and the Children’s Allowance which was a great help to struggling families. There wasn’t too much affluence but nobody died of the hunger either. What a change when we fast forward to today. There was never more money in the country but there aren’t enough houses for the people who need them or hospital beds to care for their medical needs. Money is squandered left, right and centre. We know about the expensive bike shed and other works that cost multiples of what the price should be and there is a fortune spent every day on so called  “consultants” who advise our legislators. We just witnessed the conclusion of an inquiry known as the “Grace case”.  This was the sad tale of a young woman, non-verbal and mentally handicapped, who was left in a foster home for years despite evidence of neglect and the possibility of physical and sexual abuse. Despite several warnings and many meetings, a decision was taken to leave her where she was. A tribunal was set up to determine the facts and give answers but despite going on for over 10 years and costing  over €13,000,000 it produced a 2,000 page report that held nobody to account. Questions have to be asked. Why did it take so long to come to a conclusion that any layman could have done in a few moths. Who got all the money that was spent and why was nobody held accountable. It was a complete waste of time and money and there is nobody crying halt.  There are calls for more public inquiries to take place but, is this really the best way to get at the facts. I go back a few years to the beef scandal and an inquiry that blamed nobody except a couple of workers in Rathkeale. There has to be a better way that doesn’t cost a fortune and gets to the facts of the matter without the circus we have at the moment. The problem is that the state and its institutions will defend themselves no matter what. The “good name” has to be defended. This is similar to what happened in the Catholic Church where priests who were found to be sexually assaulting young boys and girls were just moved around to different parishes and dioceses. It was hushed up keep the good name of the church. Those who moved priests that they knew to be paedophiles onto other parishes are as guilty as the perpetrators themselves because they surely must have known that they would transgress again in their new surroundings. It would be much better if responsibility was accepted and dealt with in a timely manner and then we wouldn’t have to waste so much time and money getting very little information.

As I write this, news has come through that Pope Francis has died. He was very ill lately but he still insisted on taking a small part in the Easter celebrations. He was probably the most humble of all the popes. His heart was with the poor and downtrodden and he always spoke out against tyranny and oppression. He didn’t like showy things and, as a bishop, he refused to reside in the official palace but instead lived in a humble house in the city. Catholics all over the world will be in mourning as his body will lie in state for a while before  being buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, one of the four key papal basilicas located in Rome. This would make him the first Pope in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican. He didn’t make all the reforms he wanted to but he started many conversations, especially about the role of women in the Church. He also reached out to the gay community and those who were denied the sacraments because they were divorced.  May he rest in peace.

Church Notices

Priests: Fr. Tom Mangan 087-2348226, Fr. Willie Russell 087 2272825, Fr. Dan Lane 087 2621911.

Intentions Sunday April 27^th 11am: John Matthews (months mind). Nora Barrett & her husband Mick Barrett (Rooskagh). Ellie & Bob Scanlon. Denny & Eileen Kelly, their daughters Helen & Peggy & son Joe. Rita McLoughlin, her husband Jimmy & her parents Kit & James McAuliffe. Patrick Dalton. Paddy & Kathleen O’Connor. Johanna, Michael and Danny O’Connell.

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

Trocaire; Thank you for supporting Trocaire this year, the box can be dropped into the church during any mass. Buiochas! We acknowledge the involvement and cooperation of so many in the celebration of the Liturgies of Holy week. 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

14/04/’25  No’s Drawn: 1,  15,  20,  31.  No Winner

Lucky Dips

Haulie Liston,                   Athea

Caroline Cleary,                Templeathea

Mary T. Mulvihill,             Athea

Denise Deegan, Limerick

Sellers Prize:  E. Fitzgerald & Ned Mahony

Next Draw:  28/04/’25   Venue:  White’s Bar

Jackpot €25,300

Scenes at the Dawn Mass on Easter Sunday

by Tom Aherne

TOM DANAHER: The death has occurred of Thomas (Tom) Danaher of Ballinena (Old Mill), Newcastle West,  on Sunday April 13, late of Danaher Brothers and Creeves Quarry. Tom passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in the wonderful care of the Staff at Beechwood Nursing Home. Predeceased by his wife Peg, daughter in law Marella, sister Mary and brother Sean. Reposing at Riedy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Tuesday April 15, from 5pm to 8pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated in the  Church of the Immaculate Conception Newcastle West on Wednesday  at 11.30am. Burial took place afterwards in Calvary Cemetery. Sympathy to his sons John, Tom and Jeremiah, sister in law Theresa, daughters in law Mary (Barrett) and Mary (Mullane) grandchildren Lesley Ann, Vanessa, Íde, Aoife and Órla, great grandchildren Lexi, Aaron, Hailey, Harper, Iarla, Amelia, Clodagh, Jake and Micheál Óg, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Tom was a well-known businessman, a gentleman and a great supporter of Gaelic games, who will be remembered with fondness well into the future. A past player with Ardagh and Kilcolman before joining Newcastle West where  he was a life member  of the club at the time of his passing. He served as their Chairperson and was a committed sponsor and supporter. The Old Mill area was close to his heart, and he was associated with all that was good around there. The Old Mill Tug O War team of the 1960’s to early 1970’s, The Old Mill Sports Club, The Old Mill Development Association,  Christmas Tree sourcing etc.  The community came out in tribute  forming a Guard of honour as his funeral cortege passed the Old Mill Bridge on his journey to the funeral home  on Tuesday afternoon. He lived to be a great age and will be always linked with good community life. Tom will be sadly missed by his family, neighbours and friends. May he Rest in Peace.

MASS TIMES CHANGE: Ardagh/Carrigkerry Mass times will change from the weekend of April 26/27. Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturdays at 6.30pm. Mass will be celebrated in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sundays at 10.30am.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday  April 14.The numbers drawn were 3,7,13,28. and  there was no  winner of the €6,400 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received  € 40 each May Gallagher, Ardagh, Hughie Mahony, Ardagh, Mary Bennett, Ardagh, Fiona Woulfe, Dunganville, The Kennelly’s c/o Tom Neary. Next week’s  Jackpot will be €6,500. 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 John Duane from Newcastle West, who won €310, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday April 18. 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.

SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Emma O’Malley, who won €470 in the March Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge on Friday April 4. Tickets to enter the draw are available from committee members, club managers, at Neary’s Ardagh,  Inver five crossroads Rathkeale and the Thatch Newbridge. All support will be greatly appreciated.

GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s defeated Ahane by 2-9 to 0-11 in round 3 of the County Junior A Football League played at Sean Finn Park Rathkeale on Sunday April 13. TEAM Con Enright, Ben Cussen, Michael Murphy, Shay Greaney, Fionn Gleeson, James O’Connor, Mikey Kelly,  Jack Mulqueen, Darragh O’Connor, Luke Corrigan, Cathal Mc Enery, Cathal O’Connor, Dan Duggan, Anthony Molyneaux, Oisin Commane. Subs Conor Woulfe, Charlie Mc Mahon, Darragh Breen.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Crecora by 0-15 to 0-13 in round 3 of the City/West Intermediate Hurling League played in Crecora on Saturday April 19. TEAM Cillian Ambrose 0-1, Shay Greaney, Aaron Heffernan, Mossie Shine, Eoin Mc Enery 0-1, Brendan Mc Carthy, Fionn Gleeson, Eoghan Sheehan, Cillian Meade 0-1, Conor Woulfe 0-1, Jack O’Sullivan 0-9, Cormac Mann, Derry O’Connor, Michael Murphy 0-1, Cathal O’Connor 0-1. Sub Bryan Sheehan.

SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic lost 6-2 at home to Breska Rovers in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday April 13. Jack Sullivan and Eoin Mc Enery scored their goals. Carrig Celtic defeated Feenagh 3-1 at home in Division 2, with goals from Adam Bennett 2, Liam King. Kilcolman Rovers defeated Dromore United 3-1 at home in Division 3 with goals from Mike O’Sullivan 2, Pedro Tavares. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Creeves Celtic defeated Glantine 4-0at home with goals from Leah Reidy 2, Caoimhe O’Connell, Laura O’Shaughnessy.

FUNDRAISING QUIZ: Old Mill Ladies Football Club are holding a fundraising quiz at the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Friday April 25th at 8pm. €20 for a table of four and a raffle will also be held. All support will be greatly appreciated.

CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for 2025 is now open for membership. The Saint Kieran’s club are promoting it, and the second draw will be held  on Saturday April 26. The entry fee for each draw is €10, and €21,000 will be given out in prize money every month. The first prize is €10,000, 2nd prize €3,000, 3rd prize €2,000, 4th prize € 1,000, 5th prize is an exclusive star prize, ( €500 Woodlands Hotel Voucher) and 4  prizes of €500, four prizes €250, and 17 prizes of €100. 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.

JOHN JOE’S CLASS CÉILÍ:  The end of season class Céilí will be held in the Con Colbert Hall Athea on  Saturday April 26. from 9pm. A raffle  will be held and refreshments  served and  music by John Joe and all other  dancers are welcome.

DRAMA DATES: The Abha Bhán Players are in full swing preparing for the staging of the Field by John B Keane in the Parish Hall, Ballyhahill, on Saturday April 26, Sunday 27, Tuesday 29, and Wednesday 30. The doors open at 7.30pm and the drama at 8pm. Booking with Eilish at 086 8458821. People can pay at the door, cash Only. Admission €15 including Tea/Coffee.  A raffle will be held on the night, and all are welcome.

CLOTHES COLECTION: Kilcolman NS are holding a fundraising clothes collection on Friday May 2. Bags of clothes, shoes, bags, belts, bed linen(no duvets or pillows) can be dropped to the school shelter any time before this date. Thank you for your continued support.

FITNESS CLASS: St Kieran’s GAA Club are holding a chair exercise class for adults on Fridays from 11am to 12 noon, at Ardagh Community Hall. This is a follow up to the 4-week class held last December.  Tea and biscuits and a chat afterwards and all are welcome. €5 per person per class and for more information call Paula on (087)2223581

SINGING CLUB: West Limerick Singing Club will hold their next singing and storytelling session on Friday May 2, at 8.30pm in the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale. It will be part of the Fleadh by the Feale programme. The special guest will be Evelyn O’Connell and all are welcome.

FLEADH CÉILÍ: A Céilí will be held as part of the Fleadh by the Feale weekend in  the Railway Bar Abbeyfeale on Friday May 2nd at 9.30pm. Music by Taylor’s Cross, refreshments served, and admission is €12. A great night’s dancing is promised on the Kerry Limerick border, and all are welcome.

by Kathleen Mullane

MAKE ATHEA GLITTER —DON’T LITTER

Well its been a very Busy week in and around our little parish over the Easter period. The weather wasn’t as good as it had been the previous week but saying that it wasn’t too bad and could have been much worse.      The Easter ceremonies began on Holy Thursday night with the Washing of the Feet Ceremony and Adoration until Midnight. Good Friday saw the Team Limerick Clean up and all over the County families were out picking up the rubbish so carelessly thrown out by people. It was a wet day unfortunately however everyone braved the rain and went out and about the various roads and depositing the bags at the GAA pitch which were collected by Mr Binman that evening. Actually Limerick is the only County in Ireland with a Team Clean Up, its hoped maybe   in the near future to have clean up teams all over Ireland from Malin  to Mizen Head ,with teams on every Good Friday .     Holy Saturday had the lighting of the Pascal Candle outside the Church at Dusk and everyone renewed their Baptismal Vows on the night.

The Dawn Mass on Sunday again took place at Holy Cross at 5.30 am with a great crowd present and thankfully  not a drop of rain fell .Pat Higgins brought one of his Lambs for the Ceremony, a Symbol of Easter ,which was indeed a lovely thing.  The final Mass of the Easter Celebration was on Sunday at 11 am with a very big crowd present and the many visitors present were enthralled by the ceremony . Mike Hayes actually read out the beautiful piece that Pope Francis had recently written  while he was ill in Hospital as a Reflection at this Mass. Little did everyone know that we would hear of Pope Francis passing not too long after. Actually I read it in Fr Brian Darcy’s column in the Sunday World this week and its well worth contemplating and makes food for thought ,in these strange times.    Anyway a huge congrats to our Clergy who we are blessed to have, to our marvellous Sacristans, to our  Choir, to all those who helped out in organising all the various Ceremonies, everyone who Volunteered in any way at all to make our Easter so special , everyone who visits Athea admires the different scenes on our Altar for the various times of the year , of course the floral displays and, in case I’ve left anyone or anything out you know yourself your Contribution doesn’t go unnoticed . So well done one and all and we look  forward to what’s next to come . And hopefully the school kids will get a bit of Sunshine this week before they return to school for the last term and Exams for the Secondary students ,another school year nearly gone again .

Thought for the Week

LIFE MOVES PRETTY FAST. If You Don’t Stop And Look Around Once In A While ,you Could MISS IT.