Athea Wrenboy Group performing on stage for Fleadh by the Feale on Friday night last
Sharon’s Grave in Listowel
Athea Drama Group presents the highly acclaimed Sharon’s Grave by John B Keane during Listowel Writers Week on Thursday May 29th at St John’s Theatreat 8pm. This deeply lyrical folk play, set on an Atlantic headland at the mercy of wind and rain, tells the tale of Trassie Conlee’s fight to protect both herself and her brother Neelus from the menace of her ruthless cousin ‘Deezie’ Conlee, one of Keane’s most extraordinary theatrical creations. The devious and menacing paraplegic ‘Deezie’ has locked her sights on inheriting a farm at all costs, leading to tragedy. Booking online via St Johns Theatre Website, or by phone on 068 22566
This is a chance for anyone who missed this production, generally regarded as one of Athea Drama Groups finest performances, in Athea earlier this year. It is also a big honour for the group to be part of Writers Week in Listowel.
Rosary Rally
There will be a Public Rosary Rally on Saturday May 10th. at 4pm in the front car park of St. Bartholomew’s Church, Athea. This is one of over 570 such Rosary Rallies across the country. Everybody welcome to join in.
Mass Times Change
There will be a change in Mass times in Athea from this week on.
Mass will be at 7.30pm on Saturday nights instead of Sunday and will stay at that time until the return of old time in October next.
The Way I See It
By Domhnall de Barra
There was a tragic accident in Cork over the weekend when a young girl, driving a racing car, was killed after crashing into a barrier on a racing circuit. The loss of such a young life is bad enough but the fact that it was preventable makes it worse. On what planet is it ok for a girl of 13 to drive a high powered racing car? I believe that thay are allowed to compete from the age of 12. Children, and that is all she was, should not be allowed near the wheel of a car, never mind a modified one, until they are old enough to get proper driving lessons and hold a licence. There is a fascination with speed and speed events and I am guilty myself. At one time in my life, while living in England, I had a powerful motor bike and belonged to a club. We used to race each other and I thought it was wonderful until one day I had my eyes opened. A friend of mine had borrowed the bike, which had a sidecar attached, to race in the South of England and when he brought it back I didn’t properly adjust the steering damper which has to be tighter for the side car. As I was whizzing along the motorway, the bike started to shudder and I knew I was going to lose control so I guided it onto the grassy bank at the side of the road. I got thrown off and luckily fell on my side and rolled and rolled. I had good protective equipment and that saved me. I came to a stop eventually but for a while I just couldn’t breathe. I was lying, like a goldfish, with my mouth open and the pain in my lungs was terrible. Eventually I coughed and spluttered and started to look for injuries. Somebody was watching over me that day because, though covered in bruises, I had no broken bones. The bike was a mess with the clock stopped at 128 miles an hour. Had I come off on the motorway I would definitely not be able to tell the story today. I realised just how lucky I was and, to this day, I have never again sat on a motorbike. Motor and bike racing are big business but I think the cost in human suffering is too high. Too many young men, there aren’t that many females involved, have been killed in the sport they love. We had bike races in Athea a few years ago and many of those who took part in the races here have died on different circuits. The thrill is great but the price is too high. Many sports are dangerous. Steeplechase jockeys are used to breaking different bones in their bodies from falls. These injuries will come against them in later life. Likewise boxers take their life in their hands every time they enter the ring. One punch in the right place can mean a lot of brain damage and the same can be said of other contact sports such as rugby. I know people love these sports and I must admit to being one of them myself but I wouldn’t like to see any child of mine taking any of them up professionally. Under no circumstances should a young person of 13 be allowed to take part in such a dangerous sport as motor racing. The powers that be should have a long look at it and legislate accordingly before we have more tragedies. Adults, at least, are mature enough to make up their own minds but I remember when I was 13 and I dread to think what decisions I would have made had I been given the chance.
I heard something the other day that, though it did not surprise me, brought home to me how much we are changing in this country. The last remaining pub in Bruree has closed its doors. This means that there is now no place to have a drink in the village. I remember a time when every second door in the place led into a bar but it is now going the way most of our villages will go in the future. It is a big change in culture and there are a few reasons. In the old days there were dance halls and cinemas which were crowded every weekend. Then the dancing lounge took over and people flocked to the lounge bars to socialise at weekends. Many of these pubs were in rural areas and, because drink driving laws were lax, people drove their cars, had their few drinks and drove home. The first limit imposed was a maximum of three pints. This was loosely interpreted and as long as a person appeared relatively sober, they weren’t breathalysed. Towns and villages were crowded at weekends. If you weren’t in early you did not get a parking space near your chosen establishment. It also coincided with a boom in the economy so there was bit of spare money to go around. Gradually the limit on drink was reduced until now, when you just can’t have any drink at all and get behind the wheel. This is only right because times have changed and there are a lot more cars on the road moving at greater speed. This spelt the end for the rural pubs and some of the urban ones. Covid also played a big part. During lockdown people got used to buying in supermarkets and off-licences and having their drinks at home. They got out of the habit of going to the pub and when they realised how much they were saving it really made their minds up. The price of drink over the counter is too dear and when you add babysitting fees and the cost of taxis, it puts a night out to the pub out of the question for most pockets. A change in times indeed but we are also losing something that was good for our self esteem. It was great to get dressed up and go out to meet the neighbours. God be with the days.
Church Notices
Priests: Fr. Tom Mangan 087-2348226, Fr. Willie Russell 087 2272825, Fr. Dan Lane 087 2621911.
Mass Intentions Sat 10th May 7.30pm
Tim Tierney. Mary White. Mary & Mossie Browne. Nelie, Denny & Mick Mullane. Ellen Moran (Toureendonnell) & all deceased members of the Moran family.
All masses are streamed live on https://www.churchservices.tv/athea
All Ireland Rosary Rally- Rosary will take place next Saturday May 10th at St. Bartholomew’s church Athea at 4pm. Our weekend mass will change to Saturday evening at 7.30pm starting this coming weekend May 10th.
Trocaire; Thank you for supporting Trocaire this year, boxes can be dropped into the church during any mass. 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