Author Archive

News – 4/2/25

Parishioners working hard at making St. Brigid’s Crosses in the Church

All Systems Go!!

The good news came through this week that planning permission has been granted for the refurbishment of the Community Council building on Con Colbert Street. When finished it should be a great asset to the local community with meeting rooms, housing for the  CE Scheme, women’s and men’s shed space, office  space, living quarters and a reception area with facilities for coffee, tea etc. The plans are on display and anybody is welcome to call into the office any morning to have a look at them. Athea Community Council are grateful to the people of Athea who have supported all their projects over the years by buying the weekly “Lucky Numbers” draw tickets

Making St. Brigid’s Crosses in the Church on Wednesday

 

“Sharon’s Grave”

Bookings for this production by Athea Drama Group are open from today. It will be staged in Con Colbert Memorial Hall on Feb. 27th., March 2nd., 6th., 8th. & 9th at 8pm

Bookings via Text/Whatsapp

087 6926746

The Way I See It

 

By Domhnall de Barra

I am giving over my space this week to highlight a very important letter from Tom Ahern

Letter to the Editor

Is there a future for West Limerick 102fm and where is the Van?

Dear Editor, I  have taken great interest in the progress of West Limerick Community Radio, since it was founded back in 2005 and since, I have got great pleasure from its programmes and presenters. I have been a founding member, board member and contributor and feel it necessary to raise the following concerns. Its arrival was a great fillip to community life, allowing its people a great platform to showcase their past achievements, current happenings and future aspirations. Now 19 years later despite its well documented troubled history it has served the listenership  area very well with its interesting and varied programme content covering many aspects of community life. It has been a lifeline for many people living alone and in isolated areas, keeping them in contact with local and current affairs etc. The many people involved in the course of its history deserve to be recognised and thanked  for their efforts in keeping the station on air.

The Station has overcome many ups and downs after a very ambitious launch and a fully paid staff that was unattainable. A large debt emerged as a result and kept rising and bankruptcy was on the horizon. Over the years the paid staff members were replaced by  loyal and committed volunteers, who helped steer the Station along  through rocky airwaves. This initial debt yearly impacted on the daily running of the station, grants could not be applied for, and control was taken out of its hands.

Newcastle West businessman Pat O’Donovan took over as chairperson of the Board of West Limerick 102, over five years ago when the Station was €300,000 in debt and facing an eviction notice. With a small number of board members and  volunteers assisting, they did Trojan work in fundraising and dealing with the debtors (Pat’s business experience proved invaluable in working out a settlement) to turn its fortunes around. With community goodwill and support they  held concerts, dances, snooker events,  Go fund me etc and introduced the 50/50 weekly draw which was a great success continuing up to date. Pat’s robust style to get things done can make him an easy target to shoot at and many egos may have been bruised along the way which may have built up resentment.

Pat and other board members stood down at the AGM held on Tuesday July 23rd, 2024, leaving the Station a few thousand in the black and covering a month’s running costs and also able to apply for grants from programmes/documentaries  made. They also left a fully equipped  outside broadcasting unit/van which was the envy of most other community stations. This allowed walk in interviews similar to within the main station. With every village and town holding various events throughout the year, plus sporting attractions it presented an ideal way to interact with the general public. This would secure more sponsorship,  gain more supporters and boost listenership. What a bonus this fully equipped and fully insured for 2024 van was for the new executive to hit the ground running, alas a missed opportunity and it was not used. Only for Pat’s guidance and the community support there would be no West Limerick 102 on the airwaves at present. I have seen little acknowledgement or thanks paid to them  for all the voluntarily  work they did in the past since the AGM. After all fair play is fine play and deserve to be made known and acknowledged.

The departure of award-winning presenter/producer Shirley O’Regan  from West Limerick 102fm left  a massive void in the weekly programme schedule. In her short time at the station, she was a workaholic presenting several programmes, The  2-hour long Exchange on Monday and Friday, Gaeilge Bhriste on Sundays, Wellness Wednesday, County News round up on Mondays, history programme on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the late historian Tom Toomey. She compiled award winning documentaries and podcasts and made grant applications securing finance and was a general all rounder who understood all areas of broadcasting.

The new executive following the AGM  are now in place for 5 months and they have issued 3 press releases, in the first month, outlining their plans. They describe it as a new rebirth, a complete re-dedication and reset of the broadcasting policies. They sought the assistance of the general public to get behind them and get involved as volunteers and by becoming members. They  promised a lot of change,  new board members, more  community involvement,  political fairness, improved service, etc. Also, a platform was to be provided for the movers and shakers within the franchise area.

Two further press releases followed in September and October, promising a new winter schedule of programmes and the return of a few former presenters. They were to hold the first full board meeting of the board of directors on October 31st. No more press releases since and listeners are disappointed as they expected to see the names of the board members and the new winter schedule of programmes covering all the areas they promised, politics/community affairs, farming, agribusiness, trade, industry, trade union affairs, Irish language, sport. I haven’t recognised any new changes in presenters/sponsors etc. The General Election came and went without any political input to guide undecided voters.

In conversation with other people in recent times, they told me that the quality of programmes from the station had deteriorated  week on week. While on holiday from work over the Christmas and New Year I got to listen to a lot of West Limerick 102fm. What I had been told proved to be true apart from a few live programmes, including Michael Hastings who presented a lovely show on most of the days. The station came on air in May 2005 and we are now in the second week of January and a new 10 year licence will have to be applied for shortly. From what I heard on the station in the past few weeks, a lot of work remains to be completed to have a chance of getting a renewal of the licence. The application under the broadcasting rules is strict and time consuming.

I hope the new executive have not underestimated the task in hand for the listeners sake.  After nearly 6 months in situ listeners have noticed little change in the programme schedule. County Views which had a large listenership on Wednesday nights has not been replaced along with other popular shows. The Exchange has been a hit and miss after the first few weeks. Filling the gaps and repeating  many programmes from the archives and repeating ( many times) documentaries will only last so long. This will  impact on securing new sponsors and listeners will turn the knob to other stations.

The new executive management team have a hard act to follow and hopefully they will deliver as stated. If they fail  to full fill their promises the Station will close and the licence will be lost forever and all the good work done in turning around its finances  by the previous management, and  the go fund me supporters will be for nought. At the end of the day the communities and loyal listeners will be the real losers. I hope the West Limerick 102 changeover was not just egoistic and will not  peter out like a  puff of smoke. If this comes to pass I will really miss my remaining favourite shows, including Tommy Rivers, Mary Doody, John Dully, John Harold, The Trad Scene and other music content. I wish the executive well and await further developments. Hopefully they will prove my concerns wrong as I type this on Saturday January 4th.

Yours in radio

Tom Aherne.

Church Notices

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

Masses this week- Tuesday morning 9.30am, Friday evening 7pm and Sunday 11am.

Eucharistic Adoration and the Devine Mercy Chaplet every Tuesday morning after mass.

Mass Intentions: Liam & Noreen Mullane and Kitty Danaher. Nora Quinn & John Ahearn.

Mick Enright. Margaret & Timmy O’Donoghue and Margaret Slowey and her husband Gerard.

To book a Mass intention contact the sacristy after mass or contact Siobhan on 087-3331459.

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   10/02/2025

No’s Drawn: 4,  8, 14,  30.    No Winner

Lucky Dips

Eleanor Denihan,               Knocknagashel

Nora Matthews,                 Athea

Eilish Geoghegan,             Athea

Ann & Timmy Sheehan, H/side Drive

Sellers Prize:  Eileen Fitzgerald & Collims’ Shop

Next Draw:  17/02/’25   Venue:  White’s

Jackpot €24,300

 Removing the Mural

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments Off on News – 4/2/25 more...

By Carrig Side – 4/2/25

by Tom Aherne

TOM MORAN: The death has occurred of Tom Moran, Ardvone, Ardagh and late of Toureendonnell, Athea, peacefully at Milford Care Centre on Friday January 24. Pre-deceased by his parents,  brothers Patsy, Jack, Dan, sister Marie. Reposing was held at St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Monday January 27 from 6pm to 8pm. The Requiem Mass was Concelebrated on Tuesday at 11.30am by Fr Raphael  Okanumeh, Fr Dan Lane, Fr Paddy Bowen and Fr Pat Bluett. Family members participated during the ceremony and Donie and Maura provided the hymns and music.  When the ceremony concluded Fr Dan Lane paid a lovely tribute to Tom who was a genius of an electrician and a very obliging electrical shop owner in Newcastle West. Sympathy to his wife Hannah, sons Pat, Sean, daughter Lisa, daughter-in-law Mairead, Sean’s partner Rebecca, son-in-law Padraic, grandchildren Jack, Meadbh, Darragh, Shayne, Chloe, brothers-in-law Eddie, Patsy,  nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Tom was laid to rest afterwards in the local cemetery. May he rest in Peace.

SYMPATHY: Sympathy is extended to Louis and Kay Clifford and family Ardagh on the death of Louis’s mother Una Clifford ( nee Fay) Main Street Foynes on Sunday December 29. Reposing at her home on Tuesday December 31. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Senan’s Church Foynes on Wednesday followed by burial in Robertstown cemetery. Sympathy also to sons John, Clark, daughters Olivia Kelly, Cindy Reddan, Davida O’Shea and all extended family members. May she rest in Peace.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday January 27.The numbers drawn were 3,4,20,23, and  there was no  winner of the €5,300 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received  € 40 each:  Oisin Ryan Coolacokera, Jody Woulfe Ardagh, Connie Kennelly Shanagolden, Mary Harnett Coolacokera, Ide Trant  Monemohill. Next week’s  Jackpot will be €5,400. 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 Richard O’Donovan, who won €230 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw,  held on Friday January 31. 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.

GAELIC GAMES: The Munster Club Junior ‘B’ Football Championship 1/4 Final between St. Kieran’s and Waterford Champions Roanmore will now take place on Sunday February 9 at 2pm in Ballyagran.Congratulations to Darragh Mullane and Shane O Mahony who have made the Limerick Celtic Challenge Hurling Panel. They played Kerry minors recently in a challenge match which they won. Shane  was Limerick captain for the game. Congratulations to St. Kieran’s players Eoin McEnery, James O’Connor and Cormac Mann who were part of the Regeneron Team that were crowned Limerick Interfirm Football Champions 2025 last week, defeating Aughinish Alumina 2-7 to 0-12 in the final.

LADIES FOOTBALL: Róisín Ambrose  1-0(Captain)and Iris Kennelly 0-1 from the Old Mill ladies club were members of the Limerick team defeated by Down 0-14 to 2-6 in Division 3 of the National Football League played at Mungret on Sunday January 26.

GOLF NEWS: Owen Hayes Ardagh is the new captain of Newcastle West Golf Club. Mary Liston Coolcappa is lady captain and Loretto Hayes Ardagh vice-captain for the year ahead. Congratulations and best wishes during 2025.

SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic players Kevin Guina and Tommy Dillane were members of the Desmond League squad that lost to Waterford by 2-1 in the Munster Traynor Competition on Sunday January 26. No matches were played in the Desmond men or ladies League.

MEMBERSHIP: St Kieran’s GAA Club membership  rates for 2025 are, Limerick Development Draw only € 100. Adult social non-playing  member € 40, and plus Limerick draw € 130. Senior adult player including Astro turf levy € 100 and plus Limerick draw € 190. Family membership ( includes one parent/guardian and all children under 18) € 120 plus Limerick Draw € 200. Under 21 and Student membership ( over 18, including Astroturf levy) € 80. Single Juvenile Membership (GAA and Camogie player € 50. The rates are the same as last year and can be paid now and the deadline is March 31.

CARD PLAYING: The card game has resumed at the Flag Floor Glensharrold on Wednesdays at 8.30pm. Tea and refreshments provided, and all are welcome.

SPEED LIMITS: From Friday February 7,speed limits on many of our rural local roads will be reduced from 80 to 60km/h. As speed contributes to a third of fatal collisions, these new speed limits should greatly reduce the risk of death if they are  obeyed. On the other hand, they could introduce congestion and road rage if careful drivers are obeying the signs and others are trying to make time up. Safety on our roads is what we all strive for so hopefully all will adjust to the new limits. New road signage is being put in place where the road authority deems necessary. Visit gov.ie/speedlimits

FILM CLUB: Newcastle West Film Club present ” My Favourite Cake” in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday February 7, at 8.00pm. Admission € 8 and refreshments available. All are welcome.

SINGING CLUB: West Limerick Singing Club will hold their next singing session on Friday February 7, at the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale. The special guest will be Theresa Walsh, and all are welcome.

CLERKS COLLECTION: The Parish Clerks collection will be taken up on the weekend of February 7/8,in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman and St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa. Please be generous with your donations and show your appreciation for the yearly work involved.

 

Comments Off on By Carrig Side – 4/2/25 more...

Kathleens Corner – 4/2/25

by Kathleen Mullane

WELCOME SPRING

We have put January behind us at last, and I’m sure everyone is delighted. Hopefully, we won’t have any more power cuts, lack of water, or bad storms. It’s great to see the daffodils raising their heads above ground, and isn’t there a good stretch in the evening, which is a great bonus? I suppose we are constantly wishing our lives away to some extent.

The Church Projects Group met at the library on Monday night last. Well done to all who prepared the rushes, cut them into lengths, and cleaned them ready for the workshop on Wednesday night in the church. Thanks also to Pat Higgins, who went out in wet conditions to cut bags of them down in his fields. It was great to see so many men, women, and children making the crosses at the workshop on Wednesday evening. Everyone agreed it was a great get-together. Congrats also to Hannah-Mai Collins and Teresa O’Halloran, who, as always, did a wonderful St. Brigid’s Altar Display, which incidentally has been admired far and wide over the webcam in the U.S.A., Australia, and all over the world. Indeed, great to hear. Athea is on the map for all the right reasons.

Congrats go to Amy White and Remy Villulles, who were recently married here in Athea. Wishing them all the very best for their future happiness.

Sincere sympathy to the Woulfe family of Upper Athea and many relatives and friends on the passing of Seanie O’Connor of Upper Athea, who died in Listowel Nursing Home in Listowel last week. Many paid their respects at Finucane’s Funeral Parlour on Thursday last. Burial followed Requiem Mass on Friday last in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Sympathy to Denny Mulvihill and his family on the passing of his brother Noel last week. Noel passed away last week in Dublin in the wonderful care recently of his wife Barbara. His remains were brought to his hometown of Shanagolden, where Requiem Mass was celebrated by Canon Tony Mullins. Cremation followed Mass afterward. May he rest in peace.

A great crowd gathered in Athea on Sunday for the hunt, and wasn’t it a beautiful day for the event with about 80 horses with their riders taking part, along with the many beagles seeking foxes. A lot of young riders, boys and girls, took to their saddles, and wasn’t it great to see no injuries after the day?Easter eggs, I’ve heard, are going to be very expensive this year as cocoa has become so expensive and is up 143 percent. What hasn’t gone up?

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

Remember –

THAT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE ,

JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE

 

Comments Off on Kathleens Corner – 4/2/25 more...

  • Site Management

  • Articles Archive

  • Copyright © 1996-2018 Athea & District Notes. All rights reserved.
    iAthea theme by Chris Grainger of AtheaPC & Cubic Cow | Powered by WordPress
    Click to access the login or register cheese