PROLOGUE:  “Nobody is superior, nobody is inferior, but nobody is equal either. People are simply unique, incomparable. You are you. I am I.”
Osho

DEATH:  Sincere sympathies are offered to the family of the late Frances Fealey, The Hill whose death occurred at the weekend.  May she rest in peace.

NOONANS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:  Tony, Hannah and Siobhan Noonan would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas lights for charity fundraising event.  €25,247 was raised and will be shared between 6 main charities  – Milford care centre, Cry Monagea, Brothers of Charity Foynes, Adare Alzheimers Branch, Recovery Haven, Tralee and the Brothers of Charity Newcastlewest.  Due to Covid 19 we were unable to have our usual cheque presentation with the charities present so we have posted out their donations.   Again, many thanks to all for your support and generosity and for your votes which enabled us to be crowned All Ireland winners for the best Christmas lights for charity  house in Ireland for which we won €3000,

FARMERS’ MARKET REOPENS:  The weekly market has returned to the small square from 9-1pm every Friday.  We thank you for your continued support.

FACE MASKS:  Kathleen Quinn has made face masks which were donated to local nursing homes.  She has a selection available for sale so contact her on 087 2802704.

WATER RESTRICTIONS:  A ban on the use of water hoses has come into operation owing to the dry April and May.  All householders are asked to conserve water in as much as possible.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:  Customer Perceptions are hiring Mystery Shoppers age 18-21 in West Cork.  Successful applicants will focus on selected stores to ensure they are checking students for identification to prove that they are over 18 in order to purchase products that require ID.  Cambly are seeking Online English Tutors to help students from all over the world practice their English.  No tutoring experience or qualifications needed.  Log onto Job Alert ie. For further information.  WWOOF is a globally recognised movement, operating since the 1970’s, and has been established in Ireland for several decades. WWOOF facilitates an appreciation of the natural world by learning about Organic Growing and Sustainable Living through hands on practical experience. Through helping WWOOF Hosts on the land by getting their hands in the soil, sowing seeds, planting crops and the like, WWOOFers learn a variety of skills that enable them to bring organic growing and sustainable living into their own lives. With accommodation and food provided by the Host as part of the exchange, the WWOOFers get a breath of fresh country air, meet new people and see new sights in the countryside into the bargain!  So help the planet, help yourself, and help the Organic Movement for the future of our food, by  WWOOFing in Ireland this summer. Visit www.wwoof.ie for more information.

LOCAL STORIES: Know your 5K is a new initiative from the Heritage Council and National Museum of Ireland. What people see in the vicinity of their own locality. Share insights about the hidden heritage found in peoples own homes, more information about Know Your 5K at www.ouririshheritage.org/content/category/archive/place/knowyour5k

CHURCH OPENS ITS DOORS:  Abbeyfeale Blessed Sacrament Church is open every day of the week from 11am to 6pm.  Visitors should enter the Church through the door to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. on the left hand side of the building. The main church building remains closed to visitors until further notice.  We encourage parishioners to make short visits and to observe the required social distancing.

REEK SUNDAY: Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam has announced the cancellation of this year’s Reek Sunday pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick on account of Covid-19 health concerns. Archbishop Neary will celebrate the vigil Mass in Westport on Saturday 25 July at 6:30pm for the intentions of all who intended to make the pilgrimage. Prayer intentions can be emailed at any time to [email protected] or by post to Westport Parish, Co Mayo. This Mass will be live-streamed on the parish Facebook page ‘St Marys Church Westport’

FARMERS: Teagasc has set up a telephone helpline to assist farmers with questions concerning the current Covid -19 virus. It will offer advice on a range of issues that the farming community face, as they continue to do their essential work in maintaining the food supply around the farmyard. The number is 076 111 3533, it is open from 9-30am to 12-30pm, and from 2pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO ARE COCOONING; If you are living alone and need assistance or advice phone one of Abbeyfeale Community Council Helpline Numbers any day 9-5pm on 068 31169, 068 32080 or 087 7571144.  The Gardai are also available on 06830010 and they too will pick up medicines, messages etc.

WEST LIMERICK RESOURCES:  The Offices of West Limerick Resources remain closed to the public but all staff are available to contact. Please ring 069 62222 with any queries and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

COMMUNITY GROUPS: SICAP will be offering online training to Local Community Groups who are responsible for managing facilities throughout West Limerick including Social Enterprises (SE) and Community Services programmes (CSP). The training will focus on how to re-open your facility safely including Covid19 protocols, risk management, risk assessing for Covid19, risk assessment templates, forms and checklists and the roadmap to re-opening. It will be followed by a Q&A opportunity. Places are limited with a maximum of two participants from each Facility attending. The dates available Tuesday 23rd June or Saturday 27th June, starting at 10am. Pre-registration is essential by contacting Brenda Heath on 087 766 9952 or email [email protected]

SICAP RURAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (RES) / YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (YES): If you need support job seeking and feel that you are a little lost in deciding what you want to do, then you should contact the RES / YES which offers 1:1 support and career planning around education, training and employment opportunities. To find out more contact Finn on 087 759 1951 or email [email protected]   or Eddie on 087 653 5156 or email [email protected] or Dee on 087 918 5557 or email [email protected] or Adrienne on 087 277 3294 or email [email protected]. Check out the RES Facebook page for the latest in employment and training opportunities in County Limerick & beyond www.facebook.com/RES-144618922850869/

SICAP SELF EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS: If you are considering Self Employment and would like to know more about the process involved you should contact our Enterprise Support Officer Brenda Heath 087 766 9952 or email [email protected]

SICAP EMPLOYER SUPPORTS: If you have potential job opportunities and would like to find out more about our supports and services or you would like to advertise for FREE in our weekly newsletter please contact Dee, on 087 918 5557 or email [email protected]. We would love to hear from you.  Further information on all our activities and projects is available on www.wlr.ie or check out our Facebook page: www.wlr.ie/facebook

FURTHER EDUCATION: Even in these difficult times it is good to make positive plans for the future. If you hope/intend on going to college in September 2020 WLR can support you with your SUSI Grant Application Form. Leaving Cert Students, Mature Students and Parents are welcome to contact Adrienne on 087 277 3294 or email [email protected] for advice and guidance.  The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020

SOCIAL FARMING: Social Farming is the practice of offering activity on family farms as a form of Social Support service. In Social Farming the farm remains a working farm at its core but invites people to participate in the day to day activities on the farm. Interested farmers & farm families who would like to hear more about Social Farming please contact James, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 087 366 3842 or email him [email protected]

ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT:  If you don’t know your Eircode ring 0818 300005 and key in 4 on the menu and a real human will talk to you and look up your code.  It’s the most important part of your address because if you have to have an ambulance come for you or yours and you give them your Eircode they can travel straight to your home without having to be getting directions from people they meet on the road thus saving a pile of time.  Gardai are asking people to wear High Viz jackets while walking even during the day as the roads are very busy now with farm machinery.  A scam is a scheme or plan to try and con you out of your money or personal information such as bank account or card details, PIN numbers, internet banking login or your name, address, date of birth etc.

Scams can take many different forms such as phishing, premium-rate phone calls, pyramid schemes and more but there are some general rules you can follow to avoid becoming a victim of a scam.  If something sounds too good to be true it usually is.  If someone contacts you out of the blue and asks you to give or confirm your personal, bank or debit/credit card details be very wary.  If they claim to be from your bank hang up and call your bank on another phone – they often stay on the line and pretend to be the bank if you ring from the phone that you were speaking to them on.  Don’t click on a link in an email or message until you confirm with the actual person purportedly sending it as their a/c may have been hacked.  If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam or fraud and have given someone your bank or credit card details contact your bank or card issuer immediately so they can advise you and if necessary put a hold on your account, cancel your cards or cheques or carry out additional security when issuing payments and transfers from your account. You should also report it to your local Garda station.  When you reach the age of 65 and live alone or with a person/s aged over 65 you are entitled to receive a monitored alarm system. But if you have younger people living in the house who are out for long periods of the day then,  because you are spending hours alone you are also entitled to the system provided that you are over 65.  The free equipment is provided by Pobal following an application from Abbeyfeale Community Alert, there will be a monitoring fee to be paid from the second year of installation to the installing company of €72.  There may be some confusion over the word free -  the equipment which costs in the region of €400 is provided free of charge by Pobal as is the first year of monitoring but after that you will be charged by the installing company for the monitoring. If you fulfil the criteria for a panic button the installing company will drop the gear to your door and then let you set up the connection yourself with assistance over the phone from their staff.  I have been assured that it’s only a matter of connecting a cable and anyone can do it.   I have not included the phone numbers of the committee in this notice but if you want to get a panic button then ring Abbeyfeale Garda Station on 068 30010 and they will contact one of us. Should you not have a landline the installing company Task provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per month payable from day one.  Then, in year two you will also receive a bill for the monitoring fee so in year one the bill will be €90 and in year two and every other year after it will €162 approx.  Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Marian Harnett.

HELPLINES:  Men suffering domestic abuse operates 36 hours a week on 1800816588.    Men’s Aid (Amen) 01 5543811 Monday – Friday 9-5pm.   24 hour helplines for women suffering domestic abuse 1800 341900 or Adapt 1800 200504.  Limerick Social Services:  061-314111.    AA    061/311222 Al-Anon 086/8143425. Parent Support worker 068/31019.  Accord NCW 069/61000.   BEREAVEMENT SERVICE:  A new national freephone bereavement support line has been launched by the Irish Hospice Foundation in conjunction with the HSE to assist staff and the public during the Pandemic.. The national freephone service, 1800 80 70 77 is available Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm.  Samaritans Freephone 116123 or text 087/2609090 or email [email protected] Aware (Depression & Anxiety) 1980 303 302 National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House) 1800 247 247 Irish Advocacy Network (Peer advocacy in mental health) 01 872 8684 Pieta House (Suicide & self-harm) 01 623 5606 IACP (Counselling & Psychotherapy) 01 230 3536 Shine: (Supporting people affected by mental ill health) 01 860 1620 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222. ACCORD; are now offering over the phone counselling for couples, Individuals & family members during this time of unprecedented stress & pressure during these weeks of COVID-19. Call: 01 5313331.

Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203    068/ 31262    068/51984    St Vincent De Paul    Tel 087/1213560 .  Counselling Appointment    061/314213.  ALONE; has launched a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Professional staff are available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary.  The support line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818 222 024. Hours may be extended to meet the demand.

CHURCH SERVICES:  Mass is being celebrated every day in the Church of the Assumption and broadcast on churchservices.tv Tuesday to Friday at 10am except in the event of a funeral when Mass will be at 11am.  Mass on Monday is at 7pm, Saturday the Vigil Mass will be 6.30pm and Sunday Masses are at 10am and 12 noon.    RTÉ will air Mass every weekday at 10.30am  on RTÉ News Now. West Limerick 102fm will broadcast Mass on Sunday morning from Abbeyfeale at 10am.   Radio Kerry will also broadcast Mass on Sunday mornings at 10am.. On Sunday mornings RTE 1 broadcast either Mass or Christian worship prayer at 11am . If you have Sky or one of the other TV packages, check out EWTN Catholic religious station for broadcast Masses and prayers. On the RTE Saorview channels, if you keep moving up through the tv channels you get to the radio channels coming through the TV, and on them there is Saroview channel 210 that broadcasts Radio Maria Ireland – a lovely station of Mass, Rosary, prayers and conversations on religious topics.