PROLOGUE: ”The things you say about others, also say a lot about you.”
Mark Amend
BROADCASTING LIVE TO THE WORLD: The church Webcam is now officially switched on and broadcasting live. Ex-patriates from Abbeyfeale living in Brisbane, Australia and upstate New York have been among the first to view live broadcasts of morning Mass from Abbeyfeale during the week and have expressed their delight with the new service. Almost anyone in the world can now view live broadcasts of events in Abbeyfeale parish church by logging onto www.churchservices.tv/abbeyfealeparish. A direct link from the parish website is also in the process of being set up.
HERMITAGE GREEN TICKETS GO ON SALE: Tickets for Hermitage Green at the Marquee in the Grove are now on sale at the Festival Office in Mary Dan G’s and in Leens Hotel. Tickets are €20 and you will also receive a 2015 Gather by the Feale wrist band which will give access to many of the festival’s events which will be happening over the weekend of July 16 – 20.
GATHER BY THE FEALE UPDATE: Time is moving swiftly on and we are down to just four weeks to go before the 3rd. annual Gather by the Feale gets underway. Hermitage Green concert tickets are on sale at the Festival Office in Mary Dan G’s and on line – https://www.paypal.com/ie/cgi-bin/webscr – the group were recently signed by Sony and are set to go global so this may be your only chance to see them locally. Spin City Carnival will be moving into the Square on Thursday, July 16 while the Cliabhán at the Glorach will include a mix of music, visual art, drama and spoken word. It will kick off with an exhibition of contemporary work from a collective group of artists and writers and be followed by the launch of an exciting new heritage performance arts project. Admission is free and all are welcome. Later, at dusk, our local undertaker James Harnett in his guise as Master of the Night will lead a Bat Walk among the drooping trees as the bats streak across the lowering sky while back on the Main St. Morgan McMahon and friends will be setting off on the Darts Run through the pubs. Friday morning from 10am the Craft and Food Fair in the Square will be joining the weekly Farmers’ Market. Stalls confirmed include organic jams, gluten free breads, Mido’s Choice, paintings, jewellery, crochet blankets, sand art, Oriflame products and much, ,much more. Later that day the children will be visiting Fitzgerald’s Stables and participating in the Novelty Motor Parade from the Church yard to the Square, Spin City will be in full swing in the Square, the battle of the businesses will get underway and a special event for all the family is the Cinema under the Stars so come equipped with blankets and picnic baskets for a bonding session with the Lion King. Then, it’s back uptown to dance the night away to Paddy Quilligan in the Ploughman, The Vikings in Jack O’Rourke’s and more. There’s an early start on Saturday morning with The Race for the Title 10k. It’s a Road Race to decide who is the Fittest Parish, Business, Clan, County and Athletic Club, it’s suitable for all levels of fitness – you just need to be able to run or walk. The first annual Soapbox Derby gets underway down Abbeyfeale Hill at 2pm – past the graveyard and ending up at the Funeral Home – hopefully this is not an omen! Then it’s home to get all glammed up for the Celebrity gig of the year in the Festival Marquee at the Grove from 8 – 10.30pm with lead act Hermitage Green supported by No Direction and Sound as a Pound and back up to the Main St. where live music includes Oracle in Donal and Ann’s, D J Martin Murphy (the granddaddy of them all) spinning the discs at Jack O’Rourke’s, The Wild Rovers in Matt McCoys while the Tennessee Two are taking the stage in the Ploughman. Sunday will bring the weekend to a close with the Family Fun Day at the Grove and the Battle of the DJ’s in the Festival Marquee while Spin City brings the night to an end in the Square. We’ll have full details of the activities planned for the Fun Day for next week but guarantee it’s going to be bigger and better than last years for sure.
NEWS FROM THE GARDEN: The parish community garden is in fine fettle these days and it is all due to the hard work of Mike Scannell, Mountmahon who has been our Tus worker for the past 12 months. We are sorry to be saying farewell to him and thank him so much for all he has done. Call in and see our pond which Mike has landscaped and which, we hope, will be a haven for the frogs who will eat the slugs that are mad for our lettuce. It will also provide a water source for our bees who are being so diligently cared for by Seamus Quinlivan. We are delighted to welcome Mike’s successor James McKenna, Knockbrack.
YOUTH CLUB: The yolo club were in the Burren last weekend as they finished for the summer. It might not have been summery at times but that didn’t dampen the mood as all the young people and leaders had a great time. Leaders night out Saturday, July 18 contact Noreen, Mai or Evelyn to book your seat.
ST. ITA’S FAITH CAMP: Lorraine Woulfe and Martina O’ Sullivan (organisers of the yearly faith camp) are very grateful for your generosity to the St. Ita’s Faith Camp church door collection. The amount collected came to €1302, 85. They say;” We had a debt of €900 at the end of last year’s camp so this money will really help to bring the faith alive to the 70+ children of this parish and beyond that the camp is able to cater for. Please pray for the success of camp which takes place on August 4-7 in the Boys School. This is a Non Profit event.”
ARA NA FEILE ACTIVE RETIREMENT GROUP: The group are having an outing to Valentia Island on Wednesday, June 24. Bus leaving church yard at 9.30am.
OPENING OF REFLECTIVE SPACE IN ABBEYFEALE: The community is invited to the opening of Light on Stone Reflective Space in the Town Park on Wednesday June 24 at 7pm. The project has been a collaboration between the Glorach Theatre and Abbeyfeale Community Leisure Town Park and consisted of a series of developmental activities, Cafe Conversation, Meditation Classes, a Drumming workshop and the design and completion of a Reflective Space in the Town Park. The art pieces were designed and crafted by local crafts people and embody the themes of care, loss and compassion. It is dedicated to the value of compassion, acceptance and peace. It is a quiet space where people can enjoy nature sit and relax. Come, sit awhile, to be with oneself or with friends. Everybody is welcome to the opening to experience the power of community music drumming and refreshment. The Reflective Space funded by Milford Hospice Centre Compassionate Communities Seed Grant and supported by West Limerick Resources
RECOVERY HAVEN CELEBRATION OF LIGHT: Takes place Friday, June 26 at 8pm. Assemble at the Pond at 7.45pm with candles to be lit by 8pm. Candles available at the Park.
FEALE FIT NOTES: Best of luck to all the Fealefit crew taking part in Hell of the West Triathlon in Kilkee this weekend! Meeting this Wednesday night 6.15pm @ Fealefit to discuss Charity relay run to Dublin! Fealefit Couch to 10k training continues every Friday. training is free of charge and open to all levels of fitness in preparation for our Festival 10k July 18, Gather by the Feale’s ‘ Race to the Title ‘. Training continues this Friday! Dublin Marathon Training commences July 11 and is also free of charge!
Contact Shane 087 2891015 or Kadie 087 7771552 for details. See www.Fealefit.com for all details on training & Upcoming events.
GATHER BY THE FEALE BATTLE OF THE BUSINESSES: The Feale’s Fittest Business is the most coveted title and the holy grail of all business challenges. Have you got what it takes to beat the defending Champions and bring the title back to your place of work, have you got the stamina, have you got the motivation, have you got no shame and a sense of humour!!! We’re now recruiting from all the Local Businesses,
Contact Shane 087 2891015 with your team details or for further information.
GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL: Despite there not being an organised ‘Midsummer Big Walk’ along the GST this year it appears that a number of people undertook the 22 mile challenge along the old railway route (www.southerntrail.net) independently on Saturday, June 20. If any group of friends are minded to spend a summer’s day of leisure walking why not take the Abbeyfeale -Rathkeale route with its easier gradients. The route takes about a leisurely 8 hours with food and toilet stops available at Templeglantine – approximately 2 hours walk from Abbeyfeale . Continue to Newcastle West and stop off to visit the castle or if you’re walking mid-week visit the market in the Square. Then walk on to Rathkeale and visit the Pallatine Museum with food available in the hotel or the many restaurants and pubs and coffee shops. Return to Abbeyfeale from Rathkeale by Bus Éireann. Tar amach agus bain taitneamh as an GST.
GATHER BY THE FEALE MOTORCADE: Children’s Fancy Dress Motorcade, July 17, 2015 @ 6.30pm. Travelling from the Church yard to Town Square, All types of Kiddies un-motorised transport welcome. Meeting at 6.15pm, Festival Wristband must be worn to Qualify for Monster prizes. Contact Shane 087 2891015 for further details.
LIFESKILLS PROGRAMME: Come and join us as a First Step to Boost Your Confidence. Self Confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, yet so many people struggle to find it. The good news is that self-confidence really can be learned & built on. Working on your self-confidence is well worth the effort! West Limerick Resources is offering four short practical workshops to find your confident self in 1. Healthy Eating & Nutrition, 2. Personal Care & Grooming, 3. Presentation of Self—First Impression and 4. Communication & Confidence in the Newcastle West Family & Community Hub each Thursday from June 25 – July 16 from 10am—1pm. Free of Charge and open to those in receipt of a Social Welfare Payment. Contact: Adrienne on 087 2773294 or call to the WLR office These initiatives are funded under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2015-2017 which is funded by the Irish Government and co-funded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative.
GATHER BY THE FEALE SOAPBOX DERBY RULES: The 1st annual Soapbox Derby will take place down Abbeyfeale Hill on Saturday, July 18 from 2-6pm next during Gather by the Feale. It will be followed by entertainment in the Festival Marquee in the Grove with No Direction, Sound as a Pound and Limerick band Hermitage Green. Entries are now being accepted for the Derby and the following rules apply:
1. MAX LENGTH FOR CAR IS 2.4 METERS,
2, MAX WIDTH IS 1.4 METERS,
3 .CAR HAS TO BE AT LEAST 125 MM FROM ROAD.
4 .MAX WHEEL SIZE IS 600 MM,
5 . CAR MUST HAVE BRAKES FITTED,
6. CAR MUST HAVE ROLL BAR, THIS CAN ALSO BE USED FOR PUSHING, WEAR A HELMET,
7. PLEASE FIT A TOWING EYE TO FRONT AND REAR OF YOUR CAR.
8. THE DRIVER MUST BE 18 OR OVER. WEAR A HELMET AND WILL BE FULLY INSURED.
9. TEAMS OF 3, 2 PUSHERS, 1 DRIVER
10. THE CAR MUST HAVE FULL FLOOR, AND SIDES AS HANDS AND FEET MUST BE INSIDE CAR AT ALL TIMES.
11. EACH CAR HAS TO PASS SCRUTINY NO EXCEPTIONS.
12. IF WE HAVE ENOUGH INTEREST WE WILL BE HAVING A LADIES RACE TOO.
13. IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT US VIA OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
REILIG IDE NAOFA: Clean up every Thursday evening from 7-9pm weather permitting.
B.B.C. VISITS KNOCKFIERNA: A television crew will visit Knockfierna Heritage Famine Hillside on this Friday June 26. They will be doing ariel filming of this unique landscape which had a population of over 1200 during the peak of the famine in 1847 and has remained untouched in those intervening years. Having inspected various sites throughout Ireland they consider Knockfierna to be a unique site due to it being an abandoned 200 acre landscape. This landscape was heavily populated prior to the famine due to large scale evictions and land clearances which took place on the lowlands at that time. Further information contact Pat O’Donovan 087 9977340.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: Abbeyfeale chapter of St. Vincent de Paul are looking for new recruits. The activities of the Society include: Meeting people, visiting them at home, finding out their needs both practical and emotional, offering support for all their needs sometimes practical, sometimes financial, sometimes just listening and encouraging. Fundraising from time to time and weekly meetings of the local committee.
LOUGH DERG PILGRIMAGE: Tuesday June 30 – Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26 and Thursday, August 13 – Saturday, August 15. Fee €120. Bookings 087 3966399.
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE: Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will takes place from June 21 -26. For further details contact061/314111 email [email protected]
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT: A support programme for Adults is held every Thursday night 7.30 – 9pm. The local group can be contacted at 068 31203/31262, 31741, 31322 or 51894.
WEST LIMERICK TOURISM: West Limerick Tourism is a voluntary organisation established to raise the profile of tourism in West Limerick and to foster a spirit of support and co-operation among the tourism and hospitality trade in West Limerick. West Limerick Tourism has a committee of nine drawn from various sectors including accommodation, visitor attractions, retail & pubs, visitor services and heritage. West Limerick Tourism has a membership of approximately forty but would like more businesses to get involved. The annual membership rate is €30 and a membership form can be obtained by e-mailing [email protected]. Please note that accommodation providers must be Failte Ireland approved.
SUMMER BRIDGE: Abbeyfeale Bridge Club “Summer Bridge” at 7.30pm in the Railway Bar, Abbeyfeale, members, beginners and visitors all welcome.
MEN’S SHED: The Men’s Shed is open every Monday evening from 6 -9pm. New members are always very welcome.
SAGART PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES: The annual pilgrimage takes place on from September 22-27. Contact Fr. John or Fr. Joe.
GATES CLOSING: Please note that for the summer months the town park gate will be locked each night at 9.00 p.m.
ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH NOTES: Parish office 11-1pm Tuesday-Friday 068 31133. +Parish Support Worker 068/31019. Counselling Appointment 061/314213.Church 068/51915, Canon John O’Shea P.P.: Tel: 068 – 31157 : 087 – 9708282, Fr Joe Foley CC: Tel: 087 – 2618412. Mass Tuesday – Saturday at 10am except in the event of a funeral when Mass is 11am. Mass Monday at 7pm, Mass on Saturday 11am followed by Confessions, Vigil Mass 7pm, Sunday 9.30am and 12 noon. Mass Intentions: Saturday 11am Catherine Lyons, Killarney Road Months Mind. 7pm Timothy and Bridget Harnett Ballaugh, Patrick Sport Murphy. Sunday 9.30am David Leahy, Mick Collins and Maurice Griffen. Bridget Gardiner, Purt. Sunday 12 noon Bridget and Timmy O’Connor and children Denny and Mary. Monday 7pm Zoe Scannell. Novena to St. Joseph Monday at the 7pm evening Mass. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena each Friday morning at 10am. Adoration every Tuesday and Friday from 8am – 10pm and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6-8pm. It is now the responsibility of family members and relatives, if they require a visit, to let the priest know when people are in hospital
AUCTION OF RAMBLING HOURS ARTEFECTS: Josie McCreesh is auctioning the contents of her Brosna Rambling House on Saturday, July 11 @ 11am. For further details contact Pat O’Donovan on 087 9977340.
RURAL EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION SERVICE: The Rural Employment & Education Service (REES) works with people who experience barriers and who feel they need support to enter or re-enter employment, explore education/training opportunities or wish to become self-employed. We are base in the Round House, St Mary’s Road, Newcastle West and also operate an outreach service. Contact Ivana on 069 61316.
These initiatives is funded under the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2015-2017 which is funded by the Irish Government and co-funded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative
UPDATE FROM FR. PAT MOORE: These irksome and necessary healing days I have to travel through are balanced by pain relief from a morphine pump and valuing moments from the past where I have felt grounded and held and felt a thread of the future awakening in me. I spoke about breathing and connecting with people but no where am I as aware of healing as when I think,feel and dream back into where I grew up. For it is as Con Houlihan said, the shell of your soul. Again and again I have found myself back with scenes of my childhood, amid people and names of people I never even met. I knew and felt I was in a safe place and last Saturday week, on a bright sunny morning I drove around to Littor strand, up to Georgie and Mary at Littor House,and then back to John Daly where they were just starting a family Mass on Mary Ann’s second anniversary. The significance of it all dawned on me. Where I grew up was sheltering me, the Mass had begun the healing for I had no idea the Mass was taking place. The whole experience brought me to the place of healing tears. Neighbours called to wish me well, taking off their wellingtons at the back door and I knew that things are going to be well. All will be well as Julian of Norwich said.On a lighter note, my friend Tommy Healy was in Cork airport yesterday and managed to get through Intensive Care Unit security here at the Bons to see me for 5 minutes. He told them he was my younger brother on his way back to Mongolia to manage a morphine farm. What could they do only let him in? !! He then said that the operation was about another part of my anatomy and I would be returning to Duagh as Patricia!! I am not supposed to laugh with my wounds, he had me in stitches literally, so he had to leave ICU and stay in Mongolia!! You don’t want Tommy to visit you in hospital!
GROW YOUR OWN: There will be a practical workshop on how to grow herbs in your allotment or garden @ the Moyderwell Allotments, Tralee next Wednesday 24 from 11-12.30pm.
A CARING CAREER: A new course of the Kilmeedy Healthcare Support Local Training Initiative (LTI) will run from August 31, 2015 to June 25, 2016 in Aras Ide, Kilmeedy, Co Limerick. During this full time course, participants will complete two Major Level 5 (FETAC/QQI) Awards in Early Childhood Care & Education and Healthcare Support. This course is funded by LCETB (formerly FAS). Any enquires please do not hesitate to contact Helen or Catherine on 063 87960 or 087 6952990.
SEANCHAI RAMBLING HOUSE: The Rambling House will take place in the Seanchaí Centre on Thursday June 25 from 9.15 pm. Admission is free to this informal evening of traditional music, song, dance & storytelling.
LSSC COUNSELLING PROJECT: We offer counselling quietly and with respect for the depression, stress, bereavement and relationship difficulties that people faced and we aim to keep doing it. If you want more information or wish to enquire about our project, please contact our Centre on 061-314111.
IRISH DANCING: The popular Irish Step dancing and Sean Nos Dancing classes continue in the Top of the Town each Thursday evening with step dancing at 7pm and Sean Nos following at 8pm. Beginners most welcome.
IRISH COUNTRY MUSICRADIO.COM: Ann O’Halloran has three shows on www.irishcountrymusicradio.com every week. She is on every Wednesday from 5-7pm, Friday 1-5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm and she will play a request for you if you send an email to [email protected]
RAMBLING HOUSES: Ita McQuinn has changed the date of her Monagae Rambling House to the 2nd Monday of each month instead of the 3rd so the next one will be Monday, July and everyone is welcome – singers, storytellers, musicians, dancers and those who just like to sit and listen and enjoy. Every performance needs an audience. Mick Sheehys Rambling House, Knockalougha is held on the 3rd. Tuesday of each month from 9pm.
BINGO BUSSES: Eoin 087 2522402 leaves for Castleisland from outside Tuohig’s Supervalue at 7.40 pm every Tuesday and Dinjoe goes to Shanagolden.
ABUSE OF STIMUNANTS: For support around drug and alcohol use the HSE Drugs & Alcohol Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9.30am and 5.30pm. This confidential service has both a freephone Helpline (1800 459 459) and an email support service ([email protected]).
COUNTRY MUSIC ON THE INTERNET: Joe’s Country Kingdom www.irishcountrymusicradio.com Saturday 9pm-Midnight (Irish Time) Tuesday 8-11pm (Irish Time) features Irish Country Music, Irish traditional music, humorous stories and Cowboy Corner.
COBH OUTING: Thomond Archaeological & Historical Society will have a full day outing to Cobh and Spike Island on Sunday, June 28 leaving Limerick city at 8.000am. This should prove to be a most memorable visit which will give us an opportunity to view one of the world’s largest cruise liner ‘The Royal Princess’ which is 19 decks high and will be berthed in Cobh that day and will depart at 6pm. Cobh Traditional Sail Festival also takes place from June 26– 28. The visit will include Cobh’s famous Cathedral St. Colman’s, the Titanic Memorial, Lusitania Victims burial plot, Jack Doyle the Gorgeous Gael’s grave. We will also visit Spike Island with a viewing of the home of ‘Little Nellie of Holy God’. The trip includes guided tours throughout. As seats are limited early booking is advisable. Contact Pat O’Donovan PRO 087 9977340.
TRAINING PROGRAMMES: If you’ve experienced a personal setback, long-term illness, have a disability or are an early school leaver one of National Learning Network’s full-time Courses will give you the confidence to open up new opportunities for further training or employment. Our FETAC Courses range from Catering to I.T., P.C. Maintenance to Employer Based Training and our Employability Skills Programme is aimed in particular at early school leavers. To find out more: ring Val or Trish at 061 229777 or look up www.nln.ie
087 260 0414
