PROLOGUE: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything.”
Author Unknown.
WEDDING BELLS: Congratulations to Ann-Marie O’Connor, Kilconlea Lower and Thomas O’Connor who celebrated the sacrament of marriage in the Church of the Assumption recently. We wish them every happiness in their married life together.
VISITOR TO TOWN PARK: The little egret is a small white heron with attractive white plumes on crest, back and chest, black legs and bill and yellow feet. It was seen in Abbeyfeale Town Park recently and hopefully will nest on the river bank.
CLASSES: Qigong classes at Hollytree Clinic with Alan Sheehy. Starting on Friday, April 13 from 10:30 – 12pm for 6 weeks, Cost €75. Contact Alan on 087 2480 723 or Hollytree Clinic on 087 707 1080. The clinic is located next to the Courthouse, on Bishop’s St., NCW. Therapeutic Kung Fu classes starting on Tuesday, April 17 from 7 – 8:15pm for 6 weeks, €75. Contact details as above.
NOONAN’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: €19,626 was raised for local charities in 2017 by Noonan’s Christmas Lights and the Noonan family want to thank all those who donated.
TEA DANCING: Afternoon Tea Dance with Mike Condon, Fr. Casey’s Abbeyfeale Sunday, April 22. Dancing 3-6 Admission €5. Raffle.
NEW BUSINESS OPENS IN ABBEYFEALE: The Gateway Café at the Westering Inn offers fresh home cooked food served all day, ample parking and a warm welcome. Further information 0868745485.
RAILWAY NIGHT AT THE GLÓRACH: Bingo continues every Monday night at 8.30 pm. On Friday, April 13 at 8pm the Great Southern Trail Ltd. will host a presentation in the Glórach Theatre, Abbeyfeale, Co.Limerick [alongside the Church on the N21].
The presenter will be John Grimshaw (www.johngrimshawassociates.co.uk ), a pioneer of Greenway developments for over forty years. John and a few associates are visiting several Irish Greenways and the Great Southern had to be on their itinerary because it was John who walked the entire Ballingrane[Rathkeale] to Tralee route in the late 1980′s during his survey of what was intended to be Ireland’s first Greenway. He, and his colleagues will cycle from Rathkeale to the Kerry Border and they are delighted to hear of the positive developments which will hopefully see the Greenway extended into North Kerry in the not too distant future. John will outline his experiences in developing Greenways and the multiple benefits that accrue to communities as a result. For both dedicated Greenway enthusiasts and those who wish to inform themselves this will be a rewarding evening. Beidh fáilte roimh gach éinne. Further dates for the diary: [A] Coach trip to walk/cycle Mayo Greenway departing Newcastle West, Market Yard, 7am Bank Holiday Monday, May 7, due back 11pm. €60 includes transport, breakfast and evening dinner but not bike hire. Monies to Pat Condon, Upper Maiden St., Newcastle West: Tel. (5-6pm) 06962344
[B] Friday, May 25 ” Nationwide” on RTE1 T.V. will feature the attractions of Newcastle West including the Great Southern Greenway.
SECOND HONEYMOON AT THE GLÓRACH: After six sold out nights Abbeyside Players have decided to continue the run of their production of Sam Cree’s comedy Second Honeymoon on Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19 but if you want to see the play you must book immediately on 087 1383940 as so many people have been on waiting lists that it’s nearly sold out again. There was a lovely poignant moment after the play ended last Thursday when retired solicitor Jimmy Dennison who was one of the original trustees presented a bottle of champagne to the present committee to celebrate the fact that the term loan on the theatre has now been paid off. A huge debt of appreciation is due to the Dennison brothers whose brain child the Glórach was. Abbeyfeale now has a state of the art building with wonderful acoustics which is available to the entire community.
GRAND VARIETY CONCERT: West Limerick 102fm are hosting a fundraising concert at the Longcourt Hotel, NCW on Wednesday, April 18 beginning at 8pm. It will feature Peter Burke, P.J. Murrihy, Elle Marie O’Dwyer, Emily Clarke, Willie Relihan, Cllr. Micheal Collins and the wonderful Donal Ring Ceili Band. Tickets €15 available from WL102fm on 069 – 66200 and Ann Lyons, The Square, Abbeyfeale. It promises to be a great night of music and song and your support is earnestly requested.
CRIME VICTIMS HELPLINE: Helpline number is 116006. Opening hours are; Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.00 – 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30 – 6.30pm, Saturday 2 – 4pm.Sunday- Closed.
SPRING GARDEN EVENT: An event for garden enthusiasts and plant lovers at Sheehy’s Hardware April 14/15. Bring and buy/swop stands, garden and spring related stands. Further information Betty 087 6525816.
AGM OF ABBEYFEALE COMMUNITY ALERT: Abbeyfeale Community Alert, set up in on January 15, 1998 are celebrating 20 years in existence this year. It is made up of volunteers, all of whom are giving their time voluntarily helping our Community which is at the heart of who we are. We continue to provide this voluntary service so that the elderly in our community feel safe in their own homes. The AGM will be held at Leens Hotel on Wednesday, April 11 at 8pm. New members are very welcome.
ÉIGSE MICHEAL HARTNETT: Some of this years free highlights include Morning Coffee with Poetry at Marguerite’s Friday, April 13 from 10.30 -12 noon, Storytelling and Music at St. Ita’s 3pm with Daisy and Donie. Book Launch and Art Exhibition Red Door 6pm. The Ukealadies Saturday at 1.30pm in the Square. Poetry Slam beginning in Ned Lynch’s 3.30pm. For further information from 061 953400.on all the events over the three days April12-15.
GRAND CELEBRITY CONCERT: This year’s Fleadh by the Feale takes place from Thursday, May 3 – Monday, May 7. The grand celebrity concert will take place in Coláiste Íde agus Iosef on Sunday, May 6 and features the Shandrum Céilí Band with support from the Coláiste Íde agus Iosef Band. Doors open 7pm with show from 8pm. Tickets & further information: Nora 086/2427003, Celine 087/7697672, Vincent 087/2443353 and Mary 087/7419343.
BINGO IN TOUR: Tournafulla Development Association are holding a fund-raising Bingo on Sunday, April 15 at 3 pm sharp. € 2,100 in prize money. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
HEALTHY HAPPY BABY/TODDLER BONANZA IN ABBEYFEALE LIBRARY: Limerick Children and Young Peoples Services Committee (CYPSC) in collaboration with West Limerick Resources will host a Happy Healthy Baby/Toddler Bonanza in Abbeyfeale Library on April 17 from 11am to 1pm. This is a FREE event open to all Parents and Toddlers but booking is essential as space is limited. To book a place please contact Mary, Family Support Abbeyfeale, West Limerick Resources on 087 9382883. 083-8892137.
NATIONAL PIONEER BALL Treacy’s Hotel, Carrickmacross May 5. For details 087 2392993.
DRIVE TO SAVE LIVES: Limerick Pro Life Action now have a “Lifts for Life” scheme which is created to help Pro Life votes who have no means of transport. We need drivers to help take people, in their locality to the Polling Station on Polling Day to vote. If you are willing to help, please contact any of the following: Olive 085-7172970 John 087-1127477.
WEST LIMERICK TOASTMASTERS: Learn to speak with confidence, make presentations at work, and much more at the Desmond Complex on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 8-10pm.
LOURDES: Autumn Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Direct from Shannon Airport, staying at the Solitude Hotel, from September 22-27. Full Pilgrimage Programme. Booking forms available from Fr Tony Mullins. Fr John O’Shea & Fr Willie Fitzmaurice.
HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER MEETING: Janice and Moss Carraig will lead the Holy Spirit Prayer meeting on the second Sunday of each month in the Desmond Complex. Further information on 087 6174639.
TRIBUTE SHOW: A Special tribute show to the memory of the late Johnny Barrett will be shown on the big screen in The Charleville Park Hotel, Friday April 13 at 8pm. This is a two hour show with the very best of country and Irish music featuring Johnny playing in dance halls all over Ireland and bringing in the beautiful scenery of different parts of Kerry, Cork Limerick and Clare. The DVD of this show will be launched on the night with proceeds going to erecting a monument which will be unveiled on the 10th anniversary of his death next December in Charleville.
BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPEL: Adoration will continue from 10-10pm every Tuesday and Friday and from 6-8pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. New adorers are always very welcome. We thank you all for making our Perpetual Adoration such a success. Because of your commitment to an hour per week we are able to continue this wonderful gift we have in our Parish.
LOURDES: Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage 2018 The Lourdes office, is open in the Social Service Centre, Henry St. Office Hours are: 10.00 – 12.30pm and 2.00 – 4.30pm Monday to Friday. All details concerning the Pilgrimage may be had from the office or from Fr. Tony. The fares for this year will be the same as last year, Pilgrims – All Hotels €719 except The Alba €709 and for a Hospital Pilgrim €609, this is inclusive of travel insurance and coach transfer to and from Lourdes Airport.
FUNDRAISING DANCES: Fundraising dances for the redevelopment of the former Ashford Tavern to the Ashford Community Resource Centre will take place on the first Friday of the month in the Ashford Tavern. Doors open 9pm with dancing from 9.30pm. Forthcoming Attractions: Friday, May 4 P.J. Murrihy. Friday, June 1 Muriel O’ Connor and.Fran Curry. Friday July 6 T.R.Dallas. Admission €10.
ADVICE FROM COMMUNITY ALERT: An elderly man in Limerick has fallen victim to a €2,000 phone scam and Gardaí are warning people to be vigilant about ‘suspicious phone calls that come out of the blue’. Gardai are advising people about the nature of this particular scam, which saw a man in his 70s at a loss for the significant sum of money. Gardai said the man received a phone call from another male alleging to be from his bank and reporting that there was unusual activity on his account. The caller directed the elderly man to go to a post office and send cash to a particular account via telegram. I, myself, got a call on April 5 from a man with a foreign accent purporting to be from Microsoft and offering to fix my computer. A new phone scam is doing the rounds - and it’s a bit smarter than some of the others, because it looks like it’s an Irish number at first glance. Though it starts with ’087′, the calls are actually originating in Bosnia. The latest scam out of Australia features the harvesting of personal data when you return a missed call so we cannot emphasise enough to never ring back a missed call unless you recognise it. Housing Aid for Older People Scheme used to improve the condition of an older person’s home is aimed at people 66 years of age and older and is means tested. People with a disability or who are elderly can apply for a grant to purchase grab rails, a level access shower, access ramps or a stair lift. Contact 061 496000 for further details. Once 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 and this fee includes insurance against breakages and is currently €80. If you do not want the insurance cover then the fee is €65. If you do not have a land line the company will organise a sim card for a mobile phone for a quarterly fee of approx. €56. This works out cheaper that the rent of a landline which is currently €25 per month. Committee members are Sean Broderick, Micheal O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen Collins, Mary McArthur, Buddy and Brenda Barry, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Mary Jo O’Connell, James Joy, Denis Collins, Marian Harnett.
DANCE CLASSES: Social dance classes with Josephine, Tuesdays, The Railway 8.30pm.
DECLINING RURAL SERVICES AND THE POTENTIAL FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT – HAVE YOUR SAY!: West Limerick Resources are currently reviewing the existing provision of social enterprise and identifying potential for development of new social enterprises in the West Limerick area. This study will form the basis for supports which West Limerick Resources will offer to new and existing social enterprises over the next few years and so it is imperative that we hear from our community. We are holding a consultation event on Wednesday, April 11, at 7.30pm in Templeglantine Community Centre. We would strongly encourage you to attend and participate in this study.
NEW MASS TIMES: Vigil Mass Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday 9.15am and 12 noon Mass. Holy day’s Mass 11am and 6.30pm. Daily Mass remains as always – 10am unless when there is a funeral.
ABBEYFEALE PARENT & TODDLER GROUP meets every Tuesday and Thursday in St. Ita’s Hall in Abbeyfeale from 11 – 12:30pm. New people always welcome. This group is a great way to introduce your child to a pre-school environment, teaching them to play and share with other children and a fantastic way for parents to make new friends as well. Contact Mary at West Limerick Resources on 087 9382883.
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018: You can currently only book tickets for the 3 day Congress (1 day or 5 day), but when booking a congress ticket you can register for the free weekend tickets. Every person attending each event must be registered to gain access to that event. You can book as an individual (over 18), as a family or group, or as a priest. Where a family wishes to register, a single family leader can register all members together. When part of a family/group, all children under 18 are free but each person must be registered in order to receive their ticket. Costs for adults: 5 day ticket €68, 1 day ticket €38. Book at www.worldmeeting2018.ie/en/Tickets/Congress-Registration
RCCN (HOUSING) LTD: This is a not for profit company based in NCW which provide a cost effective housing maintenance, small repairs and adaption service principally for the over 60’s or disabled in West Limerick. Services offered include; roof maintenance, outside maintenance, carpentry and flooring, painting etc. For further information contact Kathleen on 069 69315.
FINE INCREASE: The fine for parking in a disabled bay will increase from €80 to €150 from March 1.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR BEREAVEMENT: Abbeyfeale Bereavement Support Group Tel. 068/31230 or 068/51984 or 068/31262.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SHOP: If you have an hour or two to spare why not consider volunteering your time to help the work of St Vincent de Paul. If you are interested contact Fr Tony on 087-2600414. The Abbeyfeale shop will open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week between 10-4pm. Further information 087 1213560.
ABBEYFEALE CRAFTY CORNER: Meets every Tuesday evening in the West Limerick Resources Hub Room based in the Further Education & Training Centre Abbeyfeale, from 7pm to 9pm. New members are welcome. Contact West Limerick Resources on 068 31198 or Madeline on 087 9707989.
PADRE PIO DEVOTIONS: Devotions on the first Tuesday of the month in Monagae Church at 7pm. Blessing with 1st. class relic.
WEST LIMERICK 102FM: Every Monday evening from 7pm to 7.30pm tune into a little bit of Heaven with Fr. Kevin.
CHURCH NOTES: Canon Anthony Mullins 087/2600414. Fr Joseph Foley CC Tel: Mobile: 087 – 2618412. Fr Brendan Duggan 087/0562674 Parish Office: Parish 068/31133 Open 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Tues. – Fri. Email: [email protected] Limerick Social Services: 061-314111 Accord NCW 069/61000. Priest on Duty for Emergency only (Sunday) Fr. Noonan (087)6796217. Parish Church 068/51915. Limerick Social Services: 061-314111. A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203, 068/ 31262, 068/5198. Parish Support Worker 068/31019. St Vincent De Paul 087/1213560. 087 – 2618412. To book a Mass intention telephone the church 068/51915 during Mass times. Counselling Appointment 061/314213. Accord NCW 069/61000. Samaritans: 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 061-306792. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. Saturday Masses 11am and 6.30pm. Sunday 9.15am and 12 noon. Mass Intentions: Saturday 11am Requiem Mass for Kathleen O’Brien nee Broderick. 6.30pm Patrick Lane Grogeen and deceased family members. Phyllis Cotter, Purt. Bessie Mehan, Kilmorna Sunday 9.15am Denis & Ellen Collilns, Purt and the Geary family 12noon Mary O’Connor William, Hannah, Michael & Paul Quirke.
Prayers to St Anthony on Mondays during the 7pm Mass. Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Fridays during the 10am Mass. Due to data protection laws, priests can no longer go to the reception desk in local hospitals and get a list of parishioners who are patients, you are requested to contact Fr. Tony if you wish him to visit. Faithcast is the new weekly podcast from catholicnews.ie, the news source for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Presented by Brenda Drumm, Faithcast is a mixture of interviews and news snippets from the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is published every Monday and is available on catholicnews.ie. Counselling takes place every week in West Limerick Tel 061/3147213 for appointment. To see the daily readings you may log on to www.abbefelaeparish.ie and click on daily reading on the home page. Log onto www.churchservices.tv/abbeyfealeparish for the church webcam. You can now watch all services from home if you have access to a computer.
VISIT OF ICON: The Icon of the Holy Family will be in Killarney Cathedral from Friday, April 13 – Tuesday, April 17. There are further details on www.dioceseofkerry.ie
FREE ASTHMA AND COPD ADVICE LINE: Speak to a specialist nurse over the phone about your or your child’s asthma or COPD. Free phone 1800 44 54 64 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday to book an appointment
ST PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUPS: Listowel first Friday of every month. Monagae first Tuesday of every month. Ceremonies begin 6.45pm.
CORK MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: The Cork International Hotel, Friday, April 13–15. Encounter is a Weekend getaway experience for all married couples who want to rediscover the joy of Marriage. 086 8334382-086 6095168 - www.marriageencounter.ie
UP COMING EVENTS: Holy Communion May 24. Tralee Races Point to Point, Ballybeggan Racecourse May 26. To book a stall Sinead 087 6906104.
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