community notices 8th april 2019

PROLOGUE:  “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

Socrates

LIAM FLYNN COMMEMORATION:  People came in their droves to the
Glórach on Friday night last, to honour the late Liam Flynn – the acclaimed wood turner from Convent St. who died suddenly in his prime, in April 2017.  Several of his pieces were on display in the foyer of the theatre. His aunt, Dr. Yvonne McEnery and his woodwork teacher Mr. Joe O’Keeffe gave us glimpses into his life and his passion for woodturning which became apparent from a very early age and we were able to watch two short films shot in his workshop. His partner Mary told us that “His turned wood vessels were exhibited throughout Europe and the USA.  There are Liam Flynn pieces in museums including the National Museum of Ireland, the Scottish National Museum, the Victoria and Albert. His work was featured in 2011 on a special edition postage stamp for the Year of Craft. His work was used as gifts for visiting dignitaries and Bill Clinton has a piece by Liam Flynn.”  Mary also announced that a book is being produced called Fluid Forms Liam Flynn and will be published in November.   Fundit.ie will launch a campaign on April 29 to help with its production and there will be four pieces of his work for sale on the website.  This will give people an opportunity to pre order a copy of the book and should they wish, to acquire a piece of his work.

LIFELONG LEARNING EXPO 2019: Lifelong Learning Expo 2019 in the Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West, on Friday, April 12. Call in any time between 11am & 3pm. Discover all the Lifelong Learning possibilities West Limerick has to offer with over 30 exhibitors. Contact Adrienne, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 087 2773294 or [email protected]

ADORATION FOR LENT:  Monday to Friday 8am – 9pm.

HOLY WEEK CEREMONIES:  Confessions after all ceremonies during Holy Week and on Holy Saturday from 11-12 noon.  Mass of the Last Supper Thursday, April 18 at 8pm.  There will be no morning Mass.  Good Friday Ceremonies at 3pm and Stations of the Cross at 8pm. Blessing of Baskets 12 noon Holy Saturday.  Vigil Mass 9pm Holy Saturday 9pm.  Easter Sunday Masses 9.15am and 12 noon.  Trocaire Boxes can be handed in to the Sacristy over the next two weeks; please do not leave them unattended.

AFTERNOON TEA DANCE:  Mary MacArthur in association with the Wednesday Club is holding a Tea Dance in memory of Mary’s late husband Hughie, in Fr Casey’s GAA Hall, Abbeyfeale from 3 – 6pm on Sunday, April 14.  All proceeds to Milford Care Centre.  Music by Mike Condon.  Tickets €5 from 087 6377310.  Raffle.  All donations gratefully accepted.

YOGA WITH MONIKA FOR BABIES/TODDLERS:  At St Ita’s Hall, Abbeyfeale, on Thursday, April 11 from 11- 12.30pm. Monika’s background is Special Needs and children with additional needs are especially welcome. The benefits of children’s yoga include strength, coordination, flexibility, concentration and a sense of calmness. If you have any queries, please call Mary on 087 9382883.

LAUNCH OF FLEADH BY THE FEALE:  The 25^th annual Fleadh by the Feale was launched in the Ploughman Bar on Friday night last by Aoife Potter – Cogan Limerick City and County Council Assistant Arts Officer.  In attendance too was Fiddle player Eoin O’Sullivan who is the Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence.  There was a huge turnout of musicians and the ensuing session gives us great hope for the continuation of the great Sliabh Luacra tradition in this area.  Roll on the May Bank Holiday weekend.

TEAM LIMERICK CLEAN UP:  Abbeyfeale Tidy Towns will be talking part in the Team Limerick Clean Up on Good Friday April 19 from 11- 1pm.  We will be meeting in the Square at 10.45am and we are looking for volunteers. all help would be greatly appreciated.

ABBEYFEALE FOR AFRICA:  We would like to say a sincere thank you to Kathleen and the Harnett family for their wonderful donation of €1,900 from the annual Connie Harnett Swim on New Year’s Day.

BINGO IN TOUR:  We are holding a fund-raising Bingo in  Halla Tadhg Gaelach. on Sunday, April 14 at 3pm sharp with €2,100 in prizes.  Double book with two sheets costs €15.  Single book with one sheet €13.    Half books are available at €5.  Your support would be greatly appreciated.

TRAD FUNDRAISER:  Laura O’Donoghue will be volunteering in Zambia, Africa with the Suas volunteer program this summer. Laura from Ballaugh, Abbeyfeale says “I will spend 2 months volunteering as a teaching assistant in some the most disadvantaged schools in the world. The majority of the children attending these schools are living in extreme poverty and education is really their only escape from the poverty cycle that profoundly exists in their community. I will be holding a Trad Music fundraiser in Halla Inse Bán in Templeglantine on Saturday, April 27 at 8pm. Tickets €10 will be available at the door.  I really appreciate any support and I’d love if you could make it on the night”

OPEN DAY: An invitation has been issued by the Board of St Ita’s Sheltered Housing to their Open Day on Saturday April 27. There will be a cup of tea in the Day Care Centre following the unveiling of a plaque in honour of the late Canon Neville whose brainchild the Sheltered Housing was.  The evening will conclude with music by Lost Souls at The Winners’ Circle.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 25^th FLEADH BY THE FEALE 2019: The Celebrity concert this year is headlined by The Kilfenora Ceili Band who are celebrating 120 years on the road.  The Fleadh takes place May 2-6, concert Sunday, May 5.  Highlights include Oiche Gaelige in Thomas TJ’s Thursday night, May 2 as well as the Art Competition prize giving in the Library.  The Street Busking and the Ceili with Donie Nolan in Fr. Casey’s on Friday as well as the Wrenboys on the Gig Rig will get proceeding off to a rollicking start.  There will also be the monthly Singing Session in The Ramble Inn from 9.30pm on Friday night.  Then on Saturday, May 4 there is a full day of Workshops, a youth trad session in Donal and Anns, a Sliabh Luachra session in Leen’s Hotel, more entertainment on the gig rig with the Templeglantine Comhaltas Group and Scully’s Music School, Newmarket and of course, need I say, spontaneous sessions could spring up anywhere so a pub trail is in order.  Sunday, May 5 is another full on day between social dancing/ceili dancing in the Square from 2pm (indoor venue on standby if it rains), Storytelling at St. Ita’s Hall at 3pm, Tournafull Comhaltas on the gig rig, a tribute to the late Dan Murphy whose brainchild the Fleadh by the Feale was and then the highlight of the weekend the Kilfenora Ceili Band in Colaiste Ide agus Iosef.  Monday and I’m worn out just writing it; another Ceili in the Square (indoor venue on standby if it rains) , a workshop on Bone playing, more entertainment on the gig rig and then the All Ireland Bone Playing competitions.  There won’t be a cow milked in West Limerick for the rest of the week.

LOURDES:  Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year from June 20 -25.  All Assisted (Invalid) Pilgrims applications to be submitted to Lourdes Office before the end of April. Details and cost will be on the notice board at the entrance of the Church.  The Sagart pilgrimage will take place from September 19 for 5 nights.  Fr. Tony has the details.

GLÓRACH SEEKS VOLUNTEERS:  The Glórach Theatre is a registered charity, and is staffed totally by volunteers.  In over fifteen years of existence we have had many highs and lows but one constant has been the dedication of volunteers in keeping the theatre running.  At this moment in time, it would be fair to say that the Theatre is in a healthy position in terms of events and activities, but with the number of volunteers we have at present that situation is certainly not sustainable into the future.  We are extending a call out to people who may wish to get involved, be it as a director at board level, helping out in catering, event management, drama and various other posts.  Even if you can only offer a short amount of time each month, it would be much appreciated.  The Glórach is a beautiful theatre and has given many a rewarding experience to volunteers in the past and hopefully will do so well into the future.  For those who may be interested in getting involved, feel free to call us at 0871383940, to message us on facebook or to call to the building on an occasion we are holding an event, we look forward to welcoming ye into the fold.

HARNETT REUNION:  Preparations are now in full swing for the reunion in July. Many Harnetts are travelling from overseas, with bookings already secured from New Zealand, the U.S.A., Italy and the U.K.  We would love to include all Harnett families in West Limerick/North Kerry in this event. Please contact us on Facebook of by email : [email protected] for information. All welcome.  Abbeyfeale will be decked out in the blue and gold Harnett colours for the festival. There will be genealogy, bus tours, a concert, a gala banquet and a memorial Mass, all at different venues around West Limerick/North Kerry. Please spread the word far and wide. The event is open to everybody, whether Harnett, Hartnett or other.   For our previous reunion in 2012 we published a magazine with the family stories and histories, along with photographs and articles of local interest. We would now like items for this year’s magazine. Do you have any photographs or stories that you would like included?   We will need the items in good time for publication and we are willing to photocopy documents and return the originals immediately.

ST ITA’S FAITH CAMP: This year our camp takes place in St Mary’s Boys school from Monday, July 29 –Thursday, August 1.  We will need volunteers -adults 18yrs +and also youths aged 14 –17 yrs. Info: -087-2788834.

GROW COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT IN IRELAND.   Meet on Wednesday’s at 8pm in the Seanchaí  Centre, Listowel. This programme is open to all and is free of charge. No introductions needed. Just come along. For more information, contact Jerry, 086 0271990.

FR. CASEYS CARDS:  Winners with 15 games were;  Sheila Breen, Dan Reidy, Paddy Sullivan.  Runners up divided between two teams each with 14 games were;  Christine O’Donoghue, Eileen Finnegan, Gerard Murphy.  Table prize; Pat Collins, Jeffery Fitzgerald, Jerry O’Connor.  Door prize; Ann Cahill.  Raffle; Dan Dillane, Dan Reidy, John Quirke, Marion Roche, Nora Lyons, Maureen Fitzgerald, Tommy Nelligan, Toddy O’Connor, Nora Riordan, Maura Scannell, Tom Murphy, Patsy Kelly.

CONRADH NA GAEILGE/GAELIC LEAGUE; a branch has been re-established in Abbeyfeale.  Members welcome.  Further information Éamonn 086 3903244.

COMMUNITY ALERT NOTES:  The annual church gate collection takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend with funds collected going towards the summer outing and Christmas lunch.   If you have a smart phone download the Cairde App from Muintir Na Tire which gives alerts and information.  Senior Help Line is a free confidential listening service provided by trained older volunteers on 1800804591and its open daily from 10am – 10pm.  So if you’re older and want information or just to hear a friendly voice then gives them a call.  You can also register with WLR 069 62222 who provide a locally based service.  The phone no. for Abbeyfeale Station  is 068 30010.  If the Gardai on duty are out on patrol the call will be patched through to NCW who will call the car back to town.  Keep an eye on our FB page which is updated daily with all the latest on scams, money making rackets and fast ones.  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 of €66.  Please note that this fee is payable in a lump sum each year after year one.  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. If someone comes to the door that you are not comfortable with you can use the panic button to summons help. If you hit the button by mistake and the monitoring company answer it’s what they are paid for and you do not have to apologise.  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.

CALLING PARENTS:  Abbeyfeale Parent & Toddler Group: 11am – 12.30pm every Tuesday and Thursday, St Ita’s Hall. New people always welcome. Contact Mary on 087 9382883.

RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME RECRUITING POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS: West Limerick Resources CLG have a number of vacancies on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS). Participants on the scheme work 19.5hrs/week and receive a top-up payment from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. To participate on the scheme you must fulfil the following criteria: Be actively farming over 1 hectare of land; Have a valid herd number; Proof of application for the EU Basic Payment Scheme for the current year and be in receipt of Farm Assist, Jobseekers Allowance or other qualifying payments.  Spouses, children, brothers and sisters of the herd owner can also join the scheme if they meet relevant criteria.  One person allowed per herd number only.  For further details contact Tom or Michelle, at West Limerick Resources CLG, on 069 61316 or E-mail:  [email protected].  Successful eligible candidates will be placed on a panel from which vacancies will be filled.

MASS TIME:  Mass Times in the Pastoral Area Unit; Abbeyfeale – Saturday 6e.30pm   and    Sunday   9.15am & 12noon.    Athea -   Saturday 7.30pm and Sunday 10.30am. Mountcollins   – Sunday 11am.  Templeglantine – Saturday 6pm and Sunday 10.00 am.  Tournafulla    -   Saturday 7.30pm.

ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH:  Fr Tony Mullins PP 087/2600414.  Fr Brendan Duggan 087/0562674. Fr Denis Mullane 087/2621911. Fr Shoji Vargihese      089/4431922 Parish Church 068/51915. Parish Office; Open 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Tues. – Fri. (068) 31133    Email: [email protected]   Limerick Social Services:  061-314111.    AA    061/311222 Al-Anon 086/8143425. Parent Support worker 068/31019.  Accord NCW 069/61000.   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 effected by mental ill health) 01 860 1620 061 – 412111 or Free phone 1850609090 A.A. 061-311222 Al-Anon 086-8143425 Bereavement Support: 068 / 31203    068/ 31262    068/51984    St Vincent De Paul    Tel 087/1213560 .  Counselling Appointment    061/314213.  Masses:   No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm.  Saturday Masses 11am and 6.30pm.  Sunday 9.15am and 12 noon.  Mass Intentions:  Thursday 10am Micheal, Charles and Nollaig Ahern and their parents.  Friday 10am Ann O’Connor Keating, Main Street and Dublin.  Saturday 6.30pm Larry Harnett and deceased family members, Dromtrasna Harnett.  Austin Daly, The Grove, 1^st anniversary.  Maureen and  John Joy and parents, The Square.  Bessie Meehan, Kilmorna.  Patrick Lane and deceased family members, Grogeen.  Sunday 9.15 am  Josie Doherty, Tournafulla.  Bill and Mary Quirke, The Hill.  12 noon  Mary O’Connor, Bridge St.  William, Hannah, Micheal and Paul Quirke, Caherlane.  Monday 7pm  Mary and James Scully, Mountmahon.

Stations of the Cross will take place before Mass each Friday 9.45am during Lent.

This year the Chrism Mass will be celebrated in St John’s Cathedral, Limerick on Wednesday, April 17. The Mass will begin at 7.30pm. The Chrism Mass is the great annual gathering of the Diocese – lay faithful, religious, priests and Bishop, all gathered in the one Eucharist. Everyone renews their baptismal promises and the priests renew the promises made at Ordination.

ANAM CARA KERRY, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Parent Evening on Tuesday, April 9 at 7:20pm in Recovery Haven, 5 Haig’s Terrace, Killierisk, Tralee, Co. Kerry. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Refresh, Renew, Rekindle your marriage relationship on a Marriage Enrichment Weekend April 12-14 in Cork. www.marriageencounter.ie 086-8334382- 087-2162436

NATIONAL PIONEER BALL: Saturday, April 6 at the Anner Hotel, Thurles, commences with Mass in the Pallotine Retreat Centre at 6.30pm. Enquiries to 086 0669391or 086 3642619 .

PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE AND SAN GIOVANNI Leaving Dublin September 15 for 6 nights (3 night at each shrine). Contact Michael Clifford (085 1309835) or Marian Pilgrimages (01 8788159).

GROW COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT IN IRELAND.  Meet on Wednesday’s at 8pm in the Seanchaí  Centre, Listowel. This programme is open to all and is free of charge. No introductions needed. Just come along. For more information, contact Jerry, 086 0271990.

RAMBLING HOUSES:   Monagae 2^nd. Monday of the month.   Knockalougha, Duagh on the third Tuesday of every month.