Community notices

PROLOGUE:  Enjoy all you have while pursuing all you want.

GLÓRACH BINGO:  Glorious weather ensured a large turnout at the GAA grounds in Abbeyfeale last Sunday for our weekly drive-in Bingo.  The effervescent Tom Madigan took up the mantle once again of calling out the numbers, and any despondency felt by our Kerry contingent after the match on Saturday quickly receded over the course of a memorable afternoon.  Once again, thanks to all involved who have ensured the safe and smooth running of this event, and to our loyal patrons.  Familiar faces and newcomers all welcome at the usual starting time of 2 pm each Sunday.

PAT FEELEY ON LYRIC FM:  With obvious distractions for many Limerick people over the last few weeks, some may have missed the compilation of some of Pat Feeley’s memorable programmes that appeared on Lyric FM.  If you did, simply go to the RTE Lyric FM Player site; the three programmes broadcast can be accessed under ‘The Lyric Feature’.

WELCOME HOME FR. TIM AND SORRY FOR YOUR TROUBLE!:  Delighted to have Fr. Tim Galvin home from his Mission in South Sudan for a few months but how well Kerry had to lose to Tyrone at the weekend.  The Kilmanahan native will have to pray for Mayo on Saturday week at 5pm and use all his influence with the Man Above to get that curse called off.

FURTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING CENTRE, MOUNTMAHON, ABBEYFEALE (THE OLD TECH):

The following free courses still have some spaces left: Sewing for Beginners, Beginners knitting, Payroll Manual & Computerised (Level 5), Bookkeeping manual and computerised (Level 5), Childcare Level 5, Healthcare Level 5, Sign Language, Winter window box gardening, making a podcast, Upcycling Furniture, Local history.

Please call the office on 06831198 for more information, Email: [email protected] or register at www.learningandskills.ie.

ST PIO DEVOTIONS:  Devotions in Listowel every first Friday beginning with Evening Mass at 6.45pm.

BALLYHEIGUE PATTERN DAY:  This year Bishop Ray Browne will celebrate Mass in Our Lady’s Well and Grotto, Ballyheigue on Wednesday, August 8 at 12 noon, Mass will be streamed live on www. dioceseofkerry.ie facebook page. In the interests of safety and fairness there will be no congregation present on the day. The Well and Grotto will remain closed for the duration of the Mass and will reopen at 1.30pm after which you are most welcome to come for private prayer.

INVITATION:  You are invited to attend Abbeyfeale Community Council AGM on Thursday, September 16 at Fr. Casey’s G.A.A. Clubhouse @7.30 p.m.  ACC has secured the investment of over six hundred thousand euro for our community in the past five years. Projects include The new Business Hub, walkways in Abbeyfeale Town Park, heritage signage, provision of defibrillators and many more. Abbeyfeale is about to undergo momentous changes with the implementation of the new traffic management plan, the development of the Greenway and the proposed Abbeyfeale bypass.

Have your voice heard now. Join the ACC – at the heart of Abbeyfeale. Stronger together!

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Adoration in the main church every Friday, beginning after the 10.00am Mass – 6.00pm. Entrance through the front door of the church. Please note that when there is a Wedding Mass celebrated on a Friday, adoration will be from 4 to 6.00pm.

LIMERICK WOMEN’S MARATHON:  The Virtual Limerick Women’s Marathon will take place on September 25/26.

CHARITY Cycle on the Limerick Greenway on Saturday, September 11 in aid of Little Blue Heroes Foundation.

VEHICLE RUN:   Paudie Fitzmaurice Memorial Vehicle run, begins at the Mart in Castleisland at noon on Sunday, September 5.

TRAINING: Cycle Against Suicide are working to train and deploy a network of ‘Community Buddies’ into communities in Kerry and all across Ireland.    The Community Buddy programme is peer to peer support and is centred around a structured but supportive conversation in a safe and non-judgemental space.  It allows an individual to discuss how they are coping or not coping and working with the Buddy to discuss (and co-produce) ways of moving forward to overcome the challenges.  The training to become a Community Buddy is 2 full days or four evenings currently being delivered via zoom.  Full details are available at: https://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/community-buddy-club/

DIP IN THE NIP:  This unique fundraiser in aid of Recovery Haven will be held on Saturday, September 18 at a secret location.  Registration is vital through Evenbrite, tickets €40 plus booking fee.  Music, entertainment, raffle.  Contact Recovery Haven, Tralee on 066 7192122 for further details.

COURSE: Recovery Haven Kerry are starting a six-week course titled ‘Building Better

Caregivers’.  This course starts on Tuesday, September 14 and is an online

programme for those supporting a loved one with cancer.  If you are interested

in this course, please contact Reception on 066 7192122 for more details.

RADIO MARIA:  broadcasts Mass, Rosary, Divine Mercy Hour etc daily. It has many interesting programmes.. The easiest way to tune in is via the television, Saorview channel 210, (if you go forward one channel from RTE1 you get RTE2, if you go back one from RTE1 you get Radio Maria). There is also a mobile App. For info  visit  www.radiomaria.ie.

FOOD FAIR: Listowel Food Fair will be held from Thursday, November 4 until Monday, November 8 – Family & Children, Festivals, Food & Drink. Since its inception in 1995, the Listowel Food Fair has continued to develop successfully and is now an established event in the calendar of Kerry festivals.

ARTS FESTIVAL:  Ballybunion Arts Festival September 9 – 12 will host a diverse programme of Theatre, Poetry, Performance Art, Music, Visual Art & workshops for artists and audiences.  Kerry Writer in Residence Máire Holmes will host an Irish language poetry workshop on September11in Ballybunion Community Centre. More details (https://kerrycoco.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b3755ab5575cb711eac9566f8&id=30cb5eab5e&e=57e387efec)

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR ABBEYFEALE TOWN PARK:  A box for donations to help keep Abbeyfeale Town Park open has been affixed to the wall of the public toilets in the park.  A Go Fund Me page has also been set up.

CHURCH NEWS:    Fr Tony Mullins 0872600414, Fr Dan Lane (Retired) 087/2533030, Fr Denis Mullane 087/26219. Priest on Call during the summer months Fr Dan Lane will be on call every Wednesday. Fr Mullins will not be available on Wednesdays. Fr Lane can be contacted on 087-2533030  www.abbeyfealeparish.ie email [email protected] Church Sacristy 068 -51915 Parish Office 068 -31133.  To book a |Mass intention contact the church before or after Mass on 0668 51915.

COMMUNITY RADIO:  WL102fm are relying on tickets sales for their weekly draw to keep them on air as this is the only fundraiser that they can hold at the minute.  Tickets are available in Kathleen’s Food Store, Convent St., Mikey’s stall in the Square, Moss the Farmers’ and also in the Siopa Nua.  Fr. Tony is very thankful to the volunteers who make it possible to broadcast Mass to the people of West Limerick every Sunday morning at 10am from Abbeyfeale.

BALLYBUNION STAGE SCHOOL:    If you want your children to develop self-confidence and self-esteem, put them on the stage, details from 087 1303 325.

ACCORD FACILITATORS NEEDED:    Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service is currently recruiting volunteers to train as marriage preparation programme facilitators. Those interested should have a positive attitude towards marriage in the Catholic Church and the enthusiasm to be part a  team  supporting  couples  who  are  preparing  for  the  Sacrament  of Marriage. Contact Aisling on 01 5053112 or email [email protected]

PATRICK O’KEEFFE YOUNG MUSICIAN AWARD:   Applications are now open to all musicians in the 13 – 23 age bracket. Please note that any videos submitted by minors must be submitted by the child’s parent/guardian and the deadline is Sunday, September 12. Email applications to: [email protected]

STORYTELLING: Listowel International Storytelling Festival returns in-person to Listowel from Friday, September 17 – 19.    Now in its 3rd year the festival will feature a packed programme of events including storytelling sessions & workshops, story & history walks, music sessions and children’s storytelling. We are especially thrilled to have acclaimed storyteller Maria Gillen as our Artistic Director for the festival. Our full programme will be available soon, but follow our Social Media pages or visit www.kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival/ for updates on special guests and events.

BALLYLONGFORD BLACKSMITHING FAIR:   A new event will take place in  Ballylongford on the weekend of  Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26 next.  Blacksmithing displays in the Creamery and grounds from Forged in Ireland , hand forged and old wares for sale, food and refreshments on sale and roving musicians.  It will be a family friendly weekend with admission only €5 and under 16’s free.

NOTICE TO PUBLIC: As a result of the Coronavirus, the offices of West Limerick Resources remain closed to the general public.  Staff are available to respond to clients and community groups by email or phone in relation to West Limerick Resources work and projects. Please check our Website on www.wlr.ie or Facebook on  https://www.facebook.com/WestLimerickResources for further updates or contact the main office landline 069 62222 with any queries and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

BUGGY BUDDIES: Join our 4-week ‘Walk and Talk’ programme.  A chance to get out and about with babies & toddlers, keep fit and have a chat with other parents, caregivers & expectant mothers.  Starts 11am, Tuesday, September 7, at the Demesne, Newcastle West.  Registration essential.  Contact Stefanie 087 398 2925.

DIGITAL MARKETING PROGRAMME: West Limerick Resources in partnership with West Limerick Tourism are delighted to be able to offer you/your business the opportunity to attend the West Limerick Digital Marketing Training Programme, starting Monday, September 6.  Do you struggle to see a return on your digital marketing activity?  Do you want to know how to streamline processes and get a better return for your time and money?  Register for this free initiative and you will: be able to create a robust integrated digital marketing strategy that will earn you a high return; know what channels are best for your business and be able to use them more effectively; get advice that is specific to your business and your business goals; be able to create digital campaigns using channels that best suit your business and your customers; discover what works by measuring and optimizing social media campaigns; make the businesses website visible to larger audience thanks to Search Engine; optimisation (SEO) techniques; learn by doing – this course is very practical and hands-on.  Please be advised this course is limited to 12 participants as it includes intensive training sessions for you with the trainer. Register today by emailing Elaine at [email protected]

NORTH KERRY, WEST LIMERICK: SMART VILLAGES, STRONGER COMMUNITIES: This initiative is jointly led by NEWKD and West Limerick Resources in association with KPMG Future Analytics and University College Dublin and addresses the unique challenges facing Ireland’s rural regions by unlocking innovative new solutions for the sustainable growth and development of rural communities within the North Kerry – West Limerick region. The project will involve a combination of detailed data analysis, extensive public consultation and capacity-training workshops will be used to co-produce an integrated development plan for the North Kerry – West Limerick region.  Over the course of the project, the team will seek to engage with communities across Causeway, Ballyduff, Ballybunion, Ballylongford, Tarbert, Duagh , Moyvane, Brosna, Knocknagoshel, Listowel, Ballydonoghue, Lixnaw, Finuge, Abbeyfeale, Turnafulla, Mountcollins, Templeglantine, Athea/Carrigkerry, Glin, Loughill/Ballyhahill, Ardagh and Shanagolden. The project will officially launch with an online event entitled “Co-Developing Smart Villages – Towards Stronger Rural Communities” which will take place over two morning sessions on Thursday, September 30 and Friday, October 1. A conference programme and registration page will be launched shortly.

LEADER OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: The LEADER Transition Programme is now open for applications for eligible community and enterprise projects.  Grant aid for capital works is currently available to all at a rate of 75% to a maximum €200,000 however funding is limited and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Funding is also available for eligible training and A&D projects.  Please note conventional retail, agriculture, childcare, healthcare and on-going running costs are among the areas ineligible for LEADER funding.  For more information or to discuss your ideas please contact one of our development officers:  Caitriona Scully (Tourism and Food Projects) – [email protected] Elaine Dillon (Community Projects) – [email protected] Suzanne Rowley (Enterprise Projects) – [email protected] Further information on all our activities and projects is available on www.wlr.ie or check out our Facebook page: www.wlr.ie/facebook

COMMUNITY ALERT:  There is not a day but the phone rings and it’s an automated message urging you to press button 1 or to divulge your PIN number for your bank account or your PPS number. Ignore everything, ring the Garda Station if you are concerned but whatever you do tell your business to no one on the phone. If you’re on Face Book don’t be telling people you’re going on holidays either.  If you are 65, you 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 or if you spend long periods of the day on your own 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.  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 with a deposit of 6 months payable on the day of installation.  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. If you wish you can arrange a direct debit and pay this amount off monthly.    Committee members are Michael O’Kelly N.T., Chairman Seamus Stack, Secretary Mossie Gleeson, Assistant Treasurer Kathleen Collins, Assistant Secretary Mary McArthur, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Catherine Daly, Maurice O’Connell, Assistant Treasurer Marian Harnett.

.HELPLINES:  If you are experiencing domestic abuse, #CoerciveControl reach out and talk to someone you trust. Call or Text our support team on 0579351886/0860419154.  COVID-19 Support Line for Older People: The support line is open every day, 8am-8pm, by calling 081 822 2024.  Hospice Bereavement Line 1800807077 Monday to Friday 10am – 1pm. Jigsaw support line is now up and running on freefone 1800 JIGSAW (544 729). It will provide free mental health support and advice to young people aged 12 to 25 years old, and parents or concerned adults who live in the Republic of Ireland.  Text 50808 to receive support from a volunteer.  A helpline for 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.   Samaritans Freephone 116123 or text 087/2609090 or email [email protected] Aware (Depression & Anxiety 016617211.  National Suicide Helpline (Pieta House) 1800 247 247or text HELP to 51444.   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.

DO YOU HAVE NEWS:  If there is something you’d like covered in the Abbeyfeale notes please contact me on 087 6866450 or email me on [email protected]