Notices

CONNIE HARNETT MEMORIAL SWIM:  The 2nd annual memorial swim in honour of popular Abbeyfeale cattle dealer – the late Connie Harnett will take place on New Years Day in Ballybunion at 1 pm.  Donation buckets will be in place on the day and there will be a raffle with loads of prizes to be won.  Monies collected will be divided between The Sagart Lourdes Fund, Nano Nagle Listowel and St. Josephs Unit, Listowel Community Hospital.
Refreshments will be served on the beach and there will be complimentary hot food at Christys Bar in Listowel on the way home.  Please come out in force.  Fancy Dress is optional on the day. Great fun is guaranteed. Enquires to 086 3151447

CENTENARY OF BIRTH OF ABBEYFEALE ARCHAEOLOGIST:  Editor of Mainster na Feile Nicholas Leonard reminds us;
“This year is the centenary of the birth of Brian O’Kelly- the Abbyfeale man who, among other achievements,  did such mighty work to excavate and restore Newngrange to its glory.  Anyway, there was a free public  lecture on Dec 6th in Meath to mark the centenary of O’Kelly’s birth in 1915.Sadly, he seems to be forgotten in Abbeyfeale, though he is one of our most celebrated archaeologists, and one of Abbeyfeale’s greatest achievers, with an international reputation and respect. There are still relatives of his in Abbeyfeale (O’Kelly’s School that was, etc). O’Kelly’s  ground-breaking (forgive the pun)  work is considered a ‘dead letter’-  now that scientists  are ‘excavating’rock samples in outer space! But O’Kelly’s work was,and is, every bit as important, and probably a lot more precious and valuable to the Irish people than any ‘ould scrap of space dust!’.”

COMMUNITY ALERT:  We are asked to keep a friendly eye out for our elderly neighbours in these dark dank days.  As you get older and I speak with the voice of authority (!) people are nervous of falling on ice or into potholes filled with water so they become confined to home and would really appreciate a friendly call to enquire if they’d like a bucket of turf brought in.  When driving it is much safer in these days of dark evenings and poor visibility to drive with dipped headlights.  Support After Crime Services is a voluntary service to people affected by crime founded in January 2006 by Sally Hanlon.  Its objectives are to benefit the community by maintain a free and confidential service where the issues of people affected by crime can be addressed with a view to resolution.   Contact details; 021 4320555 9.30am – 5.30pm or email [email protected]

.ABBEYFEALE FARMERS MARKET:  A big thank you to all our customers and we look forward to providing some of your Christmas provisions this December at our weekly Friday market in the Square.  We still have some Knocknagoshel honey for sale and this a staple that should be in every cupboard to help prevent colds and ‘flu’s.  Helga Henn will be in the Square on Wednesday, December 23 with a selection of locally grown, chemical free vegetables, free range eggs and Christmas marmalades to tide you over the Christmas season.

SUE RYDER:  As the temperatures drop you will still find a fantastic selection of coats and other winter clothing in our shop on the main street.  You will also find that perfect holiday read from our well stocked library, still only €1 per book.
Donations of clothing, shoes, bags and bric a brac are always welcome. At the moment we still have lots of customers looking for Christmas decorations so if you are replacing any this year, we would welcome the old ones.  Unfortunately we are unable to accept electrical items. Thank you for your continued support.

HOPE FOUNDATION FUNDRAISERS:  Five TY students are travelling to Calcutta in the spring with the Hope Foundation.  Fundraisers being organized by Cian Blair, son of Josie Foley and Bill Blair to help with the €3,100 that each student is expected to raise and which will be used to help children in desperate need in Calcutta include a Golf Classic on St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) at Newcastle West Golf Club and then two nights after Christmas, on December 27 a Trad night is planned for Fr. Casey’s GAA Clubhouse here in Abbeyfeale.  Cian’s father Bill is calling on all golfers, clubs and societies to please support the classic and any offers of help will be willingly accepted by Bill on 086 0768978.

LIMERICK DIOCESAN SOCIAL SERVICE:  Counselling provided on Mondays in Abbeyfeale.  Ring 061 314213 for appointment.

GOOD NEWS STORY:  The RCCN (Rural Community Care Network) work in our area to deliver low cost maintenance to the Elderly & people with disability. They are funded through CSP programme through Pobal. They operate from the Round House Office in NCW under manager Kathleen Mulvihill.  RCCN Ltd, The Round House, St Mary’s Road, NCW. 069 69315 [email protected]
CHRISTMAS CONCERT:  The annual concert at Scoil Naomh Pádraig, Knocknasna will take place on Friday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m. sharp. All welcome to attend.