HAPPY EASTER

The Easter Weekend is almost upon us and once more the pubs will be open on Good Friday.

However, the novelty is beginning to wear off and publicans are having to admit that trade has not increased significantly as a result of the new licensing laws.

There is more pleasure in enjoying one illegal pint after hours than there is in drinking a whole gallon of the stuff in normal time.

It is the rebellious spirit in us. We are a contrary bunch.

One particular bar was raided on Good Friday and names taken. However, as soon as the guards had departed, the culprits returned and resumed their illicit drinking on the grounds that you could not be tried for the same crime twice!

In the matter of drink, where there is a will, it seems that there is always a way.

And well done to Tiger Woods on winning the Masters and his 15th major at the age of 43.

There is hope for all of us. I might even consider making a comeback myself although I donated my golf clubs to the rubbish skip a few months ago.

There was history in those clubs. Together, we hacked our way through some of the best golf courses in Munster.

I remember playing the 18th hole in Killarney. A couple of years earlier Nick Faldo had carded a 5 at this hole on his way to winning the Irish Open.

I managed to reach the green in 4. My ball lay on the fringe about fifty feet from the flag and facing a downhill run towards the water. Every golfer’s nightmare.

To make matters worse, there was a balcony overhanging the clubhouse on which a few spectators had gathered to admire the scenery. There was a polite spatter of applause as I strode on to the green. (They probably thought that I was there in 3)

Anyway, I examined the putt but it didn’t get any shorter. I lined it up as best I could, closed my eyes and gave the ball a tap, leaving the rest to gravity and to God.

Away the ball rolled, spinning down the hill towards the hole. At one stage it looked to be heading for the lake and a watery grave before hitting a pitch mark and suddenly changing direction. It slowed down dramatically and inched towards the flag before coming to a halt right on the edge. There was a slight pause and then it dropped down in to the hole.

A huge cheer erupted from the gallery and I had to resist the urge to dance a jig of joy around the green. (The Killarney Golf and Fishing Club frowned on such ungentlemanly behaviour). Instead I touched my forelock to the crowd as all the pros do before retrieving the ball and shaking hands with my opponent.

 I walked off the green with the cheers still ringing in my ears. It was as good as winning the Masters – almost.

NOTES

BOOK:  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 Liam’s 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.

 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 on Holy Thursday.  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 weeks; please do not leave them unattended.

DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS:  Novena begins on Good Friday.  Devotions Sunday, April 28 in the Church of the Assumption, Abbeyfeale starting with Confessions at 2.30pm.

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.  The Knockbrack Road CleanUp also takes place on Good Friday from 1-2.30pm.

TRAD FUNDRAISER:  Laura O’Donoghue will be volunteering in Zambia, Africa with the Suas volunteer program this summer.  She has organised a Traditional Music Concert to be held in Halla Inse Bán in Templeglantine on Saturday, April 27 at 8pm.  Performers on the night include;  The Ballaugh Wren Boys, Fuinneamh, Templeglantine Céilí Band, Seamus O’Rourke Dancers, and many more.  Tickets are €10 for adults and €5 for children and they will be available on the door.  A raffle will also be held 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.

FUNDRAISER FOR THE HOSPICE:  Organiser Mary McArthur reports; “What an afternoon we had in Fr. Casey’s yesterday. I’m totally blown away with the support. Hughie would have been very proud. The event raised €1,136.20. Thank you to Mike Condon for the wonderful music, to Emma & Marie Flynn & Shauna O’Donoghue for their stories and music during the interval. Thanks also to Nicola, Madeline, Peggy, Alice,Marie & Eileen for their help with teas, door and raffle & Noel Murphy & bar staff. Thanks to the following for donations of spot prizes. Abbeyfeale Farmers Market,Abbeyfeale Community A lert, Ann Lyons, Benny Thade Mc Carthy,Claire Moloney, Helen O’Donnell, Mary Morrisey, Madeline O’Connor,Marian & Margaret Harnett,Sue Lyons, Steve Smith The Ploughman’s Bar, Sean O’Donoghue, Tea & Tales and Ward Waste products. Thanks too to Murphy’s Bakery, Super Valu & Tesco and some of those already named above donations of cakes, tarts, buns etc. Thanks to those who sold tickets for me, and all who came along to make the event the success it was. Lastly and no means least a huge thank you to those who couldn’t come and sent monetary donations.”

FUNDRAISER FOR THE HOSPICE:  Organiser Mary McArthur reports; “What an afternoon we had in Fr. Casey’s yesterday. I’m totally blown away with the support. Hughie would have been very proud. The event raised €1,136.20. Thank you to Mike Condon for the wonderful music, to Emma & Marie Flynn & Shauna O’Donoghue for their stories and music during the interval. Thanks also to Nicola, Madeline, Peggy, Alice,Marie & Eileen for their help with teas, door and raffle & Noel Murphy & bar staff. Thanks to the following for donations of spot prizes. Abbeyfeale Farmers Market,Abbeyfeale Community Alert, Ann Lyons, Benny Thade Mc Carthy,Claire Moloney, Helen O’Donnell, Mary Morrisey, Madeline O’Connor,Marian & Margaret Harnett,Sue Lyons, Steve Smith The Ploughman’s Bar, Sean O’Donoghue, Tea & Tales and Ward Waste products. Thanks too to Murphy’s Bakery, Super Valu & Tesco and some of those already named above donations of cakes, tarts, buns etc. Thanks to those who sold tickets for me, and all who came along to make the event the success it was. Lastly and no means least a huge thank you to those who couldn’t come and sent monetary donations.”

FLEADH BY THE FEALE 2019: Abbeyfeale is gearing up for one of the biggest weekends of the year with people travelling from all over Ireland and further afield to attend and some to participate in Fleadh by the Feale over the May Bank Holiday .  The Celebrity concert this year is headlined by The Kilfenora Ceili Band who are celebrating 120 years on the road and who recently launched a new album.  Some of the many 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, Tournafulla 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.

   

ICA:  Mainistir na Feile ICA held their A.G.M. on Tuesday, April 2 last.  All members were in attendance and all out going officers were re-elected for the coming year.  Information Officer Mary Canty was fulsome in her praise of the work carried out during the past year.  Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 30 in the Adult Education Centre at the earlier time of 7pm.  Events, activities and speakers for the coming year will be fully discussed.  Fáilte romhaidh go léir.

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. Carina Prendeville is currently working on our second magazine and is looking for family pictures, stories, histories.  You can contact her on harnettreunion2019@gmail.com   We have a full programme organised for our visitors but it is also open to anyone to join us.  We will have booking details shortly. 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 and we are looking forward to a great weekend July 11-14.  

FR. CASEY’S CARDS:  Winners with 14 games were; Mickie O’Connor, Willie McAuliffe, Mike Leahy.  Runners up divided between two teams each with 13 games were; Tom Murphy, Sean Harnett, Eileen Huxley.  Table prize; Maura Scannell, Sean O’Connor, Teddy Sullivan.Door prize; Tommy Nelligan.  Raffle; Sheila Breen, Gerard Murphy, Jeffery Fitzgerald, Eddie O’Connor, Mossie Gleeson.

AFTERNOON TEA DANCE:  There will be an afternoon tea dance in Fr. Casey’s on Sunday, May 19 with dancing to Mike Condon.  All funds will go to Laura O’Donoghue’s volunteering trip to Zambia with Suas. 

 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.