Healy-Harnett Centenary Commemoration
On Sunday, September 20 relatives of Jeremiah Healy and Patrick Harnett assembled at Begley’s Forge, Bridge Street, Abbeyfeale for the Healy – Harnett Centenary Commemoration.
By Marian Harnett
James Harnett was the M.C. and welcomed all those attending. Maurice O’Connell, chairperson of Abbeyfeale Community Council delivered an oration on the events leading up to the deaths of the two young men.
As the Angelus bells rang out, at 6pm. lone piper Gerard Baynham, led the group to the memorial monument that marks the spot where they died on the Killarney Road.
A minute’s silence was then observed followed by the laying of wreaths by the nieces and nephew of the deceased, Kathleen Leahy, Birdie Collins, Ita Creedon and John O’Connor.
Gerard Baynham then played a slow air which he had composed especially for the centenary.
The group members then made their way to St. Mary’s Cemetery where the two men are laid to rest side by side.
The graveside reflection, written by Kelley Ní Airtnéada, was delivered by Noreen Sexton FitzGerald while Jeremiah Healy and Billy Harnett laid wreaths on the graves.
The National Anthem was followed by a decade of the rosary which brought the ceremony to a close.
A recording of the Healy-Harnett Centenary Commemoration will be available to view online, details to follow.
To quote Gustav Mahler: Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.
Members of the organising committee would like to say a special thank you to James Harnett, Maurice O’Connell, Abbeyfeale Community Council, Stephen Fennelly, Gerard Baynham, Andy and Liz Keane, Mike Healy and family, Kathleen Leahy and family, Dermot Healy, Kelley and Tutsy Harnett and all the relatives of Jeremiah Healy and Patrick Harnett who attended the centenary commemoration.
Abbeyfeale Town Park
Congratulations to everyone concerned with the town park which, this week, received its second International Green Flag. Great credit is due to the CE Scheme personnel, past and present and the town park management committee.
The town park is a great amenity and is used by all sectors of the community. Recently Abbeyfeale Town Park was lucky to receive €40,000 in grant aid and this money will be used to upgrade walkways throughout the park.
Farewell to Fr. Shoji
Mass at the weekend was very emotional as our PP Fr Tony Mullins said a fond farewell to our curate Fr. Shoji who arrived here on St. Patrick’s Day 2019
He made such an impression on all parishioners over the past 18 months with his gentle, prayerful manner, his sense of humour, his friendliness and his care for all the people he got to know and he did get to know a lot in a short time.
Fr. Tony told us about the hot spicy curries that his new curate cooked for him and how Fr. Shoji would always check with him the following day to make sure there were no side effects!
Fr. Shoji has been appointed to the pastoral care team in UHL and the pastoral council has invited him back in a couple of weeks for a presentation and over the next week people who wish to be associated with the presentation can drop their donation to the boxes available in the church.
Holy Hour in Abbeyfeale and Templeglantine
A Holy Hour will be held every Tuesday morning in the Church of the Assumption in Abbeyfeale from 9-10am and every Wednesday evening in Templeglantine church from 7-8pm. All welcome.
Drive In Bingo
Glórach Theatre launched their On-Tour Bingo at the Fr. Casey’s car park in Abbeyfeale at the beginning of this month.
Due to its success it is planned to continue the Bingo for the Sundays in October, when gates will be open from 1pm and Game Time is 2.30pm. Glórach are guaranteeing a minimum of €3,050 in prize money each Sunday. Wheelchair friendly facilities are available.
Selling Online – Moving Your Business Online
This free three-hour course will provide you with all the information required to create a business plan for moving online with your business.
Course date: Wednesday, October 7, from 10am to 1pm. It will be delivered by Talent Pool and supported by Limerick Local Enterprise Office
It’s open to all new and existing businesses operating in the West Limerick area. This training will be carried out through Zoom and pre-booking is essential.
For further information and to book your place, please contact Aimee Grigg at West Limerick Resources on 069 66295 or email agrigg@wlr.ie
Become a Biodiversity Leader in Your Community
Applications are being invited for an online training programme to help you become a biodiversity leader in your community.
The training is free of charge and will be held as a series of webinars taking place on Wednesday evenings, beginning September 16, and running for eleven weeks.
A certificate will be awarded to each participant who completes 75% or more of the course. Three trainers will cover different aspects of Biodiversity.
Places are limited to 30 and participants will need access to internet and a smart phone or laptop. Due to Covid-19 the entire course will be held online through Zoom and assistance can be given to show participants how to link in.
For further enquiries or application form please email Fran at biodiversityleader@gmail.com
Abbeyfeale Farmers’ Market
Helga is back with a fine selection of locally grown vegetables which are chemical free.
We also have a new stall holder – Máire Griffen from Beale who has set up a new company called OrganiGo making organic noodles from beetroot, butternut squash and courgettes and we hope you’ll all give her a turn.
