Dromin - Athlacca

Friday, May 23, 2014

Parish Notes

Birthday Greetings: Birthday Greetings to: Ciara Enright, Annette Guiney, Ita Lynch, Caroline Guiney, Pa Carey, Agnes Hogan Fitzgerald,

Church News

Parish Liturgy

Readers of the Word

Dromin Sat 24^th Catherine Moloney

Athlacca Sun 25^th Jean Brennan

Ministers of the Eucharist

Dromin Sat 24^th Philip Flynn

Athlacca Sun 25^th Phil McAuliffe & Triona Neenan

Recent Death: Your prayers are asked for the late Teresa (Terry) Egleston sister of Nancy Riordan of Dawn Court. We extend our sympathy to Nancy and her family.

Parish Finance Committee: A meeting of the Parish Finance Committee will be held in the Parochial House, Dromin, on Thursday 22^nd May at 8.oop.m All members are asked to attend.

Fundraising Concert: a concert in aid of the Dromin Church repair works will be held in Dromin Church on Saturday 14^th June at 8.30pm Michael Cleary and friends, members of the group Wild Oats from Knockainey wil put on the concert. Michael is well known in the area as he grew up in Dromin. It promises to be a beautiful evening of music and song. Tickets will go on sale throughout the parish this week. Your support will be much appreciated as funds are needed urgently to help with phase two of the work on the Church.

Trinity Festival Fundraising Event 8^th June: We are holding a 10k run and a 5k walk and run in aid of the Children’s Ark Unit of the Regional Hospital. Registration will take place at 12noon at Dromin Hall. Event will start at 12.30pm. Registration fee €10. Refreshments served after event, No Bicycles allowed. For More information contact Joe 0827283752 or John 0872730565

Diocese on Facebook: To log into the page go to

http://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick

Junior Infants: Please note that Athlacca National School will hold an Open Day on Wednesday may 28^th from 9.30am to 12noon for New Junior Infants wishing to begin school in September 2014. Parents are asked to bring the following with them on the day. 1. Child’s birth certificate. 2 Your child’s PPS Number. £ Light Lunch. For further details contact the school at 063-90978. We ask you to make parents aware of this Open Day.

Bereavement Support Information Evening: The bereavement information evening is designed to give general information on grief and bereavemet to bereaved people, their family and friends. It will take pace in Milford Care Centre on Tuesday 27^th May from 7-8.30pm. Members of the Bereavement Service will be in attendance to provide general information on grief and bereavement. The evening will comprise of: Short talk by members of the Bereavement Service, Different experiences of Grief, Service available and Question Time. The information evening is Free.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 21st - 26th June 2014. You can book for this pilgrimage at the Limerick Pilgrimage Office, Limerick Social Service Centre, Henry St., Limerick. For further information and booking forms contact 061-314111. If you are interested in travelling with the diocesan pilgrimage it is essential that you book in with them by the end of this week.

Masters of Arts in Education and Well-being of the Older Person is a new programme offered by Mary Immaculate College. Recognising that educational needs differ along the lifespan the proposed new programme aims to address the largely unmet educational needs of older persons across different settings. For application details contact admissions@mic.ul.ie Tel: 061204348. Website: www.mic.ul.ie/postgradstudies Application Deadline: May 30^th 2014 Late applications may be considered.

Cards

Results of 45 Drive in Athlacca May 16th May 2014

Winners with 10 games P.J. Lake& Brendan O'Kelly

Second with 9 games - Eugene Grant & Joe Carey, James & John O'Leary

Table Prizes - Anne Potter & Josie Lynch, Jimmy & Mary O'Connor, Mary M. & Katherine, Ml. O'Regan & J. Moray

Raffle - €50 Kathleen Barry €30 Joe Finn €20 Mike Green €10 each to Joe Finn, Lucy Hynes x 2, P.J. Lake, Tom Dunworth

We wish a very happy birthday and many happy returns to Mary Margaret on her special birthday.

GAA News:

GAA Lotto Results

NO WINNER Numbers- 10-14-22-23

Lucky Dips

€40 – Fr Tony Mullins

€20 – Blewitt Family

€20 – Geraldine Neenan

Tickets for Limerick Vs Tipperary on the 1st of June can be got in Supervalue and Centra in Kilmallock or get them off the County Board. The club Also have them for sale just contact Mark Moynihan on 086-8554357 or Morgan Walsh on 087-7931227 before 6pm Sunday the 25th.

Fixtures

Junior B – Friday the 23^rd. Dromin/Athlacca Vs Bruree in Athlacca at 7:15pm. Intermediate Premier Hurling League – Saturday 24^th. Dromin/Athlacca Vs Doon in Athlacca at 7:30pm.

Intermediate Premier Hurling League – Tuesday 27^th Dromin/Athlacca Vs Effin in Effin at 7:30pm.

Results

Dromin/Athlacca 3-7 Camogue Rovers 13 points

Dromin/Athlacca 3-9 Blackrock 1-18

Friday the 17^th Dromin/Athlacca played Blackrock in Kilfinane.

The game started at 7:20pm. Within the first few minutes Blackrock had put their names on the score board by putting 2 points over. So Dromin/Athlacca knew it was going to be a tough physical game but Morgan walsh wasn’t going to let the rockies get too far ahead by sailing the ball over the bar. A broken hurley later Blackrock had got another point giving them a 2 point lead. The rockies were proving they were strong in the air wining most of the puck outs, putting the Dromin/Athlacca backs under some pressure. After 15 minutes the rockies decided to go for goal making an attempt to go further ahead but they were no match for John McManus, who stopped the ball dead and clearing it down the wing to his brother Kevin who gave a beautiful offload to Darren Moynihan putting another score on the board. The Dromin/Athlacca men starting to wake up with Darren again throwing the ball over the bar. Shortly before half time Blackrock had scored a goal putting them further ahead. Half time score Dromin/Athlacca 4 points, Blackrock 1-10

The second half started with a bang when Patrick Maher scored a point straight from the throw in, followed by Richard Ryan taking a free and slotting it over the bar. Whatever was said to these men at half time seemed to have done the job. The Dromin/Athlacca men came out fighting in this half with Killian Liston putting another point onto the scoreboard. Unfortunately Blackrock weren’t giving up or getting tired throwing point after point over the bar giving them a cushion score.

The men in Blue and White weren’t finished just yet when Killian sailed another ball over the bar. The smiles were quickly turned to frowns when Mark Brennan got a double yellow card so the Dromin/Athlacca men were down to 14 men. Fighting hard the men in Blue and White slowly coming back into the game when a Free was awarded and Richard Ryan slotted it into the back of the net, giving the Dromin/Athlacca lads a bit of hope and this wasn’t long followed by another goal by Patrick Maher. The Cushion score the rockies had was getting smaller and smaller as the Dromin/Athlacca men were coming back with score after score but Blackrock still proving they were the stronger team putting a point on the board. With only a short few minutes to go, there was only a 5 point gap between the two teams and this was minimised to 3 points when Morgan Walsh put the ball into the back of the net.

Sadly time was up making Blackrock victorious this time.

Team:

John McManus, Shane Kenny, Gary Costello, Kieran Shortt, Mark Brennan, James Kelly, Killian Liston (0-2), Kevin McManus, Pater McMahon, Brendan Walsh, Darren Moynihan (0-4), Morgan Walsh (1-1), Pa Maher (1-1), Richard Ryan (1-1, Mikey Walsh.

Dromin/Athlacca 1-10 Croom 3-13

At 2pm on a Sunday afternoon Dromin/Athlacca Took on Croom in Hospital in the Intermediate South Semi final. This game was reffed my Ritchie Moloney.

Knowing this was going to be a very tough and physical game the Dromin/Athlacca men ran onto the pitch with Fire in their bellies, and they were off to a great start with a point from Morgan Walsh within seconds of the throw in, but Croom showed they mean business by slotting in an early goal. There was no time to relax in this game as both sides wanted this win badly. Paul Neenan and Jason Lenihan proved it wasn’t going to be an easy game for Croom levelling the playing field.

This game looked like it was going to be a battle of the fittest and bravest. Ger Kelleher was making sure his man didn’t get a touch of the ball clearing the threat, along with Brendan Walsh and Paul Neenan getting stuck in. It looked like it was going to be a day for the Dromin/Athlacca hurlers as Michael Reidy throwing over 3 points.

The battle went on as David Mullins and Jason Lenihan worked together to win back the ball from the Croom men, but it wasn’t going to be that easy as it ended up being a sideline to Croom. Seconds before half time croom score a point taking the lead.

Half Time score Dromin/Athlacca 8 points, Croom 1-6.

Second half started with a BANG literally. Free to croom but thankfully it dropped short straight into Brian Kelleher’s hans who passed it cleanly out to Chris Riordan to get the ball out of their territory. Croom came out in this half even stronger winning the ball back but young Peter McMahon getting stuck right in showing the Croom men what he’s made of winning the ball back. Sadly it was off a Dromin/Athlacca boot so sideline to Croom. The men in White and Blue taking the quick sideline putting the ball into the back of the net. This didn’t knock the confidence of the men in Blue and White though as Patrick O’Donoghue leaving his marker in the dust at mid field. Croom were wide awake though putting Pa under some pressure making him offload it to Jason Lenihan which turned out to he the best move as he gave a clean pass to Morgan Walsh burring the ball into the back of the net. The Croom Goalie stood no chance. It wasn’t long until Croom got their own back with a 3^rd goal.

Chris Riordan who came back fighting fit from a big injury showed he wasn’t to be messed with giving his marker an unmerciful shoulder knocking him off the ball, while Kieran Shortt was there to clean up making a very good name for himself in Intermediate hurling. For a good patch of the game there was no new scores but it was Croom that went into the final gear and throwing points over the bar.

With seconds left to go in the game Brendan Walsh wining a free. Mike Reidy standing up to take it hoping to get a goal out of it but it was blocked down by the Croom goaly, giving the rebound back to Mike scoring a point.

Sadly it wasn’t enough today for the Dromin/Athlacca men as the game ended, Dromin Athlacca 1-10, Croom 3-13.

Team: David Breen, Ger Kelleher, Brian Kelleher, Gary Costello (Came off for Peter McMahon) , Kieran Shortt, Chris Riordan, David Mullins, Patrick O’Donoghue, Mike Reidy (0-5), Jason Lenihan (0-1), Eoin O’Leary, Paul Neenan (0-2), Brendan Walsh (0-1), Tiernan Ryan, Morgan Walsh (1-1).

Note: Membership must be paid.

For anyone who intends to play this year all membership needs to be paid. Only paid up members and paid up lotto members are able to have their names put in for the Intercounty match tickets draw. €20 for Adults and €10 for students.

Scrap Metal Collection: Dromin/Athlacca are having a Scrap Metal Collection again. For more information contact Mike Geaney 0876494841

Our Summer Birds

During the week on the radio it was announced that our swallows were in decline The iconic Irish swallow is on the decline due to the widening of the Sahara, soaking Irish summers, and human hunters, according to a leading bird expert.On top of dodging nature’s predators during their epic 9,500km journey from Africa every spring, swallows have to run the gauntlet of gunmen shooting them for sport as they cross Cyprus and Malta on the migratory flyways of the Mediterranean. Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland said fewer swallows are returning to Ireland to nest each spring after their journey from wintering grounds in Johannesburg. He said: “We’re seeing declines in the swallow. They are nowhere near the numbers they used to be years ago. Their arrival date seems to be getting earlier, which would point to climate change having an effect on migration and the survival of the chicks seems to be a bit lower. The Sahara desert is getting wider each year and more arid, and fewer can survive the crossing. “There is nowhere for them to rest or drink or feed. They have to get across in one go and fewer are making it each time. “There are also lots of human hunters out in Egypt, Malta, and Cyprus. They catch the birds in big numbers. A lot of it is just for fun. In places like Malta and Cyprus, it is appalling because it is flouting EU law and affecting our migratory birds.” Mr Hatch said wet Irish summers also mean the birds have fewer flies to feed on before they leave.

While the estimated swallow population is half a million, he said the population is on a “knife-edge” and, on average, a pair that nests successfully raise 100 chicks but 98 will die. If you spot some in your area www.biology.ie would be interested in being notified as they are building a record of Ireland’s wildlife.

Gardning Course: If you would like a Career in Organic Growing with Sustainable Living Skills & Beekeeping. An tIonad Glas – Organic College Dromcollogher, are now taking applications for anyone wishing to get a Diploma in Organic Enterprise. Students may be eligible for PLC & VTOS Grants. Full time and Distance Learning Options Available.

You’re Future: Taking care of your health, the environment and creating quality, local, organic produce for growing market is a key to recovery in the present crisis and to making a meaningful career in the challenging years ahead. Learn with us co-operatively and put yourself at the centre of the local and global food revolution. There is nothing more satisfying than putting your garden or farm to sustainable use and producing delicious food to share.

Facilities of the college include: Field –scale Vegetable, Herb & Flower Gardens, Polytunnels, Native Tree Nursery, Heritage Apple Orchard, Apiary & Permaculture area. We also offer work placements with the best organic growers in Ireland. All courses are QQI level 5 & 6 Accredited. Courses are suited to school leavers and mature students. For enquiries & application forms contact Maria at 063 83604 or oifig@organiccollege.com

Our beloved Government….sure what would we do without them…

Over the last month or so we have been seeing poster after poster everywhere you look. It seems that our Council representatives and our EU representatives are out in force to get elected. There is only one slight problem, we the constituents don’t know them, oh we have heard of them through their work and some through their politics, but for the vast majority we haven’t a clue. The Dáil Constituencies Boundary Commission have redrawn both the Limerick West and Limerick East constituencies and have further renamed them Limerick and Limerick City. The new Limerick constituency will now comprise of all parts of East, South and West County Limerick excluding the areas of Glin, Athea, Ardagh, Abbeyfeale, Mountcollins, Monagea and Templeglantine which now form part of the new North Kerry/ West Limerick constituency. This new “Limerick” constituency is a three seater and the new “Limerick City” constituency is a four seater. Dromin/Athlacca was always linked with West Limerick and everyone knew their candidate and the canidates family. Unfortunately it looks like we are going to have to start all over again learning who is who. List of canidates running are: Donegan Michael Fianna Fáil, John Egan Fine Gael, Noel Gleeson Fianna Fáil, Michael Houlihan Fine Gael, Joseph Meagher (no Political affiliations listed), Gerald Mitchel Fine Gael, William O’Donnell Fine Gael, Eddie Ryan Fianna Fáil, Lisa Marie Sheehy Sinn Féin, Bridgid Teefy Non-Party.

We have 15 candidates going for the European Elections Candidates listed by order of appearance on Ballot Paper are: Richard Cahill Non- Party, Deirdre Clune Fine Gael, Brian Crowley Fianna Fail, Jillian Godsil Non-Party, Simon Harris Fine Gael, Kieran Hartley Fianna Fail, Theresa Heaney, Catholic Democrats (The National Party), Theresa Heaney Chairperson of the Mothers Alliance Ireland, Sean Kelly, Fine Gael, Liadh Ní Riada, Sinn Fein, Diarmuid O’Flynn, Non-Party, Peter O’Loughlin Non- Party, Dónal Ó’Ríordáin Fís Nua, Grace O’Sullivan Green Party, Phil Prendergast Labour, Jan Van De Ven, Direct Democracy Ireland

If you would more information on these candidates you can find it at this link http://www.limerickcity.ie/YourCouncil/ElectedMembers/Elections23rdMay2014/

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Parish Notes

Birthday Greetings: Birthday Greetings to: Joe Power, Ann O’Shea, Jack O’Shea, James Kelleher, George Mullins, Ber Ryan, Michelle Guiney.

Church News

Parish Liturgy

Readers of the Word

Dromin Sat 17^th Moira O’Dea

Athlacca Sun 18^th Mary Daly

Ministers of the Eucharist

Dromin Sat 17^th Maria Kelleher

Athlacca Sun 18^th Alice McAuliffe & Karen Fox.

Vocation Sunday: Last weekend in the diocese we celebrated Vocation Sunday. We ask you to remember in your prayers Aidan O’Rourke, a native of Dromin who is a student for the diocese studying at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth. We also remember and pray for David Casey from St. Joseph’s Parish, Limerick City who is studying in Rome. David will be ordained a priest in July of this year. Thanks to all who supported the church door collection at the weekend. The money collected will go towards the promotion of vocations in the diocese, and for the ongoing costs of educating students for the priesthood. If you missed out on the collection last weekend and you would like to make a donation, put in an envelope marked “Vocations” and drop into the collection basket next weekend. A short video entitled “Vocations – An Adventure of Life” is available on the diocesan website, www.limerickdiocese.org You can also view it on the diocesan Facebook page and on YouTube. Bishop Brendan Leahy is inviting all parishioners to view this short video. In a letter to the diocese on Sunday Bishop Brendan said “We all need to do our part to create a culture in church circles where we can help young people “hear” their calling, especially if it’s to a particular service of God’s family.” Please remember to include a prayer for vocations in your prayers each day.

Recent Death: Your prayers are asked for the late Mrs Mary O’Shea RIP, Kilcoleman, Ardagh, who died last weekend. Mary is mother of Maria Kelleher, Clogher Dromin. We extend our sympathy to Maria and her family.

Wedding Bells: Congratulations to Ann O’Shea, Dromin and Christopher Clarke, Drimnagh, Dublin who were married in Holy Trinity Church, Dromin last weekend. The best wishes of all parishioners are extended to Ann and Christy.

Pastoral Council: The next meeting in the process of putting in place a new Pastoral Council for the parish will take place next Tuesday 20^th May in Dawn Court, Athlacca at 8.00pm All are welcome to attend.

Trinity Festival Fundraising Event 8^th June: We are holding a 10k run and a 5k walk and run in aid of the Childrens Ark Unit of the Regional Hospital. Registration will take place at 12noon at Dromin Hall. Event will start at 12.30pm. Registration fee €10. Refreshments served after event, No Bicycles allowed. For More information contact Joe 0827283752 or John 0872730565

Trocaire Collection: Parishioners have until Friday 16^th May to donate to this year’s Trocaire Lenten Campaign. All donations should be given in to Fr. Tony by 10.00a.m. on Friday 16^th May. This is the last opportunity you will have to donate to Trocaire through the parish.

New Youth Ministry Magazine: “Youth of Limerick Online!” The magazine can be viewed by clicking on the link below or you can access it from our Muintearas Íosa Facebook Page and from the Dioceasan website: www.limerickdiocese.org

http://issuu.com/youthoflimerickdioceseonline/docs/yolo_issue_no_1

Diocese on Facebook: To log into the page go to

http://www.facebook.com/dioceseoflimerick

Enrich Your Faith: Come to a day of Prayer at Knock Shrine Basilica, on the 31st of May, the Feast of the Visitation, 2014, 10.00am-5.00pm. The day includes Talks, Stations, Rosary, and Holy Mass. Theme: Called to be a Light to the Nations. Talks will include: Ireland - Where to Now? Consecration - The Way Forward. Given by Fr. Kilian Byrne - Foyer of Charity. For more information & Buses, contact 086 1678027 or www.foyerofcharity.ie

Junior Infants: Pleae note that Athlacca National School will hold an Open Day on Wednesday may 28^th from 9.30am to 12noon for New Junior Infants wishing to begin school in September 2014. Parents are asked to bring the following with them on the day. 1. Child’s birth certificate. 2 Your child’s PPS Number. £ Light Lunch. For further details contact the school at 063-90978. We ask you to make parents aware of this Open Day.

Pieta House: A SEA of yellow t-shirts and thousands of flickering candles shone out in the darkness as thousands of people in the city walked at dawn in memory of loved ones and friends who have died by suicide. There were emotional scenes in particular as people signed a Banner of Hope and wrote personal messages in memory of those who have died, as some 8,500 congregated for the Darkness into Light walk in Limerick city. It has been estimated that over 11,000 people took part. Thank you to everyone who took part and contributed in some way.

Midwest Simon *URGENT APPEAL*: Donation of Men’s, Women’s and Children’s clothes, shoes, bags, toys and bric a brac needed for our charity shop. Drop off points at our Limerick Office, 1 Lower Shannon St. Phone: 061-608 980 (9.30am- 5.30pm Mon - Fri) or our Ennis Office/Shop Woodquay, Phone: 065-6820 133 Shop Opening Hours: 10am to 5.30 pm Tue to Fri; 10am to 4pm Saturday; Closed Sunday & Monday. Collection can also be arranged by phoning 061 608980.

Limerick Mental Health Association's Green Ribbon Event: In May See Change, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership is rolling out a month long national green ribbon campaign to get people talking openly about mental health problems. Limerick Mental Health Association are holding a Green Ribbon Event on Sunday May 18th in Limerick Milk Market, with information stalls, music & children’s entertainment. LMHA feels it is so important to promote open conversation of mental health which in turn challenges the stigma of mental health problems.

Pope Francis the man and his Message: A conference exploring the life and ministry of Pope Francis will be held at Mayr Immaculate College, Limerick beginning on Friday, may 23^rd at 7.00pm and continuing on Saturday 24^th, finishing at 4.00pm. the Conference will examine how his vision has been shaped by his Jesuit formation and earlier experiences in leadership, as well a exploring some of the significant themes that are emerging in his efforts to renew the Church and its mission. Among the speakers is Paul Valley, on of the Pope’s biographers. For details contact: Deirdre Franklin, 061204507 or Deirdre.franklin@mic.ul.ie

Cards

Results of 45 Drive in Athlacca May 9th

Winners with 9 games - Mary Mgt. Noonan & Pat Donovan, Nicholas & Nicholas Carroll, D.J. Ryan & Denis Walsh.

Table Prizes - Alick Burke & Mick Maume, Eddie O'Dea & Dolores Barry, Eugene Grant & Joe Carey, Martin Troy & Sean Madden.

Raffle - €50 Anne Potter €30 Betty Lynch €20 Willie O'Rourke €10 each to Nicholas Carroll, Betty Lynch x 2, Anne Potter, Mary O'Connor.

GAA News:

GAA Lotto Results

NO WINNER, Numbers- 5-6-10-13

Lucky Dips-

€40 – Ged Sheerin

€20 – Pat Rabbitt

€20 – Andrew Kelleher

Fixtures

Junior B - Thursday the 15^th at 7pm. Dromin/Athlacca Vs Camogue Rovers in Meanus.

Junior B – Saturday the 17^th at 7:15pm. Dromin/Athlacca Vs Blackrock in Kilfinane.

Intermediate South Championship semi final – Sunday the 18^th at 3pm. Dromin/Athlacca Vs Croom in Hospital

Results

Dromin/Athlacca 10 points Bruff 15 points.

Sunday the 11^th Dromin/Athlacca took on Bruff in Kilmallock. Refed by Johnny Murphy.

There will always be rivalry between two teams when they meet on the field but it’s different when it’s a neighbouring team. Bruree was the first battle to over come and this week it was a battle against Bruff.

The game started off well with a point from Eoin O’Leary, but it was Bruff that followed up with a point to level the game after six minutes.

It wasn’t long until it was a free for Dromin/Athlacca and David Reidy stood up to take the shot at goal but it was securely stopped by bruff to clear it out of their goals into the Dromin/Athlacca territory but it was Ger Kelleher that stopped the threat of another score with an excellent clearance. For a while into the game it was point for point between both teams but Bruff started to take the lead going into half time.

Half time score was Dromin/Athlacca 6 points Bruff 7 points.

Hoping the second half would be different it was Bruff that got the first score. Dromin/Athlacca winning a free though with Paul Neenan sailing the ball over the bar minimising the score to one point. Everytime the men in Blue and White got a score it was quickly changed by bruff getting two more points to keep a gap between the two team. The two Reidy brothers not giving up though putting a point over each. Not long left in the game it looked like Dromin/Athlacca were making their come back into the game but wasn’t long hushed by Bruff getting three more scores.

David Reidy was taking on the Bruff back line but his shot at goal was refused three times surely rattling the Bruff defence at this stage. Maybe one more chance and it would make a difference in the score of the game but sadly it wasn’t long until Johnny Murphy blew up the full time whistle ending the game Dromin Athlacca 10points, Bruff 15points.

Team:

David Breen, Derek Kenny, Brian Kelleher, Ger Kelleher, Gearoid O’Leary, Peter Ryan, David Mullins, Patrick O’Donoghue, Dvid Reidy(5points), Eoin O’Connell, Paul Neenan(2points), Michael Reidy(2point), Jason Lenihan, Eoin O’Leary (1point), James Kelleher.

Subs:

Mark Moynihan, Andrew Barron, Tiernan Ryan(Went on for Jason Lenihan), Chris Riordan(Went on for Eoin O’Connell), Donal Walsh, Killian Liston, Oisin Liston.

Junior B Results

Our Junior B’s were meant to play Castletown Ballyagran in Athlacca Monday night but Ballyagran failed to field a team so the game was called off.

Results

Note: Membership must be paid.

Scrap Metal Collection: Dromin/Athlacca are having a Scrap Metal Collection again. For more information contact Mike Geaney 0876494841

A little poem.

This weeks poem is coming from Cork. Louis de Paor was born in Cork in 1961, and has been involved with the contemporary renaissance of poetry in Irish since 1980 when he was first published in the poetry journal Innti (which he subsequently edited for a time). A four-time winner of the Seán Ó Ríordáin/Oireachtas Award, the premier award for a new collection of poems in Irish, he lived in Australia from 1987 to 1996. His first bilingual collection, Aimsir Bhreicneach/Freckled Weather, was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Award for Literary Translation. He was also granted a Writer’s Fellowship by the Australia Council in 1995. He is the recipient of the Lawrence O’Shaughnessy Award 2000, the first poet in Irish to achieve that distinction. His collection agus rud eile de,published by Coiscéim in December 2002, was awarded the Oireachtas prize for the best collection of poems in Irish in 2003. A bilingual collection, Ag greadadh bas sa reilig/Clapping in the cemetery,was published by Cló Iar-Chonnachta in 2005. The Gaelic Hit Factory,a collection of songs and poems in Irish composed and recorded with longtime collaborator John Spillane, was released in 2006. His latest collection is Cúpla Siamach an Ama (The Siamese Twins of Time), published by Coiscéim in 2006.

Iascaire is ea m’athair le ceart
Conas ná raibh a fhios againn cheana
agus diamhair na mara
chomh glé sin ina shúil?
Lá an adhlactha, iompraíonn sé
doircheacht mhoch na maidine
ar an trá sin a shíneann
ó dhoras an tséipéil
go dtí bruach an tsaoil.
Siúlann thar an slua
atá bailithe sa chlós,
a chois báite sa ghaineamh
gan cabhair a iarraidh
ó éinne dá chlann mhór mhac.
Ní thuigimid an fharraige fós,
dar leis, a cneastacht ná a racht.
Tá naomhóg an bhróin
bun os cionn ar a ghualainn
chomh dubh le fuil théachta,
an fharraige ag fiuchadh
le deora goirt
a loiscfeadh súil na gréine.
Scarann tonn na sochraide roimis
is cuireann sé a dheartháir
sa pholl atá tochailte
aige féin is an ngealaigh
ó aréir. Nuair a shiúlann
ón uaigh ar ais,
tá gile na dtonn
is uaigneas an domhain i ngleic
i súil ghlas mo shinsir.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Parish News

Birthday Greetings: We would like to send birthday greetings to the following: Roisin Enright, Liam Barron, Ann Marie O’Connor, Anne O’Shea. Also a very special birthday greetings to Jason and David Lenihan celebrating their 21^st birthdays this week. Special birthday greetings to Fr. Tony Mullins PP of our parish.

Church News

Holy Week Ceremonies:

Congratulations to everyone involved in our Easter Ceremonies. We thank our Readers, Choirs, Organists, Parish Clerks, Altar Servers, Flower Arrangers, Ministers of the Eucharist, Collectors, all who prepared for the Dawn mass in Dromin. All our children and young people who were involved and all who helped out in any way. Thanks to all our parishioners for joining us for this special week.

Trocaire Boxes:
The annual Trocaire Collection will be taken up next Sunday 27^th. Please use the envelopes included in your Trocaire Box. If you have misplaced the envelope there are some available at the front door of the church.

Sacred Space 102fm:

Sacred Space is a weekly programme on West Limerick 102fm which includes inspirational music, chat, interviews, what’s on locally and not so local including ratio and TV and reflection of the Gospel reading of the day presented by John Keily, regular panellists and invited guests. It is broadcast every Sunday morning from 10am to 11am and repeated on Thursday nights between 10.30pm – 11.30pm on West Limerick 102fm. Why not listen in.

Divine Mercy Novena: Will conclude in Athlacca Church on Sunday 27^th April at 2.00pm. The Novena Prayers, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass will be led by Fr. Mullins. You are very welcome to attend this special day in the life of our parish.

National Vigil for Life:

A National vigil for Life will take place in Merrion Square, Dublin on Saturday 3^rd May from 3 to 4 pm. This is a moment in our history when we have to persevere for what is right. If you would like to travel contact Willie Cremin on 087-9513778 ASAP. A bus will leave Rathkeale after 9.30am Mass on Sat 3^rd May, returning for 9.00p.m.

Caring for Carers Limerick Sponsored 10Km Walk:

The Limerick Lions Club have organised a sponsored 10 Km Walk in support of Caring for Carers, Limerick Brance – Sunday April 27^th 2014

Irish Cancer Society:

The society is creating a new cancer walk-in information, support and advice centre (Daffodil Centre) in University Hospital, Limerick for cancer patients, their families and anyone concerned about cancer. We’re looking for caring volunteers to work with the Daffodil Centre nurse by: making visitors to the centre welcome, showing visitors the range of information available, arranging for visitors to meet with the nurse.

If you’d like more information on becoming a trained volunteer, please contact: Aoife McSwiney, Nursing Service, Irish Cancer Society, 43/45 Northumberland Rd, Dublin 4. Or tel: 01-2316635 or email amcswiney@irishcancer.ie Closing Date for receipt of applications is May 1^st 2014.

Cards

Results of 45 Drive Athlacca 18th April

Winners - Willie O'Brien & Brendan O'Kelly, Ann Sweeney & Mick Maume, Tom Noonan & Liam Riordan, Betty & Kathleen Lynch

Table Prizes -Mike Moloney & Tim McAuliffe, Teresa Hayes & John Sheehan, Noreen Hayes & Pat Donovan, Ann Frawley & James O'Leary

Raffle €50 Ann Potter €30 Kathleen Barry €20 Betty Lynch, Sean Madden €10 each to Noel Crowley, Sean Madden, Ann Potter, Lucy Hynes, Betty Lynch.

GAA News:

Gaa Lotto Results 19th April
No Winner Numbers: 16-19-22-23
Lucky Dips: €40 - Donal Walsh, €20 - Paddy Tierney, €20 - Tom Daly

Gaa Match Results

Saturday the 19^th April our Intermediate Premier team took on Garryspillane in the first round of the championship. This game was played in bruff at 6:30 and Refereed by Jason O’Mahony.

As it was the first round of the championship it was vital we came off the field with a win.

The ball was thrown in at 6:30 and no better way to start a match then with a point two minutes into the game when the ball was put over the bar by Paul Neenan from a free, so this settled the nerves of the Dromin/Athlacca men. Jason Lenihan added his name to the scoreboard a minute later with a great point, followed by Michael Reidy showing the Garryspillane team that they meant business, but it wasn’t long until the Bouncers put a score on the board. Young David Breen pulled of a magnificent save which was put out for a 65 for the bouncers, so they weren’t ready to roll over to the Dromin/Athlacca men just yet adding more and more points to the board. Seconds before half time the Dromin/Athlacca men they needed another score before they walked into the dressing room and this was helped by a goal from Eoin O’Leary.

This was a nail biting first half that ended Dromin/Athlacca 1-7 to Garryspillane 11 points.

The second half started with a point by David Reidy levelling the score between the two teams, but he wasn’t ready to give the ball back to the bouncers just yet as two minutes later David sailed the ball over to put Dromin/Athlacca into the lead.

It didn’t take Garryspillane long to level the game again keeping the fire lit under our boys. The bouncers were putting the men of Dromin/Athlacca under some pressure on their 40m line until David Reidy robbed the ball off them and sent a rocket over the bar to score a fantastic point. Garryspillane were not giving up just yet. They were coming back faster and stronger scoring point after point but they were struggling to keep David Reidy quiet and he sent another ball over the bar. It wasn’t long until Michael Reidy sailed the ball over with the help of Paul Neenan giving him the perfect offload.

The Bouncers were starting to quieten down when David Reidy scored a goal from a free giving us that little bit of a gap between the two teams. Michael made the gap bigger with a great point offloaded from Peter Ryan. You could see the bouncers starting to get tired as James Kelleher adds his second score of the game to the board.

The game Ended in the favour of Dromin/Athlacca. You couldn’t ask for a better start to the championship.

Dromin/Athlacca 2-18 Garryspillane 15 points.

Team. David Breen, Gerard Kelleher, Brian Kelleher, Gearoid O’Leary, Derek Kenny, Eoin Benson, David Mullins, Peter Ryan(0-1), Michael Reidy(0-3), Paul Neenan (0-4), David Reidy(1-7), James Kelleher(0-2, Jason Lenihan(0-1), Eoin O’Leary(1-0), Oisin Liston.

Subs

Andrew Barron, Morgan Walsh, Richard Ryan, Chris Riordan, Donal Walsh, Eoin O’Connell ( went in for Jason Lenihan), Brendan Walsh, Mark Moynihan, Patrick O’Donoghue (went in for Ger Kelleher)

Note: Membership must be paid.

Dromin/Athlacca GAA Club Draw: Our lotto tickets are normally €2.00 a piece and last year we introduced the €100 for the year entry. Considering the success we had with this last year we are re-introducing it again this year from April to December. This will entitle you to two draws per week. If you would like to join please contact mark Moynihan on 0868554357

Scrap Metal Collection: Dromin/Athlacca are having a Scrap Metal Collection again. For more information contact Mike Geaney 0876494841

Folklore of some of our Native Trees. This week we are going to let you know a little about the Whitethorn. .

The Hawthorn. Sceach Gheal. Classified in early Irish law as an Aithig fedo or Commoner of the Wood. The Hawthorn is known by a variety of different names, The May Tree, The Beltaine Tree, The May Blossom, The Whitethorn, The Quick etc. In Irish it is Sceach Gael but we also know it as the Faerie Tree for it is said to guard the entrance to the faerie realm and it is still considered bad luck to harm one. You may however collect sprigs of flowers during the month of May to place in and around the home to banish evil spirits or misfortune (always ask the guardians of the tree first).

There are many superstitions surrounding the Hawthorn and here are just a few of them:

During birth if a calf is born prematurely hanging its afterbirth on a Hawthorn tree was said to magically protect it and give it quick growth (one of the other names given to the Hawthorn is Quickset as it will take very easily as a cutting) This could be magic by association?

The Hawthorn has long been associated with fertility and at Beltaine (May 1st) young women would take a sprig of blossom and keep it close as a way of attracting a husband.

On the morning of Beltaine (dawn), men and women would bathe in the morning dew of the Hawthorn blossom to increase wealth, health, luck, good fortune, and beauty. Women would become more beautiful and men by washing their hands in the dew would become skilled craftsmen. Today it is still practiced and it is one of the woods used in the Hand fastening ritual as it will ensure a lasting relationship.

The Hawthorn is also known as a tree of protection and for this reason it will be found growing near a house. It will offer protection from storm and lightning.

On Beltaine it is the custom here in Ireland to hang strips of cloth or ribbons on a Hawthorn (especially if it grows near a well) in order to make a wish (the wishing tree of legend). This is also done to ask for Brigid’s blessing on the cloth as these will then be used in healing (I hang crepe bandages on ours). It is also the custom to hang strips of coloured cloth from the branches, blue for health, red or pink for love, green or gold for prosperity etc. These will then be used as bindings in the hand fastening.

You may also use discarded pieces of wood in order to make wands or ritual tools but NEVER cut the wood from the tree. If you look in winter you will ALWAYS find pieces of windblown wood.

It has an immense amount of folklore attached to it in Ireland. The young leaves and flower buds are used as both a food – eaten in spring salads, and as a medicine.

Medicinally, an infusion is prepared which has been shown to be valuable in improving the heartbeat rate and strength, especially in heart failure, and in balancing the blood pressure; it also helps with irregular heart beats and improves the peripheral circulation, helping with conditions such as Reynaud's and with poor memory since it improves the circulation to the brain. The bioflavonoids relax and dilate the arteries and blood vessels thereby relieving angina. The bioflavonoids and proanthocyanins are also valuable antioxidants which help repair and prevent tissue damage, especially in the blood vessels. Hawthorn also helps to relieve anxiety and is traditionally thought to mend broken hearts, both emotionally and physically.

The berries are gathered in the autumn and have similar medicinal properties – they can be used fresh or dried in a decoction or infused in brandy to make a heart tonic for the winter months. For culinary use the berries are traditionally gathered after the first frost which converts some of the starches to sugars and makes the berries more palatable. Berries are used as an ingredient in hedgerow wine, or to make haw jelly as an accompaniment to wild game. The berries can also be mashed, removing the skin and seeds, and used to make a fruit leather as a way of storing them.

Hawthorn is at its most prominent in the landscape when it blossoms during the month of May, and probably the most popular of its many vernacular names is the May-tree. As such, it is the only plant which is named after the month in which it blooms. It has many associations with May Day festivities. Though the tree now flowers around the middle of the month, it flowered much nearer the beginning of the month, before the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1752.

The blossoms were used for garlands, and large leafy branches were cut, set in the ground outside houses as so-called May bushes and decorated with local wildflowers. Using the blossoms for decorations outside was allowed, but there was a very strong taboo against bringing hawthorn into the house. In the early 1980s the Folklore Society's survey of 'unlucky' plants revealed that 23% of the items referred to hawthorn, more than twice as many instances as the second most unlucky plant. Across Ireland there was the belief that bringing hawthorn blossom into the house would be followed by illness and death, and there were many instances of hapless children being scolded by adults for innocently decorating the home.

Mediaeval country folk also asserted that the smell of hawthorn blossom was just like the smell of death. Botanists later discovered that the chemical trimethylamine present in hawthorn blossom is also one of the first chemicals formed in decaying animal tissue. In the past, when corpses would have been kept in the house for several days prior to burial, people would have been very familiar with the smell of death, so it is hardly surprising that hawthorn blossom was so unwelcome in the house.

It has also been suggested that some of the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) folklore may have originated for the related woodland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) which may well have been commoner during the early Middle Ages, when a lot of plant folklore was evolving. Woodland hawthorn blossom gives off much more of an unpleasant scent of death soon after it is cut, and it also blooms slightly earlier than hawthorn, so that its blossoms would have been more reliably available for Beltaine celebrations.

It was normal to decorate a hawthorn at this time with flowers, ribbons and bright scraps of cloth and sometimes candles or rushlights were attached to the tree and lit on the eve of Beltaine. In some areas of Ireland small gifts of food and drink would be left under the tree for the fairy’s.
The hawthorn has many uses, the young leaves can be eaten and were commonly referred to as bread and cheese, the blossom and berries were made into wines and jellies, and decoctions of the flowers and leaves were used to stabilise blood pressure. The strong, close-grained wood was used for carving, and for making tool handles and other small household items. Probably its greatest practical use to people has been as hedging.
In common with other ‘unlucky’ trees it was widely believed that whitethorn was the tree upon which Christ was crucified, and Christ’s thorns were also supposed to be made of whitethorn. It was believed that if one of your neighbours used a whitethorn (hawthorn) stick to herd cattle then he was up to no good. An old Irish custom was that the first milk of a newly calved cow should be taken and poured under a fairy tree as a tribute to the fairy’s. It was also planted around the house and sheds to keep away witches.

On the Tree Council of Ireland website it states: A single tree may be left in a field as a 'fairy thorn', especially where there may be an archaeological site.

The Fairy Tree

All night around the thorn tree, the little people play,

And men and women passing will turn their heads away.

They’ll tell you dead men hung there, its black and bitter fruit,

To guard the buried treasure round which it twines its root.

They’ll tell you Cromwell hung them, but that could never be,

He’d be in dread like others to touch the Fairy Tree.

But Katie Ryan who saw there in some sweet dream she had,

The Blessed Son of Mary and all his face was sad.

She dreamt she heard him say “Why should they be afraid?”

When from a branch of thorn tree the crown I wore was made.

By moonlight round the thorn tree the little people play

And men and women passing will turn their heads away.

But if your hearts a child’s heart and if your eyes are clean,

You’ll never fear the Thorn tree that grows beyond Clogheen.