Local News

COMMUNITY COUNCIL
RATHKEALE Community Council AGM will be held on Monday, November 2, in Rathkeale House Hotel at 8.15pm. Agenda includes: A briefing from West Limerick Resources on the RAPID – Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development programme which is expected to be launched in the town before Christmas. An update on the Community Council restructuring process and Community Council elections.
The launch of the RAPID programme for Rathkeale combined with our Community Council restructuring process is providing a great opportunity for the future of the town. The success of the process will depend on quality local participation, so everyone interested in the future of community is strongly encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.
ST. MARY’S CEMETERY
The church-door collection for St. Mary’s Cemetery, will be taken up at all Masses, October 31 and November 1. Your support will be appreciated.
PASTORAL COUNCIL
The members of the Parish Pastoral Council are organising a Community Harvest Mass on Friday, October 30 at 7.30pm, in the Community Centre as a celebration of the gifts and fruits of our community. Therefore, we are inviting all community groups in the parish to take part in the celebration of this Mass. It would add to our celebration if a member of each group would bring a gift symbolising their activities to the altar in the entrance procession. We would appreciate if you contact any of the numbers given, with the name of the person and the gift they are brining, Mary Curtin, 087-6332309; Bernie Naughton 086-0847890; Marian Cawley 069-63389. Thank you.
BEST WISHES
Best wishes are extended to Cyril Hogan, St. Mary’s Park, Rathkeale and Nicola Shiels who got engaged recently.
SIGNSChildren Crossing urgently need to be erected in St. Mary’s Park. A sign at Church Street for Castlematrix is badly needed to replace the original one removed.
CARDS RESULTS
Community Council cards results: First prize, Michael Wall, Nancy Danaher; John Danaher, Pauline Kerins. Table prizes, Eileen Carrig, Kieran Scanlan; Denis O’Keeffe, Maureen O’Shea. Raffle: €40 Willie Keating; €20 Willie Keating; €10 Maurice Wrenn; €10 Joan Fitzgibbon; €10 Irene Donovan.
POKER CLASSIC
The Poker Classic held in Rathkeale House Hotel, in aid of St. Ita’s Hospital, Respite Centre, was an outstanding success. The winners were: 1st Sherry Ryan, Pack Fada, Ballylanders, €1,600; 2nd Martha Barr, Rathkeale, €800; 3rd Anthony Ahern, Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork, €500; 4th Jack Foley, Donoughmore, Co. Cork, €300; 5th James Sillery, Newmarket, Co. Cork, €200; 6th Denis Ahern, Ballingarry, Co. Cork, €200; 7th John Fitzgerald, Askeaton, Ballysteen, €200; 8th Jer O’Connell, Askeaton, €200.
Grateful thanks is extended for the donations and spot prizes, thanks to all who played, those who helped and to the management and staff of Rathkeale House Hotel. €2,500 approx was given to St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Rathkeale and District Historical Society. The next meeting of Rathkeale and District Historical Society, will be held in the meeting room, Sheltered Housing Complex, on November 13, at 8.30pm.
“The Munster Fusiliers” – Dr. Tadhg Moloney. All are welcome and admission is free.
BEST WISHES
Best wishes are extended to Jon Shiels, who lives in Spain, whose father is a Rathkeale man, he is going for soccer trials this week in England. He is the top scorer in the League in Southern Spain, and he had told me that it would be wonderful if he could eventually wear an Irish shirt.
BRIDGE CLUB
Results: 1st prize, Noel and Mike Fitzgibbon; 2nd Pat Neville and Richard Langford; 3rd Mary Curtin, Anne Roche; 4th Brendan and Maureen Woulfe.
The Bridge Club committee, together with the players wish to extend best wishes and a speedy recovery to Pat Neville after his operation, then he will find which direction he is going, East, West, South, North, South-East or North-West.
SINCERE THANKS
Sincere thanks has been extended to the parish from the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for our generous contribution to last week’s Mission Sunday collection. The total raised will change the lives of many in Mission lands and will enable the continued work of Missionaries worldwide. We are asked to continue praying for our missionary brothers and sisters as our spiritual support can provide great comfort particularly in difficult times.
HOLY ROSARY
The Holy Rosary continues to be prayed every night for the month of October at the Marian Shrine, Church Street 7pm.
CEMETERY PRAYERS
Next Sunday, November 1, the cemetery prayers will be said after 11.30am Mass. Congratulations to Seamus Carroll, Cappagh who won the 19 and under World singles handball and the men’s B doubles World titles form all his colleagues in Eurospar, Rathkeale.
TIDY TOWNS
Rathkeale Tidy Towns. We are setting up a new Tidy Towns Committee in Rathkeale and are looking for volunteers of all ages. We are constantly hearing negative comments regarding the appearance of the town, well now it is time for change. We are hoping to improve and maintain the appearance of Rathkeale but we need your help. There will be a meeting on Wednesday, November 4 at 7pm in the Community Centre, downstairs.
ATHLETICS
St. Mary’s Athletic Club. Last Friday evening, October 23, we had our annual club bowling trip to Fun World on the Ennis Road. Twenty two children attended and a good night was had by all. Afterwards we had our annual club awards. Club person/persons.
The first award went to Darren Jones. Darren joined the club in 2007 and established himself as a fine athlete winning Munster and All Ireland medals, both individual and team events. He is a boy with a bright future and is a worthy winner of this award.
The second award went to Padraig Power. Padraig joined the club three years ago. At training he gives it his all and never shies away from any event. He likes sprinting, but shines at cross country, his first love, and has won individual Munster medals for his beloved cross country. He is small in height but has the heart of a lion and deserves this club award.
The third award went to Rachel Lynch. Rachel started running when she was seven and is very dedicated to training and just loves everything about running and always puts in one hundred per cent effort. She is a worthy winner of this club award.
The fourth award went to Amy Hartnett. Amy joined the club two years ago and does not shy away from any event, sprints, cross country, long jump, relays, she just loves her running and has a bright future ahead of her. Another worthy winner of this club award.
The Liam English perpetual trophy went to the best overall team: The girls under twelve indoor relay team All Ireland champions. Team: Eadoin Lyons, Tara Coleman, Sarah Enright, Maeve Power, Kate Geary and Clare English. These girls have done themselves and their club proud. Last February they won the Munster Indoor title under twelve. They then made the long journey to the All Ireland Indoor championships in Magherfelt, Co. Derry. The furthest they ever travelled and what was the fastest time they ever ran 57-78 the girls ran away with the final. They lead from gun to post the best race they every ran, everything to perfection. It was a great achievement for these girls to win an All Ireland title at such a young age. These girls are worthy winners of the Liam English perpetual trophy.
Training continues on Thursday night at 7pm in the Astro turf pitch in the soccer field and on Sunday morning at 11am in St. Mary’s Park.
Dates to remember: November 8, Munster uneven ages Cross Country, Tralee race course at noon on November 14, County Indoor championships, 11am Nenagh Indoor track.