TIME TO VISIT THE GLEN:

GIVE BLOOD: Wednesday June 19th, 5pm - 8pm, South Court Hotel. If you can give blood, you are helping to make it possible for many people to lead normal healthy lives. Every year thousands of patients require blood transfusions, because they are undergoing surgery, recovering from cancer or have been in a serious accident. Only 3% of the eligible Irish population give blood, providing blood for a population of over 4 million...!! 3,000 blood donors are needed each week in Ireland. Blood is required every day of the year. Remember to eat well beforehand and be well hydrated before giving blood.

LADY HARRINGTON's - GARDEN WALK: Summer Re-starts this Sunday 23rd June: 2pm - 6pm. The Glen Gardens will be open again, for one day only, so bring the sun cream..... Beautiful veg and flower gardens to be seen and be sure to have a Cuppa and some home baking. Funds going towards Kilpeacon Church Renovation Fund and the Development Association.

DONERAILE COURT OPENS: This coming Saturday June 22nd Doneraile Court opens to the public!! From 1pm to 5pm a Street Party kicks off the celebrations! At 4pm Doneraile Court opens its doors to the public. This magnificent building has been closed for a long time so it is something special to have it open again, well done to the community ! Be sure to visit in the weeks and months ahead!

CHOMHBHRÓN: Our sympathies to the family of Gerald Tierney, formerly of Knockfierna. Gerald died peacefully on June 13th at University Hospital Kerry. Predeceased by his partner Maureen, his sisters Rose and Monica and his brothers Benedict and Sean. He is survived by his sisters Anne Moran, Kilatal and Philomena Griffiths U.K., nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was reposed in Listowel on Sunday, June 16th and arrived in Granagh that night. Requiem Mass on Monday,with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.

THANKS: Thanks to Cllr Richard O'Donoghue for doing a great clean-up in front of the parochial house - saved us hours of back-breaking hoeing..

CONGRATULATIONS: We congratulate Maurice Noonan, Ballyelan on being selected for the first ever international wheelchair hurling squad. The squad was announced in Croke Park and will compete in the 2019 European Para Games Floorball International event The 12-man panel is made up of three wheelchair all-star hurlers from each of the four provinces, and they will travel to take part in this International event, which takes place in Breda, The Netherlands, from June 27-29. There are three Limerick men named in the squad, James McCarthy, Maurice Noonan and Gary O’Halloran with McCarthy named as vice-captain of the side. Floorball is a game that is being considered for addition to the list of sports in the Paralympics and differs chiefly from wheelchair hurling in that players cannot rise the ball. As well as representing Ireland in the Floorball international, the GAA team will also host a wheelchair hurling demonstration during their stay. The GAA team will represent Ireland in competition against Floorball teams from Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Morocco, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and United States. Uachatrán John Horan said: “Wheelchair hurling is a skillful game that lives up to the motto of the GAA being a place where we all belong and is really going from strength to strength. “Through this invitation to play in the Netherlands we have a chance to acknowledge some of our very best players with the opportunity to not only compete at a very high level but to represent their country in doing so. “Congratulations and best wishes to all who have been selected.” The squad is: Pat Carty (Capt), Stephen Melvin, Aidan Hynes (Sligo), James McCarthy (Vice Capt), Maurice Noonan, Gary O’Halloran (Limerick), Lorcan Molloy, Seán Bennett, Patrick Tobin (Laois), Conn Nagle, Pat Lewis, Peadar Heffron (Antrim). Best of Luck to Maurice and the entire team, enjoy the trip. Birthday: She thought I forgot about it .... Theresa Chawke, Ballyvologue, celebrated her ninety fourth birthday on 9th June. Congratulations and best wishes for continued good health, as always.

RATHFREDAGH FETE: Goods for the Fete can be dropped in to the Cheshire Home. They're looking for bric-a-brac, good wearable clothes, plants, books, CD's and DVD's, full bottles for our bottle stall and raffle prizes. All for a great cause.

ORGANIC LIVING: Jim McNamara, Knockaderry was speaking at the Limerick Garden Fest last weekend and he is passionate about organic growing and its benefits. He said he was seventy but he certainly doesn't look it, he is surely a great example of a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating. A few helpful points he made: - Plant a plant, rather than a seed. Use perennial shrubs & trees. Keep the lawn small & leave room for wilderness. The easiest plant to grow is Comfrey, which also makes an excellent liquid feed for your plants. His list of 'Star Plants' - Chives, Parsley, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Fennel, Mint, Rhubarb, Garlic, Lettuce & Beetroot. These are all easy to grow, will last for years and provide us with many necessary vitamins. ' Earthing' - the medical breakthrough of the century. It often happens e.g. we get shocks from the car door. We have built up a lot of negative energy, from being indoors over long periods. The cure - ' touch the earth' - working in the garden, weeding, planting, a walk in the woods, fresh air etc - you balance the plus or minus's of the body.

NATIONAL BIKE WEEK: A variety of free cycling inspired events taking place across Limerick city and county as part of Bike Week 2019. Sunday 23rd: 12pm - 2pm. Killeedy GAA does the Greenway. Start: Gaelscoil O'Dhoghair, Newcastle West People of all ages are invited to cycle the Great Southern Greenway from Newcastle West to Ardagh return. Talk on the greenway beforehand and refreshments will be provided. For more info on the full list of events see - https://smartertravel.limerick.ie/ Sat, Sun 22nd/23rd: Cycling Ireland are holding a cycling festival to promote cycling and raise awareness of the facilities available. Bike Fest will encourage people to try biking in Ballyhoura Forest while getting the appropriate guidance from approved trainers. There will be free bikes/helmets rental on the day ,(you can bring your own bike/helmet if you have one). Numbers are limited so pre-booking is essential. Contact Trailriders, Ballyhoura, phone 087- 2717330 to book your time slot on one of the two days. These slots will involve free coaching on how to use a mountain bike off-road and will involve a training loop to practice. Times have to be pre-booked to allow proper organisation with skills and bike provision. All those under 18 have to be accompanied by a guardian or parent. These sessions are aimed at beginners and there will be a selection of short and medium loops to try.

DIARY: Sat 22nd June: Summer Proms with The Military Bands at UCH, 8pm. Fri 21st - 23rd: Lough Gur Festival. Sat 22nd: Novena ending 10.30pm. Sun 23rd : G/B Camogie Club fun Walk. 12pm from Hall. Lady Harrington's Garden Walk, 2pm. Tue 25th: Yoga at 7.30pm in Community Centre.