Then & Now: Parish journal’s big return

ABC NEWS 2023 is the annual magazine of Askeaton/Ballysteen Community Council Muintir na Tíre. The latest edition contains 196 pages, with a lot in colour printed on good quality paper by Fitzsimons Printers in Shanagolden. It contains 76 different articles and reports, and the front cover shows a photo of the new exterior of Tall Trees Nursing Home.

The back cover is an advertisement for Kevin Davison Pharmacy serving the people of Askeaton for 40 years. There are pages of photographs which will recall many enjoyable events for people, from the distant past and over the past year. There are lovely tributes to people who passed on during the year, book launches and poems, and verses. The following is a brief sample of the contents.

A Tribute to a Friend - Seamus Kenneally by Jimmy O'Donoghue recalls his early health issues, and his young life in Askeaton. He married a Carlow woman and moved to live there in 1990 and he was a big community person, being involved in many sporting clubs. Michael Sheahan recalls the contribution of Francis Sheahan to soccer in Askeaton and the Desmond League catchment area.

Pat Sheahan -Supreme Sportsman by Paddy Cronin describes his all round sport successes.

Joe Whelan has a full page appreciation of Noelle Dalton and her work in Askeaton Ballysteen Community Council. He concludes by writing the following. There are many attributes and many other occasions to which I could give due recognition with regard to this great woman, but to say she was one in a generation and a powerful force of nature would be an understatement. We miss and love you Noelle.

A Tribute to Breda Kelly was written by Noelle Dalton on July 31, 2002 which was her last day serving as postmistress in Askeaton after 40 years service. The first of 10 verses follows:

Now Breda you have served us well for almost 40 years
And you'll be missed by one and all and there will be some tears
Through all that time so much has changed and you have had to cope
In recent times with Caroline before with May and Paddy Roche
From pounds and shillings, pennies too, to decimalization you saw us through
With foreign exchange your business grew, then the euro came in 2002.

Summers Spent Fishing on the River Deel by Maria Prendeville recalls fishing trips with her father and dogs on the River Deel. She describes how she spent the time while her father fished along its banks.

Niall McGrath informs the reader about the Lauren McGrath Memorial Malin to Mizen Cycle 2023. He describes the build up and daily progress along the way which raised € 23,000. A weekend of events was also held which raised a further €37,000. Tara Dolan also gives an account of Lauren's Memorial Celebration with two pages of photos.

Safe in Askeaton, the Ukraine invasion tells the story of three families who came to live here. Askeaton senior county champions 1972 is an excerpt from Paul Anglim's book Askeaton-Ballysteen GAA Story 1884-2020.

Never Too Small to make a Difference by Michele Horrigan of Askeaton Ballysteen Natural Heritage 2023 informs the reader of their work done in the past year. Michelle also contributes an article about Askeaton Contemporary Arts 2023 news. Mike O'Connor also has an article about Askeaton Ballysteen Natural Heritage and the events they held during 2023. Mike also pens a piece about planting hedges and trees to benefit water quality.

Kay Naughton writes about Ballysteen Cross 18th Century to Ballysteen Village 20th Century over three pages, with two maps included. The article includes information on the chapel village, the Augustinian canons, church, school, forge, pub, river and the landlord.

A busy year by Deel Arts group is recalled by Maria Sheehan with photographs of the work they created supported by qualified tutor Maureen Barry Fitzgerald.

Brother John M Feheney recalls his youthful memories of Adare where he was born in 1932. He moved to Ballysteen to live but would return to Adare on visits.

The Nature of Things by Liam Dillon covers six pages of colourful photographs of 40 different plants, bird and insect life. Brendan O'Brien continues his look at motoring in his article Concept Vehicles.

What might have been and what materialized The Truth about Tom Fitzgerald's new novel covers the launch of his latest crime novel The Truth About Lies which was launched at the People's Museum in Limerick.

Fr Seán O'Longaigh writes about his years in the priesthood over three pages of text and photos. He celebrated his golden jubilee on June 17, 2023, and recently retired to pursue new adventures. The Diocese of Limerick Overview 2023 is covered over five pages and makes most interesting reading with all the facts and figures shown. Patsy McCarthy lists the original tenants in Askeaton Council houses in the six estates around the town.

Local Schools is the title of Morty Wallace's article covering three pages including lots of facts and figures. An interview from the Cork Evening Echo by Pat Mc Auliffe with Fergus Mc Daid from January 2007 is mainly Liam Dillon's article paying tribute to his soccer exploits with Askeaton, Munster and League of Ireland teams.

A Retired Garda Remembers comes from Askeaton native Patrick McCarthy now in his 90th year. He is a retired Garda Sergeant who served in Granard, Co Longford and Castletown Geoghegan and Mullingar, Co Westmeath. He includes four stories from his time serving in the force.

Man with Limerick connections close to agreeing sale of Conor Pass

Rosarie Finucane pens an appreciation to Margaret (Peggy) O'Shaughnessy and Paul Gallagher to his parents Kathleen and Dermot.
Mary is the title of a series of six verses dedicated to Mary Mann (nee Naughton) who was born in Ballysteen on October 11, 1925. She spent all her life there until her death on June 4, 2023. The opening verse follows:

In the townland of Ballycanna in the year of 25
A bonny little lass was born and soon began to thrive
Her parents named her Mary, and little did they know
The character she would become as she began to grow.

There are many more articles and reports to browse through as well which readers can look forward to reading. All the parish clubs and organizations and sports clubs have a roundup of their affairs. The ABC News Committee 2023 are Jimmy O'Donoghue, Liam Dillon and Gerardine O'Brien.

It is a fine publication, which will provide endless hours of enjoyment for readers with connections to the area. It is on sale for €10.