A combination of good weather, good craic and great music ensured that the annual Fleadh by the Feale traditional music weekend attracted large crowds to the town over the bank holiday period.

The weekend began with the official "Gathering" at the Winners Circle bar on Thursday night. However, events really kicked off on Friday night when crowds massed along the streets to listen as the Buskers were put through their paces. The smokers had all the advantages here, as local knowledge dictated that they would occupy all the best vantage points.

The Square was the main vocal point on Saturday night as various talented musicians, singers and dancers entertained another massive gathering. Meanwhile the bars were also doing a roaring trade with most of them providing live music for patrons.

The highlight of the weekend for many was the traditional concert on Sunday night at the convent featuring Four Men & A Dog, with our own Donal Murphy on accordion very much to the fore. The event was a bigger sellout than any U2 concert and those who were privilaged to be present were treated to the unique talents and a rousing performance from a band very much on top of their game. It was an evening that will live long in the memory

Monday evening saw the All Ireland Bone Playing Competition taking place in The Square. This event has really grabbed the public attention and continues to go from strength to strength. And, as we exclusively revealed last week, a delegation from the World Bone Playing Championships arrived incognito to check out the suitability of Abbeyfeale as a venue for the 2007 World Championships. These fellows should have known that nobody can remain undercover in Abbeyfeale for very long and they were last spotted giving a drunken and very off-key rendition of My Home On The Banks Of The Feale in front of an amazed audience down in the Winners Circle late on Monday night. (I think we may now be favourites to stage the 2007 competition – check Paddy Power for the odds.)

Anyway, it was a most successful weekend and well done to the organizing committee who do trojan work. Take a collective bow – you deserve it!

CHAT

Our Abbeyfeale On Line Chat Room is now in operation. If you click on the MSN Gallery and click on the CHAT link it will take you there. You must be a member of our MSN section to participate. Just click on JOIN and fill in the necessary details. You may have to wait a day as all applicants have to be manually enrolled. (Alternatively, of course, you can just use the telephone to chat.)

We have already enjoyed some lively discussions and even a couple of arguments. The three favourite topics seem to be politics, religion and the price of cattle. If we could arrange a set time, perhaps once a week, to set up a Chat Room meeting, we could all have a good old natter. The lads in New York could tell us all the news from The Bronx while those in England could give us a rundown on Wayne Rooney’s metatarsel injury. Meanwhile, here at home we could decribe how we continue to live in abject poverty and only look forward to the few bob arriving by postal order each week to bail us out.

Anyway, if you have any suggestions about arranging a formal Chat session, please contact us at the usual watering hole.

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COLLECTION

Fianna Fail will hold their national collection on next Saturday and Sunday.

OPENING

Toaiseach Bertie Ahern officially opened Limerick’s newest radio station, West Limerick 102 in Newcastlewest last Thursday. He also visited Abbeyfeale Fire Station to perform the opening of their new facilities at Main Street.

MARKET

The Farmers Market continues each Friday morning in The Square between 9am and 1pm.

GAA

Fr Casey’s were narrowly beaten 2-5 to 1-7 by Drom-Broadford in the county senior football championship at the weekend. Meanwhile Limerick hurlers were beaten by Kilkenny in the national leage final. Limerick play Tipperary in the first round of the championship on Sunday week.

SOCCER

Abbeyfeale Utd B defeated Creeves 6-0 in the division 2 league cup and will now meet Glantine in the semi-final.