Every Friday night at 8pm during May, the Rosary is recited at Killenagh Blessed Well. It is a tradition that goes back many years.

The Blessed Well is situated at the back of Dromtrasna School, in the lands of Nicholas Cotter. Nicholas is a brother of Bishop Timothy Cotter who ministers in Nigeria.

The old road from Killeedy to Abbeyfeale passed beside the well and, legend has it, that Dromtrasna Village was located in this area. (See article on Dromtrasna Village) The Well is about a mile in from the road and some local knowledge is required to access it.

The statue was erected at the Well during the 1960s and it is said locally that the stone from the famine church was used in the building of the wall by the Well. The stream beneath the Well flows into the river Allaughan.

The Well is dedicated to St Ita. It has never run dry.

It was believed that the water could cure sore eyes and other ailments, and that the sick visited the Well before sunrise. Flowers and religious objects used to be left at the Well. Rags were also tied to the whitethorn trees as offerings. Legend has it that a woman washed clothes in the Well and the Well moved. (This was long before Moving Statues!) St. Patrick heard about the Well and blessed it from a distance. It is said that St Ita walked to this point with St Brendan, as he returned home to Kerry.

I recall, as a youngster, being dragged along to the Blessed Well on many a sunny Sunday afternoon when I would much rather be kicking football. The Rosary and the Trimmings seemed to go on for ever, and you were required to walk around the Well following each decade and drink the cooling water from it before you left.

The reward for all of this praying and postulating was a penny ice-pop in Jamesie Simon’s shop on the way home.

I fear we were somewhat lax in our attendance at the Blessed Well back then, but as the years passed and we dispersed to the four corners of the earth, our thoughts would often return to the peace and tranquillity of Killenagh Well where, in a world often full of violence, suffering and pain, it seemed as if time itself stood still by the little running brook on that quiet green hillside.

Long may the tradition of Killenagh Blessed Well continue to survive and grow.

“O Mary! We crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May,”

HOLY COMMUNION

First Holy Communions will be held at 11am on this Saturday 18^th May.Confession for First Holy Communion Children and their families will take place on Thurs May 15th at 7pm

AC;

Two members of St Ita’s A.C competed with distinction at the North Munster Colleges Athletic Championships. Tim Tobin representing St Ita’s College ran in the 100m finishing a credible 5th in the final. In the 200m he ran a tremendous race winning his heat and semi-final, and placing 4th in the final in a blanket finish with .05s separating the first five. Dee Connell representing SMI Newcastle West came 2nd in the inter high jump with a jump of 1.66m. Dee a former All Ireland juvenile champion has not competed much this season and should will go a lot higher later in the season

GRAVEYARDS
The work continues every Saturday morning from 10.30am to 12 noon in St. Mary’s Graveyard, cutting grass, picking up litter etc. If you have a couple of hours to spare then why not help out the hard working committee as they strive to keep the graveyard in good condition.

NIGHT FOR FR JOHN

Fr. John Moloney is home in St. Ita’s Terrace to visit his father and extended family at present. Paddy Finucane is planning to hold a welcome home party for him in Pat Lyons’s Cryle View Bar on this Wednesday night 14^th May. All are welcome.

GOLF;

Abbeyfeale Golfing Society’s next outing is this Saturday May 17th to Newcastle West Golf Club, Ardagh kindly sponsored by Tim Kelly Shoes, Newcastle West & Limerick. Tee-times are 11.00 - 13.30. Members are asked to be at the clubhouse 30 minutes prior to their tee-time.
Presentation Night Sat. May 17th at Jim Lanes, Abbeyfeale at 9.30pm. Prize winners from the first four outings of the year are requested to attend

RACES;

Abbeyfeale Horse and Pony Races are holding their 3rd annual races on Sunday June 29th in Relihan’s Inch Kilcarra.

RUGBY

The AGM of Abbeyfeale Rugby Club takes place in The Winners Circle on this Friday night, 17^th May. The President-elect is Declan Woulfe. A Disco will be held after the AGM. You have been warned!