Not many people know this, but if you stand at the top of Abbeyfeale Hill on a clear summer’s day, you can view no fewer than five of the six counties of Munster.

You will be standing in Limerick of course, a county famous in song and story for the beauty of its maidens and the brawn and bravery of its men. (or vice versa)

Looking south, the hills of Kerry rise majestically before you, with Carrantohill clearly discernible in the distance. You can see famed Knocknagoshel where once they unfurled a banner across Main Street proclaiming “Arise Knocknagoshel And Take Your Place Among The Nations Of The Earth.”

Turn a tad more to the left and there you will see the tree-lined mountains and valleys of Rebel Cork, with Rockchapel and Meelin nestling cosily in their midst. The old Butter Road ran through here, along which ancient traders conveyed their dairy products from the Golden Vale of Limerick to the busy Corn Market in Cork City.

Turn left again and behold Tipperary and The Knockmaol Mountains where the legendary wild raparee, Duibhir A’ Gleanna, met his lonely doom at the hands of the English Yeomen. And stately Cashel, home to the Kings and Queens of Munster at a time when the rest of Europe was still enveloped in the Dark Ages.

At your back lies the mouth of the River Shannon, and if you have sharp eyes you can see the cargo ships heading for the broad Atlantic and beyond, while across the bay lies the Banner County of Clare and the industrial port of Aughinish with the Tarbert Ferry making its regular crossing.

Not many outsiders know about this special spot on Abbeyfeale Hill – and the locals prefer to keep it that way. There are no signposts and if you ask the way, you will be given vague directions and most likely end up in Meenahela or even Lyracrompane!

Let the tourists enjoy the hospitality of our local bars, shops and guesthouses. Let them stroll through the Town Park or play golf in Royal Bogmount. Let them take photographs of Fr Casey’s Monument or enjoy the dancing and the craic at The Rugby Club or the GAA Club. Let them fish the River Feale or visit the local beauty spots of Purt Castle, Moynsha House, The Railway Walk or Barnagh Tunnell

In short, let them do whatever the hell they like – as long as they stay well away from Abbeyfeale Hill!

RACES; The annual horse and pony races take place at Relihan’s Inch, Kilcara on next Sunday, 28^th June

ADSAR: The official opening of Abbeyfeale & District Search & Rescue Headquarters took place last Wednesday night and was attended by a large group of people including representatives of An Garda Siochana, newly elected local councillors, and members of the general public. The official opening was performed by Chief Superintendent Gerry Mahon.

OUTING; This year’s Parish Outing is to Dingle on Wednesday, 1^st July. The bus will leave from the Church at 9am. It will stop in Tralee for a coffee break then travel to Dingle arriving there at 12.30pm. There will be an optional boat trip to see Fungie at a cost of €12 per person or you can visit Ocean World Aquarium at a cost of €7.50. The bus will do the Slea Head Tour at 3.30 pm, and then depart at 6pm via Inch Strand, Milltown and Killarney arriving back in Abbeyfeale at around 9pm. There are 50 seats on the bus, and to book, ring Peg on 31232 without delay.

PILGRIMAGE; The annual pilgrimage of St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society to Knock takes place on Saturday 27^th.

JUMBLE’ The annual fundraising Jumble Sale at St Joseph’s Boys’ NS was held last Friday and was very well supported.

QUIZ; A table quiz will be held in Jim Lane’s Bar, New Street on next Friday night 26^th June in aid of under age rugby.

GOLF; The Captain’s Prize (Mr Ned Collins) at Abbeyfeale Golf Club takes place on next Sunday 28^th June. Draws for tee times at 8am and 11am.

GAA: Fr. Casey’s GAA Club are currently seeking new life members. If you would like to become a life member or would like to find out more information, please contact any committee member.

Limerick hurlers will face Wexford in the qualifiers next month. Meanwhile, the footballers continue preparations for the Munster Final against Cork on July 5^th.

RUGBY: Ireland A hammered the English Saxons 49-22 in New York on Sunday night.

And following their narrow 26-21 defeat by South Africa in the First Test, the British and Irish Lions are in good heart as they face the Springbocks at altitude in Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Ronan O’Gara captains the tourists against the Emerging Springboks this evening, and must have one eye on a test place on Saturday. John Hays also plays tonight and may yet take over from Phil Vickery in the Lions, front row.