Fleadh by the Feale takes place this year between Thursday 29th April and Monday 3rd May. (May Bank Holiday Weekend)
The Celebrity Concert will feature noted fiddle player, Frankie Gavin and the new De Dannan group;
“Fr many years traditional super group De Dannan were the forerunners in the Irish traditional music world but after 33 years, 14 albums and a number of changes in the line up, the group disbanded in 2003.
In July 2009, original founding member and world famous fiddle player Frankie Gavin unleashed a new De Dannan which in his own words “will reflect a De Dannan of the 21st century”. The official launch of the new band took place at an exclusive De Dannan Celebration Concert at the 2200 capacity Royal Theatre & Events Centre in Castlebar on August 5th during The World Fleadh Festival where former members of the band including Mary Black, Dolores Keane & Máirtín O Connor came together with the new members for a celebration of the band’s history. The show was deemed an unprecedented success and audience and critical reactions to the new band have been tremendous.
Frankie Gavin and his band have played support to the Rolling Stones at Slane Castle, performed twice to a full to capacity Croke Park (during national sporting occasions), performed with the U.A.E. Philharmonic Orchestra in Dubai, performed with the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra during a ten week tour of the USA and performed at The White House for President Bush.
The new De Dannan line up is led by original De Dannan member Frankie Gavin on fiddle, flutes & whistles with Michelle Lally on vocals, Damien Mullane on accordian, Mike Galvin on bouzouki & guitars and Eric Cunningham on percussion, flutes & whistles.” (With thanks to www.dedannan.com)
Frankie Gavin, has performed with a whole host of musical luminaries from Stéphane Grappelli to the Rolling Stones, and traditional music lovers are in for a real treat when he visits Abbeyfeale for the very first time in May
The concert takes place in the convent hall at 8pm on Sunday 2nd May. Tickets will be on sale soon and early booking is advisable.
Watch out for further details of Fleadh by the Feale over the coming weeks.

WL102FM THIRD ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT
Excitement is building and all the talk locally is about the fine line up of great acts for West Limerick 102fm’s third annual awards night taking place at the Devon Inn on Monday, March 1 next. Acts like Paddy O’Brien., newly married Bansha lass, Louise Morrissey, Damien Bowe, Foster and Allen along with Mrs Allen who is a singer in her own right and Nathan Carter who sings the much requested ‘Face on the Cutting Room Floor’ and is travelling from his home in Liverpool. If you frequent the Afternoon Tea Dances in the Hazeltree then you’ll already be familiar with The Dreamers and of course our own Mike Condon will be performing a shortened version of his usual set. Bringing her own inimitable style of comedy to the proceedings will be June Rodgers of Christmas Panto and Mooney Goes Wild fame. Travelling from her home in Newcastle, Co. Down is the lady with the glorious voice Caitlin Murtagh and from Portaferry, Co. Down we welcome multi instrumentalist and singer Stephen Smith. To complete the line up we have Eddie Lee and Catriona, Micheal Collins from Tournafulla and Cork natives Patrick O’ Sullivan and his drummer boy son. Special guests will be Jason Travers and Tony Stephens of The Rusty Roosters. With a line up like that doors will open at 7.30pm and the show will get underway at 8.30pm. So, get there early and dance the night away to the best sounds in the West. Admission only €15 and there will be a raffle and spot prizes on the night
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CAR BOOT SALE AND INDOOR MARKET
The first car boot sale and indoor market of the coming year will be held at the Community Centre, Newcastlewest on Sunday, February 21. This is a fundraiser for WL102fm and your support is earnestly requested. Gates open at 7.30am. Further information 087 6866450.

COME DANCING
The first class of the year got off to a flying start last Friday night but you are not too late yet to join up and learn how to waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, jive and much more. Classes at the Community Centre, New Street, Abbeyfeale every Friday night from 9.15 – 11pm. Everyone welcome.

ABBEYFEALE DRAMA GROUP
The group presents ‘The Year of the Hiker’ at the GAA Club House on February 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21. Doors open 7.30pm. There was a man telling me that he remembers the last time Abbeyfeale did ‘The Year of the Hiker’ and being brought to see it in Tobin’s Hall. It was 1970 and the late Dan Leahy played the part of the Hiker and sang Red Sails in the Sunset towards the end of the play. The Abbey’s loss and Abbeyfeale’s gain Dick Tobin from Cratloe is the Hiker this time.

CHOIR
Practice resumes on Wednesday, February 17th to prepare for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter

GAA;
Limerick senior footballers made a winning start to their league campaign with a 0-17 to 1-4 win over London in Ruislip last Sunday. Padraig Browne played from the beginning, while Eoin Joy was introduced in the second half.
Fr. Caseys GAA Club would like to congratulate Maurice Flynn on his appointment as the senior team manager for the coming season
Fr. Caseys GAA Club are currently seeking new life members. If you would like to become a life member or if you want to find out more information please feel free to contact any of our club committee members. A list of the current club committee and their contact details can be obtained from our club website at www.frcaseysgaa.ie

RUGBY;
Abbeyfeale drew 10-10 with Presentation in the league at The Grove last Sunday. Next weekend they are away to Carrick-on-Suir in the Munster Junior Plate.
There was no jackpot winner in the weekly draw that took place on Mon 2th Feb. The winning numbers were 6, 23, 29 and 32. Lucky dip winners were Marian Keane (Knockbrack), Betty Reidy (The Hill), Pat Stack (Killarney Road), Dickeen Prendiville (St.Ita’s Terrace). The jackpot is now worth €2,100.
And following their win last weekend against Italy in Croke Park, Ireland travel to Paris on Saturday to play France in the Six Nations.

SOCCER;
Abbeyfeale Utd A 3, Pallaskenry 3. Abbeyfeale Utd B 3, Carrig Celtic B 0. Abbeyfeale Youths 1, Ferry Rangers 2.