Tag Archives: st john’s ashe street

Call To The Christmas Fair This Saturday At Teach An tSolais In Tralee

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Looking forward to the upcoming Christmas Fair at St John’s Church of Ireland Teach an tSolais, Ashe Street, were Jane Boyle, Suzanne Boyle, Mona Butler, Rev Jim Stephens, Olive Flynn and Susan Keating. Photo by Dermot Crean

CHRISTMAS is coming and the festive atmosphere will truly in evidence this Saturday at a special family event in town.

Teach an tSolais, beside St John’s Church of Ireland in Ashe Street, Tralee will host the Tralee, Ballymacelligott and Ballyseedy Christmas Fair 2023.

This is always a wonderful community and fundraising event for the parish to bring people together as well as raising much needed funds for the churches.

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Head along and enjoy the various stalls and items on offer. There’ll be fresh baking, jams and preserves, Christmas crafts and decorations, flower arrangements, the ever-popular silent auction, raffles, guess the weight of the cake, festive games and many other delights.

Then, once the browsing and shopping is over, why not sit and enjoy burgers, sausages, teas, coffee, apple pie and have a chat. It takes place between 10am and 2pm on the day with just €2 for entry (there’s also a door prize raffle).

The Christmas fair is made possible by the creativity and generosity of the parishioners, neighbours’ friends, supporters and patrons and those who so kindly donate gifts and vouchers.

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Gofundme Page Set Up After Cancellation Of Christmas Fair

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WITH the annual Tralee and Ballymacelligott Christmas Fair cancelled due to COVID -19 restrictions, the organisers are hoping the public can help raise much-needed funds through a gofundme page.

“Our Christmas fair is a wonderful community building and fundraising event for the Church of Ireland Parishes of Tralee, Ballymacelligott and Ballyseedy,” said a spokesperson for the organisers.

“We depend on the funds that are raised at the fair to maintain our ministry, to support the Soup Kitchen and to keep our buildings in good repair. Our Churches at Ballyseedy, Ballymacelligott and St Johns Ashe Street are an important part of the built and cultural heritage of the area.

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“These are old buildings; St Johns Ashe Street is over 400 years old and the churches at Ballymacelligott and Ballyseedy are over 200 years old. The heating, insurance and ongoing maintenance costs are a big demand on a small community,” they said.

A gofundme page has now been set up to raise funds and they hope people will make a donation. The page can be accessed by clicking here.

“We are most appreciative of the support that we receive from many of our local businesses who are very generous to us, as are our parishioners, neighbours and friends in the wider community whose support enables the fair to flourish year in year out. As a small community we are sustained and encouraged by this support. We are hoping that you will continue this support this year by making a donation to our gofundmepage. Many thanks for your support and hopefully we will meet again at our Christmas fair next year,” concluded the spokesperson.

Church Of Ireland To Celebrate 400 Years Of Worship In Tralee This Sunday

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REV. Jim Stephens, Rector,  and the Community of St. John’s Church of Ireland, Tralee, have extended an invitation to everyone to join them for a special celebration.

Taking place in the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Ashe Street on this Sunday, October 6, at 4pm, a Service of Thanksgiving will celebrate the Bicentenary of the present church and 400 years and more of Christian worship in Tralee.

The Guest Preacher is the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, Most Rev. Richard Clarke and other guests include the Bishop of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe, Rt. Rev. Reverend Dr Kenneth Kearon and the Catholic Bishop of Kerry. Most Rev. Raymond Browne.

To coincide with the bicentenary there will be a Harvest Thanksgiving exhibition of flowers and vegetables which will be open in the church on Sunday from 12 noon.

St John’s Ashe Street To Host Free Choral Concert From US University Choir

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A FREE choral concert will be given in St. John’s Church of Ireland, Ashe Street, Tralee at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 26.

St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir, Killarney, Director Aidan O’Carroll will host Brown University Alumni Chamber Choir and String Quartet from the United States.

Admission is free and a voluntary collection in aid of St. John’s Church of Ireland funds will be taken up at the end of the concert.

PHOTOS: Music Lovers Enjoy Concert In St John’s Ashe Street

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Ivan Blennerhassett, Marcas Mac Domhnaill and George Sugrue at the concert in St John’s Ashe Street on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

THERE were over 100 music lovers in St John’s Ashe Street on Wednesday night for a wonderful night of entertainment from the Dingle New-Music Choir And Orchestra.

The works of Stamitz, Vaughan Williams and Ennio Morricone were performed under conductor and composer Gabor Peli, as the Orchestra and Choir’s repertoire  included freshly written music set to local poetry and some well known carols including the majestic Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams.

Both the Orchestra and the Choir will also recited solo pieces from the classical era. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the Christmas Choral music and left in the Christmas Spirit. The Choir and Orchestra would like to whole-heartedly thank everyone for their support with last night’s event. Scroll down for photos…

Anne Sugrue, Vivienne Sugrue, Helen Kelly Fuller at the concert in St John’s Ashe Street on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ladies enjoying the festive music at the concert in St John’s Ashe Street on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aoife Cahill, Marharyta Marozava (Belarus) and Gillian Lewis at the concert in St John’s Ashe Street on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Marharyta Marozava, Daithí Ó Conaill and Mary Sugrue at the concert in St John’s Ashe Street on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
The audience watching the concert in St John’s Ashe Street on Wednesday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Call To The St John’s Ashe Street Christmas Fair This Saturday

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Looking forward to the St John’s Ashe Street Christmas Fair this Saturday were Mona Butler, Rev. Jim Stephens, Rhona Giles and Mary Kinch. Photo by Dermot Crean

TEACH an tSolais at St John’s Ashe Street will once again be a hive of activity on Saturday as the parish hosts its annual Christmas Fair.

Taking place from 10.30am to 2.30pm, it’s set to be a fantastic day for all the family with raffles and hampers, face-painting, children’s games teas/coffees and scones, a door prize and more.

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A silent auction will also take place with some great prizes up for grabs. There’ll also be Christmas decorations for sale as well as children’s toys and games, home-baking and preserves, clothes and more so why not call in this Saturday.

Funds raised will go towards the Church of Ireland Tralee, Ballyseedy and Ballymacelligott.

Christmas Fair Returns To St John’s Ashe Street On Saturday

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Mona Butler on the Fremax bicycle for auction on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

TEACH an tSolais at St John’s Ashe Street will be a busy spot this Saturday as the parish hosts a Christmas Fair from 10am to 4pm.

The Fair has returned after a break of three years and there’s some great prizes including a weekend away at Breaffy House Resort in Mayo and a wonderful Fremax bicycle worth €500 which will be auctioned on the day.

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The organisers are promising a day out for all the family with raffles and hampers, face-painting, burgers, teas/coffees and scones, a door prize and more.

There’ll also be Christmas decorations for sale as well as CDs and books, home-baking and preserves and clothes so why not call in this Saturday. Admission is €2 and children under 12 are free. Funds raised will go towards the Church of Ireland Tralee, Ballyseedy and Ballymacelligott.

Looking forward to the Christmas Fair in Teach an tSolais in St John’s Ashe Street on Saturday were Mona Butler, Michael Latchford, Rhona Giles and Mary Kinch. Photo by Dermot Crean

PHOTOS: A Small School With Big Welcome Planned For Open Day

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Principal of St John’s Parochial School, Aoife Benton, in the classroom with pupils on ‘Pyjama Day’ on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean

SOME may not know it, but there is a lovely little school nestled in the heart of the town.

St John’s Parochial School, which is adjacent to the Church of Ireland church on Ashe Street, is holding an open day on Saturday, to show parents the advantages of sending their children there.

And from our visit to the school on Friday, it’s clear they have a lot to offer as Principal Aoife Benton explained.

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“The open day is a great chance for parents to come in, get a feel of the positive atmosphere here, to talk to the teachers and I think they’ll get great insight from even 20 minutes in the building. There’s a few activities planned for the children while the parents speak with staff,” she said.

“Any parent who is enrolling their child in a school will have worries, so it’s very important to us to alleviate those fears. Starting school is a big moment for the child but it’s also huge for parents. Every parent wants to get it right, so we’re here to answer any questions they might have. The safety and happiness of the child is so important to them and us,” said Aoife.

Even from our brief visit on Friday – which happened to be ‘Pyjama Day’ – it was clear the children were really happy with a familial atmosphere pervading throughout the building.

Ms Patricia Fitzell with the junior pupils at St John’s Parochial School on Ashe Street. Photo by Dermot Crean

“Because we’re a small school in the middle of town, the atmosphere here is of being part of one big group – the first class pupils help out the juniors, the sixth class assist the third class pupils,” said Aoife.

The school consists of two classrooms; junior and senior infants are in with first and second class pupils under Deputy Principal Ms Fitzell, while the other room has third to sixth classes taught by Principal Benton.

There are also two learning support teachers, a resource teacher and two special needs assistants.

Pupils in the multi-sensory room at St John’s Parochial School. Photo by Dermot Crean

Each class has its own library, they have a fully stocked PE room and a football coach comes in once a week.  There is also a multi-sensory room – which is a space where children can go to take time out – and two support rooms.

The location of the school makes it a perfect for day trips around town.

“We can take trips around town as everything is on our doorstep. It’s so convenient. We can walk to the Wetlands, Siamsa Tíre, the County Museum and the library. A huge cost for schools is a bus to take the children on these trips but this does not apply to us. We also go off on a hike with the Tralee Mountaineering Club once a year,” said Aoife.

The perception of St John’s Parochial School for many is that it is for children of the Church Of Ireland faith but this is something which has changed over the years and pupils of all religions and none are welcome.

“Times have changed and we currently have children from other religions. Children can receive the sacraments, but it is done outside the school. If the children want to receive First Communion, that can be arranged,” said Aoife.

The senior infants at St John’s Parochial School on Ashe Street during ‘Pyjama Day’. Photo by Dermot Crean

A student council was also formed recently and the children held their own election late last year. They meet once or twice a week to come up with projects and fundraisers, one of which was Friday’s ‘Pyjama Day’.

The open day takes place from 1pm next Saturday, January 28, so if you have a child about to start school it’s well worth going down to Ashe Street (the school is accessed to the right of the church). Check out the school website here

PHOTOS: St John’s, Flemby And Caherleaheen Schools Welcome New Arrivals

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(click to enlarge photo) Flemby NS junior infants Eoin O’Sullivan, Óran McGovern, Paul Murphy, Nicole Grudule, Samuel Murphy and Alexander Hotjkin enjoying the sunshine during a break. Photo by Dermot Crean

IT was an exciting week for children in Flemby NS, Caherleaheen NS and St John’s Parochial School in Ashe Street when we visited on Tuesday morning.

The junior infants had all been settling in well since starting this week and were getting to know each other and their teachers.

In Flemby NS, teacher Fiona Cooke said the six pupils were all very excited on the first day, but some had siblings in the same classroom so they settled down well.

Over in Caherleaheen NS, teacher Eveleen McCarthy said the 21 pupils there were very good on Monday and settled in in no time.

Meanwhile, in St John’s in Ashe Street, the five junior infants only started on Tuesday morning in Ms Fitzell’s class. Another new arrival was the Principal, Aoife Benton, who started her new job on Tuesday.

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Principal of St John’s Parochial School, Ashe Street, Aoife Benton, with teacher Patricia Fitzell and the new arrivals at the school. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Ms Eveleen McCarthy’s junior infants class at Caherleaheen NS. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Junior infants settling in at Caherleaheen NS on Tuesday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Making new friends at Caherleaheen NS on Tuesday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Happy junior infants at Caherleaheen NS on Tuesday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Junior infants ready to learn new things at Caherleaheen NS on Tuesday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean
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New arrivals at Caherleaheen NS on Tuesday morning. Photo by Dermot Crean

St John’s To Mark Tralee’s 800th Birthday With New Stained Glass Window

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PLANS for New Reconciliation Window in St. Johns Plans have been announced for a new stained glass window in St. John’s Catholic Church, Tralee which is renowned for its church art.

It will be the first window to be installed in over 60 years.

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In St John's Church in Ashe Street with a representative drawing of the planned new stained glass window were, from left: Fr Sean Hanifin, Cllr Norma Foley, Bill Looney, Denis Kelliher, Fr Bernard Healy, Cathrine Dwyer and John Griffin. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
In St John’s Church in Ashe Street, with a representative drawing of the planned new stained glass window, were, from left: Fr Sean Hanafin, Cllr Norma Foley, Bill Looney, Denis Kelliher, Fr Bernard Healy, Catherine Dwyer and John Griffin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

The new stained Glass Window will have as its theme ‘Reconciliation – Love, Forgiveness, Healing’ and is being commissioned to coincide with the Tralee 800 celebrations in 2016.

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The artist is Tom Denny of the famous Denny family and internationally renowned stained glass artist, who is giving his services free of charge as a contribution to the project.

When the window is installed St. John’s will have stained glass spanning three centuries.

The new window will replace a plain glass window in the west wall of the church and be located between Seán Keating’s 8th and 9th Stations of the Cross. It will have three panels or “lights”. In each of the lights can be found glimpses of the history and landscape of Tralee as well as scriptural passages.

The parish are appealing to the community for support for this momentous project.

“Previous generations of Tralee people have made their contribution to enhancing the beauty of St. John’s, now there is an opportunity for the present generation to make their contribution,” said Fr. Sean Hanafin, P.P.

The central themes are reconciliation, healing and renewal and will have the parable of the Prodigal Son or Loving Father at its centre.

“The parish has already carried out major works on the church this year on the Great Sanctuary window, underpinning the northeast corner and installing a passive heating system” said Fr Sean.

Bill Looney, chairman of the Parish Pastoral Committee, said; “I’m sure that many parishioners, businesses and friends of Tralee at home and abroad would wish to contribute to the project. There will be a special collection at Masses in St. Johns over the weekend of August 15/16th and special leaflets have been printed which will be available at the back of all churches in Tralee.”

VIDEO: Up To 90 People A Week Using Tralee Soup Kitchen

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Collette Price is one of the co-founders of Tralee Soup Kitchen.

THE girls over at ‘Social Box TV’ have uploaded another great interview to their YouTube channel.

This time they interviewed one of the co-founders of the Tralee Soup Kitchen, Collette Price, who along with her friend Dawn Roberts have been running the establishment with the help of volunteers since October 2012.

In the video, Collette reveals that up to 90 people are using the facility on a weekly basis and explains why they founded the service.

“I knew there was a need for a soup kitchen in Tralee. There’s a need for a soup kitchen in all towns throughout Ireland really,” Collette says in the video.

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The interview touches on the recent news that the ‘The KY Comedy Alternative’, Kerry’s new comedy club, will be hosting its inaugural night in the Abbey Inn on April 16 and will donate all of its proceedings to the kitchen.

That money will be used to upgrade equipment and new services for those that come for help in the Teach an Solas hall, on Ashe Street, right next to St. John’s church.

The Soup Kitchen is open every Saturday from 12-2pm and is offered to anyone who may be in need of a hot three course meal.

If you would like to help in any way, you can call Collette Price on 086-3188736.

You can watch the full interview with Collette in the video below. You can subscribe to the Social Box TV YouTube channel by clicking here

 

 

 

PHOTOS: €25,000 Raised At ‘Thousandaire’ Night For Tralee Churches

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George Poff, Daniel Giles, Mona Butler and Grace O’Donnell at the Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean

A FUN event was held in Ballyroe last night in aid of the three Church of Ireland churches which were damaged in the storms earlier this year.

‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ drew a good turnout to the hotel where an amazing  €25,000 was raised by the event through advertising and sponsorship.

The three St John churches in Ballyseedy, Ballymacelligott and in Ashe Street were damaged earlier in the year and the funds will contribute greatly to their repair an upkeep.

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Everyone attending on the night was in with a chance of winning €1,000 and while nobody scooped the big cash prize, everybody had a great time.

The organising committee was delighted with the amount raised and thanked sponsors, advertisers and everyone else  who made the night such a success.

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Patrice and Regina O'Hanlon at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Patrice and Regina O’Hanlon at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Elaine Nolan and Caroline Fahy at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Elaine Nolan and Caroline Fahy at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Erris O'Carroll, Debie Quirke and Caragh Cremins  at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Erris O’Carroll, Debie Quirke and Caragh Cremins at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Alan Boyle and Trevor Giles at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Alan Boyle and Trevor Giles at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Claire and Oliver Molloy with Niall Hanbidge at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Claire and Oliver Molloy with Niall Hanbidge at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Adrian, Colette, Philip and Stuart Boyle at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Adrian, Colette, Philip and Stuart Boyle at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Orsolya Biro and Maurice O'Connell at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Orsolya Biro and Maurice O’Connell at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Hudson, Sarah Ronan, Barbara Hudson and Susan Keating at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Hudson, Sarah Ronan, Barbara Hudson and Susan Keating at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Irene O'Donnell with Brendan and Brenda Collins at the 'Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire' night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Irene O’Donnell with Brendan and Brenda Collins at the ‘Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire’ night in Ballyroe Heights Hotel on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean

 

Elderly Men Who Hadn’t Eaten For Days Among Soup Kitchen Visitors

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Colette Price and John Leahy, volunteers of the Soup Kitchen, which operates from 12pm - 2pm, every Saturday in the, Teach an Solas hall, next to St John's Church of Ireland on Ashe Street. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Colette Price and John Leahy, volunteers of the Soup Kitchen, which operates from 12pm – 2pm, every Saturday in the, Teach an Solas hall, next to St John’s Church of Ireland on Ashe Street. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

TWO elderly men come to a soup kitchen in town.

Dressed in their Sunday best, the men take their seats in the hall and eat three full dinners each one after another.

It later transpires that the men, aged in their 70s, had not eaten in four days.

This is just one story from the Soup Kitchen, in the Teach an Solas hall, on Ashe Street, right next to St. John’s church.

The Soup Kitchen began in October 2012 when two women, Colette Price and Dawn Roberts, felt there was a need to reach out to less fortunate people in the community.

“When we started we had two or three people coming in the door, now we’re averaging about 80 people each week. Last week we had 95 people coming to us,” said Collette Price of the The Soup Kitchen.

Every Saturday, from 12pm – 2pm, the Soup Kitchen opens its doors and provides people of all ages with a three course meal, which is kindly donated by local businesses and restaurants. The Church of Ireland also provides the hall for free.

“The social aspect of the soup kitchen is just as important as the food being served. From talking to people, we can find out who is having trouble putting food on the table or who has not been well. Not only that, it’s also a social outing for a lot people,” said Colette.

The build up to Christmas is an extremely important time for charitable organisations. Around this time last year, the Soup Kitchen, was contacted about the need to help two women who were living with each other and had children.

When they got to the house to drop off non-perishable food, the two women broke down in tears. Under closer inspection from the people who came to the woman’s aid they found they had no food at all in the house.

Because of the huge undertaking involved in feeding 90 people, Colette and Dawn  alternate every Saturday and enlist the help of between 40 and 60 volunteers.

“This Christmas we want to appeal to people and businesses if they can donate food. We only open on a Saturday so we want to make sure that people will have something the days they can’t come to us,” said Colette.

The Soup Kitchen won’t be serving on Christmas day, but on the Saturdays either side of it they will try to put on Christmas dinner, all depending on what donations they get.

“If food is coming to the end of its shelf life, instead of throwing it in the bin, there’s no trouble with us coming to collect food. We will find someone who needs it,” said Colette.

If you would like to help in any way, call Colette Price on 086-3188736.

Take A Break From The Festival At Recital In St John’s Ashe Street

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IF you’re looking for an oasis of calm from the crazy hustle and bustle of the Rose of Tralee festival then a visit to the 800 year old St John’s Church in Ashe Street is in order this weekend.

The beautiful Church Of Ireland venue will host recitals  from organist Glen Moore on Saturday and Sunday at 1.30pm.

Those attending can expect an eclectic mix of music which will include classical, some contemporary Irish songs and popular music.

Mr Moore is organist and musical director at St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen.

In 2012 he was organist and director of music for the Northern Ireland state service, which was televised live on the BBC to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, which was attended by the Queen herself and Prince Philip.

The recital is free and all are welcome to attend.

Mona Butler, Archdeacon Susan Watterson, Susan Keating and Niall Groves looking forward to the recitals this weekend by acclaimed organist, Glen Moore. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mona Butler, Archdeacon Susan Watterson, Susan Keating and Niall Groves looking forward to the recitals this weekend by acclaimed organist, Glen Moore. Photo by Dermot Crean