By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Kate O’Doherty, Ardagh who was recently named Irish Student Designer of the Year 2017 Irish Fashion Innovation Awards. Kate is a fourth year student at the Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) and her win has created a major stir within the fashion industry. The annual awards show was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, and 42 students from all over Ireland displayed their designs to over 500 guests.  Awards were made in the areas of Fashion, Millinery, Accessories and Jewellery, with the overall Student Designer of the Year 2017 going to 4th -year LSAD Fashion student Kate O’Doherty.

Speaking of her win, Ardagh native, Kate said I was thrilled to be selected to represent Limerick School of Art and Design at the Irish Fashion Innovation Awards and delighted to have my family with me to share in what was a wonderful event. It was amazing to see my design come to life on the catwalk and a magical moment when I heard my name announced as Student Designer of the Year 2017. The competition judges gave Kate the verdict for her unique and creative design, which came to life when it appeared on the catwalk. Kate’s complete collection will be on display at the LSAD annual graduate show which will take place on Thursday May 11. Kate was a guest on the Limerick Today Show on Limerick Live 95fm on Tuesday April 11.

The death has occurred of Agnes (Aggie) Kennelly (née Magner) Cahermoyle, Ardagh, at her residence on Sunday April 9. Her passing at a young age has created deep sadness in the locality and she will be sadly missed by all who were lucky to make her acquaintance. Her contribution throughout her life to family, and community will never be forgotten. She lay in repose at St Molua’s Church Ardagh from 4-7p.m. on Wednesday April 12 followed by Requiem Mass. Liturgical Prayers in the Church at 12.30pm, on Thursday followed by burial in Ardagh cemetery.

We extend deep sympathy to her husband Bernard, daughters Mai and Iris, brothers Connie and Mike, sister Marie, nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grandnieces, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, extended family, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Patsy Barrett Rooskagh who recently celebrated his 80th birthday at a family and friends get together in Newcastle West.

A big thank you to all the people involved in the Team Limerick Clean-up on Good Friday. It was wonderful to see individuals and groups participate in their communities, for the general good of all despite the unkind weather. It is great to see this united stand against people who dump rubbish around our beautiful countryside. It is hard to understand their thinking and motives for doing so, and the harm it does, to our wild life, fish population, and tourist industry. Two weeks ago another load of old furniture, after a house clearance was dumped at the entrance to scenic Scotland Bog in Glensharrold. A lot of the contents could have been recycled if the people who dumped them wished to do so. The people involved keep their own households neat and tidy and yet think nothing of spoiling it for others by dumping their rubbish in every convenient location. Cameras are great for spotting the dumpers, who can be seen, and we hope our Council will take action on the people involved.

St Kieran’s Heritage Association held their 16th meeting on Wednesday April 5 and ten people were present. Ger Greaney was chairperson in the absence of John P O’Sullivan, and he welcomed everybody and Secretary Mary Kury read the minutes, and correspondence. The future plans of the association were discussed with next year’s Ardagh Chalice anniversary being the main focus. A lot of people associate the Chalice with Ardagh in County Longford and this need to be addressed and highlighted. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday May 10 in Coolcappa Community Hall at 8pm and all are welcome.

Congratulations to the following prize winners in the Carrig Celtic 300 club draw. First Prize; €1,000 Moyvane Marian Hall, Second Prize; €250 Lorcan Flavin, and three prizes of €50 each; Josephine Kiely, Lisgordan, Ardagh, John Greaney, Kilcolman, and Sean Windle, Knockfinisk.

The following are the Lottery results from the Old Mill Bar on Monday April 10. The numbers drawn were 4, 8, 25, and 27 and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each;  Emma and Maureen Noonan, Ardagh, Teresa Flavin, c/o Catherine Noonan, John Duggan, c/o Neary’s, Catherine O’Donnell, c/o Moloney’s, and P O’Sullivan,

c/o Josie. Next week’s Jackpot will be €14,600 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s community games members Amy Ava and Hannah, who won the U-10 Group Irish Dance competition held in Rathkeale Community Centre, on Sunday April 9. They were also awarded the overall entertainment act prize, and Hannah also came first in the U-10 Solo Irish Dance.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Rathkeale by 0-16 to 2-7 in the West Senior Football Championship semi final at Askeaton Gaelic Grounds on Easter Saturday April 15. They led by 0-10 to 1-5 at half time and extended their advantage in the second half. They will meet Ballysteen in the West final. Team Dan Madden, Mossie Shine, Brendan McCarthy, Anthony Mullins, Kevin Meade, John Doyle, Jack Ben Harnett, 0-1 Johnny Mc Carthy, 0-1 Darragh Treacy, 0-1 Noel Callanan, Anthony Molyneaux, Sean McSweeney, 0-11 Niall O’Shea, 0-1 Paudie McCarthy, Seamus Mangan, 0-1 Subs John O’Connor, Killian Enright.  Saint Kieran’s will play Ballylanders in the opening round of the Limerick senior football Championship on Saturday April 22 in Kilmallock at 7pm.

Eoin Burke, Liam Kennedy, Noel Callanan, 0-3 and Diarmuid Mulcahy sub from the Saint Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick team that defeated Waterford by 1-10 to 0-9 in the Munster Minor Football Championship in the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday April 12.

Carrig Celtic lost 3-1 away to Rathkeale in the Desmond Premier Division League Cup semi final on Sunday April 9. Carrig Celtic B defeated Feenagh B 2-1 at home in the Division 3 League Cup with goals from Donal Balfe, and Liam Upton. Creeves Celtic lost 2-0 away to Knockaderry in the same competition. Kilcolman Rovers defeated Broadford Utd 2-1 at home in the Desmond Ladies Division 1 League Cup semi final. Ciara O’Donnell, and Dora Bury, scored their goals.

Easter week saw the arrival of a new electric car around the village of Carrigkerry. It is an insight into what the future holds for motorists, and we wish the family enjoyable driving.  Technology is advancing so quickly that soon we will have driverless cars in the locality and they will ferry us around at the touch of a button. Forward thinking follows the family who also owned the first tractor to come to the area.

People are asked to hand in their Trócaire Boxes to their local church or school. If possible please replace the smaller coins with larger coin or ideally with notes. Please be generous with your donations as every cent can make a difference, to the poor in third world countries.

From this coming week end April 22/23 the change of Mass times will operate in Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish as follows; Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry Saturday at 6.30pm, and in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sunday at 11am.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas are holding a rambling house in the Community Centre Ardagh on Saturday April 22 at 8pm. All musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers are most welcome, and it promises to be a very enjoyable night. The proceeds will go to the Irish Guide Dogs and the RNLI, and all support will be appreciated.