Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news, around the Carrigkerry locality on this dry and mild Sunday afternoon. Saint Patrick’s Day has come and gone, and hopefully all enjoyed the festivities, and the parades. It was a great week for the Irish at Cheltenham with record wins over the four days. Money was made and lost and people who were lucky to attend the Meeting were part of the history making. A great win for Ireland over England in the Six Nations rugby international to deny them the grand slam but not the Championship. Willie Casey’s defeat in boxing was the disappointing event of the week-end as he was out of his depth and not up to the standard required.
Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an anniversary Mass for the late Eugene Ahern of Rooskagh. Ardagh-Carrigkerry Comhaltas took up the Church gate collection.
The first draw of the year in the Limerick G.A.A. Development Draw for 2011 was held at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Friday March 11th. Congratulations to Jim O ‘Donnell Creeves, and Saint Kieran’s who won 6th Prize of €1,000. The club would welcome new members, who may wish to join the popular draw. It costs €10 per draw to join and further details from club members. The next draw will take place on Friday, April 1st, venue to be advertised.
The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh on March 14th. The numbers drawn were 24,27,28,29. There was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.
€60 Ger Power c/o Bus Eireann, Leonard and Jamie O’Connor, Margaret Murphy, Farran.€30 Denise O’Connor, Carrigkerry, Julia Mackessy, Coolanoran, Liam O’Sullivan, Old Mill.
Next week’s draw takes place at Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry and the Jackpot will be €5,600.
Congratulations to Moss O’ Connor and Mike Mahony and Mike Barrett and Mary Aherne O’Connor, who were prize winners at The Flag Floor card game on March 9th.
Congratulations to John and Peg Mulvihill, Ballinabearna who were prize winners at the card game held in Rathkeale.
Congratulations to Tess Hartigan, Barnigue, Carrigkerry, and Jim O’Dwyer, Ardagh who were prize winners at Bingo in Rathkeale on Thursday, March 10th.
Congratulations and good wishes for the future to Joan and Paddy Molyneaux, The Cross, Ardagh who recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Carrig Celtic lost 2-1 on penalties following an 0-0 draw in Round 3 of the Desmond Cup at home on March 13th. Carrig Celtic B lost 2-0 away to Athea B in Division 4 of the League.
Kilcolman Rovers drew 3-3 away to Abbeyfeale Utd B in Division 1. Old Mill had no game.
In ladies soccer Carrig Celtic defeated Rathkeale 3-1 in the Premier Division of the Desmond League. It was their first win and Michelle Brouder 2 and Anne McSweeney scored.
Congratulations to Kilcolman Rovers ladies, on winning team of the month.
Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s U -14 Set Dancers and teacher John Joe Tierney who won bronze medals in the County finals of Community Games, in Askeaton on March 12th.
The team members were Philip O’Connor, Denis Fitzgerald, Cian Ward, John Hayes, Darren Ward, Amy O’Shea, Erin Hennessy, Katelyn Hayes, Áine Upton, and Sophie Hennessy.
Johnny McCarthy captained Limerick to their first win in this year’s National Football League on Sunday, March 13th. They defeated Cavan by 5 points at The Gaelic Grounds in Limerick and Johnny was outstanding at centre back.
There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, in Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh on the Sunday’s of Lent from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.
West Limerick Vintage Club held their A.G.M. on March 10th. A large crowd was in attendance and a very successful year was reviewed. Founded in 2008 the club has donated over €11,000 to various local charities and worthy causes. The club participate in a number of events over the year and hold their own vintage day in September. They welcome new members, and accept donations of vintage items. For more details contact 087-7608486 or their club website on www.westlimerickvintageclub.com
West Limerick Bowls Club recently participated in competition in Mallow in North Cork and performed well and enjoyed the experience and interaction with the other clubs. The members meet regularly at their base in Tournafulla Hall, and they would welcome new members to join them. Bowls is a very enjoyable sport to participate in and it is good for body and mind and suits most age groups.
The recycling facilities near Stevo’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry, and Saint Molua’s Hall, Ardagh, are of great benefit to the general public who make good use of them in both locations. People can dispose of clothes, tins and glass items, once they are properly cleaned and sorted and placed in the appropriate banks. It is important to keep the areas clean and tidy and not to leave any items on the ground near the various banks.
It is reported that one and two teacher Schools in rural areas may be under threat in the future due to proposed cuts. This could have devastating consequences for many communities already without the services they were used to in times past. When times were good all the Schools should have been upgraded and modernised for the needs of the present and all pre-fabs destroyed. Money was squandered and now it will be the people and communities that will suffer as a result of this neglect.
The Great Southern Trail intend to publish a book, documenting the Railways which served West Limerick/North Kerry over the years. They would like to include people’s memories and reminiscences in the book which should be ready for launch in late Autumn. Liam O’Mahoney 9 Bishop Street, Newcastle West can be contacted on 087-6471956.
Ardagh I.C.A. are holding an interior design course commencing on Wednesday, March 23rd in Ardagh Hall at 7.30pm. The classes will be held each Wednesday night over a six week period. No cost applies and non members are welcome.
Daffodil Day, in aid of The Irish Cancer Society, takes place on Friday, March 25th. Volunteers will be selling Daffodils nationwide and all support will be much appreciated. All enquiries to Kate Buckingham, Glenastar, Ardagh, 069-76148.
Kilcolman Community Creche are holding a fundraising Table Quiz at the Old Stand in Shanagolden on this Friday, March 25th. It will commence at 9pm and all are welcome.
Ardagh Carrigkerry senior citizen’s Christmas party fund collection will be taken up in Ardagh and Carrigkerry on Saturday and Sunday March 26th, and 27th. Please be generous with your contributions.
March 30th will mark the 90th anniversary of the death of Sean Finn by British forces in Ballyroe in the parish of Ballyhahill-Loughill. A native of Rathkeale he was in his early twenties and much admired for his bravery in the fight for Irish freedom.
We regret the passing of Showjumper Iris Kellet and RTE political commentator Gerard Barry in recent weeks. Iris was 85 years old and a real pioneer for women in the sport of showjumping which was male dominated at the time. Gerard was a probing but fair presenter on current affairs programmes and was only in his sixties.
One of the finest hurlers of the past 30 years or so, Ken McGrath from Waterford, announced his retirement during the week. He could play in any position on the field and gave great service to club and county and was most unlucky not to win an All Ireland medal.
I will conclude with out thought:
“Most people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions”
By Tom Aherne