by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry District on this windy, dry and overcast Sunday afternoon. May Day has arrived and we welcome the month and the Summer and all the good things it has to offer. The good weather continues to lift peoples spirits and some are showing the effects of the Sun’s rays. It is lovely to see but people should be careful of the Sun and apply the Sun Cream and cover up. A new Moon this Tuesday 3rd could lead to a change in our weather pattern. A wet and a windy May will fill the barns with corn and hay, the old saying goes. The Royal wedding is over and the Pope is beautified and the Senate seats are filled. Our thoughts now turn to the arrival of the Queen and the President as we remain the centre of attention, for the right or the wrong reason.

The following are the lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, on April 26th.

The numbers drawn were 1,14,26,28, and there was no Jackpot winner.

Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.

€60 Jason Donovan, Ardagh.

Aidan and Tony,    c/o Tom Hartnett.

Paddy Bridgeman, Ardagh.

€30 Mary O’Brien,  Ardagh.

Sheik, Commons, Ardagh.

Sean McCarthy,  Ardagh.

Next week’s draw takes place at The Old Mill Bar and the Jackpot will be €6,800.

Congratulations to Mike Young, Mike Mahony, Mick McQuinn, Mike Kiely, Bill Downes who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 20th April.

Congratulations to Con and Esther Horgan, and Ann and Catherine Madigan, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Good Friday 22nd April.

Congratulations to Eoin Moran, Carrigkerry and Gaelscoil O’Doghair, Newcastle West, who was awarded Man of the Match for his display in the school’s win over Salesian College, Pallaskenry in Under 16 football.

Carrig Celtic defeated Abbeyfeale United B 1-0 at home in Division 1 of the Desmond League, with a Donal Nolan goal.

Old Mill drew 1-1 at home to Athea United with an Anthony Molyneaux goal in the same Division. Kilcolman Rovers had no fixture.

Carrig Celtic B defeated Shannonside B 1-0 away in the semi final of the Division 4 League  Cup with Dean Liston getting the vital goal. They will play neighbours Athea Utd B in the final.

The organisers of the recent Great Southern Trail Collection held in Ardagh and Carrigkerry would like to thank all who contributed to it and to the collectors, who manned the tables. The total amount collected was €706.  A large number of people are using the trail around the region at present to soak up the sunshine. The long dry spell has got the people out and about to enjoy the fresh air in a very safe and  secure location. Walking is so good for the mind as well as the body and the facility is a great asset to have in our midst.

Parishioners were saddened to hear of the passing of Jerry Normoyle, Churchtown Road, Newcastle West on 26th April. He operated a very successful Garage and Filling Station for many years and was always kind and courteous to his customers., M.A.G. Motors was in a good location for the people from our side of the town who got their cars serviced and repaired by Jerry and his staff. I bought my first car from Jerry in 1978 and always enjoyed good service there. In retirement many would meet Jerry during his daily walk up the Demesne. He always had time for a chat or a greeting and he was a very interesting person to converse with. He will be sadly missed by all he encountered over the years and sympathy to his family, relations and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Róisín Ambrose, Saint Kieran’s community games, who finished third in the cross country U-12 600 metres event in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale. She has qualified for the national finals in Athlone as a result.

The weather in recent weeks has been ideal for all who have been on holiday over the Easter period. The above average temperatures were a Godsend after the very harsh Winter we came through. The school students and teachers enjoyed a nice break and the focus will now turn to the exams in June and we wish all students well.

Radio provided a great service for people living in rural Ireland in those far off days when communication was limited and news was scarce. The followers of Gaelic games would tune into The Sports results read by Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin each Sunday night to get the up to date news. I was attracted to his voice and the names of the clubs all over the country as a small boy and to this day I still listen in on occasions to get some results of interest. Sad to report that he is to retire from the job this Sunday night 8th of May after 63 years as a constant voice on Irish airways. He was born in South Quay, Newcastle West on the 12th of May 1923. His father was born near Coalisland in County Tyrone and his mother was Frances Madden from Ballyhahill. They moved to Dublin to live when Seán Óg was very young so West Limerick’s loss was Dublin’s gain. He has been described as a broadcaster, TV presenter, sportsman, actor, playwright, author, historian and his voice is unique in Irish broadcasting. Next year he enters the Guinness Book of Records for achieving the longest career in radio sports broadcasting worldwide. We will miss his familiar voice in the future, but rejoice in his past achievements, and wish him a happy retirement.

Joint replacements have become very common in recent years offering people a new lease of life from the pain and discomfort involved. A number of parishioners have received knee and hip replacements in recent weeks at Croom Hospital and we wish them a speedy recovery. Get well wishes to all people who are sick at present at home, in Hospital or in Nursing Homes.

The annual general meeting of the Saint Senan’s and District Community Alert will take place in the Shannon House in Foynes on Monday 9th May. Coolcappa – Kilcolman is included in this Community Alert group who do great work in combating crime. A good attendance is essential to keep the group in operation in the future.

Alliance of the two hearts 1st Friday and 1st Saturday Adoration on Friday 6th May 2011 at Saint Senan’s Church, Foynes. Starting at 6.15pm, and ending at 1.15am Saturday morning.

Enquiries to 087-2910263.

Enrolment is now taking place for new pupils for Carrigkerry National School. Parents who wish to enrol their children, for next September, are asked to call to the School for the necessary forms.

The Rosary will be recited each evening at Churchtown Grotto at 7pm during the month of May. A good number of people from the locality attend the various ceremonies held there each year.

The Spring 2011 edition of the very popular Green And White, Limerick G.A.A. Youth Magazine is now available in local Schools, clubs and outlets. It is a fine publication as usual and full of interesting articles and features covering the under age scene. West Limerick is well covered and Tim Crowley and Sandra Larkin are in camera. It is well worth a read and a great promotion for our Gaelic games.

West Limerick Community Radio are seeking people to enter their annual six month fundraising draw. The tickets cost €10 per month or €60 for the six months. The  monthly prizes are as follows €500, €300 and three prizes of €100 each.

The next car boot sale will take place on Sunday 15th May at Newcastle West Community Centre from 9am to 3 pm.

Sacred Space is broadcast each Sunday Morning from 10am to 11 am, with presenter John Keily from Ardagh, and repeated on Thursday nights from 10.30pm.

The Loughill/Ballyhahill Parish Annual 2011 is on sale at Stevo’s Daybreak in Carrigkerry at present and it costs €10. It contains 76 pages of articles covering a wide range of events, tributes, poems, club and school reports, photographs. It is a well presented publication and well worth a read with all profits to go to the parish hall fund. Well done to the editorial committee on publishing another annual which will preserve more of our past history.

A reminder to households to return  their Trocaire Boxes, in the coming week. People are asked to convert the contents into larger denominations and notes before returning them.

The annual general meeting of Ardagh Community Hall takes place this Friday night 6th May at 8.00pm. All members are asked to attend and new members are most welcome.

Congratulations to the Limerick team on their win over Clare in the National Hurling League Division 2 final in Ennis on Saturday evening. It gains them promotion to Div 1 and gives them a boost for the Championship.

Munster went down badly to Harlquins in the semi final of the Amlin Challenge Cup, but a great win for Leinster in the Heineken Cup over Toulouse.

I will conclude with our thought.

“Instinct is the nose of the mind”