by Tom Aherne
Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry locality on this windy and showery Sunday afternoon in mid May. The weather remains broken, with below temperatures, and little growth, but June is predicted to be very good.
Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was a Month’s Mind Mass for the late Ned O’Shaughnessy of Knockdown, and it was also Vocation Sunday. The Collection taken up was in aid of West Limerick Community Workshop, based in Newcastle West.
A good result for Jedward and Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest final in Germany and a good future for the boys looks on the cards.
Munster defeated Ospreys by 7 points to progress to the Magners League final and a meeting with Leinster in 2 weeks time.
A great Saturday for Manchester in cross channel soccer with United winning a record 19th League title, and City winning the F.A. Cup after many barren trophy-less years.
Congratulations to Carrig Celtic B on winning the Desmond Division 4 League Cup final on Friday 6th May. They defeated Athea United B by 1-0 at Clounreask to win their first trophy in their short history. A late Tony Doyle goal decided the issue after a very close contest enjoyed by a large attendance. TEAM: Declan Greaney, Gavin Hayes, Neilus Brouder, Michael Lenihan, Kevin O’Loughlin, Timmy McCoy, Liam Flavin, Dermot McSweeney, Thomas Moran, Declan Liston, Tony Doyle. SUBS: Brodie O’Connor, Mikey Murphy, and Gearoid Whelan, all introduced. Edward Flaherty, John Greaney, TJ Liston, Mike Flynn. Captain, Dermot McSweeney, accepted the Shield from PJ Hogan of the Desmond League afterwards and paid tribute to their late team member Micheál Kiely in his acceptance speech. Kevin O’Loughlin was named man of the match and well done to the selectors Paddy Copse, John Copse and Michael Flynn.
The following are the lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 9th May. The numbers drawn were 9,10,18,21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows:
€60 Sarah O’Brien, Coolacokera, Ardagh. Kathleen Ryan, Coolacokera, Ardagh. Mairéad O’Connor, c/o Ailish.
€30 John and Sinéad Danaher, Ardagh.
John Woulfe, Grouse Lodge, Ardagh.
John and Catherine Noonan, Ardagh.
Next week’s draw takes place in Foley’s Bar, Reens Ardagh and the Jackpot will be € 7,200.
The latest Limerick G.A.A. Development Draw took place at Na Piarsaigh G.A.A. Clubhouse in Limerick on Friday 6th May. Congratulations to Timmy O’Donoghue, Old Mill and Saint Kieran’s G.A.A. Club, who won €250. The next draw will take place at Doran’s Pride Bar in Fedamore.
Congratulations to Patsy Nolan, a member of Carrigkerry Wrenboys, who won the senior category at the annual bodhrán competition, held in The Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale, on Friday 29th April.
Congratulations also to James O’Connor Boughilbó, Kilcolman, who won the junior category.
Congratulations to Darragh O’Grady Rathkeale, and a member of the Boxing Club on his recent All Ireland win at the National Amateur Boxing Championships in Dublin. He won gold in the 48kg category against top class opposition. Darragh is a son of Paddy O’Grady and Kathleen Mangan, a native of Glensharrold and he is wished well for the future.
Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, and Peter Fitzsimons who were prize winners at The Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 4th May.
Congratulations to James Bridgeman and Donie Donovan who were first prize winners at the card game in Shanagolden, on Friday 6th May.
Tom Nestor, a native of Coolcappa, has a very interesting article about The Irish Palatines in the Ireland’s Own issue of Friday 6th May. He now lives in Offaly and contributes articles to the magazine on a regular basis.
Kilcolman Rovers ladies held their awards night at Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Saturday 7th May. Congratulations to the following winners.
Sinead Dundon- Player of the season.
Stephanie Downes-Top goal scorer of the season.
Niamh Ryan-Goal of the season.
Dyann Carroll-Best attendance record.
Mike King manager and Matty Histon P.R.O. received special awards for their good work over the season.
Congratulations to all the boys and girls from Ardagh and Carrigkerry who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Tuesday 10th May.
Congratulations to the pupils of Coolcappa N.S. who received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in Saint Kyran’s Church, Coolcappa, on Saturday 7th May.
Congratulations to the pupils of Kilcolman N.S. who received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Saturday 14th May.
Congratulations to the pupils of Ardagh N.S who received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Saturday 14th May.
Many people will be sad to hear of the death of Michael Dowling from Listowel who passed away on Tuesday 10th May. He will be remembered for his work for Comhaltas for many years as an officer and a presenter of events at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Listowel. He was also involved in the staging of the All Ireland Wrenboy Competition each September in the Square in Listowel, and was a very efficient Fear A Tí as well. Members of the Carrigkerry Wrenboys, local Comhaltas members and spectators attending events in Listowel will have their own special memories of Michael who was an unsung volunteer and promoter who will be sadly missed by all who encountered him. May he rest in Peace.
Kilcolman Rovers underage soccer club are holding a Quiz in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh on Friday 20th May.
A fundraising night in aid of Tom McCarthy will take place in O’Grady’s (Old Turnpike) Newcastle West, on Friday 20th May. at 8.pm. Mad for Road and other West Limerick artists will feature. Tickets are on sale at Stevo’s Daybreak Carrigkerry at a cost of €5 each.
The annual Dromcollogher May Fair and Vintage Rally in aid of the Respite Care Centre will take place on Sunday 22nd May commencing at 1.30pm. All are welcome and to book a stall contact 063-83934.
A special Mass for students preparing for exams will be celebrated in Saint Colman’s Church in Kilcolman, on Sunday 22nd May at 10.30am and all students are welcome to participate.
The annual Mass at Cahermoyle Grotto in Ardagh will be celebrated on Tuesday 24th May at 7.30pm and all are welcome to attend.
The Rás Cycling Tour takes place around Ireland from 22nd -29th May. This year’s event is the 58th and is sponsored by An Post and it is always a great occasion when it passes on it’s way. Stage 3 from Kilrush to Castleisland on Tuesday 24th May will pass through Newcastle West allowing local people a chance to watch the action.
Newcastle West Bereavement Group are organising a ceremony for the naming of babies/children, who have died as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth or sudden infant death. The ceremony will be held in Newcastle West Church on Wednesday 25th May at 8.15pm.
All are welcome whatever your faith or wherever you live.
Nice to report a business success story in these grim and depressing times of layoffs and closures. Greaney Concrete Products Ltd is a family run company based in Shanagolden who produce high quality pre-cast concrete products, and are operating since 1976.
The owner Seanie Greaney is a native of Rooskagh West and a former Gaelic player with Carrigkerry and Kilcolman football teams. In recent weeks the company opened a new depot at Manor West Retail Park in Tralee. Continued success to the family and company in the future.
The Parish Clerk’s Collection for Carrigkerry will be taken up in Saint Mary’s Church this coming Sunday 22nd May at the 11.30am Mass. Eileen does excellent work throughout the year and the Church is a credit to her. She is always available and is dedicated and committed to the job and deserves the support of all who attend there on a regular basis, be they parishioners or people from other parishes.
No collection will be held in Ardagh as the position is vacant.
This week is all about the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Obama, and the protests and costs involved and what good may come to the country as a result.
I will conclude with our thought.
“The shortest answer is doing”
Queen Visits Carrig
Carrigkerry is a buzz this week following the announcement that Queen Elizabeth is to visit the area as part of her itinerary. She is to issue an apology to the people following the Great Famine and the resulting Glensharrold Evictions. The news has been greeted with great joy by the majority of the people and a royal welcome awaits Lizzie and the Duke. The employment created by building bridges will be welcomed as well. The visit offers renewed hope for a better future following a miserable few years of recession, green party policy, bad weather and Eurovision failure.
The Flag Floor has been selected to host the Reception and all available help has been recruited. The passage into it has been airbrushed and the forestry trees decorated and a figure of a corgi placed at the entrance to make her feel at home. The building has been turned into a Palace and The Child of Prague left out for good weather and the midges sprayed.
The menu will include the following mouth watering fare:
A starter of Wren Party Soup, watercress and Kearney’s Bread.
White River Trout and Athea Puddings for the main course, dressed with vegetables from the Blackhill and Griffin’s potatoes.
Washed down with Furze Hip Wine and Queen Cakes.
Music and song will follow with airings of
God Save Ireland, A Nation Once Again, Lizzie Windsor, England’s Motorway and The May Morning Dew, to name but a few.
Carrig Celtic grounds will be the venue for A Donkey Derby to commence the fun and games. All the local horses will be lined up along the west ditch for the Queen to inspect, as she knows her horseflesh. A Horse Shoe throwing contest to help cheer up Philip will conclude the event.
Mad for Road were unavailable, so the locals are putting on a demonstration of doughnuts at the crossroads, including burning rubber, blue smoke and lots of comely maidens.
Next up Denis will drive her Majesty in his trap to Scotland Bog along the scenic route to judge a turf footing competition, before we are stopped from cutting turf there.
She will receive a Sod of Turf in thanks and in remembrance of her visit to the old sod.
She will be presented with a Bouquet of Heather, Bog Cotton, Cuckoo Flower, Bogbean, and Pimpernel to remind her of the barren landscape our ancestors existed in during the Famine.
She will also receive a piece of Bogdeal, in recognition of Britain’s bailout help to Ireland and a CD of the Cuckoo Waltz for Philip and herself to dance to at their next party.
The Wind Turbines will operate for the duration of her visit to help clear the district of all the hot air around. They will be lit up and The Union Jack will fly from the blades.
We will remind her of Ireland’s win’s over England in Rugby and Cricket and thank her for the 12 points for Jedward in the Eurovision last Saturday.
The Bell of Saint Mary’s will ring out as she departs for the next stage of her tour.
The tourism spin-off for the Carrig region will be immense, as a result of her visit and we will send more of our best people over to England in exchange. We thank Elizabeth for her visit and wish her good health in the future.
I awake to the music of ABBA and Dancing Queen, followed by I Have A Dream.
No offence meant.
Tom Aherne