by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry area on this sunny Sunday evening. The upturn in the weather is to be welcomed in recent days and work has resumed in the bogs around western areas. The bad month has cast a heavy tole on the quality. The turf needs to be moved now by turning or footing if it is to improve to harvest it. The silage work has commenced again and the growth has improved as a result of the warmer temperatures.
It looks like more changes are on the way for hard pressed households from next year. A form of taxation by stealth and they will add up to €3,000 for the average household. We have the Universal Social Charge, new Insurance charge following the Quinn Insurance collapse, money from the pensions to fund the jobs initiative, a household charge, water charge and property tax to follow in the near future. Where will it end people are asking?
Sad to report the passing of Peter Murphy of RTE fame at the age of 88 years. He was associated with Cross Country Quiz for many years and he published a number of quiz books also.
A good win for the Irish soccer team in Macedonia to remain in contention for a place in the Euro finals in 2012. Robbie Keane continues to score vital goals for Ireland despite a record for his club.
Congratulations to Linda Murphy and Philip Clifford, Glenastar, Ardagh,  Granagh, who were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Saturday, May 28th. The reception took place in the Charleville Park Hotel.
Best wishes to the happy couple who will reside in their new home in Glenastar.
Congratulations to Raymond Brouder, son of Christina and Neily, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry who celebrated his 21st birthday attended by family and friends at a party held in The Gables, Athea on Friday 3rd June.
The following are the lottery results from Moore’s Bar in Carrigkerry on Monday 30th May. The numbers drawn were 11, 14, 15, 20 and there was no jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows:
€60 Liam O’Sullivan, Old Mill
€60 Pat Hartnett, Old Mill
€60 Bridget and Charlie, Askeaton
€30 Mary O’Grady, Carrigkerry
€30 Seamus Behan c/o Neary’s Ardagh
€30 Paula Ruane, Barrigone
Next week’s draw takes place in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €7,800.
Congratulations to Sean Danaher, Con Enright, Bill Downes, Mike Kiely and Peter Fitzsimons, who were prize winners at The Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 25th May. This was the final game of the season and thanks to all who supported over the winter.
Bridie Kiely from Glensharrold, Carrigkerry was Willie O’ Regan’s guest on his programme on West Limerick 102 Community Radio on Sunday 29th May. Bridie is 88 years old and in good health and also in good voice as she sang two songs during the very interesting 1 hour show.
She gave Willie a rundown on how life was like in her young days and how it evolved up to the present day. All her life was spent in her native place and in the farming industry. Times were hard but very happy and people looked out for each other and helped each other in times of need. We wish Bridie continued good health and keep on singing.
A good number of people from the locality attended the Munster Senior Football Championship semi-finals in Limerick on Saturday evening. They were very disappointed in the Limerick display which saw them lose heavily in both senior and junior matches. Saint Kieran’s pair Johnny McCarthy and Jim Donovan scored a point apiece in the 11 point defeat in the senior match.
National Sunflower Days takes place on Friday the 10th and Saturday 11th June 2011. Funds raised from this event are in aid of Milford Hospice. The income received from such fundraising events help to expand and continue to provide the highest quality of care for patients and families throughout the Midwest Region. If you would like to help out on Sunflower Days, please contact the Fundraising Department on 061-485860.
The total proceeds from the Micheál Kiely Memorial Tournament run by Carrig Celtic F.C. amounted to €2,020. The Irish Neurological Association has been nominated by the Kiely family to benefit from this fundraising event. Many thanks to everyone who contributed or supported this event in honour of Micheál.
Carrig Celtic F.C. will hold a fundraising raffle in aid of the schoolboys/girls with lines currently on sale at €2 each. A fantastic monster hamper for this raffle is on display at Stevo’s Daybreak. These lines may be bought from any committee member or at Stevo’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry. All support appreciated.
The next car boot sale and indoor market in aid of our local community radio station West Limerick 102FM will take place in Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday 12th June from 9am to 3pm. Gates will open at 7.30am and anyone wishing to participate can contact Marian on 087-6866450.
Best wishes to all the local students who are currently doing their exams.
Nice to report on the opening of a new business in Newcastle West with parish connections.
Bill and Kits Cafe opened in the Market Yard where the book shop was located in recent weeks. Derek and Liz Lawlor are the proprietors and it is open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and it offers a wide selection of food to satisfy all tastes. Liz’s mother is Kit Hartigan, a native of Knocknagun, Carrigkerry and her father the late Bill Conroy, who was a foreman for many years at Patrick Mc Cormacks Joinery Works, Ardagh. Bill was a master craftsman and some of his work can be seen in the lovely interior of the Cafe. Kit is a regular on the Bingo circuit and lives in Riddlestown, Rathkeale and enjoys good health. Best wishes to Derek and Liz and all involved in the business and it is well worth a visit while shopping in Newcastle West.

Best wishes and a happy retirement to Richard (Dick) and Marie Purcell, Kilcolman Village, who ceased running their Food Store and Post Office on Wednesday 25th May. They gave wonderful service to the community for many years and they were kind and courteous to all their customers. They were open from 9am to 9pm each day and the closure is a sad loss to the locality. The first Post Office opened in Kilcolman in 1879 and was run by Michael Kenrick. It closed in 1969 and the Reidy family took over the service and incorporated it in their shop. Marie was the Post Mistress, and Dick looked after the Shop and both have earned their retirement.
I will conclude with our thought
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart”