by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry locality on this dry and windy Sunday morning. We bid farewell to the month of June, which was a washout for all people, leaving the harvest at a standstill. We welcome the month of July and a new moon on Friday 1st, and hopefully a better month weather wise. Ken Ring, the weather forecaster from New Zealand was on Limerick 95 Radio on Saturday morning and he predicted a mixed July and August with no prolonged dry and warm weather. July would be the warmest month of the summer, but no talk of the predicted heatwave we were all expecting. Congratulations to our two boxers who won Gold medals last Friday and Rory McElroy in the US Open Golf the previous Sunday. A big boost for sport in the country and hopefully a spin-off for our under pressure golf courses around Ireland.
We regret the passing of Peter Falk who played the crime detective Columbo on our TV screens back in the seventies. He was aged 83 years old and always
solved the murder in his own unique way.
Sad to report a number of deaths on our roads and farms around the country and the passing also of Paul Darbyshire, a coach with the Munster rugby team. May they all rest in peace.
Carrigkerry / Old Mill Community Employment scheme rolled over for a new twelve month term last Monday 27th June to continue their unbroken presence in the locality. Over the past fourteen years a lot has been achieved in both locations and great credit is due to the supervisor and to all the participants whose work and talents have enhanced the appearances of all the areas covered.
A special mention for all the sponsors to date who oversee the project work behind the scenes on a voluntary basis. They are the unsung heroes of C.E. whose wonderful and unselfish work has served so many communities throughout the country making Ireland a better place for us all to live in. We are well served at local level by F.A.S. but badly let down by our leaders at national level.If they provided more revenue and manpower for local communities it would be a start on the slow road back to recovery.
A lot of improvements took place over the  past twelve months, with the maintenance of both sports field’s, green areas, and buildings, a major part of the work,
which continues on an ongoing basis. This work may remain unseen to many but it is vital to the people of both communities. The stone wall opposite Stevo’s, and Saint Mary’s Park in Carrigkerry have been greatly admired and are moving a step closer to the finish. A major clean up was done as part of the National Spring Clean appeal and the amount of rubbish collected was taken away for disposal by the Council. A fundraising Calendar was compiled and published and it proved very popular with local and overseas people. Fundraising is need on a yearly basis to pay for the running costs not covered by F.A.S. with the annual Church Collection falling well short of the revenue needed.
A total of sixteen people will be employed on the new scheme, with half the people from the locality and the others from the surrounding parishes. That
includes supervisor, secretary, cleaner, and thirteen general operatives. The working areas include, Sports fields, Park, Church and Grotto, Heritage Centre, Community Centre, and all other associated tasks. Plans are in place for the new scheme with some new exciting projects to work on which should see more improvements, and progress around the Carrigkerry / Old Mill area. We thank all involved with the scheme over the past twelve months for their dedicated work and commitment to the C.E. Scheme, which also generates good revenue for businesses around the locality. We extend best wishes to all involved in the new scheme and look forward to the result of their work.
Newcastle West Library was an ideal venue for the launch of ‘Fusion’ an Exhibition of paintings by Askeaton Art Group on Thursday night last 23rd June. A big crowd were in attendance to view the seventy four paintings plus the very attractive painted bottles and stone work, in the display case. On view was a wide
variety of styles, shapes and sizes, enclosed by all types of attractive and colourful framing. It was the work of the thirteen artists, mainly from Askeaton, with Abbeyfeale, Ballyhahill and Rathkeale also represented. The members are as follows as they appear on their well presented programme:
Anita O’Shaughnessy, Mary Downes, Alice Ashton, Liz O’Rourke, Galina Tsapourina, Marie Brennan, Tracey Bourke, Maria Sheehan, Mary Daly, Anita Guinane, Carol Noonan, (Clounleharde, Ballyhahill ) Martina McCarthy, and Rita Horgan.
The official opening was performed by Eimear Brophy Limerick V.E.C. who was honoured and delighted to mark the occasion and promised to keep funding the group in the future. Anita Guinane spoke on behalf of the group and thanked everyone for their support. Presentations were made to Eimear, and Maureen Barry Fitzgerald tutor of the group. Refreshments were served and people mingled and enjoyed the atmosphere as they viewed the wide selection on offer. A
number of paintings were sold on the night which was very encouraging for the group in these recessionary times. The prices are realistic for the amount of
time and work involved for a genuine and one off painting. A painting is a very special present to give or receive and can be used for so many occasions. By
making a purchase people will be supporting local talent and enterprise and giving encouragement to the group members. The Exhibition will continue until
Monday 4th July during Library hours, Monday to Saturday from 10:30am to 5pm, with late openings to 8pm on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday 20th June. The numbers drawn were 5, 10, 22, 26 and there was no  Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows:
€60 Una Scanlon, c/o Bridget
€60 Mike Collins, and Kathleen Flaherty, F.A.S.
€60 Muiris, Oisín, Laura, Kate
€30 Joe Lee,  Newcastle West
€30 Frank O’Connor, Glenastar
€30 Sandra, and Mike Collins,  F.A.S.
Next week’s draw takes place in Reen’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €8,400.
Saint Kieran’s defeated Newcastle West by 2-8 to 0-8 in the West Limerick Junior B Football League final in Knockaderry Gaelic Grounds, on Wednesday 15th
June in the replay caused by an injury to Paul O’Connor who is wished a speedy recovery.
Saint Kieran’s defeated Killeedy by1-18 to 0-6 in Round 2 of the West Limerick Junior A Hurling Championship in Quaid Park Coolyroe on Saturday 18th June.
The Tuesday Social Club is currently taking a break for the summer following their party in the Devon Inn recently. The club will resume in September.
The Friends of St. Ita’s Community Hospital wish to thank the collectors and everyone who contributed so generously to their recent church gate collection in
Kilcolman. The amount collected was €227, which will go towards the Friends of St. Ita’s/Milford Hospice Support Unit at St. Ita’s Community Hospital Newcastle West.
The County Limerick Sports Partnership will host a Family Play Day on Sunday 3rd July in Curraghchase Forest Park, and Playground from 11am to 1pm. The
activities will include orienteering/ treasure hunt, archery, boccia, boules and target golf.
Please contact the office at 061-496463 if you are interested in attending. It promises to be a fun play day for all the family.
Kilcolman Rovers soccer club are holding their A.G.M. on Monday 4th July in The Dressing Rooms in Ardagh Sportsfield at 9pm and all are welcome to attend.
The annual Graveyard Mass in Kilbradern will be held on Sunday 10th July at 2pm.
The Cúl Camp will be held in the field in Coolcappa from Monday 4th to Friday 8th July. Application forms are available at training or you can register and pay
online at www.gaa.ie. Further details from Deirdre Ambrose 087-9509218
The annual garden fete will be held in the grounds of Rathfredagh Chesire Home on Sunday 3rd July from 1pm. All support appreciated.
I will conclude with our thought
‘Courage is the power to let go of the familiar’