by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly round up of events making the news around the Carrigkerry area on this mild and showery Sunday afternoon. It was a similar week weather-wise continuing this year’s trend of dark and overcast skies and little sunshine. I heard a whisper that we are getting a warm sunny spell from next Sunday when we welcome a new moon. Our school students are presently preparing for the new school year with costs soaring in all directions. It is a big worry now for cash starved parents who are at their wits end juggling their finances.

Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an anniversary Mass for the late Jim and Josie Ahern from Carrigkerry West. The Church Gate Collection was in aid of Saint Joseph’s House in Charleville.

Saint Molua’s Well Committee would like to thank all who contributed to their Church gate collection last weekend. The total amount collected was €1,547.

Galway pipped Limerick by two points to book an All Ireland place in the U-21 hurling final against Dublin. A good crowd from the locality attended the game played in Thurles.

An Irish Night will take place at the Flag Floor Rambling House, Carrigkerry, on Wednesday 24th August at 9.30pm. A great evening’s entertainment is guaranteed with lots of music, song, dance and storytelling. Tea and refreshments will also be available. All are welcome.

The age old tradition of celebrating Mass at Ballyine Mass Rock continued on Thursday evening last 18th August. The weather was kind for the occasion, dry and calm with occasional sunshine filtering through the tree covered site. The setting high up on the hillside offers a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside and the town of Newcastle West in the distance. It was an ideal place to celebrate Mass in penal times when priests were forbidden to do so as it offered an excellent view of approaching soldiers.

The present site was put in place, by voluntary labour in 1953/54 to mark the Marian Year and Mass was celebrated before 2,000 people on The Feast of The Assumption, 15th August 1954. It has been held mainly  on an annual basis since, by kind permission of the land owners whose land people travel through to get to the site. Fr Larry Madden P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry celebrated the present Mass and his homily concentrated on the challenges facing society at present. He was assisted by Patricia, readings, Maureen, Eucharistic Minister and choir members. Thanks to the Leahy family who had the site in fine condition and John P O’Sullivan who had  the appropriate flags in place and everybody who assisted in the preparations and in the ceremony. The crowd was small but it was nice to see the Mass continuing  as we remember the people who kept the tradition alive against all odds in penal times.

The following are the Lottery results from last week’s draw held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday 15th August.

The numbers drawn were 12,15,19,25, and there was no Jackpot winner.

Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.

€60 Mary O’Sullivan, and Mike Collins c/o FAS.

€60 Michael O’Connor, Glenastar.

€60 Joan O’Connor, Glenville.

€30 C. Kirk, Reens Bar.

€30 Julia Mc Sweeney, Kilscannell.

€ 30 John Woulfe, Grouse Lodge Ardagh.

Next week’s draw will be held in the Thatch Bar, Newbridge and the Jackpot will be € 10,000.

Congratulations to all the prize winners, from the recent Carrig Golf Society outing in Killarney. The Captain’s Prize(Connie McCoy ) was won by Francis Moore Carrigkerry.

Congratulations to all the prize winners at the recent Newcastle West Flower Show held in the Community Centre. It is nice to see a good number from the locality entering and receiving prizes. They include Mary and Tom Barrett, Coolcappa, Aggie, Bernard and Iris Kennelly, Cahermoyle, Mary and Josephine Kiely, Lisgordan, Daphne and Pat Casey, Ardagh, Moira O’Donovan, Kilcolman, Elizabeth Shannon, Lisgordan, Peg Kiely, Knockfinisk, James Dalton, Ardagh, Noreen Geoghegan, Ardagh, Peter Barrett ,Ardagh, The Show is a great outlet for people to display their produce and creations and well done also to the organising committee.

Congratulations and best wishes to all the students who received their Leaving Cert results on Wednesday last 17th August.

We hope all were pleased with them and that they can continue their career path through life.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Saint Senan’s by 0-13 to 1-7 in Round 4 of the County Senior Football Championship at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Saturday 13th August. They were the better team on the night but they failed to turn their territorial advantage into scores, leaving the result in doubt until the final whistle. The teams were level at half time, 0-7 to 1-4 .

TEAM: Tommy Quinn, John O’Connor, John Doyle, Brendan McCarthy, Patrick Windle, Paudie McCarthy, James Hough, Jim Donovan, Timmy Carroll, 0-3 Jack B Hartnett, 0-1 Johnny McCarthy, 0-1 Mike Flynn, Brian Crowley, 0-3 Anthony Molyneaux, 0-5 Ray Cahill. In the final round of matches in Group B in the first week in September they will play Drom -Broadford for a place in the knock out stages, of the Championship. A win or a draw will see them into the quarter final.

We congratulate all who are involved in the Saint Molua’s Well Project beside Ardagh Cemetery. The voluntary effort is transforming the pathway to the well in recent weeks. A number of fundraisers have been held to date to cover the cost with others planned in the coming months. The Committee will appreciate any help towards the project which will enhance this area dedicated to Saint Molua the Patron Saint of Ardagh.

The Old Mill Sports Club are busy preparing for their annual sports weekend in early September. They are also running a clothes collection fundraiser and details can be got from Ellen at 087-6339450. Clothes, shoes, curtains, household textiles and mobile phones will be accepted.

The new soccer season commences on this Friday evening 26th August with all the three local teams in action in the Desmond League. Carrig Celtic and Old Mill will play in Division 1 and Kilcolman Rovers in Division 2. The youths season is also underway and the ladies league will commence in early September. We wish all players and teams the best of luck and lots of enjoyment and fun.

Carrig Celtic are holding a fundraising Quiz in Moore’s Bar on Friday 26th August at 9.30pm, Spot prizes, Raffle prizes and Cash prizes on offer and all support will be appreciated.

The Irish Wheelchair Association will hold their annual Church gate collection in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Saturday and Sunday 27th/28th August. People are asked to be as generous as possible with their donations.

West Limerick 102 Community Radio are holding a car boot sale, and indoor market in Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday 4th September from 9am, to 3pm. To book a stall contact Marian on 087-6866450. All support will be appreciated.

I will conclude with our thought

‘Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still’