by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry area on this sunny, windy and showery Sunday afternoon. It was one of the better weeks on the weather front and a lot of work was completed in the bogs and on the farms.

Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an Anniversary Mass for the late Mike Kiely from Glensharrold. The Church Gate collection was in aid of Chernobyl Ireland.

All Ireland Sunday and hats off to Kilkenny on their 33rd success after a very exciting game. Brian Cody has the Midas touch as their manager with a record breaking 8th title in 11 finals.

The death has taken place of Michael (Mick) Barrett, of Glenastar, Ardagh at Saint Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West, on Friday 26th of August. He was 79 years old (he would be 80 on 16th November) and he had been in poor health for a number of years and was resident in Saint Ita’s. Mick was the eldest of seven, five sisters, Kate, Nell, Peg,  Mary, Hannah, and one brother Dan. His parents were Paddy Barrett, and Margaret Vaughan from Dirreen, Athea. He attended Clounleharde School and he grew up on the family farm in  Upper Turaree, Glin. He worked in Tarbert Island as well as helping out on their own farm before the family moved to Glenastar in 1971. Mick was a renowned fiddle player, and a member of The Western Star Band for fourteen years. He learnt by note from the master Padneen Ahern, in Knockfinisk, when he was about fourteen years old. He would call to him every Sunday and in later years picked up more  music by air. The Western Star was set up in April 1957 and the members included Patie Enright and Joe O’Keeffe, from Athea on accordions, Patsy Lynch from Blaine, on the flute, Bob Guiry from Athea on the drums, and Jerry Long  from Turaree, and Mick on fiddles. They played mostly around West Limerick and North Kerry with occasional dates, further afield, around  the Munster area. They often played five nights a week, all céilí and old time music and Mick would have only a few hours sleep. He was a member of the Glenagragra Dramatic Class as well and played the fiddle along with Jerry Long during the interval entertainment between acts when music, song, and dance was supplied by the locals. He played the part of Richard Delahunt in the comic play “A Will and a Woman’’ in 1950. The class played at all the local venues, including Johnny Reidy’s Hall in Kilcolman, and enjoyed a tour of Kerry from the proceeds. Mick married Alice Stokes from Cappagh in Saint James Church on the 20th of October 1959 and they spent over 51 happy years together celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary in October 2009.

Mick, Alice, and their children Pat, Geraldine, Alice and John settled in Glenastar, Ardagh, in 1971 and integrated well into the community. Mick finished with the Band but  he  continued with the music and played for local functions. He  was a member of the local Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas branch and was a regular performer at the Irish Nights in Windles Bar, and other local venues. He joined the Glensharrold Wrenboy Group and was a musician and a stepdancer  with them up to the nineties. Mick was employed  at Castlemahon Poultry Products and Limerick County Council as well as running the farm with his family over the years. Playing cards was a favourite pastime of his with  neighbours and friends, winning numerous prizes over the years, at all the venues around West Limerick. Mick, Alice and family spent many happy nights at Stack’s Lounge Bar and Moran’s Tavern enjoying the entertainment on offer.  He liked the dancing and the chat and enjoyed the pint of Guinness. Mick enjoyed the simple things in life and was a devoted family man and a great neighbour and friend to all. He was a gentle person honest and sincere and much admired for his musical talent.

His remains were removed from Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West to Saint Mary’ Church Carrigkerry on Saturday 27th August with large crowds attending to pay their respects. Father Madden P.P. Celebrated the Funeral Mass, which was a celebration of Mick’s life, on Sunday morning. Family and friends participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful, reflection and gifts. The gifts included a rosary beads, as a symbol of his faith. A family photograph showing his love for his family. A sod of turf to show his association with the land.  A deck of cards to show his favourite pastime. His fiddle to show his love of music and entertainment. Father Madden paid him a nice tribute in his homily and Maura and Donie  performed very appropriate hymns and music. Mick’s grandchildren Linda and David paid their own special tributes. Linda playing one of Mick’s favourite tunes ‘’The Boys of Bluehill’’ on the fiddle and David on guitar singing ‘Alleluia’’. Pat Barrett thanked everybody and paid his own tribute on behalf of the family. A guard of honour made up of several  groups including wrenboys, card players, neighbours and friends awaited the removal of his coffin from Saint Mary’s to the awaiting Hearse. It was an overflowing attendance and a fitting tribute to one of nature’s gentlemen to whom it was a pleasure to know.

Burial took place in Saint David’s Cemetery  Churchtown, Newcastle West, on Sunday 28th August. Glensharrold Wrenboys and friends paid Mick a special musical tribute at the graveside. ‘’The Bantry Girl’s Lament’’ and ‘’Never Grow Old’’ touched all present as the leaves blew along the path and the ivy stood out in salute. We extend sympathy to his wife Alice, sons Patrick and John, daughters Geraldine and Alice, sisters, Kate, Nell, Peg, Mary, Hannah,  brother Dan, son-in-law, Jimmy Kennelly, daughters-in-law Chris and Nancy, Grandchildren, Michael, David, Linda, Colin,  Alice, Daniel, Michael, other relatives, neighbours and friends.

May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes to Eoin Madigan, Ballyegna, Ardagh and Marie Roche, Shanagolden, who were married in Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman, on Friday 26th August. The Reception was held in The Malton Hotel in Killarney.

Congratulations and best wishes to Noreen and John Long, Glenagower, Athea, on the birth of a son, their third in family.

Congratulations to Kelan O’Connor, Ardagh, who won the special bonus prize of €250 in the Newcastle West Rugby Club Draw held in Mick McCoy’s Bar  Newcastle West, on Friday 26th August.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 29th August. The numbers drawn were 12,16,20,27. and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.

€60  J.G.M.,  c/o Neary’s Bar.

€60 Mike Flynn,   Carrigkerry.

€60 Margaret S.,   Upper Athea.

€30 Eleanor Fitz,   Shanagolden.

€30 Seán Flaherty, Carrigkerry.

€30 Peggy Brouder,   Ardagh.

Next weeks Jackpot will be €10,400, and the draw will be held in Reens Bar Ardagh.

Congratulations to the following  local prizewinners from Rathkeale Bingo, on Thursday 25th August.

Mrs O’Connor, Tom Greaney, Mrs Dineen, Paddy Molyneaux, Mrs O’Sullivan, Tess Hartigan,

Congratulations to Margaret O’Connor, Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry on her appointment as Principle of Glengurt N.S. Tournafulla, commencing on Thursday 1st September.

Congratulations to Stephen Goulding, Carrigkerry West, on his new teaching post in Listowel after a number of years teaching in The Desmond College, Newcastle West.

Committee members and players involved in the Desmond League, over thirty five, summer tournament, recently made a presentation to Pieta House in Mungret. Nora Conway, the centre manager from Ardagh, accepted the cheque for €2,533. Pieta House do great work  and are open to the public every day of the week and can be contacted at 061-484444. Well done to all the locals involved in the soccer tournament.

The new Desmond League soccer season is back in full swing and Carrig Celtic have made a great start to life in Division 1. They defeated Adare Utd 2-1 away with goals from Sean McSweeney and Padraig McCarthy. They followed up by defeating Athea Utd 4-0 at home with goals from Pa Brouder, Pa O’Sullivan, Anthony Molyneaux, and Padraig McCarthy. Old Mill defeated Pallaskenry 3-1 away with goals from Stephen Doody and Alan Moynihan. They drew 1-1 at home to Glantine, with Brian O’Neill scoring to complete a good start.

In Division 2 Kilcolman Rovers lost their two opening games, losing 4-2 at home to Feenagh, with John Doyle scoring both goals and 3-0 away to Granagh.

In Division 3 Carrig Celtic defeated Bally Rovers 3-0 away with goals from Michael Lawlor, Tony Doyle and Alan Moloney.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Deel Rangers by 2-12 to 0-8  in Round 6 of the Premier Minor Football Championship in Coolcappagh on Monday 29th August. They are joint top of the table with two more games to play and in line for a semi-final place.

Drom-Broadford defeated Saint Kieran’s by 2-12 to 2-4 in Round 5 of the County senior football Championship at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Saturday 3rd September. They made their exit from the competition after a poor display.

Alva Neary, Ardagh was a member of the Limerick ladies team that lost to Westmeath by 1-9 to 1-6 in the All Ireland Intermediate football semi-final at Birr on Saturday 3rd September

Creeves Celtic Soccer Club are holding a fundraising Pub Quiz in the Thatch Bar, Newbridge, on this Friday 9th September and support will be appreciated.

The second annual Trad For Trocaire runs from Thursday 22nd to Wednesday 28th September. Sessions and events can be organised to raise money for Trocaire projects worldwide. More details at www.trocaire.org/trad

Carrig Celtic are holding a mock wedding at Carrigkerry Community Centre on Saturday 1st October. Tickets cost €25 and are available locally.