by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry locality on this dull, misty Sunday evening.

Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an Anniversary Mass for the late Helen O’Sullivan Carrigkerry and the Church Gate Collection was in aid of Brainwave Ireland.

The following are the lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday 3rd October. The numbers drawn were 9,17,19,29, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.

€60 Joe Behan,  c/o Thatch Bar.

€60 Seán Downey,  Ardagh.

€60 Donie+Jerry,   c/o Peadar’s Bar.

€30 John Finnerty,   c/o D. Greaney.

€30 Boxcar+matso,  Ardagh.

€30 Mike Molyneaux,  Ardagh.

Next weeks draw will be held in Foleys Bar, Reens Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €11,400.

We extend our sympathy to Bridie Kiely and family Glensharrold, Carrigkerry, following the death of her sister-in-law Patricia (Patsy) Collopy, (nee Kiely) Talbot Avenue, Prospect, Limerick. Removal from Griffin’s Funeral Home to Our Lady Of Lourdes Church on Monday evening. Burial took place, following Requiem Mass, in Mount Saint Oliver Cemetery on Tuesday 4th October. She is survived by her husband Eamon, daughters Jacqueline, Karen, Kim, sisters, brothers, extended family members, relatives and friends.

The death has taken place of Vera Mc Cormack (nee Bracken) of Clover House, Reens West,  Ardagh, on Wednesday 28th September. Wife of the late Paddy she was laid to rest in Rathangan, County Kildare on Friday 30th October.

The death has taken place of John (Jackie) McAuliffe, Toureendonnell, Athea, peacefully at his residence on Sunday 2nd October. His remains were removed from his residence to Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Athea on Tuesday evening. Following Requiem Mass he was laid to rest in Templeathea Cemetery on Wednesday 5th October. Sympathy to his sons Seán, Connie, Liamie, (Carrigkerry) Martin, daughters Noreen, Mary, Joanie, Maudie, Breda, Helen O’Sullivan, (Carrigkerry) Teresa Flynn, (Carrigkerry) sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family members, relatives, neighbours and friends.

May they all rest in Peace.

In last week’s soccer action in the Desmond League, Old Mill lost 3-0 away to Rockhill in Division 1. Carrig Celtic and Kilcolman Rovers had no matches.

In the ladies league Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-0 at home to Abbeyfeale. Carrig Celtic had no fixture.

Congratulations to Ivan Neary, Ardagh, on winning the Golfer of the Year Award at Newcastle West Golf Club. He was a model of consistency all the year and is a very deserving winner.

Congratulations to Ardagh native Patrick Molyneaux, Askeaton, winner of the annual Tesco Charity of the Year Darts Tournament, held at the Shamrock Bar Newcastle West, on Friday 30th October. Podge defeated Gerry Ahern from Glensharrold, Carrigkerry in the final to retain his title. Over 30 players participated and over €500 was raised for the Irish Cancer Society. Podge was also elected vice-chairman of the West Limerick Darts League at the recent A.G.M.

The organising committee of the Tom McCarthy Benefit Night recently presented Tom with a cheque, for €6,890 at Beechwood Nursing Home where he is recovering from illness. Well done to the committee and all who contributed to the fund and best wishes to Tom in his recovery.

Ardagh I.C.A. would like to thank all who contributed towards their annual fundraising coffee morning held in Ardagh Community Centre on Thursday 15th September. A total of €291.50 was collected for the Irish Cancer Society.

Sean and Nuala Sheedy, Rooskagh and Phyllis Barry would like to thank all who contributed  to their trip to Haiti in April with the Haven Charity Organisation. With 360 other volunteers, they helped to build 80 houses, a community centre and a playground for 80 desperately poor Haitian families.

People in the parish were disappointed to see Ireland exit the World Cup at the hands of Wales on Saturday morning last. All Brian O’Driscoll’s relations around the parish had high hopes he could have gone on to become the first Irishman to lift the famous Cup.

An exhibition of pencil drawings by Pat Conroy is currently running at Bill and Kit’s Cafe, Market Yard, Newcastle West, from Saturday 1st October to Saturday 15th October. His mother Kit is a native of Knocknagun Carrigkerry and the exhibition is well worth viewing.

The Carrigkerry to Athea road from the Village outskirts to Carrigkerry West is being resurfaced at present. This is a very dangerous stretch of roadway and safety measures have been put in place in recent years by building up ditches at either side. This was a great improvement, but when it was newly surfaced only two strips of tar were laid leaving a lower surface into the ditches. This gap is lethal for motorists if they slip off the road and it has caused deaths in the past. This time around the tar is not being saved and it is being applied into both ditches, leaving a grand wide road to drive along. We thank the engineer and the workers involved for the great improvements being put in place.

Shannon Buston is a young singer from Newbridge who is receiving great acclaim in music circles at present. Her song ”The Coalminers Daughter” is receiving great airplay on West Limerick Radio for a number of weeks on several of the shows and now other stations have given the song some airplay. Shannon was featured recently on Hot Country on Sky 201 and she gave a fine performance. She has a number of new songs recorded and we look forward to hearing them in the coming weeks on local radio, which is great for giving local talent a platform for their music. It is lovely to see new local talent make the breakthrough and we wish Shannon well in her music career.

Saint Kieran’s play Father Casey’s Abbeyfeale in the County Premier Minor Football Championship Final in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on this coming Sunday 16th October at 1.30pm. A big crowd is expected to support them on the day, and we wish all involved well in their quest for county honours.

Card game in Ardagh Community Hall each Tuesday night at 9pm. The card game has resumed at The Flag Floor Glensharrold each Wednesday night at 9pm. All are welcome.

The Kilcolman Community Creche A.G.M. will be held in the Creche on this Wednesday 12th October at 8pm. and all are welcome.

A support group for women survivors of Domestic Abuse will resume in Newcastle West shortly. This group began in the Autumn of 2010 and is now open for new members. Women should be out of the abusive relationship before coming to the group. Professional facilitators from Adapt Services in Limerick attend each week. Please ring Adapt on 061-412354 for more information. If you or someone you know is experiencing Domestic Abuse, a one to one outreach service is available weekly in Newcastle West providing support and information.The support worker from Adapt Services can meet a woman by appointment at a private location and can help with planning for the safety of women and children. This service is also available to those who are living with abuse. Adapt also provides safe Refuge accommodation for women and children. Advocacy and accompaniment to services and courts: Plat Therapy service: Childcare, Youth Club and other supports for young people: 24 Hour Helpline 1800 200 504:

Mungret/Saint Paul’s G.A.A. Club, are hosting a fashion show, to raise funds for Pieta House, in the South Court Hotel Raheen, Limerick on Tuesday 25th October. The tickets cost €15 and they are available in Shoe Flair on Roches Street, or by calling 061-318855. Nora Conway from Ardagh is the manager of the Limerick centre in Mungret, and all support will be welcome.

The semi-finalists in the Rugby World Cup are as expected with Australia meeting the host county New Zealand and Wales playing France. Ireland are disappointed against a better organised Wales team, who looked a lot fresher and more committed side. Sadly it is the last World Cup for many of the panel who have given great service to their country.

I will conclude with our thought

‘Health is a blessing that money cannot buy’