by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry area on this wet and dull Sunday. The weather continues to disappoint with lots of windy and wet weather. We welcome a new Moon this Wednesday and some dry and frosty weather is predicted for the coming days.

We regret the passing of Paddy Faley from Glenbawn, who was a gifted poet and writer. Michael O’Sullivan from Tournafulla, who was a fine cross country runner in his day.

Martin White the Kilkenny hurler who at 102 years old was the oldest living All Ireland Hurling medal winner. Tommy Cooke from Knockainey, Limerick now holds this honour.

Cathal O’Shannon the former RTE presenter, and documentary maker. May they all rest in Peace.

Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an Anniversary Mass for the late Michael, John and Simon Sheehy  from Carrigkerry, and the Collection was in aid of Sister Consillo.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, held on Monday 17th October. The numbers drawn were 10,16,23,25, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.

€60 Damien O’Dwyer, Ardagh.

€60 Tom+Charlie, Reens Bar, Ardagh.

€60 Denis+Marie Dineen,   Ardagh.

€30 Mike Flynn, c/o Moore’s Bar.

€30 Mike Liston, Glenastar, Ardagh.

€30 Hanna Green, Ardagh.

Next week’s draw takes place at Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry and the Jackpot will be €11,800.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, and Jim Lynch, who were first prize winners on 9 games at Shanagolden Hall on Friday 14th October.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill, and Vinnie Wrenn  who were winners of the 45 card drive in Ballingarry on Saturday 15th October.

Card games continue at Ardagh Hall and The Flag Floor, on Tuesday+Wednesday nights from 9pm.

Congratulations and best wishes to Bridget Liston, Carrigkerry, who celebrated her 21st birthday with family and friends, at The Gables, Athea, on Friday 14th October.

In last weeks soccer action in the Desmond League, Carrig Celtic defeated Pallaskenry 4-0 away in Division 1. Pa O’Sullivan, Anthony Molyneaux, and Mark Collins were among the goal scorers as they moved up to second place in the table.

Kilcolman Rovers defeated Knockaderry 3-2 at home to kick start their season in Division 2.  Shane Whelan 2 and Nigel Redmond scored their goals.

Old Mill, and Carrig Celtic B had no fixtures.

In the Desmond Ladies League under strength  Kilcolman Rovers lost 1-0 away to Newcastle West in the Premier Division.

In Division 1 Carrig Celtic had no fixture.  Both teams are in mid table in their divisions.

The death has taken place of Patrick (Paddy) Faley, Glenbawn, Ballyhahill, at Tralee Hospital. He was aged 92 years old and known far and wide as a poet, writer and entertainer who brought so much joy to so many over the years. He was born into a family of six in 1919 in Glasha, Athea and he attended Ballyguiltenane, and Knocknagorna national schools until he was 14 years old. His working life was spent in the local bogs and later he was employed by Limerick County Council as a Road Ganger until he retired at the age of 66 in 1986.  He married Ellen White from Templeglantine in 1952 and they were blessed with five daughters, Peg, Helen, Bridie, Gerardine and Philomena. The family moved to Glenbawn on his 40th birthday on the 25th April 1959, but sadly his wife died in 1962 aged 37 years. Paddy raised the girls on his own and they were a credit to him. His first poem ”The Home I Left Behind” was written on the night before he moved to Glenbawn in 1959 and what a vast amount of material followed over the next 50 plus years. He won many prizes for his work in ”Dear Sir Or Madam” on Radio Éireann, and for his recitations and newly composed ballads in Fleadh Cheoil competitions. He participated in Joe Harrington’s Rambling House Tour of Britain on a number of occasions and was featured on a number of local Radio Stations. He has represented Gerald Griffins G.A.A. Club in Senior Scór in the Recitation event. Paddy was a founding  member of The Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal, along with Thomas J O’Donoghue and Pat Brosnan, in 1977 and he has contributed to many other publications over the years. The Life and Rhymes of Paddy Faley was published in 2003 and the book contains a selection of his writings. He is featured in the latest volume of Vanishing Ireland whose Limerick launch was fixed for Thursday 20th October, the day he was laid to rest.

His remains reposed in Ballyhahill Parish Hall on Wednesday 19th October, with removal to the nearby Church of the Visitation. Requiem Mass on Thursday afternoon, 20th  followed by burial in Templeathea Cemetery, Athea. Large crowds attended both the removal and burial to pay their final respects, to the Faley family. The world of writing is a lot poorer now around West Limerick following his passing just two short months after the passing of another fine craftsman of the pen, Michael D Ryan from Askeaton. Paddy had the great gift of being able to compose rhyme and verse at the drop of a hat and often he would compose a piece in bed early in the morning while waiting to get up. He remembered people, places and events in his locality that would be sadly forgotten about, which we are all so grateful for. He will be always remembered for his recitations, ”The Railway Line To Ardagh” and ”Minding The House” and so many more fine pieces over the years. He lived a long life and marked it with many achievements along the way and he will be sadly missed by family neighbours and friends. He was a gentleman, who had a positive outlook on life, which encouraged many others he encountered along life’s highway. Sympathy to his daughters, Peg, Helen, Bridie, Gerardine, Philomena, brother Joe, Canada, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.

This Friday 28th October is the deadline for submitting material for this year’s, Athea Parish Journal. Articles, reports, poems, photos and items of interest will be most welcome at the Cairde Duchais office in Colbert Street.

Little Dreams Nursery Furniture + Wooden Toys in Main Street, Ardagh, are at present holding a Sale with 50% Off Items. The opening hours are Wednesday + Thursday from 10am to 6pm.

Newcastle West Golf Club will celebrate the 75th anniversary of it’s founding in 2013 and plans have been put in place to organise the celebrations. They are seeking old photographs, memorabilia or stories and contact can be made with the office in Rathgoonan, Ardagh on 069-76500.

The Eucharistic Congress will be held for the second time in Dublin next June and Our Lady’s Pastoral Area which includes Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish, have issued an appeal to people to provide memories, and stories from the First Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin in 1932.

Delighted to announce that the ‘Ardagh 2012 Calendar’ is at the printers. It contains many historic pictures taken in and around Ardagh; Are you in the Calendar? Come along to our launch after Mass on Saturday, November 5th at 8:15pm in the Community Centre. Calendars will be on sale on that evening at €10 each. Tea will be served, so do come along. With your help we can put the final touches to St. Molua’s Well.

New Zealand just edged out France by one point in a very good Rugby World Cup final to make the host country very happy.

Katie Taylor won her fifth European Boxing gold medal in a row which is a tremendous honour for herself and her country.

Mountcollins drew with Oola in the County Intermediate Football final in a low scoring game in Kilmallock. Conditions were very bad for a match of such importance and it is not fair on players or supporters to be playing matches in these conditions.

I will conclude with our thought.

‘Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only saps today of its strength’