By Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry locality on this Sunday in mid November. We are only six weeks away from Christmas, which has crept up on us, and our thoughts turn to preparation for the festive season. It will be a challenging time for all families who are faced with so many bills to pay and people to give presents to. A common sense approach is needed by people to allow them to juggle their finances to satisfy all.

The Holy Souls were remembered in last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s. Ned O’Shaughnessy, Martin Shiels, and Michael Barrett whose Funeral Masses were held in the Church during the year. The Church gate Collection was held in aid of the Samaritans.

A last gap win for Munster over Northampton in the Heineken Cup in Thomond Park after a very exciting game.

A great win for Na Piarsaigh over Ballygunner in the Munster hurling club semi final, but disappointment for Mountcollins who lost out to Mullinahone in the football semi-final.

Tom Geoghegan from Skehanagh, Ardagh, recently retired from his role as supervisor with RCN Housing Ltd. The company, which was set up 14 years ago, refurbishes houses for the elderly in the North Cork/West Limerick area. In that time they have carried out 500 refurbishments and Tom has supervised all of these works. A function was held in the Courtenay Lodge, Newcastle West on Tuesday 25^th October to honour Tom and to mark his retirement from RCN Housing Ltd. Seamus O’Connor (Chairman, Board of Directors) thanked Tom for his service to the company and paid tribute to his professionalism and his willingness to go the extra mile to satisfy people. Councillor Jerome Scanlan thanked Tom for his work on behalf of Limerick County Council. Presentations were made by both men to Tom who thanked the company and Limerick County Council for same and for all their help over the years. He also recounted some of the many incidents that occurred and he carrying out the work over the years, and wished his successor well.  Tom is a  gifted tradesman, who has a great way with people, and he can tell a fine story and we wish him a long and happy retirement.

Congratulations to Con Cremin, Ballyegna, on his appointment to the National Executive of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association. His appointment was announced at the recent A.G.M. of the ICSA held in Newcastle West. Con is a very popular member of the farming community who is wished well in his new role.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor and John Sheehy who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 2^ndNovember.

The following are the Lottery results from The Thatch Bar, Newbridge. The numbers drawn were 1,3,18,23, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.

€60 Kitty Ahern ,  Ardagh.

€60 Loretta Hayes, Ardagh.

€60 Maggie O’Connor, Glensharrold.

€30 Michael Hanlon, Newcastle West.

€30 Catherine O’Donnell, c/o Stevo’s, Carrigkerry.

€30 Dan Ryan,   Coolacokera, Ardagh.

Next week’s Jackpot will be €12,400 and the draw  will take place in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.

Sr. Consilio and Agnes Fitzgerald of Cuan Mhuire, Bruree, would like to thank all who contributed to their recent Church gate Collection in Carrigkerry.

Gaelic Games

Saint Kieran’s G.A.A. Club had no winner in the Limerick G.A.A. Development Draw held on Friday 4^th November in Storans, Bar in Croom. Next Draw Friday 2^nd December in The Cú Chulainn Bar Patrickswell.

The U-14 hurlers defeated Fedamore by 8-9 to 0-0 in the County Shield Final (11-a-side) in Martinstown, on Sunday 6^th November.

The U-21 footballers were defeated by Sean Finns Rathkeale, 1-7 to 1-6 in the West semi-final in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Saturday 5^thNovember.

Tara Geraghty, Roisín Ambrose, and Kate Ambrose were members of the West Limerick Ladies panel that took part in the recent inter-divisional championship.

Diarmuid Mulcahy from Coolcappagh N.S. was a member of the West Limerick panel that participated in the recent Mackey Cup competition.

In last weeks soccer action in Division 1 of the Desmond League, Carrig Celtic defeated Glantine 3-0 away to move to the top of the table. Seanie King , Francis Moore, and Ray Cahill scored the goals.

Old Mill defeated Saint Ita’s by 1-0 away with Brian O’Neill scoring the winner.

Kilcolman Rovers lost 5-0 away to Newcastle West B in the Richard Hogan Cup.

In Ladies soccer Kilcolman Rovers  defeated Creeves Celtic 3-1 at home in the First Round of the Desmond Cup. Emma Guiry, Sinead Dundon, and Noreen Barry scored the goals.

Carrig Celtic lost 5-0 away to Rathkeale, in the First Division of the League.

Castlemahon Parish Hall was the venue for the launch of the Castlemahon/Feohanagh Parish Annual on Friday night last 11^th November. A good crowd were present to see Seán Patrick Tracey from Texas launch the 31^st edition of the very popular publication.  It contains a feast of reading and is available to buy at the usual outlets and costs €10.

The Ardagh Calendar in aid of Saint Molua’s Well Project, launched on 5^th November, is currently on sale in local outlets around the area. It costs €10 and it would make a lovely  Christmas gift for a friend at home or abroad. It contains some lovely photos of days gone by in Ardagh, which will bring back many happy memories to people. Committee member Mary Kury was a guest on The Exchange programme with Fidelma Cross, on West Limerick Radio on Friday afternoon last.  A total of 115 Calendars were sold on the night of the launch and they are on sale at present at Curley’s Shop, Denis Greaney’s, Ailish’s Hair Saloon, Dairygold Co-op, and Stevo’s Carrigkerry. Mary told Fidelma that direction signs showing the way to Saint Molua’s Well will be erected  in the future, and an official opening will be held next year to tie in with the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. People are urged to purchase a copy of the Calendar and to support the Saint Molua’s Well Project.

The Knockfierna Rambling House group will present a night of music, song, story and history at Rathkeale House Hotel on Thursday 17^th November at 8.30pm. Special guest Kevin Barry from Carlow, nephew of the patriot Kevin Barry who was hanged in Mountjoy Jail on 1^st November 1920.

Kilcolman Rovers are holding a Table Quiz in Neary’s Bar Ardagh, on Friday 18^th November.

The final of the West Limerick Scór Na nÓg will take place in Saint Molua’s Hall Ardagh on Sunday 20^th November commencing at 2.30pm.

West Limerick 102 Community   Radio are holding their next Car Boot Sale and indoor market in Newcastle West Community Centre, on Sunday 27^thNovember, from 9am to 3pm.

John Keily from Ardagh presents Sacred Space a religious programme on West Limerick Radio each Sunday Morning from 10am to 11am.

West Limerick Resources will be offering a short seminar on Employment Law for Community Groups in the Courtenay Lodge Hotel, Newcastle West on Thursday November 24^th from 6.30-9.30pm.  Delivered by Canavan Byrne the seminar will cover a wide range of issues which community employers should be aware of in relation to personnel management, contacts and terms of employment.  Admission free.  Supported by West Limerick Resource under the Local and Community Development Programme.  For further information contact Suzanne on 069 79114 or email [email protected]

West Limerick Resources is now accepting applications from community organisations who wish to be considered for inclusion in the TUS initiative which is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people.  Participants will work for 19½ hours a week and the placement lasts 12 months. The organisations must provide good quality work opportunities that are of benefit to the community.  Organisations with a proposed work placement should submit an expression of interest form including a detailed proposal on type of work along with the number of participants required.  Tel: 06977752/77753.

Email: [email protected].  For more information see: www.wlr.ie/tus-programme

West Limerick Resources (in co-operation with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) is seeking local community stakeholders in developing local sustainable energy projects or parking part in sustainable energy training with a view to identifying energy efficiency and renewable energy collaborative opportunities. The objective of the initiative is to assist the move towards sustainable energy best practice in the West Limerick Region.  Community groups or businesses interested in participating should contact Tim Coffey, Renewable Energy Development Officer, West Limerick Resources on 069 66296 or email [email protected]

I will conclude with our thought for the week

‘Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise’