by Tom Aherne
Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry area on this mild and showery Sunday evening. We bid farewell to October and Autumn, and welcome November and Winter and the darkness that old time brings.
Congratulations to Michael D. Higgins on his election as our new President and now it is time to move on and address the problems in the country.
The jury is still out on the new Government but to date it is no different to the previous one, and now that we are near bankrupt it will hardly change for the better in the short term.
Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an Anniversary Mass for the late Maurice Lyons, Coolanoran, and the Church gate collection was in aid of Carrigkerry N.S.
West Limerick is in mourning following the death of Richard Browne, Castlemahon in a car accident near Reens, Ardagh last Sunday morning. May he rest in peace.
The death has taken place of Mary Agnes McCarthy (nee Mullins) Ardvone, Ardagh, peacefully at her residence on Tuesday 25th October. A homemaker, and a retired member of the farming community Mary was a very popular member of the parish and beyond and will be sadly missed by all. She was one of five in family and came from nearby Ballyvoughane. She attended Kilcolman N.S. and second level at Newcastle West Convent School. She married Flor McCarthy and moved to Ardvone in 1951. They worked hard on the farm and raised a large family and provided them with the opportunities to do well for themselves in later life. When spare time became available Mary got involved in the community and was a member of the Bingo Committee who raised a lot of money for parish renovations. She was also a member of Ardagh ICA and the Ardagh Social Club and enjoyed the social side of events. She also liked the game of cards with her friends around the local venues. Mary and Flor were a very united couple and we all retain lovely memories of them enjoying the dancing in Carrigkerry during the seventies and eighties. They were regulars at Stacks and Moran’s Lounge Bar, and danced many polka sets on the maple floor, to the music of The Glenside, Ferrymen, Boys in Blue, etc. Mary was a regular Church attender in Ardagh sitting close to the front and it would take something serious for her to miss weekly Mass. She visited all the holy places abroad on pilgrimage, including the Holy Land and visited Knock on many occasions. She faced her own crosses in life but her faith and support from those nearest helped her to overcome adversity.
Her remains were removed from Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West to Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh, on Wednesday evening last. Fr Larry Madden concelebrated her Funeral Mass with Fr Tony Mullins and Fr Paddy Bowen on Thursday morning before a large attendance. Family members assisted in the ceremony and Maura sang the appropriate hymns. The readings and Fr Madden’s seasonal theme in his homily were appropriate and would have pleased Mary. Burial took place in Ardagh Cemetery on Thursday 27th October, the month of the Holy Rosary and on the day of the Presidential Election. Sympathy to her husband Flor, daughters Mary, Bridget, Liz, Margaret, sons Jimmy, Vincent, John, brother Jack, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchild, nephews, nieces, relatives, friends. Mother of the late Flor may she rest in Peace.
We extend our sympathy to Joan Sheehy Barnigue, on the death of her father Tom Sheehy, 11 Cloverfield, Glin, and formerly of Turaree. He was laid to rest in Kilfergus Cemetery on Monday 24th October. May he rest in Peace.
The following are the lottery results from Moore’s Bar on Monday 24th October. The numbers drawn were 2,9,19,24, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.
€60 Shane O’Mahoney Ardagh.
€60 Jimmy O’Donoghue Askeaton,
€60 Sarah+Grace Carrigkerry.
€30 Thomas Daly Ardagh.
€30 Stephen Kennelly Shanagolden,
€30 Pa+Din, c/o Shop.
Next week’s draw will be held at Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €12,000.
Congratulations to Peg Murphy and Joan Madigan who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 19th October. Cards every Wednesday at 9.pm, and all are welcome.
Sr. Consilio and Agnes Fitzgerald of Cuan Mhuire, Bruree, issue a big thank you to all the people who contributed to their Church gate collection in Carrigkerry on Sunday 23rd October. Thanks also to the collectors and to Fr Madden, and the total collected was € 121.65.
The William Smith O’Brien Commemoration and Wreath Laying Ceremony was held in Rathronan Cemetery, Ardagh on Sunday 23rd October.
Congratulations to James O’Keeffe, Park, Ballyhahill on winning the Munster and All Ireland National Karting Championship. He clinched the title for the second successive year, in Watergrass Hill, County Cork, on Sunday 9th October. Best wishes to James in 2012 when he aims to win the Championship for a record three years in succession, which has never been done.
The first annual general meeting of Ardagh Parents Council was held on Wednesday 19th October. Chairperson Mary Barrett welcomed the attendance and Secretary Moira McEnery gave a summary of the events held including the denim day and cake sales. Treasurer Caroline McCarthy had a report for everyone in attendance. The Parents Council held a very successful coffee morning on Friday 14th October, and thanks to all who attended. Officers for the coming year are as follows. Chairperson: Paudie Magner, Secretary: Moira McEnery, Treasurer: Carmel Power, Ass-Treasurer: Laura McAuliffe. With the following committee members, Sandra Murphy, Christine Mackessy, Mary Barrett, Cliona Moloney, Mairéad Moran.
In last week’s soccer action in the Desmond League, Carrig Celtic defeated Newcastle West A 4-2 on penalties , at home after the match ended level 4-4 after extra time in the second round of the Munster Junior Cup. They trailed 3-0 at one stage but a great fight back earned them the chance to take the match to penalties. Ray Cahill, 2 Sean McSweeney and Pa Brouder got the goals. Kilcolman Rovers lost 3-1 away to Abbeyfeale Utd B in Division 2.
In the Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Ballingarry 2-1 away in the Premier Division, with goals from Katie Collins, and Emma Guiry. Carrig Celtic defeated Broadford 1-0 at home in Division 1 with Lisa Collins scoring the vital goal.
Congratulations to Brian Nolan the former Saint Kieran’s senior footballer who was part of the Sean Finns team management that guided them to victory over Glin in the County Junior A Football final at Foynes on Sunday last.
Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Naomh Bríd 1-16 to 2-9 in theCounty U-16 Football semi final played in Adare on Sunday 23rd October.
Old Mill were defeated by Monagea 2-9 to 3-4 in the replay of the County Junior Ladies Final played in Newcastle West on Saturday 22nd October.
Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas A.G.M. takes place on Wednesday 2nd November at 8.30pm in the Community Hall. All members are invited to attend. New members are welcome.
The Ardagh Millennium Project Group are launching their fund raising Calendar in Ardagh Community Centre on this coming Saturday 5th November at 8.15pm, following the Mass in Saint Molua’s Church. The Calendars will be on sale for €10 and tea will be served. We are all looking forward to seeing the many historic pictures in the Calendar, which were taken by the late Jerry McMahon around the village. All parishioners are encouraged to purchase a copy for their homes and also for their relatives abroad. All are welcome to the launch and well done to the group who have a lovely job done at Saint Molua’s Well.
Grainne Murphy will start a six week course on ‘Health and Beauty’ in the parish hall beginning on Monday night, 8th November at 8.00pm. Anybody wishing to attend please contact (069) 62034 or (069) 76106.
I will conclude with our thought:
‘Comment is free, but facts are sacred’