by Tom Aherne

Welcome to our weekly look at events making the news around the Carrigkerry District on this dry and sunny November Sunday. We got a touch of frost in the past few days and a few fine sunny afternoons. The weather was fine for the Athea Fair, which attracted a big crowd of people, to buy and sell, and haggle and barter, and enjoy the banter.

Last Sunday’s Mass in Saint Mary’s was an Anniversary Mass for the late Kate Dalton, Dunganville, and the Church gate Collection was in aid of Saint Kieran’s G.A.A.  The U-21 footballers were defeated by Sean Finns in the West semi final played under lights at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Saturday night. It was bitter cold there and it was a game that could have been won.

Congratulations to Mountcollins footballers who won the county intermediate title on Sunday and Effin hurlers who qualified for the Munster intermediate final.

It was a week when we found money we thought we did not have, followed by the announcement of the money we need for the next 4 years, to reach our targets. It is scary stuff and does anybody really know what is going on in Ireland and in Europe at present. The only bright spot of sunlight in a dull sky was the announcement of a drop in mortgage rates.

Congratulations and best wishes to Kenneth Greaney, son of Julia and Denis, Balliston, and Niamh Ryan, Shanagolden, who were married in Shanagolden Church on Saturday 29th October. The reception was held in The Woodlands House Hotel in Adare. Both are members of the Kilcolman Soccer Club at present .

Congratulations and best wishes to James McCoy, Old Mill, and Jacqueline Flavin ,Newcastle West, who were married in Newcastle West Church on Friday 21st October with the reception in Ballygarry Hotel.

Congratulations and best wishes to Kate O’Brien, Gortnadroma, and Moss Brouder, Camas, Monagea, who were married in Monagea Church on Friday 21st October, with the reception in The Devon Inn.

The death has taken place of Kathy Moran (nee Morgan) Toureendonnell, Athea, peacefully at her residence, on Monday 31st October. She was a most popular lady and known far and wide, and was ninety five years old. She had close links with Carrigkerry over the years, with her late sister living there, and her son Tom owned a pub there for ten years or so. Predeceased by her sons, Patrick and Sean, and her husband Thomas. Reposing at her residence on Wednesday from 2pm, and Requiem Mass at Saint Bartholomew’s Church Athea on Thursday. Large crowds attended on both days to pay their respects, and she was buried in Knockanure Cemetery on 3rd November. Sympathy to her sons, Michael and Tommy, daughters Mary, Joan and Helen, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, and a large circle of friends. May she rest in Peace.

Sympathy to Bridie Kiely and family Glensharrold on the death of her sister-in-law, Theresa Murphy (nee Kiely) 41 Talbot Avenue, Prospect, Limerick. Her remains were removed from Griffins Funeral Home to Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Thursday evening last. Requiem Mass on Friday 4th November followed by burial in Mount Saint Oliver Cemetery, Limerick. Sympathy also to all her other relatives and friends . May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Willie Cremin and John Sheehy who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game on Wednesday 26th October. Card game every Wednesday night at 9pm, and all are welcome. A card game takes place in Ardagh Community Hall every Tuesday night  at 9pm and all are welcome.

In last week’s soccer action in the Desmond League, Carrig Celtic B drew 2-2 away to Ballysteen in Division 3 to remain one point ahead at the top of the table. Shane Mulvihill and Dean Liston scored their goals.  Kilcolman Rovers had no fixture. Carrig Celtic defeated Old Mill at home by 1-0 in Round 2 of the Reidy Cup with Seán McSweeney scoring the all important goal.

The annual Parish  Holy Souls Masses in Ardagh/Carrigkerry will take place on this coming weekend 12th/13th November, and the following people from the parish or connected to it who passed away in the last twelve months will be especially remembered. Betty Coughlan, Ardagh, James Harrold, Coolanoran, Michelle Enright, Ministerland, Ita Richards, Dromrahnee, Mary McCormack, Ballyduane, Patsy Burnes, Reens Pike, Martina Davis, Glenagore, Ned O’Shaughnessy Knockdown, Ciss Enright, Skehanagh, Martin Shiels, Glensharrold, Tom Treacy, Kilreash, Jim Hartnett, Killard, Mick Barrett, Glenastar, Mary Lane, Glenastar, Joan Woulfe, Dunganville, Vera McCormack, Reens West, Mary McCarthy, Ardvone.

A  Mass will be celebrated to mark the arrival of the Eucharistic Congress Bell in Newcastle West Church on Monday 14th November at 7.30pm. It is for the people in Saint Mary’s Cluster of seven parishes, which Ardagh/Carrigkerry belong to.

Parishioners are reminded that the annual November Rosary for the faithful departed will be recited at the three Newcastle West Cemeteries on each Sunday during the month. The venues and times are as follows. Famine Cemetery at 3pm, Calvary Cemetery 3.20pm, and Churchtown Cemetery at 3.40pm.

All shoe boxes are to be handed into Kilcolman N.S. before this Friday 11th November. They will be part of this years Christmas Shoebox Appeal in aid of needy children in schools, hospitals, and orphanages in Eastern Europe, Africa and the Soviet Union. Information leaflets are available, and all support appreciated.

Castlemahon History Group are pleased to announce the launch of the 2011 parish annual in the Parish Hall Castlemahon on this Friday 11th November at 8.00pm. It will be launched by Seán Tracey from Texas  U.S.A. a good friend of the annual over the years. This is number 31 and it promises to be another top class publication, charting the life and times of the historic parish along the banks of the Upper-Deel. A good night is promised with entertainment to follow the launch.

The Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party will be held in the Community Centre, Carrigkerry  on Sunday 4th December.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas Christmas Concert will be held in Ardagh Parish Hall on Sunday 22nd December.

The late and great sean nós singer Con Greaney from Rooska, Carrigkerry was featured on RTE 1 Come West along the Road on Friday 4th November. The very popular traditional programme delves into the archives from years past for popular items of interest. The recording in question came from The Pure Drop which was broadcast in December 1992 when Con was 80 years old. He was in fine form and he sang three songs. My trousers turned back, The turf machine, and Between you and me. It was great to see a repeat performance from Con  once again on National TV and looking forward to more from him in the future.

Ardagh Community Hall was the venue for the launch of the Ardagh 2012 Calendar, on Saturday night last 6th November. A good crowd were in attendance to support the fundraiser to raise funds for Saint Molua’s Well. The Calendar was produced by the Ardagh Millennium Project Group who oversaw the work done which has made visiting the well very easy at present. Mary Kury, on behalf of the Committee, spoke, and welcomed everyone to the very comfortable hall which is a credit to the community. She thanked all the sponsors for their financial support which made the publication possible and her fellow committee members for their contribution. Mary gave a very interesting talk on the life and times of Saint Molua, tracing his background and his association with Ardagh. She also mentioned an item from the Limerick Leader reporting on the Pattern Day which was held in Ardagh each August. It was also banned for periods as the celebrations went too far at times. At present it is held annually on August 4th and now it is a pleasure to visit the Well with the new path in place, and a seat to rest on and reflect and say a few prayers to the patron Saint of the village.

The colorful and well presented Calendar will be on sale in local outlets and it will cost €10. It contains 12 photos of Ardagh interest from times past covering all sections of the community. Ardagh Creamery, Ardagh School, Mass attendance Ardagh  Church, Ardagh Railway Station, Cahermoyle House, Ardagh Chalice, Pageant at Ardagh Hall, Ardagh Hurling team, Ardagh Wrenboys, Ardagh Millennium Project Group. A page of photos showing how the work around Saint Molua’s Well progressed since Monday 18th July 2011 is also included. It would make an ideal Christmas gift for that special person, with links to Ardagh, be they at home or abroad.  We thank the Committee and the workers at the site, for the work done to date, which has made visiting Saint Molua’s Well  a pleasure.

COMMITTEE:  Willie Cremin,  Nóra Ambrose, Patsy Madigan, Eileen Ambrose, Jack Ahern, Patsy Fitzgerald, Donie Sheahan,  Joan Molyneaux, Mary Kury, Nóra Crowley, Mary Mullins, Nóra Kennelly, Fr Larry Madden, Paddy Daly, Mike Mangan, Mary McCarthy, Máire Neary, Catherine Noonan.  A lovely tea was served and a raffle held on the door ticket for free and people mingled and discussed the photos and contents of the Calendar which was on sale at the launch.  All households in the community are urged to purchase a Calendar and support the Saint Molua’s  Well Project.

Volunteers are required for a new phone service for older people in West Limerick which will begin shortly. Based in Abbeyfeale, the free service will be offered to older people who subscribe to receive a phone call at least once a week where the Operator would check-in with them to ensure everything was alright.  Volunteers will be asked to commit to no more than two to three hours per month and will receive training before starting (16 hours over four sessions). For more details, contact Ed on 087 329 0483 or 068 32444.

Burnt out-from looking for a job? Interested in joining a group of people going through the same thing? The Newcastle West Jobseekers Network was set up last year to provide a peer support network. In the past year, members have taken part in horticulture classes, personal development sessions and a fitness  Bootcamp.  We are now working on ideas and suggestions for activities over this coming Autumn and Winter. Anyone interested in joining or looking for more information about the group can contact David on: 069 61316 or 087 9109309.  We are also planning to set up a similar group in the Abbeyfeale area.   Contact Ed on 068 32444 or 087 329 0483

I will conclude with our thought.

‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world’