by Tom Aherne

The following are the lottery results from Foleys Bar Reens Ardagh, on Monday 9th January. The numbers drawn were 2,10,11,19.
Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows:
€60 Danny Sammon, Newcastle West.
€60 Geraldine McCarthy, Askeaton.
€60 Noreen Geoghegan, Newcastle West.
€30 Pat Sullivan+Jim Woods c/o Moore’s.
€30 Paula Ruane, Askeaton.
€30 Jack+Aaron Mulqueen c/o Curley’s.
Next week’s draw takes place at Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €13,800.
Carrig Celtic defeated Askeaton by 4-0 in the ladies soccer league cup tie played in Carrigkerry on Sunday 8th January. Jessie Quaid 2,  Bridget Liston and Michelle Brouder scored the goals.
In the Desmond League Division 1 Old Mill lost 1-0 away to Glantine.
Carrig Celtic and Kilcolman Rovers had no fixtures as the pitches
were unplayable.
We extend sympathy to Nora O’Connell and family Carrigkerry,  the Murphy family, Ballylin, Ardagh and Patsy Madigan and family Ballyegna,
Ardagh, other relations and friends in the locality on the death of Nora’s brother John Murphy, Gortnagross, Athea. His remains were removed from his residence on Friday evening last to Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Athea. Burial after Requiem Mass in Holy Cross
Cemetery Athea, on Saturday 14th January. Sympathy also to his wife
Betty, sons Tony, Teddy, John, Declan, Brennan, Kenneth, Colm, and
Eamon, daughters Mary and Pauline, brother Liam, and sisters Nora and
Mary, grandchildren, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
The death has also taken place of George Aherne, Doolin, County Clare, and Kildimo, County Limerick on 5th January. His late father Christy was a native of Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. His remains were removed from his mother’s residence on Friday evening last to Saint Joseph’s Church Kildimo. Burial after Requiem Mass in Kildimo Cemetery on
Saturday 14th January. Sympathy to his mother Maí, his daughter Maura Rose (San Francisco) brothers Noel and Kevin, sister Mairead. The Aherne family Glensharrold extended family and friends. May they both rest in Peace.
A large crowd from the locality attended the meeting in The Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Monday 9th January to discuss the septic tank registration, property tax and neglect of rural Ireland.
It was time that people stood up and be counted and spoke up about the way our country is being run in recent years. The time has come for people to take a stand and to demand fair play for people living in rural Ireland who have witnessed their services and their way of life taken from them. Rural politicians from all sides should come together and unite as one to ensure there is a level playing field for all
citizens. We are in very challenging times and it is time the people and their needs came first and the people who put us in the mess paid. We hope the momentum gained at the meeting continues to grow and become a nationwide movement to fight for ordinary citizens whose message at the meeting was crystal clear. Do not register your septic tank, until the County Council gets their house in order. Do not pay the household charge until refuse and water services are supplied and roads upgraded and bridges repaired.

Community employment schemes in the parish have been dealt a major blow in the recent Budget, which announced cuts for 2012. All existing schemes from January 1st face a reduction on the training and material grants paid pending a review of all CE schemes that is due to take place in the first quarter of 2012. As a result all future training for participants has been put on hold and the material grant cut in
half to €10 per participant/place per week. If this becomes permanent it will signal the death knell for CE schemes which will have to fundraise to raise the shortfall or close. This is another attack on rural Ireland who depends on these schemes to maintain services in communities devastated by Government policies. They have done wonderful work over the years, saving local authorities huge sums of
money in the process and enhancing the appearances of places tenfold. If all Government Departments were as well run and accountable and delivered results as well as CE schemes on the ground we would not be in the mess we are in today. Participants on schemes want to work and
do so for as little as an extra €20 per week for their 19 and a half hours. It is not their fault that up to a half a million people have  no work and successive Governments are only worried that there will be no money to pay themselves their inflated payments and pensions. They
lick up to rogue bankers and financial institutions and treat decent honest people with arrogance, and fail to put in place guidelines and measures that would create employment. It is local communities that
will suffer again and grass will not be cut and halls, dressing rooms  and streets cleaned. A meeting to address the cuts will be held in Rathkeale Community Centre on Monday 23rd January at 8pm, and all concerned are urged to attend.
Many local people were saddened to hear of the death of Dan Keane of Moyvane, who was held in high regard by all who knew him.  He was well known for his skill with the pen, his many interviews on local Radio and his association with all things Irish. It was a joy to listen to his clean jokes and stories and to read his well crafted compositions. Dan could compose a piece in a short time about any
subject and he leaves behind a large quantity of quality writing including a number of very interesting books. He was 92 years old and he lived a long and productive life and was a friend to all. Dan worked for New Ireland Assurance Company and was well known to the
people on the road from Athea to Carrigkerry. He was a very welcome
visitor and he endeared himself to all his customers with his friendly manner.  He would always call to Flynn’s Shop and enjoy a chat and a cup of tea with the late Nell. He retained fond memories from those times, and the people he met on his travels. In 1989 he wrote a song about this route called “The Road to Carrig Town” which came first in the newly composed ballad competition at the County Kerry Fleadh Cheoil.
The Sylvan shades, the grassy glades, the Mountains bare and brown,
And the lovely maid with whom I prayed in the Church in Carrig Town.
We grew up to the sound of the lovely singing of Bridie Gallagher on
Radio Eireann during the sixties. She had a most captivating voice which attracted people from all walks of life.  We got to know all those lovely places she mentioned in her songs and the stories they told about our native land. A neighbor of ours would shout out “is
that Gallagher on the Radio” when her songs would come on. Later on
in life we watched her on Television, and attended her Concerts and enjoyed them greatly. It is sad to hear of her death aged 87 years, but we rejoice in her long and successful career which brought so
much enjoyment to so many.

We also note the passing of Billie Joe
Spears the fine American country singer who died before Christmas. May they all rest in Peace.
The card game at the Flag Floor Glensharrold resumed on Wednesday 18th
January, after the Christmas break. It commences at 9.pm and all are welcome to attend.
The Coolcappa/ Kilcolman parent and toddler group meet every week from
11am to 12.30pm in the Community Centre in Coolcappa. All parents and
guardians are welcome. Please call Rosemary on (085) 1688307 if you
have any queries.
The Rathfredagh annual walk will take place on Sunday 29th January. It will start at the top of Barna, walking the railway line to Newcastle West. It will continue by road from Newcastle West, to Rathfredragh via Laceys Cross and the Bruff Line. The walk will commence at 10am, and transport will be available from Newcastle West to Rathfredragh if
people require it. Sponsorship cards can be got by ringing reception at Rathfredagh, on 069-83100. All support for one of Rathfredagh’s major fundraising events will be appreciated.  

West Limerick Resources will be offering a free training programme to community groups who would like to develop their own low cost/no cost website.  The group training initiative will show groups how to develop and maintain their own website using the free on-line resource- WordPress.  While potential participants will not require any specific web programming knowledge or experience, they must have a sound basic knowledge of computers and be comfortable in the use of the internet, email and simple applications such as Word. Venue and dates to be confirmed.  Those interested in taking part are asked to
contact Suzanne on 069 79114 or email [email protected] to register. Limit two participants per community group.