by Tom Aherne

The following are the lottery results from Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Monday 23rd January. The numbers drawn were 3,12,18,20, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners.
€60 Mike Liston, Glenastar.
€60 Helena King, Carrigkerry.
€60 Kate and Tommy, Askeaton.
€30 Bridget McGrath, Askeaton.
€30 Patie, Ger,+ Ang, c/o Neary’s.
€30 Pat Sullivan + Paddy Mullane.
Next week’s draw takes place at Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €14,200.
Congratulations to Eileen McSweeney, and Catherine Kiely, Ann and Catherine Madigan who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 18th January. Cards each Wednesday at 9pm and all are welcome to attend and to enjoy one of our ancient pastimes.
Carrig Celtic lost 3-2 to Hospital Crusaders in Round 4 of the
Munster Junior Cup at home on Sunday 22nd January. It was a good exciting game of soccer played before a good crowd on a cold afternoon. Sean McSweeney and Ray Cahill scored the goals, and it was 2-1 to the visitors at half time.
In Division 1 of the Desmond League Old Mill defeated Newcastle West B by 5-0 away to move mid table in the   League.  Brendan Hayes scored 4 and James Morrisroe scored his first in junior soccer.
In Division 2 Kilcolman Rovers poor run continued as they lost 2-1 away to neighbours Creeves Celtic. Conor Whelan scored their goal.
In Ladies soccer Kilcolman Rovers drew 0-0 away to Breska Rovers in the Premier Division, of the League and Carrig Celtic had no fixture.
Congratulations to Denis and Donal Dineen, Ardagh, on their recent success in the West Coast Rally Championship where they came second in Class 12, and received the Best
Congratulations to James O’Keeffe, Park Ballyhahill, on his successes over the past two years in the Southern, Munster and All Ireland Karting Championship. He received the trophies, at a recent
presentation in Dublin. We wish all three good luck and more success in the coming year.
The Great Southern Trail are holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 2nd February at 8pm in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West. The trail is part of our locality and of interest to all people who avail of its facilities, be it as a walker or cyclist. All are welcome to attend the meeting.
The annual Parish Clerk Collection for Sacristants, Tony and Joan, will be taken up in Coolcappa, and Kilcolman, on this coming week-end 4th/5thFebruary. People are asked to be as generous as possible with their donations, as both Tony and Joan do excellent work in both churches throughout the year.
Kilcolman Rovers soccer Club are holding a fundraising Cookery Demonstration with ‘’Let’s Get Cooking’’ in Ardagh Community Hall on Friday 10thJanuary. The tickets cost € 10 and are available from the following Sheena 087 9063338 or Sharon 086 8106522.  A very enjoyable
night is promised and all support for the club will be appreciated.
West Limerick Community Radio are holding a car boot sale, and indoor
market at the Community Centre Newcastle West on Sunday 19th February
from 9am to 3pm with admission €2. Gates open at 7.30am and anyone who wishes to book a stall can contact Marian on 087-6866450.
The Station are also running a confined members 6 month draw at present, with €1,000 in prices, each month.  It costs €5 per month, and one draw has taken place to date.  People can call to the Station
to enter the draw which has a top prize of €500 each month.
The Station depends on fundraising to continue on air and all support for the above will be much appreciated. The local Station is a vital link for so many people who may be living on their own, or feeling a little isolated in rural areas of West Limerick and beyond. The Station offers a great choice of programmes to suit all interests and age groups and is now a vital part of people’s lives.
Newcastle West Golf Club based in Rathgonan, Ardagh, are offering a
Membership Sale at present. The sale includes individual, husband and wife, parent and child memberships and will cease on the 31st of March. The club is also offering great value in green fees, and
Societies may avail of discounts, for large numbers. The Restaurant is also available for bookings, and for more details on the above contact the Office Tel 069-76500 / 76511 or Email www.newcastlewestgolf.com
We extend get well wishes for a speedy recovery to our fellow correspondent Pat Brosnan from Athea. His well composed and constructed column each week is always interesting and eagerly looked
forward to throughout the locality.
The Wren Party was once the social highlight of the year in an area where the tradition was very strong. It was an all night affair with plenty of food and drink on offer to the members, who enjoyed the
proceeds of the money collected on their journey from house to house on Saint Stephen’s Day. The age old tradition of holding Wren Nights continues in the Glensharrold Carrigkerry area, and the Flag Floor is now the favourite venue for the Glensharrold and the Carrigkerry
Groups to enjoy themselves. To attend and to participate at a Wren Night was once described as being better than getting a tonic and a fist of pills from the doctor. It still holds true for many up to the
present day.
Carrigkerry Community Centre, in association with West Limerick Resourses, is providing a new information service to the general public at present. It will be similar to the service offered in the
Citizen’s Advice Centre situated in The Market Yard in Newcastle West. People are welcome to call in during working hours, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9am to 2pm. It will be closed on Tuesdays, as Doctor Murphy from Athea holds a weekly Clinic in the
Centre, from 10.30am. The citizen’s advice centre, will offer information, in a confidential and sensitive manner, on a wide range of subjects. These will include health, social welfare, farming issues, MABS coping with debt, household charge, changes in the recent Budget, list of available courses and job opportunities etc. People will be able to receive information leaflets, handouts, and will have access to the internet to source information. This is a new service to
rural areas, and is to be welcomed. We urge people to avail of it to source relevant information, in their own locality where a friendly face and plenty of parking awaits.