by Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Rev Fr Dermot Healy, S.M.A. on Friday 30th March at the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork (late of Castle Countess, Tralee County Kerry.)  He was 86 years old, 65 of which were spent in the S.M.A. and 60 of these as a missionary priest.
He spent fourteen years as a curate in  Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish
covering the period 1981 to 1995. He served under no less than three Parish Priests, Fr John Connors, Fr Seamus Power, and Fr Dan Lane. He was involved in a lot of changes, and improvements during this time, and the parishioners will hold fond memories of him. Renovations, and improvements, to Carrigkerry Church, and the two priest’s houses in Ardagh,were undertaken during his stay. He was a devout priest and a
dear friend to many in the parish who kept in touch with people after his departure. He was interested in reading, music, radio and sports. His beloved Kerry footballers, Chelsea soccer team, Lyric FM Music, Sky Sports and his favourite radio programme, Alistair Cooke’s ‘Letters from America’ which he listened to for 50 years. He retired
due to ill health in 1995 and moved to live in the S.M.A. Parent house in Claregalway. Two presentation parties were held in Ardagh Hall and
Carrigkerry Community Centre that April to bid him farewell and to thank him for his dedicated service to the parish. Fr Dermot thanked the people for their generous gifts, and wishes, and asked all to pray for him. He bade farewell to all and said that the people of the parish would always be special in his heart.
Fr Dermot was born in Tralee on 23rd March 1926 and he attended CBS
National School and completed his secondary education in Saint Mary’s
CBS, The Green Tralee. He joined the Society of African Priests in Kilcolgan, County Galway and took his first oath of membership on 1st July 1947. Dermot was ordained on 13th July 1952 at the Sacred Heart Church Western Road in Cork.  He spent 3 years at University College in Cork, and 1 year at London University gaining a BA Degree, and a
Diploma in Education. He devoted his life to spreading the word of God, as a teacher, and doing pastoral work in Nigeria from 1957, until he returned to Ireland in 1974 for health reasons. He was Editor of the S.M.A. Magazine for 3 years, and he enhanced this popular
publication with his knowledge of the mission work and his learned mind. He returned to pastoral ministry on loan to Limerick Diocese for 18 years, working in the parishes of Adare, and Ardagh/Carrigkerry from 1978 to 1994. His retirement was spent in Claregalway helping out in the home, and with pastoral work in neighbouring parishes. His poor eyesight in later life was a challenge, which he faced and accepted
and his good humour helped him a lot. In 2007 his health and sight declined further and he retired to the African Missions, Blackrock Road where he lived quietly keeping up to date with world affairs and
sports on his radio. The day before his death he concelebrated the 10.30am Community Mass.
Removal took place from The African Missions, Blackrock Road, to Saint Josephs S.M.A. Church, Wilton, on Sunday 1st April. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Monday followed by burial in the adjoining Cemetery.  Fr Tony Mullins, Administrator of the Diocese of Limerick was among the principal concelebrants at his funeral Mass. We extend our sympathy to his sister Lena Heavin, Brother Teddy, sister-in-law Marie, brother-in-law James, his nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, relatives, friends, and his confreres in the Society of the African Missions. May he rest in Peace.
The death has taken place of Mary Moloney nee Quinn, in Essex, England
on Monday 2nd April. She was a native of Glensharrold Carrigkerry and was 75 years old. A service (to be arranged) will take place in Saint Mary’s Church in Carrigkerry.
Congratulations to Mary Danaher, Ardagh, on her election to the Executive Council of Fine Gael at their recent Ard Fheis, in Dublin.
Congratulations to Pádraig Lawlor, Carrigkerry who won his second All
Ireland Rugby Medal with Carlow 1.T. on Thursday 22nd March. He is also the captain of the Carlow I.T. U21 team who recently won the Leinster League. He was also awarded a rugby scholarship from the college.
Congratulations to Pat King Carrigkerry who was the referee for the Desmond League Reidy Cup Final held in Clounreask Askeaton, on Saturday 31stMarch.
Congratulations to Jason Mullins, Ardagh, who was the referee for the
West Limerick U 21 A Hurling final played in Knockaderry Gaelic
Grounds, on Sunday 8th April.
Carrig Celtic soccer club held their second 300 club draw, on Sunday
1st April and we congratulate the prize winners as follows. €1,000
Martina O’Connor, Carrigkerry. €250 Eamon O’Keane. €50 Eva Mullins. €50 Celina Brouder. €50 Orin Hough. The next draw will be held on Sunday 29th April.
The following are the lottery results from Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Monday 2nd April. The numbers drawn were 11,16,25,27, and there was no
Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners.

€60 D,T,I,R,  c/o Dineen’s Ardagh.
€60 Mary Wilmott, c/o Bridget.
€60 Tommy Greaney, Kilcolman.
€30 Carmel Power, Kilscannell.
€30 Nancy Barrett,Glenastar.
€30 Aine + Peg O’Connor, Commons, Ardagh. Next week’s draw takes place in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh and the Jackpot
will be €16,200.
Congratulations to Carrig Celtic B who were declared champions of Division 3 of the Desmond League, on Sunday 1st April, without kicking a ball, as results went their way in the other games. Carrig Celtic A defeated Killeaney 2-1 away in the Division 1 League Cup quarter final with goals from Kieran Brouder, and Francis Moore. In Division 1 of the League Old Mill lost 2-0 at home, and in Division 2 Kilcolman
Rovers drew 1-1 away to Broadford Utd B.
Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Newcastle West 3-12 to 0-7 in round 2
of Group 1 of the County Senior Football League at Newcastle West on
Saturday 31st March.
Darragh Treacy performed very well when introduced for the injured John Galvin for Limerick footballers on Sunday 1st April. Limerick drew 1-10 to 0-13 away to Fermanagh in Enniskillen in Division 4 of the National Football League.
Rathkeale/ Ardagh combination team were defeated by Tournafulla, 3-14
to 3-8 in round 1 of the West Minor Hurling Championship at Rathkeale
on Friday 30th March.
Limerick minor footballers play Cork in the first round of the Munster
Championship at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Saturday 14th April at
7pm. Kevin Meade from Saint Kieran’s is a member of the panel, which is mostly made up of western club players. It is an insult to players and supporters, that this match is not played in Newcastle West as requested by the Limerick Football Board. If the Board in charge of the team cannot get to play where they wish, it is a poor lookout, for
the future, of football and questions need to be asked and answers given why Newcastle West was not suitable. We all enjoyed a great afternoon there for last winter’s Munster Intermediate Hurling Club Final, which saw a record attendance. It is an ideal venue, and the
support from the West for the young team would be invaluable, against
one of the super powers of the Association.
Congratulations to Aine Nolan Saint Kieran’s community games who won a
gold medal in the U 10 Solo Music event, in the County Talent Finals held in Askeaton Hall on Sunday 1st April. Congratulations also to Eileen Collins, who won a silver medal in the U 10 Solo Dance Traditional event.
Congratulations to Mike Young and Mike O’Mahoney, Mike Kearney Mike Kiely and Mick Mc Quinn, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game, held on Wednesday 28th March.

Sharon Kinehan, and Jackie Geoghegan, Lisgordan, Ardagh, would like to thank everyone who supported their coffee morning in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day. They raised a grand total of € 805 for the very deserving cause.
An afternoon of tea dancing will take place in Carrigkerry Community Centre, on Sunday 22nd April from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Music by John O’Sullivan, Alpine Sound tea and refreshments will be served and admission is € 5 and all are welcome. The proceeds will go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Community Centre.
Tim O’Donnell from Reens Pike Ardagh, was Pat O’Donovan’s guest on ‘A Story and a Song’ on West Limerick Community Radio, on Saturday 31stMarch, 3-4pm and repeated on the following morning 7-8am. It was a very interesting and entertaining programme, as Tim recounted his school days, family and working life, hobbies and singing. He sang a fine selection of traditional songs, and was in great voice. Well done to Tim and to Pat for a lovely show, and Pat would welcome more people to participate in the coming weeks. Contact Pat or the Studio in Newcastle West to arrange a date to participate.
I must compliment all involved in the Limerick Leader, on their series ‘All Our Yesterdays’ which has provided the readers with a glimpse into the past, by publishing text and photos, in their handy sized supplements. They recall lovely memories of times past of people and events making the news, when we were growing up in a different Ireland. I especially liked the photo of the talented and musical Keogh family from Killoughteen, Newcastle West, which was included in the recent publication.
We regret the passing of Barney Mc Kenna, at his home in Dublin onThursday last aged 72 years. It is the end of an era, as he was the last surviving founding member in 1962. This year they are celebrating their 50th Anniversary and many of us will have our own fond memories of the group. They played at Carnivals in Ardagh, and Carrigkerry in the late sixties, and also in Morans Country Club in the eighties. Barney was a great banjo player, who was full of wit and a great character to boot, and he will be sadly missed. May he rest in musical Peace.
We received good reports from the listeners to Round the Fireside which aired on C 103 FM in recent weeks. The mission was to pay tribute to Tom O’Donoghue, from Castlemahon, playing music with many groups for over 50 years, and to recall the Glenside Céilí Band of the fifties, through to Ann Marie and The Ferrymen, of recent years. People involved with both featured on air to pay tribute, to the contribution, of all the members, associated with Tom and the band over the years. It was an all star cast of entertainers, with numerous All Irelands, and other titles to their names.  A total of 11 musicians combined together on a wide range of tunes, which had the smoke billowing up the chimney at a fast pace. Jigs and reels, hornpipes and marches, polkas and slow airs all came effortlessly to them. Singers were in abundance and the strains of ‘A bright red rose’ ‘’She moved through the fair’’ ‘’I will love you ‘to name but three, cast a spell over all present. Tributes in person and in verse form were paid to Tom O’Donoghue, and to Mick and Madge Mullins founders of the Glenside Céilí Band. Members, who played with The Glenside, New Glenside, and The Ferrymen, were all recalled and remembered with fondness. They included Joe Mangan, Johnny Aherne, John Joe Connors, Sean Collins, Batt Daly, Mike Murphy, Sean ‘Popeen’ O’Connor, John Mullins, John O’Donnell, Joe Costello, Johnny Meaney, Mike Houlihan, Mike Mullins, Peter Mullins, Tom Mullins, Liam Steele, Mary Steele, Maura Ahern, Donie Nolan, Margaret Kiely, Johnny Meehan and Ann Marie Noonan.  John Sheahan of The Dubliners, (who are also celebrating 50 years in show business this year) also played with the Glenside band during his school holidays. It was two good nights of entertainment and nostalgia, with JImmie, getting the best out of each guest, with his teasing and prompts, and relaxed style.The following members were part of the programme, Tom O’Donoghue, Chrissie Roche, Darren Roche, Pat Normoyle, and all Castlemahon. Murt Downes  and John Meehan, Knockaderry Pat Sheahan, Newcastle West, Ann Marie Noonan, Cappagh, Michael Collins, and son Darren, Newcastle West, John Mullins, Tom Mullins, Peter Mullins, Paul O’Connor, Paul Moriarty, Liam Steele, all Ardagh. Tom Aherne, Glensharrold.