by Tom Aherne

Congratulations and best wishes for the future to John (Jackie) Mulvihill son of Peg and John, Ballinabearna, Old Mill, and Edel Coughlan daughter of Margaret and Donie, Ballinakill Mór, Castlemahon,
who were married in Saint John the Baptist Church Castlemahon  on
Saturday 31st March. Fr John Duggan P.P. Castlemahon, performed the
ceremony assisted by Fr Larry Madden P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry. The reception was held in The Woodlands House Hotel in Adare.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Edel Hayes, Carrigkerry who recently celebrated her 21st birthday with family and friends.
Congratulations to Larry Ward,  Carrigkerry and Desmond College
Newcastle West, who recently received a man of the match award from AIB Newcastle West for U-14 Hurling.
Congratulations to Claire Kiely,  Coolcappa NS and Rathkeale Boxing
Club, who came first in the recent Munster Amateur BoxingChampionships.

Congratulations to Eileen McSweeney, Noreen O’Keeffe and Catherine Kiely who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game in aid of the Ardagh/Carrigkerry senior citizen’s fund on Wednesday 4th April. Congratulations also to Michael O’Sullivan and Joe Devine who were prize winners at the card game held on Good Friday 6th April.
In the Desmond League on Sunday 8th April Carrig Celtic defeated Adare Utd 4-1 at home, in Division 1 to move into second place with three more matches to play. Francis Moore 2, Pa O’Sullivan, and Ray Cahill scored the goals, and former player Declan Quaid replied for the visitors. Old Mill lost 3-0 at home to Pallaskenry also in Division 1.
Kilcolman Rovers and Carrig Celtic B had no fixtures.

The following are the lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, on 9th April. The numbers drawn were 5,10,14,23, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.
€60 Catherine O’Donnell    c/o Stevo’s Carrigkerry.
€60 Pat+Aidian, c/o Moores Carrigkerry.
€60 Ann Madden,  Newcastle West.
€30 Stephen Griffin,  c/o Bus Eireann.
€30 Martina McGrath, Ardagh.
€30 Stephen Kennelly, Shanagolden.
Next week’s draw takes place at the Thatch Bar Newbridge and the Jackpot will be €16,400.
We extend our sympathy to Fr Willie O’Gorman P.P. Tournafulla/Mountcollins and a former Curate of Ardagh/Carrigkerry, on the death of his sister (Sr) Julia O’Gorman, late of Dromcollogher and the Sisters of Mercy Cork. Her remains were received at Our Lady Crowned Church, Mayfield, Cork on Sunday 8th April. Requiem Mass was
celebrated on Monday 9th April followed by burial in Saint James Cemetery Chetwynd, Cork. She is survived by her brothers (Fr) Willie and John, sister Noreen, the sisters of her community, her
sister-in-law- Rita, brother -in-law Cathal, niece, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and a wide circle of friends. May she rest in Peace.
We extend sympathy to Tim and Joan Copse and family Glensharrold on the death of Tim’s father Dan Ballingown, Newcastle West, peacefully at his residence on Friday 13th April. Reposing at Reidy’s Funeral Home on Saturday evening last where large crowds attended to pay their respects. Requiem Mass in Knockaderry Church on Sunday followed by burial in  Calvery Cemetery Newcastle West. Sympathy also to his wife Mary Ita, sons, daughter, brothers, sisters, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren and all other relatives. May he rest in Peace.
The passing of John Egan the former great Kerry footballer at 59 years of age is much regretted by all Gaelic game followers. He was a prince of corner forwards and one of the best players to grace the game, who scored so many vital goals for the Kingdom. A lot of locals were great followers of John and the great Kerry team of the seventies and eighties. May he rest in Peace.
The Loughill/Ballyhahill Parish Annual 2012 is currently on sale at Stevo’s Daybreak Carrigkerry and other local shops in the area. It contains 100 pages of very interesting material about the parish from the past year and beyond. It has club reports, emigration stories;
people’s memories of Television over the past 50 years are recalled. People who have passed on are remembered with fondness and the schoolchildren feature prominently as well. Young contributors are to the fore with nice interviews, book launches, award winners feature and
the Irish language is not forgotten either.  It is a fine publication with items of interest for young and old and it costs €10.
Brendan Fullam, the Ardagh born author published his latest book Decades of Stars last November. It contains 114 out of the 300 hurlers he has interviewed over the years. It contains articles on
each player, including their own words from interviews conducted over the years. The book also contains little seen photographs of the players, most of which are from their own personal collections. Decades of Stars is a book in honour of those who played the ‘game of
the gods’ at the highest level. It is a fascinating read for all GAA fans and the paperback costs €19.99.

A céilí will be held in the Top of the Town Athea on this coming Friday 20th April at 9.30pm, with music by Domhnall De Barra. It is an experimental céilí aimed at the people attending classes who may not have the confidence yet to go to the regular Céilithe, even though they know a number of the sets being danced. Normal music tempo on the night and all sets called and seasoned dancers are most welcome also.
Ardagh drama group will present their one act comedy ‘What’s For Pudding’ at the Knockaderry Variety Concert on this Friday 20th April. They will present it also with their other one act comedy ‘Losers’ at the Art Centre Rathkeale, on Saturday and Sunday 21st / 22nd  April at 8.pm.
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.
People are looking forward to the annual Eigse Michael Hartnett, which takes place in Newcastle West, from Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th April. A big attraction will be President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, who will deliver the formal address on opening night at The
Courtney Lodge Hotel. A very interesting programme has been put in place which should attract all followers of the written word.

The past week was all about the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic. Newspapers, TV and radio all featured news and stories about the people aboard the ill-fated ship. Growing up we heard that two people from the locality were lost on the ship, Mort Ahern from
Rooskagh East and Maurice O’Connor from Ballyloughane. Recent records
suggest that Mort Ahern was not on board and that Maurice O’Connor was
from Boherbue, County Cork. He was aged 21 years old and worked in
Ballyloughane for a while as a general labourer.
Kilcolman Rovers ladies will hold their awards night in Neary’s Bar,  Ardagh on Saturday 28th April from 9.30pm.  They will celebrate their Desmond Cup success this year and present the medals and other awards and a great night is anticipated.
A fundraiser in aid of Milford Hospice Limerick will be held in Kilcolman Community Creche, on Sunday 29th April from 12 noon to 6pm. There will be face painting bouncy castles, bungee run, a bake sale and lots more. Contributions to the bake sale would be much appreciated. All ages are welcome and a great day is guaranteed for all the family.