by TomAherne

The Mission in Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish from 5th/11th May was a
tremendous success, with large crowds attending all the ceremonies in both churches, and Ardagh Community Centre. It was led and presented by Fr Seamus Enright CSsR and Fr Michael Dempsey CSsR, Fr Larry Madden, and the very active organizing committee. The theme was celebrating life in the community and young and elderly attended and enjoyed the various ceremonies. It was a renewal of faith for all and a return to the church for many who had lapsed in recent times. A good
number of people from outside the parish also attended and the Mission Stalls did a brisk business on holy items. It was twelve years since the last Mission, in the parish and what changes wereexperienced in Ireland in that period of high living down to the present austerity we are experiencing.  Fr Seamus, from Limerick (with Clounleharde roots) and Fr Michael from Belfast proved very popular with all sections of the community with their friendly approach and down to earth attitude. Michael led the singing and what a tremendous voice he has and it was great to hear all singers joining in the hymns. Why not keep joining
in with both choirs in the singing at the weekly Masses in the future, as it would add to the ceremony? Both Redemptorist’s visited Ardagh and Carrigkerry Schools and got the pupils involved in the ceremonies, in the churches. They brought Holy Communion to the sick and housebound in the parish, and over 100 people attended the Mass and Anointing of the sick in Ardagh Community Centre on Tuesday 8th May.
Fr Seamus and Pat Lawlor were featured on Sacred Space on West Limerick 102 Community Radio, on Sunday 6th May. With presenter John Keily from Ardagh, they gave great publicity to the event, and encouraged all to attend. Fr Seamus was also a guest on the Exchange
Programme, on Friday 4th and Tuesday 8th with presenter Sheila O’Regan
from Ardagh. He looked forward to the event and reviewed its progress and was a very interesting guest whose views on the church would be similar to most church attendees, at parish level. Well done to all involved in organizing and running the Mission, (and Kathleen, who
applied for it) which was a big undertaking and time consuming? The
people who participated in the various ceremonies and people behind the scenes who played their parts for the betterment of the community. The stall staff that were courteous and helpful and braved the elements to provide the service to people eager to take home a souvenir of the occasion. It was a social occasion as well which helped to brighten up people’s lives in these dark days. People living outside the parish returned to the parish for the evening sessions and renewed their friendships afterwards as people lingered for a chat and recall of past times. The weather was cold and the
temperatures were low outside, but Fr Michael’s singing raised thetemperatures and the spirits inside.
In times past in rural Ireland the parish mission was one of the highlights of the year. It was usually held in May and the people abandoned their weekly activities, and concentrated their minds on an
intense week of spiritual renewal. Houses were spring cleaned in case the holy fathers called and drives to the event were booked and plans were made to attend as many as possible sessions. This year’s mission reminded me a lot of those far off days as people attended in big numbers, in search of guidance and leadership and hope for the future.
The third Carrig Celtic soccer club draw was held in Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Sunday 6th May. Congratulations to the lucky winners as follows.1st Prize €1,000. Karol Makarewicz. 2nd Prize €250. Pat King.  €50 each to Peg Kiely, Michelle Molyneaux and Patsy Ahern.
The next draw takes place on Sunday 3rd June, and it costs €10 a month to enter.
Congratulations to Peter Fitzsimons and Mike Kiely who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game on Wednesday 2nd May.
Congratulations to Peg Mulvihill, and Jim Lynch who were 1st prize winners at Shanagolden card game held on Friday 4th May.
The Limerick G.A.A. club draw for May was held on Friday 4th at Fitzgerald’s Bar Kilmallock. Saint Kieran’s club had no winners on the night. The next draw will be held on Friday 8th June in the Idler Bar, Knockane.
Congratulations to James O’Connor Kilcolman, winner of the U-14
Bodhrán Competition, held in The Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale. Congratulations also to Paddy Donovan, Glenastar runner –up in the All Ireland Senior Spoons Competition and Edel Copse, Ardagh, 4th in the junior section, held as part of the Fleadh by the Feale festival over the May bank holiday weekend.
Longford defeated Limerick by 1-15 to 1-8 in the Ladies National Football League Division 4 Final, played at O’Connor Park in Tullamore on Sunday 6th May. Alva Neary, and Mai Kennelly from Ardagh, and Old Mill Ladies Club were members of the team. Limerick performed very well but faded in the closing stages, as Longford picked off the scores to win and gain promotion to Division 3.
Carrig Celtic defeated Newcastle West B 3-0 in Division 1 of the Desmond League on Sunday 6th May with goals from Pa Sullivan, Sean McSweeney and Anthony Molyneaux.  Old Mill lost 3-1 away to Athea Utd, also in the division. Carrig Celtic B defeated Ferry Rangers 2-0 at
home in Division 3 with goals from Mike Flynn, and Shane O’Connor. Michael Murphy was presented with the cup afterwards and the team celebrated winning the League and promotion to Division 2.
The West Limerick Branch of the Labour Party recently held its A.G.M.in the Desmond Complex, in Newcastle West. Carrigkerry native Stephen Goulding continues as secretary for 2012. And he can be contacted on 087 1937752 or [email protected]
Saint Kieran’s defeated Ballysteen by 0-9 to 1-4 in the West Junior B Football Championship in Rathkeale Gaelic Grounds on Thursday 3rd May.
The team received a walkover from Drom/Broadford in round 2 of The
West Football League, on Saturday 5th.
Saint Kieran’s Board Na Nóg is holding their annual church gate collections
in Ardagh, Coolcappa and Kilcolman on Saturday/Sunday 19th/20th May
Enrolment is now taking place for Carrigkerry N.S. Please call or phone the principal on 069-76229.
Rosary will be recited at Churchtown Grotto, Newcastle West, each
evening from Sunday to Friday at 7pm for the month of May and all are
welcome.
The annual Parish Clerk’s Collection will be taken up on this coming
Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th May at all masses. An envelope is provided in the box which parishioners received at the start of the year and envelopes are also available in the Church. People are asked to be as generous as possible with their donations, in appreciation of
the work that Eileen does over the year. She is always on call to serve and the Church is a credit to her selfless work and dedication.
First Holy Communion will take place in Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Saturday 19th May at 11am. First Holy Communion will take place in Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Saturday 19th May at 11.30am.
The closing date for entry into the Limerick in Bloom Competition is
Friday 25th May. Application forms and details are available from Community& Enterprise Section, Limerick County Council County Hall, Dooradoyle, Co Limerick. Phone: 061-496454 or the council website: www.lcc.ie under the Community& Enterprise Section.
Saint Kieran’s are holding a dog night at the Limerick Greyhound Stadium, on Friday 8th June.  The members are currently seeking financial support for the event which is a fundraiser for the club. It will cost €50 to nominate a dog in the Johnny Duggan Memorial
Sweepstake, and the winning nominator will receive a prize of €200.
Admission Tickets to the event plus a race card cost €10 and one lucky person will win €500 by matching the finishing order winning number. Raffle Prizes will also be most welcome for the monster Raffle on the night. People who contribute sponsorship will be acknowledged. Further details from the event co-ordinator Ivan Neary at 087-1726684.
We extend our sympathy to Glensharrold native Anthony Quinn and family Balliniska Feohanagh, on the death of his wife Mary on 5th May. Sympathy also to their many relations around the locality. May she rest in Peace.
An open meeting to discuss the Fiscal Stability Treaty Referendum will be held at the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine on Monday 21st May at 8.00pm. Speakers from both sides of the Yes and No campaign will be present. All are welcome.