by Tom Ahern

The death has taken place of Michael (Mike) Bennett, Kilscannell, Ardagh. A native of Kilscannell and from a family of three, he never moved too far away from his native place. He was educated locally and worked in various jobs down the years. He suffered from ill health in
recent years, and his passing in his fifties surprised and saddened his family, relations and friends. His remains reposed at Magner’s Funeral Home in Rathkeale, on Tuesday evening from 6pm, followed by removal to Saint Molua’s Church,  Ardagh. His Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Larry Madden P.P.   Ardagh/Carrigkerry and family members assisted in the ceremony and Ann-Marie supplied the music and lovely hymns. Burial took place in Kilscannell Cemetery close to his
home on Wednesday 25th April. We extend our sympathy to his partner Julie, brother Jack, sister Byrdy, sister-in-law Breda, aunt, nephews, extended family members, neighbours, and friends. May he rest in Peace.
Daffodil Day this year in the Newcastle West area raised a total of €13,143.40 which was a tremendous amount during the recessionary times; we are going through at present. The one day collection raised  €8,689.72, and the coffee morning raised €4,453.68.  Kate Buckingham and her helpers have issued a big thank you to all who contributed to this fantastic collection.
Congratulations to Noreen Kiely, Knockfinisk, who won the special bonus
prize of €250 in the Newcastle West Rugby Club Lottery draw held in The Ballintemple Inn Churchtown on Friday 20th April.
The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 23rd April. The numbers drawn were 6,7,8,17, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners.
€60 Katie+Seán Mullins,Newcastle West.
€60 Mike Griffin, Reens, Ardagh.
€60 Eamon Dillane, Old Mill.
€30 Mike Molyneaux, Ardagh.
€30 Una Mahon, Bus Eireann.
€30 Bridget O’Reilly, Carrigkerry.
Next Week’s draw takes place in Reens Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €16,800.

Eoin O’Keeffe Kilcolman would like to thank everyone who helped him to raise €765.20 for the Shave or Dye campaign held recently.
Congratulations to Mike & Catherine Kiely, John Sheehy, Paddy Molyneaux,
and Con Enright, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game on
Wednesday 18th April. The card game is held every Wednesday night at 9pm, and all are welcome.
Old Mill was the only local team in action in the Desmond League on Sunday 22nd April. They lost 2-1 away to Rathkeale B after extra time in Round 3 of the Desmond Cup. The coming weeks will be busy for all the teams as the season comes to a conclusion.
Limerick defeated Louth by 0-8 to 0-7 to book their place in the Ladies National Football League, Division 4 final against Longford. The match was played at Crettyard on Sunday 22nd April, and the final will possibly be played on Saturday 5th or Sunday 6th May. Alva Neary  and Mai Kennelly from Ardagh, and Old Mill Ladies Club were members of the team. We extend best wishes to both ladies and the team for the final.
I am delighted to report the return of the Cuckoo after their annual Winter break in warmer climates. The familiar sound is music to the ears of many who look forward to their arrival around mid April each year. Their arrival announces the commencement of our summer, and the
outdoor season of work. The month of April was very mixed compared to the fine dry March which offered so much.  Land is wet and growth very poor in the high and hilly part of the parish at present with some improvement in the lower and sheltered ground. We can only look forward to a better and more fruitful May for the gardens bogs and meadows, as we enjoy the sweet notes of theCuckoo.
Enrolment is now taking place for Carrigkerry N.S. Please call or phone the principal on 069-76229.
Saint Kieran’s defeated Castletown/ Ballyagran by 1-7 to 1-5 in round 2 of the County Junior Hurling League on Saturday 21st April.
Kevin Meade was a member of the Limerick minor football team that lost
to Kerry by 3-9 to 0-5 in the Munster Championship played in Austin Stack Park Tralee on Tuesday 24th April. He played corner back in both their matches as they made their exit from the Championship.

The first issue of Irish Country Magazine is currently on sale in newsagents around the country. It is an offshoot of Irish Country Living the weekly supplement with the Irish Farmers Journal. The
magazine will include many of the same, contributors, with a number of additionals to cover a wider range of topics. It will be issued 4 times a year, to take in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and it costs € 2.99 per issue. The editor is Mairead Lavery from Shanagolden and the magazine is aimed primarily at the female population. The magazine runs to 100 pages and it is colourful and contains a number of interesting articles, covering fashion, health and beauty food interiors, gardening poultry travel motoring and social diary. It is a difficult time to launch a magazine but 4 issues per year, should be within interested peoples budgets. We wish all involved in the publication the best of luck in the future.
First Holy Communion will take place in Saint Kyran’s, Church Coolcappa, on Saturday 5th May at 11 am. First Holy Communion will take place in Saint Mary’s Church,  Carrigkerry on Sunday 13th May at 11.30am. 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 annual Darkness into Light campaign to raise awareness and funds for Pieta House, the centre for suicide and self-harm crisis centre, will be held in Limerick on Saturday 12th May. The 5 km walk or run commences at 4am, at Arthur’s Quay in the city while it is still dark, and finishes as dawn is breaking, symbolizing the hope that can be given to people affected by suicide and self-harm. Pieta House is calling on people to take part and to bring friends with them, to join the thousands of others who will be participating in the run at other venues around the country simultaneously in Dublin, Clare, Cork, Galway Kerry. Sponsorship cards are available by contacting Kieran O’Brien at Pieta House Mungret.  The centre is also seeking volunteers to help out at the Limerick base which has helped thousands of individuals since it opened in 2009.
Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish Mission will take place from Sunday 6th to Friday 11th May. It will be led by Fr Seamus Enright CSsR and Fr Michael Dempsey CSsR and it will be a celebration of life in the community. All are warmly invited to attend and events will be held in Ardagh and Carrigkerry Churches.
Mass times Monday to Friday as follows 7.00am Ardagh. 10.00am Ardagh &
Carrigkerry.

 Evening sessions in Carrigkerry at 7.00pm Sunday 6th A celebration of
community. Monday 7th Finding Christ in our brokenness: A celebration of healing. Tuesday 8th Cherishing home and family.

Evening sessions in Ardagh at 8.30pm. Sunday 6th a celebration of community. Monday 7th Finding Christ in our brokenness: A celebration of healing. Tuesday 8th Cherishing home and family. Wednesday 9th Celebrating God’s mercy: Repentance and reconciliation. Thursday 10th The future of the Church. Friday 11th An evening of remembrance.
A number of special events will also be held as follows. Family Mass with blessing of babies and young children on Saturday/Sunday 5th/6th May in Ardagh at 7.30pm, and Carrigkerry at 11.30am. Mass & Anointing of the sick on Tuesday 8th May at 2pm in the Community Centre Ardagh. The Mass commences at 2.00pm and it will be followed by the anointing of the sick. The Community Creche is wheelchair friendly and people from outside the Parish are most welcome to attend the special ceremony. Tea and refreshments will be served afterwards.
Social Evening on Friday 11th May (after Mission) in the Community CentreArdagh.

The last parish mission was in 2000 and lots of changes have taken place in Ireland since. The preparations for this year’s mission  have been ongoing in recent months, and the organizers would like to see large crowds attending  the various events, in both churches.