by Tom Ahern

The death has taken place of Charlie O’Connor, The Commons, Ardagh, at Limerick Regional Hospital on Sunday 3^rdJune. He was a native of The Commons, Ardagh and a member of a large family. He was educated in the local school and apart from a short stay in England lived in the locality. He worked in Castlemahon Poultry Products and Aughinish Alumina and in other construction work until ill- health forced him into early retirement. He married his wife Peig in 1969 and they set up home in Ardagh village. They moved later on to The Commons to live and they raised a family of seven. Charlie was a great family man and he was always there for them. He worked hard to provide and set them up in life and he will be sadly missed by all.  He attended matches and supported local teams and enjoyed hunting in his spare time. His unexpected death, at a young enough age, was a shock to family relations, neighbours and friends. His remains reposed at his son Tony’s residence, The Commons, Ardagh, on Bank Holiday Monday from 5.00pm to 8.00pm.His remains arrived at Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh, on Tuesday morning for 11.30am Requiem Mass. It was concelebrated by Fr Larry Madden and Fr Tony Mullins, with family members assisting in the readings, prayers of the faithful, life symbols, gifts and reflection. Charlie was laid to rest in Saint Molua’s Cemetery on Tuesday 5^th June. Sympathy to his wife Peig, sons Leonard, Paddy, Tony and Cha, daughters Aine, Lorraine and Mairead, sisters, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes to Tomas Moran, Carrigkerry who celebrated his 21^st birthday with family and friends at a party held in his honour on Saturday 2^nd June, in The Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West.

The recent Eurovision Song Contest was another disappointing one for Ireland as they finished near the bottom of the list. A new approach is needed if Ireland is to regain their place amongst the elite, after a number of poor entrants in recent years.  A local connection with Eurovision this year was Aidan O’Connor from Carrigkerry whose song Live Forever was a finalist in the Moldova National Contest.

Diarmuid Mulcahy, Coolcappa National School and Roisín Ambrose, Ardagh National School have been chosen to play on the Limerick Primary School football team. They were members of the Limerick team that played Clare in the Primary School Game at Limerick Gaelic Grounds on Saturday last 9^th June. It was held at half-time during the Munster Championship semi final between Limerick and Clare.

Saint Kieran’s play Mountcollins in Round 2 of the Limerick Senior Football Championship at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on this Friday 15^th June at 7.30pm.

Desmond Credit Union Newcastle West recently held an open day at their premises in North Quay to celebrate their 40^th Anniversary this Year. It has been a tremendous success story for all the people involved since its formation. It serves the people of the town and surrounding parishes, and it has been a good friend to so many over the years. It is a pleasure to do business with the ever friendly and courteous staff, and its recent accounts show it to be in a very sound financial position. It is run by the people for the people, and for the betterment of the locality unlike other financial institutions. Ardagh people through the good work of Joe McCormack, and Tom McCrave, were among the earliest converts to the ideals of the Credit Union. They operated an office on Main Street every Friday night and recruited members from McCormack’s Joinery Works, and the surrounding areas. A lot of other local people have been associated with the Credit Union over the years, and we pay tribute to them all for their time and dedication.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, Peter Fitzsimons, Mike Kearney and Martin Flynn, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 30^th May. This was the final card game of the season, and the committee would like to thank all who supported the cards, and they look forward to resuming in the autumn.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill. and Vinny Wrenn who were prizewinners at the card game held in Ballingarry on Saturday 2^nd June.

A nationwide Newts Survey is taking place this summer with volunteers visiting likely sites in search of the mysterious animal and a native amphibian.  Volunteers have visited Scotland Bog, and other local ponds, dykes, and watercourses to date. The Irish Wildlife Trust would like to hear from members of the public who have knowledge of their whereabouts.

Carrigkerry/Old Mill Development Association Ltd have been granted a one year extension to the Community Employment Scheme which is due to finish on Friday 22^nd June. As a result of being granted the extension two vacancies in the workforce will need to be filled from Monday 25^th June. The positions are for general workers, to carry out maintenance around both areas, in Carrigkerry and Old Mill. People interested in the positions need to meet the FAS Guidelines, and be Garda Vetted to qualify. Names can be given to Joe on 087-6335440, Pat on 087-2750061, Office 069-76667.

The Late Late Show on RTE Television celebrates its 50^th Anniversary this year. It first aired on 6^th July 1962 and love it or hate it the majority of people watch it on occasion. Last Friday night the three main presenters Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, and Ryan Tubridy came together, with a select audience to mark the milestone. It has provided many memorable moments during that time, and kick started many musical careers .My late father had the honor of being a guest on The Late Late Show, on the 9^th December 1972. It was presented by Gay Byrne and the topic was matchmaking. He was a panel member with John B Keane, Willie Finucane, and Michael McElligott, all from North Kerry. He also featured on Radharc, Newsbeat, and Halls Pictorial Weekly during 1969 and 1970 mainly on rural issues, and talking about old fashioned cures for warts, and blessed wells. It was always nice to see local people we knew appearing on Television, over the years, and the late Con Greaney made a number of appearances on traditional music programmes, in the nineties.  Donie and Maura Nolan, Mattie Griffin, Frances O’Connor, Mike and Jerry Murphy and the O’Sullivan family also featured on Bring down the Lamp, and The Pure Drop. Mary Lawlor, Knocknagun, appeared on Cross Country Quiz, presented by Peter Murphy, in the seventies. Pat Barrett Glenastar, and John Hayes Knockfinisk, also appeared on Quiz Shows. The Radharc Programmes, from the sixties, and Halls Pictorial Weekly also featured West Limerick people and items of local interest. The Carrigkerry Wrenboys were featured on Ear to the Ground and many others appeared on Lottery and Money Game Shows. Television has provided great entertainment over the past 50 years, and no doubt life would have been a lot duller without the box in the corner of the room.

Places are available at Ardagh Montessori School for their Summer Camp which runs from Monday 25^th to Friday 29^thJune. Full details and bookings phone 087-6814335.

Playdays preschool and after-school club, Main Street, Shanagolden, is enrolling now for September 2012. ECCE Free Preschool Year, morning and afternoon sessions available. After school care 1.30pm to 6pm, with local schools collection. For more information call Elaine 085-8548799.

Coolcappa National School Parents Association, are holding a fund raising evening on Saturday 16th June at 8pm in the Community Centre. The evening will consist of a bake sale, jumble sale, and a raffle. Donations of cakes or items for the jumble sale can be dropped off at the hall on the day. Please come along and support the local school.

It is sad to report the discontinuation of the Community Welfare Clinic in Carrigkerry Community Centre, which was held each Wednesday morning from 10am to10.30am. People found it very handy to drop in and meet the Welfare Officer and get their business done without the need to travel to Newcastle West. The service which was available for the past ten years, ended on Wednesday 14^th June, due to cutbacks in staff. The Community Welfare Officer will still pass Carrigkerry each Wednesday on the way to the Athea Clinic which is held after Carrigkerry from 11-12 noon. It makes no sense when he is passing by to end the service for the saving of 30 minutes of time. It will deprive people living in the local community of meeting the Officer and add time and expense to all who will now have to go to Athea each Wednesday from 11-12 noon, or Newcastle West each Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon.

The second annual 22 mile (35Km) Midsummer Big Walk will be held on Saturday 16^th June. It will commence from Rathkeale Palatine Museum at 10.30pm, and follow the Great Southern Trail to Abbeyfeale. More details from 087-6471956.

Saint Kieran’s GAA Club is holding their Cúl Camp in Coolcappagh Gaelic Grounds from Monday 2^nd July to Friday 6^thJuly. Details from Deirdre Ambrose 087/9509218.

Kilcolman Community Creche will hold its Summer Camp from Monday 23^rd to Friday 27^th July.  The Summer Camp catering for school going children will have lots of fun activities such as sports, arts, and crafts, and lots more. The cost is € 90 and to book a place phone 069-60770

A special West Limerick Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place on Sunday 7^th August with full board at the Hotel Paradis for five nights, accompanied by Spiritual Director, and with a direct flight from Shannon Airport. Contact Pat Dalton at 069-62306 for further information on itineraries and booking forms.