by Tom Aherne

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday 21^st May. The numbers drawn were 2, 15, 18; 25.and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows.

€60 Ellen Shine, Old Mill.

€60 Mary Bennett, Ardagh.

€60 Kitty Moloney, Ardagh.

€30 Tommy Greaney, Kilreash, Ardagh.

€30 Joan Ahern, O’Connor Park, Ardagh.

€30 Willie Treacy, Ardagh.

Next week’s draw takes place in Foley’s Bar Reens Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €17,600.

Congratulations to Mike O’Mahoney, Mike Young, Bill Downes, Mick Mc Quinn, and John Sheehy who were prizewinners, at the Flag Floor card game on Wednesday 16^th May.

Carrig Celtic defeated Old Mill 3-0 in the Desmond League Division 1 League Cup semi final at home on Sunday 20^th May. Kieran Brouder, Francis Moore, and Seanie King scored the goals. They will play Athea Utd in the final at Clounreask, Askeaton, on Friday 1^st June at 7.30pm.

Creeves Celtic held their AGM recently and put the following people in place, for the coming season. Chairman Seamus O’Donnell.Vice-Chairman Dave Naughton. Secretary and child welfare officer Emer Feehan.Ass-Secretary Frances Kearns. Treasurer PJ Hogan.Ass-Treasurer Ann O’Donnell. PRO Tom Moloney. Committee Harry Wilmott, Alister Mc Innes. Declan Moane. Martin Kelly. Chris Brouder,  Ron Forrestal, Sharon Guina, Senan Meade, Deborah Dalton.

The Desmond Schoolboys/Girls League, held its sixth annual awards night at the Courtenay Lodge Hotel Newcastle West on Friday 18^th. Congratulations to local players Dean Quaid Carrig Celtic U-8 Div 3 Award, and John Byrnes Old Mill U-16 Div 4 Award.

Johnny Mc Carthy was a member of the Limerick team that defeated Waterford by 2-12 to 0-7 in Round 1 of the Munster Senior Football Championship at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Sunday 20^th.May. Jim Donovan, and Darragh Treacy were panel members.

Congratulations to Mai Kenneally Ardagh, and Old Mill Club who was named on the Ladies Division 4 Football Team of the League. She was named at no 12 and was joined by 4 other Limerick players, on the team.

Saint Kieran’s Club is holding a Dog Night at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday June 8^th. It is a first ever for the club who has pulled out all the stops to put in place an enjoyable night out for all members, supporters, and the wider public. It promises to be a real family affair for all ages to join together, and to enjoy the cut and thrust and excitement of dog racing. An added bonus is that all the U-16 supporters are being admitted free on the night. A very good race card has been put in place, with the top dogs running on the night. The tickets for the event are selling very well, and a large crowd is expected to attend. The club is running a bus from Ardagh, and interested people are asked to ring Ivan Neary at 087/1726684.

Congratulations and best wishes to Nora Barrett Rooskagh West, who recently celebrated her 88^th birthday.

Congratulations also to Martina Flaherty Knocknagorna, who recently celebrated her 50^th birthday.

Jack O’Connor, and Róisín Nolan Kilcolman, wishes to thank everyone who supported the recent fundraiser in aid of Milford Care Centre. A cheque for € 1,033 is to be presented to the centre.

Mike Barrett,  a native of Rooskagh West, was Pat O’Donovan’s guest in a Story and a Song programme on Saturday 19^th May. It was interesting and informative; as he described his life to date, and the many interests and hobbies he has been involved in. He sang a number of local and traditional songs, as well and it was a very enjoyable show. Copies of all the programmes can be purchased at the Radio Station in Newcastle West.

George Langan released a new song in recent weeks ‘’The Banks of the Gale’’ which was written by the late Paddy Faley. It is receiving good airplay from a number of presenters on West Limerick 102 Radio, and it is a very enjoyable number to listen to. We wish George continued success with his songs, which are always promoting his native West Limerick.

Congratulations to Patrick Ahern, Kilcolman who received the U-16 Player of the Year Award at the recent Estuary Rugby Club Awards night.

The death has taken place of Michael Joseph Moroney 28 Pine Road, Cricklewood, London and the Bronx, New York. Formerly of Monomohill, Ballyhahill Co. Limerick, and son of the late Sonny. His Requiem Mass was held on Monday 21^st May followed by Cremation in Honor Oak Crematorium, Brockley Way London. Sympathy to his mother Mary, brother Patrick, sisters Mary and Elizabeth, all other relatives and friends. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman, on Sunday 10^th June at 10.30am.

The Rambling House Strand was the venue for the very popular Céilí House programme, which was broadcast on RTE Radio1 on Saturday 5^th May. Presented by Kieran Hanrahan it was a very enjoyable 55 minute show, with the best of talent from Monagea, and beyond featured. Music was supplied by the resident Strand musicians, Michael King, Padraig King, John, Tim, and Michael Collins, Anita Bennis, Catherine Flavin, Conor Harnett, Dan Brouder, Angelina Carbery Lindsay Moynagh, and Aisling Neville. Deirdre Scanlon sang two local songs Barna Hill, and Monagea Green and Gold. Catherine Flavin’s whistling was delightful to hear, and a reminder of times past when whistling was very popular around the countryside. Oliver Houlihan spoke about the history of music and musicians from around the area in times past. Tim Mulcahy gave a brief history of Gaelic games in the parish, and how Strand came about. Well done to all involved in showcasing the great talent around the area. Céilí House is one of the longest running Radio programmes being broadcast since the mid fifties, and locals will remember the two shows that came from the parish. It was broadcast from Ardagh Hall on Saturday 14^th May 1994 and from the Flag Floor Glensharrold on Saturday 13^th January 2001

The famous Dubliners group celebrates their 50^th Anniversary this year. It all began in Paddy O’Donoghue’s Pub in Dublin in 1962 with Ronnie Drew, and Barney Mc Kenna, now sadly gone to the music hall in heaven, as are Ciarán Bourke, and Luke Kelly who joined them soon after. John Sheahan, and Bobby Lynch used to play support act to the group during the interval of their gigs. In 1964 they were asked to join the Dubliners, when Luke took a break and departed for England. John has been with them since, and is now the most senior and the best known member of the group that has seen a total of 11 singers, and musicians, in the line up over their history. He has a close connection with Ardagh over the years, through his mother Mary and the Drew family. During his summer school holidays he played with the Glenside Céilí Band for many years, and kept up the relationship over the years. On return visits to his relations he would visit the members of the group to play a few tunes, and to catch up on old times. The Dubliners played in the Marquees, erected for the Carnivals held in Ardagh, and Carrigkerry in the late sixties, and early seventies. The Dubliners also played in Moran’s Lounge Bar, and other West Limerick venues. John’s many friends around the Ardagh area are proud of his achievements, and fame rests lightly on his shoulders. He is a poet as well as a musician, and is regularly seen and heard on TV and Radio. The Dubliners are in concert in the University Concert Hall in Limerick on Monday 4^th June, which will give their fans a chance to enjoy the present line up and their music and song.

Those who receive their television signal from an aerial must take action before October 24th 2012 or risk their screen going blank when Ireland makes the switch to digital television.  The Community Outreach Digital Switchover Programme is now operating across the county and aims to ensure that everyone is prepared for the switch and is specifically targeting older people living alone, those with literacy and other learning difficulties and those with few social networks.  The initiative is heavily reliant on the Irish tradition of caring for our neighbours and we are asking communities to look around and help identify those locally who will need a little assistance and make sure that they get it.  For further information contact Clint at West Limerick Resources on 069 62222

The annual Mass at the Grotto at Cahermoyle will be celebrated on Wednesday 30^th May at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend at the well kept Grotto, at the entrance to Cahermoyle Nursing Home.

Coolcappa National School Parents Association, are holding a fund raising evening on Saturday 16^th 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 time for the annual Masses to be celebrated in the local Cemeteries, and interested people may make a note of the following times and places. Shanagolden Graveyard on Sunday 3^rd June at 12 noon. The annual Masses in Newcastle West are at 7.30pm and the dates are as follows. Churchtown Tuesday 5^th June. Calvary Wednesday 20^th June. Famine Cemetery Tuesday 26^th June.