by Tom Ahern

Congratulations and best wishes to Cora Windle, Foynes Road, Ardagh and John Paul Buckley, Cappagh who were married in Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh, on Friday 22nd June. Fr Willie O’Gorman PP Tournafulla/Mountcollins, assisted by Fr Larry Madden PP Ardagh/Carrigkerry performed the ceremony. The reception was held in The Castle Oaks Hotel Castleconnell.

The following are the lottery results from Reens Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 9th July. The numbers drawn were 8,18,19,20, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Joe Lee, Newcastle West. €60 John L O’Sullivan, Ardagh. €60 Barry+Ian Mackessy, Coolanoran, Ardagh. €30 Fiona Hennessy, Carrigkerry. €30 Paddy Connolly c/o Moore’s Bar. €30 Fitzsimons Printers. Next week’s draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €19,000.

The Limerick G.A.A. Club Draw was held at Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Friday 6th July. Saint Kieran’s Club members had no winner on the night. The next Draw will be held in Dan Casey’s Bar, Kilbehenny on Friday 10th August.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Drom/ Broadford by 1-12 to 1-11 in the All County Premier Junior League in Dromcollogher Gaelic Grounds.

Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Monaleen by  0-19 to 1-11 in the All County Senior Football League, played in Castletroy Limerick on Wednesday 4th July.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Saint Senan’s by 0-21 to 1-2 and Glin by 2-15 to 0-2 in the West Junior B Football Championship in their recent fixtures, to put them in line for the knock out stages.

The Club held their annual CúL Camp in Coolcappa Gaelic Grounds from Monday 2nd to Friday 6th July.

People who wish to obtain a copy of the recent Kilcolman/Coolcappa RTE Parish Mass on DVD are asked to add their names to the list at the back of both churches in the parish. An estimate of numbers is needed in advance to produce this DVD.

Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan will be held in Dungarvan, County Waterford from this Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd July. We extend best wishes to all the local people taking part.

A Coffee morning to explain the Digital switchover will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Wednesday 25th July commencing at 10.30am. Clint Sexton from West Limerick Resourses will be on hand to explain to people what they need to do to continue to receive a television signal from Wednesday 24th October. People can either choose to upgrade to Saorview the national TV Service, for a once off cost, or choose to install a Pay TV Service, such as Sky or Chorus/NTL. The Programme is targeting people in the community who may need help with the switchover. All will be explained at this meeting and all are welcome to attend.

Saint Molua is the patron Saint of Ardagh and his feast day is 4th August and the Holy Well close to Ardagh Cemetery is dedicated to his memory. Saint Molua was born in Limerick and he was educated at Bangor under Saint Comgall and became known as a monk, builder and hermit. He founded over 100 monasteries in Ireland and was a man of great tenderness to man and beast despite his strict observance of the monastic discipline. In olden times people used to wash their clothes at the well and as a result it dried up for a number of years. The parish priest was credited with getting the water to return and it was described as cool clear and fresh water.  It was claimed that a local woman had her sight restored at the blessed well. It was also stated that Saint Patrick put a curse on the well (who ever drank from the well would die) because the people stoned his donkey. Saint Molua reversed the death threat and the people continue to visit the well on his feast day on 4th August, which was observed as a parish holiday in olden times. He died on 4th August 622.

A hardworking committee has been in place in the last year upgrading the Well and surrounds to make it accessible to the public to visit. A lot of progress has been made and it is now a pleasure to visit the Well and to say a few prayers, and to take away a container of the crystal clear water. A gravel path has been put in place from the Cemetery entrance to the Well. Shrubs have been planted around the perimeter fence and flowers inside the raised timber surround beds. A number of seats have been put in place for people to rest and reflect in a peaceful location, and sweet fragrant tubs of flowers are in abundance along the path. The final touches are being put in place at present with tiles ready to lay around the Well. It is hoped to mark the upgraded and renovated site at the annual Pattern Day in August, 1390 years after his death.

I was delighted to hear that the writings of the late Michael O’Riordan are to be published by his son Eamon in a book ‘’Beyond the Myths’. It will be launched by Matt O’Callaghan, of the Weekly Observer/Vale Star, at Newcastle West Library on Friday 20th July at 7.30pm. Michael was the first correspondent for Feohanagh/Castlemahon notes when both papers were launched in 1982/83. He gave great coverage to the area for many years up to his passing on 13th April 1998. His notes were eagerly looked forward to each week for the numerous little gems that were included. A character and storyteller of renown, his passing robbed West Limerick of his wisdom and literary genius. He was so interesting and informative that missing his weekly column was akin to a catholic missing weekly Mass. Michael covered a very wide range of topics each week to hold the readers interest from start to finish and community affairs, nature, religion, politics, sport, historical recalls, were all covered in great detail by his trusted pen. I only met Michael on a few occasions but he left an impression and I felt I knew him very well from reading his weekly notes. It was one of the first items people from our area, and all other areas, would read each week when they got the weekly paper. People can now read all his articles in one book which runs to 350 pages and is great value for €10.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill and Vinnie Wrenn who were prizewinners at Ballingarry card game.

Congratulations to Jim Dalton and Francis Woulfe who were prizewinners at Shanagolden Cards.

Kilcolman Rovers ladies club will hold their A.G.M. at Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Friday 20th July at 9.30pm. All the members are asked to attend and new members are welcome.

Congratulations to Mike King on his appointment as Chairperson of the Desmond Ladies League.

Seisiún 2012 has commenced for the summer months and people can catch the show at two Limerick venues for the next two months. Templeglantine branch holds their show in the Devon Inn on Thursday nights at 9pm and Cappamore branch holds their show in the Heritage Centre Adare on Tuesday nights at 8.30pm. A great evening of music song dance and storytelling is promised at both venues, and well worth a visit and all are welcome.

Grouse Lodge Windfarm is advising householders in the area who are concerned about Television reception to contact the company before 27th July in order to arrange an assessment of the possible interference and any remedial steps required to ensure optimum reception. If people have any queries or wish to arrange an appointment with one of their technicians, please contact the Wind Farm Lo-call Helpdesk number on 1890 940 472 before the service closes on 27th July.

Desmond Hall, The Square, Newcastle West, is now open for the 2012 season, with free admission. The site is open daily from 10am to 6 pm, with last admission at 5.15pm. Free guided tours are available at regular intervals. The last day of the season will be Wednesday 29th August, and more details from Tel 069-77408.