by Tom Aherne
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Nigel Sheehy, Kilcolman, and Sylvia McCoy, Knockaderry, who were married in Knockaderry Church on Friday 20th July.
Carrigkerry Community Centre hosted a Saorview Information Coffee Morning on Wednesday 25th July. Clint Sexton from West Limerick Resourses attended and outlined what people needed to do before the Digital Switchover takes place on Wednesday 24th October. He answered the questions he was posed and asked those present to call to elderly people who may need help with the switchover. He offered advice to people, telling them to ignore sales people calling with Saorview boxes, or other aids to receive the service. He advised people to contact genuine dealers, at all times, to receive their boxes if needed. Eileen hosted the event and tea, coffee, sandwiches, buns and biscuits were served to all present. People who missed the event, and may need information about the Switchover can call to meet Eileen at Carrigkerry Community Centre. She will be available from Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm, with the exception of Tuesday when Doctor Murphy from Athea holds his weekly clinic from 10.30am. Thanks to Clint for attending, Eileen for hosting and to all who helped out and attended.
To date this has been one of the worst summers on record leaving the country saturated and the spirits low. The farming community has been hardest hit with cattle having to be re-housed and extra feeding bought. The silage for next winter remains to be cut as the machinery cannot travel the wet meadows. It is very serious at present and unless we see a big improvement in the coming weeks many will face huge bill this coming winter. Saving the turf is very slow with wet ground and poor drying causing extra work for all. We had a new Moon on Thursday 19th July which brought a slight improvement for a few days but it is weeks of fine weather the country needs now.
Newcastle West Library was an ideal venue for the launch of ‘’Beyond the Myths’’ on Friday 20th July. A crowd of around 100 people were present to hear the many speakers praise the work of the late Feohanagh/Castlemahon Parish Correspondent and writer Michael O’Riordan. It was compiled in book form by his son Eamon, and launched by Matt O’Callaghan, of the Weekly Observer/Vale Star. Matt was generous in his praise for all involved in the publication, and stated that it was Michael who made the Observer/Vale Star through his many fine articles over a fifteen year period. The new chairperson of Limerick County Council Jerome Scanlon, Dan Neville TD Fr John Duggan Feohanagh/Castlemahon and Eamon O’Riordan also spoke at the launch. Pat Normoyle was an excellent MC, Aileen and staff were ideal hosts, cheese and wine reception and refreshments were served. The hardback book is on sale in local shops for €10 and contains some wonderful stories from times past and is a fine publication and well worth a read.
Limerick’s fine run in the football qualifiers ended at the hands of Kildare in Portlaoise on Saturday 21st July. They lost in extra-time after a gallant effort in normal time which saw them never led and only denied with a last minute equalizer. Saint Kieran’s club was well represented on the team with Johnny McCarthy and Jim O’Donovan playing and Darragh Treacy coming on as a substitute. Johnny was the captain and man of the match in the previous week’s win over Longford.
The appointed management of the Saint Kieran’s U-21 Football team would like to congratulate the new management of the U-21 Football team on their recent appointment. They would also like to wish the team and management well for the rest of the season, and hopefully they will win some silverware.
Saint Kieran’s defeated Templeglantine by 2-23 to 2-5 in their final group match in the West Junior A Hurling Championship played in Newcastle West Gaelic
Grounds on Sunday 22nd July.
The annual graveyard Mass will be celebrated on this Friday 3rd August in Saint Molua’s Cemetery at 7.30pm. It will be followed by rounds at the Blessed Well which has been upgraded and is accessible by the new entrance from the cemetery. Friday will also see the official opening of the Blessed Well dedicated to Saint Molua the Patron Saint of the village. Tea will be served in the Community Centre afterwards, and a booklet on Saint Molua will be on sale for €3. The committee looks forward to a big attendance and extends a warm welcome to all to attend the Pattern on the eve of the Saint’s birthday.
West Limerick 102 Community Radio are holding their next car boot sale and indoor market at Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday 5th August from 9am to 3pm. The event continues to grow each month and is a great place to dispose of surplus items or to secure a bargain. It is a good day out for people of all age groups who can mingle and meet old and new friends. Training for new volunteers is ongoing and people who are interested in becoming involved are asked to contact the Station at 069- 62000.
The annual Mass to remember those who spent some time at Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre over the last ten years and have gone to their reward takes place in Dromcollogher Church on Sunday 12th August at 7.30.pm. Relatives, friends and neighbours are welcome to attend.
The Youth 2000 Summer Festival for young people aged 16-35 takes place in Clonmacnois, County Offaly, from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th August. More details on 01-6753690.
Mass will be celebrated in Knockpatrick Graveyard on Sunday 12th August at 2.30pm.
Mass will be celebrated at Borrigone Blessed Well on Wednesday 15th August at 3.pm.
Glenville House and Gardens, Glenville, Ardagh, will be open to the public from Friday 18th August to Sunday 26thAugust, from 9.30am to 1.30pm.Admission is €5.students €3 with children and OAP’s free.
Seisiún 2012 continues for the summer months, and people can catch the show at two Limerick venues, for the next month. 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
Desmond Hall, The Square, Newcastle West, is 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.
The annual Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday 8th September. Those who wish to travel can contact Mary on the Saint Vincent de Paul number 087-3537473.
A 250 Km Walk from Limerick to Dublin to raise funds for Pieta House Limerick has been organized for the 11th to the 21st September. Michael Hayes from Fairy Street, Athea, is participating in the walk and he would appreciate any donations for Pieta House which is a non-profit organization. Sponsorship cards are available and can be got by contacting Mike on 087-7751386. The figures show that 525 people died by suicide in Ireland in 2011 It broke down as 439 men and 86 females and 193 were under 35 years of age. It is a serious problem that Governments have little interest in tackling. They continue to cut the funding and neglect the mental health service, while looking after our banks who wiped out our country. It is time for people to stand up and demand our politicians to put in place real services to look after our people’s health. The recession and half a million out of work have to be addressed before the suicide rates decline. It is not right for the minds of able bodied people to have no job to go to and no hope. It is scandalous to have 15% of the working population out of work and less people at work now than this time last year. The Government needs to get their act together now and not be depending on people’s charity and Pieta House to solve our nation’s problems.