Congratulations and best wishes to Paddy Duggan the Cross Ardagh, who celebrated his 90^th birthday on Monday 13^th August. Paddy is a familiar figure as he goes for his daily walk around the village.

Congratulations and best wishes to Jason Copse Ardagh, who recently celebrated his 21^st birthday.

Father Casey’s defeated Saint Kieran’s by 2-11 to 2-8 in Round 4 of the Limerick Senior Football Championship at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Saturday 18^th August. It was the team’s first defeat of the championship and they remain in second place in Group 2.  They also progress to the quarter final as a result with one more group match to play against Adare, on this coming weekend. It was a good exciting game of football with little between the teams all through on a perfect evening for football. Saint Kieran’s led by 1-4 to 0-5 at half time, and they also had a penalty kick saved by the Father Casey’s net minder. The concession of two goals in the first and second quarter of the second half was the turning point in the game. This left them chasing the game to the end but the Fealesiders held out to book a semi final place. A more direct style of play may have reaped better dividends for the team over the hour. TEAM. Tommy Quinn, Paddy Downes, John Doyle, Paudie Mc Carthy, Patrick Windle, Brendan Mc Carthy, Michael Flynn, Johnny Mc Carthy, Darragh Tracey, 0-1 Donie Nolan, Timmy Carroll, 0-1 Jack B Hartnett, Ray Cahill, 0-3 Jim Donovan, 2-0 Anthony Molyneaux, 0-3 SUBS Brian Crowley, John O’Connor.

Saint Kieran’s lost by 5-11 to 3-12  in Round 1 of the West Minor Football 12 A Side Championship at Coolcappa Gaelic Grounds on Thursday 16^th August.

The Ardagh Development Association/Saint Kieran’s GAA Club lottery Jackpot remains at € 20,000.

Limerick County Council workers continue to repair the second damaged bridge at Glensharrold Carrigkerry. This bridge was damaged by the heavy flow of water underneath it which was transferred from the main bridge nearby while work was ongoing on repairing it. This was damaged on 24^th November 2011 and the road from Geoghegan’s Cross to Keating’s Cross has remained closed since. Nine months on the wait continues to see some light under the tunnel, or in this case the bridge. The road closure has caused a lot of inconvenience to all sections of the community who used the road on a regular basis. The workers are doing a very good job on repairing both bridges, and hopefully it will be open to traffic within weeks. The least Limerick County Council can do now is to put a new layer of tar on the road from both crosses, for all the inconvenience they caused by the long delay in commencing the repairs.

The death has taken place of Eugene McNamara, Holycross, Rathkeale; His remains were removed from Magner’s Funeral Home, Rathkeale, to the local Saint Mary’s Church on Wednesday last. Requiem Mass on Thursday 23^rdAugust, followed by burial in Coolcappagh Cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Hannah, sons Eoin, and Kenneth, daughters Sarah, and Chloe, extended family members, relations and friends. May he rest in Peace?

A Memorial Mass for Mary Mullins late of Ardagh, who died in Australia, in 2009, was celebrated in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh, by Fr Larry Madden on Thursday 23^rd August. In attendance were her family who travelled from Australia, and other relations around Ardagh, and friends who knew her from the time she resided at Main Street Ardagh. It was a touching ceremony with family involvement in the Mass, and hymns and songs from tapes, including ‘’You raise me up’’ Tributes were paid by Fr Madden P.P. during his homily and by her daughter Mary who traced her mother’s path through life. Mary was born in South Kilkenny in 1914 and immigrated to England during the difficult times to gain employment. She lived through the dangerous times of the Second World War, and met and married John Joe Mullins from Farran Ardagh. They returned to live, and raise their family in Ardagh around 1948. Mary opened a sweet shop on Main Street and was credited with selling the first ice-cream in the village. Sadly her husband John died in 1970, and Mary went out to work in Mc Cormack’s Joinery Work’s in 1972 when the present Dairygold premises opened. She operated the canteen, in the new factory with efficiency and was very popular with all the workers. She was a hard worker and a fashion conscious lady who took life in her stride, and adopted to change as needed  Her family moved away to work and Mary would visit them  regularly at home and abroad  and eventually  she moved to Australia to live with them in the late seventies. She loved the country with its wide open spaces, flora and fauna, colourful sunsets, and brilliant sunshine. She was blessed with a long and fulfilled life, and one of her wishes was that her ashes would return to Ardagh Cemetery for internment.  This wish was fulfilled and her ashes were buried in the family plot following the Memorial Mass.  Sympathy to her sons Sean, and Joseph, daughters Mary, and Christina, extended family members, relations, and friends. May she rest in Peace?

The death has taken place of Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Moloney née Donoghue, wife of the late Liam, Boherbui, Newcastle West. Her remains reposed in her residence on Thursday from 6.00pm followed by removal to Templeglantine Church. Following Requiem Mass on Friday 24^th August she was laid to rest in the adjoining Cemetery. Sympathy to her sisters Mary Quinn (former parish clerk Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry) Nora Aherne, sister-in-law Biddy Foley, nephews, nieces, and her many relatives, and friends, around the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish. May she rest in Peace?

Congratulations to all the locals who entered and won prizes at the Newcastle West Flower Show, which was held in Newcastle West Community Centre, on Wednesday and Thursday 15^th/16^th August.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill, and Vinny Wren, who were first prize winners at the recent 45 card drive held in Ballingarry Hall.

Glenville House and Gardens, Glenville, Ardagh, will be open to the public from Saturday 1^st September to Wednesday 12^th September. Tuesday-Saturday from 9.30am to 1.30pm.Admission is € 5.students € 3, with children and OAP’s free.

The annual Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday 8^th September. Those who wish to travel can contact Mary on the Saint Vincent de Paul number 087-3537473.

The 27^th annual Milford Hospice Harvest Fair is due to take place on Sunday 2^nd September. The Fair will be held near the Unigolf facility located within 10 minutes walk from Milford Hospice. The Harvest Fair Committee once again appeals for support and donations. They are seeking clothes, books, toys, and bric-a-brac. All the goods this year will be checked for quality before being accepted in order to minimize the mayor costs involved with the disposal of unsalable items. Call the Fundraising Office on 061-485860 for details on how to donate items to the Harvest Fair.

Grow is a Mental Health Organization who help members, who have suffered or are suffering to recover from all forms of mental breakdown. Grow is free to join and people do not need a diagnosis or referral. Grow Newcastle West hold a meeting each Thursday evening at 8pm, in the Desmond Complex Station Road Newcastle West. Tel No 061-318813.

West Limerick 102 Community Radio are holding a Car Boot Sale and indoor Market at Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday 2^nd September from 9am to 3pm. This is an ideal opportunity to do a clean up of unwanted goods around the house, and to turn them into cash.

A reminder to all songwriters and composers that entries are now being taken for the newly composed ballad competition to be held during the Garry Mc Mahon Annual Singing Weekend. This will be the fourth weekend and it will be held from Friday –Sunday 2nd- 4^th November. All enquiries to Con 086-2592362 or Philip 087-2055051.
The annual special day of devotion in honour of Saint Pio will be held at the Capuchin Monastery, Rochestown, Cork on Sunday 16^th September. A coach will leave the Market Yard, Newcastle West at 11.3am and stopping on the way at Dromcollogher for people from the area. To book a seat phone Nora Enright at 087-3664449 or Pat Dalton at 069-62306.

A 250 Km Walk from Limerick to Dublin to raise funds for Pieta House Limerick has been organized for the 11^th to the 21^st 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.