Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Conor Heffernan, Old Mill and Patrice Mulvihill, Ballygoughlin Glin, who were married in Glin Church on Friday 10th August. The weather was lovely for the joyful occasion, and the Reception was held in The Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine. The happy couple will reside in Galway where they both work.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 27th August. The numbers drawn were 12,13,14,26, and there was no winner of the Jackpot. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Noel Woulfe, Ardagh. €60 Ray Butler, c/o Foley’s Bar. €60 John and Catriona Woulfe, c/o Curley’s. €30 Mary O’Dwyer, Ardagh. €30 Moss O’Connor, Carrigkerry. €30 Moira O’Donovan, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in the Thatch Bar Newbridge and the Jackpot will be € 20,000.

The new Desmond League season commenced for the local teams on Friday 24th August with mixed results. Carrig Celtic defeated Ballingarry in their opening game on their return to the Premier Division by 4-1 at home. Ray Cahill scored a hat-trick and Seanie King added the other. Old Mill lost 6-0 at home to Athea Utd in Division 1. On Sunday 26th August Carrig Celtic drew 1-1 away to Glin Rovers, with Ray Cahill scoring their goal.  Old Mill lost 5-2 at home to Glantine, and Carrig Celtic B lost 4-2 at home to Pallaskenry in their debut match in Division 2. Diarmuid Mc Sweeney, and Liam Flavin scored their goals.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Fedamore in the County Minor Football 12-a-side Championship semi final by 2-10 to 2-4 in Clarina Gaelic Grounds on Thursday 23rd August. They led by 5 points at half-time, and were deserving winners, and will play Castlemahon in the County final.

Saint Kieran’s will play Feenagh/Kilmeedy in the semi final of the West Junior A Hurling Championship, and they are also through to their section of the County League final.

Rathkeale/Ardagh defeated Saint David’s (Monagea and Newcastle West) by 2-10 to 3-5 in the West Minor A +B Hurling Championship in Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Monday 27th August.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Adare by 4-5 to 2-8 in Round 5 of the County Senior Football Championship in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Friday 31st August.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill, and Vinnie Wrenn who were first prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 24th August.

Congratulations to Jim Dalton, and Francis Woulfe, who were first prize winners at the card game held in Rathkeale Community Centre on Wednesday 22nd August.

The Great Southern Trail launched a new information guide booklet at Ardagh Community Centre, on Sunday 26thAugust. It was part of their Heritage Week celebrations and the launch was performed by Pat O’Connor from Coolanoran and a big crowd was in attendance. West Limerick Vintage Club held an exhibition of cars, lorries and tractors and demonstrated the workings of a stone crusher.

We are entering the second month of Autumn and the Schools have re-opened for another term. The month of August has passed similar to the three summer months with lots of rainfall and no sunshine. It was the worst summer I have experienced in my lifetime and we all thought that last year was bad. Our climate has gone drastically astray with heavy showers of rain that our land around here was never meant to cope with. We have seen a gradual decline since the mid eighties, with increased rainfall and less sunshine, but people were able to cope until last year’s summer wipe out. This year is far worse with farmers in dire straits around our little corner of Limerick. The silage season was near wiped out and what was harvested has to be of inferior quality due to decaying grass from over ripe meadows, and dirt collected from cut up lands. Cattle have been housed in many instances to keep them off the land and the cost of feeding them has escalated and with no silage cut farmers have no after grass either. Farmers are facing into a very costly period over the Winter months, as are other sections of the community. The increased cost of oil, petrol, diesel gas and electricity will see all goods and services increase, and that is before the Budget in December. It looks like hard times are back again for many sections of the community in Ireland as we face into a Winter of discontent.

A very enjoyable function was held at the Shamrock Bar in Newcastle West, on Friday 24th August, to celebrate the retirement of Tony Quinn, Balliniska, Feohanagh/Castlemahon from An Post after 51 years of service. Anthony grew up in Glensharrold and attended Carrigkerry National School before entering the Post and Telegraphs with his good friend and neighbour Tom Hannafin in 1961. He worked his way up the ladder from telegram boy in Limerick City to a postman when he reached 18 years. His delivery route took in several areas around the city. In 1975 he was transferred to the Rathkeale area and in 1980 to Newcastle West. He has been the Postman for the Tournafulla area for the past 32 years, and he was highly regarded by fellow workers and the members of the public he served so well. Anthony has been a prominent sportsman all his life and only recently retired as a referee. He played football with his native Saint Kieran’s and his adopted Castlemahon, winning major honours with both clubs. He followed this by becoming a leading soccer referee in the Desmond District League, taking charge of matches at adult, ladies and under-age level. Anthony has been a great follower of Limerick County teams over the years as well as attending matches at local level. Tony lost his wife of 45 years, Mary, through a serious illness, and his eldest sister Mary Moloney died in England earlier this year. His many friends in the area wish Anthony, one of lives good people, a very happy and healthy retirement.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Tuesday Social Club resumed their activities after the Summer holidays in Ardagh Community Centre on Tuesday 4th September. They meet each Tuesday at 2pm and the usual entertainment and refreshments will be provided. New members are most welcome and the bus will operate as usual.

In order to facilitate essential electrical works, Newcastle West Library will open the following restricted hours from Monday 10th – Saturday 15th September The Library will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Saturday. Wednesday and Thursday open from 10.30am to 5.pm, with restricted service. Friday open from 10.30am to 8.pm, with restricted service. Please note that internet access will not be available. The Library apologizes for any inconvenience caused and look forward to restoring normal service from Monday 17th September.

The blood pressure vehicle is coming to West Limerick this coming week offering free checks to people as September is Heart Health Month. They will be  in the Courtney Lodge Hotel car park, Newcastle West, on Tuesday 11thSeptember from 10am to 1pm.They will be parked in the Main Street, Rathkeale, on the same afternoon from 3-6pm. People are encouraged to avail of this free service which is open to all adult members of the public.

The annual special day of devotion in honour of Saint Pio will be held at the Capuchin Monastery, Rochestown, Cork on Sunday 16th 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 11th to the 21st September. Michael Hayes from Fairy Street, Athea, and Tom Moran, Dublin, and a native of Toureendonnell  and many others are  participating in the walk and they  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.

Liam Woulfe, a native of Dunganville, Ardagh and now living in Adare, and Mike Aherne, Adare, are currently recruiting members of the public to get involved in a fundraiser to climb Croagh Patrick, for Cystic Fibrosis and Irish Autism Action. They intend to climb it on Sunday 30th September and they would welcome people to register for the climb or to make a donation for the deserving charities. Liam can be contacted at 087-2410606.

West Limerick 102FM Community Radio, in conjunction with the very popular Trad Scene Programme, will present the best of the West Two Irish Traditional Fundraising Concert at Halla Tadhg Gaelach, Tournafulla, on Friday 12th October at 8pm. MC will be the presenter of the Trad Scene Jacki O’Connor, whose show attracts a large listenership and runs from 6pm to 8 pm each Saturday evening. Admission is by ticket only and they can be got at the Radio Station at 069-66200. The previous Concert a number of years ago was a tremendous success, and this year’s should be equally as good with the talent that has been lined up to take part.