The death has taken place of Thomas Smith, Ardvone Ardagh, at the Mercy Hospital Cork, on Saturday 22nd September. He was a retired businessman in his late sixties, who ran Smith’s Garage in South Quay, Newcastle West.   He was one of five in family and the son of the late Eily and Patjoe and he grew up in Glensharrold. He attended Carrigkerry N.S. and Newcastle West Vocational School and served his time as a mechanic.  He worked also as a mechanic in England where he met and married his wife Margaret, where three of their children were born. The family returned to live in Newcastle West and Thomas took over O’Shea’s Garage in South Quay. The business changed over the years to become a Tool Hire Centre, which catered for the surrounding area. The family moved to live in Ardagh in the early nineties and Thomas closed the business in 2001 due to health reasons. His death was unexpected despite having health issues recently and came as a big shock to all.

His remains lay in repose in Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, from 6.00pm on Tuesday 25th September, followed by removal to Newcastle West Church. Requiem Mass in Newcastle West Church was concelebrated by Fr Larry Madden P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Wednesday at 11.30am. Family members assisted in the ceremony which was enhanced by the hymns and music of Michael and Fiona.  Fr Larry traced his lifetimes during his interesting homily.  Burial took place in Calvary Cemetery on Wednesday 26th September.  Thomas will be sadly missed by his family, neighbours and friends around the West Limerick area where he was well known through his work in Newcastle West. Sympathy to his wife Margaret, son Martin, daughters Eileen, Maureen, Brid and Ide, grandchildren, brothers John- James, Noel and Denis, sister Marietta Sheehan, Granagh, sons-in-law, mother-in-law, other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s hurlers who won the West Junior A Hurling Championship at Kevin Long Park Feenagh, on Sunday 23rdSeptember. They defeated Monagea by 3-17 to 0-10 to take the title, two years after they were denied the West title in the boardroom, after defeating Askeaton at the same venue.  It was windy and dry for the game, and ground conditions were good for a repeat of the 2008 West Final which Monagea won, at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds. Monagea were the more dominant team in the early stages, as they settled better and sent over the points. Saint Kieran’s got into their stride as the half progressed and the teams retired level at 6 points each. The team took control of the game on resumption to build up a good lead as the Monagea challenge faded. Monagea will be disappointed with their performance, after winning the West football Championship the previous Sunday. Captain Paudie McCarthy had an outstanding game at full back all through, with all the players, hitting top form in the second half. West Board Chairman Pat O’Donnell thanked everyone involved in staging the final afterwards, and wished both teams the best of luck in the county series. Cathal O’Sullivan Monagea, presented the John O’Sullivan Memorial Cup (John was a great Monagea and West Gael who departed this earth far too young) to captain Paudie McCarthy to commence the celebrations. TEAM: John Greaney, Mike Windle, Paudie McCarthy, Brendan McCarthy, Mike Flynn,0-1 Patrick Windle, Séan Windle, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-1 Jack Ben Hartnett, Timmy Carroll, Johnny McCarthy, 0-2 Ray Cahill, Donal Nolan 0-12,James Muckell, 0-1 Danny Collum, 2-0 SUBS Ian Mackessy, Mikey Breen, Chris Madigan, Jason Mullins,1-0 PANEL James Windle, Owen Hayes, Ger Donovan, Billy Breen, Padraig Trant, Jonathan Ruttle, Darragh Treacy, John O’Connor, Donal Balfe, Tony Doyle, Kenneth Greaney, Ivan Neary. MANAGEMENT David Woulfe, Noel Broderick, John Ahern, Mike O’Connor, (team trainer) Timothy Madigan (first aid) The team will play South runners-up Kilmallock in the County Quarter final.

Congratulations to two members of the management on their other successes. John Ahern the village, a prize winner at the Limerick Teachers Golf Outing, and Mike O’Connor late Glenville, team captain of Newcastle West Golf Club who won the Pierce Purcell Shield in Kinsale the previous Friday. Congratulations also to Frank and Francis Moore Carrigkerry who were part of the team success.

A number of supporters voiced their displeasure at the time the match was played and it being on All Ireland Sunday. It meant that players on the team who had tickets for the All Ireland final could not attend and players and supporters had to miss watching the closing stages on TV as it was nearly ten past five when it finished.  They also complained about the lack of West Limerick results in the national papers on Monday mornings and the poor coverage given to important matches, within the division in local papers. Not a great way  to promote Gaelic games, they say as the Desmond Soccer League have all their results published in the Irish Examiner on Monday’s paper.

Congratulations and best wishes to Annette Kelly, Old Mill, and Thomas O’Regan, Knocknagoshel, County Kerry on their recent wedding.

Congratulations to Donie Donovan and James Bridgeman who were first prize winners, at the card game in Shanagolden Hall held on Friday 21stSeptember.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday 24th September. The numbers drawn were 9,10,20,27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €100 Tom and Helen Nash Kilcornan. €60 Michael Hartnett c/o Ballintemple Inn. €60 Kate O’Donnell c/o Peadar’s Bar. €60 Garry Byrnes c/o Peadar’s Bar. €30 Con Lawlor Carrigkerry. €30 Mike Hayes c/o Bus Eireann. €30 Alison O’ Connor. Next week’s draw takes place in the Old Mill Bar and the Jackpot will be € 20,000.

It was another poor week for local sides in the Desmond League on Sunday 23rd September. Carrig Celtic lost 5-1 away to Newcastle West in the Premier Division, with Francis Moore scoring the goal. Old Mill lost 3-0 at home to Newcastle West Rovers in Round 1 of the Munster Junior Cup. Carrig Celtic B drew 0-0 away to Granagh Utd in Division 2. Kilcolman Rovers gave a walk over to Athea Utd B in Division 3.

In the Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers gave a walk over to Abbeyfeale Utd in the Premier League. Carrig Celtic lost 1-0 at home to Adare Utd in Division 1.

The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary together with Milford Hospice Friends Association wish to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously towards the annual Church gate collection, taken up in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on 15th/16th September. The amount collected in Ardagh was €366.71, and in Carrigkerry €237.01. A special thanks to the collectors who gave so willing of their time to stand.

The junior set dancing and céili classes resumed in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Friday 21st September at 6.45pm.

Adult dancing classes resumed in the Con Colbert Memorial Hall, Athea, on Tuesday 2nd October at 9pm.

A reminder to people in the locality that the Holy Rosary will be recited each evening at 7pm, during the month of October at Churchtown Grotto Newcastle West.

West Limerick Resources will be rolling out a special local heritage training initiative entitled “My People, My Place, and My Heritage” this autumn and is now registering participants.   This training is designed to support local communities that are interested in getting involved in Ireland Reaching Out and/or the Gathering 2013. As you know Ireland Reaching Out is a national initiative which encourages communities to invite its diaspora to renew links with the local community, including paying a return visit.  This training initiative will cover topics including local built heritage, natural heritage and biodiversity and genealogy and will give communities the skills to develop local involvement and initiatives. Training is free of charge and will take place in The Courtney Lodge Newcastle West starting Monday October 8th at 7.30pm.  The course will run for seven weeks and participants are expected to complete the full course. Limited places available. It is hoped people from the Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Coolcappa/Kilcolman parishes will get involved. To register contact Suzanne Rowley on 069 79114 or email [email protected]

Trócaire have once again teamed up with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann to run Trad for Trocaire which take place this year from Thursday 4th to Wednesday 10th October. It is a national fundraising initiative to raise money for Trócaire projects worldwide. Branches including Ardagh/Carrigkerry are encouraged to organize a trad session in their locality and Trad Pacts can be ordered and events registered on line atwww.trocaire.org/trad

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, from Kilcolman, Ardagh, 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.

Halla Ide Naofa, Raheenagh, Killeedy will be one of the venues, on this year’s Macalla na hEireann, the 2012 Comhaltas Concert Tour of Ireland this October. Claire Heffernan, Ardagh, and a member of Cluain Chréadhail will be one of the artists travelling on the tour.