The people of Carrigkerry and the surrounding areas were delighted to see the shop and filling station re-open on Thursday 8^th November. We welcome the Moloney family from Abbeyfeale, to the village and we hope they will enjoy a very successful stay. The shop first opened on the 8^th of October 1984 under the ownership of Pat, and Kathleen Nally from Ballyloughane.  It provided a very good service to the local community and the passing public, until it closed on 13^th May this year. The village has been very quiet in the last six months, since the closure, with people having to travel to other outlets to get their groceries and fuel. Best wishes to the owners, and staff in the future, and all local people are encouraged to give their support and business to their local and convenient shop.

Congratulations to Catherine Aherne, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry and Scoil Mhuire Askeaton who was the overall winner of the 2012 Super Valu West Limerick Tourism Schools Photography Competition, held over the recent months. The competition was open to all secondary school students attending the following schools in the West Limerick area. Scoil Ide & Iosef, Abbeyfeale, Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton, Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher, Desmond College, Newcastle West, Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West, Salesian Secondary College, Pallaskenry, Colaiste Na Trocaire, Rathkeale, Cresent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle, Photographs could be entered in five different categories, Super Valu Tidy Towns & Villages. History Culture & Heritage, Landscape, Natural & Built. Adventures Attractions and Activities, Sport. The presentation of prizes was held at the Woodlands Hotel Adare on Thursday 8^th November. West Limerick Tourism Chairman David Fitzgerald, and Super Valu representatives presented the prizes to the six winning students. Congratulations also to Sean McElligott Kilcolman and Desmond College, Newcastle West, who was a category winner, History Culture & Heritage, and he received an iPod nano. Catherine as the overall winner received an Apple iPad. Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton, won the overall school prize of €500 worth of art supplies.

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar Newbridge, on Monday 12^th November. The numbers drawn were 13,16,20,22, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €100. Vincent Cronin, Carrigkerry. €60 Jack Kelly c/o Curley’s. €60 Padraig O’Riann c/o Bus Eireann. €60 May and Iris Kennelly c/o Neary’s. €30 Mike Liston Glenastar. €30 Peter Donovan c/o Foley’s. €30 Lisa Mackessy, Coolanoran.  Next week’s draw takes place in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €20,000

We extend sympathy to Mary Geoghegan, Glensharrold and extended family members, on the recent death of her brother Joe Geoghegan in Manchester, England.

Sympathy also to Kitty Meade and family Carrons, Kilcolman, on the recent death of her brother Patsy Stubbins, late of Effin. May he rest in Peace.

Carrig Celtic defeated Killeaney 3-0 at home in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday 11^th November. Seanie King, John Doyle, and Sean McSweeney scored the goals. Old Mill and Carrig Celtic B had no games.

In Ladies soccer Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-0 away to Rathkeale in the Premier Division, and Carrig Celtic drew 1-1 at home to Breska Rovers, in Division 1 with Elaine Finucane scoring.

Saint Kierans defeated Kenmare Shamrocks by 1-11 to 1-7 in the Munster Junior Club Championship semi  final at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney on Saturday last 17^th November.

Congratulations to Bill Downes and Mick McQuinn, prizewinners  in the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 7^th November. Cards every Wednesday night at 9.pm and all are welcome.

The Croagh Patrick climb for charity on 29^th / 30^th September was an outstanding success and to date has raised over €78,000 for two charities, TLC4CF and Irish Autism Action.  We congratulate Liam Woulfe, a native of Dunganville, Ardagh, and Mike Aherne, Adare, the organizers of the event, and all the other people that fundraised and that did the climb.  The presentation of cheques to the two charities took place in The Woodlands Hotel Adare, on Thursday 15^th November.

Airtricity which is powered by SSE, would like to invite applications from community based projects in the locality of its Tournafulla, Rathcahill and Dromada Wind Farms in West Limerick. Applications will be accepted within a 20km radius of each wind farm for projects that have an energy efficiency or sustainability theme. Preference will be given to projects within 5kms of each wind farm.  Carrigkerry Community Centre was awarded a grant towards attic insulation and cavity wall insulation under the fund in 2011 which was much appreciated. The closing date for the 2012 Community Fund is Friday 30^th November 2012. The successful applicants will be informed in early January 2013. To find out more about how to apply, please contact their Community Liaison Officer Anne Reynolds.

Telephone 01-6556556 Email [email protected]  or visitwww.airtricity.com

Desmond Foxhounds recently announced the venues for their forthcoming Sunday meetings which commence at 11am, 25^thNovember. Castletown Conyers, 2^nd December Ballinvirick Cross, 9^th December Newbridge, 16^th December Milltown Cross Ballysteen, 23^rd Conigar Cross Creeves.

The arrival of Winter and old time can be a difficult time for many but a welcome time for book lovers to engage in one of their favourite pastimes. The month of November sees the arrival of the annual Old Moore’s Almanac, The Cork Holly Bough and Ireland’s Own Anthology along with the many parish journals and magazines. This is the third year of the Ireland’s Own Anthology which includes the prizewinners from their annual short story competition. It is a very interesting publication with 190 pages of interesting stories along similar lines as the weekly Ireland’s Own Magazine. It can be ordered by post or by bookshops and details are to be got in the weekly magazine. This year we also saw a number of local books launched which would make ideal gifts or presents to give in the run up to Christmas. The Saint Molua booklet is available to purchase in Curley’s Shop in Ardagh, for €3 or from the author Mary Kury  Ardagh, by post for €5.

The sean nós dancing continues every Thursday night in Ardagh Community Centre with kids and teens at seven, and adults at eight. All can join in the happy hour at nine with adult step dancing, waltzing, jiving and sets, and lots more. It is a great way to have a laugh, to meet new friends and burn off a few pounds in the process and all are welcome.

The Feohanagh/Castlemahon Parish Annual will be launched in Castlemahon Community Hall on Saturday 24^th November at 8.30pm. The launch will be performed by Jerome Scanlon, Chairman of Limerick County Council who is associated with the area. The launch night is always a very enjoyable occasion and all are welcome to attend.

West Limerick Community Radio is holding their next Car Boot Sale and indoor market on Sunday 25^th November, from 9am to 3 pm at Newcastle West Community Centre. It will give people a chance to do a clean out of their home, hire a stall and to sell items they may no longer need. Bargains will be there to pick up coming up to the Christmas period. The Radio provides great entertainment to so many at present so all support will be much appreciated.

An afternoon of tea dancing will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre, on Sunday 25^th November from 2pm to 5pm. Music by The Premier Blue Boys. All are welcome.

Saint Ita’s Community Hospital Remembrance Mass for deceased patients/residents will be held in the hospital chapel on Sunday 25^th November at 2.30pm.  Family members and friends are invited to attend.

The West Limerick Scór na nÓg finals will be held at Saint Molua’s Hall, Ardagh, on Sunday 25^th November at 2.30pm. All clubs in the division are asked to compete and to keep the great tradition of music song and dance alive in West Limerick.