Congratulations and best wishes to Cormac Behan, son of Eileen and Eddie, Carrigkerry and Noreen Horgan, daughter of Esther and Connie, Ashgrove, Newcastle West, who were married in Ballymacelligott Church on Friday 30^th November. Canon Donal McNamara, assisted by Fr Larry Madden performed the ceremony. Mairead Horgan was bridesmaid and Declan Behan best man. Hazel Horgan was flower girl and Danny Behan page boy. They held their reception in the Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee.

Congratulations and best wishes to Katrina McCoy daughter of Mae and Jimmy, Old Mill, and John O’Connor son of Esther and Pat, Coolanoran, who were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry. They held their reception in The Listowel Arms Hotel.

Congratulations and best wishes to Maggie Dore, Carrigkerry and Brendan McDonald Dublin, who were married in Southwick, England and celebrated with family and friends in the Woodlands House Hotel Adare.

Congratulations to Mike Young and Mike O’Mahoney who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 28^th November.

Congratulations to Damien O’Dwyer, Ardagh, who won the special bonus prize of €250 in the Newcastle West Rugby Club lottery Draw held in the Central Bar on Friday 30^th November.

Carrig Celtic B progress to the semi final of the Richard Hogan Cup after defeating Pallaskenry 5-4 on penalties at home on Sunday 2^nd December. It ended 1-1 after extra time, and Podge McCarthy scored the goal.  Carrig Celtic had no fixture, and the Old Mill v Adare game was called off.

In ladies soccer Kilcolman Rovers lost 3-0 away to Newcastle West in the Premier Division. Carrig Celtic lost 3-0 at home to Adare in the Division 1 League Cup.

Saint Kierans were unlucky to lose to Kildorrery by 1-11 to 0-12 in the Munster Junior Hurling Club final at Mallow on Sunday last, 9th December. They led by 3 points at half-time and deserved to be further ahead for the chances they created. They did the club proud with only a puck of the ball between the teams at the final whistle.

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 at Kilcolman Church on Saturday 17^th November, and Coolcappa Church on Sunday 18^th November. The amount collected was in Kilcolman €158.83 and in Coolcappa €345.32. A special thank you to the collectors who braved the elements, and gave so willingly of their time to stand.

A cheque for €1,033 euro the proceeds of the recent Kilcolman family fun day was presented to Michael O’Shea and Sister Phyllis of Milford Hospice. It was presented recently by students Roisin Nolan and Jack O’Connor and well done to all who contributed to the family fun day.

On behalf of Team Hope can we say a huge thank you to the children, parents and teachers of Carrigkerry and Kilcolman National Schools for donating gift filled shoe boxes to needy children in Eastern Europe. We are extremely grateful to all.

Congratulations to Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas branch members who were very successful at the county finals of Ceol an Gheimhrhidh held in Castletroy College, on Sunday 2^nd December.

The County Limerick burial ground awards organized by the Water Services section of Limerick County Council were announced recently. In the Rathkeale electoral area modern section, Coolcappa Cemetery was awarded First place. In the Newcastle West electoral area modern section, Ardagh Cemetery Extension was awarded Third place.  Congratulations to all who were involved in the maintenance of both burial grounds, and indeed in all our local cemeteries which are very well looked after.

Christmas wreaths for graves etc are available locally from Moira on 069-76256. The proceeds will go to children’s charity.

DVD copies of the RTE Parish Mass, broadcast on Sunday 1^st July are available to buy in Kilcolman Church Sacristy for €5. New orders for copies will also be taken

Mass Cards are available in Coolcappa, and Kilcolman churches. They may be purchased for deceased members, special intentions or Christmas Mass Bouquets.

The Irish Forestry Unit Trust (For UT), as owners of forest properties, in the following townlands of West Limerick- Boughilbó, Carrigkerry, Cleanglass North, Dromada, Glensharrold, Glenbawn, Knockfinisk, Mauricetown, Mountplummer, Sugarhill, wish to notify our neighbours and local stakeholders that these forests are being assessed for membership of the IFor UT Forest Certification Scheme which is being assessed against the  Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)generic international standard adapted for Ireland. If you consider that there are any issues that IFor UT should be made aware of regarding the management of our forests then please contact us on 061-338406 or by email [email protected]  IForUT is a forest investment fund facilitating Irish Pension fund and charity investment in Irish Forestry. Its unit holders represent most of the major Irish Pension funds.

West Limerick defeated Limerick City by 3-4 to 1-9 in the semi-final and South Limerick by 3-5 to 2-6 in the final of the Primary School Football Sarsfield Cup at the Gaelic Ground’s Limerick. Congratulations to Evan Donovan and Liam Kennedy from Kilcolman NS, and Dylan Moloney Ardagh NS, who were members of their panel.

Book lovers in West Limerick have been spoilt for choice this year with the launch of a large number of books of local interest. We have covered the majority of them in recent times and they all warrant our support if possible. This year has seen the most new books that I can recall, and it is a great indication of how rich the area is with so many writers, willing to put pen to paper and publish their material in these recessionary times. On sale at present is one of the annual favourites  Old Moore’s Almanac. In years past it was a must buy for all farming households, as it contained so much information about the weather patterns, marts and fairs, and general items of interest.  It costs €4.50 and it contains a lot of interesting facts and articles and is well worth a read.

There will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for the Sunday’s of Advent in Ardagh, Church from 2.pm to 4.30pm. This is a perfect opportunity and facility for the parish community to make some preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas time.

On sale in the local shops at present are some lovely Carrigkerry Christmas Cards for people to buy and to send to their relatives and friends.  People have a choice of black and white snow scenes from around the village, or the more colourful Carrigkerry placed named cards.

Tom Ahern from Knockfinisk, Athea is to be congratulated for compiling a 13 track CD of his songs. One of the songs ‘Barna Hill’ was recently aired on the Murt Downes Show on West Limerick local Radio. Tom is a well known traditional singer who performs at Rambling Houses and the West Limerick Singing Club.

The Castlemahon/Feohanagh Parish Journal which was launched on Saturday 24^th November is now on sale in the usual outlets for €10. It is a very impressive publication, and would make an ideal Christmas gift for a person interested in the happenings of the area.

Athea C.C.E. will hold a Christmas céilí at the Top of the Town Athea on this Friday 14^th December, at 9.30pm, with music by Domhnall de Barra. There will be one hour’s tuition by Timmy Woulfe from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.  All are welcome and delicious food will be served at the interval.

Carrigkerry/Old Mill Development Association will hold their annual Church gate collection on this coming week-end Saturday 15^th December in Ardagh, at 7.30pm, and Sunday 16^thDecember in Carrigkerry at 11.am. The group are sponsors of the Fas project which has been very successful over the years, and through the good work of the participants has enhanced the appearance of both areas. People are asked to be as generous as possible with their donations, as funding for the project has been reduced a lot this past year.

West Limerick Community Radio is holding their next Car Boot Sale and indoor market on Sunday 16^thDecember, 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.

Coolcappa sale of work will be held on this coming Sunday 16^th December at 2 pm. The past sales of work there were great social occasions, with lots of bargains to be got, and a return to the event is to be welcomed. A great variety of stalls will be on view for people to browse and buy from, and Santa will also arrive to meet the children.

The annual Christmas 45 card drive will be held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 21^st December. The admission will be €10 and there will be valuable prizes to be won. Tea and sandwiches will be served and all are welcome to attend.