By Carrig Side-Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mary Ita Dore, Balliston House, Shanagolden, in her 101^st year. Fr Denis Mullane, concelebrated her Requiem Mass, with assistance from family friend Fr Tony Kelleher, at Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman, on New Year’s Day. Family members assisted in the readings, prayers of the faithful, and bringing the gifts to the altar during the ceremony. Fr Denis paid a nice tribute to Ita, during his homily. She was a regular church attender, and she also grew and supplied flowers for the church over the years. She was blessed with a long and healthy life and she lived through much change and happenings during the good and bad times, experienced by the country. She was laid to rest in Kilcolman Cemetery on Tuesday 1^st January. We extend sympathy to her sister Eamer, sister-in-law Veronica, nephews and nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

We also regret the passing of a number of well known personalities that we heard about and us growing up over the past month. Robbie McMahon, the well known Clare singer and composer, who had his own unique style of singing, He was famous for his singing of ‘’Spancil Hill’’ and ‘’The Fleadh down in Ennis.’’ Pecker Dunne was a legend and the last of the real travelling people, who has disappeared from our highways and byways. We got to meet him busking at the big Munster G.A.A. matches over the years. We first heard of Frankie Walsh, the 1959 Waterford hurling captain, from Michael O’Hehir’s Radio commentaries, in the early sixties. The late Paidí O’Shea, the great Kerry footballer, was in our own age group and he was an inspiration to all people. May they rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Donnchadh O’Brien, suddenly at home (The Yard) Killeaney, Ballyhahill. His remains reposed at his residence on Friday from 4pm to 9pm. Removal from his residence on Saturday for 12 Noon Requiem Mass, at Church of the Visitation, Ballyhahill. Burial took place in Kilfergus Cemetery Glin on Saturday 5^th January. We extend sympathy to his parents Con and Mary, brothers Patrick and Eoin, grandmothers Jose O’Brien, and Margaret Murphy (Ardagh) aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Jimmy Little, Ballymorisheen, Ardagh, who won the special bonus prize of €250 in the Newcastle West Rugby Club Lottery Draw held on Friday 28^th December.

Congratulations to Ardagh native Christy Lynch, who recently celebrated his 60^th birthday with a party at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West. He now lives in Parkview, Shanagolden, and is involved in the Shanid branch of Comhaltas, and other groups, in the area.

Congratulations to Kilcolman native Patsy Nolan who also celebrated his 60^th birthday with a party at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West. He now lives in Castlematrix, Rathkeale, and is a long time member of the Carrigkerry Wrenboy Group.

Congratulations to Liam Hough, Ardagh, a prize winner in the pony 147cm class, at the Christmas Show, in the Woodlands Equestrian Centre Killarney.

Carrig Celtic B  defeated Granagh Utd 3-1 at home in Division 2 of the Desmond League, on Sunday 30^thDecember. Conor Whelan, 2 and Gavin Hayes, scored their goals. Old Mill lost 5-2 away to Glantine in the Division 1 League Cup Quarter final. Gearóid O’Connor scored both their goals.

The Mental Health Association of Ireland has resumed their meetings in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Tuesdays at 8pm. All members are requested to attend and new members are welcome.

Limerick County Council has announced a new map alerter service. Its purpose is to provide registered users with alerts as to possible disruptions that might influence daily life. The disruptions include road closures, water switch offs, and other affected services. People can register for this service by providing contact details of their phones or e-mail addresses, and alerting messages are free and details will only be used for this service. More details can be got on www.mapalerter.com.  

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. It gives a fine account of the saint and the blessed well which is a joy to visit now since it was renovated and blessed last August.

Brendan Fullam a native of Ardagh has a very interesting article about Limerick Hurling during the forties in the 2012 Limerick G.A.A. Yearbook. He is the author of numerous books on Gaelic games over the past 20 years. The 196 page book is available for €10 and is well worth a read.

Tom Nestor a native of Coolcappa had a nice short story about Santa Claus published in Ireland’s Own Magazine over the Christmas.

The latest issue of the Green and White the Limerick G.A.A. Youth Magazine, is also available from clubs, and shops at present.

The annual Kilcolman Senior Citizen’s Party will take place in the Shannon House Foynes, on this coming Sunday 13^th January.

Congratulations to Jason Mullins who was the referee for the County Limerick U-21A Football Championship Final played in Knocklong on Friday 28^th December, in which Bruff defeated Saint Patrick’s by 4-8 to 2-8. He was also a member of the Saint Kieran’s Junior A Hurling panel who won West and County titles in 2012. Jason has taken charge of numerous high profile games over the past season, and is wished well in the future.

Saint Kieran’s G.A.A. Club will hold their annual general meeting in Saint Molua’s Hall Ardagh, on Friday 18^th January at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend

The Milford Hospice charity 10km run/walk will take place on Sunday 20^th January at UL. The event is open to walkers and runners of all levels and abilities. Registration fee is € 15 and people can register atwww.runireland.com/events/milford-hospice-charity-runwalk

The Great Southern Trail is holding a walk from Abbeyfeale to Duagh village on Saturday 2^nd February commencing at 2.15pm. It is to mark the 50^th Anniversary of the last Limerick- Tralee daily scheduled passenger train to travel the track.

The Munster final of Ceol an Gheimhridh will take place in Cappamore Community Hall on Sunday 17^thFebruary. 

Fr Madden P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry has published the following note in the Weekly Bulletin. We no longer have access to the patient list in any of the hospitals. I am relying on family members to let me know when somebody is in hospital. It can be most annoying to have visited the hospital, and when you get home to discover there was somebody else there that you should have visited.