The death has taken place suddenly at his residence on Sunday 3rd February of John Joe ‘Joe’ O’Sullivan, Glenville Ardagh   Joe was retired and in his mid seventies and he lived on his own. He was a familiar figure around the area and he was shy and retiring easy going and softly spoken. He could be seen walking daily along the road out from the village to his sister’s house a short distance away.  He was honest and straight and did things his way and was a hard worker who brought turf home from the bog for many people over the years.  He was recognized as a fine mechanic who had a great knowledge of how the different engines worked. He operated as a machine contractor doing work for Limerick County Council and also in the agriculture sector cutting and harvesting hay. He was a neat and tidy worker who took pride in his work and his word was his bond. His remains reposed at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Tuesday last from 6.30pm to 8pm. This was followed by the removal of his remains to Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh.

Father Tony Mullins his neighbour assisted by Father Larry Madden concelebrated   his Funeral Mass at 11.30am on Wednesday morning. At the commencement of the Mass symbols associated with Joe’s life were taken up to the Altar. They included his cap a wrench and mobile phone. The cap was part of Joe that we all knew and they were never separated for long. The wrench was in recognition of his genius for dismantling and assembling engines of all types. His mobile phone contained the contact numbers of his family members and circle of friends. Family members assisted in the readings, prayers of the faithful and the offertory and Maura and Donie supplied the music and hymns. Fr Tony paid a nice tribute to his neighbour Joe during his homily.  The sun shone for his burial in Ardagh Cemetery on Wednesday 6thFebruary. We extend our sympathy to his sisters Mary, Cathy, Anne and Chris, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday 4th February. The numbers drawn were 3, 6, 15, 23, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. 60 Nora Ambrose c/o Ailish. 60 Tom Shields c/o Curley’s. 60 Sean Noonan, Ardagh. 30 Geraldine Woulfe Ardagh.. 30 Mike Magner c/o Reen’s Bar. 30 Sharon Geoghegan c/o Curley’s. Next week’s draw will be held in The Thatch Bar, Newbridge, and the Jackpot will be 6,000.

Ardagh Wrenboy Group recently held a presentation night to present cheques to the following Rathfredragh Cheshire Home, Ardagh Tuesday Club, Brothers of Charity.  They also made a donation to the Ballingarry Senior Citizens party. The money was the Saint Stephens Day proceeds from hunting the Wren around the locality.

Congratulations to Mike Barrett, and Mary Aherne O’Connor who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 27th January. Cards each Wednesday night at 9pm, and all are welcome.

The Desmond League resumed their soccer programme after a few blank weekends on Sunday 3rd February.  Carrig Celtic drew 1-1 at home with Newcastle West Rovers in the Premier Division, with John Doyle scoring a late goal to give them a share of the points.  Carrig Celtic B lost 3-0 away to Division 2 leaders Pallaskenry away to Division 2 leaders Pallaskenry.

The Desmond Cup draw was held on Monday 4th February and the local team’s opponents are as follows. Carrig Celtic v Athea Utd.  Carrig Celtic B v Shannonside B.  Old Mill v Glantine.  Creeves Celtic v Rathkeale. All the teams are at home and the matches are fixed for Sunday 17th February.

Carrig Celtic ladies defeated Feenagh 5-1 at home in the First Division of the Desmond Ladies League. Michelle Brouder 3, and Lisa Collins, and Brigid Liston scored their goals.

Johnny McCarthy and Darragh Treacy (sub) were members of the Limerick senior football team that defeated Leitrim by 0-11 to 0-9 in Round 1 of the National Football Division 4 League tie played in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Sunday 3rd February.

Saint Kieran’s club is holding a victory dinner dance at Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday 23rd February. Music by Different Sounds and tickets cost € 25 and can be got from club members.

Alva Neary and Mai Kennelly were members of Limerick lady footballers who defeated Carlow by 8-26 to 0-1 in Division 4 of the Ladies National Football League at Dr Cullen Park Carlow on Sunday 3rd February.

Congratulations to Kilcolman N.S. who finished joint second in the annual Desmond Credit Union School’s Quiz 2013 held at the Courtenay Lodge Hotel Newcastle West on Friday 1sy February. The quizmaster was Noreen Mulcahy former teacher in Ardagh School and sixteen teams participated. The members were Aoife Kinehan, Domhnall O’Connor, Darragh McMahon, and Shay Greaney.

The news that West Limerick Resources, who operate from their office in Newcastle West, is under threat of closure after 20 years serving  the West Limerick area came as a big surprise to all. Their track record to date is excellent and all parishes within their catchment area have benefitted from funding for training and support for new projects. They are the only group who have provided funding for individuals and groups in that time, unlike successive governments who have failed the people badly. No new factories or new industry has been set up in that time, and now Phil Hogan and company want to dismantle this organization that has provided communities with much needed services and support systems. West Limerick Resources has provided funding for The Great Southern Trail and West Limerick Rural Bus which has provided people from our locality with two wonderful amenities. Ardagh and Coolcappa Community Centers and a number of other businesses have received funding to upgrade their facilities in recent years.  Carrigkerry Playground Committee at present is seeking funding for a project that will provide hours of enjoyment for the children of the locality. If West Limerick Resources are wound up close on forty jobs will be lost and a new 15 person group chosen by the Limerick Council Council manager will be put in charge of administrating the Leader funding. This will see another quango being set up when there is no need to do so, and as we have 51 Leader groups at present many more quangos will be needed throughout the country. West Limerick Resources is a victim of their own success and the various other bodies must be looking at them and the funding they have available to be distributed with envy. This is another attack on communities in rural Ireland and if successful will be the final nail in the coffin. We must retain the ideals of local people making the decisions to suit local communities as they know best what is needed in each one. The people know and trust the staff and the voluntary board members of West Limerick Resources which is an independent not-for profit company. Can we say the same about another group that will be associated with the government? I rest my case.

The next meeting of the Carrigkerry Playground Committee will be held on Thursday 14th February at 8.30pm in Carrigkerry Community Centre. A bag packing fundraiser will be held in Newcastle West on Friday 22nd February and the committee is seeking volunteers to help out. New members are most welcome to the meeting which is open to the public.

The Friends of Saint Vincent’s  Lisnagry Limerick are holding their annual Church gate Collection in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Saturday/Sunday 16th / 17th February. All donations will be much appreciated.

West Limerick 102 Community Radio is holding a Car boot sale and indoor market on Sunday 17thFebruary from 8am to 2pm in the Community Centre Newcastle West. Gates open at 7.30am and the entrance fee is € 2 with children under 16 admitted free   with an adult. Stalls can be booked by contacting 069-66200/0876866450.

Saint Kieran’s G.A.A. Club is seeking members for the Limerick G.A.A. Club Draw which commences on Friday 1st March. It consists of 10 monthly draws and costs 10 per draw, or 100 for the 10 draws. The top prize each month is 15,000 plus lots of other valuable prizes. The money raised from the draw goes to promote and develop Gaelic games within the county. The promoting club will also benefit from the draw, as they can retain half of the membership collected.  People who wish to join up are asked to contact club members for more details.

West Limerick 102 Community Radio is holding their sixth annual Awards Night at the Devon Inn Hotel in Templeglantine on Monday 11th March. A top class line-up has been announced to perform on the night and more details later.

The County Limerick Senior Scór Finals will be held in Askeaton Community Hall on Friday 22nd March. All clubs within the County are asked to participate on the night.