Congratulations to James O’Keeffe, Park on winning his third All Ireland title in a row in the 125 Gearbox Karting Championships. It was the first time this was achieved in 51 years of Karting and he was awarded the specially commissioned Fionn Murray trophy to mark this achievement.  He competed in 16 races in 2012 winning 9 and placed second in 6 and placed fourth in the other race. He was presented with his trophies at the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin. We wish James continued success in 2013

The Friends of Saint Vincent’s Lisnagry Limerick would like to thank all the people who contributed to their annual Church gate Collection held in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Saturday/Sunday 16^th / 17^th February.  Thanks also to the volunteers who stood at the tables, in difficult weather conditions to take up the collection. All donations were very much appreciated and the combined total collected was € 550.

A fundraising night in aid of The Dialysis Unit, Limerick Regional Hospital took place  at the Flag Floor Rambling House on Friday 1^st March.  A great night’s entertainment was enjoyed by the large attendance, and Carrigkerry Wrenboys made presentations to a number of groups during the night. They presented cheques to Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizens Committee, Kilcolman Senior Citizens Committee, Ardagh Social Club, and Carrigkerry Playground Committee.

Glensharrold Wrenboy Group held a presentation get together at Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday 10^thMarch. The members of the group made presentations to four local based groups this year namely Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizens Committee, Kilcolman Senior Citizens Committee, Ardagh Social Club, and Carrigkerry Playground Committee.  The money presented came from the leftover proceeds (after Wren nights) from hunting the Wren on Saint Stephen’s Day 2012. All the recipients thanked the Glensharrold Wrenboys for their kind donations and continued support for the work they do within the community.

Carrigkerry Playground committee would like to thank the Carrigkerry and Glensharrold Wrenboys for their generous donations in recent weeks. It was very much appreciated and thanks again to all who have contributed to date to the fund. The committee would welcome additional donations, to put them in a sound financial position to be ready to proceed with the project once the site has been signed over to them. The playground would be a wonderful amenity for the children and parents of the locality to have and to enjoy into the future.

Congratulations to Mike Kiely and Michael O’Sullivan who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 5^th March.

Congratulations to Paddy Sheehy and Mary Lynch who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 8^th March.

The following are the Lottery results from The Old Mill Bar on Monday 11^th March. The numbers drawn were 18,19,21,29, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €60 Robyn O’Connor c/o Neary’s. €60 Arianne Reidy c/o Curley’s. €60 Nancy Carroll c/o Curley’s. €30 Tim and Joan Copse c/o Neary’s. €30 Mike Collins Park Ballyhahill. €30 Mary Lee Newcastle West. Next week’s Jackpot will be €7,000 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.

The first Limerick G.A.A. Club Draw of 2013 was held at The Cu Chulainn Bar Patrickswell on Friday 8^th March. Congratulations to Marian O’Connor, from the Saint Kieran’s club who won €250. The next draw will be held in the Old Stand Bar, Shanagolden on Friday 6^th April.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s Community Games club members on their success in the cross country athletic events held in Mick Neville Park on Sunday 10^th March. Conor Cremin, Michael Shanahan, Cathy Ambrose, Arianne Reidy, and Roisin Ambrose have qualified for the All Ireland Finals in May.

Maire Mc Coy Memorial Presentation.

The Mc Coy family Old Mill recently presented a cheque for € 3,080 to Milford Hospice. It was the proceeds from the Maire Mc Coy Memorial match held in Newcastle West on Thursday 27^th December. The late Maire was a great supporter of junior soccer in the area.

Congratulations to Creeves Celtic who defeated Breska Rovers 3-0 in the Youths Division 2 League Cup Final played in Clounreask Askeaton on Saturday 9^th March. Adam Kearns, 2 and James Naughton scored their goals, and Cormac O’Shea was named Man of the Match.

Carrig Celtic defeated Killeaney 3-1 away on Sunday in the Desmond League Premier Division to move into mid table. Conor Whelan, Francis Moore, and Seanie King scored the goals.

Askeaton /Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Killeedy 0-13 to 0-6 in Group 1 of the County U -21 13 a side Hurling Competition played in Raheenagh on Saturday 9^th March.

Johnny McCarthy and Darragh Treacy were members of the Limerick senior football team that defeated Carlow by 0-10 to 0-9 in Division 4 of the National Football League played in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Sunday 9^thMarch.

Brendan McCarthy and Kevin Meade assisted Limerick U-21 football team who were defeated by Leitrim by 1-14 to 0-15 in a challenge match. Limerick play Cork in the Munster Championship semi final at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Wednesday 27^th March at 7.30pm. 

Sharon Kinehan and Jackie Geoghegan, are holding a coffee morning in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on Friday 22^nd March from 10.30am to 4.pm at Sharon’s house in Lisgordan , Ardagh. All support for this very worthy cause would be greatly appreciated. Any queries please contact Sharon  on 086-8106522.

Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will take place on Friday 22^nd March. The Society aims to raise €3.4m nationally to fund cancer services, and is asking everyone to come out and support this worthy cause. People can get involved by volunteering on Daffodil Day or by organizing a Daffodil Day event in the community. People that buy a Daffodil or the other merchandise will help the many cancer services to continue the great work they do in the future.

Moore’s Bar will be holding a coffee morning on Daffodil Day, Friday 22nd March in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. Please come along and support this very worthy cause.

The County Limerick Senior Scór Final will be held in the Community Centre Askeaton on Friday 22^nd March at 7.45pm. All clubs in the county are asked to participate.

The Irish in the American Civil War will be launched at Newcastle West Bookshop on this Saturday 23^rd March at 2pm by Sean Kelly a member of the Newcastle West Historical Society. The author of the 200 plus page book is Damian Shiels from Reerasta South Ardagh, and the cost is € 20. The official launch was done by Myles Dungan of RTE in the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks on Saturday 23^rd February. The book is a social history of the war and it is broken into four sections ‘beginnings’, ‘realities,’ ‘the wider view’, and the ‘aftermath.’ Damian is an archaeologist by profession and this is his first book and it is published by The History Press Ireland. It promises to be a good read and support for the author on the day would be appreciated.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizens Christmas Party Church Gate Collection will be taken up in Ardagh and Carrigkerry on this Saturday/Sunday 23/24^th March. All support most welcome and appreciated.

The award winning Ardagh Drama Group will present their two act comedy play ‘’Kevin’s Bed’’ by Bernard Farrell in the Ratkeale Arts Centre on 24th, 25th, 26th, March at 8pm.

Congratulations to Mairead Carr who received the best supporting actress award for her performance as Maria in ‘’Kevin’s Bed ‘at the recent West Limerick Drama Festival held in Knockaderry.

Knockdown Vintage Club and Estuary Macra Club are holding a fundraising Raffle and Vintage Run in aid of A.C.T. (aid cancer treatment) the prizes include Hotel Breaks Hampers Vouchers Galway Crystal Perfume etc. The draw will take place on Saturday 23^rd of March in the Knockdown Arms.  Signed Kerry and Limerick jerseys and a Munster jersey are among the items to be auctioned on the night. On Sunday 24^th March a Vintage Car and Tractor run along with a modern Tractor run organized by Estuary Macra will take place starting at 12.30pm at the Knockdown Arms. They will cruise along the highways and byways of the locality and return by Glin Castle to Knockdown. An Auction will follow with items such as   Silage Bales, Turf Timber Motor Accessories etc to be sold off. Tickets for the Raffle are available in local Shops at € 2 each or three for € 5 or from any members of the above clubs. Your support for this very worthy cause would be much appreciated. For Vintage enquiries contact Dave 087-2500938 or Patrick 087-2452695.  For Macra enquiries contact Patrick 086-0682600.

Afternoon Tea dancing will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday 24^th March from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. The music will be supplied by the Liam Cantillon Sound.  The organizers would welcome more local support for this fundraiser as the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the Community Centre.