The death has taken place of Dan McMahon Knockbowheen, Ardagh, and the former owner of McMahon’s Concrete Products, located off the Ardagh to Foynes road. His remains arrived at Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh, for 11.30am Mass on Saturday 20^th April. His Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Larry Madden, with family involvement in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts. A native of Ardagh, he was in his early eighties and the last surviving member of the family. He was the youngest member of four, brothers Seán, and Jerry and sister Mary. In his young days he immigrated to Australia, and New Zealand where he worked in construction and the pre cast products. He returned to Ireland and married Mary in 1969 and they were blessed with two daughters Bernie, and Trish. Dan set up McMahon Concrete Products beside the family home in Knockbowheen, and it operated very successfully during the seventies, and eighties. It was one of the first in the locality and it is true to say that the majority of homes build at the time contained concrete products made by Dan and staff in scenic and windswept Knockbowheen. He was a very hard worker, and very strong despite being small in stature. He possessed a very sharp and innovative mind and could solve the most difficult of problems in the precast business. He was forced to retire from the business due to ill health around 1987 and the pre cast concrete business was rented out, and it is still in production at present.

Dan was a noted cyclist in his young days competing in all the sports meetings around the locality. The records show he won the 1 Mile and the 2 Mile cycle races at the Carrigkerry Sports meeting in 1951.He kept up the cycling well into retirement, and he was a familiar figure on the roads before the recent upsurge in cycling clubs. He liked social dancing and he was a regular attender at the Lisdoonvarna dancing week-ends.  He was interested in reciting and he competed in Scór competitions, for the local club.  Dan was interested in current affairs and politics as well and he will be sadly missed by all who he encountered in life.  The Funeral Mass was followed by private cremation. We extend our sympathy to his daughters Bernie, and Trish, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Bridget Daly, Ardagh, and Shane Egan, Coolcappa, who were married recently in Killarney, County Kerry.

Congratulations to Fr Brendan Leahy who was ordained Bishop of Limerick at Saint John’s Cathedral on Sunday 14^th April. He succeeds Bishop Donal Murray (who made a number of visits to the parish during his term of office) who retired in December 2009. Fr Tony Mullins who delivered the homily at the ordination has been the Limerick Diocese Administrator since then. It was a great honour for himself and his family and the parish and he did a fine job in the demanding role. Best wishes to all three in their future work.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 15^th April. The numbers drawn were 1, 4 14, 18, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €60 Con Enright, Ardagh. €60 Paddy Bridgeman, Ardagh. €60 Dolores Braddish, Ballysteen. €30 Stephen Griffin c/o Bus Eireann. €30 Joe and Ruby Synan Shanagolden. €30 Tommy Greaney c/o Ned Lynch. Next week’s draw will be held in The Thatch Bar, Newbridge, and the Jackpot will be €8,000.

Father Casey’s defeated Saint Kieran’s by 3-8 to 2-4 in the West Senior Football Championship semi-final at windswept Tom Culhane Park Glin on Sunday 14^th April. Saint Kieran’s led by 2-3 to 1-4 at half-time, but could only add one point from a free, to their total in a disappointing second half performance. TEAM. Tommy Quinn, Brendan Mc Carthy, John Doyle, Kevin Meade, Patrick Windle, Paudie Mc Carthy, James Hough, Darragh Treacy, 0-1 Timmy Carroll, Pa O’Sullivan, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-1 Jack Ben Hartnett, Anthony Liston, Ray Cahill, 1-0 Sean Mc Sweeney 1-2. Subs John Greaney, Ian Mackessy, Brian Crowley, Paddy Downes, Sean Windle,

Saint Kieran’s defeated Ballysteen by 1-5 to 0-2 in Round 1 of the West Junior B Football League in Coolcappa on Thursday 11^th April.

Askeaton /Saint Kieran’s defeated Granagh/Ballingarry by 2-14 to 0-7 in the County U-21 Hurling Championship 13 a side semi final in Croagh on Saturday 13^th.

Newcastle West Golf Club commenced the 75^th Anniversary celebrations of the founding of the club, (at Egan’s Hotel Newcastle West in 1938) at the Clubhouse in Ardagh, on Sunday 14^th April. They have many more functions arranged for the year including the launch of their history book.

Carrig Celtic B lost 3-1 at home to Rathkeale Reserves in Division 2 of the Desmond League, on Sunday 14^th April. Michael Lawlor scored their goal from the penalty spot. Carrig Celtic had their game against Abbeyfeale United in the Desmond Cup postponed and Old Mill had no game.

Congratulations to Donie Donovan and James Bridgeman who were first prize winners, in the Shanagolden card game held on Friday 12^th.

A final reminder to parishioners to return their Trócaire boxes so that a final total can be reached before the money is forwarded on to the Diocese. The response to date has been poor and it would be appreciated if the contents of the boxes were converted into large notes and coins.

RTE showed a documentary about John Sheahan, retired member of the Dubliners folk group, on Monday 15^th April. It was most interesting viewing for all but especially viewers from the West Limerick area that John is associated with. His father came from Glin, and his mother from Ardagh, and he still has a number of relations around the locality. He still visits and performs at social events, as well as at Listowel Writers Week. He is the last surviving member of the original five man group that took Ireland and the World by storm during their heyday. John came across as a very down to earth person who embraced fame lightly after 50 very successful years in the music industry.

The 14^th annual Eigse Michael Hartnett Literary & Arts Festival will be held in Newcastle West from Thursday 25^th April to Saturday 27^th April. An action programme of events is lined up to satisfy all lovers of Michael Hartnett and poetry in general. A number of high profile guests will entertain and some of the events are free to the public to attend. Visit www.eigsemichaelhartnett.ie for a list of the guests and the various events.

A céilí will be held on Saturday 27^th April in Con Colbert Memorial Hall Athea. Music by Danny O’Mahoney and the Shannonvale Céilí Band from 9.30pm, and teas will be served. A dancing workshop given by Timmy Woulfe will be held from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. A great night’s dancing is promised and all are welcome.

The Desmond Schoolboys/Girls League is celebrating their 21^st Anniversary this year. They are holding a celebratory Dinner Dance on Saturday 27^th April at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine to honour the founding members. Music by Keep in Touch and tickets cost € 30 and they can be got from the committee and clubs in the league.

Kilcolman Rovers soccer club are holding a fun run/walk on the Great Southern Trail Railway line on Sunday 28^th April at 12.30pm. Sponsorship cards are doing the rounds for people who wish to make a donation.

Afternoon Tea dancing will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday 28^th April from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. The music will be supplied by the Premier Blue Boys.  The organizers would welcome more local support for this fundraiser as the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the Community Centre.

The Thomond Historical and Archaeological Society will visit Ballyhahill on Sunday 28^th April. The tour will visit the historical sites, monuments, and buildings around the area. The tour commences at the church at 2.45pm, and all are welcome to attend.

A May Eve Walk at Knockfierna Hill will be held on Tuesday 30^th April. It will commence from the Rambling House Knockfierna at 7.30pm, and all are welcome to attend.

A Special Remembrance Sunday for Ireland’s missing people will be held on Sunday 12^th May. The guest speakers will be Patrick Hedderman, Abbott of Glenastal Abbey and Mary Phelan, (sister of Jo Jo Dollard, who is missing for 17 years.) The special guests will include Noírín Ní Riain and Fr Seán O’Diuin, and it will be followed by walk/traditional entertainment.

A Ceremony for the naming of babies/children who have died as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth or sudden infant death, takes place at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West on Wednesday 1^st May at 8.pm. The ceremony is open to all who wish to attend whatever their faith or wherever they live.