Congratulations and best wishes for the future to James Windle, Knockfinisk, Carrigkerry and Lorraine Kennedy, Knockaderry who were married in Saint John the Baptist Church, Castlemahon, on Friday 23^rd August. The Reception was held in Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday 26^th August. The numbers drawn were 1,11,23,25, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follow €60 Michael O’Connor c/o Hanley’s. €60 Jack Ahern c/o Curley’s. €60 Johnny Mullane c/o Moore’s. €30 Paddy and Mike c/o Moore’s. €30 Nora Ambrose c/o Curley’s. €30 The Sheik c/o Peg O’Connor. Next week’s draw will be held at Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €5,800.

Monaleen defeated Saint Kieran’s by 1-12 to 1-4 in Round 4 of Group 2 of the County Limerick Senior Football Championship at the Bog Garden Rathkeale, on Sunday 25^th August. Monaleen led by 0-7 to 0-1 at half time, to move to the top of the group table. Saint Kieran’s were outclassed in all departments on the night, and are now in second place in the group and through to the knock out stages. TEAM: John Greaney, Mike Windle, Paudie McCarthy, Brendan McCarthy, Patrick Windle, Johnny McCarthy, Diarmuid Carroll, John Doyle, Timmy Carroll,  Jack Ben Harnett,0-1 Anthony Molyneaux, 0-1 Kevin Meade, Patrick Downes, Ray Cahill, 1-0 Sean Mc Sweeney, 0-2 Sub: Aonghus Gannon. James Hough.

The death has taken place of Kathleen Donovan (nee Winters) Riddlestown, Rathkeale, and sister of the late Monsignor Samuel. She lay in repose at her residence on Tuesday 27^th August. The Requiem Mass was celebrated at Saint Mary’s Church Rathkeale on Wednesday morning at 11am. The burial took place in Kilbradern Cemetery on Wednesday 28^th August. We extend our sympathy to her husband John, sister Peg O’Riordan, brother Jeremiah, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives, and a large circle of neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The Desmond League Junior soccer season for 2013/14 commenced on Friday 23^rd August. In the Premier League Carrig Celtic had a double engagement against Athea Utd, and Glin Rovers. They drew 2-2 away to Athea Utd with goals from Anthony Molyneaux, and Raymond Cahill.  They defeated Glin Rovers 3-2 at home with goals from Seanie King, Mark Collins, and Francis Moore.  In Division 1 Old Mill lost 3-0 away to Saint Ita’s. In Division 2 Creeves Celtic drew 1-1 away to Kilcornan with Cormac O’Shea scoring.  Creeves Celtic drew 2-2 with Ferry Rangers at home on Sunday 25^th with Pa Ahern scoring both goals. In Division 3 Carrig Celtic B defeated Creeves Celtic B 5-2 at home  with goals from Tony Doyle,2 Dean Liston,2 and Michael Lawlor. Darren Ahern and Francis Farrell replied for Creeves B.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, and Willie Keating, and Jim Dalton, and Francis Woulfe, who were prizewinners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 23^rd August.

Fr Larry Madden celebrated Mass at Ballyine Grotto on Thursday 29^th August. It was a nice evening and a good crowd was in attendance. The location of Ballyine Shrine between Ardagh and Newcastle West has deep links to Christianity and Mass was celebrated there during the trouble times. Priests were forbidden to say Mass in public and hunted down for their faith at the time. They were forced to celebrate Mass in secluded places off the beaten track, similar to Ballyine which offered a safe and secret hideout. A group of local residents came together and erected the Grotto, for Marian Year, in 1954. The Shrine was blessed and unveiled in front of upwards of 2,000 men, women and children on Sunday 15^th August 1954. Mass is celebrated annually in recent years, and next year will be the 60^th Anniversary.

To mark 2014 as European Year of Culture Fr Larry Madden P.P. is hoping to make a start on building up a   parish archive. At present he is seeking photographs of the former priests of the parish to copy. The names and addresses of the owners of the photos are to be written on the back of the photos before they are handed into Fr Madden. The photos will bWest Limerick Toastmasters commence their new season on this Wednesday 4^th September at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. It is an ideal place to learn communication and leadership skills, develop self confidence, and make new friends in a friendly atmosphere. New members are most welcome and further details from Donnacha on 086-8494505.  

West Limerick Resources will be running an Oral History Training course commencing in October. It will run one evening a week for ten weeks, and is free of charge and open to people living in the West Limerick area.  Participants will receive training in interviewing techniques, digital voice recording and editing techniques. To register for the course contact Suzanne on 069-79114 or email [email protected]

The Olympic Ballroom reunion takes place on this Friday 6^th September at the Courtenay Lodge Newcastle West. Music will be provided by The Indians Showband and the doors open at 9pm.Tickets will cost € 10 and they will be available at the door. The West fest committee is the organizers and the venue will be transformed into the ballroom of romance for the night. The Olympic which opened in 1960 was a mecca for dancers from all over Munster. All the top Irish Showbands played there plus many of the top UK performers while on tour in Ireland. The venue was also used for trade exhibitions, concerts, indoor soccer tournaments, musique club, and fundraising events, until its closure in 1985. The late Joe Downes and his family provided a great facility for the youth to enjoy themselves in a safe and alcohol free environment in those days, and they will all be remembered at the reunion.

It would be nice to see a Museum put in place in West Limerick, to remember and preserve the Showband years. A lot of very talented musicians from the area were involved in making a living with the large number of bands countrywide. Items from that era could be put on display and I am sure it would attract a lot of visitors to view and re-live those halcyon days of the Showbands.  A number of interested individuals might come together, and West Limerick Recourses could be approached to grant aid the project. The vacant Olympic Ballroom in Newcastle West would be an ideal venue, if it came available to commemorate Joe Downes and the many musicians’ achievements. The majority of attendees during the 25 years of dances there will have fond memories of the venue, people and the showbands who played there. It promises to be a wonderful occasion for all to recapture the heady days of their youth as the saying goes ‘’there was no show like a Joe show.’’

The West Limerick Vintage Club will hold its annual vintage and family fun day beside the Thatch Bar Newbridge, on Sunday 8^th September. An action packed afternoon of events is promised and all support will be greatly appreciated.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Saint Vincent de Paul Pilgrimage to Knock, will take place on Saturday 14^th September. To book places on the bus please contact Johnjoe, at 069-76280 Chrissie at 069-76243 or Mary at 087-3537473.

The adult set dancing classes resumes in Monagea Community Centre on Thursday 12^th September at 8.30pm. All are welcome and beginners and advanced dancers will be catered for.

The annual national pilgrimage in honour of St Pio takes place in Knock Shrine, on Sunday 15^th September. A coach will leave the Market Yard Newcastle West, at 7.30am. Further details and booking from Pat Dalton at 069-62306.

A cancer survivor’s conference will be held on Thursday/Friday 20^th/21^st September at the Aviva Stadium Dublin. All patients, survivors, and family members are invited and entry is free. Additional information is available from Avril at01-2310533 or email [email protected]

The AGM of West Limerick Community Radio will be held on Tuesday 24^th September at 8.00pm in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West. Any submissions or questions to be answered on the night should be handed into the Station in a sealed envelope by Tuesday 17^th September. All are welcome to attend

The national Ploughing Championship will be held in Stradbally County Laois from Tuesday 24^th to Friday 27^thSeptember. This event is a great attraction for people of all walks of life, and is one of the last big outdoor events before the winter closes in.