The death has taken place of Georgina McCormack, (nee Ruttle) Kilcolman Drive, Newcastle West, and formerly of Skehanagh, Ardagh, and Kilcolman House Clouncagh, on Saturday 31^st August, peacefully in the loving care of the staff at Saint Catherine’s Nursing Home, Newcastle West. She was predeceased by her husband Paddy and her son Paddy Jnr. who both passed away in the late eighties. She was a native of Askeaton, and a homemaker in her mid eighties. Paddy and Georgina raised six in family and they ran the very successful Joinery Works in the village. She lived in Ardagh up to 1979 when the family moved to farm in Clouncagh. In recent years she lived in retirement in Kilcolman Drive, before her final move to Saint Catherine’s. She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Monday 2^nd September, from 6pm, followed by removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West.

Fr Richard Keane concelebrated her Funeral Mass at 11.30am, assisted by Fr Pat Bluett, Fr Larry Madden, Canon James Ambrose, and Canon Tony O’Keeffe. Family members assisted in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts. Fiona and Michael supplied appropriate hymns and music, and a large crowd was in attendance to pay their respects to the family. Fr Keane gave us an insight into Georgina’s life in his homily which was interwoven with the readings.  Georgina loved to cook and bake and look after her children and grandchildren. She was a woman of great faith and a regular Mass attender. She was kind and generous and gave of her time in visits to the Oblate Brothers in Cahermoyle and Rathfredragh Cheshire Home. She liked music and played the accordion in her young days and also the organ for the choir in Ardagh Church. She was independent and loved driving long distances with friends around Ireland in her car. She could be seen driving to the church and shops up to recent times. She will be sadly missed by family, neighbours and all who knew her. Georgina was laid to rest in the family plot in Ardagh Cemetery on Tuesday 3^rd September. We extend our sympathy to her daughters Annette, Maeve, Patricia, Marie and Lisa, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

We also note the passing of Seamus Heaney the award winning poet, Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé Irish language author and musician, and Seán Mac Connell agriculture journalist with The Irish Times and other newspapers over the years.

Saint Colman’s Church in Kilcolman is 100 years old this year, and plans are in place to mark this historic landmark at present. The foundation stone was laid in 1913 and the Church was blessed and opened on 10^th August 1913 by Most Rev Dr O’Dwyer, Bishop of Limerick. The parish priest at the time was Rev Jerry Murphy and a lot of the work was done voluntarily. Mass was celebrated in the Library west of the village while the church was being built. The materials for the Church came by rail to Ardagh Railway Station and were transported by voluntary labour to the site. The walls were built by rock faced cavity blocks made near the site of the church by Mike Somers from Carrrons, Kilcolman. Dermot O’Brien son of M.P. William Smith O’Brien organized a Bazaar known as the ‘’Shanid Bazaar’’ to help raise funds for the church. It was held in the grounds of Cahermoyle House on the 15^th 16^th and 17^th August 1913. Dermot was the President of the Royal Irish Academy and a troupe of players from the old Abbey Theatre in Dublin travelled down to perform and gave their services free. It was an outstanding success and a sum of 30 pounds was left over on the erecting of the church which was completed in record time. This money was used to erect the high wall along the road in front of the church. From the church grounds there is a fine view of the surrounding countryside. The centenary of the church will be marked later this month and a souvenir booklet will be published.

Under the data protection laws, priests no longer have access to the patient lists in any of the hospitals. Priests have no way of knowing when someone from their parish is in hospital. It is now the responsibility of family members and relatives, if they require a visit to let the priest of their parish know who is in hospital.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday 2^nd September. The numbers drawn were 8,10,19,23, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Pat Buckley c/o Peadar’s. €60 Denise O’Connor, Carrigkerry. €60 Timmy Madigan, Ardagh. €30 Maura O’Connor c/o Curley’s. €30 Teresa O’Brien c/o Curley’s. €30 Mary Hartnett c/o Tom.  Next week’s draw will be held in The Thatch Bar and the Jackpot will be €6,000.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Claughaun by 1-12 to 1-9 in the Intermediate Hurling Cup semi final played in Claughaun Gaelic Grounds on Monday 2^nd September. They will play Monaleen in the County final.

The members of the Great Southern Trail committee would like to thank all who contributed to their Church gate collection taken up in Ardagh, on Saturday 31^st August.  The amount collected was €225.

The Irish Wheelchair Association would like to thank everybody who contributed to their church gate collection taken up in Ardagh on Saturday 24^th August. The amount collected was €300.57.

Carrig Celtic lost 2-1 away to Broadford Utd in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday 1^st September.

In Division 1 Old Mill had a double engagement over the week end. They defeated Pallaskenry 2-1 at home on Friday evening with Stephen Doody and Stephen Doherty scoring. They drew 0-0 away to Kildimo Utd on Sunday.

In Division 2 Creeves Celtic defeated Newcastle West B 3-1 away with goals from Francis O’Farrell, Cormac O’Shea, and Pa Ahern.

In Division 3 Carrig Celtic B defeated Saint Ita’s 2-1 away with goals from Brian Byrnes, and Tony Doyle.

Congratulations to Liz King, Carrigkerry who won €5,000, in the Telly Bingo TV Show on Friday last 6^th September. She bought the ticket at Moloney’s Shop and she won the money in the phone in part of the show.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Social Club resumed on Tuesday last 10^th September. The members meet in Ardagh Community Centre from 2pm to 4.30pm each Tuesday and new members will be most welcome. It is a great opportunity for people to come together and enjoy the fun and companionship in a safe and comfortable venue. All the fun activities will be held and the bus service will operate to bring and take home the members.

The adult set dancing classes resumes in Monagea Community Centre on this Thursday 12^th September at 8.30pm. All are welcome and beginners and advanced dancers will be catered for. Classes resume in the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Tuesday 17^th September at 8.30pm.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Saint Vincent de Paul Pilgrimage to Knock, will take place on this 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 bus will depart from outside Moloney’s Shop in Carrigkerry at 7.30am, and from outside Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh at 8am.

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.

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.

Ardagh ICA Guild is holding their annual Coffee Morning in Ardagh Community Centre on Thursday 19^th September from 10am to 12 noon. The guild have been holding this event for many years which raises much needed funds for Milford Hospice who provide a wonderful service for families in the region. All support for this fundraiser will be much appreciated.

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]

Knockdown Vintage Club in association with Killeaney AFC is holding its third annual vintage day on Sunday 22^ndSeptember. All the usual attractions will be on show, including a number of new attractions. The gates open at 12 noon and there will be musical entertainment in the field during the day.

The AGM of Ardagh Voluntary Housing Association Ltd will take place on Monday 23^rd September at Reerasta Court, Ardagh. All are welcome to attend.

A meeting will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Monday 16^th September, at 8.30 pm to organize an event to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of Ballyloughane National School. Calling on past pupils, and other interested people to attend and to discuss ideas to mark the historic opening of a school of learning in the area.