Tragic Death

News of the tragic death of Thomas (Tom) O’Sullivan of Carrigkerry in a traffic accident early on Friday morning in Carrigkerry was received with shock and sadness throughout Carrigkerry and Ardagh areas as well as neighbouring parishes. Tom was a popular member of the local community and well known and highly respected family. Many came to pay their respect at the family home in Carrigkerry on Sunday evening and also at the funeral to Holy Cross cemetery, Athea on Monday. Our sympathy is extended to his wife and family as well as extended family and other relatives. May his soul rest in peace.

Grant to Kerry G.A.A.

The generous grant of a million Euros to our neighbours in the Kerry County GAA Board by the Kerry Group, formerly Kerry Co-op was by all accounts thankfully received and no doubt will help the board in many ways such as the provision and improvements to many of the GAA pitches around the county as well as the training of teams, particularly the younger players. This gesture by the leading industry in the County goes to show the great interest there is in Gaelic games particularly in football of course in a County which has a great football tradition with which also is designed to help hurling and maybe to a lesser extent handball which is an international game and also recognised by the GAA as part of our local tradition.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry CCE

The AGM of Ardagh/Carrigkerry CCE was held recently and the following officers were elected for the coming year. Chairman-Mike Daly. Vice Chairman-Pat Curtin. Secretary-Goretti Trant and Treasurer-Evelyn Mullane. PRO-Jim O’Connor. The auditor is Christine Guiry. Youth Officer-James O’Connor. Treoraí na Gaeilge-Martina McGrath. County Board delegates– Helen Daly and Goretti Trant.

Charity Céilí

A charity céilí in aid of the Fr. Chris O’Donnell Mission Fund in St. Patrick’s parish, Argentina will take place at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine on Saturday, November 2nd at 9.30pm with music by Templeglantine Comhaltas Céilí Band. Admission is €8 and a raffle will also take place on the night with spot prizes galore, all are welcome. Fr. Chris, who is a native of Templeglantine, is a brother of Con O’Donnell, Knockfinisk, Athea.

Death of Shane Fitzgerald

The death occurred, following a tragic accident in Limerick, of Shane Fitzgerald, son of Conor and Grace, Clonoughter, Glin, on October 15th. He was a member of a well known and highly respected local family and his death at the early age of 21 is widely regretted, not alone by his parents, sisters and brother Mark, brothers-in-law and uncle of little Luke; sadly missed by grandmother Ursula, aunts, uncles aunts-in-law, uncles-in-law and all his other relatives, friends and neighbours.

The removal took place from his home to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glin on Friday morning for Requiem Mass at 12 noon which was attended b#

y a very large congregation who came to pay their respects and sympathise with the family. Burial took place a the churchyard cemetery and was also attended by a large number of people. Sympathy is extended to his parents, sisters, brother and extended family. May his soul rest in peace.

Chiropody Clinic

The Newcastle West branch of the Irish Red Cross Society usually hold a monthly Chiropody Clinic at No5, Bishop Street each month. Anybody who wishes to avail of this service can get details from Pat Dalton at 069-62306.

Graduation

Congratulations to Micheál Connolly, Glin, who graduated recently from UCD with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Irish and Geography.

Fundraising Céilí

A fundraising Céilí in aid of West Limerick Community Radio station, West Limerick 102fm will be held on Friday, November 22nd in the Community Centre, Knockaderry at 9.30pm with music by Donie Nolan. Teas and coffees will be served and a raffle will also take place on the night with many spot prizes. All are welcome/

Ballyloughane School Reunion

To mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of Ballyloughane National School on  May 11th 1863, a reunion will be held in the Community Centre, Carrigkerry on Sunday, November 3rd at 3pm. Further information from Jim Ahern, Davy Dillane, Tom Dillane, Peggy (Hennessy) Geoghegan, Essie (Heffernan) Murphy, Jodie Heffernan, Kathleen (Lee) Nugent, Stephen Nugent or  John O’Sullivan also contact 086-8539297.

The Budget

While aware of the harsh realities that the recent budget brought into all our lives, the only consolation is that it might have been far worse but for the fact that the local elections and the European elections are taking place this coming year and it is obvious the present Government hesitated about putting further pressure on the people which would have isolated them completely from the ordinary voters had they implemented more austerity measures than we have at present and were greatly increased by the cutbacks in the recent budget.

The plain fact is that the most vulnerable in our society have been targeted, the old, sick, the handicapped and even they showed very little respect for the nation’s dead when they abolished the bereavement grant that had been in operation for countless years. It is evident that we can expect nothing better while the present ruling parties remain in office and while they continue their policies of financing the banks and looking up to the European loan sharks in view of getting another bail-out which would swamp the country further in debt. It is to be hoped that the people will respond to these punitive measurements when they go to vote in next year’s elections.