Congratulations and best wishes in the future to the following couples who got married recently. Jessica Markham, Ardagh and Patrick Kirrane, Newcastle West who were married in Newcastle West.

Emma Noonan Ardagh, and Declan Brosnan, Riverside Drive, Mountcollins, who were married in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday 9^th November and held their reception in the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare.

Seamus O’Donnell Cooltomin and Sandra Reilly, Dublin, who were married in Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Friday 15^thNovember, and held their reception in the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare.

It was wonderful to see the Ardagh set dancers perform on the An Jig Gig show on TG4 on Sunday 17^th November. They received mighty and well deserved praise from all three judges, and they did themselves proud and all connected with their performance. TG4 are to be complimented for their many programmes that promote all that is best in rural Ireland unlike our main station.

Congratulations to John Shine, Ballyine, Old Mill, who won the Newcastle West Rugby Club Jackpot of    € 20,000 at the club draw held in the Shamrock Bar, on Friday 15^th November.

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar, Newbridge, on Monday 18^th November. The numbers drawn were 4,21,25,28, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €60 Mary-Ann Windle, Carrigkerry. €60 Mary Hayes, Shanagolden. €60 G and D c/o Denis Greaney. €30 Mary Hayes, Shanagolden. €30 Marian Yamac, Shanagolden. €30 Patrick Windle, Carrigkerry. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €8,200.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to all the local students, who recently graduated from the various 3^rd level colleges around the country.

Congratulations to Ann Madigan, and Peg Murphy, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 13^th November. The card game is held each Wednesday night at 9pm.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, and Joan Fitzgibbon, Tom Culhane, and Timmy Murphy who were prizewinners at the Card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 15^th November.

The church gate pier outside Carrigkerry church was rebuilt on Thursday 14^th November. The pier was knocked and the gates badly damaged   back in July after a car collided with them. The small gate has yet  to be repaired and the tall gates have still to be re-hung.

The Ballyloughane School Reunion Committee would like to thank all those who helped in any way to make the reunion such a great success. A word of thanks  to Fr Madden for the mass and homily and to the choir, and all who took part in the liturgy. Thanks to the Devon Inn for the beautiful food and the musicians who provided great music. Also the great effort people made to turn out in such great numbers on the day.

Carrig Celtic drew 2-2 away to Rockhill Rovers in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday 17^th November. Ray Cahill and Seanie King scored the goals.

Old Mill lost 1-0 at home to Glantine in Division 1 of the Desmond League.

Carrig Celtic B drew 1-1 at home to Shannonside B in Division 3 with Brian Byrnes scoring their goal.

Carrig Celtic drew 1-1 away to Creeves Celtic in Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League, with Michele Brouder scoring their goal.

The death has taken place of Thomas (Tom) Breen, Killard, Ardagh, peacefully at Saint Ita’s Hospital Newcastle West, on Sunday 17^th November. He was a retired member of the farming community and in his eighties. He was a native of Killard and one of four in family who stayed at home and made farming his career. He married his wife Mary around fifty years ago, and they raised three in family. He had a great love for greyhounds and was a regular at Limerick Greyhound Track each Saturday night following Mass in nearby Saint John’s Church. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Monday from 6pm, followed by removal to Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh. Fr Larry Madden celebrated his Funeral Mass, on Tuesday at 11.30am, and family members assisted in the readings, prayers of the faithful. Offertory gifts and reflection prayer. Fr Madden touched on Tom’s long life, and interests, during his homily. Tom was laid to rest in Churchtown Cemetery Newcastle West, on Tuesday 19^th November. We extend our sympathy to his wife Mary, son Edmond, daughters Kay, and Antoinette, sons-in-law Louis, and Aidan, grandchildren Thomas, William, Conor, and Méabh, relatives, neighbours, and friends. May he rest in Peace. 

Santa in his Sleigh will pay a visit to Carrigkerry village to meet all the children on this Thursday 28^th November from 6.30pm.He will be collecting all the Santa letters to bring them back to the North Pole, and photo opportunities will also be available. A bucket collection will also take place, in aid of the Friend’s of Saint Ita’s Newcastle West, and all donations graciously received.

Carrig Celtic AFC are hosting Santa in his grotto in the Community Centre Carrigkerry on Sunday 8^th December, from 4pm. It will be followed by fun and games, prizes, and mini disco. Forms are available at Moloney’s Shop and at the School in Carrigkerry. Please return forms not later than Saturday 30^th November.

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Coolcappa Christmas Raffle, which will be held on Monday 16^th December. This is the main fundraiser for the Community Centre, and all the proceeds from the draw will go towards its upkeep. All support for the raffle will be much appreciated by the organizers.

A fundraising Irish Night in aid of the Tuesday Social Club will be held in Neary’Bar Ardagh, on Saturday 30^th November at 9.30pm. John Mullins, Ardagh, and Tom O’Donoghue, Castlemahon are organizing the event, and they would welcome all musicians. A raffle with plenty of spot prizes will be held and all are welcome to attend.

A fundraising céilí in aid of the Con Colbert Hall Athea will be held in the hall on Saturday 30^th November at 9.30pm. Tea will be served and all are welcome, and support appreciated.

A Sale of Work in aid of the Dromcollogher Respite Centre takes place on Sunday 1^st December. The organizers are seeking saleable items, bric-a-brack, goods for the wheel of fortune, and grocery items for hampers at present.

This year’s annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre, on Sunday 1^st December.

Console is holding the annual Christmas “Celebration of Light” service in the Augustinian Church O’Connell Street Limerick on Sunday 1^st December at 4pm.

A tribute night for Tim Crowley, Ballylin, Ardagh, who recently retired as Principal of Ardagh National School will be held in Ardagh Community Centre on Friday 6^th December at 8.pm. Parents and friends are invited to attend to show their appreciation for the work he has done for the school and the community in general.  

The annual Sale of Work will be held in Coolcappa Community Centre from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday 8^th December. Santa will pay a special visit to meet all the children at 2.30pm. The many stall will be selling Christmas Yule logs, home baked goods and preserves, bric-a-brac, ant the Wheel of Fortune will be in operation. The following items would be greatly appreciated for the bric-a-brac stall: glass, pottery, cutlery, costume jewellery, candles, vintage, clothing, ornaments, books, photo frames, etc. Items can be collected within a reasonable distance, or dropped to Rosemary Enright at 085-1688307 or Deirdre Downes at 087-6415449.

The Ardagh N.S. Parents Council are holding a clothes collection for new and used clothes, among other items on Thursday 12^th December. Leaflets will be distributed with full details of what can be donated. If you wish to donate any bags before the date, you may give them to any committee member, or else bring them to the school on the morning of December 12^th All funds collected will be donated to the school.