Book Launch Invitation

On Friday night, November 29th my nephew Neil Brosnan, Listowel, will launch his second book of short stories “Neap Tide and other Stories” at John B. Keane’s bar in Listowel. The book is being published by New Binary Press and to mark the occasion the publishing firm is proud to present readings by Neil as well as Billy Keane and Gina Kelly. The collection will be officially launched by Jimmy Denihan, Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht at 9pm.

New Binary Press would be delighted if a big number would attend for what promises to be a memorable evening. We would also extend this invitation to other literary land cultural enthusiasts.

Christmas Lighting

Tony Noonan, his wife Hannah and daughter Siobhan have now turned on the Christmas Lighting at their home at Tullig North, Templeglantine. It is expected that many visitors will call there between now and Christmas and during all the Festive Season. All the funds that might be collected will be donated to charity.

A Story and a Song

Last Saturday, Pat O’Donovan’s popular programme on West Limerick Radio featured Pat Cagney of Castlemahon who, back in the 1950 era, got an audition in a competition in the then Radio Eireann who organised the show at Cork City Hall. In those days Pat Cagney recorded a number of the most popular tenor style songs of the time like – “The Meeting of the Waters”,  “My Nancy”, “Oft in the Stilly Night”, “Westering Home”, “Sliabh na Mon” and so forth.

Knock Night Vigil

A bus will travel to Knock on Saturday, December 7th for the night vigil. Tickets €25 each from Sean Broderick, Abbeyfeale or ring Tim on 068-31232.

Special Singing Night

West Limerick Singing club will hold a special night at the Ramble Inn bar, Abbeyfeale on Thursday, December 5th with all funds going to Tony Noonan’s wonderful charities at Tullig, Templeglantine.

Book Launch

Congratulations to Tom Wall of Glin on the launch of his book “The Boy from Glin Industrial School”. The book makes very interesting reading and is now on sale in the usual outlets.

Attorney General’s Suggestion

The recent suggestion by the North’s Attorney General concerning the closure of all prosecutions arising from British Army and Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries activities which resulted in deaths before the Good Friday Agreement has aroused much controversy both in the North of Ireland and here as well.

Mr. John Larkin has proposed that there would be no investigations, prosecutions or imprisonments carried out at this time for the sake of preserving the fragile peace that exists in the North at the present time and which seems to be going well between the two majority parties, the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Féin which has achieved so much since they came together.

My own belief is that the Attorney General is perfectly right to make this suggestion as any digging up of the past in the Six Counties would be likely to re-ignite past bitterness and plunge the North once more into chaos and turbulence. While there is no doubt that the vast majority of people on both sides of the equation both in the North and here would feel sympathy for all the victims of the troubles, plunging  the North into a further witch-hunt which nobody would want would serve no purpose whatsoever. It is of course very obvious that the relatives of victims of violence would want some form of justice now that the peace agreement appears to be working so well, any talk of retribution towards those in the British Army and the republican and loyalist paramilitaries would be far likely to create more division and harm between the two communities than any good it could possibly achieve.

After the Good Friday Agreement we all believed that there would be no further police investigations or prosecutions for acts carried out previously. One certain way to stir up things again in the North would be police investigations using some of the old and discredited methods that caused such revolution during the war years. While it is quite understandable that the relatives of victims of loved ones who were killed by violence on all sides would want closure and possibly some form of compensation for their losses, any further reasons to stir up happenings of the past would have a negative effect on the peace process. The Attorney General, John Larkin, surely knows what he is talking about having made this suggestion. At the conclusion of any war the first thing that is needed is some form of forgiveness and reconciliation between the previous combatants. It is only after that happens that any progress can be made in an effort towards normality and a peace for the future.

So those who will oppose John Larkin’s suggestion should think again of the damage that would be done by keeping up old grievances which it is time the North left behind. While of course it is understandable and right that we all would empathise with the victims it is surely time for the emphasis to be placed more in the future than in the past.

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.

Athea United Soccer

U14 DIVISION 2  (Saturday, November 23rd)
Askeaton        (1) 2
Athea Utd      (1) 2   Ryan O’Connell, Shane Dalton
Team: Daniel McEldowney, Joseph Dalton, Michael Dalton, Shane Ambrose, Seamus Leahy, David O’Connor, Shane Dalton. Cathal O’Brien, Ryan O’Connell, John Sexton, Micah O’Connell. Subs Andy Ahern and Jack O’Connor.
Referee Liam O’Connor.
U10 DIVISON 4 (Saturday, November 23rd)
Athea Utd    (1) 7      Calum Buckley (3), Daire O’Shea (2) Conor Mullane (2 )
Glantine       (0) 0
Team: Gavin Mulvihill, James Lee, James Broderick, Callum Gleeson, Fergal Pierse, Daire O’Shea, Conor Mullane, Michael Walsh, Callum Buckley, Cillian O’Connor, Ciaran Hunt, James Hunt.
JUNIOR DIVISION 2 (Sunday, November 24th)
Athea Utd B   (0) 0
Ferry Rngs      (2) 3
Team: Gary Carroll, John Geoghegan, Raymond Brouder, Sean McGrath, Mike Twomey, Colm Hassett, Pa Chawke, Steven McEnery, Emmet White, Sonny Sheehan, Tom Murphy. Referee Sean Hartnett.
ATHEA UTD FIXTURES
Saturday, November 30th
U12s home to Newcastle West B in the cup at 11.30am.
Sunday, December 1st
Junior As away to Ballingarry at 11.30am.
Junior Bs home to Feenagh at 2.30pm.

TRAINING TIMES
The training times for our underage teams are listed below and all players should contact their respective managers with any queries regarding times etc
U-8s /U10s on Mondays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
U-12s on Thursdays from 6.15pm to 7.30pm
U-14s on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
U-16s on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Junior Bs on Tuesdays at 7.30pm and Fridays from 7pm to 8.15pm
Junior As on Fridays at 8.15pm

Pat – (087)7934417 and Denis – (087)2069900. “Very limited slots available”.
ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th

The results of our weekly lottery draw held on Monday, November 25th at JP’s are as follows
Jackpot was €11,500. Numbers drawn 8, 9, 16, 31. No Jackpot winner.
Lucky dips to the following –   Catherine Hayes, Athea. P & E Mullins, Ballingarry. Nora Shine, Athea. Mary Condon, Croom. Sean Fitzgerald c/o Batt’s Bar.
Sellers Agatha & Paudie Reidy.
New Jackpot will be €11,600 on Monday, December 2nd at The Top of the Town.

Athea GAA

Club Draw:

Our Club Draw took place Gerard White’s bar on Saturday night last and once again thanks to everyone who supported our draw again this year. The following are the winners of Saturday night’s draw:

€500 Denis Lane, Knocknasna, Abbeyfeale.

€250 Thady Hunt, Coole West, Athea.

€150 Joe Kelly, Knocknaboul, Athea.

€150 Paudie Woulfe, South Keale, Athea.

€150 Kevin O’ Keeffe, Rathronan, Athea.

€150 Mary White, Glenagore, Athea.

Friday November 15:

U21 Feale Rangers(Athea/Mountcollins):

Feale Rangers played St. Kierans on a very cold Friday night last in Mick Neville Park, where only a win would do the Athea/Mountcollins combination if they were to progress to the quarter finals. We got off to the worst possible start when the opposition scored an early goal, but we settled down and started taking the game to them. A Pa Delee penalty midway through the half brought us back into the game and we trailed by only two points at the break. St. Kierans piled on the pressure early in the second half and threatened to run away with the game when they went five points clear on the scoreboard. Feale Rangers never gave up and a James Brouder goal finished off a fantastic move started by Gary Vaughan in the half back line. Soon after we went ahead when Stephen Cahill rifled the ball to the roof of the net for fantastic goal. A point from James Brouder had us two up but St. Kierans fought back and went ahead  when they scored three successive points. With minutes remaining the St. Kierans keeper brought of a fantastic save from a Pa Delee shot and from the resulting the forty five Matthew Brouder got a fist to the ball but it went over the bar to level the match. There was disappointment all around as referee Shane Hourigan blew the final whistle, but on reflection when you consider that we lost by only a single point to the two favourites, Newcastle West and Fr. Casey’s and all the team are still under age again next year, I have no doubt that in twelve months time we will be progressing to the final stages of the competition.  Team: Jonathan Fitzgerald, Jamie Lenihan, Mark O’Connor, Dylan Griffin, Gary Vaughan, Denis Greaney, Shane Mulvihill, Kevin Mahony, Stephen Cahill, Conor Moroney, Pa Delee,  Cian O’Sullivan, Kevin Murphy,  James Brouder,  Matthew Brouder,  Ryan Carroll, Liam O’Brien, Sean Casey, Diarmuid Glesson, & Emmet White.

Higher Education Senior Hurling League Division Two Final: 

The Club would like to wish Mark O’Connor the best of luck when he lines out with the Institute of technology Tralee in the HE Senior Hurling League Division two final against University of Ulster Jordanstown in Kildare on Thursday.

Old Photographs:

The Club are still looking for any old photographs or match programmes from anyone that has them in the parish. Photographs from underage teams up to Senior level, GAA Parish Socials or any photographs with a connection to the GAA club will be scanned and saved digitally,  then returned to the owner. Contact John Hunt, Lal Browne or Jacqueline O’ Connor for further details.

Athea Coiste na nÓg:

Athea Coiste na nÓg On Line

You can now view all our notes, results, fixtures and pictures of Athea Coiste na nÓg on the Athea GAA website. Just goto www.atheagaa.com and click on the “Coiste Main Page” for all the latest news and information.

Sponsorship:

The Coiste na nÓg would like to thank Paul Collins of Collins’ shop for his kind sponsorship towards the club. The Club greatly appreciate it.