The death has taken place of Joe Fitzgerald, Corbally, Kilcolman, at Limerick University Hospital on Sunday 1^st December. He was a retired member of the farming community and well known around the locality through his work and sporting pursuits. He lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home Shanagolden, on Tuesday 3^rd December from 5.30 pm, followed by removal by horse and carriage to Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman. Canon Tony O’Keeffe, assisted by Fr Tony Kelleher, Fr Joe Noonan, Fr Michael O’Connor, and Fr Gerard O’Leary concelebrated his funeral Mass on Wednesday at 12.00pm. Family members assisted in the readings, prayers of the faithful, offertory and bringing life symbols, to the altar. The symbols included his cap and stick which he was rarely seen without. A coursing cup and rosette which he won to show his great interest in greyhounds. A bridle to show his love for horses and ponies, and the sport in general. Canon O’Keeffe paid tribute to Joe during his homily describing him as a man of the land who loved nature. A man of great faith who passed away on the first Sunday of Advent and describing its meaning in the Church calendar. Joe was laid to rest in Kilcolman Cemetery on Wednesday 4^th December. We extend our sympathy to his wife Kathy, sons Seamus, and Tom, daughters Kay, and Martina, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, kind neighbours, relatives, and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has also taken place of John (Jack) Wilmott,, Blossom Hill, Rathkeale. He lay in repose at Magner’s Funeral Home Rathkeale on Tuesday 3^rd December from 7.30pm, followed by removal to Saint Kyran’s Church, Coolcappagh. He was laid to rest following 2.00pm Requiem Mass, in Lismakeera Cemetery on Wednesday 4^th December. We extend our sympathy to his wife Kathleen, son John, and extended family. May he rest in Peace.

The death took place on Monday 2^nd December, in Huddersfield, England, of Jim Doody, a native of Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry. His burial took place in Huddersfield on Tuesday 10^th December. We extend our sympathy to his sister Liz King and family Carrigkerry other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Reens Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 2^nd December. The numbers drawn were 2,17,23,30, and there was no winner of the Jackpot. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Ger Power, c/o Bus Eireann. €60 Bridie Noonan, c/o Josie. €60 Miriam and Geraldine c/o Stephen. €30 Louise Culhane c/o Moore’s. €30 Peggy Conway c/o Curley’s. €30 Ed, Thomas, and Harry, c/o Lynch’s.  Next week’s draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €8,600.

Congratulations to Michael O’Sullivan, and Patrick Enright, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 27^th November.

The County Scór Na Nóg Finals were held in Askeaton Community Hall on Friday 29^th November. Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s members who won the Set Dancing competition.  We wish them the best of luck in the Munster semi-final in Millstreet, on Sunday 12^th January commencing at 2.30pm.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry branch of Comhaltas will hold its annual Christmas Concert on this Sunday 15^th December, in Saint Molua’s Hall in Ardagh commencing at 7.30pm.

Congratulations to the members who participated in Ceol an Gheimhrídh, which was held in Saint John’s School in Limerick on Sunday 1^st December. The Ceilí Band members were winners of the competition.

Anthony Molyneaux from Carrig Celtic was a member of the Desmond League team that lost 2-0 to the Clare League in the final group match of the Oscar Traynor Trophy in Ennis on Saturday 30^th November.

Old Mill defeated Pallaskenry 3-0 away in Division 1 of the Desmond League on Sunday 1^st December. Steven Doody, 2 and Tommy Carr scored their goals.

Creeves Celtic drew 2-2 away to Ferry Rangers in Division 2, and Creeves Celtic B lost 4-1 at home to Ballingarry B in Division 3 with Jason Ahern scoring their goal.

The pupils from Ardagh National School recently donated shoe boxes for the Hope Foundation Christmas Shoe box appeal.

Limerick County Council has upgraded a number of roads in the Carrigkerry area in recent weeks. They have resurfaced and tarred stretches of roadway and made inlets to take surface water off the road and repaired broken drains, and gulley’s. They also erected barriers at Hannafin’s Cross to prevent motorists going off the road. A lot more work on the roads remains to be done to bring them up to a decent standard as they were sadly neglected for years until the new overseer for the area was appointed.

The recent closure of Anderson Ireland factory in Rathkeale is a big blow to the employees coming up to Christmas. It was a good place to work and many people spent the majority of their working life there. The jewellery factory, as it was known by, offered opportunities for many and it was within easy reach for people around the West Limerick area. A good number of people from our locality were employed there for many years, and we wish them well in their future working life.

This year we   saw a number of local books launched which would make ideal gifts or presents to give in the run up to Christmas.  Newcastle West Bookshop and the local shops will satisfy all interests in reading material.  The Kilcolman Centenary Booklet is still available to buy for just €5. This Haunted Island by Sean Goulding from Carrigkerry costs €12. A Year on our Farm by Ardagh native Ann Talbot costs €17.99.  The Irish in the American Civil War by Damien Shiels from Ardagh costs €20. The Old Moore’s Almanac, The Cork Holly Bough, Ireland’s Own Anthology and the Green and White Primary School’s magazine, are also on sale now.

A tribute night for Tim Crowley, Ballylin, Ardagh, who retired as Principal of Ardagh National School last month was held in Ardagh Community Centre on Friday 6^th December. School parents, fellow teachers, teammates, family and friends attended in large numbers to show their appreciation for the work he has done for the school and the community in general.  It was appropriate that the function was held in the building, as Tim went to School there before the present School was built and opened in 1965. He has also been involved in the Hall Committee there for the past 30 years and was the chairman of the development committee that commenced renovating it in 1993. John Hough friend and neighbor was the MC for the night, and Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas provided the entertainment.

A number of presentations were made to Tim during the evening from John Ryan Chairman of the Saint Kieran’s Senior Club. Mike Ruttle Chairman of the Saint Kieran’s Bord Na Nóg Club. Mike Daly and Evelyn Mullins on behalf of Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas. Mairead Moran, and John Campbell, on behalf of Ardagh School Parents Council. Nora Madden, Principal of Coolcappa N.S. Donie Sheahan, on behalf of the Ardagh Fianna Fail Branch. John Mullins, Joan Molyneaux, and Patrick Mullins, on behalf of the Ardagh Development, and Hall Committee. Tommy Greaney on behalf of the Saint Kieran’s team that won the 1981 County senior Football Championship for the first time. Joan Molyneaux made a special personal presentation to Tim, they being the two members longest associated with Ardagh Hall. Moira Donovan presented Tim’s wife Maura Crowley with a bouquet of flowers. Tim in reply outlined his life and times, and his love for his native place. He thanked all the teachers, and people he has been associated with over the years, and the people who made the night possible. The night concluded with refreshments, chat and nostalgia, and we all wish Tim good health and happiness in his retirement.

Carrigkerry/Old Mill Development Association are holding their annual church gate collection, on this coming Saturday14th in Ardagh, and Sunday 15^th in Carrigkerry. The proceeds from the collection will go towards the ongoing costs of the Community Employment Scheme.

The annual Milford Hospice Light up a Memory ceremony takes place on Sunday 15^th December at 6pm. People are invited to sponsor a light on the Milford Hospice tree which can be dedicated to someone special or as a Christmas gift. Lights can be sponsored from now until Christmas, and will shine throughout the Christmas season. To sponsor a light on the Light up a Memory tree, simply call the Fundraising Department at Milford Hospice on 061-485859 or 061- 485860 (Monday-Friday, 9am -5pm) Alternatively you can register online by visiting www.milfordcarecentre.ie  For each light sponsored (€5) you will receive a Light up a Memory book which will be on display in the Hospice throughout the coming year. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Knockfierna Heritage Society are holding a special Rambling House 2^nd anniversary remembering the late Johnny Donegan, at the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West on Sunday 15^th December at 7.30pm. A raffle will be held and the admission is free.

Saint Kieran’s GAA Club is hosting a charity road hurling competition, on Saturday 28^th December, around the Ardagh countryside.  Three members will make up the participating team, and all interested are asked to contact Secretary Ivan Neary in the coming week.