Carrigkerry Community Council held a general meeting in the Community Centre Carrigkerry on Thursday   23^rd of January. This meeting was called to address local issues that have been in existence for years, and also issues that have arisen of late.   A good crowd was in attendance including Michael Collins M.C.C. and Stephen Goulding who is a candidate in the forthcoming Limerick County Council Elections which will be held on Friday 23^rd May. Pat King supervisor of the Community Employment Scheme in Carrigkerry/Old Mill acted as Chairman, and a good number of the attendance contributed to various issues discussed during the meeting. Pat opened the meeting and listed the loss of services in the village over the years, and the efforts made by people to address the issues arising. Denise Flynn spoke on the loss of the Social Welfare officer who held a clinic in Carrigkerry for 10 years until it was discontinued on 14^th June 2012. Denise also outlined the facts behind the threatened closure of Doctor Murphy’s Clinic which has operated in the village since 1984. She emphasised the need for increased attendance, better uptake of the medicine being dispensed and the bombardment of all politicians for the next two months to get them to lobby the Government to help retain the dispensing rights as they were up to the end of 2013.

Theresa Hayes spoke on the Children’s Playground which is waiting funding from West Limerick Recourses to move forward to prepare the site and put the playing equipment in place.  She said the committee had the support of the wider community and had raised € 6,000 as matching funds towards the funding grant. Stephen Goulding a member of the WLR Board stated that the project had been approved for a grant but funding was not available under the present Leader Project. He urged the committee to continue with their plans and fundraising and the funding should come through in the next round of Leader. Joe Dowling Chairman of the Carrigkerry/Old Mill C.E. Scheme outlined the work it does in both areas and its financial importance to the community. He stated that the 17 person Scheme brings in € 265,000 in wages, material and training grants each year which is spent mainly in the locality. The material grant funding was cut by 33% per year since January 2012 which has impacted on the work that can be done after insurance, safety gear, equipment, audit bank charges and administration are paid for.

Michael Collins spoke on several issues including the Property Tax, Leader funding and the Ardmoyle Ghost Estate in between the Community Centre and the Church. He announced that a Liquidator has been appointed and this may lead to a clean up of the estate. A dispute between the developer and Limerick County Council over the sewerage being connected to the main village sewer appears to be the cause of the sewerage flowing along the roadway and into the nearby river. Jan O’Sullivan the Minister in charge of Housing and the clean up of Ghost Estates has promised to visit the Village on Saturday 1^st February to see the problems there and to meet the people involved. This meeting has been arranged by Stephen Goulding, and was seen as a positive development.  A fund of 10 Million has been put in place nationwide to oversee this blight on our lovely countryside. The other issues raised and discussed included health and safety, footpaths; refuse bins, grotto lights, Broadband, Saorview car park and the figure of a swan put in place by L.C.C. The money from the Household charge, and Property Tax was promised to be used for local services, and instead was kept by the Government for their own needs. The majority of people paid in good faith but it turned out to be another stealth tax. This was a major cause of annoyance to people in rural areas like Carrigkerry who paid in good faith, expecting better roads footpaths, and other services.

The meeting was held to give the people a chance to air their views, on the direction their village is heading in and this was achieved. The general opinion from the people present was that action was now needed after years of promises and neglect from County Council’s and Governments.  The people were urged to engage with the candidates, when they called seeking votes for the local Elections and to quiz them on their past performances, on promises made and their plans for the future, of small villages like Carrigkerry. It was decided to hold a follow-up public meeting with the TD’s in the local electrical areas, and the candidates contesting the Newcastle West area in the Limerick County Council Elections, in Carrigkerry Community Centre, on Monday 3^rd February at 8.30pm, and all are welcome to attend.

The following are the Lottery results from Foley’s Bar, Reens on Monday 20th January. The numbers drawn were 3, 4, 21, 24, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Ciara Ambrose, Old Mill. €60 Pat Liston, Ardagh. €60 Marita Davis, c/o Curley’s. €30 Jack Flaherty, Carrigkerry. €30 Noreen Barry c/o Neary’s. €30 Geraldine Woulfe, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held at Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €9,600.

Congratulations to all the local school students who participated in the recent BT Young Scientists and Technology Exhibition held in Dublin.

Kilcolman National School Wren Group would like to thank all the people who supported them on Saint Stephen’s Day. They raised the total of €1,987.62 which will go towards the new building fund.

Carrig Celtic drew 2-2 away to Shannonside F.C. in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday 19th January. Ray Cahill, and Francis Moore, scored the goals.

Creeves Celtic defeated Knockaderry 3-2 at home in the quarter final of the Richard Hogan Cup. James Naughton, 2 and James Bridgeman, scored the goals.

Carrig Celtic B lost 6-0 at home to Shountrade in Division 3 of the Desmond League.

Carrig Celtic ladies defeated Kilbeheney 3-2 at home in Division1 of the Desmond Ladies League. Anne Mc Sweeney, Bridget Liston, and Michelle Smith, scored the goals.

The very popular Irish dancing and Sean Nós dancing class continues in the Resource Centre in Knockaderry each Wednesday night. The Irish dancing class from 7pm, Sean Nós from 8pm, and adult’s class from 9pm. New members are always welcome to join up for the fun and fitness. For more details contact 087-1343745.

West Limerick 102 is currently running an 8 week training course at its studios in Newcastle West for those over 55 who would be interested in learning how to produce a monthly radio programme aimed at older members of our community.  The course runs each Monday and Wednesday from 2pm  to 3.30pm and is free of charge.  Full details can be got by contacting Connie at West Limerick 102 on 069 66200. 

Maura Nolan from Kilcolman, and a native of Knockfinisk, Athea, is launching her first CD in Saint Ita’s Hospital Newcastle West on this Thursday 30^th January at 2pm. A second launch will take place on Friday 14^th February at the Top of the Town Pub in Athea. They will be music, song fun and enjoyment at both venues and the CD will be on sale for € 15. The CD is also on sale from reception in Saint Ita’s, and also at Maura’s live performances. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the CD will be donated to the Friends of Saint Ita’s Hospital. Am Le Cheile which translates to Time Together, features 13 tracks including a mixture of tunes and songs, showcasing Maura’s voice and musical talents. Maura has established her own niche in music circles as a solo performer and as part of such groups as Maura and the Ferrymen, Donie and Maura, (with her husband Donie Nolan) and Taylors Cross. She has been performing locally and internationally at dances, weddings, funerals, and other social events for the past 30 years. The inspiration for the CD came from her musical involvement with residents of Saint Ita’s Hospital and other local Nursing Homes. Many songs were gifted to her through the memories of these elderly residents transporting them to bygone times. It was through this exchange that Maura furthered her appreciation for the profound impact that music and song have at any stage of people’s lives. We wish her well with the CD which should attract a lot of attention from her fans around the West Limerick area.

Fr Larry Madden P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry has included the following notice in the Parish Weekly Bulletin.

The Parish Hall and the Parish Field are two great facilities in the area to help with the development of the very many talented young people in our locality. It is important that such facilities would be used to the maximum. However I do appeal to all adults involved in organizing any events in Ardagh Parish Hall/Parish Sportsfield to always take into account the times of the weekend Masses in the Parish.  I also ask you to pay special attention to the times of our Holy Week ceremonies. No other events should take place during the triduum of that week. Now is the time to consider these matters as you fill out your diary for the coming year.

Unislim classes are held in Kilcolman Community Creche on Wednesday’s from 6.45pm to 8.30pm. Express weigh and go 6.45pm to 7pm. Men only class 8.30pm to 9pm.

The Desmond Foxhounds will meet in Kilcolman on Sunday 2^nd February at 11am.

The Saint Kieran’s Bord na Nóg A.G.M will take place in Ardagh Community Centre on Monday 3^rd February at 8.30pm, and all are welcome.