The death has taken place of Ita Lynch (nee Geaney) Glenastar, Ardagh wife of the late Tim, on Friday 21^st February.  Ita came from a family of five and was a native of Reens, Ardagh. She attended Coolcappa N.S. and received her second level schooling in Rathkeale. She worked in a drapery shop in Newcastle West before her marriage to Tim Lynch. They set up home in Reen’s, and later moved to Glenastar, where they raised their family. Ita was a homemaker who displayed the knowledge she gained from her days working in the drapery business.  She was creative and liked to have things right and had a love of the Irish Language from her days in School. Her husband Tim died 16 years ago and it was a setback that she found hard to overcome. She enjoyed her weekly visits to the Ardagh Social Club and the games and entertainment provided there. She was a woman of great faith and a regular church attendee. In recent times she was on the monthly Communion visit list. She always looked forward to this, and would have everything in place for this visit. It was a great consolation to Ita that she could stay in her own home up to her final days. She was a fine role model for her family who can be very thankful for her long life. She was one of the oldest citizen’s in the parish and she will be sadly missed by all her family neighbours and friends.

She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Sunday 23^rd February from 6pm followed by removal to Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh. Fr Larry Madden, Fr Dan Lane, Fr Willie Russell, Fr Michael Irwin, Fr Brendan Murphy, Fr Donal O’Donovan, and Fr Jeremiah Keane concelebrated her Funeral Mass on Monday at 11.30am. Family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts. Chief Celebrant Fr Madden gave the congregation an insight into Ita’s life during his well crafted homily. Ita was laid to rest in Ardagh Cemetery on Monday 24^th February. We extend our sympathy to her sons Michael, and John, Daughters Joan White, Noreen Mulvihill, and Patricia Sexton, sister Bridie, grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has also taken place of Brendan O’Connell, 39 Templegreen, Newcastle West, and late of 4 O’Connor Park Ardagh. Brendan was a native of Glensharrold, Carrigkerry and son of the late Bernie, and was only in his mid fifties. He was one of 13 in family and he was educated in Carrigkerry N.S. and the Technical School Newcastle West. He worked in a number of places over his lifetime, including Pallas Foods, Shannon Meats, Ardagh Development and Beechwood Nursing Home. Brendan was a neighbor, and a school friend and his sudden passing on Sunday 23^rd February came as a great shock to all who knew him. He is now the fifth person to have passed on from a school photo which was taken of the pupils attending Carrigkerry N.S. in the late sixties. They all sadly died at too young an age and may they all rest in Peace. Brendan was a nephew of the late poet and writer Eithne Strong who was nationally acclaimed for her written word. He possessed her adventurous and spirited way of life as a youth. He was outgoing and good company to be with who enjoyed what life had to offer. He was cheerful and upbeat and would greet you with a genuine smile. Brendan made his own valuable contribution to family and life in general. He will be sadly missed by all he encountered along life’s highway but his memory will remain fresh in our minds.

He lay in repose at his residence 4 O’Connor Park Ardagh on Wednesday 26^th February from 6pm -8pm. His remains arrived for 11.30am prayers and Mass in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Thursday morning. Fr Larry Madden, Fr Patrick Bluett, and Fr Tony Mullins concelebrated his Requiem Mass, and family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful, offertory gifts, and delivering a tribute piece. His friends and neighbours turned out in large numbers on both days to express their sympathy and to show their support to the family. Brendan was laid to rest in Churchtown Cemetery Newcastle West on Thursday 27^th February. We extend our sympathy to his wife Angela, daughters Barbara, Marie, and Bernadette, granddaughters, mother Nora, brothers Jack, Patrick, Noel, sisters Grace, Rose, Coleen, Daisy, Breda, Christina, Eithne, Nora, and Margaret, nephews, nieces, other relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.

We extend our sympathy to Mary Moloney and family Glensharrold Carrigkerry on the recent death of her mother Mary Morey from Cobh, County Cork. May she rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday 24^th February. The numbers drawn were 1,14,19,27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Ann Molyneaux, Ardagh. €60 Margaret Sheahan, Ardagh. €60 DOD c/o Pleader’s Bar. €30 Bibi Foley c/o Noonan’s. €30 Denise and Paul Flynn c/o Moloney’s. €30 Jim Molyneaux, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in Reen’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €10,600.

Congratulations to Peg Murphy, and Joan Madigan, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 19^th February.

Congratulations to Kyle Larkin, Ard Scoil Rís Limerick who won a gold medal in the senior boys 6000 Meters race at the Munster Schools Cross Country Championships. Kyle is a son of Timmy from Reen’s Ardagh the former Saint Kieran’s and Villa Rovers player.

Congratulations to Michelle Brouder, Old Mill, who received the Ladies Football Award at the West Limerick G.A.A. All Star Banquet in Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday 22^nd February.

Ray Noonan, Saint Kieran’s played in goals for Limerick minor football team who lost by 6-12 to 0-12 in Round 3 of the Leinster Minor Football League in Belfield on Wednesday 19^th February.

Congratulations and best wishes to Ned and Kathleen Lawlor Saint Mary’ Park Rathkeale who recently celebrated their 43 wedding anniversary, Ned is a native of Knocknagun, Carrigkerry.

Congratulations to Adam Teskey, Reen’s Ardagh and Croom Macra who will represent Limerick in the 2014 national Mr Personality competition. He won the County title at the South Court Hotel on Friday 21^st February.

A meeting to discuss the placing of a plaque to remember the discovery of the Ardagh Chalice at Reerasta ring fort in 1868 was held in The Community Centre Ardagh on Thursday 20^th February. It was decided to construct a plinth to the West of the Church for the location of the plaque which Jack McKenna is working on. The cost of the work is to be assessed and the Diocesan Office contacted before any work commences. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 13^th March in the Community Centre Ardagh at 8pm.

Ardagh Drama group are back in action again this Thursday 6^th March at Rathkeale Arts Centre at 8pm. The group will present two one act plays ‘’Galway Girl’’ by Geraldine Aron, and ‘’Happy Birthday Me’’ by Simon Williams. They will put on further performances in the same venue on Wednesday 12^th Thursday 13^th and Friday 15^thMarch. The members look forward to seeing all their old friends come along to see them in action, and complimentary refreshments will be available at the interval.

The County Finals of Scór will take place at the Community Centre, Cappamore on Friday 7^th March at 8pm. All the clubs are invited to take part by participating in two of the competitions.

The 14^th annual charity céilí in aid of Chernobyl Children International will take place at the Devon Inn, Templeglantine on Friday 21^st March at 9.30pm. The music will be supplied by Taylor’s Cross Céilí Band and plenty of spot prizes will be given out. The admission is € 10 and all support will be appreciated for the fundraiser.

Ardagh National School parents council are holding a Cookery Demonstration evening in the Community Centre Ardagh on Friday 28^th March at 7pm. Tom Flavin is the chef and all the proceeds collected are for Ardagh National School.

The first issue of Athea News was published on 22nd of June 1996 and my first notes were published on 25th February 2004. The first colour photos appeared on 30th September 2009, how time flies. The ten years only seem like half the time.