The death has taken place of Nora Kiely (nee Mullane) wife of the late Ned, Lisgordan, Ardagh at University Hospital Limerick on Tuesday April 15^th. She was a native of Ballyhahill, and the youngest of a family of six. She attended Ballyhahill School and worked locally before her marriage to Ned 50 years ago. She became a homemaker to Ned and her family and was a quiet and reflective person. She was a woman of great faith, and the Rosary was always recited in the house.  She got great enjoyment from her grand-children, and great- grandchild in recent times. She will be sadly missed by family relatives and friends.

She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West, on Wednesday April 16^th from 6.pm until 8pm. Her remains arrived at Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Holy Thursday for Funeral Service at 11.30am. It was celebrated by Fr Denis Mullane P.P. Coolcappa/Kilcolman, who paid tribute to Nora during the service, which was enriched by the singing of the local choir. Family members participated in the readings, and the prayers of the faithful, and large crowds attended on both days to pay their last respects. Nora was laid to rest in Kilcolman Cemetery on Thursday April 17^th. We extend our sympathy to her son Pat, daughters Mary, Margaret, Nora, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes to Seán Nolan son of Gerry and Ursula, Ballyegna, Ardagh and Ava Moore, daughter of Jim and Mary, Kilmihill, Ballingarry who were married recently in the Church of the Immaculate Conception Ballingarry. Fr Jim Moore, CC Mallow was the celebrant, and the reception was held in Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee.

Congratulations to Mary O’Sullivan Saint Mary’s Terrace, Carrigkerry who won €4,500 in a recent Euro Million Draw.

A meeting of the Ardagh Chalice Committee was held in Ardagh Community Centre on Thursday April 3^rd. They reviewed a very successful Irish Night held at Neary’s Bar and thanked all the entertainers and all who supported the event. The committee is seeking sponsorship towards the cost of putting in place a plaque and monument in the Church grounds commemorating the finding of the Ardagh Chalice in 1868. The costs to date include Concrete €200, Steel €50, Limestone slabs €780, Stone €1,450, Shrubs €300, Electrician €200, Total €2,980. Any business people or individuals interested in sponsoring any of these are asked to contact the treasurer Mike Daly and Nora Kennelly.

Congratulations to Marcella O’Grady, Glenbawn, and Dooley’s Pharmacy Newcastle West who  recently received the Newcastle West Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Award  for January/February from Matt O’Callaghan Weekly Observer, and Ann Liston, President Newcastle West and District  Chamber of Commerce.

Congratulations to Ger Guina, Carrigkerry who completed the Manchester Marathon in 3 hours 16 minutes and 43 seconds on Sunday April 6^th.

Congratulations to Old Mill U-14 girls who are the 2014 County Féile football champions after defeating Saint Ailbe’s  by 4-2 to 0-6 in the final at Adare on Sunday April 6^th. The winning members were Sophie Hennessy, Amy Ryan,  Amy O’Shea, Tara McCarthy, Kate Ambrose,  Tara Geraghty, Kate Downes, Sophie Liston, Cathy Ambrose,  Holly Meredith,  Niamh Foley,  Roisin Mann,  Geri- Mai O’Kelly, Captain Niamh Mullins, Roisin Ambrose, Meadbh Ambrose,  Michelle, Mc Carthy,  Katelynn Hayes, Sophia Meredith,  Muireen Donovan, Iris Kennell, Aisling McEnery, Arianne  Reidy,  Mentors Jimmy Duggan, Donal Donovan, Donal McEnery.  The Old Mill will represent Limerick in the national final in Galway in June.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Monday April 14^th. The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 16, 25, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Tim Roche c/o Josie. €60 Kay Ryan, Coolacokera, Ardagh. €60  John Mullins Jun c/o Neary’s. €30 Julia Mackessey, Coolanoran, Ardagh. €30 The Stooges c/o Moore’s. €30 E and J O’Donoghue c/o Reen’s. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €12,000.

We extend belated congratulations to Eilis Casey Coolcappa on her appointment last September as principal of Scoil na Trionóide Naofa in Doon.  Three local schools were amalgamated to form the new secondary school which has over 800 pupils.  Eilis Casey from the Saint Kieran’s club was Bean a Tí at the recent Munster Senior Scór Finals at the Concert Hall UL.   She is a past All Ireland winner of Senior Scor for the recitation event and a very talented actress in drama circles. We wish her well in this most demanding role.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Drom /Broadford by 0-13 to 1-9 in the West Limerick Senior Football Quarter Final at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Saturday April 12^th.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Ballysteen by 1-9 to 0-6 in Round 1 of the West Junior B Football League at Coolcappa on Thursday April 10^th.

Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Sean Finns by 5-14 to 0-4 in the West Minor Football Championship at The Bog Garden Rathkeale on Friday April 4^th.

Old Mill lost 3-1 at home to Rathkeale B in Division 1 of the Desmond League on Sunday April 13^th. Patrick Histon scored their goal.

Creeves Celtic B defeated Feenagh B 3-1 at home in the Division 3 League Cup Group A with goals from Denis Nestor, 2 and Mark Hennessy.

The recent Eigse Michael Hartnett festival held in Newcastle West was another very successful three days of varied events in honour of one of the most admired poets of recent times. The line up of guests and speakers who attended was a fine tribute to the late and lamented Michael who would have approved of and enjoyed the festival if he was still around. The hard working committee, which includes James Lawlor from Carrigkerry, deserves high praise for their work in presenting the festival which is now in its 14^thyear. James is also a director of Limerick National City of Culture 2014.

The latest issue of the Green and White Limerick GAA Youth Magazine is available at present. This is issue 53 and it is another fine colourful publication with lots of interesting articles and photos. Iris Kennelly captain of the West Limerick team who won the County Larkin Shield in 2013 and the Ardagh N.S. team that won the West Division 1 Girls title in 2013 are pictured. Patrick Molyneaux from Ardagh who has been refereeing school matches for many years is also in the spotlight.

The Newcastle West branch of the Irish Red Cross Society will hold their annual party for the residents of Cahermoyle Nursing Home in Ardagh, on this Thursday 24^th April, commencing at 7pm. Members of the Ceol Luimnigh group will also attend to provide entertainment.

A fundraising dance in aid of Dromcollogher Respite Centre will take place on this Friday 25^th April in the Community Hall, Dromcollogher from 9.30pm. A variety of artists will provide the music and supper will be served.  All are welcome to attend and the admission is €5.

There will be no afternoon tea dancing in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday 27^th April due to Munster playing Toulon in the Heineken Cup semi final. The organizers would like to thank everybody who helped out and who attended the dances over the season.

West Limerick 102 Community Radio are holding their 4^th Race Night in Dan Cronin’s Bar the Square Newcastle West, on Friday 2^nd May at 8pm. They are seeking people to sponsor one of the races, or to buy a horse for € 10 at present. Any business people or individuals interested are asked to contact the Radio Station on 069-66200. A great night of fun is promised and a raffle for fabulous prizes will be held.

Meditation instructor Jennifer O’Grady is offering meditation classes in Ballykenry, Ardagh starting on Saturday 3^rd May. There are six adult beginner classes available and three classes for teenagers aged 13-18 Further details from 086-0609198,ballykenrymeditation.weebly.com 

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Newcastle West is one of the 39 venues across the country to host the Darkness into Light fundraising 5k walk/run on Saturday 10^th May. It will commence in the darkness at 4.15 am at the Community Centre in the Demesne, and finish as dawn is about to break. All money raised will go to funding Pieta House in Mungret. For more information phone 061.484444. Online registration and further details are also available at dil.pieta.ie

A benefit night for Martina Tierney Barna Templeglantine will be held at the Devon Inn Hotel on Friday 27^th June. Music by Donie and Maura Nolan, and tickets cost €5 and there will be valuable prizes to be won in the raffle. Martina Ahern is a native of Carrigkerry village, and all support will be most welcome.

The Ballyloughane School Reunion (03.11.2013) DVD is now available at Gerard O’Connor’s Texaco Filling Station, Churchtown, NCW and at Moloney’s Filling Station; Carrigkerry.The contents include the Reunion Mass, Interviews Music from former pupils, children and relatives of former pupils, and snapshots of the past and snapshots of the day in question. It runs to two hours and it is priced at €10