by Tom Aherne

The posters were put up on April 23rd and the thirteen candidates contesting the Newcastle West Electoral area are now on the last few laps of their campaign. I have never seen as many posters before adorning all the ESB and Phone poles, as well as the road signs, and grass margins, around the locality. This year they are moving farther away from the villages with the posters, and a lot of them are erected deep into the countryside. The standard size posters cost €5.50 I hear, so it is a costly business to run a campaign. The month of May is always a good time for an election with the bright evenings, and summer like weather a bonus for canvassing. Carrigkerry will have two candidates bidding for election for the first time in the 125 year history of the local elections. Stephen Goulding from Carrigkerry lives in Newcastle West, and he will contest the Newcastle West area for the second occasion after coming very close to be elected five years ago. Stephen is the current Vice-Principal at Listowel Community College, and he has been very active in political circles since, and hopes to make the breakthrough this time. Liam O’Connor, from the village will contest the Cork South Central area which covers (Carrigaline, Douglas, Togher, Wilton, and Ballincollig) on Friday May 23rd. Liam has been the secretary of the Carrigaline Labour branch for the past four years, and he works in Janssen Biologics in Ringasiddy. This will be his first time running and he hopes to succeed the retiring Councilor Paula Desmond on Cork County Council. They say that all politics are local so best wishes to Stephen, and Liam, on this Friday. I would urge all people to cast their votes, as the new makeup of Limerick Council will need strong voices from all areas to ensure the county will get their fair share of funds.

Congratulations to the pupils of Carrigkerry National School who received the sacrament of Holy Communion in Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Sunday May 11th.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Nora Barrett, Rooskagh, West Carrigkerry who celebrated her 90th birthday on Tuesday May 20th. She is an inspiration to us all with her pleasant and outgoing personality and involvement in singing and dancing.  She was present at the recent Irish night in the Flag Floor and entertained all present with her singing of “The Foot of Sliabh Bloom.”

The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday May 12th. The numbers drawn were 3, 8, 10, 21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Charlie and Tom c/o Reen’s. €60 Cian and Shay Greaney, Kilcolman. €60 Mike Molyneaux Ardagh. €30 Aine and Peg O’Connor, Commons, Ardagh. €30 Joan Bridgeman, c/o Curley’s. €30 Michael Ambrose, c/o Curley’s. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €12,800.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Killeedy by 2-9 to 2-5 in Round 2 Group 2 of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship at wet and windy Newcastle West Gaelic Ground’s on Friday May 9th. The team played with great heart and determination after a slow start that saw them trail by 7 points after 15 minutes of play. A succession of points, and holding Killeedy scoreless, saw them trail by 2-3 to 0-6 at half time. A good start to the second half saw them wipe out the lead and take command of the contest. They say that goals win matches and Darragh Treacy and Ian Mackessey delivered a brace to leave them four ahead with 10 minutes to play. The team was reduced to 14 players after a flare up but this made them more determined than ever to hold out for a well deserved win. An eleven point turnaround was very pleasing for the team and their supporters, as a win for the club over Killeedy in hurling is as rare as hen’s teeth. TEAM John Greaney, James Windle, Paudie Mc Carthy, Brendan Mc Carthy, Sean Windle, Patrick Windle, 0-1 Mike Windle, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-5 Michael Flynn, 0-2, Mossie Shine,  Darragh Treacy,1-0 Ray Cahill, Danny Collum, Johnny Mc Carthy, 0-1 Jack Ben Harnett, Subs Ian Mackessey, 1-0 Chris Madigan.

Congratulations to Meadbh Ambrose, Roisin Mann, Iris Kennelly, and Tara Mc Carthy from Ardagh N.S. who were members of the West Limerick team who won the Primary School’s Interdivision Camogie Championship at the Gaelic Ground’s in Limerick on Thursday May 8th.  They defeated East Limerick by 7-8 to 0-0 in the semi- final and Limerick City by 4-4 to 0-1 in the final.

Carrig Celtic drew 1-1 at home with Newcastle Utd in the Premier Division of the Desmond League, on Sunday May 11th.

Creeves Celtic lost 5-1 at home to Newcastle West B in Division 2 and Creeves Celtic B drew 1-1 away to Broadford B in the Division 3 League Cup Group A.

Carrig Celtic B lost 9-1 away to Bally Rovers in the Division 3 League Cup Group B.

Congratulations to Aoife King Carrig Celtic who received the Division 1 Youth Player of the Year Award at the Desmond Ladies League awards night at Cronin’s Bar Newcastle West on Saturday May 10th.

The death has taken place of Kevin Hannafin, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry at Milford Hospice Limerick on Wednesday May 14th. Kevin was sixty four years old and husband of Nellie O’Connor, who died on February 15th 1980. Kevin was one of seven in family and he was predeceased by his sisters, Joan, and Peg. He attended Carrigkerry N.S. and he was employed by Shannon Meats Rathkeale for many years. Kevin also worked in Foynes coal yard and for Limerick County Council, and Carrigkerry/Old Mill Development Association. In his youth he participated in sports and hunting and supported the local teams. He went out in the wren with Glensharrold and Carrigkerry groups and liked a social drink in the company of friends.  The loss of his wife after twelve years of marriage was a hard cross for Kevin to carry. The onset of illness, led to early retirement, from work which he replaced with his other interests.  He took up farming and his cattle kept him busy. He had a good interest in machinery which he used to good effect around his holding. Kevin needed regular Hospital care for the past eight years, which he fitted in with his work around house and land. He kept in touch with Church ceremonies on his parish radio link and received Communion on a regular basis. He will be sadly missed by his family neighbours,  and by his many friends.

He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West, on Thursday May 15th from 6pm followed by removal to Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry. Fr Larry Madden and Fr Denis Mullane concelebrated his Requiem Mass on Friday at 11.30am, and family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful, and the offertory gifts. His nephew thanked all who had been so helpful to Kevin over his lifetime, and Donie supplied appropriate music. A large crowd was in attendance to pay their final respects to Kevin and to offer their sympathy to family members. Kevin was laid to rest beside his late wife Nellie, in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West on Friday May 16th. We extend our sympathy to his sister Breda, brothers, Tom, John, and Dermot, sisters-in-law, brother –in-law, nieces. nephews, neighbours, and friends.  May he rest in Peace.

We extend sympathy to the O’Connor family Glenastar, Ardagh, on the death in April of their sister Breda Tobin in Florida USA. She left for America at a young age, and enjoyed a successful career in business. She returned regularly on holiday until illness took hold eight years ago. We extend sympathy also to her husband and son, and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Mike Robinson and Jack Woulfe, who were prizewinners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday May 9th.

Noel McCarthy from Limerick has compiled a book based on a rare collection of traditional music tunes collected by his grandfather John Mc Carthy from Cappamore. Noel, whose mother Maureen O’Connor comes from Carrigkerry village, is a musician and fiddle player in his own right, and a member of the renowned Glensharrold Wrenboy Group. He is a founding member of the University of Limerick traditional music group Cruinniu in 2006 and featured on and produced their CD a year later. His love of music inherited from his grandfather led him to research the material for the book which will be on sale in O’Mahoney’s and Eason’s bookshops in Limerick. The book John Mc Carthy of Cappamore, Ireland, His Irish Traditional Music Manuscripts 1876-1912 will be launched in O’Dwyers Pub, Cappamore on this Friday 23rd May at 9pm by writer and University of Limerick librarian Dr Mícheál Ó hAodha and Peig Ryan musician and music teacher in Murroe.

A student exam Mass will be celebrated in Saint Kyran’s Church, Coolcappa on Saturday May 24th at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend and show their support to the students who are preparing for their exams, and to wish them the best of luck.

Old Mill ladies football club are holding a number of fundraising events in preparation for their trip to the All Ireland Feile Na Nóg Finals in Roscommon on 27th/28th June. The U-14 girls are representing Limerick and funds are needed to finance the trip. A Table Quiz will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh on this Saturday 24th May.  All support will be appreciated for the above event.

The annual Saint Pio National Pilgrimage to Holy Cross Abbey near Thurles will take place this coming Sunday 25th May.  A coach will depart from the Market Yard Newcastle West at 9.30am, and will pick up pilgrims along the way. To book a seat contact Pat on 069-62306