By Tom Aherne

The long count is over and the posters have been taken down and we have a new 40 person Limerick Council. We congratulate all who were elected and commiserate with the defeated candidates. Stephen Goulding and Liam O’Connor from Carrigkerry lost out as the Labour party in Government received a backlash from the people for the harsh cuts they have implemented in the past three years. Nora Fahy a native of Knockfinisk who ran for Fianna Fail also lost out in Galway. The Glensharrold townland and parts of Carrigkerry were in the Newcastle West area this time and we had new faces amongst the thirteen candidates for the six seats on offer. Jerome Scanlon, Liam Galvin, Michael Collins, Seamus Browne, Francis Foley, and John Sheahan, were elected.

People cast their votes in the two booths in Ardagh N.S as follows Michael Collins, 118. John Sheahan, 58. Damien Riedy, 56. Seamus Ahern, 55. Seamus Browne, 45. Stephen Goulding, 40.Liam Galvin, 28. Christy Kelly, 24. Jerome Scanlon, 22. Francis Foley, 19. Joe Harrington, 8 Sean O’Mahony, 6. John Leahy, 2. Total 481. In Carrigkerry N.S. there was only one booth this year, and the people cast their votes for the following. Stephen Goulding, 212. Seamus Browne, 46. Michael Collins, 44. John Sheahan, 43. Seamus Ahern, 30. Christy Kelly, 26. Damien Riedy, 19. Francis Foley, 18. Liam Galvin, 17. Joe Harrington, 7. Jerome Scanlon, 7 Sean O’Mahony, 1 John Leahy, 0 Total 470.

In the new Adare/Rathkeale area eleven candidates contested for the six seats, and Emmet O’Brien, Tom Neville, Stephen Keary, Kevin Sheahan, Richard O’Donoghue, and Ciara Mc Mahon, were elected. People cast their votes in the two booths in Coolcappa N.S. as follows Stephen Keary, 137. Tom Neville, 79. Ciara Mc Mahon, 62. Kevin Sheahan, 53.  Emmet O’Brien, 40. Richard O’Donoghue, 24. James Cavanagh, 19. Kathleen Enright, 19. Rose Brennan, 15. Patrick C Fitzgerald, 7. Seamus Sheahan, 1. Total 456. In Kilcolman N.S. it went as follows Kevin Sheahan, 52. Stephen Keary, 35. Ciara Mc Mahon, 32. Emmet O’Brien, 23. Tom Neville, 21. Richard O’Donoghue, 15. Rose Brennan, 11. Kathleen Enright, 4. James Cavanagh, 3. Patrick C Fitzgerald, 0 Seamus Sheahan, 0. Total 196. The people have spoken so let us hope and demand that those who were elected can now deliver on their promises and commitments.

People were spoiled for choice with so many events taking place over the June Bank Holiday weekend. The County Fleadh Cheoil was held in the Tara Building on the Mary Immaculate College Campus in Limerick where traditional music lovers enjoyed the best of what Comhaltas has to offer. The Foynes Coffee Festival provided a lot of family entertainment both indoors and outdoors. The Circuit of Munster Motor Rally around Rathkeale was a big attraction for followers who enjoy the fast speeds, thrills and spills of the sport. The followers of Gaelic games had the Munster Football and Hurling Championship involving Limerick teams to support and to enjoy. In Athea the tidy towns launched their new fairy trail which is a very novel idea and a fantastic addition to the village. The weather was good and ideal for outdoor activities

The following are the Lottery results from the Old Mill Bar, on Monday May 26^th. The numbers drawn were 1, 2,4,16, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Mary Bennett c/o Curley’s. €60 Christy O’Connor c/o Curley’s. €60 Teresa Flavin, Listowel. €30 Josie and Maggie. €30 Betty Dillane, Ballinabearna. €30 Mike Magner c/o Reen’s Bar.  Next week’s draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €13,000.

Kate Buckingham Glenastar, Ardagh and the many other volunteers around the Newcastle West area recently presented a cheque for € 13,328.92 to Joanne Murphy of the Irish Cancer Society. The money was raised from the collections, and events held for Daffodil Day last March.

Congratulations to Mike Kiely and John Sheehy who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday May 21^st.

Congratulations to Old Mill U-14 girls who won the County A Football Championship at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale, on Monday May 26^th defeating Saint Ailbe’s to add to the Feile title won earlier in the season. The winning members were Sophie Hennessy, Amy Ryan,  Amy O’Shea, Tara McCarthy, Kate Ambrose,  Tara Geraghty, Kate Downes, Sophie Liston, Cathy Ambrose, Captain, Holly Meredith,  Niamh Foley,  Roisin Mann,  Geri- Mai O’Kelly, Captain Niamh Mullins, Roisin Ambrose, Meadbh Ambrose,  Michelle, McCarthy,  Katelyn Hayes,  Sophia Meredith,  Muireen Donovan, Iris Kennelly,  Aisling McEnery, Arianne  Reidy, Leanne Drinnane. Mentors Jimmy Duggan, Donal Donovan, Donal McEnery.  The Old Mill will represent Limerick in the national Feile final in Roscommon in June. Congratulations also to Kate Ambrose who won the Camogie skills competition and will represent Limerick in the national finals in late June.

Carrig Celtic drew 4-4 at home to Ballingarry in the Desmond Premier Division on Friday May 23^rd. Anthony Molyneaux, Gavin Hayes, Ray Brouder, and Sean O’Connor scored their goals.  They lost away to Rathkeale 4-3 on Sunday in their last game in the League.

Old Mill drew 1-1 at home to Newcastle West Rovers in Division 1 also on Sunday.

Creeves Celtic drew 1-1 at home to Athea Utd B in Division 2.

Congratulations to Tommy Dillane, Reen’s, Ardagh and Creeve’s Celtic who won the Desmond League Youths Division 2 Player of the Year Award.

Katelyn Hayes was a member of the Desmond   Girls squad who played in the U-I4 Gaynor Cup Competition over the June weekend in Limerick.

Creeves Celtic are holding their AGM on Monday 9^th June at 8.30pm in the Thatch Newbridge. They are holding their Awards Night on Sunday 16^th June also in the Thatch at 6pm.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Knockaderry by 1-18 to 0-10 in Round 1 of the West Junior B Hurling Championship played in Newcastle West on Sunday May 25^th.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Glin by 1-13 to 1-12 in the West Junior B Football League semi-Final in Athea, on Monday May 26^th. They will play Saint Senan’s in the final.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s Community Games on their recent successes as follows. Aaron Heffernan Gold medal winner, (breaststroke)and Eoghan Heffernan Silver medal winner (free-style) in swimming in Askeaton,  and John Hayes who finished 2^nd in the U-14 800 meters race at the County Cross Country Final in Mungret.  All three will now represent Limerick in the National Finals in Athlone in August.

I would like to extend good wishes to all students who are sitting their Junior and Leaving Cert exams at present.

West Limerick Resources are running a short design course in Newcastle West on Saturdays 7^th, 14^th 21^st June from 10am to 12 noon. It is part of the West Limerick Drama Initiative and the course is free of charge and open to those involved in community drama groups in West Limerick. Contact Suzanne on 069-79114 or email [email protected]

This year’s Pastoral Area Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday 8^th June. The seven parishes in this cluster area are Ardagh/Carrigkerry, Dromcollogher/Broadford, Feenagh/Kilmeedy, Kileedy, Newcastle West, Mahoonagh, and Monagea. The bus fare is € 16 and all interested are asked to forward their names to Pat Lawlor Carrigkerry on 087-2060308

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 27^th/28^th June. The U-14 girls are representing Limerick and funds are needed to finance the trip. A Clothes collection will be held on June 10^th and a Table Quiz will be held in The Silver Dollar Bar Newcastle West on Friday 20^th June. All support will be appreciated for the above events.

Kilcolman school fundraising committee will be holding a used clothes collection at the school on Friday 20th Sunday22nd and Monday 23^rd June. Clothing, bedding (not pillows/duvets) curtains, shoes, belts, handbags, all accepted. The drop off times will be announced later and many thanks for your continued support.

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.