Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Gráinne Behan, daughter of Eileen, and Eddie, Knocknagun, Carrigkerry and Andrew Bull, son of Oliver and Mary, Stoke on Trent, England, who were married in Saint Paul’s Church, Birmingham, on Saturday July 19^th. The Bridesmaids were June O’Donoghue and Leonora Wrafter, David Paverley was Best man, and Andrew Hardiman was Groomsman.  Lucy Behan was the Flower Girl and Rev Gilbert performed the ceremony. The reception was held in Highbury Hall Birmingham, and the couple will reside in Dublin.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Catherine Brouder, daughter of Margaret and Jimmy, Ballinabearna, Old Mill and Michael Fitzpatrick, son of Catherine and Seamus, Ashford, who were married in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Friday July 25^th.   The ceremony was performed by Fr Paddy Bowen, Athea, Fr Larry Madden, Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Fr John Keating, Killeedy. The reception was held in the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Nora, and Pa O’Connor, Glenastar, Ardagh, who celebrated their 40^thwedding anniversary with family and friends at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West, on Saturday July 26^th.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Breda, O’Connor, Glensharrold and Denis Falahee, Athea   who also celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary in Tipperary over the same weekend. Nora and Breda are sisters, and both couples were married on the same day.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future also to Joan and Dan Madigan, Grouse Lodge, Ardagh, who celebrated their 50^th Wedding anniversary with family and friends in The Old Stand Shanagolden, on Saturday July 26^th.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Mary Brouder, Knocknaclugga, who celebrated her 80^th birthday on Thursday July 24^th A native of Ballinabearna Mary has a great interest in local Radio and is to be seen out and about on a regular basis.

Congratulations to Nancy Daly, Ardagh, who won the Glamorous Granny Award at the Newcastle West Show which was held on Sunday July 20^th.

Limerick County Council workers commenced a cleanup of the ghost estate in Carrigkerry village on Monday July 7^th.  It had been described as the worst in the county with rubble, unused material and rubbish all round the site and a number of foundations left in a dangerous condition for the past five years or so. Sewerage was running from the site along the road and entering the nearby river causing a major health hazard for all people passing it. The cleanup is to be welcomed and hopefully this is the last we will see of further development in this site.

The death has taken place of Hannah Mai (Mai) Naughton, nee O’Brien, Shanid Lower, Shanagolden and Beechwood Avenue, Newcastle West, peacefully in the loving care of the staff and friends of Saint Catherine’s Nursing Home, Newcastle West on Wednesday July 23^rd.  She lay in repose at her daughter Mary Reidy’s residence at Shanid Lower, on Friday July 18^th from 5pm followed by removal to Shanagolden Church. The Requiem Mass was celebrated there on Saturday at 12 noon followed by burial in Kilmoylan Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her daughters Mary Reidy and Anne O’Riordan, sister Nelly Noonan, grandchildren Aine, Francis and Michael, sons-in-law Mike,and Frank, nephews and nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday July 28^th. The numbers drawn were 12,17,27,30, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Alan Rice c/o Bus Eireann. €60 Donovan Family Shanagolden. €60 B O’Connor and Josie, Templeglantine.      €30 Emmett O’Connor, Ballyhahill. €30 Margaret Sheahan, Ardagh. €30 Anna Mary c/o Neary’s. Next week’s draw will be held in The Old Mill Bar and the Jackpot will be €6,000.

The Limerick GAA Club Draw for July was held during the Sports Show on Limerick Live 95 FM on Saturday July 26^th. Saint Kieran’s had no winner, and the next draw will be held on Saturday 30^th August.

Congratulations to the following members of Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas who were prize winners at the recent Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan in Killarney. James O’Connor, Kilcolman, 1^st in bodhran 15-18 category. Donal Burke, Cappagh, 1^st in U-12 flute slow airs. Eoin Burke, Cappagh, 3^rd in English singing 12-15 category. We wish them the best of luck in Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Sligo on 10^th – 17^th August.

Congratulations to Mike Flynn, Glensharrold who recently participated in the Big Charity Fight Night held in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine. He donated his charity money to the Crumlin Children’s Hospital Dublin.

Meabh Mulcahy, Ide Trant and Sinead Mulcahy, were members of the Newcastle West team panel that defeated Granagh/Ballingarry by 2-8 to 2-6 in the County Camogie Senior A League Final in Ballyagran on Saturday July 26^th.

Carrig Celtic held their annual general meeting in their dressing rooms on Thursday July 17^th before an attendance of twenty. The Chairman John O’Connor got proceedings under way and the secretary’s and treasurers reports were delivered. The election of officers followed and the following were put in place for the coming season. President Kit Flynn, Chairperson Cathal O’Sullivan,  Vice-Chairperson Anthony Liston, Joint Secretaries Timmy King, and Noel O’Connor, Treasurer Seamus King,  Ass-Treasurer Mike Murphy,  Child Welfare Officer Catherine Hayes, PRO Timmy King with assistance from the various managers. Finance sub-committee Denise O’Connor, Maggie O’Connor, Cormac Behan, Mike Flynn, and P.J. Stack. The various team managers were also appointed before the meeting closed.

Congratulations to Jack Woulfe and Mike Robinson, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday July 18^th.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill and Vinny Wrenn, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday July 25^th.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Newcastle West by 0-8 to 0-2 in the West Senior Football Championship Final in Father Casey’s Gaelic Grounds Abbeyfeale, on Saturday July 26^th. It was a disappointing encounter that left supporters wondering what has happened to the game of football that provided so much enjoyment when these two teams met in times past. The match saw ten points scored with four from play and twenty three wides kicked as both teams adopted defensive formations. This led to a lot of aimless running into cul de sacs, turning over possession, and fouling from too much congested play. The players may enjoy this type of football but supporters of this type of Basketball football are getting fewer by the match and only the die hards are now attending matches. 

Saint Kieran’s trailed by 3pts to 1 point at half-time, with Anthony Molyneaux scoring from a close in free. Sean Mc Sweeney from another free left them two points in arrears, entering the closing stages. Newcastle West availed of their chances to score four late points to run out deserving six point winners, and claim their first title in 16 years. Kevin Meade and Darragh Treacy were unavailable for selection. TEAM:  Patrick Histon, James Windle, (Captain) Paudie McCarthy, Brendan McCarthy, Diarmuid Crowley, Gavin Hayes, Maurice Shine, Johnny McCarthy, Timmy Carroll, Sean McSweeney 0-1 John Doyle, Jack Ben Harnett,  Ray Cahill, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-1  Diarmuid Carroll. Subs: Mike Flynn, Donal Nolan, Niall O’Sé. Manager Kieran Madigan, Selectors Noel Broderick, Padraig Dillon, Tommy Greaney, Mike Meade.

The best of home grown vegetables and fruit is available to purchase locally each Saturday afternoon for the month of August from 2-6pm .It is grown without the use of pesticides and it is fresh and tastes lovely and contact 087-2770679 for all the details. 

Ardagh Parents Council are holding a bag packing day in Tesco Newcastle West on this Saturday 9^th August. The committee would appreciate help on the day and all support from the general public would be greatly appreciated.

The annual Mass in Knockpatrick Graveyard will be celebrated on this coming Sunday 10^th August at 2.30pm. This historic graveyard in the Foynes/Shanagolden parish is one of the highest in the county and it commands a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside.  The committee keeps it in fine condition and the Mass always attracts a large crowd and all are welcome to attend.

Fifty acres of land at Coolacorkera, Ardagh, is for sale by public Auction at the Courtenay Lodge Hotel, Newcastle West on Friday 22^nd August at 3pm.The land is located off the primary N21 Rathkeale, Newcastle West road and only a short distance from Ardagh village. It is divided into four fields and it also includes a slatted unit for 50 cattle.

The annual West Limerick pilgrimage to Lourdes will depart on Wednesday 20^th August for five nights on a direct flight from Shannon Airport. A Spiritual Director will accompany the pilgrimage and full board at the Hotel Roissy. Contact Pat on 069-62306 for the itinerary and booking forms.