The death has taken place of Augustine (Gus) Lawlor, Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry peacefully on Wednesday August 6^th at Chestnut Garden Newcastle West. Gus was born on February 27^th 1951 in Sugarhill, Templeglantine. The Lawlor family also lived in Glendarrough, before their move to Knocknagun, Carrigkerry in 1960. Gus went to National school in Templeglantine, and he cycled to the Technical School in Newcastle West. He had a very interesting working life which included time spent in Nash’s Garage, Newcastle West and on building sites in Shannon, and in England during the 1970s. On his return from England he worked with silage contractors, and he looked after the family farm. He enjoyed the outdoor work in the bog and meadow, and looking after the animals. He was very interested in cattle, and horses, and he attended all the local horse fairs. He also liked attending Fleadh Cheoil’s, and dancing and music and enjoying family time. In later years he worked for Carrigkerry Development Association on their FAS Scheme, and he did some bartending in Moore’s bar. His health gradually deteriorated over the years, until his final illness was diagnosed over a year ago. He received excellent health care during this time, which was a source of comfort to the family. He will be sadly missed by all his family relatives and many friends from near and far, but remembered for his good qualities in life.

He lay in repose at his home in Ballyloughane on Wednesday August 6^th from 5pm to 8pm, and large crowds attended to pay their final respects and to show support to the family. The Cremation ceremony was held at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, County Cork on Thursday August 7^th. We extend our sympathy to his wife Catherine, children Dane, Jemma, Oran, Suzanne, Natasha, daughter-in-law Andrea, brothers Ned, Con , and Pat, sisters Anne O’Dwyer, and Mary Young,  grand-daughters,  mother-in-law Maureen,  aunts, nephews, nieces other relatives and friends May he rest in Peace.

Mass was celebrated on the feast of Saint Molua in Ardagh graveyard on Monday August 4^th. The celebrant was Fr Larry Madden, and he also led the procession to Saint Molua’s well reciting the Rosary and prayers. People did the rounds at the well and also took home bottles of water to be used during the year. There was a large attendance present which was spoilt a little by the rainfall during the open air ceremony.

The following are the Lottery results from the Old Mill Bar. The numbers drawn were 3, 8, 16, 21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Tom Tierney, Reens East. €60 Patrick Mullins, Glenville. €60 Moira O’Donovan, Ardagh. €30 Joan Bridgeman, Rathreigh. €30 Mary Kiely, Lisgordan. €30 John and Catherine Noonan, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €6,400.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Newcastle West by 0-19 to 0-6 in the West Junior B Hurling Championship Quarter Final at Quaid Park Coolyroe on Bank Holiday Monday August 4^th.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill, and Vinny Wrenn, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday August 1^st.

The death has taken place of the renowned artist Jack Donovan, who lived in Ballykeeffe, Limerick and who was associated with Grouse Lodge, and Kilcolman. He was aged 80 and he passed on after a short illness in Limerick University Hospital. He was born on March 11^th 1934, and he was one of five children born to Dan and Peg Donovan from Rathkeale. Jack was brought up in a thatched cottage, in Grouse Lodge by his grandparents, as his mother passed away 77 days after he was born at the age of 35. He attended Kilcolman National School for a time before returning to Rathkeale. He began his studies at the Limerick School of Art in 1951 He was the head of the Limerick School of Art from 1962 to 1978 and amongst his students were acclaimed artists John Shinnors, Brian Mc Mahon, and Henry Morgan. His work is included in the collections of the Arts Council of Ireland, Arts Council of Great Britain, Academy of Visual Art Sweden, CIE Limerick City Gallery of Art and the National Self-Portrait Collection.

The President of Limerick Institute of Technology, Dr Maria Hinfelaar said: ‘It is with deepest regret that we heard of the passing of Jack Donovan, and our thoughts are first and foremost with his wife Eileen and family. Jack was so many great things rolled into one; a husband and father, a great friend, a gifted artist, a wonderful character, a teacher, mentor and inspiration to countless other artists’. ‘We were privileged in March of this year when work of his was featured in the Personal Choice exhibition brought together by one student John Shinnors, and equally delighted when he joined us here to launch the exhibition. As a student, teacher, colleague and Head of School he leaves a lasting legacy that will be followed in years and decades ahead. We are fortunate at LSAD to have worked with an immensely gifted artist as Jack Donovan but so saddened by his passing.

Jack held an exhibition in Rathkeale in 1999 and Paul M. O’Reilly director of Limerick City Gallery of Art at the time in a speech at the launch said: ‘’Jack Donovan paints like no one else not evenly remotely like he does. There is the element of almost child-like fun and humour in the stylization and caricature found in much of his work.’’ John B Keane the Listowel playwright was one of his early subjects to portray as he worked in Dan Donovan’s Chemist in Rathkeale for a while. Collections of his sketches feature many of the Limerick poet Desmond O’Grady and the actor Richard Harris. His work, he said, was inspired by imagery from his childhood – Duffy’s Circus, the cinema, and plays in Rathkeale. He was cremated in a private ceremony on Wednesday June 25^th in Cork. We extend our sympathy to his wife, Eileen, son Dan, daughter Jane, sister Mary, brothers Peter, Tim, and Donie, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends May he rest in Peace

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.

The annual Mass will be celebrated at Borrigone Blessed Well on this Friday 15^th August at 3pm, and all are welcome. People can attend at any time to pray and to do the rounds and recite the Rosary. The older generation also brought home a bottle of the water from the well to bless people leaving their houses after a visit. This day is a lovely age old tradition and long may it continue.

Kilcolman Rovers soccer club are holding registration for girls U-10, U-12, U-14, and U-16, boys and girls U-8, and boys U-10 and U-12, will take place in the Dressing Rooms in Ardagh Sportsfield on Monday 18^thand Tuesday 19^th August, at 7.30pm.

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.

The Ardagh Chalice Project Group has produced a monument to commemorate the Ardagh Chalice hoard found at Reerasta Ardagh in September 1868. The monument will be unveiled on Saturday 30^th August in the presence of Bishop Brendan Leahy, outside Saint Molua’s Parish Church Ardagh. The evening is planned out as follows: 7.30pm Mass in the church followed by the unveiling and blessing of the monument. 8.45. A number of speeches and presentations in the nearby Community Centre. 9.30 Tea and sandwiches, and chat and discussion. The group would like to issue an invitation to people to attend and to join them in the celebrations. The group members deserves great praise for taking on this project which will enhance the grounds of the church and also commemorate the finding of the  famous Chalice 146 years ago. The monument is superbly crafted and a tribute to all whose skills brought it to fruition. The group would like to issue a sincere thank you to everyone who contributed so generously to their recent Church gate collection which raised €891.73.

The annual Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Saturday 13^th September. For further information and booking please contact John Joe at 069-76280.

West Limerick Resources will be offering Start Your Own Business Courses this September.  A Weekend course will run on Saturday September 6th and 14^th with a four night course taking place each Wednesday from September 10^th  to October 1^st.  Both courses are free of charge and will take place in Newcastle west, covering all aspects of self-employment and business start-up and development.  For further information or to book a space contact Eleanor on 069 66299.

Are you thinking of starting your own business? Have you an idea that you would like to discuss with someone or are you an existing small business who would like advice on new product development or new direction for your company?  Are you a new or existing business in need of advice and guidance?  West Limerick Resources is offering a free and confidential one to one business mentoring service to businesses based in the West Limerick area.  Contact Eleanor on 069 66299 or Joan on069 66294.