By Peg Prendeville

Congratulations to Athea Tidy Towns on winning Limerick in Bloom. Well done to all.

Glin Library has not had an exhibition for some time but the present one is making up for all that. Oisín Ryan has kindly agreed to display his models of planes and ships. This is Oisin’s hobby which he started two years ago then aged 13 years. You are welcome to come in and view them. They are so detailed that one would have to be impressed. Oisin has his homework done and has included a brief history of all the models which are based on real planes and ships. The library will be closed this Friday October 31.

The creativity of the members of the local ICA guild was to be admired at the October meeting with bells and bows and buttons sewn on to their shoes for the “Walk in your Shoes” project in aid of Mental Health. Congratulations to new member Eileen Lohan who was the winner with her jangling boots. The guild gave a monetary donation to St Patrick’s Hospital Foundation. The members want to express their sympathy to the Nolan family on the death of Mary Nolan from South Cappa and a former member of ICA. Mary was a great age and was active and playing cards until the final weeks of her life. She was known and loved by many. May she rest in peace. The members are mindful too of Agnes O’Shaughnessy, who is in hospital at the moment, and wish her speedy return to good health.

Local artist Pauline Sharp has some lovely 2015 calendars for sale featuring many of her paintings of horses. She can be contacted at 069 82255 if interested.

I believe that both the Athea and Ballyguiltenane journals are waiting with baited breath for articles and photos for this year’s publications. Do not put it off until it is too late. Get going on them now! It is always lovely to look forward to them at Christmas. I hear that Glin Historical Society has another production this year too. It is great to have all the local history recorded for future generations.

By Pat Brosnan

Recent Death

The death has occurred of Ita Vaughan (nee O’Meara) of Templeathea, Athea in the presence of her loving family at her residence. Beloved daughter of the late Kit and Danny Meara, Templeathea. Sincere sympathy is extended to her husband Joe Joe, son Joseph, daughters Jenny and Lorraine, brother Mike, sisters Peg and Rose, sons-in-law Joe Triggs and Jamie O’Rourke, grandchildren Iarlaith, Dan and Tiernan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, kind neighbours and friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

Discretionary Medical Card System will be Overhauled

The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, plans to reform the controversial discretionary medical card system. Speaking on RTE radio 1 he said that in future, the impact of a disease will be taken into account in the granting of medical cards, but that the income threshold will not be increased. Following public outrage earlier this year about the removal of medical cards from children and vulnerable people, the government set up a panel to examine how they are granted. At present most cards are granted based on income but a “discretionary” can sometimes be granted. People with terminal illnesses are also entitled to a medical card.

Recent Wedding

Congratulations to Norma Brouder, daughter of Noreen and Gene Brouder, Templeathea and John Paul Riordan, son of Willie and Joan, Dirreen who were married recently. Bridesmaids were Aoife Brouder, Gráinne Brouder and Elaine Collins. The best men were Conor Brouder, Francis O’Riordan and Timmy Sheehy. The wedding ceremony was performed by Fr. Michael Cussen and the reception was held in the Malton Hotel in Killarney. Wishing Norma and John Paul every happiness and best wishes in their married life together.

Rambling House

Listowel Rambling House will take place in the Seanchaí Literary Centre on Thursday, October 30th at 9.15pm. Admission free, tea and coffee served.

Senior Citizens

As the clocks have gone back over the weekend, the evenings have closed in and it’s dark very early now. Please call to our senior citizens, especially those living alone. They love a visit, a cup of tea and a chat.

Arthritis Ireland

Arthritis Ireland will be running a Living well with Arthritis course in Newcastle West this Autumn. The course consists of a 2.5 hour workshop given once a week for 6 weeks for people with Arthritis and Fibromyalgia who want to learn self management skills and techniques to live healthily with their condition. The cost of participating: online booking €30 (medical card holders €22) offline €36 (medical card holders €26).

Limerick Volunteer Management Conference

Limerick Volunteer Centre will host a conference entitled “Rising to the Challenge” The Community and Voluntary Sector, in a changing Ireland, on Friday November 14th from 9am-2pm in the South Court Hotel, Limerick. The charity sector in Ireland is changing rapidly and it is vital to become acquainted with  the changes and understand exactly how they will affect your organization. This conference will be of key importance to any group in a community, voluntary, sports or charity setting in the region. It is very likely that the content will have legal ramifications for your organization. Topics to be covered include: 1. Code of Governance for community and voluntary organizations. 2. National Vetting Bureau Act 2014. 3. Best use of Social Media Volunteer Centre.

The cost is €10 (plus booking fee) lunch included. For further information see www.volunteerlimerick.ie or call 087-7387481.

Organ Donation

Most people wouldn’t think twice about donating a kidney to a loved one, but to donate to someone you don’t know is an entirely different prospect. After seeing a documentary on TV, 27 year old Johnny Paradise decided to do just that. Johnny, a financial analyst from Corbally in Limerick, made the decision to altruistically donate a kidney after seeing GAA pundit Joe Brolly do the same thing. After a process that took almost a year Mr. Paradise went through with the donation in recent weeks and has changed someone’s life forever. Once Mr. Paradise had established that you can and will live a healthy life with one functioning kidney he was happy to donate his kidney to someone who needed it. Organ donation is a wonderful and brave thing to do as you may save a person’s life and bring happiness to  some family.

By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Patrick (Paddy) Barry Dunganville, Ardagh, peacefully at Milford Care Centre, on Monday October 20^th. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Wednesday October 22^nd from 6pm to 8pm. His remains arrived at the Church of the Immaculate Conception Newcastle West, on Thursday for 11.30am Requiem Mass. It was concelebrated by Fr Frank Duhig, Fr Brendan Murphy and Fr Richard Keane. Family members and friends participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful, offertory gifts, and reflection. A number of symbols with special meaning to Paddy were taken to the altar before the Mass commenced. Fr Duhig in his homily gave us an insight into Paddy’s all too short life of 58 years old. Mossie his brother also paid tribute to him at the end of the ceremony which was enriched by the lovely hymns and music.

Paddy attended Ballyloughane N.S from 1962 to 1969 and was often called on to mind and teach the other children by the master when the other teacher was missing. He attended Saint Ita’s Secondary School Newcastle West and UCC. Paddy worked in Ardagh Creamery from the mid 1970s to the early 1990s as the store manager in the old premises. He was also a supervisor in the Dell Factory in Limerick for a number of years. He was a man who liked spending time with family and friends He had a great interest in Manchester United soccer club and Limerick hurlers and would discuss their prospects and dissect their performances with fellow sports enthusiasts.

We will all retain our own memories of Paddy whose contribution to community life around Old Mill led to the Sports Club being set up. He was a coach and mentor too many players during his time involved and he will be sadly missed by family neighbours and friends. The Old Mill Sports Club formed a guard of honour as his coffin was taken from the Church. Burial took place afterwards in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West on Thursday October 23^rd. We extend our sympathy to his wife Ann, daughter Nicola, son Eoghan, son-in-law Trevor, brothers Michael, and Mossie, sister Eileen, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Jim Woulfe Dairygold CEO who was recently named Cork Person of the Month for October in recognition of the € 117m investment which the co-op has made in its two sites in Mallow and Mitchelstown. A native of Dunganville, Ardagh, he has risen up through the ranks to his present lofty role as head of the well known company. The Awards organiser, Manus O’Callaghan, said: “Dairygold, under the leadership of Jim Woulfe, will now maximise the opportunities that EU milk deregulation will present, allowing the organisation to export more dairy produce and higher value dairy produce to more than 50 countries worldwide. This will create exciting opportunities for business growth, job creation and, of course, expansion for the co-op’s existing 3,000 milk suppliers.”

In reply Jim, the former Saint Kieran’s clubman said: “The investment moves Dairygold up the value chain by allowing the society to produce a suite of premium dairy products up to and including infant milk formula.”I accept this award on behalf of all the people who made this possible — our milk suppliers, shareholders, representative committees, board of directors and over 1,000 loyal hardworking staff. Jim is also in line for the Cork Person of the Year Award which will be chosen from the 12 monthly awards winners.

The Ardagh N.S. Parents Council held their annual general meeting on October 9^th in Ardagh Hall. A review of the events held during the year was given and the work of the outgoing committee was acknowledged. The following committee was put in place for the coming year. Chairperson Mary Barrett, Vice-Chairperson Liz Byrnes, Secretary Moira Mc Enery. Treasurer Carmel Power, Ass-Treasurer Sandra Murphy, Committee June Joyce, John Campbell, Becky Steele, and Evelyn Mullins.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday October 20^th. The numbers drawn were 9,10,22,28, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Killian Ambrose, Ardagh. €60 Sonny Relihan, Ardagh. €60 Geraldine Ambrose, Dunganville. €30 Hannie O’Connor, Glensharrold. €30 Frances Ahern, Coolcappa. €30 Moira O’Donovan, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in Foley’s Bar, Reens, and the Jackpot will be €6,200.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Caherline by 0-16 to 0-7 in the County Intermediate Hurling Cup Final played under lights in Kilbreedy on Saturday October 18^th. They faced the strong wind in the opening half and only trailed by 0-5 to 0-3 at half time. They went on a point scoring spree with the wind at their backs on resumption to win comfortably. The win was a reward for the team who did not receive much luck during the season due to injuries and a small panel to pick from. TEAM Ian Mackessy, James Windle, Paudie Mc Carthy, Brendan McCarthy, Sean Windle, Patrick Windle, 0-1 Mossie Shine, Anthony Molyneaux, (Captain) 0-3 Jack Ben Harnett, Ray Cahill, 0-1 Donie Nolan, 0-7  Johnny McCarthy, 0-2 Danny Collum, Jonathan Ruttle, 0-1 Seamus Mangan, 0-1 Subs Michael Enright, Chris Madigan, Mikey Breen, Mike Windle, James O’Connor, John O’Connor.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s clubman John Ahern who was a recent winner in the Limerick Teachers Golf Society Presidents Prize.

Congratulations to Old Mill ladies football team and mentors who won the County A U-13 Blitz in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Sunday October 19^th.

Carrig Celtic lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle West in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday October 19^th. Carrig Celtic B lost 6-0 away to Ballingarry B in Round 2 of the Richard Hogan Cup. Old Mill and Creeves Celtic had no fixtures.

In the Desmond Ladies League Division 1 Carrig Celtic defeated Askeaton 2-0 away with Bridget Liston scoring both goals. Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-0 away to Charleville, and Creeves Celtic’s match was off.

The Old Mill tug-o-war team was involved in many an epic battle with other teams during the carnival era of the 1960s and 1970s and they won their own fair share of honours. The majority of carnivals and festivals during that time held a tug-o-war tournament which was eagerly awaited and keenly contested. Large crowds attended and the contestants provided great excitement and many funny incidents as they strove manfully to outpull their opponents. A call has gone out now for photos of the team that competed during that time and gave so much enjoyment to so many. If anybody out there has same they can contact me and I will arrange to get them copied and given back.

The long running card game has resumed in Ardagh Hall every Tuesday night at 9pm, for the winter months. The committee would like to see more people coming along to play and to support the game which is a fundraiser for the Hall. The cost is € 5 for the night and an enjoyable time is promised.

Congratulations to Catherine Madigan, and Ann Madigan, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday October 15^th.

Fr Larry Madden has issued an appeal for the return of C.H.Y.111 Tax forms sent out to 110 people around the parish in the year 2013. They are now needed to enable him to claim back tax from Revenue for the Parish.

A DVD of the unveiling ceremony of the Ardagh Chalice Monument is now available to purchase from Mike Daly, Nora Kennelly, Mary Kury, and other committee members, at a cost of € 10. The DVD contains footage of the Mass and attendance, unveiling ceremony Damien Shiels, talk presentations and music and is a nice memento of the event on August 30^th.

The call has gone out from the editors of the Feohanagh-Castlemahon Parish Journal, Athea Parish Journal, and the Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal for material for their upcoming publications. They are seeking articles, poetry, club news, and items of interest, including old and new photos. The deadlines are around the first of November, and new contributors are especially welcome.

This year’s Irish Rambling House Tour of Britain will take place from 30^th October to the 2^nd November. This is the fourteen year of the tour which provides our exiles with the opportunity to see the best of Irish music song dance and storytelling from the talented group of performers. People are asked to inform their relations and friends of the dates and venues in their area as follows.  The Irish Centre in Birmingham on Thursday night. The Irish Centre in Camden Town on Friday night. Harrow Salvatorian Irish Hall on Saturday and the Derby Irish Centre on Sunday.

A car boot sale and indoor market will be held in aid of West Limerick 102 FM Community Radio in Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday 2^nd November, from 8am to 2pm.  This is a chance for people to do a winter clear out of items they would like to sell and earn some spare cash for the Christmas, which is only eight weeks away. To book a stall please contact the Station on 069-66200

A charity ceili in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland will be held on Saturday 8th November 2014 at Mungret GAA Club from 9.30pm to 12.30am featuring the Five Counties Ceili Band. Admission €10 and refreshments will be served. All profits will be donated to The Alzheimer Society – Adare Branch. More details from Mary @ 061 396789 & Breda @ 087 6681712