By Tom Aherne

Congratulations and best wishes to Margaret O’Connor, daughter of Josephine, and Moss, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry who celebrated her 21^st birthday with family and friends at a party at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West on Saturday October 25^th.

The friends of Saint Ita’s Community Hospital wish to thank the collectors, and all who contributed so generously to their recent church gate collection in Ardagh/Carrigkerry. The amount collected amounted to € 534.32 which will go towards the ongoing improvements for the patients in Saint Ita’s Community Hospital in Newcastle West.

The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday October 30^th. The numbers drawn were 9,12,21,25, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 P O’Sullivan, c/o Josie. €60 Darragh Ronan, c/o Foley’s. €60 Ita Kirk, Reen’s Bar. €30 John Keane, Old Mill. €30 Bernie Woulfe, c/o Josie. €30 Aileen Curley Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held at Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €6,400.

The annual general meeting of Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party was held in the Community Centre Ardagh on Monday October 13^th and the following officers were elected. Chairman Donie Sheahan, Vice- Chairman John Mulvihill, Secretary Kathleen Hayes, Ass-Secretary Helena Collins, Treasurer Eileen King, Ass-Treasurer Mairéad Adams. Committee Eileen Behan, Maire Crowley, Marie Culhane, Nora Kennelly, John Joe Kennelly, Chrissie McCarthy, and Sadie O’Connor. A vote of sympathy was extended to the families of the late Sean Danaher, who was involved from the beginning and Fr Billy O’Gorman who started the Christmas Party in 1976. Chairman Donie Sheahan paid tribute to both for their dedication and work done over the years.  This year’s Christmas party will be held in Ardagh Community Centre on Sunday 7^th December at 2pm.

We extend our sympathy to Brendan Duggan and family, School Road, Ardagh, on the death of his brother Jack from Sugar Hill, Templeglantine. Sympathy also to his partner Breda, brothers Patsy and Leo, sisters Theresa, and Ita, and extended family. He lay in repose at Kelly’s Funeral Home, Athea on Tuesday October 28^th from 6pm followed by removal to Templeglantine Church. His Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday at 12.30pm followed by burial in the new cemetery Templeglantine. May he rest in Peace.

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 Mike Young, and Mike O’Mahoney, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday October 22^nd.  The game commences each Wednesday at 8pm and tea served and all are welcome.

Creeves Celtic defeated Knockaderry 4-1 at home in Division 2 of the Desmond League on Sunday October 26^th. Pa Ahern, 3 and Francis O’Farrell scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B drew 1-1 at home with Ballingarry B in Division 3 with William Mc Sweeney scoring their goal. Sean Mc Sweeney Ray Cahill Anthony Molyneaux and Seanie King from the Carrig Celtic team were members of the Desmond League squad that lost 2-1 to Cork AUL in the Oscar Traynor Trophy at Turner’s Cross on Saturday October 25^th.

In the Desmond Ladies Soccer League Division 1 Carrig Celtic drew 2-2 at home to Breska Rovers. Bridget Liston and Layla Sparling scored their goals. Kilcolman Rovers defeated Askeaton 2-1 at home, with goals from Ciara O’Donnell, and Liz Lynch.  Creeves Celtic had no game.

Saint Kieran’s had no winner in the Limerick GAA Club Draw for October which was held on Saturday October 25^th at Limerick Live 95 FM. The next draw will be held there on Saturday 29^th November.

Congratulations to Johnny McCarthy who was named on the Limerick Leader Senior Football Championship Team of 2014. He was named at number seven for performing his defensive duties, and picking off a number of scores, as well as his general play which tormented the opposition.

The West Limerick Primary School football finals were held in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale, on Thursday October 23^rd. Ardagh defeated Shountrade by 3-6 to 0-3 in the Division 2 13-a-side final, and Kilcolman lost to Ahalin by 5-12 to 1-0 in the Division 4 9-a-side final. Cormac Behan from Carrigkerry was the Ahalin, teacher and coach, and the previous week he held the same role as the Ahalin girls won their competition.

A number of people from the locality attended the recent Matchmaking Festival in Foynes organised by former Limerick hurler Denis O’Connor. The Killeedy native cajoled his great friend Willie Daly from his base in Lisdoonvarna to bring his expertise to West Limerick for a week end of entertainment. Willie signed up a number of people in his famous lucky book and developments are awaited. Denis is to be complimented for bringing a little bit of Lisdoonvarna to Foynes for people to enjoy.

A course for new Eucharistic Ministers will be held on Thursday 20^th November in Newcastle West. People interested in taking on this responsibility for a while are asked to hand in their names at either sacristy in the parish.

Newcastle West Golf Club based in Rathgoonan, Ardagh, are now offering special prices for 2015 membership. Join now and get November and December, and 2015 for the price of one year’s subscription. There are a number of membership offers available and details can be got from the office.

The annual November Rosary will be recited each Sunday in the three cemeteries in Newcastle West. It will commence at the Famine Cemetery at 3pm, Calvary Cemetery at 3.20pm, and Churchtown Cemetery at 3, 40 pm and all are welcome to join in.

The annual horse fair will be held in the village of Athea on Saturday 8^th November. There will be numerous trade stalls and business is expected to be brisk from early morning as people gather by the banks of the Galey. A large crowd is expected and hopefully the weather will be kind for the occasion.

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

The annual Mass for the Holy Souls will be celebrated in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on this coming weekend 8^th/9^th November at the usual times. The list of names of deceased members of the parish for the last 12 months will be on the notice boards in each church. Please check to be sure that no name has been omitted.

The annual Cemetery Mass will be celebrated in Kilcolman Cemetery on Sunday 9^th November at 12 noon. The Vigil Mass in Kilcolman will change to the earlier time of 6.30pm from Saturday 8^th November till Parish Annual Launch.

The West Limerick branch of the Mental Health Association will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday 11^th November at Maple Lodge, Gortboy Newcastle West, at 8pm. All members are asked to attend and new members are most welcome.

The Feohanagh/Castlemahon Parish Annual will be launched in Castlemahon Community Centre on Friday 14^th November at 8pm, by Seán Liston, Lisiniska, Knockaderry historian, and community activist.

Nora Kennedy (Carrig) a native of the well known family from Creeves, living in Croom, will launch her CD in the Radisson Hotel Limerick on Friday 14^th November at 8pm.Everyone is welcome to attend the launch.