By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place peacefully of Mary Geoghegan, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry at Saint Ita’s Hospital Newcastle West on Monday November 3^rd. She was in her mid seventies and had been resident there for the last year. Mary attended Carrigkerry National School and she worked for many years in the Cutlery Factory in Listowel. She cycled and walked the two miles daily to and from Carrigkerry to meet the bus, in all kinds of weather. Mary had a great love for her native place and its people and traditions. She liked visiting her neighbours and attending the house dances, and Wren Party’s. She also liked the quiet countryside nature and the company of her cats and dogs. In retirement she was more confined but she enjoyed her independent lifestyle living on her own for the past ten years. The Radio was her outlet and West Limerick 102 gave her great pleasure. She also liked to listen to Fr Cletus Noone on a Saturday night on Clare FM, and she also listened to Mass from Carrigkerry Church on the Parish Radio. Mary looked forward to receiving Communion in the home and had a great welcome for Fr Lane, Fr Bowen, and Fr Madden who visited her over the years. She was grateful for the help and support she received from her carers Hannie, Gretta and Joan, and near neighbours Johnny, and Mike. She liked the visits from the travelling shop and enjoyed her cup of tea and cigarettes. She will be sadly missed by family neighbours and friends, and life from now on will be quieter and sadder around the cross.

She lay in repose at Ferris’ Funeral Home, Shanagolden on Wednesday November 5^th from 6pm followed by removal to Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry. Fr Tony Mullins, family relative, concelebrated her Funeral Mass on Thursday at 11.30am assisted by Fr Larry Madden, Fr Tom Mangan, and four members of the Oblate and Mercy Order. Family members were very involved in the readings, prayers of the faithful offertory gifts and reflection prayer, and Jackie, Ger and Denis provided the music and hymns.  Joan, on behalf of the family, thanked everyone who had been so kind to Mary over the years and to the family in recent days. Mary was laid to rest in Ardagh Cemetery on Thursday November 6^th.  The Glensharrold Wrenboy group, who she looked forward to seeing each Christmas, performed at the graveside. Nora sang her favourite song The Boys from the County Armagh, in tribute to Mary who was herself a nice singer. We extend our sympathy to her brothers Michael and Tony, Sister Joan, nephews, nieces, extended family members, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

In a neat abode in a lovely spot near Glensharrold cross,

Where tall standing trees are adorned in Ivy and moss,

Mary’s house was her castle and she was happy and the boss,

Living a contented life and her passing is a major loss.

Congratulations and best wishes to Leslie Quinn, daughter of Helen and Tommy Kilrodane, Ardagh and Michael Barrett, son of Hannah and the late John Joe Barrett, Appletown, Feohanagh, who were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Feohanagh, on Saturday October 11^th. The celebrant was Fr John Duggan, and the reception was held in the Killarney Heights Hotel.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday November 3^rd. The numbers drawn were 20,21,24,30, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 O’Donovan family, Shanagolden c/o Curley’s. €60 Stephen Kennelly, Shanagolden. €60 Mary J O’Connor, Glensharrold. €30 Helen O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry. €30 Robbie Moriarty, Ardagh.  €30 Bridget Flynn, Carrigkerry. Next week’s draw will be held in Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry and the Jackpot will be €6,600.

The annual November Holy Souls Masses for people who died in the parish over the last twelve months were celebrated in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Saturday 8^th and Sunday 9^th last. The following were remembered in Saint Molua’s  Church, Ardagh, Thomas Breen, Killard, Martin O’Connor, Main Street, Ardagh, Annie Duggan, The Commons, Ita Lynch, Glenastar, Brendan O’Connell, O’Connor Park, Mike Dore Glensharrold, Sean Danaher, Glenville, Mary Cregan, Tipperary, Conor Curtin, Coolanoran, Esther O’Gorman, Kilscannell, Kitty Guinane, Ballyvoughan, Stephen Ambrose, Ballylin, Bridie Callanan, Ardvone, Peg Murphy, Farran, Mary Frawley, Ballyine, Flor Mc Carthy, Ardvone, Fr Billy O’Gorman.

The following were remembered in Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry Alice Barrett, Glenastar, PJ O’Grady, Saint Mary’s Terrace, Nell Copse, Ballyloughane, Birdie Hough, Carrigkerry West, Elizabeth O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry, Kevin Hannafin, Glensharrold, Mary Quinn, Newcastle West, and Fr Billy O’Gorman. We also remember Paddy Enright late of Saint Mary’s Terrace who died on October 31^st 2013.

The AGM of Limerick Community Games was held in the Woodlands House Hotel on Sunday November 2^nd and a number of presentations to recognize the work done by the many volunteers were made during the course of the evening. Congratulations to Catherine Hayes Saint Kieran’s who was awarded best large area PRO of the Year, and Fiona Dore Buckley Dromcollogher/Broadford who was awarded the small area PRO of the Year. Fiona is a native of Balliston, Kilcolman, and very involved in community life in her adopted area.

Congratulations to Emma Daly from Kilcolman, and a 5^th year student at Coláiste Mhuire, Askeaton who won the senior category of the school’s cupcake challenge which was held on Wednesday October 22^nd. All the proceeds from the competition went to TLC4CF.

Carrig Celtic lost 5-1 away to Ballingarry in the 2^nd Round of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday November 2^nd with Donie Nolan scoring their goal. Old Mill lost 2-1 at home to Rathkeale B in Division 1 of the Desmond League. Creeves Celtic drew 3-3 away to Bally Rovers in Division 2. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Carrig Celtic defeated Creeves Celtic away by 3-0.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill and Vinnie Wrenn who were prizewinners at the card game held in Shanagolden on Friday October 31^st. Congratulations to Nuala O’Connell and Peter Culhane, who were prizewinners at the card game held in Monagea Hall on Wednesday October 29^th.

A card game is held in Ardagh Hall every Tuesday night at 9pm, sharp 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. A card game is held at the Flag Floor each Wednesday at 8.30pm and tea served and all are welcome.

Cian Ward from Carrigkerry continues to make strides in the world of sean nós dancing and recently participated in an International event in the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. His teacher is Robert Kelly from Ardagh and he has qualified as one of the top ten dancers for the grand final which will be televised by TG4.

Kilcolman Community Creche is one of three local groups to share in the second Newcastle West Tesco Community Fund initiative. Grainne Fitzgibbon, Kilcolman Crèche accepted the donation which is part of the €1 Million donated annually for good causes by Tesco.

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.

The establishment of the Public Health System by Martin Duffy local historian is the title of the Rathkeale Historical talk to be held in Rathkeale Community Arts Centre, on this Friday night at 8.30pm. The very comfortable venue is overhead the Library and admission is free.

A fundraising event will be held in Castlemahon Community Hall on Saturday 15^th November with the proceeds going to reduce the debt incurred in putting in place the fine facility for the people of the parish and beyond. A number of high profile guests will be providing the entertainment and the admission is €10. Teas will be served during the interval and a raffle for some lovely prizes will be held.

The annual general meeting of Ardagh Voluntary Housing Association Ltd will be held in the Community Centre Ardagh, on Monday 17^th November at 8.pm. All are welcome, especially new members.

The annual €2,000 card game is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 18^th November, at 9pm sharp in the Hall in Raheenagh. There will be numerous spot prizes and light refreshments for all who attend.

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.