By Tom Aherne

Grassland Agro were named 2014 Company of the year at the Limerick Chamber Business Awards at the Strand Hotel Limerick on Friday November 21^st. Congratulations to Liam Woulfe, a native of Ardagh and the managing director of Grassland Agro who received the Best Large Business award. The company produces and sells a range of conventional commodity fertilisers as well as speciality fertiliser and soil conditioning products, and provides much needed jobs in the region.

Fr Denis Mullane P.P. Coolcappa/Kilcolman (a native of Athea) celebrated his final Masses in Kilcolman on Saturday November 22^nd and in Coolcappa on Sunday November 23rd after six years ministering in the parish.  A get together followed in Coolcappa Community Hall where he received a number of presentations on behalf of the various groups within the community. He will be sadly missed but he leaves behind memories that people will treasure well into the future. We thank Fr Denis for all he did for the community and welcome Fr Tim Curtin to the parish.

Nora Kennedy (Carrig) a native of the well known family from Creeves, now living in Croom, launched her CD My Dream Come True in the Radisson Hotel Limerick on Friday November 14^th.  A large crowd attended and a great night’s entertainment was provided by the family and friends.  The 18 track CD contains many old favourites including Shanagolden, Limerick Vales, Slieve Bloom, I sailed out to Shannon waters, Noreen Bawn, The Isle of Innisfree, and I wish I had someone to love me. Brown Bread written by her sister Kitty O’Donoghue is also included in the CD which is guaranteed to be a big hit with all her followers. I am sure it will feature prominently in upcoming programmes of The Trad Scene presented by Jackie O’Connor on West Limerick 102 each Saturday from 6pm to 8pm. We wish Nora every success with the launch of the CD which was a dream come through for her.

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar, Newbridge, on Monday November 24^th. The numbers drawn were 4, 16, 28.30, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 John Murphy c/o Ned Lynch Bar. €60 Louise Moriarty, Ardagh. €60 John Greaney, Ardagh. €30 Miriam and Geraldine c/o Bus Eireann. €30 Pat Windle Knockfinisk. €30 Noreen Murphy, Ballylin, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €7,200 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh.

Shamrocks  defeated Saint Kieran’s by 3-12 to 1-13 in Round 5 of the County Premier U-21 Football Championship. This result concludes their interest in the competition.

James Magner, son of John, from Killeedy and Breda O’Connell from Glensharrold, Carrigkerry was a member of the Victorian Football League team that played Ireland in a warm up game in Australia before the International Rules Series match between Australia and Ireland played on Saturday November 22^nd. James plays with Port Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League.

Carrig Celtic lost 1-0 away to Broadford Utd in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday November 23^rd. Old Mill lost 2-1 away to Glantine in Division 1and Carrig Celtic lost 3-2 at home to Askeaton B in Division 3. Creeves Celtic had no fixture.

In the Desmond Ladies League Division 1 Kilcolman Rovers lost 3-1 away to Askeaton with Ida Trant scoring their goal. Creeves Celtic lost 4-2 at home to Breska Rovers in the First Round of the Desmond Cup. Ciara O’Connor and Avril Dalton scored their goals.

Congratulations to Peg Murphy and Joan Madigan who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday November 19^th.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill and Vinnie Wrenn, who were prize winners at the card game in Shanagolden Hall on Friday November 21^st.

The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary together with Milford Hospice Friends Association, wish to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously towards the annual church gate collection held at Coolcappa/Kilcolman on Saturday/Sunday November 15^th/16^th . The amount collected in Coolcappa was €232.40 and in Kilcolman was €184.79. A special thanks also to all the collectors for their time.

Kilcolman School Fundraising Committee are holding a Christmas Raffle at present with good prizes on offer. 1^st Prize a framed signed Munster jersey, 2^nd Prize a Kindle, 3^rd Prize meat vouchers, and other prizes also. Tickets are available from the school and from the following committee members Marian 087-7901425 Julia 087-6565989, and Linda 086-8886065.

The annual Christmas Raffle in aid of Coolcappa Community Hall will be held on Wednesday 17^th December. This is the main source of income for the hall to pay insurance, heating electricity and water. The raffle cards will be available throughout the parish at €2 per line and support will be much appreciated

An Art Exhibition celebrating the work of the late Bridie Callanan from Ardvone, Ardagh, commences at Newcastle West Library on Friday 5^th December at 7.30 pm. The art on show includes needlework tapestries, and acrylic on canvas. It will remain on show for a few weeks and it should be of considerable interest and attract a lot of viewers. Bridie was interested in painting and she received much acclaim for her creations on canvas over the years. We met up with her at a recent Art Exhibition in Newcastle West Library where she expressed interest in resuming painting after a break, but the Lord had other plans. Bridie departed this life on August 12^th last and now her work can be enjoyed by all in a public setting.

West Limerick 102 Community Radio is holding the following fundraisers in December. A monster Christmas Hamper Raffle is ongoing and tickets costing €5 are available at the West Limerick Community Radio Station in Newcastle West at present. It is a prize well worth winning and the draw will be held on Thursday 18^th December during the Exchange Programme hosted by Sheila O’Regan.

A Céilí will be held in Knockaderry Resource Centre on Friday 5^th December with music by Donie and Maura Nolan. The doors open at 9pm and the admission is €10 and tea and coffee will be served. All support for the fundraisers will be much appreciated.

Kilcolman School Fundraising Committee is having a coffee morning at Garvey’s Super Valu Newcastle West on Friday 5^thDecember from 9am to 1pm. Please call along and give your support.

Ardagh National School Parents Association are holding a church gate collection at Mass on Saturday 6^th December, and support would be greatly appreciated.

The annual sale of work in aid of Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre will be held on Sunday 7^th December in the Day Care Centre from 1.30pm. The organizers would welcome any saleable items, hamper fillers, wheel of fortune prizes, bric-a-brac etc.

This year’s Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizen’s Christmas party will be held in Ardagh Community Centre on Sunday 7^thDecember at 2pm.

The Three Tenors will feature in Concert in Newcastle West Church on Sunday 7^th December at 7.30pm. It is being promoted by Newcastle West and District Lions Club, and it is their main fundraiser for local West Limerick charities this year.

The annual Saint Vincent De Paul Christmas collection will take place in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on the weekend of Saturday 13^th/Sunday 14^th December. This can be a very difficult time of the year for many people who depend on a little support to see them through what should be a happy and joyous time for all. The generosity of the people will allow the members to bring this about for the needy.

Carrig Celtic AFC presents Santa in the Community Centre in Carrigkerry on Sunday 14^th December at 3pm. It will be followed by lots of fun and games with prizes, and a mini disco. The forms to be returned by Friday 5^th December.