By Tom Aherne

I would like to wish the editors, staff member’s fellow contributors and all the readers at home and abroad a very happy New Year. Many thanks to everybody who supplied items for the notes over the past year it was much appreciated. The feedback from people who read them especially from those living away or abroad is always positive as it keeps them in contact with their native place. I can be contacted by phone 069-76143 or by email [email protected] and items should reach me by the previous Saturday for the following week’s publication.

The death has taken place suddenly at his residence of Michael Noonan, Farran, Ardagh, on Saturday December 13^th. He was a member of a well known family and he worked in the construction industry. He was educated in Ardagh N.S. and Newcastle West Technical School. He played the usual games with his school friends growing up including handball in Cahermoyle.  He was a quiet person who was a skilled blocklayer and plasterer. Following the downturn in the economy he became career for his late mother. His passing at too young an age is deeply regretted by his family and his many friends and he will be sadly missed by all.

He lay in repose at his brother Tom’s residence the Commons, Ardagh, on Tuesday December 16^th from 5pm to 8pm. His remains arrived at Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Wednesday December 17^th for Requiem Mass at 11.30am. It was concelebrated by Fr Larry Madden, and Canon Frank Duhig, Newcastle West. Family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful offertory gifts and life symbols. Fr Larry gave us an insight into Michael’s path through life during his homily. Michael was laid to rest in Ardagh Cemetery on a wet and windy Wednesday December 17^th. We extend our sympathy to his daughters Tara and Claire, brothers John, and Tom, sister Joan Condon, sisters-in-law Catherine, and Noreen, brother-in-law Richard, aunt, uncles, aunt-in-law, uncle-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, all other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The passing of Thomas J O’Donoghue, the editor of the Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal, cast a gloom around the West Limerick and North Kerry areas where he was a well known figure in writing circles. He died peacefully after a short illness surrounded by his family in Kerry General Hospital on Tuesday December 9^th. He was a retired Auctioneer and a former staff member of Glin Creamery for many years. He founded the Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal with Paddy Faley RIP and Pat Brosnan, in 1977 and the magazine went on to become a much sought after publication every year since. His magazine provided a platform for aspiring writers and many went on to become well known in literary circles as a result of their work appearing in the journal.

This fine collection of creative work will stand as an everlasting tribute to his vision and determination in assembling material from his locality and beyond than would have been lost otherwise. He lay in repose at Healy’s Funeral Home, Glin, on Friday December 12^th from 4.30pm followed by removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glin. His Funeral Mass was celebrated there on Saturday December 13^th and Tom was laid to rest in Kilfergus Cemetery Glin. We extend our sympathy to his wife Delia, sons John and James, grandson, sister, relatives, and extended family and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Catherine (Kitty) Byrnes, (Nee Daly) Riddlestown, Rathkeale on Saturday December 20^th. She lay in repose at Manger’s Funeral Home Rathkeale on Sunday December 21^st from 6pm followed by removal to Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday at 12.30pm followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her husband John, sons, daughters, grandchildren and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.

The following are the results of the Carrig Celtic/Carrigkerry Development 300 Club Draw which was held at Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Sunday December 14^th. 1^st Prize €1,000 John Greaney Kilcolman.  2^nd Prize €250 Tony Doyle, Ballyloughane. The following won €50 each Grainne Ahern, Knockfinisk. Neilie Cahill Ardagh, and Michael J Flynn, Athea.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday December 15^th. The numbers drawn were 7,24,26,29, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Mike and Danny c/o Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry. €60 Paddy and Kay Daly Ardagh. €60 Catherine O’Sullivan, Ardagh. €30 Noreen Geoghegan, Newcastle West. €30 Kay Ryan, Ardagh. €30 Joan Bridgeman, Ardagh.  Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €7,800.

The final Limerick G.A.A. Club Draw of the year was held on Limerick Live 95FM on Saturday December 13^th. Congratulations to Eileen Kelly joined with Saint Kieran’s club who won €250. The draw will resume in 2015.

Congratulations to Michael Kearney and Martin Flynn who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday December 10^th.

Congratulations to Nuala O’Connell, and Peter Culhane who were prize winners at the card game held in Monagea Hall on Wednesday December 10^th.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Fr Casey’s by 1-13 to 1-12 in the County Quarter Final of the U-21 Football Championship at Rhebogue Limerick on Friday December 12^th. The teams were level at 0-6 each at half-time. They drew with Newcastle West/ Monagea 3-6 to 2-9 in the semi-final played at McCarthy Park Tournafulla, on Sunday December 21^st. They led by 2-4 to 2-3 with Sean Mc Sweeney on target after playing with the wind at half time. He added 1-2 to leave Saint Kieran’s four points ahead after 19 minutes of the second half. In the remaining time they kicked four wides allowing their accurate opponents to kick over four points to tie the contest. TEAM Dan Madden, Gavin Hayes, James Hough, Eoin Moran, Shane Lynch, Mossie Shine, James O’Connor, Brendan Mc Carthy, Darragh Treacy, Kevin Meade, Seamus Mangan, Patrick Liston, John Byrnes, Sean McSweeney, 3-6 Cillian Enright.

Carrig Celtic lost 5-0 away to Abbeyfeale Utd in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday December 14^th. Carrig Celtic B lost 9-3 at home to Newcastle West B in Division 3. William Mc Sweeney, Fintan Mc Enery, and Karl Harnett scored the goals. Old Mill had no fixture.

In the Desmond Ladies League Division 1 Carrig Celtic and Kilcolman Rovers played and the match was called off with the home team 5-0 ahead in the second half due to an injury to a Kilcolman player, who is wished a speedy recovery. Creeves Celtic had no fixture.

Mattie Histon, Kilcolman, on behalf of Drivewise School of Motoring, recently presented a new set of jerseys to members of Kilcolman Rovers AFC junior ladies team. Mattie has been associated with the club as a former player and official over the years.

Congratulations to members of the Kilcolman Graveyard Committee who were placed 1^st in the Rathkeale Electoral area and also the overall winners in the Modern category of the 2014 County Limerick Burial Grounds Awards which were announced at a ceremony held at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare on Thursday December 11^th.  Ardagh Burial Ground Committee was awarded 2^nd place in the Newcastle West Electoral area in the modern section also.

Saint Vincent De Paul members would like to thank all who supported their annual Christmas collection which was taken up in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on the weekend of Saturday 13^th /Sunday 14^th December. Thanks also to the volunteers who stood at the tables in adverse weather conditions.

Christmas came and went without any major incidents in the locality and the celebrations were a little low key compared to other years. A number of people returned to be re-united with family for the holidays, and we hope they all enjoyed their stay. The Christmas Trees lit up the local villages, once again, and a good number of houses, were highly decorated as in previous years. The weather was misty and wet, at times, with nice dry and mild spells as well as a few nights of hard frost allowing people to move about to the many attractions that were on. The Church attendances were on a par with the previous year, and we compliment all the choirs, on their performances, and all people who participated in the ceremonies. The usual number of Wren Groups were out and about calling to the houses and entertaining the people, with their own traditional brand of music song and dance. Thankfully we had no major accidents or deaths around the locality. We send get well messages to everybody who was sick over the festive holiday and a return to good health for 2014. Congratulations also to a number of people who got engaged over the festive season.

Carrigkerry/Old Mill Development Association held their annual church gate collection in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Saturday/Sunday December 20^th/21^st. The group is sponsors of the C.E. project which has been very successful over the years, and through the good work of the participants has enhanced the appearance of both areas. They would like to thank everyone who supported it and the collectors who took up the collection. The money collected will go towards the running of the C.E. Scheme in both areas. The combined total collected was €566 which will be used to pay insurance, safety gear audit oil and petrol.

The Coolcappa Christmas raffle in aid of Coolcappa Community hall was held on Wednesday December 17^th. Congratulations to the following prizewinners, Estuary Fuel Voucher Orla Geoghegan, Lisgordon, Ardagh. Food Hamper Chris Egan, Ballykenny. Wine Hamper Thomas Hourigan, The Thatch, Newbridge.  Meal Voucher Debbie Griffin, Clounagh, Coolcappa. Christmas cake Elaine Moran, Askeaton. Vodka Harry Wilmott, Creeves. Wine Rosemary Hodgson, Coolcappa. The committee would like to thank everyone who sold lines, supported the raffle, and sponsored prizes.

Congratulations to Mike Young, and Mike O’Mahoney who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday December 17^th.

Congratulations to Jack Woulfe, and Mike Robinson, who were prizewinners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday December 19^th.

Ardagh drama group members ended the year on a high picking up awards around the circuit in the one act festivals. Their production of ‘’Flesh and Blood’’ by Frank Mc Guinness was placed 2^nd in Kilmallock and Gerard Barrett was the overall best actor from the nine confined plays who participated. They were also placed 2^nd in Haulbowline. They were the overall winners at the Doonbeg Drama Festival and Maggie Enright won the best actress award. The play was directed and produced by Eilis Casey and we look forward to their next production in the spring. People interested in getting involved can contact Clare at 087-8305920 or Kay at 087-7532723.

The arrival of winter can be a difficult time for many but a welcome time for book lovers, to engage in one of their favourite pastimes. The month of December sees the arrival of the annual Old Moore’s Almanac, The Cork Holly Bough, and Ireland’s Own Anthology along with the many parish journals and magazines. This is the fifth year of the Ireland’s Own Anthology which includes the prizewinners from their annual short story competition. It is a very interesting publication, with 41 stories along similar lines as the weekly Ireland’s Own Magazine. It can be ordered by post or by bookshops, and details are to be got in the weekly magazine. This year we also saw a number of local books launched which would make ideal gifts or presents to give to people in the New Year.  Newcastle West Bookshop and local shops will satisfy all tastes in reading material. 

Fr Madden P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry has published the following note in the Weekly Bulletin. We no longer have access to the patient list in any of the hospitals. I am relying on family members to let me know when somebody is in hospital. It can be annoying to have visited the hospital, and when you get home to discover there was somebody else there that you should have visited. NOTE Fr Larry is taking a break from parish duties at present and is wished a speedy return to good health.

Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Newcastle West/ Monagea 3-13 to 0-9 in the County Premier Football Semi Final replay at Mc Carthy Park Tournafulla on Sunday December 28^th. They trailed from a 3^rd minute point, followed by a goal. Their best period of play saw them drew level by the 19^th minute with points from Darragh Treacy, Sean Mc Sweeney 2 and Gavin Hayes. A burst of scores from their opponents saw them trailing by 2-5 to 0-4 at half time. The third quarter was even enough with Sean Mc Sweeney kicking 4 points to leave them trailing by 7 points. It was one way traffic in the final quarter as Newcastle /Monagea added the scores to book a final spot. TEAM Dan Madden, Eoin Moran, James Hough, Shane Lynch, James O’Connor, Mossie Shine, Gavin Hayes, 0-1 Brendan McCarthy, Darragh Treacy, 0-1Kevin Meade, Seamus Mangan, Patrick Liston, Dean Liston, Sean Mc Sweeney, 0-6 Cillian Enright, 0-1 Subs John Byrnes, Anthony Mullins, Paddy Harnett, Michael Upton.

The Desmond League lost 2-1 to the Limerick District League in the Oscar Traynor Inter League Trophy at Clounreask, Askeaton on Sunday December 28^th. Anthony Molyneaux and Ray Cahill from Carrig Celtic were introduced as 2^nd half substitutes. This defeat ended their chances of progressing to the next stage.

Coolcappa/Kilcolman changeover of Masses commenced on the weekend 4th/5^th January as follows. Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa Saturday at 6.30pm, and Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman Sunday at 10.30am.

Ardagh Parents Council is holding a Clothes Collection on Thursday 15^th January and more details to be announced

The county senior Scór finals will be held in February and the committee is asking all clubs to start preparations for the eight events.