By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Patrick J (Pat) Brosnan Knocknagorna, Athea, and late of Dromada, Lyreacrompane, Co. Kerry peacefully in the loving care of the Bluebell Unit, St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West on Thursday January 8th. He was predeceased by his wife Mary Normoyle, who was a native of Glenastar, Ardagh, on November 11th 2009. Pat composed many songs including The Lights of Carrigkerry while he was living in England in the 1960s and it was recorded by George Langan. The song is heard regularly on 102 FM Community Radio and other local stations.  His passing was even mentioned in the Irish Country Living section of the Irish Farmers Journal. He was a familiar face in the locality attending Irish Nights, and collecting the various censuses for the C.S.O. He lay in repose in Kelly’s Funeral Home, Athea on Friday January 9th from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm followed by removal to St. Bartholomew’s Church, Athea.

His Requiem Mass on Saturday at 12.00 noon was concelebrated by Fr Paddy Bowen, Fr Michael Cussen and Canon Kelly. Family members were very involved in the readings, prayers of the faithful, offertory gifts and hymns. Family members brought symbols associated with Pat’s long life to the altar before mass commenced. They included a sod of turf to show his love for nature and time spent working in the bogs. His pens which were used to cover a lifetime of news collecting and a number of publications in which his writings appeared over the years. Fr Paddy in his homily recited one of Pat’s Limericks from his published book and spoke of his loyalty to God, family and community. Margaret and Tina sang lovely hymns throughout the ceremony and Pat and Mary’s work for the church was remembered. His daughter Breda, on behalf of the family, thanked everybody and paid a lovely tribute to her father, and son Seán recited one of his compositions “Athea”.

Large crowds attended on both days to pay their last respects and to offer their condolences to his family on their sad loss. Pat was laid to rest amid wind and rain beside his late wife Mary in Holy Cross Cemetery on January 10th. Domhnall De Barra paid him a deserved tribute for all the work he did for the   many organizations in the community and sang The Bard of Athea, one of his own compositions. This was composed to mark Pat’s 25 years writing the parish notes for The Limerick Leader. Con Fitzgerald sang one of Pat’s best known compositions The Turf Machine, and local musicians played a selection of music. Tina’s singing of ‘In my Father’s House’ on a bitter cold January afternoon touched all present.

We extend our sympathy to his son Seán (Listowel), daughters Sheila (Walsh, Athea ), Tina (Andrews, Dublin), Breda, (Burr, Canada),  eight grandchildren, daughter in law Marie, sons in law Pat, Chris and Andrew, sisters in law Kathleen and Maureen Brosnan (Lyreacrompane), nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, wonderful neighbours and a very large circle of friends.  May he rest in Peace.

The following are the lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday January 12th. The numbers drawn were 10,13,14,28, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Mary Woulfe, Ardagh. €60 Dan Duggan, Ardagh. €60 The Thatch Bar, Newbridge. €30 Shauna, and Lauren, Ardagh, c/o Curley’s. €30 Eileen and Joe Synan, Shanagolden. €30 Donal and Margaret, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €8,200 and the draw will be held in the Old Mill Bar.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill, and Vinnie Wrenn, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday January 9th. The card game has resumed at the Flag Floor in Glensharrold each Wednesday at 8.30pm. Tea will be served and all are welcome.

Carrig Celtic defeated Shannonside FC 4-2 at home in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday January 11th. Anthony Liston, Sean Mc Sweeney, Dean Liston, and Ray Cahill scored the goals that moved them up the table. Old Mill lost 3-0 at home to league leaders Glin Rovers in Division 1. Creeves Celtic drew 3-3 at home to table toppers Breska Rovers in Division 2. Jason Ahern, Jamie Ruttle, and Paul O’Connor scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B defeated Kildimo Utd B 3-1 at home in Division 3 with goals from Brodie O’Connor, Podge Balfe, and Mark Collins.

In the Desmond Ladies League Division 1 Creeves Celtic defeated Askeaton 2-1 away with goals from Amy Madigan Cooke, and Angela Sheehan. Carrig Celtic lost 2-1 away to Kilbehenney with Ronnie Dillon scoring their goal. Kilcolman Rovers had no game.

Congratulations to Ardagh native Mike O’Connor the 2015 Captain of Newcastle West Golf Club, based in Rathgoonan, Ardagh. He succeeds the 2014 Captain Frank Moore, from Carrigkerry. The drive in for Mike, and Josephine Mulcahy lady Captain who succeeded Glensharrold native Peg Murphy was held on Sunday January 11th.

Congratulations to all the local students who took part in the recent BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in the RDS Dublin. It is wonderful to see them come up with new ideas and inventions, and to be able to showcase them to a wide audience.

The local Schools were closed for a day for safety reasons last week as Hurricane Sarah approached Ireland. Thankfully our area escaped free from the high winds and no incidents were reported. The weather remains uncertain at present with a little of everything expected.

The Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal will be in the shops this weekend. The family of the late Thomas J O’Donoghue has put the final touches to the journal which he had nearly completed before his unexpected death last December. This will be the 37th edition and it will be dedicated to his memory. The much admired journal was founded in 1977 and it grew to be one of the most sought after publications each December. The three founding members Thomas J. O’Donoghue, Paddy Faley, and Pat Brosnan, have all passed on, and we thank them for the great enjoyment they provided for readers at home and abroad over the 37 years. The final edition is bound to become a collector’s item, and an early purchase of the journal is advisable, and we look forward to its contents.

The junior set dancing/céilí classes have resumed in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Friday evenings from 7, pm to 8.30pm, and in the Con Colbert Hall Athea on Tuesday evenings at 9pm, and all are welcome.

The annual sponsored walk in aid of Rathfredagh Cheshire Home will be held on this coming Sunday 25th January. It will commence from Barna at 10am, and travel along the old railway line, into Newcastle West, and from the Courtenay Lodge at 11am to Rathfredagh Cheshire Home. Transport will be available and refreshments provided on the day. The centre provides residential, respite and support services for people with physical disabilities, and all support will be greatly appreciated. Sponsorship cards and additional information are available at 069-83100.

The 10km run/walk in aid of Milford Hospice will be held on this coming Sunday 25th January at 12 noon in UL. The entry fee is € 15 and it is open to runners and walkers of all levels.  People can register on www.eventmaster.ie or phone 061-485859or 061-485860

The Kilcolman senior citizen’s party will take place in the Shannon House, Foynes on Sunday 25TH January at 1pm.People who wish to attend are asked to forward their names to Joan Hayes, 069-60307 or Mary O’Connor, 069-60149.

Canon Donacha O’Malley will give what promises to be a most interesting talk on Limerick Postcards, ‘A Journey’ on Monday night 26th. January at 8pm at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. All are welcome. For further information contact Pat O’Donovan P.R.O. 087 9977340.

Carrig Celtic will hold a presentation night, at Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Friday 30th January. The team won the Desmond Premier League Cup for the first time last season, and the team members will receive presentations to honour this achievement. The third draw in the 300 Club Draw will also be held on the night, with prizes of €1,400 to be won. First prize is €1,000 and interested people who wish to join can contact any club member.