by Tom Aherne

Carrig Celtic AFC held the third draw in the 300 club draw at Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Friday January 30^th. Congratulations to the following lucky winners €1,000 Sam King, Carrigkerry. €250 Johnny Doody, Ballyloughane. Moss O’Connor, Glensharrold, Gearoid Whelan, Newcastle West and John Shanahan, Barnigue, won €50 each. The next draw will be at the end of this month and anyone interested in joining can contact any club member.

The following are the Lottery results from Foley’s Bar Reen’s Ardagh, on Monday February 2^nd. The numbers drawn were 4, 6, 25, 27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €60 Timmy Copse, Glensharrold. €60 Sharon Roche, C/O Sean Downey. €60 Donie Kiely, Ballykiely. €30 Ciara Ambrose, Dunganville. €30 Ella O’Connor, Creeves. €30 Christy O’Connor, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €8,800.

Carrig Celtic defeated Askeaton B 4-2 away in Round 1 of the Desmond Cup on Sunday February 1^st. Seanie King, 3 and Dean Liston, scored the goals. Creeves Celtic defeated Feenagh 3-0 at home with goals from Eddie O’Sullivan, Mark Hennessy, and an own goal. Old Mill lost 3-1 away to Rathkeale A. Carrig Celtic B had no fixture. In the Desmond Ladies League Cup Quarter Final Carrig Celtic defeated Kilcolman Rovers 7-0 at home.

Johnny McCarthy, and Darragh Treacy, from the Saint Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick football team that defeated Sligo by 0-14 to 1-8 in the opening match in Division 3 of the National Football League played at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock, on Sunday February 1^st.

 Congratulations to Peg Murphy, and Joan Madigan, who were prize winners at the card game held in the Flag Floor, on Wednesday January 28^th. Congratulations to Jim Dalton and Francis Woulfe who were prizewinners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday January 30^th.

 The death has taken place of Patrick Joseph (Paddy) Brouder, (brother of Mairéad Adams, Rathreigh, Ardagh) Templeathea, Athea, on February 1^st. He lay in repose at Kelly’s Funeral Home, on Wednesday followed by removal to Saint Bartholomew’s Church. His Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday at 12 noon followed by burial in Templeathea Cemetery.  We extend our sympathy to all his family members, and his many relatives and connections around the locality. May he rest in Peace.

The death has also taken place of Maura Scully, Ballinakill, Castlemahon, on February 4^th. She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Friday February 6^th. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated in Castlemahon Church on Saturday followed by burial in the local cemetery. Maura was the wife of the late Patsy who visited our locality and provided a great service with his travelling shop for many years. We extend our sympathy to her family relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death took place in England on December 26^th of Michael McMahon, a native of Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. We extend our sympathy to the McMahon, family, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has occurred of Cait Ni Quish Rathaney, Hospital, Limerick. She was a renowned violinist who was regularly heard on RTE Radio 1 over the years. Her playing of old Irish airs including the Cuilin was delightful to listen to. Burial took place in The Hill Cemetery, Knockainey on Sunday February 1^st. May she rest in Peace.

 Limerick City and County Council have received funding for improvement and maintenance works for county roads for 2015. Under the 2015 Bridge Rehabilitation Works on Regional and Local Roads, works will be carried out in Ashgrove, Old Mill, Ballyegna, Ardagh, and Duncaha Bridge in Shanagolden. This is welcome news but a good number of other roads in our locality could do with repairs from damage caused by heavy vehicles using them on a continuous basis.

Limerick County Council has issued the following notice to householder’s landowners and occupiers of land under the Roads Act 1993 Section 70 Roadside Trees Ditches and Hedges. Take notice that under the terms of the Roads Act 1993 householders landowners and occupiers of land are obliged to take all reasonable care to ensure that the trees ditches hedges and other vegetation growing on  their land are not or could not become a danger to people using or working on a public road. Liability for damage or injury resulting from such hazards will rest with the householder/landowner/ occupier. Examples of hazards might be dead or dying trees ditches or hedges interfering with traffic, blocking footpaths obscuring road signs or obscuring a view of the road ahead. You are required to fell cut log trim or remove such trees ditches and hedges. Appropriate traffic management procedures must be put in place for the duration of the works. An Garda Síochána and Limerick City and County Council must be given at least three days working notice of the works being carried out. Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000 prohibits the cutting grubbing burning or otherwise destruction of any vegetation on uncultivated land between 1^st March and 31^st August in any year.

Drama lovers are spoilt for choice with the number of plays that are being performed at present. A number of locals are displaying their talents with the various drama groups, and they all deserve our support. Gerard Liston from Coolcappa is hilarious in ‘’Trad’’ the latest production from the Shoestring Theatre Company, Charleville. It continues at the Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville, up to Sunday 22^nd February. Banogue Parish Players present Widows Paradise written by Sam Cree, and produced by Mike Larkin from Reen’s Ardagh, from this Thursday 12^th to Sunday 15^th February.

Ardagh National School is holding an Information morning on this Thursday 12^th February at 10am, for parents of children who would like to enrol for 2015/16. Please contact the school on 069-76353 for further details.

 The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Social Club returns on Tuesday 17^th February from 2pm to 4.30pm at Ardagh Community Centre. An action filled afternoon with lots of events and entertainment is promised. The bus will collect passengers as usual and new members will be most welcome.

Community projects within 6km of the Grouse Lodge Windfarm are being invited to apply for money available as part of a new fund provided by the ESB. The windfarm community funds have been developed to build on existing local initiatives and support activity programmes that address local needs and opportunities in relation to energy. SECAD has been appointed by the ESB to manage the administration of the funds. The closing date for applications is February 18^th. More details can be got at www.windfarmcommunityfunds.ie

The 15^th annual charity céilí in aid of Chernobyl Children International will be held in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine, on Friday 27^th February at 9.30pm. The music will be supplied by Taylor’s Cross Céilí  Band with numerous spot prizes on offer and admission is €10.  Your support will be greatly appreciated.

The Limerick County senior Scór finals will be held in the Community Hall Askeaton on Friday 27^th February at 8pm. The committee is asking all clubs to commence preparations for the eight events.  All clubs are invited to take part and enter two of the events to qualify.

The annual walk covering five miles of countryside, in aid of Dromcollogher Respite Centre takes place on Sunday 8^thMarch. To get a sponsor card call 087-9354090 or 063-83934. All are welcome to join in and participate for a good cause.

The West Limerick Singing Club will hold a traditional fundraising concert in Fr Casey’s Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale, on Saturday 14^th March at 8pm. The concert will include top class musicians, singers, dancers, and story –tellers. The admission is € 10 and all are welcome.