By Tom Aherne

The annual SSE Airtricity Community Fund Presentation night was held in Halla Inse Bhán in Templeglantine on Wednesday February 11^th. Ardagh Community Leisure Centre Ltd received funding for the installation of a solar water heating system. Carrigkerry Sports Association Ltd received funding for the installation of energy efficient lighting in the centre.

The death has taken place in London of Elizabeth (Betty) Dolan nee O’Donnell Acton, England and late of Kilscannell, Ardagh. Her funeral arrived in Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa, on Thursday evening and her Requiem Mass was celebrated there on Friday February 20^th at 11am followed by burial in Kilscannell Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her sons, John, Aidan, and Pat, daughter, Ann, brothers Mike, and Tim, Kilscannell, grandchildren,   great-grandson Harry, daughter-in-law Rowena, relatives, and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Paddy and may she rest in Peace.

Maureen Cregan nee Welshe, from Balliniska, Feohanagh, was buried in Ardagh Cemetery on Sunday February 22^nd . We extend sympathy to her family relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday February 16^th. The numbers drawn were 4,11,14,21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Joan Bridgeman, Rathreigh, Ardagh. €60 Ann and Mary c/o Moore’s Bar. €60 Eileen and Mike, c/o Josie. €30 Marian O’Connor, Lisbane, Shanagolden. €30 Tommy and Evelyn Mullins, Ardagh. €30 Sarah O’Connor, Carrigkerry. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €9,000.

Congratulations and best wishes to all in the locality who recently celebrated birthdays and we hope they all enjoyed their day. We heard of the following Bridie Kiely from Glensharrold who was 92 years old on February 20^th. Paddy O’Neill from Bruff celebrated his 90^th birthday in January. Paddy and family are living and farming there since 1979 when they moved from their home in the Old Mill.

Carrig Celtic lost 5-2 away to Newcastle West Rovers in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday February 15^th. Seanie King and Ray Cahill scored their goals. Old Mill lost 5-0 away to Rathkeale B in Division 1, and Creeves Celtic lost 4-0 at home to Kilcornan in Division 2. Carrig Celtic B defeated Feenagh B 2-0 away in the Division 3 League Cup Group B with Fintan McEnery and Mark Collins scoring.

In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Carrig Celtic lost 2-1 away to table toppers Breska Rovers. Michelle Brouder scored their goal, and they finished runners-up in the division.

The West Limerick GAA Board held this year’s draws at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine on Tuesday February 10^th. In the Senior Football Championship Saint Kieran’s will play Castlemahon in the quarter final. In the Senior Hurling Championship they will play Granagh/Ballingarry in the quarter final. In the Intermediate Hurling Championship they will play Croagh/ Kilfinny in the quarter final.  In the other competitions the League system operates before the knock out stages. In the Junior B Football Championship they are in Group 2 with Rathkeale, Ballysteen, Athea, and Glin. In the Junior B Hurling Championship they are in Group 1 with Croagh/Kilfinny, Killeedy and Knockaderry. In the U-21 B Football Championshup they are paired with Saint Senan’s and Granagh/Ballingarry. In the U-21 B Hurling Championship Askeaton/Saint Kierans are paired with Drom-Broadford, and Allaughan Gaels. In the Minor B Football Championship they are paired with Drom/Broadford, Granagh/Ballingarry/Banogue, and Saint Senan’s. In the Minor B Hurling Championship they are paired with Drom Broadford, and Croagh/Kilfinny.

Congratulations to Mike Young and Michael O’Mahony who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday February 11^th. Congratulations to John Mulvihill. Peg Mulvihill, and Mike Robinson, who were prize winners at the card game held in Rathkeale Community Centre on Wednesday February 11^th. Congratulations to Moss O’Connor who was a prize winner at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday February 13^th.

Tony and Joan wish to thank all the people who contributed to the recent clerk’s collection held in Coolcappa/Kilcolman Parish. Any outstanding envelopes may be handed in at the usual masses.

The recent meeting of the Friends of the Great Southern Trail Greenway decided on the following schedule of spring events to inaugurate the three new trail loops. Sunday, March 15th at Halla Inse Bán, Templeglantine at 2.30pm for a two hour ramble along the Tullig Wood Loop. Monday, May 4th at Garryduff Cross [N21-5km west of Newcastle West] at 3pm for a three hour strenuous walk along the Rooskagh Loop. Sunday, May 31st at Ardagh Hall at 7pm for a two and a half hour stroll along the William Smith O’Brien Loop. As these loops are partially along public roads visibility vests should be worn. Cyclists are also most welcome and an extended route will be available for them. The 5th Annual 36 km ‘Big Walk’ along the Greenway will take place on Saturday, June 20th at 10.30am.The trail is a fine facility to have in our locality and a great way to get exercise in a secure location.

Kilcolman N.S. are currently enrolling for September 2015. Please contact the school on 069-60005.

The Limerick GAA Club Draw will commence next month and run for 10 months up to December. It costs €10 a month for the 10 months or €100 for the full draw. The first prize in the monthly draw is €13,000, second prize is €3,000, third prize is €2,000, and fourth prize is €1,000, plus 5 prizes of €500, and 11 prizes of €250. Interested people are asked to contact their local club to join.

The Stations of the Cross will be recited in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West each Sunday during Lent at 2.30pm. All are welcome to attend and participate in remembrance of their relatives and friends.

Fitness classes will commence in Ardagh Community Centre on this Friday 27^th February from 7pm to 8pm. The classes will be conducted by Saint Kieran’s player Michael Flynn who can be contacted on 087-2919107.

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. All clubs are invited to take part and enter two of the seven events to qualify.  A very good night’s entertainment is assured.

Mary Kury will launch her new book about Ardagh Graveyard in Ardagh Hall on Saturday 28^th February following the 7.30pm Mass in Saint Molua’s Church. The book includes a history of the site which includes the Ardagh Church Graveyard, Old graveyard and the new section which opened 20 years ago. Her late father Jerry McMahon published the Headstone Inscriptions of Ardagh Cemetery in 1995 from work he undertook in 1981. Mary has updated all these headstones as well as including the additional headstones over the past 34 years.  She also takes a look at the design of the headstones and the stonemasons who created the carvings on the headstones. The book also includes a photograph of each memorial and historic notes on many of the headstones. It promises to be a great read and a valuable addition to books already written about the parish.