By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Margaret (Maggie) Moore (nee Windle) Upper Carrigkerry, Athea, wife of the late Patrick, at University Hospital Limerick on Friday February 20^th. Maggie was one of the oldest parishioners and the last surviving member of the Windle family. She was a native of nearby Glensharrold and was predeceased by her sister Eily Scanlon, Athea and brother Harry.  Maggie was born on Saturday May 7^th 1921 at a time when Ireland was in turmoil. The headlines of the day stated that over 5,000 people had already starved to death in Ireland and it is feared that more will follow. In Detroit USA the Ford Motor Company turned out a record 4,072 vehicles.

Maggie grew up on the family farm and attended Carrigkerry National School. On leaving school she had a lifelong involvement in farming and was a hard working person who faced and overcame many obstacles along life’s highway. Her father Patrick died in 1928 and her brother Harry died in 1931 and it was not easy for her mother to make a living for them from poor land with no Government support to assist families in the depressed thirties and the Emergency war years of the forties.

Maggie married Pat Moore in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry and moved to Upper Carrigkerry to live and continue on farming. They were blessed with four children Eileen, Ann, Sean, and Tina. Sadly Pat passed away in 1973 two months after her mother Johanna, and Maggie was left to run the farm and provide for her family. She took great care of them and was very proud of their achievements. She liked home life, music, and trips to Knock, Basilica, and to Ballybunion, and Listowel Races with her sister Eily.  She was a member of Carrigkerry ICA and Vice President of the Guild in 1988.She was a friendly person and a good neighbour, with an outgoing personality. Maggie was to be seen out and about until slowing down in recent years. She received great care from her family living in her own home until her final illness and brief stay in Hospital.

She lay in repose at her residence on Sunday February 22^nd from 4pm to 7pm. Fr Tim Curtin, P.P Coolcappa/Kilcolman, Fr John Mockler, and C.C. Newcastle West and Fr Denis Mullane, P.P. Tournafulla, /Mountcollins/Templeglantine, concelebrated her Requiem Mass in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Monday at 11.30am. There was a lot of family involvement in the well attended ceremony with musicians performing and Margaret supplying appropriate hymns. Fr Tim spoke of Maggie’s great faith and attitude to life and her devotion to family during his well chosen homily. Patricia on behalf of the family delivered a lovely tribute in verse form to Maggie, and thanked everybody for their kindness and support and presence at her Funeral Mass.

Maggie was laid to rest in Saint Molua’s Cemetery Ardagh on Monday February 23^rd the same day as Frank Prendergast the former Mayor of Limerick and Labour Party TD was buried in Limerick. Maggie witnessed massive changes during her lifetime in farming and general life and will be sadly missed by her family relatives and friends. We extend our sympathy to her son Sean, daughters Tina, Eileen (Leahy, Ballyine, Carrigkerry) and Ann (O’Kelly, Tournafulla) grandchildren, sons in law Larry Leahy and Tony O’Kelly, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Sure Carrig Hill is famous and commands a pleasant view,

You can see the hills of Kerry and the plains of Galway too,

You can see the Galtee Mountains and the slopes of Knockmealdown,

You can view them all from Goulding’s lawn at the top of Carrig town.

May she rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday February 23^rd. The numbers drawn were 5,10,25,30, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Susan Moriarty, Ardagh. €60 John Woulfe, c/o Neary’s. €60 Tom Hartnett Ardagh. €30 Emelda Balfe, c/o Curley’s. €30 Jimmy Mc Coy, Ballintemple. €30 Ann Mullins, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in The Thatch Bar, Newbridge and the Jackpot will be €9,400.

Ardagh/ Carrigkerry Comhaltas would like to congratulate all their members that won prizes at the recent Ceoil an Gheimhridh Munster final. Also well done to the group that performed at the Milk Market in Limerick. A special thanks to Ann- Marie Bourke, who put the group together and helped them on the day. Classes continue each Tuesday night from 7pm to 9pm in Ardagh Hall.

Congratulations to Donie Donovan, and James Bridgeman, who were first prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday February 20^th.

Askeaton/Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Drom-Broadford 2-17 to 3-9 in the opening match in the West Under 21 B Hurling Championship played at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Saturday February 21^st.

Saint Kieran’s Bord Na Nóg will hold a presentation night in Ardagh Hall on Friday 13^th March at 8pm.

Alva Neary and Mai Kennelly from the Old Mill ladies football club helped Limerick to defeat Antrim by 1-8 to 0-6 in Round 2 of the National Football League played in Randallstown on Sunday February 22^nd.

The Gradam Ceoil Awards on TG4 on Sunday February 22^nd provided the best of traditional entertainment. It was nice to see Bobby Gardiner from Clare receive the Hall of Fame Award following a lifetime of playing the accordion. Bobby and his wife Ann often performed at Stacks Lounge Bar and Morans Tavern in Carrigkerry during the 1970’s and 1980’s.

The County Limerick Senior Scór finals were held in Halle Eas Géibhtine on Friday night last in front of a disappointing attendance. From the 70 GAA clubs in the County only 10 were represented. There was competition only in the Solo Singing, Recitation, and Ballad Group events, with one entry only in the Figure Dancing, Novelty Act, and Set Dancing events, and no entry in the Instrumental Music event. It was a far cry from the glory days of packed halls, of yesteryear. The Scór Na Nóg is still thriving but the senior event is in severe decline at present.

A Gala Fashion Show will take place on Friday 6th March at 8pm in Tintean Theatre Ballybunion.  It will feature models by Ursula Stokes Agency Limerick, school students and local children.  There will be a Cheese and wine reception with musical interval and door and spot prizes. The tickets cost €10, and they are on sale at the school, from students, also Mary Chute087 6986744, Maxine Brown 087 6268503 Listowel, Rita O’ Shea, 087 7941471 Glin, Pat Noonan 087 2331568, Loughill, and all members of Parents Association. This is the school’s main fundraiser so your support is gratefully appreciated.

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.

International Women’s Day 2015 has a local connection this year with Charlotte Grace O’Brien, Cahermoyle, Ardagh, one of two West Limerick women to be honoured posthumously on Friday 6^th March. A Civic Reception will be held in University Concert Hall Limerick to honour Limerick Women of Distinction Charlotte Grace O’Brien, Kate O’Brien, Limerick and Sophia Pierce, from Knockaderry.   On Sunday March 8^th Liz Gillis, author of ‘’Women of the Irish Revolution’’ will be the special guest in Newcastle West Library. The work done by the Daly sisters from Frederick Street, Limerick and Mary Spring Rice from Mount Trenchard Foynes, during the troubled times will also be recalled. It promises to be a lively and interesting evening with selected poetry music and song and all are welcome to come along and to join in the celebrations.

The next lecture in the Thomond Archaeological and Historical Society’s spring lecture series will be entitled A Forgotten Limerick Man, Sir Thomas Myles, and will be given by society member Paddy Waldron.  It will take place at 8pm on Monday 9 March in room T.1.17 in the Tara building at Mary Immaculate College.  For further details please contact Pat O’Donovan P.R.O. 087 9977340.

Daffodil Day will be held on Friday 27^th of March this year. People who wish to volunteer on the day or to donate daffodils please contact Kate Buckingham Glenastar, Ardagh on 069- 76148.