By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mary O’Shea (nee Fitzmaurice) Corbally Kilcolman at University Hospital Limerick on Monday April 13^th.  She was the wife of the late Peter (Aughinish Island) who died over forty years ago, and in her 88^th year. Her son Peter on behalf of the family paid her a lovely tribute during the Mass. She was a native of Gortdromsally in Moyvane, County Kerry and a hard working mother who always got on with life. She married Peter O’Shea, and they lived in Grouse Lodge for a while before moving to Aughinish Island. She worked in the canteen in Aughinish Alumina while the factory was being built. Following the death of Peter at a young age she returned to Kilcolman to live and to look after her family.

She was a strong and independent woman whose transport was her bicycle. She worked locally as a housekeeper for a time as well. She was a woman of deep faith and the Rosary was always recited. She had a welcome for all who called to her home, and enjoyed the company of her grandchildren and always had a treat for them. In recent times she was to be seen on a Friday with her son John doing her shopping in Newcastle West. She was a proud Kerry woman and she will be sadly missed by family relatives and neighbours.

She lay in repose at Ferris’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden on Thursday from 6pm to 8pm followed by removal to Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman. Her Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr Tim Curtin, Fr Jim Noonan, and Canon Tony O’Keeffe, on Friday at 12 noon. Family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and the offertory and hymns were sung throughout the ceremony.  Mary was laid to rest in Ardagh Cemetery as the sun shone, on Friday April 17^th. We extend our sympathy to her son’s daughters, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

We extend sympathy to Mary and Mike Nestor, Coolcappa, on the death of Mary’s brother Donal Hogan, Coatesland, House, Graigue, Adare, on Wednesday April 8^th.  His remains were removed from O’Grady’s Funeral Home Ballingarry on Friday to the Holy Trinity Abbey Church Adare. He was laid to rest after Requiem Mass in St Nicholas’s Cemetery on Saturday April 11^th. He is survived by his wife Florence, and family Patrick, Fr Sean, Mary Michael, Eileen, and Hannah, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes to Patrick Culhane, son of Kitty and Patrick, Ballyneety, Kilcolman, and Maura Kelley, daughter of Debra and Scott, USA, who were married in Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman, on Saturday April 18^th. The Reception was held in Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee, County Kerry.

Congratulations to Ann Horan, Principal teacher from Carrigkerry N.S., on her appointment to the Central Executive Committee at the Annual Congress of the Irish National teachers held in Ennis over the Easter holidays. She replaces Margaret Bernard from Adare and Ann, a Cork woman who lives in Glin, will be representing the 3,000 teachers in the Limerick and Kerry region. We wish her well with her new appointment

The following are the Lottery results from Foley’s Bar, Reens, on Monday April 13^th. The numbers drawn were 20, 22, 27, 28, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Mike Sheehy c/o Neary’s, Ardagh. €60 Frank Mahoney, Ardagh. €60 Jack Flaherty, Carrigkerry. €30 David Woulfe, Commons, Ardagh. €30 Dan Ryan, Ardagh. €30 Holly, Adam, Joe and William. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €10,800.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for April was held on Limerick Live 95 FM Sports programme on Saturday April 11^th.  This was the first draw for 2015 and the Saint Kieran’s club had no winner. People interested in joining for the rest of the year are asked to contact club officers. It costs €10 per month and the next draw will be held on Saturday 9^th May.

Carrig Celtic lost 6-2 at home to Rathkeale in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday April 12^th. Sean Mc Sweeney and Sean O’Connor scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B lost 5-1 away to Glin Rovers B in the Division 3 League Cup with Karl Harnett scoring their goal. Old Mill and Creeves Celtic had no games.

Congratulations to Peter Culhane, and Nuala O’Connell who were prize winners at the card game held in Monagea Hall on Wednesday April 8^th.

Kate Buckingham Glenastar and her team of volunteers would like to thank all who contributed to the success of Daffodil Day at Garvey’s Supermarket in Newcastle West which raised €8,068. Kitty Griffin O’Doherty and Claire Geary and their team would like to thank all who contributed to their successful coffee day at the Red Door Newcastle West which raised €5,643.

The welcome call of the Cuckoo has been heard in the Glenhsarrold and Glenastar areas on April 16^th. Its arrival around mid April each year is always a welcome boost after the long winter.  

People are asked to return the completed Synod Questionaire to their local church this week. It is a part of the preparations for the Diocesan Synod which takes place in April 2016.

A reminder to parishioners to return any outstanding Trocaire Boxes to the local churches as soon as possible. It would help the finance groups if the final total was in notes or big coins.

Kilcolman Rovers soccer club are holding their annual fundraising walk on Sunday 26^th April. Sponsorship cards are available and a draw will be held for all who supports the event for valuable prizes.

The annual general meeting of Ardagh Community Leisure Centre Ltd will be held in Ardagh Hall on Tuesday 5^th May at 9pm, and all are welcome.

The second Darkness into Light fundraising event in aid of Pieta House will take place in Newcastle West on Saturday 9^thMay commencing at 4.15am. To register call to the Red Door Gallery Newcastle West each Saturday from 10am to 3pm and also Thursday and Friday 7^th and 8^th May from 6pm to 9pm. Volunteers are also needed and  they can contact 087-04140324 or 086-2517086

A committee has been set up to raise much needed funds to assist with the cost of sending baby Orlaith Geoghegan and her parents to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London in the coming months for treatment of Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI). It is a rare but potentially serious condition which is characterised by inappropriate and unregulated insulin secretion from the beta-cells of the pancreas. It is only one in forty thousand children that will be affected and it is hard to diagnose. Great Ormond Street Hospital in London is one of the leading specialists in the treatment of children with CHI.

Orlaith was born on November 16^th 2014 and lives with her parents in Lisgordon, Ardagh.  They would like the general public to be made aware of the condition, and as a result Martin was a guest on the Joe Nash Show on Radio Limerick on Tuesday April 7th. Norma Prendeville raised awareness of the condition also in her article in the Limerick Leader. The fundraising campaign has been set up to ensure that Orlaith is able to access the best specialised care and treatment which is available at Great Ormond Street.

A benefit night will be held at Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday 16^th May at 8pm. Music will be supplied by  the well known Stevie Donegan from Lisselton. A number of guests will also be present to entertain the crowd throughout the night. They will include the Glensharrold Wren Group, Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas, Jacqueline, and John O’Connor, Denis Mangan and friends, and others to be confirmed. The master of ceremonies on the night will be Seamus Hennessy from Newcastle West who will add his own unique talents to the proceedings.

The tickets cost €10 and are available from shops in Ardagh, Carrigkerry Ballyhahill, Shanagolden and Foynes and from members of the committee. Gerard Reidy Chairman 087-2582963 Mary O’Shaughnessy Secretary 087-4165422 Sharon, and Robert Kinehan, (Ardagh) Nancy Barrett, (Carrigkerry) Margaret Reidy, Evelyn Adams,  Patrick Finucane and Fr Tony Mullins. All support will be greatly appreciated and a wonderful night’s entertainment is guaranteed.