By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Maureen O’Grady (nee Buston) wife of the late PJ, 1 St Mary’s Terrace, Carrigkerry. She was a native of Newbridge, in the Rathkeale parish. She was one of thirteen in family being the youngest of the girls. Maureen was born on January 4, 1935 and like many of her generation she moved to England to find work. She met and married her husband PJ and in time they returned to live in Cahermoyle, for a while. The family moved to Carrigkerry, when they were awarded a house in the new housing estate.

Maureen was a hard working lady who was outgoing and friendly with a kind heart. Her home was open to all who called and the kettle was always on the boil to make the tea. She inherited her love for music and song from her late mother. She spent many happy nights in the local lounge bars, and pubs, and she was a lifelong pioneer. She loved to play the bodhrán, and kept up the Wren tradition with her family. Baking, knitting, and flowers, were other great sources of enjoyment for Maureen.

She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Wednesday June 17, from 6pm, followed by removal to Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry. The Carrigkerry Wren Group formed a guard of honour as her remains entered the church. Fr John Mockler, Fr Joe Foley, Fr Edwin Irwin and Canon Frank Duhig concelebrated her Funeral Mass on Thursday at 11.30am. Family members participated in the ceremony and Maura and Donie supplied the hymns and music and the beat of the bodhrán was also heard.

Symbols representing Maureen’s life interests were taken to the altar before Mass commenced. They included a knitted piece to show her love for knitting. A bodhrán which she played when hunting the wren on Saint Stephen’s Day. A brown loaf to show her talents as a bread maker. A hydrangea flower to highlight her work in the garden. Rosary beads to show the importance of the rosary and faith in her life.

Fr John gave us an insight into Maureen’s life during his homily, and a family member also paid tribute to her. She lived a long and happy life in a positive manner and had her priorities right, and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Maureen was laid to rest in Bruff Cemetery on Thursday June 18. We extend our sympathy to her sons John, Joe, Tom, Mike, daughter Mary, brother Tom, sister Theresa, grandchildren, other relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

We note also the passing of John Murphy from Newcastle West. He was a well-known dentist in the town, in the distant past.

The death has taken place on June 15, of George Walker, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, and formerly of Rooskagh, Carrigkerry. He was father of the late Kathleen, New York, and brother of the late John, New York, and Denis, Rooskagh. Born on September 25, 1925 to Margaret Murphy and George Walker, he immigrated to the United States at the young age of 21 in search of opportunity and settled in New York. There he met his wife, Patricia Flaherty, and married her on October 25, 1952 in Rochester. From a young age, George was an avid fiddle player, who we believe learned his craft from the late Patneen Ahern, from Knockfinisk.  He loved making music with his brother, John.

He retired in Florida after a 35-year tenure with Rochester Gas & Electric. His passion for music continued in the Sunshine State where he joined the Irish Band “Echoes of Erin” and performed in pubs around Palm Beach County for nearly two decades. George is mentioned in the song Lovely Glenagown written by Brigid Woulfe, Rooskagh West, and recorded by the late Tom McCarthy.

On a summer’s eve

in Tom Barrett’s yard

As the birds did sweetly sing

George Walker played some violin notes

That made the valleys ring.

He is survived by his wife Patricia, children Margaret, George Jnr, Maureen, Johnny and Tricia, sister Mai Aherne, Kildimo, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a wide circle of friends in Ireland and the USA. His funeral took place in West Palm Beach Florida on Saturday June 20. May he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday June 15. The numbers drawn were 6,11,14,16, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Paul, Séan, and David Noonan, Ardagh. €60 Eleanor Fitzsimons, c/o Peadar’s. €60 Tade Roche c/o Josie. €30 Ita Kirk, Reens. €30 Noreen Murphy c/o Curley’s. €30 Jim, c/o Curley’s. Next week’s draw will be held in Foley’s Bar, Reens, and the Jackpot will be €12,600

Maura Nolan from Kilcolman recently presented a cheque for €1,000 to the Friends of Saint Ita’s Hospital in Newcastle West. The cheque total came from the sale of Maura’s CD titled Le Chéile-Time Together which was on sale in 2014. It was released as a fundraiser in aid of the Friends of Saint Ita’s Patient Comfort Fund.

Congratulations to Jim Dalton and Francis Woulfe who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday June 12.

The Desmond League reached the semi-final of the Kennedy Cup in UL on Thursday June 11. They lost out 11-10 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time, to the Kerry League. John Hayes, Captain, and Dylan Moloney from Carrig Celtic and Darren Kearns and Michael Conlon from Creeves Celtic were part of the squad. Michael scored eight goals during the Tournament and he was named the Desmond League player of the Tournament.

Granagh/Ballingarry defeated Saint Kieran’s by 0-14 to 0-12 in the West Senior Hurling Championship at Askeaton Gaelic Grounds on Friday June 12. Saint Kieran’s led by 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time. TEAM: John Greaney, Michael Windle, Paudie McCarthy, James O’Connor, Sean Windle, Anthony Molyneaux, Maurice Shine, Ian Mackessey, Jack Ben Harnett, Michael Enright, 0-2 Donal Nolan, 0-9 Seamus Mangan, 0-1 Danny Collum, Jonathan Ruttle, Cillian Ambrose, Sub Paddy Harnett.

Iris Kennelly, and Sophie Hennessy, from the Old Mill club were part of the Limerick team that defeated Offaly by 3-7 to 0-12 in the All Ireland U-14 C Semi- Final played in McDonagh Park, Nenagh on Sunday June 14. Limerick will play Derry in the final on Saturday 4th July at a venue to be announced.

The Youth Choir performed in Ardagh, and Carrigkerry churches in recent weeks adding variety to the ceremonies. They were set up earlier in the year and the members include a youthful age group of musicians and singers. We look forward to more of their performances in the coming weeks. We must pay tribute also to the regular choir members in both churches for their commitment over the past year and beyond.

George Langan, the well-known singer/songwriter from Artane in Dublin, has released a lovely tribute song about the late Mike Enright, from Athea. Mike presented the Country Jamboree Show on West Limerick 102 Community Radio for many years.  Margaret Enright continues as host on the Country Jamboree Show each Sunday night from 8pm to 10pm. George is to be complimented for remembering a host of entertainers in verse in recent times.

A B.B.C. television crew will visit Knockfierna Heritage Famine Hillside on this Friday June 26. They will be doing filming from the air of this unique landscape which had a population of over 1200 during the peak of the famine in 1847 and has remained untouched in those intervening years.  Having inspected various sites throughout Ireland they consider Knockfierna to be a unique site due to it being an abandoned 200 acre landscape.  This landscape was heavily populated prior to the famine due to large scale evictions and land clearances which took place on the lowlands at that time. For further information contact Pat O’Donovan 087 9977340.  

A fundraising Irish Night in aid of the Butterfly Club Rathkeale, will be held in the Flag Floor Rambling House, on this Friday 26^th June. It will commence at 9.30pm, tea and refreshments will be available, and all are welcome.

The Desmond Complex, Newcastle West, will hold their 3rd annual Summer Fair on Sunday 28th June. It is a fundraising event with all the usual stalls and attractions present for people. Entertainment will be provided and all support will be greatly appreciated.

The Saint Kieran’s GAA Cul Camp will run from Monday 29th June to Friday 3rd July from 10am to 2.30pm in Coolcappa grounds. The camp is open to primary school children aged six to thirteen years and an action packed and fun filled week is promised. The cost is €55 per child, second child €45, third and fourth child €40. Bookings and further details:www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie

Ita McQuinn has organised a day out at the Willie Clancy Festival in Milltown Malbay for Saturday 4^th July. A musical coach will depart from the Cash and Carry Sheehan’s Road at 9am and all are welcome to join in the music and dancing, and to soak up the atmosphere. More details from Ita on 087-2593415