By Tom Aherne
Bishop Brendan Leahy, has announced that Fr Tim Curtin, Coolcappa/Kilcolman, will succeed the retiring Fr Laurence Madden as administrator of Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish, to take effect from Monday, September 14. This will add additional work for Fr Tim who will have four churches, four schools and Cahermoyle Nursing Home to look after. Changes are coming fast and mass times will most likely be affected. He will need full co-operation from all committees and parishioners and outside priests to keep things ticking over.
The death has taken place of Sarah Noonan, nee Bond, wife of the late Jack, South Cappa, Foynes and formerly of Dunmoylan, Shanagolden. She died peacefully in the loving care of family and staff at the Camilia’s unit. St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West. She was a sister of Eileen Tobin and Willie Bond, Dunmoylan. Reposing at her residence on Sunday August 9, from 4.30 to 8pm. Her remains arrived at the Church of the Assumption, Loughill on Monday for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial took place afterwards in the local cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and extended family members. May she rest in peace.
We extend sympathy to Kate, Edward, and the Buckingham family, Glenastar, on the death of Kate’s niece Jo Geary Tullaha, Broadford, on Friday August 7. May she rest in peace.
The past few weeks saw the passing of a number of well-known figures in the entertainment World. Lynn Anderson, the country singer was best known for her song, I never promised you a Rose Garden. She had numerous other hit songs and was only 67 years old. Cilla Black was a singer and a TV host who was much loved in this country as well as in the UK. Her big hits were Anyone who had a Heart and You are my World. Cilla presented Surprise, Surprise and Blind Date on TV and was 72 years old. Peter O’Sullivan, the legendary Racing Commentator, was a native of Kenmare in Kerry and he was 97 years old. George Cole, the actor is best remembered for his role in the series Minder which was on TV for many years. May they all rest in Peace.
Congratulations and best wishes, in the future to Peg O’Grady, Glenbawn, who celebrated her 90th birthday on Saturday August 8. She celebrated the occasion at Brown Joe’s Bar in Athea. Her neighbour Peg Prendeville, composed some lovely verses to mark the special occasion.
Congratulations and best wishes to all students who received their Leaving Cert results on Wednesday August 12. Enjoy the achievement of sitting the examination regardless of the result as there is something out there for every student. Best wishes in the future, be it further education or in the work place.
The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday August 10. The numbers drawn were 2, 8,9,16, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Mary Kiely c/o Josie. €60 Mairéad and Peg O’Connor, c/o Peg. €60 Joy Collins, c/o Eileen Collins. €30 Pat Liston, c/o Denis Greaney. €30 Nora Mullins, c/o Patrick. €30 Peggy Conway, c/o Curley’s. Next week’s draw will be held in the Old Mill Bar and the Jackpot will be €5,600.
Saint Kieran’s lost to Drom/Broadford by 2-19 to 0-4 in the West Junior B Football Championship Quarter Final at the Bog Garden, Rathkeale, on Thursday August 6.
Saint Kieran’s lost to Granagh/Ballingarry/ Rathkeale, by 3-27 to 0-2 in Round 2 of the West Minor A and B Hurling Championship in Ballingarry on Wednesday August 5.
Saint Kieran’s will meet Mungret/Saint Pauls, in Round 5 of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship in Croagh on Friday 28th August. They will play Father Casey’s in Round 5 of the County Senior Football Championship in Newcastle West, on Thursday 3rd September.
Congratulations to Mick Robinson and Jack Woulfe who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday August 7.
The Desmond League commences this coming weekend with the junior league on Friday 21st August and the Youths league on Saturday 22nd August. The ladies league will commence later. Best of luck to all the local clubs who will be participating. Best wishes to Colum Dalton from the Old Mill who has announced his retirement from refereeing Desmond league matches.
The Swan Monument in Carrigkerry village is attracting a lot of interest this year. Since last Easter hardly a day passes without a number of bikers calling to view and record the figure that was left to the village as a legacy of the Celtic Tiger years. It is one of a number of locations around the country that bikers are visiting as part of a campaign to see more of the hidden gems around Ireland. They have a list of places to visit in each county and take photos of to participate in the competition. It is nice to see the monument being recognised at national level (whatever we think of it at local level) as one of the places of interest to be visited by motorbike clubs
Newcastle West Library has announced new opening hours which people may make a note of. It will be open from 10am to 5pm on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and from 10am to 8pm Tuesday and Thursday and it will be closed on Mondays. I and numerous other people are of the opinion that the town of Newcastle West deserves to have the library open on Mondays. It has been affected by a number of cuts in recent times, including a cut in staff, when the service should be promoted due to increasing attendances. The benefit to people of a well-stocked and vibrant library cannot be measured in Euro and cent. I am sure our Council could cut back on their exorbitant consultancy and planning fees to fund the above for all people and especially those who have been most affected by the recession.
The Desmond Castle, Newcastle West, remains open for the month of August, and visitors should avail of this opportunity to pay a visit. It is an interesting building with a lot of history attached to it. The banqueting hall, courtyard and the view from the roof are all included. A number of events will be held there, during Heritage Week, from 22nd to 30th of August. They include free guided tours, uilleann pipe recital by David Power, concertina recital by Tim Collins, lecture on the Desmond Rebellion by John Dorney and the Irish Revolution by Brian Hanley. Dates and times, for over 30 events to be held in County Limerick can be viewed on the Heritage Week website, www.heritageweek.ie
The Irish Palatine Heritage Centre, Rathkeale is open to visitors from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday during the month of August.
Pope Francis has dedicated 2015 as the Year of Consecrated Life in thanksgiving for the service of sisters, brothers, priests and nuns who entered a religious Order. Our Lady’s Pastoral area is planning to honour all those from the seven parishes in the cluster who have entered consecrated life as sisters, brothers or priests. They plan to honour them at a special Mass which will be held in Newcastle West Church on Thursday 15th October at 7.30pm. People in the Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish who are involved in religious life at present are asked to submit their names and current address, so that they can be personally invited. They will also be remembering the religious people that have passed on at the Mass. Relatives are asked to supply the person’s name and the name of the Order they were in. All the information can be dropped into a box at the rear of both churches in Ardagh and Carrigkerry. It is nice to see that their contribution is being acknowledged and people should make a special effort to collect all the names who have served. Please do so before Sunday 30th August
Milford Fair Funday, in aid of Milford Hospice, will take place on Sunday 30th August. The day will begin with a walk at the UL Arena at 12.30pm. This will be followed by a number of other activities up to 5pm. Further information and sponsorship cards available from the Milford Fundraising Department on 061-485860 or 061-485859.
The annual Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Saturday 12th September. For additional information, and booking please contact John Joe at 069-76280.