By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mary O’Connor (née McDonnell) (Feigh Beg, Askeaton) peacefully following a short illness. Mary, aged 92, relict of Tom, and mother of the late Ann (Bradley). She lay in repose at Magner’s Funeral Home, Rathkeale on Friday, August 21 from 6 to 8pm followed by removal to St. James’s Church, Cappagh. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday at 11.30am followed by burial afterwards in Reilig Mhuire Cemetery, Askeaton. We extend our sympathy to her sons Leonard, Gerard, (Jim and Nuala, and family Rathreigh, Ardagh) Tom and Conor, daughters Mary (O’Connell), Bernadette (McKenna), grandchildren, great-grandchild, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Christina O’Sullivan, England and Glencarney, Rockchapel, Cork, on July 27 in England. She lay in repose at Allen’s Funeral Home, Rockchapel, on Thursday, August 6 from 6pm to 8pm with removal afterwards to St Peter’s Church, Rockchapel. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in the local cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her husband Patsy, daughter Maria, son Wayne, Glensharrold, son-in-law Billy, daughter-in-law Helen, Glensharrold grandchildren Fionn and Muireann, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place suddenly of Seamus Behan, aged 65 years, Moig, Shanagolden. Reposing in Madigan’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden on Tuesday, August 18 from 5pm to 8pm. His remains arrived at Shanagolden Church for Requiem Mass on Wednesday at 12 o’clock. Burial took place afterwards in Shanagolden Cemetery.  We extend our sympathy to his partner Joan, wife Carmel, daughters Lorraine, Celine, Frances, Tina and Ann, son Alan, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brothers, (Eddie, Eileen, and family Carrigkerry) sisters and extended family. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Mai Cregan (nee Corbett) Gortroe, Newcastle West and formerly of Grange, at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home on Monday August 17. Wife of the late Michael and sister of the late James. Reposing at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Wednesday, August, 19 from 6 o’clock followed by removal to Knockaderry Church. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated at Knockaderry Church on Thursday at 12.30pm followed by burial in Ardagh Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her brothers Michael, Liam and Eddie, sister Helen Dunworth, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

We extend our sympathy to Sean, and Joan, Hayes and family, Cahernagh, on the death of Sean’s sister Theresa Hayes McGowan, Caherdavin, Limerick on Friday, August 21. She lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden, on Saturday from 6pm followed by removal to Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Sunday at 12 noon followed by burial afterwards. She is also survived by husband Padraig, sisters Ita Shine, Helen Flanagan, Ann Hennessy and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.

A reminder to householders to remain vigilant at all times as robbers do not take any holidays. They are always on the alert and ready to step into action at a moment’s notice. They are mainly outsiders who perform these tasks with the help of locals who pass on the information be it for reward or to pay back a debt owed. A house in Knockbowheen, was broken into and cash and jewelry taken on Tuesday, August 18. People should take every necessary step to secure their belongings, as best they can and report any suspicious behaviour to the local Gardaí.

The following are the Lottery results from the Old Mill Bar on Monday August 17. The numbers drawn were 5,13,15,21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Francis Ahern, Reens, Ardagh. €60 Donal Dineen, Ardagh. €60 Donie Kiely, c/o Madigan’s. €30 Michael O’Connor, c/o Moloney’s. €30 Emelda Balfe, c/o Curley’s. €30 Mary Woulfe, Grouse Lodge, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,800, and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh.

Congratulations to all the local participants and prize winners at the Newcastle West Flower and Craft Show which was held in the Newcastle West Community Centre, on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 August. The show continues to grow, each year and it offers people young and old a platform to display their creations.

Members of the Flag Floor committee recently presented the Butterfly Club, with a cheque for € 650 the proceeds from a fundraiser which was held there.

Aisling McEnery, Cathy Ambrose, Roisin Ambrose, Kate Ambrose, Katelyn Hayes and Michelle McCarthy from the Old Mill club were members of the Limerick U-15 Camogie team that participated in the All Ireland Camogie Blitz in Kilkenny on Saturday August 15.

Saint Kieran’s U-12 Hurlers recently participated in a tournament at Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Knockaderry by 0-11 to 0-6 in Division 3 of the County Hurling League.

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. It would be nice to get the complete list and record it for posterity. A list from the Carrigkerry/Old Mill area was published in the Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry book published in 2003 to celebrate the 125^th anniversary. The good work done by these people under difficult circumstances deserves to be recognised and remembered. It is nice to see that their contribution is being acknowledged at this mass and people should make a special effort to collect all the names who have served. All the information can be dropped into a box at the rear of both churches in Ardagh and Carrigkerry. It can also be sent to the Parish Office in Newcastle West whose phone number is 069-61816. Please do so before Sunday 30th August.

Milford Fair Fun day 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 West Limerick Branch of the Mental Health Association of Ireland will hold a meeting at Maple Lodge, Gortboy, Newcastle West on Tuesday 1^st September at 8pm. All members are requested to attend and new members are most welcome. The meetings are held once a month for members.

The first meeting of Toastmasters will be held in the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West on Wednesday 2nd September from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. It is a social night out with like-minded people and an opportunity to learn the craft of public speaking. The club meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month and further information from Charles on 087-7972855.

The first céilí of the new season will be held in Halla Tadhg Gaelach, Tournafulla, on Friday 4^th September. Music by the Johnny Reidy band and all are welcome. The very popular dances to top class bands are held on a monthly basis and attracts a large crowd.

The West Limerick Singing Club will hold their monthly singing session in the Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale on Friday 4thSeptember at 9pm and all are welcome. This is an opportunity for singers to perform in a relaxed atmosphere amongst their friends.

World Suicide Prevention Day, takes place on Thursday 10^th September, and to mark it Suicide or Survive (SOS) will be holding ‘’High Tea and Talk’’ events around the country during the month of September. To get involved and to hold an event contact Jacqui to register at SOS on 1850 577 577 They will send you a ‘’High Tea and Talk’’ pack filled with information on how to run your tea morning including bunting. Mental health issues need to be discussed and highlighted and this offers people and communities an opportunity to do so over the month of September.