By Tom Aherne

At Fr Larry Madden’s request there was no public function to acknowledge his service to the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish. Mary Leahy, Chairperson of the Pastoral Council, presented him with a gift in St Molua’s Church Sacristy on Thursday October 8. Many thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to this presentation. We thank Fr Larry for his service to the parish since his appointment in September 2008 and wish him many years of good health, peace and contentment.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Liz King, Carrigkerry who recently celebrated her 80^th birthday. Her two brothers, sister, children and other family members, arrived from all parts of the globe to mark the great occasion. They celebrated with a meal at Newcastle West Golf Club in Ardagh and afterwards at the Top of the Town, in Athea.

Congratulations to Tom and Ann Larkin, Reen’s Ardagh, who were awarded top place in the heifer section of the Hereford Society Store Cattle Show and Sale in Golden Vale Mart, Kilmallock on Monday, October 12.

The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday October 12. The numbers drawn were 6, 7, 18, 26, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows: €60 Liam O’Brien, Ardagh. €60 Timmy Copse, Glensharrold. €60 Eamon O’Connor, Glenastar. €30 Sheila, and Mike, c/o Neary’s. €30 Shauna, and Lauren, c/o Peadar’s. €30 Jim Davis, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €7,400.

Knockaderry defeated St Kieran’s by 1-14 to 0-14 in the County Intermediate Hurling Cup Final replay at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, on Sunday, October 11. It was a perfect day for hurling and only a puck of a ball separated the teams, all through. Knockaderry led by 8 pts to 7 pts at half time and overall over the hour deserved their win as they hit a lot of wides. St Kieran’s were missing a few players from the drawn game but apart from the goal matched their opponents point for point. The goal arrived following a throw in by the referee following a disputed side line cut 4 minutes into the second half. It was a clear St Kieran’s ball but with no linesman present the referee had no option but to throw in the ball.

Teams contesting a county final deserves the respect the occasion demands, but sadly this was not in evidence once again. The match was late starting and no team sheets were provided and no scoreboard was in operation. There were no official umpires or linesmen either, which created tension amongst the players. Congratulations to Knockaderry on their win and thanks to Saint Kieran’s for the entertainment they provided over the year. TEAM Cillian Ambrose, James Windle, Paudie McCarthy, Mike Windle, Sean Windle, 0-1 Brendan McCarthy, Mossie Shine, Darragh Treacy, 0-1 Michael Flynn, Seamus Mangan, 0-1 Johnny McCarthy, 0-2 Donal Nolan, 0-7 Ray Cahill,  Anthony Molyneaux, 0-2  Michael Enright, Subs Michael Steele, James O’Connor.

Daithí Brudairs defeated St Kieran’s by 5-23 to 1-10 in the West Minor B Hurling Final played in Coolyroe, also on Sunday October 11.

Carrig Celtic defeated Abbeyfeale Utd B 4-2 away in Division 1 of the Desmond League, on Sunday, October 11. Seanie King, 2 Ray Cahill and Anthony Molyneaux scored their goals. Creeves Celtic lost 3-1 at home to Shountrade in Division 2 with Brian Nash scoring their goal. Old Mill and Carrig Celtic B had no fixtures.

In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Creeves Celtic defeated Glin Rovers 3-2 away to move joint top with Angela Sheehan, 2 and Mairead Cummane scoring the goals. Carrig Celtic defeated Broadford Utd 3-1 at home with goals from Bridget Liston, Anne Mc Sweeney and Mag O’Connor. Kilcolman Rovers lost 1-0 at home to Charleville.

Congratulations to Donie Donovan, and James Bridgeman who were prize winners at the card game held in Monagea Community Centre on Wednesday, October 7. Congratulations to Jack Woulfe, and Mike Robinson who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday, October 9. Congratulations to John Mulvihill and Vinny Wrenn who were prize winners at the card game held in Ballingarry Hall on Saturday, October 10.

We continue on from last week’s update on Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish contacts: Ardagh Sacristan, John Joe Kennelly 089-4144106, Carrigkerry Sacristan Eileen O’Connor, 069-76411.

The Pastoral Council members are Kathleen Hayes, Helena King, Evelyn Mullins, Máire Madigan, Nora Kennelly, Mary Leahy, Margaret King, Pat Lawlor, Bernie Ambrose and Fr Tim.

The Finance Committee members are Pat O’Connor, Oliver Heffernan, Geraldine Collins, John Joe Kennelly, Mike Murphy, Noreen Geoghegan, Siobhan Doody and Fr Tim.

The Child Protection Delegates are Martina McGrath and Patricia Fitzgerald. The Newsletter team:   Mary Leahy, Máire Madigan and Moira McEnery.  

Ardagh Choir contact Sean Moriarty, Organist Mary O’Connell. Folk Choir Elaine McSweeney. Carrigkerry Choir contact Nora Kennelly.

“The Hills of Old Kilcolman” the Irish Traditional Music Album” from Jacki, and John O’Connor, Kilcolman,  is currently for sale at Moloney’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry; Curley’s Post Office and Shop, Ardagh; Buckley’s Shop, Devon Road, Templeglantine; The Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale; Mullane’s Costcutter, Shanagolden; MACE, Shanagolden; Trade Electric, Newcastle West O’Connor’s Londis, Churchtown, Newcastle West. Five Roads Shop Rathkeale, Mullane’s Glin, Brouders and Collins, shops Athea and Ann Lyons Shop Abbeyfeale. It is also on sale at the Mazenod Social Club Kilburn in London. Readers of these notes might spread the word to family members and friends living there. Net proceeds in aid of Milford Hospice, Limerick. All support greatly appreciated.

A monument dedicated to the memory of Con Colbert, one of the executed leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, will be unveiled at Con Colbert Hall Athea, on Saturday 24th October at 4pm. Con was born on October 19th 1888 in Monalena, Castlemahon. The family relocated to Gale View house in Athea when he was three years old. He attended Kilcolman National School while staying with his relations in Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish. Con was shot by firing squad in Kilmaniham Jail on May 8, 1916. The unveiling will be performed by his grandniece Aide Colbert Lennon. All are welcome to attend.

A charity céilí organised by SCOLA to help the poor in the Philippines will take place in the Devon Inn, Templeglantine, on Sunday 25th October. Music by the Mountain Road Ceilí Band and all are welcome.

The Limerick Sports Clubs Quiz Challenge 2015 will be held in the Woodlands Hotel Adare on Thursday 29th October commencing at 9pm. The event is open to all sports clubs within Limerick and there is over €1,000 in prizes, to be won on the night. Kildimo/Pallaskenry GAA Club are the host club, and the winning club will be the host club in 2016. Additional information from Killian, on 085 1743821 or Sean on 087 7526812 or email [email protected]

A vintage bring and buy sale will be held in Dromcollogher Mart Yard on Sunday 1st November at 10am. Items can be sold and bought and all the proceeds will go to the Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre. For more details call 087-1018228 or086-8837828

West Limerick 102 FM Radio are holding a fundraising concert/dance night at the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Friday 6st November at 8.30pm. It is being run by the volunteers who will also be providing the entertainment and all support will be appreciated.

On Saturday 7th November from 1pm to 3pm there will be an ‘Open House’ at the Desmond Complex, Gortboy, Newcastle West to celebrate 25 years of achievement by the Great Southern Trail. A DVD will be launched which provides a pictorial compilation of the many stages in the campaign which resulted in the old railway being converted into a greenway in Co. Limerick (with the effort still ongoing in Co. Kerry). All supporters and activists are invited; you might even see yourself on the screen! It will be a relaxing afternoon for a chat with old friends along with a cupán tae and refreshments. Then, at 3pm the Mayor of Limerick City and County, Cllr. Liam Galvin will officially start a 5km (3 mile) walk/cycle from the Desmond Complex along the GST Greenway to Ardagh. It was in May 1990 that the very first organized walk along the old railway took place along the exact same route. At Ardagh there will be further refreshments at Neary’s Bar and return transport to Newcastle West will be provided courtesy of Coach House Travel.