By Tom Aherne
The following are the Lottery results from The Old Mill Bar. The numbers drawn were 3, 6, 23, 24, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows: €60 Willie Treacy Ardagh. €60 Hannie O’Connor, Glensharrold. €60 Maurice Harnett, Coolacokera. €30 Michael Hartnett, c/o the Ballintemple Inn. €30 Maureen Noonan, Ardagh. €30 Kitty Moloney, Ardagh Cross. Next week’s Jackpot will be €7,800.
Seamus O’Donnell, the former St Kieran’s and Limerick player, was part of the Cappagh backroom team that won the County Junior A Football Championship at Bruff on Saturday October 24. He was their manager, and they defeated Galtee Gaels by 4-10 to 3-8, and they now move on to the Munster Championship.
Old Mill lost 2-0 at home to Ballysteen in Division 2 of the Desmond League on Sunday October 25. Creeves Celtic lost 6-4 to Bally Rovers, also in Division 2. Jason Ahern, 2 Mark Hennessy and Paul O’Connor, scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B lost 1-0 away to Shannonside FC B in Division 3. Carrig Celtic had no game. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers, and Carrig Celtic drew 0-0 in Ardagh. Creeves Celtic had no game.
Congratulations to Mike O’Mahoney and Mike Young and Martin Flynn and Mary Aherne O’Connor who were prize-winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday October 21.
The Friends of St Ita’s Community Hospital wish to thank the collectors, and everyone who contributed so generously to their recent church gate collections. The amounts collected were Ardagh €320, and Carrigkerry €243.30. The money will go towards the ongoing improvements for the patients in St Ita’s Community Hospital, Newcastle West.
A monument dedicated to the memory of Con Colbert, one of the executed leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, was unveiled beside the Con Colbert Hall Athea, on Saturday, October 24. Con was born on October, 19, 1888 in Mona Lena, 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 the Colbert family in Balliston, a short distance away. Con was shot by firing squad in Kilmaniham Jail on May 8, 1916.
The unveiling was performed by his great-niece Aide Colbert Lennon, who traced the Colbert family history around Athea, during her address. Aileen Dillane, was the MC and the event was organised by West Limerick Republican Monument Committee. A good crowd was in attendance and the afternoon was dry apart from a few light showers. The location of the Plaque was amongst the trees and placed on the elevated pathway wall. The special guest speaker was Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, who praised Con’s involvement in the Easter Rising and spoke about the current position in Northern Ireland. A highlight was Johnny Mullane’s song about Con and Athea. Short extracts from his final letters to relatives were also read out. A lovely exhibition compiled by the children was on display in the Hall and refreshments were provided there also.
Donie Lyons, from Dromreask, Glin was honoured by the West Limerick Singing Club at Fr Casey’s Clubhouse, on Sunday, October 18. He has been a member of the club since their formation in 2002 and it was part of this year’s Gary McMahon Singing Weekend. He has given tremendous service to traditional music and singing over his lifetime. He is the holder of an All-Ireland medal for traditional singing and lots more honours for both. Donie is a gentleman who is always available to perform at events or to help people out. He has been on several tours with Comhaltas travelling all over Ireland and abroad in England, Canada and the USA. Donie has also adjudicated at fleadhs, and is regularly heard on our local Radio Stations. A large crowd was in attendance for the presentation, which was well due for all he has done in promoting our traditional heritage over the years.
“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.
Limerick families, schools, businesses and community groups are asked to get involved in this year’s Team Hope Shoebox Appeal which has a target of 200,000 shoeboxes. To get involved, simply fill a shoebox with gifts for a child, enclose €4 and bring it to any of the drop off points in the county before Tuesday 10th November. Each Christmas Team Hope sends thousands of shoeboxes filled with gifts donated by members of the public to children in Africa and Eastern Europe. To find out more visit www.teamhope.ie
The Rosary will be recited each Sunday during the month of November in the three cemeteries in Newcastle West. The venues and times are Famine Cemetery 3pm, Calvary Cemetery 3.20pm, Churchtown Cemetery 3.40pm.
Best Will Week takes place from November 2nd to 6th and solicitors will be available to meet clients for initial consultations. Best Will Week takes place every autumn to highlight the importance of making a will. Only one third of people living in Ireland have a will made at present. This is a great opportunity for people to learn about the importance of making a will from the experts and making things easier for those left behind when the final call comes. Not having a will can have serious consequences for your family after you are gone. In the absence of a will there can be bitter legal disputes and the possibility of the State having to make decisions regarding the distribution of your property and assets and we all want to avoid that. Putting your affairs in order brings peace of mind and provides for loved ones.
Kilcolman Community Creche will hold their AGM on this Thursday, 5th November at 8pm at the crèche and all are welcome.
The Irish flag and a copy of the Proclamation will be presented to Carrigkerry National School on Friday 6th November. All parents/grandparents and members of the community are welcome to attend.
A Shave or Wax Fundraiser will be held in Murphy’s Bar, Abbeyfeale on Friday 6th November at 9.00 p.m. in aid of the Mid Western Cancer Unit Limerick and The Marie Keating Foundation. The theme of the night is pink and blue fancy dress and there will be a prize for best dressed male and female. DJ Arthur Tiny Murphy will be providing the entertainment. There will be finger food, fun, games and spot prizes. As this is for a great cause all support and donations would be greatly appreciated.
West Limerick Singing Club will hold their monthly session on Friday 6th November in the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale. A warm welcome to all singers, storytellers and interested people to attend.
Newcastle West Film Club present Wild Tales at The Desmond Complex in Newcastle West, on Friday 6th November at 8pm. This is the second night of the season and admission is €7. The venue is ideal for the crowd who come early for a chat and refreshments before curtains up.
The annual Fair in Athea will be held on Saturday 7th November, from early to late. It promises to be a very eventful day with lots of livestock for sale and lots more items from the large amount of stalls that will be set up. If the weather is fine a large crowd will attend and the traffic will be chock a block.
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.
A fundraising night will be held at the Top of the Town Athea on Saturday 7th November commencing at 9.30pm. The music will be supplied by Paddy Quilligan, complimentary food supplied and lots of spot prizes on offer. The proceeds will go towards the Noonan Lights Charity Fund in Templeglantine and all support will be greatly appreciated.
West Limerick 102 Community Radio are holding an afternoon Tea Dance, at Fr. Casey’s GAA Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale, on Sunday 8th November from 3pm – 6pm. Music will be by Noel Cronin and admission is €5. Tea /Coffee will be served and all are welcome to attend.