By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Peg O’Grady (nee Sheahan) Glenbawn, Ballyhahill.  She died peacefully in Hospital in her 91^st year, after a long and fulfilled life.  Peg and her husband Jack celebrated their 66^th wedding anniversary in October and Peg was the last remaining member of her family. Both were featured in conversation with Willie O’Regan, a number of years ago on West Limerick 102 Community Radio. Peg was a hard worker who kept the faith and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

She lay in repose at Ferris’ Funeral home Shanagolden on Tuesday December 15th, from 5 to 8pm.  Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday at 12pm at the Church of the Visitation, Ballyhahill and burial took place afterwards in Kilfergus Cemetery, Glin.

We extend our sympathy to her loving husband Jack, daughter Eileen, sons Thomas, John and Noel, daughters in law Marcella, Mary, Noreen and son in law the late Kieran Kilmartin, Grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephew, nieces, brothers in law, sisters in law, relatives, kind neighbours and a wide circle of friends. May she rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from The Thatch Bar, Newbridge, on Monday, December 14th. The numbers drawn were 2,16,17,25, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €60 Masie Moroney, Coolcappa. €60 John Shine, Old Mill. €60 Eileen Fitzgerald, c/o D Greaney. €30 Peg Flynn, Carrigkerry. €30 J and T Curley, Ardagh. €30 Veronica and Tady Roche, c/o Josie. Next week’s draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh and the Jackpot will be € 9,200.

Newcastle West Bridge Club recently presented a cheque to the Ardagh branch of St Vincent de Paul.

Congratulations to St Kieran’s who won the West U-21 B Football Championship in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Friday December 11. They defeated St Senan’s by 3-8 to 2-10 after leading by 2-5 to 1-4 at half time. TEAM Dan Madden, Anthony Mullins, Maurice Shine, John Byrnes, Patrick Liston, Kevin Meade, Michael Upton, Shane Lynch, James O’Connor, Captain Pa O’Connor, 1-1 Seamus Mangan, 0-6 Liam Upton, 0-1 Cillian Enright, 1-0 Raymond Noonan, Darragh O’Connor, 1-0 Sub Eoin Moran. 

Galtee Gaels defeated St Kieran’s by 2-12 to 1-12 in the County semi-final in Mick Neville Park on Sunday December 13.  St Kieran’s led by 1-7 to 0-7 at half –time. TEAM: Dan Madden, Anthony Mullins, Maurice Shine, John Byrnes, Patrick Liston, Kevin Meade, Michael Upton, Shane Lynch, 0-1 James O’Connor, Captain Pa O’Connor, 0-2 Seamus Mangan, 0-8 Liam Upton, Cillian Enright, Raymond Noonan, 1-0 Darragh O’Connor, 0-1 Sub Eoin Moran.

Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton defeated Fermoy Colaiste Chraoibhin by 12-8 to 3-4 in the Munster U-15 D Football Final played in St Patrick’s Gaelic Grounds, Limerick. They led by 7-3 to 2-1 at half-time. Kevin Guina from Coolcappa, and the St Kieran’s club was a member of the team/panel. They received the Corn Mháirtín Mhic Chonmara.

All the Desmond League soccer matches were called off on Sunday December 13, due to the inclement weather. This was the third Sunday in a row that matches were called off.

Congratulations to Peg Mulvihill, and Jim Lynch, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday December 11.

The 2016 County Limerick GAA Draws were held after the County Convention on Monday December 14. In Senior Football St Kieran’s were drawn in Group 1 along with Drom/Broadford, Ballylanders, St Patrick’s, Oola, and Na Piarsaigh. In Intermediate Hurling they are in Group 2 along with Knockaderry, Glenroe, Kildimo/Pallaskenry, Dromin-Athlacca, and Drom/Broadford.

The final Limerick GAA Club draw was held on Limerick Live 95 Studio during the sports programme on Saturday December 19. Saint Kieran’s club had no winners, and the lotto was not won. The draw will return in March 2016.

A reminder that Christmas wreaths for graves and to be used as door hangers, are available locally. They can be ordered from Moira at 069-76256 or 086-2123560, and all the proceeds will go to charity.

The Celtic Tenors will perform in Concert in Shanagolden Church on this Wednesday 23rd December at 8pm, Tickets cost € 25 and they are available from members of the Community Council and local business. It promises to be a very enjoyable night of top class entertainment.

The following are the Mass times for Christmas Eve, Thursday 24, December Coolcappa 6pm, Ardagh 7.30pm, Kilcolman 7.30pm and Carrigkerry 9pm. Christmas morning Kilcolman 10am, and Carrigkerry 11.30am.

Saint Kieran’s will be holding their annual road hurling event on Sunday 27th December commencing at Ardagh Church car park at 12.20pm.

The annual New Year’s Day walk will commence from the Rambling House Knockfierna, at 2.30pm and all are welcome to attend. People are asked to meet at Ballingarry Hall at 2.15, and after the walk a rambling house session will be held. This event will mark the 30th anniversary of the first session held there in 1986.

Gortnadroma waste and recycling facility will reopen for business on Tuesday 5th January at 9am.

Fr Brendan Clifford O.P. will give a talk on the Ministry of the Word to the church readers of the parishes of Our Lady’s Pastoral Area in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Tuesday 12th January at 7.30 pm. All the readers are invited to attend.

Ardagh N.S. Parents Council will host the play The Two Lovers of Gabriel Foley, by Ardagh Drama Group in Ardagh Community Centre, on Friday January 16. The proceeds from the night will go towards Ardagh National School, and Ardagh/Carrigkerry Tuesday Social Club. All support will be greatly appreciated.

The next census will be held on Sunday 24th April and 2.3 million forms will need to be delivered and collected around the country. A total of 4,660 people will need to be hired (195 in Limerick ) to carry out the task. It is a ten week job and the enumerators will be paid approximately €2,400. They are paid a fixed fee for the delivery and the collection of census forms in their area along with fixed allowances for training, home storage, travel and Sunday work. The applications open on Tuesday 5th January and will stay open for three days unless the 15,000 limit is reached first. Additional information can be got by logging on to the CSO census website.

Christmas Wishes

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who helped me to compile these notes over the past year, it is highly appreciated. I would like also to wish my fellow correspondents, readers at home and abroad, Domhnall, Lillian, and staff a happy and peaceful Christmas.