By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Kathleen Clery nee Wilmot, Gibbonstown, Kilmallock, County Limerick, on her 77th birthday, peacefully after a long illness in the tender and loving care of the Matron and Staff at Beech Lodge Nursing Home, Bruree. She lay in repose at Daffy’s Funeral home, Kilmallock on Monday, January 4th from 6pm followed by removal at 7.30pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Bulgaden on Tuesday at 12 noon followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. We extend sympathy to her  husband Michael, daughters Carmel (Power, Ardagh) and Lena (O’Reilly, Kenmare), sons-in-law John and Kevin, brother Bill, sister Sr Mary, grandchildren Daniel, Conor, Kate, Lucy, Eoin and Orla, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, very kind neighbours and her many friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Anne Roche, Belgard Grove, Patrickswell, late of Castlematrix, Rathkeale and Biochemistry Department of UHL. She lived in Ardagh for a number of years also and she was only in her fifties and she will be sadly missed by all. She lay in repose at Daffy’s Funeral Home, Croom on Friday, January 8th from 6pm. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church, Rathkeale on Saturday at 2pm followed by burial in Saint Mary’s New Cemetery, Patrickswell. We extend our sympathy to her husband Gordon, stepson Jamie, sister Maura, brother Seamus, nephews Cathal, Barry, Eoin, Cormac and Fintan, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to the following couples who got married before and after the Christmas. Margaret Mary Collum, daughter of Gerry and Jane Ann, Creeves, and Gavin Wilmot, son of Michael and Carmel, Rockfield, Rathkeale, were married in Saint Senan’s Church, Shanagolden.   The concelebrants were Fr John Mockler and Canon Anthony O’Keeffe. The reception was held in the Bunratty Castle Hotel.

Congratulations to Áine O’Sullivan, daughter of Ann and Donal, Carrigkerry West and Michael Sheeran from Duagh, County Kerry, who were married in St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Monday December 28th.  Fr Michael Cussen, Fr John Jegorow and Fr Dan Lane were the concelebrants and the reception was held in the Muckross Park Hotel, Killarney.

Congratulations to Áine McCoy, daughter of Mai and Jimmy, Old Mill Road and Ray Walsh, who were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Friday January 1st. The reception was held in the Ballyseedy Castle Hotel in Tralee.

A number of robberies took place around the locality in recent weeks.  A green Yamaha Kodiak quad bike was stolen from a farmyard at Kilcolman, and diesel was stolen at a private residence from a fuel tank in Rathreagh, and break-ins took place in two premises in Creeves. People are asked to be extra vigilant and on the lookout for strange vehicles, strangers and suspicious behaviour. Contact can be made with the local Gardaí or the local Community Alert Groups. There are so many scams on the go at present a person would need a degree to stay ahead of them.

Limerick senior footballers were defeated by Cork on a score line of 1-10 to 0-12 in Round 1 of the McGrath Cup played in Mallow on Sunday January 3.  The Saint Kieran’s club had three members on the starting line-up Johnny McCarthy, Darragh Treacy and Sean McSweeney who scored three points. They meet Waterford in the next group match on this coming Sunday in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 2pm.

The club would like to thank everybody who supported their fundraising Christmas Draw, sponsors, ticket sellers and supporters. It was very successful and the funds raised will go towards the Coolcappa field development.

The National Club Draw run by Croke Park for all clubs around the country is being run again this year. Each club who participate will retain the proceeds of the tickets they sell, but the club cannot buy the tickets themselves. The tickets cost €10 and are printed in books of ten and participation is not compulsory for clubs. The prizes on offer are well worth winning with first prize a new Opel Corsa. The draw will take place on Friday 11th March at Croke Park

Kilcolman National School would like to thank all the people who supported their Christmas play and raffle. The combined total raised was €2,335. The pupils participated at the RDS Primary Science Fair in Dublin on Thursday January 7th. Well done also to all the other local second level pupils who participated in the competition.

The 2016 County Limerick GAA Draws were held after the County Convention on Monday, December 14th. 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.

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 16th. The proceeds from the night will go towards Ardagh National School and Ardagh/Carrigkerry Tuesday Social Club. All support will be greatly appreciated.

Ardagh Drama Group will present the play The Two Lovers of Gabriel Foley, in Rathkeale Arts Centre on the following nights: Saturday 16th January, Sunday 17th January, Friday 22nd January, Saturday 23rd January, Sunday 24th January, and Thursday 28th January. It promises to be a very entertaining comedy with lots of laughs and all support will be greatly appreciated.

The Kilcolman senior citizen’s party will be held in the Shannon House Hotel Foynes, on Sunday 24th January at 1pm. People who wish to attend are asked to contact Joan Hayes, on 069-60307 or Mary O’Connor on 069-60149.

The annual Rathfredagh Cheshire Home walk will be held on Sunday 31st January. It will commence at 10am and the walkers will travel from Barna to the Cheshire Home. People can also join the walk at The Courtney Lodge Hotel at 11am. Transport will be provided from Rathfredagh to Barna and registration takes place from 9.30am in Barna. Refreshments will be served after the walk in Rathfredagh. More details, and sponsorship cards from 069-83100 or 069-83279.

Coolcappa Music Group presents a Variety Concert featuring local talent in Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday 6th February at 8pm sharp. The MC on the night will be the man of many talents Joe Carrig and the proceeds in aid of the Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving Fund for the Burns Unit in Saint James Hospital in Dublin. The tickets cost €10 and they are on sale in shops around West Limerick. Admission is by ticket only as there are seating restrictions and a large attendance is expected.  People who cannot attend can still support the event by purchasing a ticket and they will be included in a draw on the night for a number of valuable prizes. All support will be greatly appreciated.

The Munster finals of Ceol an Gheimhridh 2015/16 will be held in Hazelwood College Dromcollogher on Sunday 14th February. We wish the best of luck to all the local competitors participating in the events.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be held in Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Saturday 30th April and in Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Saturday 14th May at 11am.