By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Sean Geoghegan, 1 Ivy View, Killeline Road, Newcastle West on Jan 10th. He was a native of Rooskagh and too young in years to depart this life. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Tuesday January 12th from 5.00pm until 8.00pm, arriving in the Church of the Immaculate Conception Newcastle West on Wednesday for Requiem Mass at 11.30am. He was laid to rest afterwards in Calvary Cemetery where I am told he received a great send off and the music of ACDC was played. He had a great passion for motorcycles and two were placed at the Funeral Home and his friends formed a guard of honour on the way to the Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Jackie, daughter Ayesha and mother Mary, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
The death has taken place of Tom Kelly Ballinena, Old Mill, Newcastle West, peacefully at University Hospital Limerick on January 10th. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Wednesday from 5pm followed by removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West. His Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday at 11.30am followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. Tom, who worked in the Agricultural business, was a well -known sportsman and personality blessed with ready wit, who lived a long and interesting life. He played Gaelic games, pulled tug-o-war, and kept greyhounds to name but a few of his interests. We extend our sympathy to his sons Robert and James, sisters Mary and Bridie, brothers Jim, Jack and Willie, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and kind neighbours. May he rest in Peace.
The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday January 11th. The numbers drawn were 3,12,13,27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Sean Noonan, Ardagh. €60 Brendan Madigan, Ardagh. €60 Anthony Molyneaux, Ardagh. €30 Ella O’Mahoney, Ardagh. €30 Tom Neary, Ardagh. €30 Yvonne O’Connor, Carrigkerry. Next week’s draw will be held in Reens Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €9,600.
Saint Kieran’s GAA Club held their annual general meeting in Coolcappa Hall on Friday January 8th and a good crowd was present. The outgoing officers and committee members were thanked for their work and commitment to the club during 2015. The year’s reports and activities were dealt with and discussed and the following officers were elected for 2016. President: Tommy Kelly, Chairman: David Woulfe. Vice –Chairman: Patrick Windle. Secretary: Ivan Neary. Ass-Secretary: Padraig Trant. Treasurer: Tom Harnett. Ass-Treasurer: Sean Windle. PRO: Michael Windle. Committee: Niall O’Shea, Owen Hayes, John Dineen, Aengus Gannon, Paudie McCarthy, and John Ryan.
Brian Nolan, the former Saint Kieran’s player, faces a busy year ahead with commitments to two clubs Rathkeale, and Gerald Griffins. He has been appointed manager of Rathkeale, senior football team and player/Coach of Gerald Griffins junior football team.
The Brothers of Charity, Newcastle West, will accept your old Christmas cards, birthday cards and used postage stamps for reuse at their premises.
The Accord Centre in Newcastle West will hold a number of Pre Marriage courses during the coming year. Early booking is advisable as completion of the course is mandatory. Contact Accord Newcastle West at 069-61000 for more details Email[email protected] or contact Fr Frank O’Dea.
The Newcastle West Golf Club based in Ardagh has special offers for new members at present. Contact the club for all the details.
This year is the centenary of the 1916 rising and plans are afoot all over the country to celebrate this National Landmark event. Ger Greaney, who resides in Ardagh, is involved in Footsteps to Freedom which plans to re-enact the marches from each parish to Glenquin, as part of the Easter Centenary celebrations. Ger writes as follows: “This celebration is an opportunity for local communities to involve themselves in our nation’s history and to pass on this knowledge to the next generation. So what actually happened in the local parishes of West Limerick on Easter Weekend 1916?
Groups of Volunteers made their way to Glenquin from all over West Limerick and even from as far away as Milford in County Cork. To evade detection they travelled mostly on foot in small groups and often took to the fields. As you know the guns did not materialize and after a few hours’ military drills under the watchful eye of the R.I.C a message was received to disband. No shot was fired but each of the 300 men present was willing to lay down their lives for their country and many actually did in the years that followed.
The proposal is to re-enact the marches from each of the parishes in early 2016. My hope is that each individual parish will form a local committee which will organize their own commemorative walk. A whole weekend of other activities in each parish can be built around this event. It is hoped that the young people of each parish can also become involved”. For further information on the Footsteps to Freedom event please contact Ger Greaney at [email protected] Tel 086 8278155
The National Club Draw run by Croke Park for all clubs around the country is being run again this year. Each club who participates 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
Ardagh Drama Group will present the play The Two Lovers of Gabriel Foley, in Rathkeale Arts Centre on the following nights: 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.
A Car boot sale and indoor market in aid of West Limerick Community Radio will be held in Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday 24th January. The gates will open at 7.30am and stalls are available. Contact the Station for all the details.
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.
A table quiz will be held in the Ballintemple, Newcastle West on Friday 5th February in aid of the Joanne Mc Mahon Thanksgiving Fund. All the proceeds will go towards the Saint James Hospital Burns Unit. The cycle event with a choice of three routes will be held in Castlemahon on 17th April.
Newcastle West Film Club will resume after the Christmas break on Friday 5th February. They will show the first film of the new season in the Desmond Complex with a start time of 8pm. It costs €7 entrance fee and refreshments are available. The film nights are enjoyable and the venue is compact and comfortable.
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.