By Tom Aherne

The Woulfe brothers from Dunganville, Ardagh were guest speakers at the Agri Careers Fair at the RDS Dublin on Thursday March 3rd. The five brothers have all made their mark in the Agriculture industry and they shared their experiences and views with the large crowd that attended the event. Jim is CEO of Dairygold in Cork, Liam is MD of Grassland Agro Limerick, Richard has his own accountancy practice in Rathkeale, Michael is Vice President of the enzyme business in Kerry Group and David runs the home farm. All five have given tremendous service to the local St Kieran’s GAA Club as well as other community projects over the years.

Anthony Jordan had a very interesting feature on Jim and David in a recent Irish Farmers Journal. The home values and hard work ethos learned from their parents when they were growing up shone through in the article. As a result all five have shown determination and vision and embraced change to take on the responsibilities necessary to become leaders in their chosen fields of work.

The organisers of the Quiz Night held at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West on Friday February 5th, on behalf of the Joanne McMahon, St James Fundraising would like to thank everybody for their generous support. The total amount collected on the night was €2,210.

The Sisters of Lisnagry would like to thank everybody who contributed to their church gate collection in Coolcappa/Kilcolman, over the weekend of February 13/14. Thanks also to the collectors and the total amount collected was €425.

On behalf of the local community I would like to wish Fergus Scanlon, chairman of the Friends of Saint Ita’s, Newcastle West, a very happy retirement after 13 years in the demanding role. Fergus and the other committee members deserve all our thanks for their contribution and dedication in raising a huge amount of money. This money has helped to improve the facilities and raise the standard at the very popular hospital. We welcome the incoming chairman John Collins and wish him well in his new role.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday February 29th. The numbers drawn were 7,14,15,20 and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Willie Mulcaire, Rathkeale. €60 Sarah O’Brien, Ardagh. €60 Tommy Greaney, Kilcolman. €30 Monty c/o Neary’s Ardagh.  €30 Mary Bennett, c/o Neary’s. €30 Ann Barry c/o Moloney’s. Next week’s Jackpot will be €11,000 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh.

Carrig Celtic held the third draw in their 300 Club Draw on Sunday, February 28th at Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry. Congratulations to the following lucky winners. €1,000 Eileen and Seán Flaherty, Glenbawn. €250 John P O’Sullivan, Old Mill. €50 Neilus Brouder, Carrigkerry. €50 Mike Flynn, Carrigkerry. €50 Moira Donovan, Ardagh. People who are interested in joining the draw can contact any club member.

Johnny McCarthy, Darragh Treacy and Sean McSweeney were members of the Limerick team that lost by 1-14 to 0-11 in Round 3 of the National Football Division 3 League at Newcastle West on Sunday, February 28th.

Alva Neary from the Old Mill club was a member of the Limerick team that defeated Antrim by 2-15 to 0- 7 in Round 4 of the Ladies National Football League Division 4, game played at Martinstown on Sunday February 28th.

Carrig Celtic received a walkover from Kildimo B in Round 1 of the Desmond Cup on Sunday February 28. Old Mill lost 6-2 at home to Creeves Celtic in the same competition with Mike Sheehan, and Cillian Enright scoring their goals.

In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Broadford Utd 2-0 at home, with goals from Ciara O’Donnell, and Maureen Copse. Creeves Celtic lost 2-1 away to Askeaton, with Ciara O’Grady scoring. Carrig Celtic lost 4-0 at home to Kilbehenny.

The Old Mill sports club held their annual general meeting in Ardagh Hall on Saturday, February 20th. They reviewed a good year for the club, presented reports and thanked the outgoing officers.  The new officers for 2016 are as follows Chairperson, Triona Ambrose, Secretary Deirdre Ambrose, Ass-Secretary Moira McEnery. Treasurer Caroline McCarthy, Ass-Treasurer Margaret Upton, Children’s Officer Maureen Copse, PRO Moira McEnery.

Congratulations to Jim Dalton, Francis Woulfe, John and Peg Mulvihill who were prize winners at the Card game held in Rathkeale Community Centre on Wednesday February 24th.

A Meals on Wheels home delivery service operating out of Foynes is now available covering a number of local parishes including Kilcolman. A new menu will be provided each week with two daily choices and dietary requirements will be catered for on request. The service commenced on Monday March 7th and all enquiries to Patricia Kelly Foynes at 069-65183

Limerick City and County Council has appointed a new caretaker for Ardagh Cemetery/Graveyard. Jim Molyneaux must be contacted for the allocation of graves and he can be contacted at 087-9119460. Planning permission must be granted by the Council for the erecting of headstones, and kerbing.

Coolcappa Music Group have a DVD of their Concert held at Rathkeale House Hotel in aid of the Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving Fund for sale from the following Patsy Greaney 087-2153685, John Moran 087-6555098, Marion Hough 085-7341675, Sharon Guina 087-9433496.

Krakow will be the venue for World Youth Day, the Catholic youth festival which is held at three year intervals. It will be held from Monday 25th July to Monday 1st August. Participants must be aged 18 and over at the time of travel. If interested please contact Fr Tim Curtin, 086-3697735, or the parish office 069-76678

Friday 11th March is Daffodil Day this year and a number of collections and events will be held around the locality. Volunteers will be out and about in Newcastle West as well and the organisers would appreciate fresh Daffodils. To find out more contact Kate Buckingham Glenastar on 069-76148

Sharon Kinehan (Madigan) is holding a Coffee Morning in aid of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day on Friday 11th March from 10am to 3pm at Sharon’s house, Lisgordon, Ardagh. Your support would be greatly appreciated and Sharon can be contacted on 086-8106522

The Desmond League are holding a Table Quiz in the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West on Friday 11th March at 8.30pm. It is in aid of the U-15 Team who are fundraising for the upcoming Galway Cup. A table of four costs € 20 and there will be valuable prizes for the top teams, plus a raffle will be held also. Carrig Celtic has two players on the squad captain John Hayes, and Dylan Moloney. If people are interested in giving sponsorship or donating prizes for the raffle they can contact Catherine on 087-2941098.Mairead Ambrose and friends are holding A Coffee Morning in aid of The Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving Burns Unit in Ardagh Community Centre on Saturday 12th March from 11am to 1pm. All support will be greatly appreciated.

An Irish Night will be held in aid of the Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving Fund at Neary’s Bar, Ardagh on Saturday 12th March at 9.30pm.  All support will be greatly appreciated.

West Limerick singing club will hold their annual fundraising variety concert in Fr Casey’s GAA Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale on Saturday 12th March at 8pm. Tickets cost €10 and the concert will include traditional musicians, singers, storytellers and dancers.  The Singing Club will have a special night of songs to mark the 1916 Easter Rising at their monthly session in the Ramble Inn on Friday 1st April.

Ita McQuinn and friends are holding their next Rambling House in Monagea Parish Hall on Monday 14th March as a fundraiser for the Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving Fund. All musicians, singers, dancers and story tellers are asked to attend and to perform at the very popular Rambling House. All support for the fundraiser will be greatly appreciated

A Coffee Morning in aid of the Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving Fund will be held in O’Regan’s Restaurant, Foynes Flying Boat Museum on Thursday 17th March (St Patrick’s Day) at 12.30pm. All support will be greatly appreciated.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry/Kilcolman branch of the Footsteps to Freedom are holding a fundraising Fun Quiz in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Saturday 19^thMarch. The funds collected will go towards the cost of three banners and flags to represent Ardagh/Carrigkerry/Kilcolman, for the walk to Glenquin Castle on Sunday 24^th April.

A fundraising Bingo Night will be held in Ardagh Community Centre on Wednesday 6^th April. Valuable prizes will be on offer on the night and all the proceeds will go towards the Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving fund.