By Tom Aherne

The re-opening of Ardagh Post Office on Monday, March 7th was greeted with great joy around the locality. It has been closed since last November 17th and the people’s benefits had been switched to Newcastle West Post Office. Business in the village declined as a result and people had to move to Newcastle West to conduct their business. We welcome Mary Curley, the newly appointed post-mistress, and extend good wishes for the future. The Curley family have given great service to the people of the locality in past times and it is welcome news that this is to continue into the future.

The Applegreen service station at Coolanoran, on the main Rathkeale to Newcastle West road, was the scene of a fatal crash on Saturday, March 5th. Risikat Oyebanji from Nigeria and living in Killarney died from injuries following the single car crash which occurred around 11.30pm. Since then two more people have lost their lives on Limerick roads bringing the total up to six already this year.

Congratulations and best wishes to Levana O’Connor, daughter of Eilis and Brendan, Barnigue, Carrigkerry who celebrated her 21^st birthday at a party at her residence on Saturday, March 5th.

Congratulations also to Patsy Greaney, Kilcolman, who celebrated his 60^th birthday at a party in the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West on Saturday March 5th.

The Joanne McMahon Fundraising Team in aid of the Burns Unit of St James’ Hospital in Dublin and Theresa McMahon, would very sincerely like to thank Fr Tim Curtin and the parishioners in Ardagh/Carrigkerry for their magnificent support at the fundraising Concert in St Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Friday February 26th. We thank everybody who bought tickets and all who attended and we are also deeply indebted to the generosity of all the renowned artists who attended. All your help and encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Hugh Silke, Acting Secretary of Associated Charity Trust, would like to say a sincere thanks on behalf of the above fund and Thomond House Homeless Shelter for supporting the organisation, with the sum of €225 at the recent collection in Ardagh/Carrigkerry.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday March 7th. The numbers drawn were 3, 8, 25, 27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 John Keane, Old Mill. €60 Tommy Greaney, Kilcolman. €60 Ned Lynch, Newcastle West. €30 Una Mahon, c/o Bus Eireann. €30 Mary McCarthy, Athea. €30 Mary O’Brien, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €11,200 and the draw will be held in The Thatch Bar, Newbridge.

Johnny McCarthy, Darragh Treacy and Sean Mc Sweeney from the Saint Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick team that lost to Kildare by 1-11 to 1-10 in Round 4 of the National Football Division 3 League at Newbridge on Sunday March 6th.

Roisin Ambrose, and Sophie Hennessy from the Old Mill ladies club were members of the Limerick team/panel that defeated Clare, by 3-12 to 5-5 in Round I of the Munster U-16 B Championship played in Kilbehenny on Saturday, March 5th.

Carrig Celtic received a walkover at home from Rockhill Rovers in Division 1 of the Desmond League on Sunday March 6th. The other local teams had no games. Creeves Celtic received a walkover from Carrig Celtic in Division 1 of the Ladies Desmond League, and Kilcolman Rovers had no game. John Hayes, and Dylan Moloney from Carrig Celtic, and Mikey Conlon, Creeves Celtic, were members of the Desmond League team that defeated Deise Waterford by 2-0 in the U-15 Inter League Competition in Waterford also on Sunday.

Congratulations to Catherine, and Ann Madigan, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday, March 2nd. The annual Good Friday 45 card game will be held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 25^th March at 9.30pm. A total of 80% of the door takings will be given out in prizes and a raffle will also be held. The admission is €10 and teas will be served and all are welcome.

The votes have been cast and all the posters taken down after the General Election and we await the makeup of the next Government. The number of votes that each of the 10 candidates received in the polling booths in the local villages make interesting viewing. In Ardagh Patrick O’Donovan, 217, Niall Collins, 185, Tom Neville, 48, Emmet  O’Brien, 46, Seamus Browne, 38, James Heffernan, 32, Richard O’Donoghue, 8, John O’Gorman,3, Mark Keogh, 2, Alexander Storey Cosgrave, 1. In Carrigkerry Patrick O’Donovan, 131, Niall Collins, 126, Seamus Browne, 66, Emmet O’Brien, 51, Tom Neville, 41, James Heffernan, 20, Richard O’Donoghue, 10 Alexander Storey Cosgrave, 3, Mark Keogh, 2 John O’Gorman,2,

In Coolcappa, Patrick O’Donovan, 188, Niall Collins, 123, Tom Neville, 114, Emmet O’Brien, 83, Seamus Browne,45, James Heffernan, 26 Richard O’Donoghue, 25, Alexander Storey Cosgrave, 9, Mark Keogh, 4, John O’Gorman,1, In Kilcolman Niall Collins, 88, Patrick O’Donovan, 51, Tom Neville, 48, James Heffernan, 45, Emmet O’Brien, 19, Seamus Browne, 11, Richard O’Donoghue, 6, John O’Gorman, 6, Mark Keogh, 3, Alexander Storey Cosgrave, 3. The total number of votes that were cast was 1,928. We hope that the new government will be a lot more rural Ireland friendly and will treat the people with more respect and equality.

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

SCHOOL ENROLMENT: Parents who wish to enrol their children in Coolcappa National School are asked to contact Principal Nora Madden on 069-76493.

A reminder to people to keep on filling up those Trocaire boxes, as we approach the end of the Lenten Campaign. Remember every cent and euro count in helping the neediest in foreign lands to just survive. €15 would provide tools and seeds for a family in Sierra Leone, €30 would provide a school kit to pay foe school fees, books and pencils for children in Somalia, and €65 would pay for food shelter and community support for refugees fleeing conflict in Middle East. Boxes can still be got in the local Churches.

The West Limerick Indoor Bowls Club meets in the Halla Tadhg Gaelach, Tournafulla, each Thursday at 7.15pm. All new members are welcome to come along and to try their hand at the game. For more information contact 069-81936 or 069-76824.

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 19th March. 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 24th April.

Following the huge success of Team Limerick Clean-Up last year, we are delighted to announce that the event will take place again this year on Good Friday 25^th March. It was great to see Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Coolcappa/Kilcolman, parishes playing such a big part in last year’s clean-up and we are hoping that all who participated will once again become involved this year. The event is titled Team Limerick Clean Up 2 this year, and the date is Good Friday 25th  March from 10am, to 1pm. Communities, and groups can register onwww.teamlimerickcleanup.ie Join the Clean Team and be part of history again this year.  For further information, please email [email protected]or call 061496200

The Mass times in Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish will change from the weekend of 2nd/3rd  April. Mass will be celebrated in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Saturday evenings at 7.30 pm and in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Sunday mornings at 10am.

The Mass times in Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish will change also from the weekend of 2nd/3rd  April. Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturday evenings at 6pm and in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sunday mornings at 11.30am.

The Old Mill Community and Friends are holding a traditional night of music, song and story in aid of the Joanne McMahon Thanksgiving Fundraiser in the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West on Saturday 2^nd April. The doors will open at 7.30pm and the entertainment will commence at 8pm sharp. All support will be greatly appreciated.