By Tom Aherne

The Limerick GAA Club Draw for May was held on Limerick Live 95 FM on Saturday, May 28th, during the Sports Programme. It was a very successful draw for the Saint Kieran’s club who had three of the twenty prize winners. Congratulations to the following winners who are joined with the club: John Dillane, €1,000, Maureen Long, €500 and Tom Mackessy €250. There was no winner of the Lottery draw. The next draw will be held on the last Saturday in June at the same venue.

Congratulations to the pupils and staff of Ardagh National School who recently achieved a Science Foundation Ireland Discover Science and Maths award for all their work in the area of Science and Technology, Engineering and Maths.

The following are the Lottery results from The Thatch Bar, Newbridge on Monday, May 23rd. The numbers drawn were 6,18,25,29, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners, who each won €40. Mike, and Eileen, c/o Josie. Peg Lane, c/o Curley’s. Evan Reidy, c/o The Thatch. Breda and Sheila, c/o The Thatch. Hannah Greene, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,800 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh.

John Joe and Eileen, parish clerks in Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish, would like to thank everybody who contributed to their recent annual collection and thanks also to the people who took up the collection.

Congratulations to John Hayes, (captain) and Dylan Moloney, both Carrig Celtic, and Mikey Conlon and Darren Kearns, both Creeves Celtic, who were members of the Desmond U-15 soccer team that won the All-Ireland final of the Inter League Championship in Cahir, Tipperary on Sunday May  22nd. They defeated the North Dublin League 3-2 and Mikey Conlon, scored two of the goals. John Hayes was presented with the John Farrell Cup which has been doing the rounds of the locality since.

Congratulations to Old Mill ladies who defeated Saint Brigid’s by 5-9 to 3-0 in the County U-14 A League Final at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Sunday May 22nd.

Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Monagea 1-14 to 0-8 in Division 4 of the County Limerick Hurling League.

Congratulations to Con Enright and Eileen McSweeney and Catherine Kiely and Mary Aherne O’Connor who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday May 18th.

The recent dry and warm spell of weather has been welcomed by all sections of the community after the long and wet start to the year. The grass growth has improved dramatically and the silage season has commenced around the parish and district. The majority of the machine turf has also been cut and activity around the countryside has also increased. The long evenings are being put to good use by people who are out at work during the days. Work around their houses and gardens have benefitted as a result.

The countryside is looking very well at present with lots of foliage to be seen. The warmer conditions has seen the colour green come into prominence after a barren and cold spring. The warmer soil has aided new growth to burst forth into a multitude of colours. The one downside of all this growth is that it has covered up the fly tipping of rubbish that was very visible during the dormant season. This large scale dumping has been a blight on our countryside for many years now and it is getting progressively worse as time passes. People are meant to be the guardians of the countryside, but a minority seem to have forgotten this by their actions. We were born into this world and while we are around we should respect nature and the countryside and what it offers to us. We should leave it as good if not better for the next generation to enjoy when we exit the stage. The increased coverage at present makes it a lot easier for the dumper to dispose of their waste. 

Glin will host the County Fleadh Cheoil from Friday 3^rd to Monday the 6^th June. It promises to be an action packed event over the Whit Bank Holiday with the best of music, song, dance and story on show. Best of luck to all the local competitors who will be participating.

The circuit of Munster car rally will be held around the locality over the Whit Bank Holiday. The Rathkeale House Hotel will be the headquarters for the event and Rathkeale will be the host town. The Clerk of the Course has put in place three challenging stages to test the crews, and their cars on Sunday 5^th June. The hidden back roads and rugged scenic landscape of West Limerick will be under the spotlight and spectators are guaranteed lots of thrills and spills. It is a number of years now since it was seen around the Knocknagun, Glensharrold, Barnigue, Kilcolman, Kilbradern, area. The roads will be closed for Stage 2 and 3 from 10am to 6.30pm, and local traffic will be accommodated where possible. Stage 2 will take in Kilquane, Cooltomin, Lissatotan, Kilbradern, Lisbane, Kilcosgrave, Tiermore, Dunmoylan, Kilcolman, Ballykiely and Kate Daly’s Cross Kerrikyle. Stage 3 will take in Dooncaha, Cahernagh, Gortnadroma, Barnigue, Knocknagun, Glensharrold, and Kerrikyle. Spectators should be aware of their own safety and obey the stewards at all times.

The Old Mill club are holding a clothes collection on the week-end of 10/11/June. They can include all dry, clean clothes, paired shoes, paired trainers, handbags and belts. Please do not include duvets, pillows, bedding or sheets. More details from Moira McEnery on 086-8110634.

A sponsored 5k walk in aid of Kilcolman Creche will be held on Saturday 11^th June commencing at the Crèche at 11.30am. The entry fee is €15 for adults, €5 for teenagers and children are free. All support for this fundraising walk will be greatly appreciated by the committee.

West Limerick 102 FM Community Radio are holding their next car boot sale and indoor market in the Community Centre Newcastle West on Sunday 12^th June from 8am. To book a stall contact the Station at 069-66200. The other monthly dates for the year are Sunday 10^th July Sunday 7^th August, Sunday 4^th September, Sunday 2^nd October, Sunday 30^th October, Sunday 11^TH November and Sunday 11^thDecember.

West Limerick 102 Community Radio will hold their first Rambling House in Monagea Hall on Monday 13^th June, commencing at 8pm. An All-star line-up of artists will be on stage to entertain the large crowd expected.  The special guests will include Elle Marie O’Dwyer, Emily Clarke, Billy O’Brien, William Reidy, Big Maggie, Nora Kennedy, Donie Walsh, The Harty Brothers, and The Nightingales. Tickets cost €5 and all are welcome, especially musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers.

The annual Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from Tuesday 21st to Sunday 26^th June. Contact the Lourdes Pilgrimage Office, on 061-314111 during office hours from Monday to Friday. Early booking is recommended as prices vary with the different hotel choices.

The All-Ireland Féile Peil Competition will be held from Friday 24^th June to Sunday 26^th June. It will be hosted by clubs from West Limerick, North Kerry and North Cork and Saint Kieran’s club will be participating. With over 250 clubs taking part it is now considered the largest sporting event for children in Europe.

Saint Kieran’s will hold their Cul Camp in Coolcappa from Monday 4th July to Friday 8^th

The camp caters for primary school children from the age of 6 to 13 years. The cost for the first child is €55 second child is €45and €40 for the third child and so on. An action packed and fun filled week of activity is promised. Bookings can be made now online atwww.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie If you wish to apply manually the application forms will be available nearer the time.

The Youth 2000 Summer Festival will be held in the Cistercial College, Roscrea, Co Tipperary from Thursday 7^th to Sunday 10^th July. The festival is a four day celebration of faith for young people aged 16-35. It is an action packed programme of events with inspiring talks, workshops, testimonies, prayer, music, drama and lots more. There will be free buses from all over Ireland and the festival is donation only. For additional information, and to book online see www. youth2000.ie  or phone 016 753690.