By Tom Aherne

Bishop Brendan Leahy announced a number of clerical changes, last week for the Limerick Diocese, to take effect next September. Fr Michael Noonan from the Raheen Parish is to be the new Parish Priest of Ardagh/Carrigkerry and also linked to the team of priests serving the parishes in Our Lady’s Pastoral Area. Fr Tim Curtin is to continue as Parish Priest of Coolcappa/Kilcolman, and also to minister in the Pastoral Area of Knockpatrick.

Canon Tony Mullins, from Ardagh, is to become Vicar General in succession to Monsignor Dan Neenan, who has retired from the position. Fr Tony is also moving from the Dromin/Athlacca Parish to become Parish Priest of the parishes of Abbeyfeale and Athea, and he will also minister in the Pastoral Area of Ide Naofa. Fr Paddy Bowen, former P.P. of Ardagh/Carrigkerry, is to retire as Parish Priest of Athea and has been appointed to minister in the Cathedral Pastoral Area. We wish them all good health and happiness in their new roles within the Diocese.

Congratulations to Daniel Collins, Cahermoyle, Ardagh who recently won a Silver Medal in the 100 metre freestyle event at the Division 2 Irish age group swimming finals in UL. Daniel represented Askeaton Swimming Club and his coach is Adam Mulvihill.

We extend our sympathy to sisters Kit Wilmott, Eileen Collins, Birdie Naughton and their families on the passing of their sister Mary O’Grady late of Nantenan, Cappagh. We also note the passing of Timmy Horgan, Tournafulla, a great community and sporting person and Mick Finucane, Ballydonoghue, the last surviving member of the Kerry and Cavan teams that played in the 1947 All Ireland Senior Football Final in the Polo Grounds in New York. May they all rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Donie Nolan from Kilcolman, who launched his solo CD the Banks of the Abba Bhán at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine, on Thursday, June, 30th.  A large crowd was in attendance and the CD was launched by Nicholas McAuliffe, the well-known figure in music circles. The 16 track CD contains 13 tunes and three songs and it is available for sale for €15 at the following outlets: Moloney’s Daybreak and Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry O’Connor’s Newcastle West, Lyons Abbeyfeale and also in shops in Athea, Glin and Ballyhahill.

Donie’s love for music first surfaced with the Kilcolman School Band under the direction of the late headmaster Paddy Murphy from Knockaderry. Playing with other musicians in his youth gave him experience and greater exposure to styles of playing. He picked up a lot of tunes at sessions and wren nights during his travels around Sliabh Luachra and the West Munster counties. At present Donie is a renowned musician and singer who has shared musical platforms with the best in the business over the years. 

He is a former All Ireland traditional singer and his music and songs have been heard on local and national radio and also on Television and on other artist’s collections. Donie and Taylors Cross are much sought after at home and abroad on the dancing circuit and he is also one of the mainstays and organiser of the Carrigkerry Wren Group. Wishing Donie continued success with the CD and his other musical involvements.

The following are the Lottery results from Foley’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday July 4th. The numbers drawn were 5,12,13,27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each. Bobby Woulfe, Ardagh, Nancy Barrett, Glenastar, David Noonan, Ardagh, Eileen O’Connor, Carrigkerry West and Ann Hollyhead, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €7,000 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh

The Summer edition of the Green and White, Limerick GAA Youth Magazine, is now available in schools and clubs. It is issue No 60 and the very popular all colour publication is 20 years old this year. It is another very interesting read with lots of variety and a roundup of all primary schools competitions around the county. Local items of interest include Maureen Copse O’Mahony, a teacher in Lisnagry N.S., pictured with the school team who are the INTO mini sevens County Champions. Ian Ryan, the Limerick footballer who teaches in Kilcolman N.S., is featured in a question and answer piece. He describes Séan McSweeney from St Kieran’s as a young player that we should watch out for. Ian describes Johnny McCarthy also from St Kieran’s as the greatest Limerick footballer during his own time playing with the county. This scribe has part 1 of a series of articles about the West Limerick GAA Club grounds included.

Saint Kieran’s players Johnny McCarthy, Darragh Treacy, 0-2 and Sean McSweeney 0-1 were members of the Limerick team that lost to Cork by 2-12 to 0-10 in Round 2 of the All Ireland Football Qualifiers at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday July 9th.

The following players from St Kieran’s are involved with Limerick under age squads and they were in action in the recent Munster football tournaments held on Saturday July 2nd. Daniel Geraghty and Aaron Heffernan with the U-14 squad Michael Shanahan, John Hayes and Dylan Moloney with the U-15 squad and Eoin Bourke, Liam Kennedy, Michael Murphy, Adam Lacey and David O’Donovan with the U-16 squad.

St Kieran’s lost to Drom/Broadford by 2-14 to 1-8 in Round 7 of Division 4 of the All County Hurling League played at Coolcappa on Saturday July 2nd. They led by 1-6 to 1-5 at half time but their opponents dominated the scoring in the second half to take the points.

The Old Mill Ladies Football Club are currently holding a lottery at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West each Saturday night in aid of the club. It costs €2 per line to enter and half of what is collected goes to the club and following a draw the other half will go to one lucky winner. It will be an ongoing fundraiser for the club and all support will be greatly appreciated.

The Phone Connect project is a free community based telephone support service offered to older people in the West Limerick area enabling them to remain independent in their own homes. The weekly service provides a listening ear to the elderly allowing them to share any worries or concerns and to be informed of any local events or services. West Limerick Resources are now seeking volunteers to make these phone calls from a dedicated space where a mobile phone and credit will be supplied and training will also be made available. People interested in volunteering or requiring more information can contact Damien at West Limerick Resources on 087-9042477 or Stefanie on 087-3290483.

West Limerick 102fm are pleased to announce that two CDs of the Rambling House night held in Monagea on Monday, June 13th, in aid of the station, are now on sale at €5 each. Contact the station on 069-66200 for all the details. Elle Marie O’Dwyer, who has featured as a presenter for the Station, has two CDs on sale at present Where the Allow Water Flows and A Roving Heart for €15 each or the two for €20. Elle Marie O’Dwyer, Freemount, Co Cork are her contact details

The Comhaltas Summer Seisiún traditional entertainment shows continue at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine each Thursday during July and August. The show commences at 8.45pm and it will be followed by an informal session where visiting musicians, singers and dancers are welcome to participate. The best of traditional music, song, storytelling and dance will be on display and all are welcome to attend. The entrance fee is €15 and all are welcome especially visitors from abroad

Carrigkerry N.S., are now enrolling pupils for the next term in September 2016 and places are available in all classes. Contact the school on 069-76229 or 087-9186556.

The Irish Palatine Heritage Centre in Rathkeale is currently open to visitors from 2pm to 5pm each Sunday during the months of July and August and all are welcome.

The Mount Trenchard house and garden will be open daily for the months of July and August from 9am to 1pm.

The annual Mass will be celebrated in Kilcolman cemetery on Saturday 16th July at 7.30pm.