By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Nora O’Connell, née Murphy, Knocknagun, Carrigkerry, Athea and formerly of Glensharrold, peacefully at her residence on Wednesday July 13th, in the loving care of her family. Nora was pre-deceased by her husband Brendan and sons Brendan (2014) and infant Tadgh. Nora was a native of Athea, a homemaker and in her early eighties. She was a neighbour of mine when I was growing up in Glensharrold and I knew her as Nora Bernie O’Connell. They ran the family farm and Nora worked both inside and outside the home. They raised a large family and it was a difficult time to earn a living from farming. The death of her husband Bernie, as we called him, in 1976 at the young age of 45 years, when the eldest Jackie was 21 and the youngest Margaret was only 3 years old, was a major and sad loss. But Nora was strong willed and overcame many obstacles to raise her family to be confident, assured and to do well in life.
Nora found time to get involved in community affairs despite her workload and was a member of Carrigkerry Parents Association who picketed the School successfully when closure was threatened in 1970. She was also part of the Carrigkerry Carnival Committee, who ran a very successful festival in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She was a member of the Ladies committee who did wonderful work to raise funds for parish renovations. Nora and family moved to the former teacher’s residence in Carrigkerry village in the late 1980s and through her guidance and work the house and grounds was enhanced and has become greatly admired since.
There was a touch of class about Nora who was a friendly and stylish lady. Her faith and family meant a lot to her and she showed great love for her children and grandchildren and was very proud of their achievements. She was a fine dancer and enjoyed her dancing days and family nights out and liked her music. Watching quiz shows, playing cards and her flower garden, in later life were other favourite pastimes. We will all retain our own memories of Nora and mine will be seeing her sitting outside her flower adorned home with her sun hat on and enjoying the Carrigkerry sunshine in between the frequent showers blowing in from her native Athea.
Nora lay in repose at her residence on Thursday from 5pm to 8pm and large crowds attended despite the heavy rainfall. Her remains were removed from her residence and walked to nearby St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry for her requiem Mass which attracted an overflowing attendance. It was concelebrated by Fr Tony Mullins, Fr Tim Curtin and Fr Gerry Creedon from Cork at 12 noon on Saturday July 16th. Symbols that were important in Nora’s life were brought to the Altar by family members before Mass commenced. They included hair rollers, bunch of flowers, deck of cards, dictionary, music CD and sun hat. Family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts. Jackie, her eldest son who lives in Cork, on behalf of the family, paid a lovely heartfelt tribute to Nora. Trevor, with his guitar sang some very uplifting hymns including Going Home as her coffin was taken from the church.
Nora was laid to rest afterwards in the family plot in St David’s Graveyard Churchtown, Newcastle West. We extend our sympathy to her sons Jack, Patrick and Noel, daughters Grace, Roisín, Colleen, Daisy, Breda, Christina, Eithne, Nora and Margaret, sister Mary (USA), brother-in-law Noel, sisters-in-law Betty and Mary, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends. May she rest in Peace. Nora’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Friday 19th August at 7.30pm.
The death has also taken place of John F (Sean) Raleigh, Old Mill, Newcastle West, on Tuesday July 12th at Tralee General Hospital. Sean qualified in Agriculture from UCD in 1961 and he spent time teaching Maths in Africa. He also worked in Waterford, Newcastle West and Foynes. His mother was Kathleen O’Sullivan from Ballinabearna, and Balliniska, Castlemahon. Sean was a first cousin of John Mulvihill, Ballinabearna and John P O’Sullivan, Ballyine.
He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Thursday from 6pm followed by removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West. His Requiem Mass was celebrated there on Friday July 15th at 11.30am followed by burial in Castlemahon Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Ann (nee Lee), daughters Kathryn, Joann, Tina and Mary Frances, grandchildren, sons-in-law, brothers, sisters, sister-in-law, cousins, other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh, on Monday July 11th. The numbers drawn were 6, 13, 17, 26, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners, who received €40 each. Marie Carrig, c/o Curley’s, Kay Ryan Ardagh, Jimmy O’Donoghue, Askeaton, Teresa Downey, Ardagh and Bridget Flynn, c/o Moloney’s Carrigkerry. Next week’s Jackpot will be €7,200 and the draw will be held in Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry.
Limerick County Macra na Feirme held their AGM recently in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road. Congratulations to local county executive members Gerard Donovan, Kilcolman and John Cremin, Ardagh. Gerard is in the Competitions Chair and John is the Young Farmer Secretary.
Congratulations to Caroline Murphy, Ardagh who won the Lady President’s Prize at Newcastle West Golf Club on Saturday July 9th. She received her prize from Lady President, Teresa Lawlor, also a native of Ardagh.
Congratulations to John Mulvihill, Vinny Wrenn, Peg Mulvihill and Marie Wrenn who were prize winners at the card game held in Ballingarry on Saturday July 9th.
Saint Kieran’s lost to Drom/Broadford by 3-11 to 1-11in Division 1 of the All County Football League in Coolcappa on Tuesday July 5th. St Kieran’s drew with Glin 0-11 to 2-5 in the West Junior B Football Championship in Askeaton on Wednesday July 6th.
Congratulations to St Kieran’s Bord na nÓg members Dylan Cahill and Eoin McEnery who represented their club in the County Limerick Poc Fada U-16 Competition. Dylan finished 1st qualifying him for the Munster stage and Eoin came 3rd. Dylan came 4th overall in the Munster Competition which was a great achievement.
The club held a very successful Cúl Camp in Coolcapa during the first week of July. It was attended by over 130 children who enjoyed the week long activities.
The Irish Cancer Society have issued an appeal for volunteer drivers, to drive local patients to and home from the Hospitals they are attending. The service covers the following Cork University Hospital, Tralee General Hospital, and the Mercy University Hospital, Cork. The drivers will pick up the patients from their homes, drop them off at the Hospital door and collect them following their treatment and return them to their own door. Expenses will be paid to the drivers and the contact details if interested are as follows: Telephone Rebecca on 01 2316 642 or email [email protected]
John Keily from Ardagh is one of the presenters of Sacred Space, which airs on West Limerick 102FM Radio each Sunday from 10am to 11am and repeated that night from 11pm. It is a religious themed programme with Gospel readings, prayers and special guests.
A reminder that Eucharistic Adoration is held at St Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Monday’s from 11am to 1pm and from 5pm to 9pm.
Donie Nolan from Kilcolman, who recently launched his first traditional solo CD the Banks of the Abba Bhán, is receiving good airplay from the local Radio Stations at present. It is available for sale for €15 at the following outlets: Moloney’s Daybreak and Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry Curley’s Post Office, Ardagh Hanley’s Shop Creeves Cross, O’Connor’s Newcastle West, Lyons’ Abbeyfeale and also in shops in Athea, Glin and Paddy O’Rourke’s Shop Ballyhahill.
The annual graveyard Mass will be celebrated at Clouncagh Old Cemetery on Thursday 21st July at 8pm. Mass will be celebrated in Knockpatrick Cemetery, Foynes on Sunday 24th July at 2.30pm. Mass will be celebrated in Saint Molua’s Cemetery on Monday 1st August at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend all the above.
Shanagolden Community Council are doing great work around the village and at Tim Madigan Park at present. Their next fundraiser will be a special monster bingo night (€4,000) on Tuesday 2nd August. They will have two other bingo nights on Tuesday 6th September and Tuesday 4th October. All support from bingo players will be most welcome.