By Tom Aherne

Customers of Ardagh Post Office have to get to Newcastle West to conduct their business since the local office closed for business on Thursday July 21st. Local people are hopeful that it will reopen shortly for business as it was greatly missed when it was closed from November 17th 2015 to March 7th 2016

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday July 25th. The numbers drawn were 5, 15, 22, 23, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Eileen O’Connor, Carrigkerry West, Pat Ambrose, Dunganville, Alva Neary, Main Street, Ardagh, Dick Woulfe, c/o Pat Dalton and Paddy Molyneaux, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in the Thatch Bar, and the Jackpot will be €7,600.

Congratulations to all the local competitors who qualified from the Munster final for the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil Finals which will be held in Ennis on the weekend of 19^th to 21^st August.

St Kieran’s lost to Glin by 0-12 to 2-7 after extra time in the West Junior B Football Championship playoff, in Askeaton Gaelic Grounds on Sunday July 24. They exited the competition as a result.

St Kieran’s and Drom/Broadford drew 0-11 each in Group 1 Round 3 of the Limerick Senior Football Championship at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds, on Thursday July 28. They trailed by four points after a whirlwind start by the border town boys. They settled to the task and good exchange play brought scores, from play and frees, and they led by 0-7 to 0-6 at half time. Drom/Broadford were reduced to 14 players during the half and also lost a player to a black card. They still raised their performance levels and edged the second half to tie the scores in the final stages of the game. TEAM: Ray Noonan, Gavin Hayes, Johnny McCarthy, Kevin Meade, Brendan McCarthy, Mike Windle, Mossie Shine, Mike Flynn, John Doyle, Jack Ben Harnett, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-2 Donie Nolan, 0-2 Seamus Mangan, 0-2 Paudie McCarthy, Sean McSweeney, 0-5 SUBS: Diarmuid Crowley, Timmy Carroll. MANAGEMENT:  Noel Broderick, Mikey Greaney, Pat Dalton and trainer Thomas Dillon. Saint Kieran’s have now four points from their three matches played and remain in contention for the knock out stages. The next match is against Na Piarsaigh, on the final weekend of August. They return to hurling action in Round 4 of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship when they play Knockaderry in Newcastle West on Saturday 13^th August.

The Metal Bridge, over the White River located in Lower Glensharrold has been repaired in recent weeks by a company from Cork. It has been strengthened underneath with new railing put in place and the piers have been rebuilt. The bridge serves the needs of four families and the years had taken their toll on the bridge which was erected around 1860. The steel girders were manufactured by Dorman Long from Middlesbrough in North England. In times past it was hoped to continue this road which is a Cul de Sac through to meet the road on the Kerryline.

Donie Nolan from Kilcolman, recently launched his first traditional music solo CD titled the Banks of the Abba Bhán. The 16 track CD has three songs, as well and 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, Sheehan’s Corner Shop Askeaton, Hogan’s Shop Glin, Mullanes Costcutter, and Roches Filling Station, Shanagolden, Brouder’s Athea and Paddy O’Rourke’s Shop Ballyhahill.

Mary Kury is completing a History of Ardagh, and is aiming to have it ready to publish by 2018, which is the 150^th Anniversary of the finding of the Ardagh Chalice. She is appealing for photos pre 1960 of weddings, communion, confirmation, trades or crafts, musicians, wren groups, farming activities, etc. to include. Mary is also interested in photos of Ardagh Boys School of 1948, and 1968, Ardagh Camogie team of 1936, and the Ardagh Girls School from before 1960. They can be copied and returned and Mary can be contacted on 087-9282462 and[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. All are welcome.

Traditional music classes are held in Patie Joe’s Bar, Shanagolden, on each Thursday night and all musicians are welcome. Beginners from 7pm to 8pm and adults from 8pm to 9pm. To find out more contact Carmel O’Leary at 086-8676920 or 061-601923.

Mass will be celebrated at Ballyine Mass Rock on Friday 5th August at 8pm and all are welcome to attend. It was first celebrated there on Sunday, August 15th 1954 by Fr John Fitzgibbon C.C. Ardagh/Carrigkerry and approximately 2,000 were in attendance.

The West Limerick Singing Club are holding their monthly singing session in the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale on Friday 5th August commencing at 9.30pm. All singers, storytellers and listeners are most welcome to come along and to enjoy the proceedings.

A charity Céilí in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will be held in Knockaderry Resource Centre, on Friday 5th August. Music by the Striolan Céilí Band from 9.30pm to 1am, spot prizes will be given out and teas will be served. All support will be greatly appreciated.

The annual collection will take place for Cuan Mhuire on this coming weekend Saturday 6^th/Sunday7th August.

West Limerick 102 FM are holding their next car boot sale, and indoor market at the Community Centre Newcastle West on Sunday 7th August from 8am. To book a stall contact the Station on 069-66200.The gates open at 7.30am and all the proceeds will go towards the running of the station.

An Open Day will be held in Glin Castle and Garden on Sunday 7^th August. Tours of castle and garden, every hour from 12.30pm to 6pm. The admission is €10 and refreshments included and served in the castle.

The annual graveyard Mass will be celebrated  at Clounagh graveyard on  Sunday 7th August at 1pm and at Coolcappa Cemetery on Sunday 14th August at 10am. The annual Mass in Relig Mhuire, Askeaton will be celebrated on Sunday 21^st August at 3pm and grave owners are reminded to attend to their family graves beforehand. All are welcome to attend the above masses.

A special Mass of remembrance will be celebrated for all those who have spent time at the Respite Care Centre, Dromcollogher,  over the past fourteen years, in Dromcollogher Church on Sunday 7th August at 7.30pm. Family members neighbours and friends are invited to attend.

The annual West Limerick pilgrimage to Lourdes will be held from the 9th to the 16th August. A Spiritual Director will accompany the party on a direct flight from Shannon and they will stay with full board at the Hotel Roissy for seven nights. Contact Pat Dalton on 069-62306 for additional information.

The Newcastle West Flower Show will be held in the Community Centre Newcastle West on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th August. A number of local people are busy preparing their produce for the popular event at present.

Masses for the Feast of the Assumption are as follows; Sunday 14^th August Coolcappa 10am, (Graveyard) Ardagh 11am, Carrigkerry 6.30pm (Vigil) Kilcolman 7.30pm (Vigil) Monday 15^th August (Feast Day) Ardagh 11am, Coolcappa 7.30pm.

The 31st annual Harvest Fair, in aid of Milford Care Centre, will be held on Sunday 14th August at UL which is a ten minute walk from Milford Hospice. The day attracts a lot of spectators, and supporters, and it is one of their main fundraisers. The proceeds will go towards the ongoing development of new hospice facilities.