By Tom Aherne

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar, Newbridge on Monday August 1st. The Jackpot was €7,600 and there was no winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each. Stephen Nolan, Ardagh, John Mullins, The Cross, Ardagh, Maisie Moroney, Coolcappa, Willie Treacy, Ardagh and David Noonan, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €7,800 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for July was held during the sports show on Limerick Live 95FM on Saturday morning last. Congratulations to Marion and Ian Hughes from the St Kieran’s club who won €500. The club is enjoying a lot of success in this year’s draw which has five more draws remaining. To join contact Michael Windle on 086-8223376 or any club member. It costs €10 per month or €50 for the final five draws.

The Friends of St Ita’s Community Hospital wish to thank the collectors and everyone who contributed so generously to their church gate collection in May in Kilcolman. The amount collected was €204.50 which will go towards Friends of St Ita’s/Milford Hospice Support Unit at St Ita’s Community Hospital, Newcastle West.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill, and Vinnie Wrenn who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Community Hall on Friday July 29.

Saint Kieran’s return to hurling action in Round 4 of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship when they play Knockaderry in Newcastle West on this  Saturday 13^th August at 7pm. Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Croagh/Kilfinny by 4-9 to 3-5 in Division 2B of the U-16 Hurling Championship. Jim O’Donovan, the former St Kieran’s and Limerick senior footballer, is part of the Irish party at the Olympic Games in Rio. Jim who is a doctor is part of the medical team in Brazil.

As A Matter of Fact by Eamon O’Riordan, was launched by Councillor Jerome Scanlon in Castlemahon Community Hall on Wednesday August 3rd. The book is a compilation of stories written by his father, the late Michael O’Riordan from Feohanagh, who was the parish correspondent for the local Weekly Observer/Vale Star newspapers.  The 400 plus page book contains 165 different stories which were published between 1982 and 1998. It is a very enjoyable read about community life, its people and events from times past. It will be available in the local shops, in the surrounding parishes and it would make a nice gift for people associated with the area. The proceeds from the sale of this large book which costs €20 will be donated to Milford Hospice.

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.

I have declined so far this summer to write about our weather but the early days of August changed my mind.  The past three months in our neck of the woods has been most disappointing with lots of rain and little sunshine. We were lucky to get a good warm spell in late May and early June which people availed of to get part of the harvest done. We have only got occasional days since to get outdoor work done. People need the sun to build up their systems for the winter months which are mainly spent indoors. We can only hope that August will bring a good deal of sunny warm weather.

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]

The Comhaltas Summer Seisiun traditional entertainment shows continues at the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine, each Thursday for another few weeks. 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.

Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish has issued an appeal for Liturgy Readers for weekend Masses in both Churches as the list of volunteers has dwindled. The rota can be arranged to suit people who would be willing to join the Readers List for a short period or for certain dates. If interested or to enquire contact Ann on 086-3794646.

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

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

The following is a note from the Footsteps to Freedom organisation: Ardagh village was one of the places associated with the Fenian Rising 150 years ago on 5^th of March 1867. Following on the huge success of the Footsteps to Freedom project the local organisation are looking to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Fenian Rising in Ardagh. On the 5^th of March 1867 the first RIC Barracks (situated at the time in the middle of the village, only building with the front door not facing the street) was attacked by over 30 locals with pikes. Any help and ideas are most welcome. You are all welcome to a meeting on commemorating this event next Friday 12^th August  at 8pm in Neary’s Meeting Room.

The Irish Cancer Society will hold their church gate collection in Kilcolman and Coolcappa on this coming weekend of 13^th/14^th August.

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 following are the dates for the annual cemetery and graveyard masses in the locality, Coolcappa Cemetery Sunday 14th August at 10am. Kilscannell Cemetery Friday 26th August at 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.

West Limerick FM community radio are holding a Social Dance in the Community Centre Monagea on Friday 19th August from 9.30pm to midnight. Music by the Mike Condon band from Ballyduff and admission is €10. A raffle will be held and tea/coffee and light refreshments will be on offer. Contact Benny Thade McCarthy, one of the very popular presenters, for more details. All support will be greatly appreciated at the station who provides a wonderful service to the people of West Limerick and beyond.

Nora Madden is retiring as Principal of Coolcappa N.S. after 37 years of dedicated service. The Board of Management/Parents are holding a special Mass and retirement party  for her, as a mark of appreciation for her hard work and dedication on Sunday 21^st August. The Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa, followed by refreshments in the Community Centre. All parents, pupils, past pupils, past Board of Management/Parents and parishioners are invited to attend.

The Old Mill Sports Club was set up on Friday June 14th 1991 and a quarter of a century later plans have been unveiled to mark the 25^thanniversary of the club, nestled between Ardagh, Carrigkerry and Newcastle West. An action packed weekend of events is planned from Friday 26^th to Sunday 28^th of August. They include family sports day, underage girl’s football blitz, ladies football and soccer matches, Pub Quiz, Entertainment and lots more.