By Tom Aherne

We extend our sympathy to Kathleen and Denis Sheehy and family Carrons, Kilcolman, on the death of Kathleen’s brother Patsy Kelly Camas, Newcastle West. His remains lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Monday August 1. After Requiem Mass in St Ita’s Church Raheenagh, on the following day he was laid to rest in St Ita’s Cemetery Killeedy.

We extend our sympathy also to Mary and Dan Mulcahy and family Knockbowheen Kilcolman, on the death of Mary’s brother Michael O’Connell Deel Manor Askeaton. His remains were removed from Madigan’s Funeral Home Askeaton on Saturday August 16, to St Mary’s Church Askeaton. He was laid to rest after Requiem Mass in Relig Mhuire on Sunday August 14. The death has also been announced of Rommie Ambrose, late of Main Street Ardagh in Australia. May they all rest in Peace.

The Rose of Tralee Festival will be over by the time these notes will appear in print. The Limerick Rose Marie Hennessy from Rooskagh Carrigkerry carried our hopes, and she did the parish proud in the run in to the contest. A once in a life opportunity for Marie, and she was very impressive in her interviews on TV and Radio, and in the local papers.

Congratulations to Adam Ward, and James O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry who won silver medals in Contemporary Irish Dance in the Community Games, All Ireland Final held  in Athlone. Congratulations also to Cathal Mc Enery from Ardagh who won an individual bronze All Ireland medal in the U-13 1,200 meters event. He was also part of the U-13 mixed Cross Country team that won 4^th place All Ireland medals.

Congratulations to Gerard Greaney Ardagh who recently received a Limerick Person of the Month Award for his work with Footsteps to Freedom. This included a re-enactment of the Easter Sunday 1916 volunteer march to Glenquin, which attracted a crowd of 2,500 people. Gerard is very interested in history and he was the driving force behind the 1916 commemorations which are ongoing. The Limerick Person of the Month award is sponsored by The Limerick Leader, Southern Media Agency and The Clarion Hotel.

Congratulations to all the locals who were successful at the recent Newcastle West Flower Show. The show is a great outlet for people interested in flowers, vegetables, baking photography art and crafts. The locality was very well represented and well done to all for displaying their products.

The Irish Cancer Society would like to thank everyone who contributed the sum of € 455 at their collection taken up in Coolcappa/Kilcolman on Saturday August 13 and Sunday 14.

The following are the Lottery results from Reens Bar, Ardagh on Monday August 15.The numbers drawn were 18,22,24,26, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Helen O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry Seán and Oisín Ryan, Ardagh, Mick Hanlon, Newcastle West, Tom and Marion O’Connor, Shanagolden, and Nell Flaherty, Carrigkerry. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 8,200 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.

The new extension to Kilcolman N.S. is near complete, and on course to open on Thursday 1^st September as planned. Thanks is extended to the parents, pupils, and volunteers who helped with the painting and the general clean up in recent times. It is a fine facility now and with the Creche nearby children’s education needs are well catered for.

The Phone Connect Project is a free community based telephone support service offered to older people in the West Limerick Area empowering 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 participants, particularly those experiencing isolation, who would like to receive a weekly phone call.  If you would be interested in receiving or require more information we would be delighted to hear from you by calling Damien at West Limerick Resources on 087 9042477 or Stefanie on 087 3290483.  This initiative is being run in association with the Rural Community Care Network (RCCN).

Mass will be celebrated in Kilscannell Cemetery on Friday 26th August at 7.30pm.

The Old Mill Sports Club was set up at Bill, and Nora, O’Connell’s, Pub, on Friday June 14, 1991. It was set up to give the youth of the area, and beyond an opportunity to participate in Gaelic games, soccer, and other sports.  The following committee was put in place, Chairman Bill O’Connell, Vice-Chairman Dan Mulcahy, Secretary Siobhan Doody, Ass Secretary Eileen Ambrose, Treasurer Ann Barry, Ass Treasurer Mary Hennessy, P.R.O. Denis Heffernan, Ass P.R.O. Pat Downes, and Committee: Michael Ambrose, Jerry Doody, Paddy Dee O’Connor, Tom Danaher, Jim Kelly, Steven Nugent, and PJ Mc Grath.

A further meeting was held on Friday June 21, at the same venue, and a finance committee, and a field committee was formed. It was decided to charge a five pounds per family membership fee, and also five pounds for adults over sixteen years. All children from 8-14 were welcome to join. The club rented a field from Moss Hurley and John Keane commenced training the soccer teams. The first soccer match between Old Mill, and Foynes, at Under 12, was played there on Friday July 5. It was a most enjoyable match, and Foynes won 3-2.

Old Mill defeated Creeves 2-1 at home in the U-14 Desmond District Schoolboys League, on Saturday September 28, I believe it was the first official match played by the club, and Tony Galvin, scored both goals. TEAM Noel Donovan, Sean Sullivan, Kieran Carr, Maurice Geoghegan, Brian Dunne, Michael Moran, Patrick Histon, Declan Shiels, Tony Galvin, Aidan Hannafin, Aidan O’Grady, Timothy Mc Coy, Michael O’Grady, David Hennessy, Thomas Geoghegan, Thomas Ambrose.

The first Old Mill Harvest Festival was held from Friday to Sunday October, 4 to 6. It was most successful,  and large crowds, attended the various events. The O’Sullivan family John, Ann, Mary, and Liam, won the Pub Quiz, from seven other teams, on the Friday night. A Treasure Hunt was held on the Saturday night, and a Sports Day, on Sunday. The Donkey Derby was won by Nijinsky, owned by Denis Scanlon, Athea. A Threshing demonstration was held on Sunday evening, with Sean Bridgeman, and Bill O’Connell, directing operations.  The large crowd that attended led to the first traffic jam seen in the Old Mill

The Old Mill Ladies football team played their first challenge match that October, against Athea, at U-16 level. From humble beginnings, they fielded teams in that year’s Championship to conclude their first year’s activities, as a sports club. Over the years the club has experienced the dizzy heights, and claimed many honours, in ladies football and soccer.

A quarter of a century later plans have been unveiled to mark the 25^th anniversary 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.

West Limerick Singing Club will hold their next monthly singing session on Friday 2^nd September at 9.30pm. All interested people be they performers, or audience members are invited to attend. The club meet in the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale, on the first Friday of each month and all are welcome.

West Limerick 102 FM are holding their next car boot sale, and indoor market at the Community Centre Newcastle West on Sunday 4^thSeptember 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.

The Robert Kelly Academy of Irish Dance will commence classes in the Community Centre Ardagh, on Monday 5^th September at 7pm. Enrolment of new dancers will take place on the night, and the dancing classes will begin the following Monday. All other dancers will resume classes on this night. Classes will resume in the Community Centre Carrigkerry each Wednesday commencing Wednesday 7^th September, at 7pm for step dancing and 8pm for Sean Nos Dancing.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Social Club will reopen on Tuesday 6^th September, from 2pm to 4pm in the Community Centre Ardagh. All the usual activities will take place including music, song, dance and Bingo, washed down with a cup of tea. The usual bus service will operate, and new members will be made most welcome.

The St Vincent de Paul parish annual pilgrimage to Knock goes ahead on Saturday 10^th September. To book a place please contact John Joe Kennelly on 069-76280

Knockfierna Heritage Society Outing to Clonmacnoise (Pattern Day) and Birr Castle on Sunday 11^th September. Details from Pat O’Donovan0879977340 or Mary O’Keeffe 087 6990816 and all are welcome.