By Tom Aherne

We welcome Fr Michael Noonan from Raheen as the new parish priest of Ardagh/Carrigkerry. He takes over from Fr Tim Curtin, who was Administrator for the past year, following the retirement of parish priest Fr Larry Madden. He introduced himself at the weekend masses and gave a brief summary of his ministry to date. He is a native of the Granagh/Ballingarry parish and he was ordained in 1972. He served in a number of Limerick City parishes before moving out the county to Cappagh parish for four years, and Foynes/Shanagolden/Robertstown for eleven years. Fr Michael has been Parish Priest of Raheen, Mungret and Crecora, for the past eighteen years. We wish him well and hope he will be very happy in his new surroundings.

Canon Tony Mullins commences duty as the new PP of Abbeyfeale and Athea parishes and we wish him well also. Fr Michael Irwin from Kilcornan parish is retiring after 55 years service at home and in the foreign missions. He served in Ardagh/Carrigkerry for a while before his move to Kilcornan ten years ago. We wish him good health and happiness in the future.

A recent report in the Limerick Leader tells us that six houses have been sold in the Ardagh area during 2016. Three of these were sold during July and August, The Cross Ardagh which was a landmark pub O’Connell’s for many years, sold for €95,000, A cottage in Glensharrold sold for €16,500 and a house in Dunganville sold for €70,000.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday, September 5th. The numbers drawn were 7,28,29,30 and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who each received €40, Francie Kenny, Askeaton, Mike Magner, Coolanoran, John Dillane, Ballinabearna, BOD and Co c/o Peadar’s Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €8,800 and the draw will be held in Foley’s Bar, Reens.

Sean O’Sullivan from Skehanagh, Ardagh was a special guest of honour with his fellow players at this year’s West Limerick Junior A Hurling Championship Final between Monagea and Tournafulla that was played at Kevin Long Park, Feenagh on Sunday, September 11th. Sean was a member of the Ballingarry team that defeated St Mary’s Rathkeale by 2-2 to 0-6 in the 1966 final played in Askeaton fifty years ago. Sean has given great service also to the Saint Kieran’s club as a player, selector, mentor and supporter down the years.

Creeves Celtic defeated Feenagh B 3-1 away in Division 3 of the Desmond League on Sunday, September 4th with Darragh O’Connor 2 and Mark Hennessy hitting the net. Carrig Celtic B lost 2-1 away to Ferry Rangers. The A team had no fixture. In Division 1 of the Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Kilbehenny 2-1 away with goals from Maureen Noonan, and Anna McMahon. Creeves Celtic and Carrig Celtic had no fixtures.

A Heritage Association for the St Kieran’s area comprising of Ardagh, Carrigkerry Coolcappa, Kilcolman and neighbouring townlands was formed in the Community Centre, Ardagh on Thursday, September 1st. The officers elected were Chairperson John P. O’Sullivan, Secretary Mary Kury and Treasurer Richard McDonnell, with a few other positions to be filled in the coming weeks. A Facebook page has being set up for interested people to view the ongoing progress of the members. Heritage is all around us as we go about our daily work and now is the time to preserve and record what we have before it disappears. 

In Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish there are forty two townland names and in Coolcappa/Kilcolman fifty two and people are asked to collect as much information as possible in their own areas for the next meeting. The aim of the Association is to record everything possible and to mark important dates and anniversaries as they occur within the catchment area. All are welcome especially new people to attend and express their views at the next meeting which will be held in Coolcappa Community Hall on Thursday 22^nd September at 9pm.

Ardagh I.C.A. guild will hold their annual Coffee Morning in aid of Milford  Hospice in the Community Centre Ardagh on this Thursday 15thSeptember, between 10am and 12 noon. All support for this very deserving cause will be greatly appreciated.

A Pilgrimage to Lourdes, departing from Dublin from Sunday 18th September to Friday 23rd September is open for members at present. They will stay in the Modern Hotel and a special price is available. All the information is available from Elma Hanley on 069-62605 or 087-2436490.

The 85^th Annual National Ploughing Championships will be held in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly from Tuesday 20^th to Thursday 22^ndSeptember. Tickets for the very popular event are on sale through www.npa.ie

SSE Airtricity is inviting applications from community based projects in the locality of their Tournafulla, Rathcahill, Dromada and Athea Wind Farms. The applications will be accepted within a 20km radius of the wind farms for projects that have an energy efficiency or sustainability theme, however, preference will be given to projects within 5km of the wind farms. To find out more about how to apply, please contact their Community Development Officer Anne Reynolds, Tel: 01 655 6556 Email: [email protected]  The closing date for this year’s Community Fund applications is Friday 23^rd September.

West Limerick 102fm will hold its first ever Saturday antiques sale, car boot sale and indoor market, with antiques, collectables, bric a brac, local produce and artisan foods, on Saturday 24th September in the Community Centre Newcastle West. Doors open at 8am for traders and 9am for general admission. All traders are welcome and there will be indoor and outdoor places available, with a special introductory offer of €5 per car and €8 per van. Admission to the general public is free and all support will be very much appreciated.

Carebright are looking for people who would like to work as healthcare assistants. A healthcare internship program commences in their head office Croom on Monday 17th October. The duration of the course is four weeks, which includes practical care skills and on the job training. Please email for application form to [email protected] or contact Monica Hanley on 087 8310999.  If you would like further information on their training program their Newcastle West office will be open from Monday 19^th to 23^rd of September. The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 26^th of September.

Limerick Living Links are holding an information Night for annual healing programme in the Pastoral Centre, Denmark Street, Limerick on Tuesday 27^th September at 7.30pm. Living Links, founded in 2000, provide support for people bereaved by Suicide. Whether you need to approach your grief in the company of others or a one to one basis, Living Links is there for you. All services and programmes are provided free of charge. Phone 087-7998427 for further information.

A gala concert in aid of Pieta House will be held in St Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Sunday 16th October at 8pm. Appearing on stage will be Anne Phelan, violinist with the RTE Orchestra, accompanist Jean O’Brien, soprano Sinéad O’Brien, musician Charlie Reynolds, tenor Derek Moloney, the Hands in Harmony (deaf choir) Michael Doyle with his golden trumpet and the Ardagh Church Choir. The joint comperes will be Canon Tony Mullins and Seamus Hennessy who will bring their own unique talents and showmanship to the proceedings.

Theresa Doyle Mc Mahon, as ever has assembled a wonderful line up of talent and it promises to be a night to remember for lovers of music song and story. The tickets cost €15 and are available locally from Ardagh committee members, Seán Moriarty, Fr Tim Curtin, Theresa Doyle Mc Mahon, Marie Neary and Nora Conway. They can be got also at the Parish Office, Curley’s Shop and Tony Hayes’ shop in Newcastle West. All support will be greatly appreciated and the proceeds will go towards Pieta House.

Grouse Lodge windfarm which is located between Kilcolman and Ardagh recently announced details of their latest fund of €15,000 which will be distributed amongst community groups. This is the third year of the funding announced by the windfarm operators the ESB and the deadline for applications is 27th October. Those eligible to apply include registered charities, community development groups, Tidy Towns committees, sports clubs, primary and secondary schools, and they must be located within 6km of Grouse Lodge.

The applications must also fall within eight specified categories as follows: Sports and Recreation, Health, and Wellbeing, Environment and Conservation, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Culture and Heritage, Education, Children and Young People and Elderly People. A guide on how to apply can be found on their website. The operators of the fund suggest that groups apply for grants of € 5,000 but this can vary and Awards may exceed this if a project is identified as being of strategic importance.

The dates for the Irish Rambling House Tour of Britain 2016 have been announced and people may wish to inform their relatives and friends abroad. The following are the dates and venues for the shows which commence at 8pm. Thursday 27th October, Charlton Irish Club, Manchester. Friday 28th October, Birmingham Irish Centre. Saturday 29th October, Harrow Arts Centre, London. Sunday 30th October, St Joseph’s Parish Centre, Luton. Contact www.irishramblinghouse.com for ticket details for the four shows.