By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Joanne McMahon, Castlemahon and a native of Dunganville, Ardagh who received the UTV Pride of Ireland Community Fundraising Event Award for 2016 in Dublin on Monday September 12th. The award was received as a result of the Thanksgiving Fund which raised over €210,000 for the Burns Unit of Saint James’ Hospital, Dublin earlier this year. The awards were shown on UTV on Sunday night last.

The following are the Lottery results from Foley’s Bar, Reens on Monday, September 12th. The numbers drawn were 6,15,16,24, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Thomas Keane, Carrigkerry, Anthony Liston, Carrigkerry, Ita Kirk, Reens, Helen Costello, Coolcappa and Teresa Flavin, Listowel. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €9,000.

The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, together with Milford Hospice Friends Association, wish to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously towards the annual Church gate collection taken up in Carrigkerry/Ardagh, on Saturday September 10/11. The amount taken up in Carrigkerry was €194 and in Ardagh €317 giving a total of €511. A special thank you to the collectors who gave so willingly of their time to stand.

Best wishes to all students who received their Junior Cert results on Wednesday, September 14th. Continue the study and enjoy school days up to the next milestone.

Congratulations to Ardagh native Vincent McCormack, Roisín McCormack and Michael Lynch, members of Foynes Yacht Club who won the Rush Regatta recently on their boat Mermaid 119 Three Chevrons.

Carrig Celtic drew 3-3 at home to Athea Utd in the Desmond Premier League on Sunday September 11th with Sean McSweeney scoring all three goals. Carrig Celtic B drew 2-2 away to Newcastle West B in Division 3, with their goals coming from Mike Dore, and Peter Cregan. Creeves Celtic had no fixture.  The following cup draws were announced as follows: In the Richard Hogan Cup Creeves Celtic are at home to Saint Ita’s in Round 1, with the winner away to Carrig Celtic B in Round 2. In Round 1 of the Reidy Joinery Cup Creeves Celtic are away to Breska Rovers, and Carrig Celtic B are away to Glin Rovers B.

In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League, Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-1 away to AK Utd with Ciara O’Donnell finding the net. Creeves Celtic lost 2-1 away to Broadford Utd with Shannon Ruttle, finding the target. Carrig Celtic drew 2-2 at home to Askeaton.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Dromin/Athlacca by 4-22 to 0-6 in the final match in group 2 of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship at Ballingarry on Sunday September 11. They will meet Feenagh/Kilmeedy in the relegation final with the loser to drop down to Junior action in 2017.

Congratulations to Gerald Griffins who won the West Junior A Football Championship after a gap of 21 years at Askeaton on Sunday September 11th. They defeated Newcastle West by 4-5 to 1-9 in a match dominated by the wind which produced a very exciting finish. Brian Nolan, the former Saint Kieran’s football player, was their manager.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor and Joan Fitzgibbon who were prize-winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday September 9th.

The Old Mill Ladies Football Club are seeking volunteers, ideally from the area, to be trained in using a Defibrillator, which will be located there. People who are interested in the training should contact Moira at 086-8110634. The club run a lottery every Saturday night in the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West. It costs €2 per line and the winner of the weekly draw receives half of what is collected and the club receives the other half.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Social Club meet each Tuesday in Ardagh Community Centre from 2pm to 4.30pm. An afternoon of music, song, dance, chat and bingo is promised plus the usual refreshments. New members will be made very welcome and the usual transport arrangements apply.

Payments under a variety of key schemes will be paid to farmers in the coming months. It has been agreed between the Department of Agriculture and Farm Organisations, under the farmer’s charter. IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy insists that there are no delays in the payment of more than €1.6bn to farmers in this most difficult year for the agricultural sector. A brief summary of the payments follows. Full Disadvantage payment to commence in the third week of September with target of 100% payment in respect of clear cases. In the Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payment Advance Payments: 100% of cleared cases and 90% of all applications to be paid on October 16th. Balancing Payments: a target of 100% of all applications on December 1.

The Young Farmers Scheme has a target payment date of December 1 for all applications, and will be paid as a complete payment. The National Reserve has a target payment date of December 1 for all applications, and will be paid as a complete payment. The AEOS/GLAS/REPS payment of up to 75% will commence the third week of October. Payment of 25% balance will commence when all inspections completed, normally mid-December. In the Beef Data & Genomics sector, payments will commence in mid-December in the year of application.

The IFA has said that ANC payments, which commence in the week beginning September 19th must have a higher pay out than last year. Up to 100,000 farmers benefit from ANC payments to the tune of €205m. In relation to the BPS, the Department has confirmed to IFA that the advance payment of 70% will commence on Monday, October 17th. This is in recognition of the very difficult income position on farms in 2016.

West Limerick Resources are currently running a series of Workshops for community groups in the area. The aim of the workshops is to best equip community groups to operate in an efficient manner. All the workshops are free to attend but please contact Damien, on 087-9042477 if you wish to attend. The four workshops will be held in West Limerick Resources Offices Newcastle West from 7pm to 9pm, on the following dates: Community Management challenges and solutions on Thursday 22^nd September, Roles and Responsibilities for Voluntary Boards of Management, on Thursday 6^th October, Sourcing Funding Opportunities, for Your Community Group, on Thursday 13^th October, and How to Make Successful Funding Applications, on Tuesday 25^th October. The workshops will be an opportunity for people to engage, with community development officers with West Limerick Resources, and to inform them of projects in their own communities.

A Heritage Association for the St Kieran’s area, comprising of Ardagh, Carrigkerry Coolcappa, Kilcolman, and neighbouring townlands, was formed recently to record everything possible, relating to heritage 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.

The junior set dancing/céilí classes will resume in Carrigkerry Community Centre on this Friday 23^rd September at 6.45pm and all are welcome.

The card game resumes in Ardagh Community Centre on this coming Tuesday 27^th September at 9pm. A big welcome back to all the regular players and I am sure new players will be most welcome also.

The West Limerick Singing Club will host the 8^th Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Festival based in Abbeyfeale, from Friday 21^st to Sunday 23^rd October. The club are honouring storyteller Daisy Kearney from Ballyhahill this year. They will pay a special tribute to her on the Sunday afternoon in Fr Casey’s Clubhouse. Visitors from all over Ireland and overseas are expected to attend as in previous years. There will be a feast of traditional entertainment over the three days, with singing sessions, workshops and newly composed ballads. A very enjoyable weekend is promised and all are welcome.

A dance in aid of Saint Ita’s Community Hospital, Newcastle West will be held in the Devon Inn, Templeglantine on Saturday 19^th November. The tickets cost €10 and they are available from committee members and Fiddlers Green will supply the music. The committee would appreciate spot prizes, which will be used for the raffle which will be held during the night. The proceeds from the night will be used in the construction of a twelve bed extension for long term patients. They hope this facility will be completed in the next few years.