By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mary Murray (née Daly) Lisbane, Shanagolden and Kilscannell, Ardagh. She lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden on Thursday September 29th from 6-8pm. Her remains arrived on Friday at Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman for Requiem Mass at 11am. Mary was laid to rest afterwards in Kilbradren Cemetery, a short distance from her home place. We extend our sympathy to her daughter Mary Byrnes, son in law Moss, grandchildren, great grandchildren, niece and nephew, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes to Ann McSweeney, daughter of Eileen and Liam, Carrigkerry and Anthony Molyneaux, son of Ann and Mike, Ardagh who got married in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Friday September 30th. They held their reception in the Listowel Arms Hotel where a large crowd enjoyed the proceedings.

Ardagh I.C.A. guild would like to thank everybody who supported their annual coffee morning held at the Community Centre, Ardagh, on Thursday, September 15th. The total amount collected for Milford Hospice was €490.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday, September 26th. The numbers drawn were 10,16,17,20, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners who won €40 each:  Marie O’Donnell, c/o Neary’s, Marie O’Donnell, Carrigkerry, Fiona Hennessy, Glenastar, Liam Irwin, Kilmeedy and Margaret Brouder, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €9,400 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh.

Congratulations to Cormac Long, Rooskagh and Rathkeale Boxing Club, on his recent success in Dungarvan, where he won the heavyweight title at the Celtic Box tournament which attracted a high entry.

Congratulations to Darragh McCormack and his crew on Maximus, who won the IRC in the September series at Foynes Yacht Club.

Carrig Celtic B defeated Knockaderry 2-1 at home in Division 3 of the Desmond League, on Sunday, September 25th. Mike Dore and Darragh Breen scored their goals. Creeves Celtic lost 1-0 at home to St Ita’s in the first round of the Richard Hogan Cup. Carrig Celtic had no fixture.

In the Desmond Ladies Division 1 League, Kilcolman Rovers defeated Creeves Celtic 3-2 at home with goals from Maureen Noonan, 2 and Ide Trant. Carrig Celtic lost 2-1 at home to Kilbehenny with Layla Sparling scoring their goal.

Congratulations to James Bridgeman, Donie Donovan, Moss O’Connor and Moss Kearney who were prize winners at the card game held in Monagea Hall on Wednesday, September 21st. Congratulations to John Mulvihill, Vinny Wrenn, Peg Mulvihill and Jim Liston who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday, September 23rd.

Volunteers are needed to set up a First Responder group in Ardagh in the coming months. Interested people must be over 18 years, and training will be provided locally. An information meeting will be held shortly and further information from Deirdre Ambrose, 087-9509218 or Patsy Duggan, 087-1352722

The new parish Mass times are as follows: St Molua’s Church, Ardagh, Saturday at 6pm and St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry Sunday at 11am.

Permanent TSB Market Yard Newcastle West will be open on Thursday, October 6th from 5pm to 8pm for a mortgage information evening. For further information please contact Deborah or Risteárd on 069 69076 or 087 3931193.

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 workshops will be held in West Limerick Resources Offices Newcastle West from 7pm to 9pm, on the following dates:  Roles and Responsibilities for Voluntary Boards of Management, on Thursday, October 6th, Sourcing Funding Opportunities, for Your Community Group, on Thursday, October 13th, and How to Make Successful Funding Applications, on Tuesday, October 25th. 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.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding their next meeting on Friday, October 7th in Kilcolman Creche at 8pm and all are welcome. Gerard Greaney, a member of the association, launched Saoirse: The Askeaton-Ballysteen Story 1798-1921 before a large attendance at Askeaton Community Centre on Saturday night last.  Written by Paul Anglim, and edited by Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh, the 80 page publication is a welcome addition to our local history archive. The book contains items of interest from our own area, and should be available for sale in the local areas.

Newcastle West Film Club commence their new season on Friday, October 7th at the Desmond Complex in Newcastle West. Their first offering is Mustang which runs to 97 minutes and the entrance fee is €7. Refreshments are available for early arrivals and the film starts at 8pm. Mustang is about five orphan girls who are seen innocently playing with boys on a beach and their scandalised conservative guardians confine them while forced marriages are arranged. The films will be shown on the first Friday of October, November and December.

West Limerick Singing club will hold their next session on Friday, October 7th at 9.30pm in the Ramble Inn Bar, Abbeyfeale.  All singers, storytellers and interested listeners are welcome to attend. The singing club meet on the first Friday of each month at the same venue.

A gala concert in aid of Pieta House will be held in St Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Sunday, October 16th 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 McMahon, 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.

The West Limerick Singing Club will host the eight Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Festival based in Abbeyfeale, from Friday, October 21st to Sunday 23rd. 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.

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 October 27th. 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, October 27th, Charlton Irish Club Manchester. Friday, October 28th, Birmingham Irish Centre. Saturday, October 29th, Harrow Arts Centre London. Sunday, October 30th, St Joseph’s Parish Centre Luton. Contact www.irishramblinghouse.com for ticket details for the four shows.

A dance in aid of Saint Ita’s Community Hospital, Newcastle West, will be held in the Devon Inn, Templeglantine on Saturday, November 19th. 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.