By Tom Aherne

Nora Madden, who recently retired from teaching in Coolcappa School would like to express her sincere gratitude and appreciation to everyone who in any way contributed to and who attended her recent retirement function. Thanks to all the organisers of the Mass and party held in Coolcappa and sincere gratitude to all the people who did the catering.

Congratulations and best wishes to Mary Stokes, Cappagh who recently celebrated her 70^th birthday with family and friends at Neville’s Cross Kilfinny. She is a native of Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry and a member of the widely known Hennessy family.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday October 3. The numbers drawn were 2,12,13,27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who each won €40 euro: Jack Sheahan, Ardvone, Ardagh, Nancy Barrett, Glenastar, Ardagh, Seán Noonan, Ardagh, John Mullins, Castlemahon, and Nora Ambrose, Cottages, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in The Thatch Bar, Newbridge and the Jackpot will be €9,600.

Ardagh Parents Association held their annual general meeting on Thursday September 29 and the following committee was put in place. Chairperson: Lynda Daly; Secretary Mary Barrett; Treasurers; Sandra Murphy, John Doyle, and Carmel Power; Committee: June Joyce, Mairead Moran, Emmaline Madigan, Paul Daly Christina Mackessy and Eamon Honan. Moira Mc Enery was thanked for her commitment and hard work since the Parents Association was founded. The next meeting was fixed for Thursday October 13 at 8pm in Ardagh School.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association, held their third meeting on Friday October 7 in Kilcolman Creche and 14 people were present. John P O’Sullivan chaired the meeting and Mary Kury secretary and Richard Mc Donnell treasurer were also present. Items from the previous meeting were discussed and dealt with and a wide range of subjects were covered during the evening. A membership fee of € 10 was collected from all present and a Credit Union account is to be set up to cover the activities of the association. A group text message system for members, is also to be put in place.

A day trip is being planned for Saturday October 22 taking in the places of interest around Dromcollogher, Broadford, Ashford Glenquin Castle, and the Desmond Castle in Newcastle West. People interested in travelling are asked to keep in contact with the officers, for the up to date times, and costs. The walk, and re-enactment to commemorate the Fenian rising and the attack on the barracks in Ardagh was discussed and a wall plaque will be unveiled at the site. A medal to mark the Fenian rising similar to the Footsteps to Freedom medal which was so popular is also to be sourced. It was also discussed to get the local schools involved with talks to be given to inform them of the events of 150 years ago.

Mary Kury’s book on the History of Ardagh is near completion, and members are looking forward to reading it when launched. A number of fundraising ideas were aired and a couple of pub quizzes will be held with dates to be announced. John Upton from Newcastle West was complimented for the local items he has uploaded on to the internet. The condition of heritage buildings in the locality was also discussed and funding for repairs appears to be non-existent at present. The next meeting was fixed for Thursday October 20 at 8pm in Carrigkerry Community Centre, and if interested in heritage please come along you will be very welcome.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for September was held on Limerick Live 95fm on Saturday last during the Sports Show. Congratulations to William McMahon from the Saint Kieran’s club who won €250.  The next draw will be held on the final Saturday of the month at the same venue. People can still join for €30 for the final three draws of the year, by contacting the club.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s who defeated Drom/Broadford by 2-12 to 1-12 in the West Minor B Football Final at wet and windy Mick Neville Park on Monday October 3. The team got off to a good start with early points, but their opponents responded and the teams were level at three points each after 15 minutes. A goal after 22 minutes provided the platform for Drom/Broadford to take command of the game, and they went on to lead by 1-7 to 0-6 after 35 minutes play at the short whistle.

Saint Kieran’s showed a lot more passion, commitment and a higher work rate on resumption and they upped their performance. A point and a goal scored from a penalty by John Hayes, had the side’s level after ten minutes. The next 15 minutes, saw the sides level on three occasions as they matched point for point, leaving it 1-10 each. Drom/Broadford edged ahead again with a point on 27 minutes, as the benches were emptied and subs were introduced and the excitement rose from the umbrella protected spectators.

A sweeping movement was finished to the net by Noel Callanan to leave the Saints two to the good only for the boys from the border town to reply with a point to leave the result in the melting pot. Two late Saint Kieran’s points, from Darragh O’Connor, and Kaelan O’Connor eased the tension and the long whistle after four minutes added time saw the team retain their West title.  Captain Killian Ambrose accepted the cup afterwards, and Noel Callanan, received the Man of the Match award.

TEAM: Robert Bradley, JJ Cronin, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Tommy Mullins, John Buckley, Darragh O’Connor, 0-2 Brian McCarthy, Killian Ambrose, Daniel Power, Stephen Hennessy, Noel Callanan, 1-3 Kaelin O’Connor, 0-3 Colm Copse, Darragh Breen, Patrick O’Connor, 0-3  Subs Stephen Copse, for Darragh Breen, John Hayes, 1-1, for Brian McCarthy, injured Eamon Ambrose, for JJ Cronin, Liam Kennedy for Colm Copse,  Dennis Cronin, for John Buckley, John Buckley for Daniel Power, Larry Ward, Edward Fitzgerald,  Dan Duggan, Shane Murphy, and Michael Murphy, Eoin Burke, and Evan Donovan, were all injured. The management team was Mike Meade, Mike Flynn, Eoin Hayes, junior, Donie Murphy, John Enright.

Carrig Celtic defeated Turnpike Rovers from the Clare League by 2-1 at home in Round 2 of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday October 2. Brodie O’Connor, and Sean Mc Sweeney scored their goals. Creeves Celtic lost 4-2 away to Breska Rovers, in Round 1 of the Reidy Cup with Tom Shanahan, and Darragh O’Connor, scoring their goals. Carrig Celtic B had no fixture.

Newcastle West defeated Murroe-Boher by 1-12 to 1-2 in the U-16 A County Camogie Final played in Limerick on Saturday October1. Congratulations to all the locals involved in their success, and Kate Ambrose from Ardagh was their captain.

Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh is open for Eucharistic adoration each Monday from 11 am to 1pm and from 5pm to 9pm and all are welcome.

The card game has resumed in the Community Centre Ardagh taking place each Tuesday at 9pm. All the regular players are most welcome, and it would be nice to see some new faces attending.

The Keep Fit classes have resumed in the Community centre Ardagh, taking place each Wednesday and Friday night from 7pm to 8pm. Personal attention for everyone so come along and enjoy the experience.

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

Newcastle West golf club have a number of new membership packages, on offer at present. All the details can be got by contacting the office on 069-76500.

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: Sourcing Funding Opportunities, for Your Community Group, on Thursday October 13, and How to Make Successful Funding Applications, on Tuesday October 25. 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 gala concert in aid of Pieta House will be held in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sunday October 16 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.