By Tom Aherne

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday October 17. The numbers drawn were 4, 14, 25, 29, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners, who each won, €40: G and D, c/o Denis Greaney, Martina and Catherine, c/o C Noonan, Pa Wilmott, Rathkeale, Paddy O’Sullivan, Abbeyfeale and Séan and Eileen, Athea. Next week’s Jackpot will be €10,000, and the draw will be held in Reens Bar, Ardagh.

Congratulations to Ardagh native Paddy Fullam who was recently elected President of Newcastle West District Chamber of Commerce. The former teacher and keen historian will bring his own unique talents to the role and he is wished well for the year ahead.

Gay Byrne presents The Meaning of Life on RTE 1 on Sunday nights, and John Sheahan, late of the Dubliners group, was his guest on Sunday October 16. John whose mother Mary Drew was a native of Ardagh, is a very interesting person to listen to as he is very well versed in the ways of the world. His father Patrick came from Glin, and John is a frequent visitor to Limerick and Kerry. John will be a special guest at the Glin Christmas Concert this year along with Bagatelle. Glin Development are promoting the event which will be held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Friday December 16. Tickets cost €25 and it promises to be a very enjoyable night. John will also be appearing at the upcoming Con Houlihan Memorial festival in Castleisland.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association, held their fourth meeting on Friday October 21 in Carrigkerry Community Centre. Chairman John P O’Sullivan welcomed an attendance of twenty, including Tom Neville, TD and Secretary Mary Kury read the minutes. The tour to interesting sites in Dromcollogher, Broadford, Ashford, and Glenquin, was discussed and looked forward to. The plans for the Fenian re-enactment fixed for Sunday March 5 2017 was progressing and Mary Kury gave a talk to the children in Ardagh School. It is hoped to get the local school children involved in the associations affairs, as they are the future custodians of our culture, customs, and heritage. The association would like people to dress up in clothing appropriate to 150 years ago during the walk and re-enactment, and a street market for that day was also aired. People interested in being extras, as part of the re-enactment were asked to forward their name to the officers.

Mary Kury showed all present a sample questionnaire, which could be circulated to the general public, to get their input ideas, and views on the association. Gerard Greaney gave an update on the affairs of West Limerick Heritage, from their last meeting and the progress of their Magazine, which is at the printer stage. Richard Mc Donnell outlined the steps needed to apply for a grant from the Grouse Lodge Windfarm, which is in the catchment area. A lot of other items were discussed including townland signs, footpaths to link Ardagh village, with the Great Southern Trail, collecting the local heritage, and preserving it in one location. A fundraising pub quiz will be held around the third weekend in November, and membership fees are still being accepted. The next meeting was fixed for Wednesday November 16 at 8pm in Ardagh Community Centre, and new members will be most welcome.

Carrig Celtic defeated Ballysteen 6-0 away in Round 1 of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday October 16. Sean King, 2 Ray Cahill, Brodie O’Connor, Sean McSweeney, and Killian Enright, scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B defeated Feenagh B 3-2 at home in Division 3 of the Desmond League. Jack Forde, John Greaney, and Mike Dore, scored for them. Creeves Celtic defeated Glantine B 5-1 at home, with Seamus Mangan, 2 Brian Mc Carthy, 2 and David Cremin, finding the target.

In the Ladies Desmond Cup First Round Kilcolman Rovers defeated Creeves Celtic 3-2 in Newbridge to advance. Erin Hennessy, Noreen Barry, and Ide Trant, scored for Rovers, and Sandra Larkin, and Siobhan Guinane, replied for Celtic. Carrig Celtic lost 7-1 at home to Mungret Regional, with Aoife King scoring their goal.

Ian Mackessy from the Saint Kieran’s club was a member of the St Gabriel’s team that lost to Robert Emmett’s by 2-13 to 1-12 in the London Senior Hurling Championship final played in Greenford on Sunday October 16. Ian scored a goal for his adopted club in the four point defeat.

Saint Kieran’s received a walkover from Na Piarsaigh last Saturday in the County Minor B Football Championship semi final. Their final opponents will not be known for a couple of weeks.

Congratulations to Jason Mullins, and his team of officials who were in charge of the Limerick Senior Hurling Final, which was played in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Sunday last October 23.

Congratulations to Darragh, and Mary McCormack, who were winners of the Estuary Bell in IRC on their yacht Maximus, on Sunday October 16 at Foynes Yacht Club.

The popular programme that is shown on Irish Television featured Athea on Wednesday October 19. They showed clips from the Con Colbert Bust unveiling and the Athea Races. Sean King from Carrigkerry and Fiona Dore Buckley from Kilcolman, amongst others were featured.

It is now time to be preparing the shoeboxes that will bring a ray of sunshine joy and hope to a child in Africa, or Eastern Europe, for their departure in early November. The school’s do great work each Halloween in collecting items, and assembling the boxes, that Team Hope will deliver, as they have done so for the past 18 years. Leaflets are available with all the instructions, on what to put in the boxes, for the three different age groups of children

West Limerick 102 FM will hold a Car Boot sale and indoor market on Bank Holiday Monday October 31, in Newcastle West Community Centre. The doors open at 8am for traders, and 9am for the general public. €5 for a car, €8 for a van, and free admission to the public, and all are welcome. Contact the station on 069-66200 for more details.

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

Coolcappa hall is the place to be on Friday October 28, from 6.30pm, to 8.30pm, for the Halloween Disco. A Fancy Dress competition with prizes for the best costumes (not compulsory) will also be held. Entry fee is 3 Euro per person, and all proceeds to the Concern Worldwide Haiti Hurricane Appeal.

The West Scór Na Nóg finals will be held in Ardagh Community Centre on Friday November 11 at 8pm. Al clubs in the West Division are asked to participate in at least two of the events. Entries to Jim Enright Askeaton, on 087-2436080.