By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mike O’Connor Ex-Army 14^th Battalion of No 4, The Cross Ardagh, on November 1. Mike was in his early eighties and he served with distinction with the UN Peace keeping Mission in the Congo and Lebanon. He came from the Monagea/Castlemahon area and was living in Ardagh for over forty years. He was a private and humble person who kept quiet about his achievements during his Army days. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle west on Thursday November 3, from 6pm followed by removal to St. Molua’s Church Ardagh. His Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Noonan on Friday at 12 noon and family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts.

Symbols that were important to Mike, were taken to the altar before mass commenced. They included his collection of Army medals, heat log, newspaper and glasses. Mike loved his fire and was a regular with family members in Scotland bog up to a few years ago. He was very knowledgeable and liked reading and playing darts. He will be sadly missed by family and all who knew him, but he will be remembered for the service he did for his country. The Irish Flag and his cap draped his coffin and members of the Irish Army shouldered it from the church to his final resting place beside his late wife and daughter. We extend our sympathy to daughters Alice, Margaret, Mary and Kathleen, sons Billy, Johnny, Mike and Joe, sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday October 31. The numbers drawn were 7,26,29,30, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners, who each received €40: Maggie and Paddy c/o Josie, Nora Dineen, Ardagh, Nora Ambrose, Cottages, Ardagh, Donie Dineen, Ardagh and Liam Moloney, Ballyhahill. Next week’s draw will be held in The Old Mill Bar, and the Jackpot will be €10,400.

Carrig Celtic defeated Newcastle West Rovers 3-2 away in Round 2 of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday October 30. Ray Cahill, Ray Brouder and Donie Nolan scored their goals. Creeves Celtic, and Carrig Celtic B had no fixtures.

The finals of the West Limerick Cumann na mBunscol football competitions were held in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Thursday October 27. St Mary’s Boys School Abbeyfeale defeated Gaelscoir Ó Doghair by 8-5 to 0-6 in the Division 1, 15 a side football final. Maura Crowley presented their captain Nathan Murphy with a new cup (Corn Thadhg Uí Chruadhlaoich) in memory of her late husband Tim (Sonny) Crowley. Tim made a major contribution to the West Limerick Schools competitions over many years in his role as a teacher in Ardagh N.S.

Congratulations to former St Kieran’s player Cormac Behan, a teacher at Ahalin N.S., who was in charge of the school team who defeated Shountrade N.S. by 2-7 to 1-5 in the Division 2, 13 a side football final at Mick Neville Park  on Thursday October 27.

Brian Nolan the former St Kieran’s player was the manager of the Gerald Griffins team that won the County Junior A Football Championship. They defeated Kilteely/Dromkeen by 0-9 to 0-6 in the final played in Carroll Park Ballygran, on Saturday last November 5.

Best wishes to Saint Kieran’s who will play Pallasgreen in the County Minor B Football Championship final in Clarina on Saturday November 19 at 2pm.

Congratulations and best wishes to Emma Daly, Kilcolman who recently received the 2016 annual student Bursary Award from Desmond Credit Union. Michelle Lyons on behalf of the Credit Union presented the cheque. The Desmond Credit Union is a great asset for people in local communities and their range of services continue to expand. It is easy to join and the benefits are good for all members. Look out for the A.G.M. in early December.

The Friends of St Ita’s Community Hospital Newcastle West wish to thank the collectors and everyone who contributed so generously to their recent church gate collection. The amount collected was in Ardagh, €290 and in Carrigkerry €193. The proceeds will go towards the ongoing improvements for the patients in the hospital.

R.A.G.E. (Residents against Gasification in our environment) would like to thank everybody for their support to date in the campaign against Cadence Enviropower and their proposed Gasification plant at Gortnadroma. At present they are selling car stickers in local shops to raise funds for the campaign and to inform people of the consequences of what this plant will mean for the West Limerick community. The stickers are available for €2 from committee members, and from the following shops: Foynes, Kelly’s, Shanagolden, Roches and Mullane’s, Glin, Mullane’s, Knockdown, Mullane’s, Carrigkerry Moloney’s, Creeves, Hanley’s, and also in shops in Athea, and Ballyhahill.

The annual November Rosary will be recited each Sunday of the month in the three cemeteries in Newcastle West. Times and venues as follows: Famine Cemetery 9pm, Calvery Cemetery 3.20pm, and Churchtown Cemetery 3.40pm. The Rosary will also be recited at Relig Mhuire Askeaton at 3pm on each Sunday in November, and all are welcome.

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.

Pat Moran, will present his next Rambling House, in Newbridge, on Friday November 11 at 9pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers and dancers are welcome on the night.

Ita McQuinn will present the next Monagea Rambling House on Monday November 14, in the Community Centre, commencing at 8pm. The proceeds from the night will go to the Newcastle West and District Branch of the Lions Club. Light refreshments will be served and all musicians, singers, storytellers, and dancers, are welcome on the night.

Benny Thade McCarthy will present his next Rambling House in Fr Casey’s Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale on Thursday November 17. The proceeds from the night will go to Daniel McAuliffe, from Duagh who is going to Calcutta to work with the Hope Foundation next spring. A raffle will be held and refreshments will be served and all musicians, singers, storytellers and dancers are welcome on the night.

St Ita’s Community Hospital Remembrance Mass for deceased residents and deceased staff and their relatives will be held at the hospital chapel on Saturday November 12 at 3.45pm. Family members and friends are welcome to attend.

An Irish Night will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Saturday November 12 from 9.30pm. A raffle will be held on the night and all the proceeds will go towards the Tuesday Social Club. The organisers would appreciate support and all are welcome.

West Limerick 102 FM are holding an Afternoon Tea Dance in Abbeyfeale on Sunday November 13. Teas will be served plus a raffle and Mike Condon will supply the music. Tickets are on sale for €5 and all support will be greatly appreciated.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association, will hold a meeting on Wednesday November 16 at 8pm in Ardagh Community Centre, and new members will be most welcome.

St Senan’s and District Community Alert will hold their AGM, in Shanagolden on Thursday November 17 at 8pm.

Limerick Rose Marie Hennessy from Rooskagh, Carrigkerry will perform the official opening of Noonan’s Lights in Templeglantine on Friday November 18, at 7.30pm. Santa will make his appearance to collect the children’s letters to take back with him to the North Pole for sorting and packaging for Christmas Eve deliveries. The proceeds from the winter wonderland will go to aid local charities, and all are welcome on the night to kick start this year’s event.

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

The annual Remembrance Mass for people who have died in the past year, will be held in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday November 19 at 6pm, and in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Sunday November 20 at 11am. Those parishioners who have passed away from the following list will be remembered. Ardagh: Gerard Hayes, Sean Murphy, Mary Ryan, Sr Ann Woulfe, Michael Ambrose, Hannah Dillane, Evelyn Mc Mahon, Mary Murray. Carrigkerry: Michael Foley, Eily O’Connor, Nan Stack, Mary Brouder, Joe Quinn, Sean O’Shea, Mike Flynn, Nora O’Connell. If people have been omitted from the list in error, their relatives are asked to contact the parish office.

West Limerick 102FM Community Radio will present their Harvest Concert at Rathkeale House Hotel on Wednesday November 23 at 8pm sharp. It will feature a number of Munster’s best known entertainers: PJ Murrihy, Ella Marie O’Dwyer, Ann Phelan, Peter Burke, Tommy Mc Cauley, and Willie Relihan. The tickets cost € 10 and are available from the Station, at 069-76200, or Pat O’Donovan, at 087-9977340. The doors will open at 7.30 for what promises to be a very exciting night of music, song and fun. All support to keep our local Radio on air will be appreciated.