By Tom Aherne

The death took place of Mary Scanlan, Lisbane, Shanagolden, on Wednesday December 28. Mary was the retired Matron of Foynes Children’s Hospital. She lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home Shanagolden on Thursday from 6pm, followed by removal to St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday December 30, at 12 noon followed by burial in Kilbradern Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her cousins, kind neighbours, friends – especially The Meade Family. May she rest in Peace.

The death took place of Bridget Vaughan, nee Geaney, Reens, Ardagh peacefully at her residence on Jan 1. Beloved wife of the late Tom and mother of the late Sean and Michael. She lay in repose at her residence on Monday from 4pm to 7p.m. Her remains arrived at St. Mary’s Church Rathkeale on Tuesday for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial took place afterwards in Clounagh Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her son Pat, daughters Eileen, Breda, Marion, Eilis, Nora and Mairead, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-n-law, daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Eileen Enright,nee O’Brien, of Reens, Ardagh and formerly of Reboghue Limerick and of Roches Stores Limerick on Monday January 2. She lay in repose at her residence on Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm. Her remains arrived at St. Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Thursday morning for Requiem Mass at 11.30a.m followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her husband Mike, daughters Aisling and Alison, brothers, nephews, niece, extended family and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Jeremiah (Jer) O’Sullivan, 13 Cois na hAbhainn, Coolaboy, Dromcollogher and late of Clonmore, Dromcollogher, peacefully on January 3 in his 95th year at his residence. Jer was husband of the recently deceased Eileen and father of the late baby Gerard. He lay in repose at Sexton’s Funeral Home, Broadford on Wednesday from 6pm with removal at 8pm to St. Bartholomew’s Church, Dromcollogher. His Requiem mass was celebrated on Thursday at 12.30pm, followed by burial in Aglish Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his loving daughter Mary, who grew up and attended primary school in Carrigkerry, son-in-law Michael Madden, very sadly missed by his cherished grandchildren Paul, Ryan and Claire, sisters Judy (Danaher) and Nell (Twomey), brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

We extend our sympathy to Mary Balfe, Glenastar, Ardagh on the death of her mother Mary Kelly, nee Bond, Ballycormack, Shanagolden peacefully in the loving care of the staff of Adare and District Nursing Home on Friday December 16. Following repose at Ferris’ Funeral Home Shanagolden on Sunday her remains were removed to St Senan’s Church. Her Requiem mass was celebrated on Monday December 19, followed by burial in Shanagolden Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her sons, Denis, Vincent, Conor and Kevin, daughters Mary, Caroline and Carmel, and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Mary Breen, nee Fitzgerald, Killard, Ardagh, wife of the late Tom, peacefully at her residence on Wednesday January 4. She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Thursday from 3.30pm followed by removal to Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday January 6 at 1pm followed by burial in Churchtown Cemetery Newcastle West. We extend our sympathy to her daughters Kay, Antoinette, son Edmund, sons-in-law Louis and Aidan, brothers John, Paddy and Tony, grandchildren Thomas, William, Conor, Meabh, sisters-in-law, nephews, niece, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The Saint Kieran’s club would like to thank all who supported the annual Charity road hurling competition on Tuesday December 27 in aid of Milford Hospice. A great morning’s entertainment was had by young and old. The weather was perfect for travelling the traditional loop from Ardagh to Skehanagh, bridge and back to Ardagh via Cahermoyle house. This year saw the largest number of participants participate.  It was extremely encouraging to see so many of the younger members participate and display their skills. The club also thanks those who collected donations, stood at junctions directing traffic, and also to those along the route that provided refreshments to the participants. The total raised to date for Milford Hospice has passed the two thousand mark. Thanks to all who supported the recent church gate collection.

The Kilcolman senior citizen’s party will be held on Sunday January 15 at 1pm in the Flying Boat Museum Foynes. People wishing to attend are asked to forward their name to Joan Hayes, 069-60307 or Mary O’Connor, on 087-6110396 by Thursday.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association held their 7^th meeting on Wednesday January 4 in Ardagh Community Centre. Chairman John P O’Sullivan welcomed all and fifteen people were present. The main item discussed was the Fenian Rising re-enactment fixed for March 5. A lot of ideas were aired to fill the six hour afternoon schedule, which includes a walk, re-enactment and talk at present. It is hoped to have street entertainment, craft fair and games similar to 150 years ago to mark this anniversary. It is planned to have a booklet available for sale telling the story of the attack on Ardagh barrack. A Rambling House is being discussed for the Saturday night with local and outside talent performing in the Community Centre. It is hoped to get the children of the four primary schools involved in a competition, aimed at the 1867 Fenian Rising.

The association will run another pub quiz in a few weeks’ time as funding will be needed to cover the weekend costs. The association are in line to get a grant from the local windfarm community fund. The event is only six weeks away and a lot of planning needs to be done, and greater involvement is needed from the wider community. It is a one off event, and cannot be repeated so the association need help. All who are interested in getting involved in any way are asked to attend the next meeting fixed for Wednesday January 11 at 8pm, in Ardagh Community Centre.

The 15% rise in road deaths in 2016 is a major worry for road users as we face into the New Year. A total of 187 people lost their lives on Irish roads compared to 162 the previous year. Fifteen of those were on Limerick roads, an increase of eleven on the previous year. Meghann Scully’s story in last week’s paper must have touched the hearts of all who read it. The main causes reported are speeding, drink driving, not wearing seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. It should not be too difficult to cut out drink while driving, and to strap on a seatbelt and observe the speed limits on the different roads. I cannot understand why people have to be constantly on their mobile phone while driving: Their concentration on the road cannot be 100% and is the call that important and life threatening that it cannot be delayed until they are stationery. We all need to slow down and be more careful and show more respect to other road users to keep our roads accident free in the year ahead.

The new Rural Development (Leader) Programme 2014-2020 is now open in Limerick. As a number of changes has taken place since the last one ended people may need to receive briefing on how the new guidelines for applying for funding will operate. An information session will be held in the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West on Tuesday January 17 at 7.30pm, and in the Community Centre, Askeaton on Thursday January 19 at 7.30pm.