By Tom Aherne

The projects receiving funding from the ESB’S Grouse Lodge Wind Farm Community Fund were announced recently and congratulations to the six successful groups. Ardagh/Carrigkerry Social Club will receive €1,200, Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association €1,200, Old Mill Sports and Social Club €2,000, Newcastle West and Estuary underage Rugby Club €2,500, Ballyhahill Development Association €1,300. The major award of €60,000 will go towards the proposed regional athletic track to be developed in Newcastle West.

The death has taken place of Eamon Pelcan, late of Moyvane South, Moyvane, County Kerry and late of Kilcolman, peacefully at Kerry University Hospital Tralee on Thursday February 2. His remains were removed from Lyon’s Funeral Home Dirra, Listowel on Friday February 3 to the Church of the Assumption Moyvane. He was laid to rest following Requiem Mass on Saturday in Ahavoher Cemetery. Eamon was a brother of the late Tess Geoghegan, Grouse Lodge, and he lived there for a number of years. We extend our sympathy to his nephew Stephen, niece Joanne, extended family members and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday February 6. The numbers drawn were 3, 4, 12, 23, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each; Barry and Ian Mackessy Coolanoran, Michael Donovan Ardagh, Marie Curley Reen’s, Katie, Siobhan, and Amy, c/o Noonan’s, and Tom and Patsy Greaney, c/o Neary’s. Next week’s draw will be held at Reen’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €12,800.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s community games members, Chloe Liston, Meadbh Kelly, Izzy Liston, Darragh Liston, who participated and won medals in the County Swimming Competition held recently in Askeaton pool. The club can be contacted on their Facebook page and by email st.kieranscommunity [email protected] 

The Old Mill ladies football club held their annual meeting on Saturday February 4 and the following officers were elected for 2017. Chairperson Triona Ambrose, Vice-chairperson Jimmy Duggan, Secretary Deirdre Ambrose, Assistant secretary Moira Mc Enery, Treasurer Margaret Upton,  Assistant treasurer Caroline McCarthy, Child Welfare Officers Jill Liston, and Sheila Lee, PRO Moira Mc Enery, Committee Bernard Kennelly, Timmy O’Donoghue, Aggie Kennelly, Sheila Lee, and Willie Upton. The following mentors were put in place; U8/10 Tommy Carr, and Seamus O’Callaghan, U12 Michael Murphy, U14 Donie Donovan, and Sheila Lee, U16 Ciara Mann, Minor/Intermediate Ivan Neary, JP Aherne, Jimmy Duggan. The club are holding a fundraising bag pack in Tesco, Newcastle West on Easter Saturday April 15 and volunteers are needed to cover all the time slots. They can contact Moira Mc Enery at 086-8110634 phone or text or any committee member, with the time they are available to assist.

Johnny McCarthy and Sean McSweeney from the Saint Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick team that were defeated by Wexford 0-14 to 1-8 in the opening round of Division 4 of the National Football League, at Wexford Park on Sunday February 5. Darragh Treacy missed out due to a bereavement. Gemma Barrett from the Old Mill Club was a member of the Limerick team that were defeated by Meath 1-9 to 0-9 in round 2 of Division 3 of the National Football League at Father John Ryan Memorial Park Martinstown on Sunday February 5.

The West Limerick GAA Board held their Championship draws at the Devon Inn Hotel on Monday February 6. Saint Kieran’s will play Newcastle West in the quarter final of the West Senior Football Championship, and they will play Monagea in the Intermediate Hurling Championship. In the Junior B Football Championship they are in Group B along with Drom/Broadford, and Athea. In Minor A Football they are in with Ballysteen, Drom/Broadford Athea/Mountcollins Rangers, and Clann na nGael, and in Minor B Hurling with Drom/Broadford, Tournafulla/Killeedy, and Granagh/Ballingarry.

Carrig Celtic lost 5-0 at home to Rathkeale AFC in the Desmond Cup first round on Sunday February 5. Creeves Celtic drew 2-2 at home to Pallaskenry but lost 4-2 on penalties to bow out. Seamus Mangan, and Mike Sheehan scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B gave Broadford Utd a walkover to complete a miserable weekend for all three local teams. In Division 1 of the Desmond League Carrig Celtic lost 6-0 at home to Broadford Utd and Creeves Celtic, and Kilcolman Rovers had no fixtures.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, and Joan Fitzgibbon, who were prize winners at Shanagolden card game on Friday February 3.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association held their 12^th meeting on Wednesday February 8 in Ardagh Community Centre. Chairperson JP O’Sullivan welcomed everybody and Secretary Mary Kury read the minutes, and 25 people were present. John Hough was thanked for organising a successful Pub Quiz at O’Shaughnessy’s Bar, Reen’s on Saturday February 4. Thanks to all who attended and helped out and also to those who gave spot prizes. A total of €530 was collected between the quiz, and sales of the Fenian booklet and pins.

The majority of the meeting was devoted to the Fenian Rising Re-enactment schedule of events being put in place for the Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. On Saturday night following the Mass in Saint Molua’s Church a Rambling House will be held in the Community Centre. It will feature a Rambling house style of entertainment with Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas members displaying their talents. This will be followed by senior members from around the locality and beyond who are most welcome to attend and perform.

On Sunday the walk will commence at 12 noon and following the loop around the village, the re-enactment will take place. The plaque will be unveiled and a talk given, and the names of the Fenian’s involved in the attack read out. From 2pm it will be street entertainment with the old style games being played by young and old. The stalls will be selling their wares, and a shop will be open, and the roasting of a pig in a spit will take place. A pet corner for viewing and horse shoeing demonstrations will be held.

The association would welcome items for the old style games, tankards, horse shoes bowleys, ring boards, spinning tops skipping ropes, marbles, etc. A meeting to train volunteers for the re-enactment will be held on Friday February 17 at 7.30pm in Ardagh Community Centre. A press night to launch the weekend programme of events will be held on Wednesday February 22 at 8pm in Ardagh Community Centre. All are welcome to attend. The next meeting of the Heritage association will be held on Wednesday February 15 at 8pm in Ardagh Community Centre, and all are welcome.

The Tuesday Social Club resumed after their winter break in Ardagh Community Centre, on Tuesday February 14. They meet each Tuesday from 2pm, for an afternoon of activity and fun filled events, bingo, dancing and refreshments. A warm welcome awaits all from the community and beyond and new members, are most welcome to attend. The club acknowledges and thanks the West Limerick Charity Wren boy group for their very generous gift of € 400, which will go towards the club’s weekly running costs.

Training on the use of a Defibrillator is available in Ardagh Community Hall on this Thursday February 16, from 6pm to 10pm, and Saturday February 18, from 9am to 1pm, and Saturday February 25 from 9am to 1pm. People who are interested are asked to text Deirdre 087-9509218

Milford Care Centre Castletroy will host a Bereavement Information Meeting on this Thursday February 16, from 7pm to 9pm, (registration at 6.45pm.) An experienced bereavement professional will speak about the many challenges a family may face after the death of a child. No charge for parents, and further details from 01-4045378 or 087-9637790 or RSVP to [email protected]

Ardagh drama group will perform The Odd Couple by Neil Simon in Castlemahon Community Hall on this Thursday February 16 at 8pm. Tickets for the 2 act comedy cost € 10 for adults, and € 5 for children. The proceeds will go to Limerick West Special Olympics Club. The group will also be performing at the same venue on the following nights; Friday 17, Sunday 19, Thursday 23, Friday 24, and Sunday 26.

The annual Sacristans collection will be taken up in Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish on this coming Saturday/Sunday February 18/19, and people are asked to show their appreciation for the work that Joan and Tony do all year round.

West Limerick 102fm Community Radio are holding a car boot sale and indoor market at Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday February 19. Full details for times, stalls and rates from Bernadette at the Station on 069-66200

Coolcappa Parents Association are holding a clothes collection at Coolcappa National School on Tuesday February 21. This is an ideal opportunity to drop your unwanted clothes locally to benefit the pupils of the national school.

A social dance in aid of West Limerick 102 FM radio will be held in Rathkeale House Hotel on Wednesday February 22. Music by the popular PJ Murrihy from West Clare and admission is € 10. All support will be greatly appreciated by all the volunteers at the station, who give of their time, to provide entertainment for their loyal listeners.