By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to John O’Sullivan, O’Connor Park, Ardagh who won the Athea United Soccer Club lotto jackpot of € 6,600 on Monday February 13. The winning numbers were 5,11,17,21, and the seller of the winning ticket was Doreen Cahill from Ardagh.

Congratulations to Niamh Foley, Old Mill and Saint Mary’s Athletic Club Rathkeale, who won the Emerald Award for her performances in 2016 at the Munster Juvenile Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. She received her award at the Clonmel Park Hotel on Saturday February 11. Niamh also received an All-Ireland Juvenile Emerald Award at the Tullamore Court Hotel for her national performances during 2016.

Congratulations to Foynes Yacht Club who recently received the National Training Centre of the Year 2016 award. The award was presented to Commodore James McCormack from Ardagh and committee members at Foynes Yacht Club on Sunday February 19. The club are increasing members and events on a yearly basis, and well done to all involved.

Bernie Flynn, from Ballyegna, Ardagh recently retired as a staff member from Desmond College, Newcastle West. She commenced working there with the young students in 2002. She received a number of awards at a recent retirement function in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine. Wishing Bernie good health and a happy retirement.

The Limerick 2016 Burial Ground Awards were presented at a gala ceremony at the Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel in Adare on Wednesday February 15. Congratulations to the St Kyran’s Community Burial Ground in Coolcappa, who received 2nd place in the Rathkeale/Adare area.

The Daughters of Charity, Lisnagry would like to thank all who contributed to their recent church gate collection held in Coolcappa/Kilcolman. The total collected was €374.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday February 20. The numbers drawn were 13, 14, 23, 27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each:  Luke Corrigan, Kilrodane, Ardagh, Anita Lyons, Newcastle West, Ita Kirk, Reen’s Ardagh, Andrew Mullins, Ardagh and Claire Sweeney, Newcastle West. Next week’s Jackpot will be €13,200 and the draw will be held in Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry.

Saint Kieran’s are holding a football tournament in memory of Tim Crowley at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Saturday March 4. It is a nice touch to remember the major contribution that Tim made as a player, officer, and advisor to the St Kieran’s club. Saint Kieran’s gave Rathkeale/Croagh/Kilfinny a walkover in the West U-21 Hurling Championship at Ballingarry Gaelic grounds on Saturday February 18. The club are promoting the Limerick GAA Club draw at present. The 10 monthly draw will cost €100 and it will commence in March.

Carrig Celtic lost 2-0 at home to Killeaney in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday February 19. Carrig Celtic B defeated Feenagh B 3-1 away in Division 3 and Creeves Celtic lost 2-1 at home to Ferry Rangers, and Paul O’Connor scored their goal. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers lost 1-0 away to Broadford Utd. Carrig Celtic defeated Kilbehenny Celtic 2-1 at home in the Division 1 League Cup. Stephanie Downes, and Ellie Moloney scored their goals.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association held their 14^th meeting on Wednesday February 22 in Ardagh Community Centre. Chairperson JP O’Sullivan welcomed everybody and Secretary Mary Kury read the minutes. A fine crowd was present, many dressed in clothes that were in use in the time of the Fenian Rising. The big announcement at the meeting came from correspondence from Arts Minister Heather Humphries, who has allocated € 3,000 towards the re-enactment weekend. All the pieces are beginning to fit in place for the weekend of events, and a final publicity push is ongoing to inform people of what is taking place in Ardagh. Mary Kury has visited households around the village, and members have appeared on West Limerick 102fm. Articles have appeared in the local press, and posters are on display around the area.

A press briefing followed with John P O’Sullivan, John Hough, and Mary Kury contributing. The launch of Mary Kury’s booklet telling the story of the attack on Ardagh Barracks was performed by John Hough, who highly praised its contents, and copies were on sale. A photo call concluded the events of the evening. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday March 1 at 8pm in Ardagh Hall. The final programme of events will be announced and here’s hoping for a fine dry day on Sunday March 5 for the 150th anniversary of the Fenian Rising in Ardagh.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the Fenian Rising of 1867 the Heritage Services section of the Office of Public Works (OPW) will host a lecture in the Desmond Hall (castle) Newcastle West outlining County Limerick’s role in the rebellion at 7pm on this Thursday evening March 2. Historian Dr.Pádraig Óg Ruairc will give a brief talk outlining the history and legacy of the Fenian Movement. He will be followed by local historian and author Tom Toomey M.A. who will give a brief overview of the rebellion in County Limerick which saw attacks by the Republican revolutionaries on police barracks in Kilmallock and Ardagh.

The West Limerick 102fm AGM will be held at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Thursday March 2 at 8pm and only paid up members of the Station will be allowed to vote. Membership costs € 20 and is available from the Station. All interested people are asked to turn up and get involved in its running.

Newcastle West Film Club will present The Fencer at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday March 3 at 8pm. The film is based on the true story of a man on the run from the Soviet Police, whose past is fast catching up with him. The cost is € 7 per screening, and refreshments are available, and all are welcome.

West Limerick 102fm, are holding their new Saturday market and car boot sale in Newcastle West Community Centre on Saturday March 4. The gates open at 7.30am and it will continue up to 1.30pm.

Ardagh N.S. parents association are holding a Race Night in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Saturday March 4 at 9pm. A fun night is promised with music and all are welcome.

Knockfierna Heritage Society are unveiling a large free standing limestone  memorial to Michael Scanlon the Castlemahon native Fenian poet on the Poet’s Way at Knockfierna Hill on Monday March 6 at 5.30pm. Minister Patrick O’Donovan will do the unveiling on the 100 anniversary of his death in America on March 6 1917. A talk on the life of Michael Scanlon, and the Fenian Rising of 1867 will follow in the Community Centre Castlemahon at 8pm. It will be given by Professor Liam Irwin, and Frank Phelan and all are welcome to attend.

A fundraising Variety Concert in aid of West Limerick Community Radio will take place on Wednesday March 8 in the Rathkeale House Hotel. The line-up of artists include singers Emily Clarke, and Ann Marie O’Riordan, Paddy McAuliffe, storyteller, and Councillor Michael Collins (traditional music) and friends, and lots more on the night. It will commence at 8pm, (doors open at 7.30) and tickets cost €10. The tickets are available from the Station, Pat O’Donovan, Auctioneer, Rathkeale Post Office and Ann Lyons Shop Abbeyfeale.

Limerick Council have issued the following temporary road closure notice to lay telecommunication cable on the Ardagh to Coolcappagh section at Ballykenry. The road will be closed from junction L1217 (L1242 Rathkeale road) to junction L1217 (L1218 Coolcappagh/Reens road.) The 24 hour road closure will take effect from 8am on Wednesday March 8 to 6pm on Monday March 13 and local traffic will be accommodated where possible. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge Ballingarry is marking International Woman’s Day on Wednesday March 8 with a special supper night. The menu has been created in collaboration with Sharon Noonan, host of West Limerick 102fm’s Best Possible Taste food programme. Sharon is a native of Antrim but has been living in Newcastle West for the past 11 years. She has chosen some of her favourite ingredients and dishes, including the Northern Ireland signature dish Born and Braised, and it will also feature Yellowman. Sharon made a lovely radio documentary Devlin’s Yellowman-A Taste of Childhood last year. Contact the Mustard Seed on 069 68508 or email [email protected] as booking is essential.

The Limerick County Senior Scór Finals will be held at Cappamore Community Centre on Friday March 10 at 7.30pm. All clubs are urged to participate in the various events that help to preserve our traditional music song dance and recitation.

Limerick Council will be distributing a limited number of free tree saplings (Beech, Rowan, Birch, Oak, and Alder) at the following locations on Saturday March 11 from 10am to 4.45pm, as part of National Tree Week which takes place from March 5-12.  Newcastle West Recycling Centre, Station Road, Mungret Recycling Centre Dock Road, and Kilmallock Recycling Centre Industrial Park.

West Limerick Singing Club are holding their annual traditional concert in Fr Casey’s GAA Club House Abbeyfeale on Saturday March 11. The special guest artists who will perform include Elle Marie O’Dwyer, Philip Enright, Daisy Kearney, Darragh and Gearoid Curtin, Cailin O’Shea, John Carroll and friends, the Sliabh Mish CCE Group, Templeglantine CCE Junior Wren Group, and many more performers.  The entrance fee is €10 and it promises to be a very entertaining night.