By Tom Aherne

Fr Michael Noonan PP Ardagh/Carrigkerry thanked Eileen O’Connor, who recently retired as Sacristan of St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry, at the conclusion of Mass on Sunday February 26. He outlined her contribution and excellent service over the years. On behalf of the parish he then presented her with a clock and wished her well in the future. Eileen received a well-deserved round of applause from all present.

Congratulations and best wishes to Patrick Flaherty, Glenbawn, Carrigkerry on celebrating his 80^th birthday. A party to mark the occasion was held at the Old Stand in Shanagolden and Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry.

Congratulations and best wishes also to Pat Lawlor, Knocknagun, Carrigkerry who celebrated his 60^th birthday with a surprise party at the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Saturday, February 25.

The Deel District Fine Gael annual general meeting was held at Aras Ide Kilmeedy on Monday February 20. Congratulations to Mary Danaher, Ardagh who was elected Chairperson, and Kay Ryan, Ardagh who was elected assistant treasurer.

The Carrigkerry Wrenboy group held their presentation evening at the Flag Floor Rambling House Glensharrold on Friday February 24.  A large crowd was present and they enjoyed a great night of music, song and dance. Presentation donations were distributed to the following groups during the night: Ardagh/ Carrigkerry Senior Citizens, Kilcolman Senior Citizens, The Declan Lenihan Benefit Fund and to Marie Hennessy Rooskagh, Carrigkerry. Marie the current Miss Limerick spent a week overseas, undertaking voluntarily work as part of the Adi Roche Chernobyl Children International group.

Saint Kieran’s Community games are back in action for the 2017 season, and the committee members are as follows: Lorraine Flavin, Tom McMahon, Maria Nolan, Debbie Griffin, Catherina Madigan, Ciara Moroney, Deirdre Hough, and Denis Collins. To register for the various events , contact the following. The contact person for the areas are Aileen McMahon, Kilcolman, Maria Nolan, Coolcappa, Sandra Murphy Ardagh, and Aine Lynch, Carrigkerry. The annual Sports day will be held on Sunday April 9 at 4pm in St Kieran’s ground in Coolcappa.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Monday February 27. The numbers drawn were 3, 6, 24, 27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each;  Pat and Siobhan, c/o Peadar’s Bar, Thomas Hanley, Creeves Cross, Kay Ryan Coolacokera, Ardagh, Stephen Kennelly, Shanagolden, and Angela Redmond, c/o Foley’s Bar. Next week’s Jackpot will be €13,400, and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.

Johnny McCarthy Darragh Treacy, and Sean McSweeney from the Saint Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick team that were defeated by Carlow by 1-10 to 0 -10 in round 3 of Division 4 of the National Football League, at Cullen Park Carlow on Saturday February 25.

Jason Mullins, from the club has been elected as Assistant Secretary of the Limerick GAA Referees Association, at their annual general meeting which was held at the Munster GAA office Limerick on Wednesday February 22.

Gemma Barrett, from the Old Mill club was introduced as a substitute on the Limerick football team that were defeated by Offaly by 1-14 to 1-3 in Round 4 Division 3 of the Ladies National Football League played in Kilbreedy on Saturday February 25.

Congratulations to Tom, and Julia Mackessy, and Noel Callanan, from St Kieran’s who received their awards at the West Limerick All Star Banquet held at the Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday February 24.

There was no soccer action for the local men and ladies teams in the Desmond League on Sunday February 26 due to the wet weather. Congratulations to Sophie Liston daughter of Stephen, of AK Utd who received her first Irish cap on Sunday February 26. She scored on her debut as Ireland defeated Northern Ireland by 7-1 in the U 15 International soccer friendly match.

Congratulations to Mike O’Sullivan, and John Sheehy who were prize winners at the card game held at the Flag Floor on Wednesday February 22. Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, and Joan Fitzgibbon, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday February 24. Congratulations to Peg Mulvihill and Marie Wrenn, who were prize winners at the card game held in Ballingarry Hall on Saturday February 25.

Dr William O’Brien, professor of archaeology in UCC gave a talk on Ballylin Hillfort, Ardagh, to the Thomond Archaeology Society at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick on Monday February 27. The 52 acre site is the largest prehistoric monument in Limerick and is the largest hill fort in Munster. A good number from the locality attended the very interesting talk.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association held their 15^th meeting on Wednesday March 1 in Ardagh Community Centre. Chairperson JP O’Sullivan welcomed everybody and Secretary Mary Kory read the minutes, and matters arising were dealt with. The main item discussed was the Fenian re-enactment weekend and the weather prospects. A back up plan in case of very inclement weather was finalised. The old Devon Wood Joinery premises will be used to move a number of events indoors. The CE workers were thanked for putting up some bunting around the street. The five school’s art entries were on display and all present were delighted with the standard. The children and teachers put a lot of work into their creations, and the judge’s task to pick prize winners would be difficult. It would be nice to see all the entries put on display in Newcastle West library for a wider audience to admire their creativity. The next meeting which will review the weekend will take place on Wednesday March 8 at 8pm in Ardagh Hall and all are welcome.

To mark the 150^th anniversary of the Fenian Rising of 1867 the Heritage Services section of the Office of Public Works (OPW) held a lecture in the Desmond Hall (castle) Newcastle West outlining County Limerick’s role in the rebellion last Thursday evening March 2. Historian Dr. Pádraig Óg Ruairc gave a brief talk outlining the history and legacy of the Fenian Movement. He was followed by local historian and author Tom Toomey M.A. who gave a brief overview of the rebellion in County Limerick which saw attacks by the Republican revolutionaries on police barracks in Kilmallock and Ardagh. There was a display of historical artefacts, in the medieval banqueting hall including a musket used in the rebellion, a copy of the Fenian Proclamation of 1867 and replica Fenian flags.  

The West Limerick 102fm AGM Was held at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Thursday March 2 at 8pm. A small crowd was in attendance, and Mary Lee Geary who stood down as Chairperson during the year due to family matters, in her address, thanked everybody for their help and support during her time involved. The acting chairperson Pat O’Donovan was elected as chairperson, and in his address he had positive news regarding the Station’s finances, which has been turned around in the past year. He especially thanked Bernadette, for her daily work at the station, and salesperson Eddie Banks, for securing advertising. He thanked all who have been involved in the various fundraising events, and especially Marian Harnett for her work at the Car boot sales.

A big concern was the lack of a good signal in a number of areas within its catchment area. This will be addressed when the transmitters are upgraded when the weather allows. Pat issued an invitation to all interested people to get involved in its running. There are vacancies for board members, and new presenters are needed to fill slots on the daily schedule. All volunteers need to get involved in fundraising to keep the station in a good financial footing and to be able to address the long standing debt. The radio is a life line for so many people living around the rural areas, whose outside contact on a weekly basis may be limited. Please get involved and support your local Radio, and become enriched by the experience. Contact Bernadette for more details at 069-66200.

The Stations of the Cross will be recited in Calvary cemetery Newcastle West on each Sunday at 2.30pm, during Lent. People who have relatives buried there are welcome to come along and participate in remembering their loved ones.

The weekly Eucharistic adoration is held in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh each Monday from 11am to 1pm, and from 5pm to 9pm, and all are welcome.

Kilcolman N.S. are now enrolling for September 2017. Please contact the school on 069-60006 for an enrolment form.

The sacrament of Confirmation for the children of Coolcappa/Kilcolman will be held in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Thursday March 16 at 1.30pm.

The Lenten Trócaire appeal is underway at present and we are asked to help as best we can. Trocaire established in 1973 is the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It is a way for Irish people to donate to development and emergency relief abroad. It serves a dual purpose in supporting the most vulnerable people in the developing world, while also raising awareness of injustice and global poverty at home. Trocaire have workers in over 20 countries supporting the neediest and people can help by donating as much as they can afford.