By Tom Aherne

The Glensharrold Wren Group held their presentation evening at Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday March 19.  Johnny Kennelly, on behalf of the group, welcomed all present and thanked the people who welcomed them into their homes on Saint Stephen’s Day. He thanked everybody who contributed to the group on the day which they enjoyed so much in perfect weather conditions. The proceeds left after their Wren Nights made it possible for the presentation to continue again this year. Members of the group made presentations to the following groups; Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizens Committee, Ardagh/Carrigkerry Tuesday Social Club, Kilcolman Senior Citizens/Parish Committee, and Rathkeale Butterfly Club. All the groups in turn thanked the Glensharrold Wren Group for the donations which will be put to good use in these difficult times.  The present group have been hunting the wren now for 60 years, and contributing to charity groups for over 25 years.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry senior citizens committee wish to thank all who contributed to their recent church gate collection taken up in Ardagh/Carrigkerry. A big thank you also to the Glensharrold Wren Group for their very generous donation towards the annual Christmas Party.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Social Club wish to say a sincere thank you to the Glensharrold Wren Group for their very generous donation towards the weekly running costs of the club. The group meet each Tuesday in Ardagh Hall at 2pm for an afternoon of music, games fun, and entertainment, and new members are always welcome.

Ardagh community hall recently received a cheque from the Airtricity Community Funding Programme. This funding is distributed to local groups in the vicinity of their wind farms at Tournafulla, Rathcahill, Dromada, and Athea. A total of € 227,000 was given out to 45 local groups in Halla Inse Ban Templeglantine.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday March 20. The numbers drawn were 4,14,22,27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each; Donal and Margaret, Ardagh; Eoin Dillane, c/o Neary’s; Seán Roche, c/o Neary’s; Denis O’Sullivan c/o Nora Dineen; and Angela and Connie Enright, Ardagh.  Next week’s Jackpot will be €14,000 and the draw will be held in Foley’s Bar Reen’s Ardagh.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for 2017 commenced on Saturday March 25 and the March draw was held during the Sports programme on Limerick Live 95fm. Congratulations to Ann Marie Enright, and Sean Mc Carthy joined with Saint Kieran’s who won € 100 each.

Johnny McCarthy, Darragh Treacy, 1-0 and Sean Mc Sweeney, 0-2 were members of the Limerick team that defeated Leitrim by 2-11 to 0-15 in Round 5 of the National Football League Division 4 game played in Newcastle West on Sunday March 19. Raymond Noonan was a member of the Limerick U 21 football team panel that defeated Tipperary and lost to Cork in the Munster Championship in recent weeks. The Limerick minor and U17 football panels are preparing for their Munster campaigns at present, and Noel Callanan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Liam Kennedy and Eoin Burke are involved.

Carrig Celtic defeated Athea 2-1 away in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday March 19.Seánie King and Killian Enright scored their goals, and they remain in fifth position in the table. Carrig Celtic B lost 2-1 at home to Creeves Celtic in the mid table clash in Division 3, and Daniel Barrett scored their goal.

West Limerick 102fm have a DVD of their recent concert held In Rathkeale House Hotel now for sale. It includes three hours of entertainment from the very talented performers who were on stage that night, including members of the Glenside céili band. It can be purchased for € 15 at the radio station, Rathkeale Post Office, Ann Lyons Shop Abbeyfeale, and O’Donovan and Associates, North Quay Newcastle West.

Chris Egan from Coolcappa will set off from Limerick in May to sail around Ireland to help raise funds for the Guide Dogs and the RNLI. He was diagnosed in 2015 with retinitis pigmentosa, which will eventually cost him his sight. The Commodore of Foynes Yacht Club James Mc Cormack from Ardagh will accompany him with his own yacht Altara, and the trip will take up to two months. Chris is appealing for support for this fundraising venture, and he can be contacted on 086-8531311.

The JP Mc Manus Benevolent Fund is now open to education, healthcare and community and local infrastructure projects. The application forms are available online at www.jpmcmanusfund.ie The fund aims to support local community initiatives, and non-profit organisations throughout the Midwest of Ireland.

A fundraising charity ceili in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick (DSL) will be held in Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday March 31. This is the second annual dance following last year’s very successful event and all monies raised will be kept in Limerick for the great work done by DSL for the kids/adults with DS in the area. The music is by Mountain Road and there will be a mix of sets, twohands and other dances, with something for everyone, and all support will be greatly appreciated. More details from Liam on 087-9882055

West Limerick 102 are holding a Market and car boot sale in the Community Centre Newcastle West on Saturday April 1 from 7.30am. Spaces are available to hire inside and outside, and bargains will be available, from all the different stalls. Your local radio station can do with all the financial support at present.

A pub quiz in aid of the Hope Foundation will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Saturday April 1 at 9.30pm.

Knockdown Vintage Club and Estuary Macra are holding a raffle and a Vintage/Modern Charity Run on Sunday April 2 at the Knockdown Arms. A number of local causes will benefit from the day including community groups, charities, young and old. Tickets costing €2 each or 3 for €5 are on sale now. First prize is € 100 hamper, second €75, cash and third €50 fuel voucher, and numerous spot prizes. All support will be appreciated.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association will hold a meeting on Wednesday April 5 in Kilcolman Community Creche at 8pm. The association were well represented at the Newcastle West Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. On the agenda will be future plans, including day trips, material for the next West Limerick Heritage Journal, and the 150 anniversary of the finding of the Ardagh Chalice. All members are asked to attend and new members will be most welcome.

The Eigse Michael Hartnett Literary and Arts Festival will take place from Thursday to Saturday April 6 to 8 in venues around Newcastle West. It promises to be a great gathering of poets, writers, musicians, and artists, for the action packed programme of events taking place.

Coolcappa Music Group are holding a fundraising social dance in aid of Milford Hospice on Friday April 7 at Rathkeale House Hotel. Music by Taylor’s Cross, from 9.30, and admission is € 10. All support for Milford Hospice who do wonderful work in the community will be greatly appreciated.

Newcastle West Film Club present Viva at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday April 7 at 8pm. The entry fee is € 7 and refreshments will be available.

West Limerick Singing Club will hold their next singing night at the Ramble Inn in Abbeyfeale on Friday April 7 and all are welcome.

St Kieran’s Community Games are holding an Athletics and Family Day on Sunday April 9 at 3pm in St Kieran’s GAA field in Coolcappa. This will be the fortieth anniversary of the first sports held in Coolcappa on June 26 1977. It was organised by Coolcappa Open Sports committee, and it was held in Pa Sheehy’s field. The committee were set up on April 20 at a meeting in Coolcappa National School. The officers elected were Chairperson Fr Howard; Secretary Tony Liston; Treasurer Mike Shanahan; Ass-Treasurer Teresa Downey. Other people present were J.J Meade, Mary Flynn, Christy Lynch, Tomas Costello, Tom Downes, Jim Liston, Kevin Lynch, Denny Lynch, Tommy Liston, David O’Keeffe, and Patsy Madigan.

A gala concert in aid of Saint Mary’s Church Rathkeale will be held in the church on Friday April 28 at 8pm. The admission is € 15, or a family ticket for € 40 and all support will be greatly appreciated. Theresa Doyle Mc Mahon, who continues to do great work for all the local worthy causes, produces, and the all-star line-up features, Michael Nash, Anne Phelan, Jean O’Brien, Eve Stafford, Charlie Reynolds, Michael Doyle, Enda Walsh, Canon Tony Mullins, Fr Tim Curtin, Fr Liam Enright, Coláiste na Trócaire choir, and the Hands in Harmony deaf choir.