By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Thomas Ahern, (Tom) Knockfinisk, Athea, at his residence on Sunday April 2. He was a retired member of the farming community and he was 87 years old.  Tom who was the last surviving member of his family lived a long life and fulfilled life and the crowds that attended his removal were testament to the popularity of the family. He was outgoing and he conversed well with people and he loved going to music and singing sessions. He loved to sing and he compiled a number of his many songs in a CD for future listening. He was one of the first to own a car around his own area, and his presence will be sadly missed by all.

He lay in repose at Kelly’s Funeral Home Athea on Tuesday April 4, from 6.00 pm.
His remains arrived at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Athea on Wednesday morning for 12.00 noon Requiem Mass.   Fr Tony Mullins was the chief celebrant along with Fr Tom Mangan and Fr Tim Curtin. The gifts taken to the altar, miniature car and tractor, family photo, mobile phone, watch and CD represented his life’s interests. Tom received a great singing and musical send off and he was laid to rest afterwards in Holy Cross Cemetery,  Athea
We extend our sympathy to his wife Anne, sons Johnny (Old Mill) and Thomas (Knockfinisk, Athea), daughters Nora (Galway), Maura (Kilcolman), Ann (Askeaton), Angela (Newcastlewest) and Patricia (London), daughters-in-law Alice and Gráinne, sons-in-law Gerry, Frank and Donie, grandchildren, great-grand child, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has also occurred of Catherine (Kitty) Moloney (née Stack) No 10, The Cross, Ardagh, and formerly Ballylongford, Co Kerry at the University Hospital Limerick on Sunday April 2. Kitty and husband Christy, who were married for 58 years, returned from England in the 1970’s and raised their family of three. Kitty was a housewife, and a good neighbour, and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She was a regular mass attendee and she loved playing Bingo and cards.

She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Tuesday April 4 from 6pm followed by removal   to St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Noonan, on Wednesday at 11.30am. Gifts associated with her life interests included a Bingo book, deck of cards, prayer book and family photo. Kitty was laid to rest on Wednesday April 5, in St. Molua’s Cemetery, Ardagh. We extend our sympathy to her husband Christy, sons Edmond, Peter and Thomas, brothers and sister, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.  May She Rest in Peace

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday April 3. The numbers drawn were 6, 8, 13, 21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each; Jean and Leanne Browne, Glenville, Pat Liston, Glenastar, Eileen O’Connor, Glenastar, Alan O’Mahoney, Ardagh and Breda Foley, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €14,400 and the draw will be held in the Old Mill Bar.

Congratulations to the following prize winners in the Carrig Celtic 300 club draw. First Prize; €1,000 Moyvane Marian Hall, Second Prize; €250 Lorcan Flavin, and three prizes of €50 each; Josephine Kiely, Lisgordan, Ardagh, John Greaney, Kilcolman and Sean Windle, Knockfinisk.

The members of Saint Molua’s Parents Association recently presented the principal  Mr Kelliher, with a cheque for €5,000 the proceeds of a Race Night held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh. They would like to thank the parents, sponsors, and Pa Quaid from Peadar’s Bar for their help and support in making the event a success.

Johnny McCarthy, Darragh Treacy, and Sean Mc Sweeney, 0-2 were members of the Limerick team that defeated Wicklow by 2-13 to 2-9 in Round 7 of the National Football League Division 4 game played in Newcastle West  on Sunday April 2.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Na Piarsaigh away by 1-14 to 1-12 in Round 2 of Division 1 of the County Football League on Friday March 31.

Congratulations to John Hayes who gave a man of the match performance for his school team Scoil Mhuire agus Ide Newcastle West, in Knocklong on Friday March 31. They defeated Colaiste Dun Iascaigh of Cahir, by 1-14 to 3-6 in the Munster U 16½ Corn Seosamh Ui Neill  Final.

Creeves Celtic defeated Glantine B 7-1 at home in the Division 3 League Cup on Sunday April 2. Seamus Mangan, 3, Dara O’Connor, 2, Tommy Dillane, and Tom Shanahan, scored their goals. Carrig Celtic teams had no fixtures.

Congratulations to Áine Nolan, from St Kieran’s who won the U-16 solo singing in the County talent finals held in Askeaton on Saturday April 1.

St Kieran’s Heritage Association held their 16^th meeting on Wednesday April 5 and ten people were present. Ger Greaney was chairperson in the absence of John P O’Sullivan, and he welcomed everybody and Secretary Mary Kury read the minutes, and correspondence. The future plans of the association were discussed with next year’s Ardagh Chalice anniversary being the main focus. A lot of people associate the Chalice with Ardagh in County Longford and this need to be addressed and highlighted. The association members and pike men will participate in the Dromcollogher Easter Rising Commemoration on Sunday April 16. They are asked to meet up for the 3pm start at the cemetery. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday May 10 in Coolcappa Community Hall at 8pm and all are welcome.

The Trocaire campaign will end on Easter Sunday and people are asked to contribute as much as possible to help those who are suffering severe poverty following the many disasters that occur throughout the third world. Honduras is a country in Central America, with a population of over 8 million people. For the most marginalised and rural populations in Honduras, it has become increasingly difficult to farm what land they have due to the extreme erratic weather conditions caused by climate change. The effects of relentless climate change have created an extraordinary situation for communities in Honduras that are already struggling. Crops have either failed or produced small yields. Rivers have flooded, leaving high levels of salt deposits, affecting farmland and polluting the water table. For some, migrating to surrounding cities often appears to be the only solution. Currently about 1 million households live below the poverty line.

Honduras is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change, and the impact of extreme weather events is felt most strongly by the poor. Trocaire is working with the communities, in Honduras and other parts of the world, that are most at risk of the devastating effects of extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, floods, and drought, to help save lives by preparing for and mitigating the effects of the next emergency.

The Calvary Cemetery Committee will hold their annual flag days for the upkeep and refurbishment of the cemetery in Newcastle West on Thursday April 13, and Saturday April 15. All support will be greatly appreciated.

The following are the Easter Ceremonies arrangements for the four local churches.

Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper; Kilcolman 7.30pm, Ardagh 8pm.

Good Friday Stations of the Cross Ardagh 12 noon, Passion Coolcappa, 3pm, Carrigkerry 3pm, Ardagh 7.30pm, Stations of the Cross Carrigkerry 7pm, Kilcolman 7.30pm.

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Coolcappa 8pm, and Ardagh 9pm.

Easter Sunday Kilcolman Dawn Mass at 6.30am, and Easter Sunday Mass at 10am, Carrigkerry at 11am.

The annual Team Limerick clean- up will be held on Good Friday April 14. This will be the third year, and the event is going from strength to strength. All the local community groups will be organising their own clean-up, and for more information email [email protected] ring 061-496200, or visit www. teamlimerickcleanup.ie

The Old Mill Lady football club are holding a bag pack in Tesco, Newcastle West on Easter Saturday April 15. All volunteers are asked to contact Moira McEnery at 086-8110634 by phone or text, or any committee member stating a time that suits best as there are slots available from 2pm, onwards. All the money raised will go towards the club registration costs.

West Limerick 102 are holding a car boot sale and indoor market at Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday April 16. For more details contact the station on 069-66200

The Michael and Brenda Nolan Memorial Run/Walk will be held on Easter Sunday April 16 in Shanagolden. The walk commences at 12.45pm, and the run at 1pm. The registration will be held in the Sports Building in the Community field from 11.30am. Lots of prizes for the top finishers in the various categories.

A fundraising Bingo night will be held in the Community Centre Ardagh on Wednesday April 19 at 8.30pm. The proceeds from the night will go towards the Community Response Unit being set up at present which will cost around € 6,000. All support for this great project will be greatly appreciated.