By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Margaret (Peggy) Mulcahy (nee Danaher), Our Lady of Fatima Home, Oak Park, Tralee, Co. Kerry and formerly of The Old Mill, Newcastle West, on July 20 peacefully at Our lady of Fatima Home Tralee, predeceased by her husband Patrick (Patsy) and son Michael. She lay in repose at Our Lady of Fatima Home (Tralee) on Friday 21 from 6pm-8pm. Her remains arrived at Newcastle West Church on Saturday morning for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by burial in Grange Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her son John (Glin), daughters Ann Coffey (Cappawhite) and Carmel (Ballincollig), son in law Tom, daughter-in-law Sheila, grandchildren Edward, Laura and Karen, sister Nellie (Harnett), brother-in-law, sister-in-law, nephew, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Ireland’s strongest man Pa O’Dwyer from Rooskagh was a guest on Ireland AM on TV3 on Friday July 21. He has won the title of Irelands Strongest Man for the last two years, and is looking forward to competing for the British title in early August. During the interview he outlined his food intake which is necessary for him to be able to compete around the weight lifting circuit. He showed his strength by lifting presenters  Ciara and Sinead over his head. We wish Pa all the best and happy lifting in the future.

Congratulations to Ardagh natives Michael O’Sullivan and Michael O’Connor and Tom Sexton, winners of the Jerry Molyneaux Memorial Golf Classic held at Charleville Golf Club on Saturday July 22. Congratulations also to Margaret O’Keeffe, Park, who was a member of the winning  ladies team and she also received the ladies longest drive prize.

Congratulations to Diarmuid Keane, Grouse Lodge, Ardagh who won a number of class awards, and the Supreme Champion Sheep Award at Newcastle West Show on Sunday July 23.

The 57th  Munster Fleadh Cheoil was held in Cork City two weekends ago, and congratulations to all the local competitors who participated and won prizes and advanced to  the All Ireland finals in Ennis later this month.

The Cairde Day Centre, Desmond Complex Newcastle West thank the people of Ardagh/Carrigkerry who contributed €272-74 at their recent church gate collection. The money collected will go towards transport costs.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday July 24. The numbers drawn were 1,18,19, and 24 and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each:  John Mullins, Cross Ardagh, Timmy Madigan Snr, Lisgordan, Martina Fitzgerald, Ballyhahill, Mike Liston, Glenastar and Ann O’Sullivan, Ballyhahill. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,600 and the draw will be held at the Thatch Bar Newbridge.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for July was held on Limerick Live 95 FM during the Sports Show on Saturday July 29, and Saint Kieran’s club had no winner.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Clann na nGael by 2-12 to 0-4 in the West Minor A Football Championship at Knockaderry on Wednesday July 19. Knockainey defeated Saint Kieran’s  by 2-15 to 1-5 in the Minor Hurling 13 A side Competition at Coolcappa on Friday July 21.

West Limerick 102 community Radio are holding a 50/50 draw at present. The tickets cost €2 and are available in local shops, and from the Station. This will be a weekly fundraiser for the Radio, and the draw will be held live on air each Friday at 12.45pm. The winning ticket holder receives half of the money collected that week and the Radio Station receives the other half. The latest winner was Maureen Power, Rathkeale and she won  €376 . All support weekly to keep the station on air will be greatly appreciated

The Trad Scene has been one of the most popular shows on West Limerick Community Radio since it went on air on May 15 2005. Over the past 12 years Jacki O’Connor, from Kilcolman has presented and promoted the best of local and national traditional music and song to a very wide audience. She also presented Trad Le Do Thoil, an Irish traditional music programme for a number of years. Along with Eamon O’Liathain from Abbeyfeale who presented another Irish language programme, they were National  Glor na nGael winners for three years in a row, 2006-2008. Jacki organised two major fundraisers Best of the West concerts for the station in 2007 and 2012. On November 16 2007 a capacity crowd attended the Convent Hall in Abbeyfeale, and on October 12 2012 Best of the West part two was held in Halla Tadhg Gaelach Tournafulla.  The CDs of the concerts featuring top class entertainers, were much requested afterwards. Jacki was also a board member in the early years of the station, and her enthusiasm and presentation style has been a great asset to the popular station. She has decided to take a break from the Trad Scene at present which is very much regretted by her legion of fans. We thank her for her commitment and promotion of all artists, and wish her well  in the future. We welcome new presenter of the Trad Scene Kate Galvin from Knocknagoshel who has taken over the hot seat in recent weeks.

Newcastle West Park Run/Walk is held every Saturday morning in the Demesne Park commencing at 9.30am, and it is a free event. All ages and abilities are welcome, and the meeting point is beside the soccer pitch. It is a good way to exercise with likeminded people, and bring a friend as all are welcome.

The annual  cemetery Mass will be held this Thursday August 3 at 7.30pm (eve of feast of Saint Molua) in Ardagh Cemetery.

The Dan Paddy Andy Festival will be held in Lyreacrompane, from Thursday August 3 to Monday August 7. It is the 20 year of the festival and the Irish Rambling House Show takes place on the Thursday night from 9.30. Céilí with Tim Joe and Anne O’Riordan on Friday night, and Marquee dancing the other three nights. A Bog Walk and sleán turf cutting on Bank Holiday Monday from 11am. Lots more entertainment and all are welcome.

West Limerick singing club will hold their next monthly singing night on Friday August 4 in the Ramble Inn in Abbeyfeale from 9.30pm. All singers, storytellers, entertainers, and audience members will be most welcome to come along and to join in the fun. Donie Lyons, a founding member will launch his new CD The Lovely Banks of Blaine, during the night. It features 22 tracks of music and song and all are welcome to come along.

Joe Aherne from Glenagore, Athea, has organised a 23 mile walk from Ardagh to Listowel for Saturday August 5. The walk is in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital  Crumlin, where his grandson is being treated. Joe can be contacted on 086-8155614.

An Open Day hosted by Glin Development will be held at Glin Castle on Sunday August 6. This event proved very popular last year when it was first held and attracted large crowds.

The annual West Limerick Pilgrimage to Lourdes, will take place from Sunday August 6 to Sunday August 13. A direct flight from Shannon Airport accompanied by a spiritual director, and full board at Hotel Roissy for seven nights. Contact Pat Dalton on 069-62306 for the itinerary booking forms and other information.           

A charity Céilí in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will be held in the Resource Centre, in Knockaderry on Friday August 11 from 9.30pm to 1.00am. The Striolán Céilí Band will supply the music, and tea will be served. Contact Teresa on 087-9427259, or Deirdre on 086- 1630201 for additional details. All support will be greatly appreciated.

Liam Galvin is organising a Spinathon in Newcastle West on Saturday August 12 in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick. It is the second year to hold the Spinathon which took place in the Square last year. This year bikes will be in place at four centres around the town, and any help would be greatly appreciated.  People who wish to help out by taking a spin or with the bucket collection are asked to contact Liam on 087-9882055

Saint Kieran’s club are holding a medal presentation for the Minor football team that won West and County Minor B Football titles last year at Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Saturday August 12. A fundraising quiz will also be held and all support will be greatly appreciated