By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mary Heffernan, nee Enright, Old Mill, on Tuesday August 8 at Bon Secour Hospital Tralee. She was a native of Kilmeedy and 78 years old. She was a nurse and worked at Saint Ita’s and other locations around the district over the years. She was also a home maker to husband Jody and family. She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Thursday August 10 from 6pm followed by removal to Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh. Fr Paddy Bowen, Fr Joe Cussen and Fr Michael Noonan concelebrated her Requiem Mass on Friday morning, and Donie Nolan and Anita Bennis performed suitable hymns and music. Family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts.

Before the Mass commenced members brought gifts which had a special meaning for Mary to the altar. They included her wedding album, her baking bowl and spoon and a selection of photos.  Fr Bowen paid her a lovely tribute during his homily. She was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her husband Jody, son Oliver, daughters Adrienne and Evelyn, brother Sean, sister Nellie, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

We note the passing of John Joe Meade, Rathreigh Ardagh, and Sister Kathleen O’Connell Glensharrold Carrigkerry in America, and full details next week.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar on Monday August 13.The numbers drawn were 14, 15, 16, and 23, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Yvonne O’Keeffe, Ballyhahill, John Doody, c/o Neary’s, M and W c/o Denis Greaney, Karen, Maggie and Sarah, Carrigkerry, and Johnny Mullane, Athea. Next week’s Jackpot will be €6,200 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.

Congratulations to Dan Hennessy from Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry who was named the Baron of Strand on Saturday August 12 during their weekend festival. Six contestants took part including David Nolan from Kilcolman and the judge was Annette O’Donnell from Abbeyfeale.

Ardagh District Recreational and Sporting Company Ltd was set up earlier this year, with the view to put in place an all weather Astro Turf playing pitch adjacent to the community field  in Ardagh village for all sections of the community in Ardagh/Carrigkerry and /Coolcappa/Kilcolman, and surrounding areas. The information and fundraising launch of this exciting project was held in Saint Molua’s Hall Ardagh on Friday August 18. A big crowd was in attendance including Mayor of Limerick Stephen Keary who spoke at the commencement of the power point demonstration. Donal McEnery, and David Woulfe, on behalf of the other directors, Patrick Windle, John Aherne Deirdre Ambrose, and Sean Hayes, outlined the progress to date, and the plans for the future development. Their aim is to provide a recreational facility for all sports and people of the community.

Over 30 organisations use the nearby community field during the summer months, but these have to avail of outside facilities over the winter months. This community project will put in place an 80 by 50 metres Astro Turf all weather pitch with parking for 39 cars. A major fundraising drive will be necessary to cover the cost in the next few years. It is hoped to source funding from the Sports and Leader funds to support the companies own events.  The main event this year will be a Lip Sync night in the Devon Inn Hotel on Saturday November 11. Seven supporting events have also being announced which will commence with a fun match in Coolcappa, on Friday September 1 between Old Mill minor ladies team against Saint Kieran’s U-16 team. In the coming weeks information letters will be delivered to houses in the catchment area outlining details, to date and how people can support the fundraising. People are urged to get involved in this exciting adventure and to enjoy the journey with like minded people, to put in place a much needed facility.

The second edition of the West Limerick Heritage Journal was launched by Sharon Slater of Limerick Life website at the Desmond Complex Newcastle West, on Friday August 18. A good number of contributors and well known figures interested in our heritage were in attendance. The 80 page publication contains 32 very interesting wide ranging articles and it will be on sale at the many heritage events this week for €10. Of local interest is an article about Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh written by Mary Kury.

Best wishes to all students who received their Leaving Cert results on Wednesday last August 16. We hope they received the necessary points for their next step in education. If not no need to worry as choices are available to move in other directions in life.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Ballysteen by 4-8 to 1-9 in the West Minor A Football Championship played in Coolcappa on Friday August 11. Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Granagh/Ballingarry by 1-17 to 2-8 in the West Junior B Football Championship played in Sean Finn Park Rathkeale on Sunday August 13.

Sean Ryan from Kilcolman Rovers was a member of the Desmond U-15 Schoolboys team that finished third in the Premier section of the Galway Cup on Saturday August 12.

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 John Carroll from Tournafulla, and he won €378. All support weekly to keep the station on air will be greatly appreciated.

The Comhaltas Seisiún Show continues each Thursday night at the Devon Inn Hotel in Templeglantine. It is hosted by the local branch and it commences at 8.30pm for two hours, and all are welcome.

A free lecture on Thomas Ashe, Kerryman and Irish Martyr by Tim Horgan will be held in the Kerry Writers Museum Listowel on this Friday at 7.30pm. Free guided tours of Listowel Castle are available all week. More information on 086-3857201

The annual Milford Care Centre Harvest Fair will be held at the University of Limerick on Sunday August 27. The Little Company of Mary first developed Hospice care at Milford in 1977 and this is the 40th anniversary of serving the people of the Mid-West. The proceeds from the fair will go towards the current running costs, and the development of the new purpose built 34 bed specialists Hospice, which is expected to be in use before the year is out.

Mass will be celebrated in Reilig Mhuire, Askeaton on Sunday August 27 at 3pm, and grave owners are asked to attend to their family graves prior to the annual mass. Mass will be celebrated at Ballyine Mass Rock on Thursday August 31, and Kilscannell Churchyard on Friday September 1, both at 7.30pm.

The West Limerick branch of the Mental Health Association of Ireland will hold its next meeting on Wednesday August 30 at 8pm at Maple Lodge Gortboy Newcastle West. All members are requested to attend and new members will be most welcome.

The Agnes (Aggie) Kennelly Memorial Gala Concert in aid of Pieta House will be held in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Friday October 6 at 8pm. The following Artists will take part. special Guest, Mairead Buicke, one of Irelands leading Soprano, and Jean O’Brien, accompanist, Anne Phelan, Violinist with R.T.E. Saint  Molua’s Church Choir with Sean Moriarty choirmaster.  The Priests, Fr. Tim Curtin Canon Tony Mullins, and Fr. Liam Enright. Michael Nash,  Limerick’s famous Tenor, Olivia Meehan,  the 11 yr old with the magic voice, Michael and  Fiona Collins on Mandolin, and  Seamus  and Johnny Hunt , N.C.W. Pipers. There will also be a raffle during the show. Tickets for the event are on sale at Neary’s, Parish Office and Tony Hayes N.C.W. and they cost €15 each.