By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Frances Kelly, (nee Brouder), Kerrikyle, Ardagh peacefully at University Hospital Limerick on Monday, September 4. Wife of the late Ned her passing was unexpected after a brief illness. She was the last surviving member of the Brouder family and she was predeceased by her brother Tony and sisters Sheila, Emily and Terry. Her parents Con and Frances Lynch from Wexford presided over a house known for music, song and dance. She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Thursday September 7 from 6.30pm, followed by removal past her home to Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman.

The Requiem mass was Concelebrated  by Fr Tim Curtin and Fr Paddy Bowen, on Friday at 11am and family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful, offertory and reflection. Before Mass commenced members brought gifts which had a special meaning for Frances to the altar. They included her dog lead and walking stick to show her regard for animals and walking. Lottery sheets which she filled in each Tuesday and Friday. Flowers to show her fondness for gardening and brown bread which was a speciality of hers. A family photo to show her love for all her extended family members. Water from Brouder’s Well a short distance from her house. Fr Tim traced Frances’ path through life during his homily.

Frances was born on September 26 1939 and attended the local school. She worked in Shanagolden for a while before tasting life in London, where she worked in the Tara Hotel and also in a Hostel. She married Ned Kelly from Ardagh in Kilcolman Church in 1960 and they raised a family of three, Eamon, Margaret and Norma. Frances had a love of gardening and nature and she kept her home and surrounds  in immaculate condition. She had a talent for  dressmaking and liked history and offered a welcoming home to all. She looked after the roadside spring well and kept it free of moss and leaves. She hated people dumping rubbish along this road and got Limerick Council to block off an entrance where it was taking place.

She was straight talking and you knew where you stood with her. She lived a long life and was a regular at Carrigkerry Church and driving up to a couple of years ago. Life will be quite now, and her presence will be missed greatly from the cross, that offered great views of the surrounding countryside. Burial took place  in the local cemetery on Friday September 8. We extend our sympathy to her son Eamon, daughters Margaret and Norma, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Eoin Dillane, Ballinabearna, Old Mill and Patrice Downing Greenfields, Limerick who were married in Newcastle West Church on Friday September 1. The Reception was held in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine, and the honeymoon was in Cancun, Mexico.

The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary together  with Milford Hospice Friends wish to thank most sincerely all who contributed most generously towards the annual church gate collection taken up at mass two weeks ago. A total of €202.20 was taken up at Carrigkerry on Saturday, September 9, and €297.85 was taken up at Ardagh on Sunday, September 10. A special thank you to all the collectors who gave of their time

West Limerick Community Radio wish to thank all who contributed to their church gate collection taken up at the weekend masses. A total of €114.10 was taken up at Carrigkerry on Saturday September 2, and €113.45 was taken up at Ardagh on Sunday September 3.

We congratulate all students who received their Junior Certificate results on Wednesday, September 13, and best wishes for the future.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday September 11. The numbers drawn were 1,4,10 and 15, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each, Hannah Greene, Ardagh, Eileen and Mike, Carrigkerry, Helen Costello, Coolcappa, Susan Moriarty, Ardagh, and Ann Hollyhead, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €7,000 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Ballysteen by 2-14 to 1-5 in the West Minor A Football Final at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Friday September 8. The conditions were difficult with pre match rain and a cold breeze blowing from the dressing room goals. Saint Kieran’s led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half time after facing the breeze. They built on this on resumption to run out deserving winners before a small attendance. Noel Callanan, accepted the cup and Liam Kennedy was presented with  the Man of the Match award. TEAM: Dan Duggan, Eamon Ambrose, Michael Murphy, Tommy Mullins, Michael Shanahan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Eoin Burke, Liam Kennedy, Dan Power, Noel Callanan, 1-3 Dylan Moloney, 0-4 John Buckley, Kevin Guina, 0-2 Stephen Lyons, 1-1 Stephen Hennessy. Subs John Hayes, 0-4 Evan Donovan, Eoin McEnery, Edward Fitzgerald,  Denis Cronin, Jack Enright, Aaron Heffernan, Shane Murphy, Tomas Treacy. Selectors Donie Murphy, John Enright, Mike Windle, Owen Hayes.  They will play Oola in the County semi-final .

Carrig Celtic lost 3-0 away to Broadford Utd in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday September 10.  Creeves Celtic defeated Carrig Celtic B 5-1 away in Division 3 with goals from Richard Hayes, 4 and Darragh O’Connor.

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 Miriam Guina, Castlemahon and  she won €340. All support weekly to keep the station on air will be greatly appreciated.

A fundraising dance in aid of the Irish Guide Dogs will be held in the Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday September 22 from 9pm. It is the charity adopted by local sailor Chris Egan (who is visually impaired) who made a round Ireland trip with friends last summer which raised €17,000 for the charity. The News will be on stage and tickets cost €15 and they are available from Chris at 086-8531311, Rathkeale House Hotel, or at the door, and all support will be appreciated.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding a Culture night to unveil the Ardagh Chalice Anniversary 2018 celebrations  in Ardagh Hall on Friday September 22. John Hough will deliver a talk and the video of the talk on the chalice  given by Raghnall O’Floinn from the National Museum of Ireland back in September 1993 will be shown. Meeting on the previous night at Neary’s at 8.30pm to finalise arrangements.

The junior set/Céilí dancing classes will resume in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Friday, September 22 at 6.45pm and all are welcome. The weekly set dancing classes have resumed in the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West following the summer break. They take place each Tuesday evening from 8.30pm to 10.30pm, and no partner is necessary. Note that the dance class will be on Monday, September 25 for this week due to a prior booking.  All are welcome back and beginners will be most welcome, and more details from Fiona on 086-3510774. The classes will resume in Monagea hall on Thursday,  September 21 at 8.30pm. Call Ita on 087-2593415 or Fiona on 086-3510774 for additional information.

Liam O’Mahony will launch his book Limerick and Kerry Railway Twilight Years at Newcastle West Library on Friday, September 22 at 7pm. It will be launched by author Patrick O’Connor from Newcastle West following a slide show to mark Culture night as well as the 150th anniversary year of the coming of the railway to Newcastle West. It is a personal chronicle by Liam, who must be complimented for his promotion of all things travel including the Great Southern Trail over the years.

The family fun day in Coolcappa for the Lip Sync was a great success and it got the fundraising off to a great start. Next up is a Quiz in Neary’s this Saturday September 23 This is a support  fundraiser in aid of the ADRSC Lip Sync event, and it promises to be a very funny evening. The FAS workers are organising a scrap metal collection day on Saturday, September 30 at the Devon Wood yard in Ardagh. All support and scrap very welcome for their fundraiser for the event. The main Lip Sync event will be held in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine on Saturday, November 11.