By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to John Joe and Nora Kennelly, Ardagh Cross who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They also celebrated the happy occasion with their friends at the Tuesday Social Club in Ardagh.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday, October 16. The numbers drawn were 8,16,27,and 29, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the  five lucky dip winners who won €40 each,  Tommy Mullins, Ardagh, Fiona Hennessy, Carrigkerry, Johnny Mullane, Athea, William, and Caroline, Daly Kilcolman, and Aoife O’Connor, c/o Denis Greaney.  Next week’s Jackpot will be €8,000 and the draw will be held in the Old Mill Bar.

The Old Mill Ladies football club held their end of season gathering at the Woodlands Hotel, Adare on Saturday October 7. Triona Ambrose chairperson of the club made a presentation to Paddy D O’Connor a founding member of the club. Paddy has given a lifetime of dedicated service to the club over the past 25 years.

Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Clan Na Gael 3-14 to 0-9 in the West U-21 Football Championship in Fenagh on Saturday October 14. Saint Kieran’s defeated Mungret by 2-11 to 1-8 in the County U -16 Football semi final at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Saturday October 14. Congratulations to Jason Mullins from the club who was the referee for the County Intermediate Hurling Final between Murroe-Boher, and Garryspillane, (which ended in a draw) played in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Sunday October 15.

Carrig Celtic defeated Shannonside 4-0  at home in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday October 15.Ray Cahill, Anthony Molyneaux, Gavin Hayes, and Declan Greaney scored their goals. Creeves Celtic drew 4-4 away to Broadford Utd Reserves in Round 1 of the Richard Hogan Cup. Richard Hayes, Tom Shanahan, Shane Lynch, and Jimmy Dillane scored their goals. They lost 5-4 in the penalty shoot- out. Carrig Celtic also lost 5-4 on penalties away to Pallaskenry after a scoreless draw. In the Ladies Desmond League Division 1 Kilcolman Rovers defeated Broadford Utd 1-0 at home with Noreen Barry scoring their goal. Creeves Celtic drew 1-1 away to Newcastle West Town with Siobhan Guinane scoring. Carrig Celtic drew 0-0 away to Askeaton.

Congratulations to Pat O’Connor, Coolanoran who launched his latest book Home and Reach A Life of Writing at the Red Door Newcastle West on Sunday October 8. Dr. Seamus Smyth, retired Professor and former President of Maynooth University did the honours.

Congratulations to Tom Neary and Mick McQuinn, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor rambling house on Wednesday October 11.  A card game is held each Tuesday in Ardagh Hall at 9pm, sharp, and all are welcome to attend. Congratulations also to Mike Robinson and Jack Woulfe, and Jim Dalton, and Francis Woulfe, who were prize winners at the Shanagolden Parish Hall on Friday October 13.

Congratulations to Billy Crowley from Knockfinisk who has been named Athea Golf Society Golfer of the Year for 2017.

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 Peg Heffernan, Ardagh, who won €318. All support weekly to keep the station on air will be greatly appreciated.

Social dancing continues  in Ardagh Community Centre each Wednesday with Eileen. Learn how to jive quickstep waltz foxtrot slosh etc, from 8pm to 10pm. No partner required and the fee per class is €10 each. The numbers are increasing night by night as the word spreads, about the very friendly atmosphere and excellent work out.   The number of  men is still low and a few more would be welcome, to match the number of women to make it easier to learn the steps together . New steps are being introduced each week to the music of Nathan Carter, Michael English, Derek Ryan, Jimmy Buckley and other well known artists. It is a great way to meet people of similar interests, and to keep fit at the same time, as it is a fun filled and action packed two hours.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association is publishing a 2018 Heritage Calendar as a fundraiser for the Ardagh Chalice 150 Anniversary events to be held next September. It is open to the pupils of the four local primary schools, and the following rules apply Print the photos you wish to enter, and write your name and school on the back of the photo, and give them to your teacher.

September will be dedicated to the Ardagh Chalice and will feature a picture of the Ardagh Chalice Hoard. The other 11 months will feature the following categories: flora, fauna, buildings, weather, sport, farming, people, history culture, religion, and art. The first prize will be a €50 Game Shop Voucher, and if your picture features on the calendar you will receive a prize. The entries have been slow to date; school commitments, hurricanes, and storms have put a damper on things no doubt. This is a final call for entries as the printer’s deadline approaches to enable the calendar to be in the shops for mid November. With the Halloween midterm break upon us it will give all the budding photographers a chance to get out and take pictures that will do justice to the heritage that is to be found within the catchment area of the Association, so get snapping.

Due to public demand the Lip Sync main event is now extended to two nights at the Devon Inn Hotel Friday November 10, and Saturday November 11, commencing at 8pm sharp. With 69 participants involved in the 16 acts performing on the night, the show has generated tremendous interest from their family members and friends, who are eagerly looking forward to seeing them display their new acquired skills. The participants who are the real stars of the show have put in countless hours practising their moves, over the past month. Practise nights have ran into the early hours of the morning, and many groups have been practising a number of extra nights to hone their skills to perfection. It will be fast paced and competitive, with all the acts putting their best foot forward to catch the eye of the judging panel. The same show will run for over three hours, and there will be a winner announced on each night. A raffle will be held on both nights for numerous spot prizes, and a show programme will also be available. The tickets for Friday November 10 will be on sale this week in local outlets, and from committee members, and they cost €20 each. This will give members of the wider community an opportunity of seeing the show, which would be denied to them if it was staged only on Saturday November 11.

The Irish Rambling House tour of Britain commences this Thursday, October 26 in the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester at 8pm. Friday in the Irish Centre in Birmingham, Saturday in Harrow Arts Centre, and Sunday in Saint Joseph’s Parish Centre Luton, all at 8pm. Readers may inform their relatives abroad of the dates and venues for a very good night’s entertainment.

Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry will host a Fancy Dress Halloween party on this Sunday October 29 Music by Sean Carrig and all proceeds will go to charity.

Coolcappa Parents Association  are holding a children’s Halloween Disco and Fancy Dress competition in Coolcappa Hall on Friday October 27  from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. The admission is €3 per child and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes on show. Coolcappa Annual Sale of Work will be held in the hall on Sunday December 10.

The following winter mass schedule will take effect the last weekend of October in Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish. On Saturday October 28 Mass will be celebrated in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh at 6pm. On Sunday October 29 Mass will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry at 11am.

The November Mass times in Coolcappa/Kilcolman are as follows; Tuesday October 31 Kilcolman 7.30pm, Wednesday November 1 Kilcolman 7.30pm, Thursday November 2 Coolcappa 7.30pm.

Ardagh Voluntary Housing Association CLG will hold their AGM in Ardagh Community Hall on Monday, October 30 at 8pm, and all are welcome.