By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Anthony (Tony) Courtney late of Ardagh and Knocknaboula, Foynes; suddenly on Thursday November 9. He lay in repose at Healy’s Funeral Home, Glin from 6pm on Saturday November 11 with removal at 8pm, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glin. The Requiem Mass was Concelebrated by Fr. Crawford, and Fr. Noonan, on Sunday at 11.00am. Tony was laid to rest l afterwards in the Drew plot in Ardagh Church Grounds. Tony was a retired member of the farming community and he was a very quiet and unassuming person. He lived close to nature, and cared well for his pets, and animals which were familiar sights around the village. He was a very intelligent individual who kept very up to date with current affairs, through the medium of the daily paper, and TV and Radio.

He was very proud of his relationship with John Sheahan, of the Dubliners fame, and often shared photos and stories, with people who called to his very welcoming home. He was very helpful to me when I was compiling an article on the life and times of Dubliner John Sheahan. Tony received a health scare last year which was a worry to him, and made him rethink his future plans. We will all retain our fond memories of Tony who I was proud to call a friend. We extend our sympathy to his sister Eileen, aunt Ellen, relatives, extended family and kind neighbours. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Mike Collins of Park, Ballyhahill, peacefully at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home, Newcastle West; He lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home Shanagolden on Thursday November 16 from 6pm, followed by removal to Saint Colman’s Kilcolman Church. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday at 12noon followed by burial afterwards in the local cemetery. Mike spent a good number of years on Community Employment schemes in Carrigkerry and he was widely known around the locality. We extend our sympathy to his wife Joan, sons Mike, and Con, daughters Sheila, and Nora, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends. May he rest in Peace.

We extend our sympathy to the following on their recent losses: Peter and Helen Fitzsimons and family, Barnigue, on the death of Peter’s mother Mary late of Clifferna, Stradone, Cavan. Bernie and Ron Forrestal, Knockbowheen, on the death of Bernie’s father Tom Tobin, late of Cashel, Tipperary. Patricia O’Kelly, Clonagh, on the death of her brother Seamus O’Kelly late of Croagh and Roscommon. Eleanor Fitzsimons, Ballyneety on the death of her uncle Fr. John McCarthy M.S.C. late of Kilfinane and Dublin. May they rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Adam Ward, Carrigkerry who won first place in the U-9 Sean Nós Dancing competition, at An Oireachtas an Samhana held in Killarney on Saturday November 4. Adam is a student of acclaimed teacher Robert Kelly, and this was his second time claiming this coveted award.

Congratulations to all the competitors from the Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas branch, who participated and gained honours at the County Finals of the Ceol an Ghreimhridh competition held in Templeglantine on Sunday November 12.

Congratulations to Donal McCormack Ardagh, and crew members of Battle who recently won the O’Brien Cup for sailing at Foynes Yacht Club.

The recent Lip Sync shows held in the Devon Inn are still being spoken about around the locality. As well as being a huge financial success, it was also a great community event that brought different sections of people together. All age groups were brought together and they jelled well as performers, and behind the scenes helpers. A DVD of the event will be on sale shortly for people who may have missed the live shows. A huge thanks to the ADRSC committee for their tireless efforts, (organising the event) since the company was set up to put in place an Astro facility in Ardagh.

The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary together with Milford Hospice Friends wish to thank most sincerely all who contributed so generously towards the annual Church Gate collection taken up at Mass at Kilcolman Church on Saturday November 11. The amount collected was €165.45 and a special thanks to the collectors who gave so willingly of their time to stand. Thanks also to all involved in collecting the sum of €427 in Coolcappa church on Sunday November 12.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday November 13. The numbers drawn were 6, 10, 17, and 22, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Frank O’Connor, Glenastar, Clara Galvin, Ardagh, JS, and GD c/o Greaney’s, Bridget King, Ardagh, and Jack Flaherty, Carrigkerry.  Next week’s Jackpot will be €8,800 and the draw will be held in Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Granagh/Ballingarry/Banogue by 1-8 to 2-3 in the West U-21 B Football Championship at Mountcollins, on Friday November 17.  They will meet Saint Senan’s in the final. Seamus O’Donnell former club player and Limerick football goalkeeper has been appointed manager of Athea intermediate football team for 2018. We wish him well in his new role.

All Desmond League matches were called off on Sunday November 12, due to inclement weather that weekend. Creeves Celtic are holding their annual Christmas Draw in the Thatch Bar, Newbridge on Saturday, December 16. There are an excellent range of prizes on offer, and all support will be appreciated.

West Limerick 102 community Radio are holding a 50/50 draw at present. The tickets cost €2 and are available in local shops around west Limerick 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 Pauline Kearns, Rathkeale, who won €440. 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 line dance etc, from 8pm to 10pm. No partner required and the fee per class is €10 each. The numbers are holding steady 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.  Now that the Lip Sync Battle has concluded some of the participants might like to enhance their dance steps. 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.

All musicians, singers, dancers, and storytellers are welcome at Pat Moran’s Rambling House, Newbridge, on Friday November 24 at 8.30pm. A very enjoyable night is promised and all are welcome.

The 37th edition of the Mahoonagh parish annual will be launched in the new hall Castlemahon on Friday, November 24 at 8pm. The popular annual will be launched by Pat O’Donovan, chairman of Knockfierna Heritage Society. The annual is dedicated to Michael Scanlan, poet laureate of Feminism, who came from Castlemahon. It promises to be a very enjoyable evening and all are welcome to attend.

Hope is a registered charity, funding projects that work with street and slum children in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in the areas of healthcare, protection, nutrition, training, counselling and human rights advocacy. A number of fundraisers are taking place at present to fund volunteers who are travelling there next spring. There is a fundraising dance in aid of The Hope Foundation, in the Devon Inn Templeglantine, on Friday November 24 at 9pm. Admission is €5 for adults (children free) and there will be a raffle on the night. Music will be provided by the Mountain Road Céilí band.   

A Céilí and Country dance will be held in Kilcornan Community Centre also on Friday November 24. Donie Nolan and band will supply the music and admission is € 10.The organisers are requesting support on the night for both which would be greatly appreciated.

The blessing of graves at Clounagh cemetery will take place on Sunday November 26 at 11am.