By Tom Aherne

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Monday November 20. The numbers drawn were 13,14,26,and 29, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the  five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Paddy O’Sullivan, Abbeyfeale, Patrick Mullins, Ardagh, Mairéad and Darragh O’Connor, Ardagh, Patsy Kennelly, Shanagolden, and  Siobhán Buckley, c/o Fitzsimons Printers.  Next week’s Jackpot will be €9,000 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for November was held during the West Limerick GAA Board Convention held in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine on Wednesday November 22. Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s William Treacy Ardagh and Timmy Copse, Glensharrold who each won €100. The top prize of €10,000 was won by Ardagh native Tom and Sheila Dillane from the Rathkeale club.

The contact number for Ardagh Community First Responders group is Tel 082 8889963.

A special stone plaque has been erected in Kilcolman Cemetery in remembrance of all those who have been interred there going back to the 12th century. The project was the brainchild of parishioner Maurice O’Connor, and it was funded by Milford Care Compassionate Community Project. It was unveiled at the Cemetery Mass held on Sunday November 12.

Niamh Mullins from Ardagh has been chosen to travel to Calcutta, next year with the Hope Foundation as part of the School Immersion programme. She is a student at Hazelwood College Dromcollogher, and along with five of her fellow students Aisling Magner, Ide Collins,Aisling Brennan, Evelyn Mancassola, and Billy Ryan, they held a very successful fundraising dance in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine, on Friday night last. Mountain Road provided good music, for the eager dancers, and it was well supported by people from our locality.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Granagh/Ballingarry-Banogue, by 1-8 to 2-3 in the West U-21 B Football Championship semi-final under lights at Mountcollins Gaelic grounds on Friday November 18. They trailed by 1-3 to 0-4 at half time, and Noel Callanan’s goal in the final quarter edged them ahead and they held on to book a final spot against Saint Senan’s. TEAM Robert Bradley, Michael Murphy, John Byrnes, Eoin Burke, Anthony Mullins, Diarmuid Mulcahy, John Buckley, Liam Kennedy 0-2 Darragh O’Connor, Liam Upton, Noel Callanan 1-2 Patrick Liston, Daniel Barrett, Raymond Noonan, 0-2 Killian Enright 0-1. Subs Darragh Breen 0-1 Evan Donovan, Eamon Ambrose.

The annual church gate collection will be taken up on the weekend of December 9/10 . The Road Hurling Competition will be held around Ardagh on Wednesday December 27. The club will not hold their Christmas draw this year, and instead will participate in the GAA National Club Draw 2018. Tickets for the draw cost €10 and all the money collected will be retained by the club. The names will be entered in the National draw for very valuable prizes, and all support will be appreciated.

Congratulations to Kilcolman N.S. who defeated Saint Fergus N.S by 1-13 to 3-3 in the West Limerick Division 3 Primary School 11 A-Side Championship on Monday November 20. Congratulations to Ian Ryan manager and all others involved in this great win for the school

Carrig Celtic B lost 4-1 at home to Feenagh in Round 2 of the Reidy Cup on Sunday November 19. Creeves Celtic had no fixture, and Carrig Celtic v Granagh Utd away was off. In Round 5 of the FAI Junior Cup Carrig Celtic have been drawn away to Aston Village FC or Ballymun Utd.

In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Carrig Celtic lost 7-0 away to Broadford Utd. Kilcolman Rovers v Askeaton was off and Creeves Celtic had no fixture.

The 37th edition of the Mahoonagh parish annual was launched in the new hall Castlemahon on Friday November 24.The popular annual was 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 was a very enjoyable evening and the annual is on sale  for € 10 in local outlets in the parish and the shops in Newcastle West.

The Limerick Leader Almanac 2017 went on sale last week and it was very well received around  the locality. It is a fine comprehensive 92 page review of the year, with plenty of interesting stories, and photos for all readers. It presents  a very positive outlook for the future in Limerick which can hopefully benefit all sections of our communities,  both in the city and county. Well done to all involved in the publication which cost € 3.95, and it would be an ideal gift for Limerick people abroad.

West Limerick 102 community Radio are promoting their Christmas Hamper draw at present. The tickets cost € 5 and are available  from the Station. This  is a very important fundraiser for the Radio, and the draw will be held live on air on Christmas week.   All support also with the 50/50 draw 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.

Ardagh native Mike Larkin is a member of Banogue drama group who are performing Pull the Other One by Norman Robbins at present. It will be staged in Banogue parish centre from this Thursday November 30 to Sunday December 3 at 8pm. The admission is €10 and €5 for children, and it is a comedy/farce play and all are welcome.

Newcastle West Film Club presents The Midwife in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday December 1 at 8pm. The cost is €7 and refreshments will be available, and all are welcome

West Limerick Singing Club will hold their monthly singing session in the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale on Friday December 1 at 9pm.

A tribute night to the late Johnny Barrett will be held in the Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday December 1. The doors will open at 8pm, and dancing from 9pm, for two and a half hours. Johnny will perform the best of his music on the big screen and Peter Burke will be the special guest. All the proceeds will go to the Respite Care Centre Dromcollogher.

Newcastle West Cycling Club are holding a 50km, and an 80km route cycle on Sunday December 3 at 10am in Castlemahon.  All the proceeds will go towards the Leanne Bennett fund which has been set up for the Ardagh native who is currently being treated for lung cancer in Toronto.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party will be held in the Community Centre Carrigkerry on Sunday December 3. It will commence at 2pm, with Mass, followed by a hot lunch, and entertainment, and all are welcome. The organisers would welcome additional help if people have a few hours to spare, and this would be greatly appreciated.

The Noonan family Tullig North Templeglantine are holding their Children’s Party on Sunday December 3 at 4pm, and all are welcome to attend. Santa will be the special guest along with others from the sporting and entertainment areas. Their wonderful winter wonderland is open each evening from 6pm to 10pm up to January 7, with all proceeds going to local charity.