By Tom Aherne
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to the following happy couples who got married on Saturday December 16. Margaret Flynn, Glensharrold and John Murphy, Kilteely/Dromkeen, at Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman, and afterwards at a reception at Bunratty Castle Hotel Bunratty, Clare. Tom O’Donnell, Barnigue, Carrigkerry and Hazel Sillery, Shanagolden, at Saint Senan’s Church Shanagolden, and afterwards at a reception at Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee, Kerry.
Congratulations to Mark, Noel, and Darragh, Mc Cormack, Glenville Ardagh who recently celebrated their 30th birthday at Foynes Yacht Club. Happy birthday wishes also to Fr Michael Noonan, PP Ardagh/Carrigkerry.
A presentation was made to Joe Dowling, Old Mill, on Friday December 10 by members of the Development Association. Joe has stepped down as Chairman of the Athea/Carrigkerry/Old Mill CE Scheme after 11 of years of dedicated service, in a voluntarily capacity. Mary Danaher presented Joe with a Decorative Clock made by local craftsman John Keane in deep appreciation for his commitment and input that helped to develop the Old Mill/Carrigkerry area. John P O’Sullivan presented Joe’s wife Kay with a hamper from the Apple Farm in Cahir as she is a native of Cahir in Tipperary.
The Old Mill Development Association was founded 20 years ago on Monday the 8th of December 1997 when 46 local and interested people attended a meeting in the Old Mill Pub. Before there was no stone walls, no footpaths, no village signs and no street lighting etc and no Christmas Tree around the Old Mill on that date. Over the years the area has been transformed under the chairmanship of John P O’Sullivan and the local committee, in conjunction with the CE Scheme, jointly with Carrigkerry Development, and also with Athea over the past three years. Thanks to Joe for his great contribution and good health and best wishes to him and Kay in the future.
The Limerick GAA Club draw for December was held live on Limerick 95 FM Radio, on Saturday morning last. Congratulations to Sean O’Sullivan, Skehanagh from the Saint Kieran’s club who won €500.
The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday December 11. The numbers drawn were 1, 16, 24, and 28, and there was no lucky Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Joan Relihan, c/o Denis Greaney, Joe, Holly, Adam, and William, c/o Patrick Mullins, Tim Fitzpatrick, c/o Josie, Philip and Johnny O’Connor, c/o Moloney’s, and Gerard Barrett, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €3,400 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh.
Saint Kieran’s defeated Ballylanders by 3-12 to 1-9 in the County U-21 B Football Championship Final at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Friday night last December 15. The game was played under lights on the artificial surface, and the night was dry calm and cold for the good attendance. Ballylanders with a blistering start scored a goal from the throw in. Darragh O’Connor, converted a penalty kick awarded for a foul on Noel Callanan, to level matters. Ray Noonan added another goal scoring after Noel Callanan’s shot came back off the post. The teams were level three times in the opening 25 minutes, in a fast paced end to end encounter. A Darragh O’Connor point from a free, and a Noel Callanan goal left Saint Kieran’s in the ascendency by 3-3 to 1-5 at half time.
They outscored the Bally boys by nine points to four as they dominated the second half, and could have won by more than nine points as they kicked ten wides overall. A fine team display with some outstanding displays from a number of players. John Cregan on behalf of the County Board presented the cup to captain Ray Noonan, to commence the celebrations, and end the year on a high for the club. Congratulations to all involved with many players adding a second county title this year. TEAM Robert Bradley, Anthony Mullins, John Byrnes, Michael Murphy, Eoin Bourke 0-1, Diarmuid Mulcahy, John Buckley, Liam Kennedy, Darragh O’Connor 1-5, Liam Upton, Noel Callanan 1-2, Patrick Liston 0-1, Killian Enright 0-1, Ray Noonan 1-0, Stephen Lyons 0-2. SUBS Daniel Barrett, Darragh Breen, Evan Donovan, Stephen Hennessy, Tomas Mullins, Eamon Ambrose, Brian Mc Carthy, Cillian Ambrose. Congratulations to the management Paudie Mc Carthy, Owen Hayes, John O’Connor, and Ivan Neary.
Well done to club players Diarmuid Mulcahy, Eoin Burke and Michael Shanahan who were part of the Colaiste Na Trocaire, Rathkeale team that overcame SMI Newcastle West in the County U18 1/2 Football Final . John Hayes, Liam Kennedy, Stephen Lyons and Stephen Hennessy were part of the SMI team. Best of luck to the set dancers who are representing the club at the Munster Scór Na Nóg finals in the Eire Óg Pavilion in Ovens, Cork on Sunday January 7.
The Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association January trip to Dublin is now fully booked out with two people on a waiting list. If more people are interested a mini bus will be provided. Mary Kury’s Ardagh History is on sale at Moloney’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry, Greaney’s shop, Ardagh and Newcastle West book shop. It will also be on sale at the Bingo session in the Hall next Wednesday evening and Mary will be doing a book signing at Newcastle West book shop on Friday December 22 at 11am.
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. The 50/50 draw is continuing also at present. The tickets cost € 2 and are available in local shops around west Limerick and from the Station. This is 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. All support weekly to keep the station on air will be greatly appreciated. Radio presenters are also needed on an ongoing basis to introduce new ideas and shows. People interested in a very rewarding pastime are asked to contact Pat O’Donovan on 087-9977340.
The Christmas end of season Céilí in Monagea will be held on Thursday December 21 at 8.30pm. A raffle will be held on the night and the proceeds will be divided between the Butterfly Club and Youth Helper at Lourdes Pilgrimage. Donations for the raffle will be welcome, and tea and coffee will be served. All are welcome for a good night of dancing, and enjoyment. The finishing up night Céilí will take place in Con Colbert Memorial Hall Athea on Saturday December 23 at 9pm, and all are welcome.
The following is the Christmas Mass schedule for the four local churches: Christmas Eve Coolcappa 6pm, Ardagh 7pm, Kilcolman 7.30pm, and Carrigkerry 9pm. Christmas Day Kilcolman 9am, Ardagh 10am, Coolcappa 11am, and Carrigkerry 11.30am.
Saint Kieran’s GAA club are holding a road hurling competition on Wednesday December 27 commencing at 11.30am from the Church car park. Over the past 2 years they have raised over €4000 for Milford hospice and the national burns unit. No hurling experience is necessary, just bring a high vies vest and a sense of humour is all you need. People are welcome to walk the route with the participants as they go. All age groups are welcome to take part and it is a very enjoyable event.
The Great Southern Trail Greenway walk will be held on Wednesday December 27. Assembling at 12.30 at the Longcourt House Hotel for transfer by courtesy coach to Barnagh. The walkers will travel back the 10k/6mile journey for refreshments at the hotel. All walkers are asked to wear visibility vests.
The annual New Year’s Day walk will commence at the Rambling House in Knockfierna at 2.15pm, followed by the annual bonfire at 4.30pm. This will be followed by an evening of music song and story and all are welcome. Appropriate footwear is advisable, moving through the historic and very scenic hill.
The social dancing class will resume in Ardagh Hall on Wednesday January 10 from 8pm to 10pm. Eileen will be introducing new dances Two Hands, Shoe the Donkey, The Gay Gordon, Siege of Ennis, etc to go with the usual dances. It will be a great way to get rid of the Christmas excesses, in a comfortable hall with like minded people. The admission is € 10 and all are welcome.
CHRISTMAS WISHES: I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers at home and abroad and fellow correspondents, and Domhnall and Lilian and staff a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and a bright and cheerful New Year.