By Tom Aherne

I would like to wish the editors, staff members, fellow contributors and all the readers at home and abroad a very happy New Year. Many thanks to everybody who supplied items for the notes over the past year it was much appreciated. The feedback from people who read them, especially from those living away or abroad, is always positive as it keeps them in contact with their native place. I welcome news items, and can be contacted by phone 069-76143 evenings, or by email [email protected] and items should reach me by the previous Saturday for the following week’s publication.

Christmas came and went without any major incidents in the locality and the people celebrated and enjoyed their time off. A number returned to be re-united with family for the holidays, and we hope they all enjoyed their stay. The Christmas Trees lit up the local villages, once again, and a good number of houses, were highly decorated as in previous years. The weather was  mixed with a little of everything but no harsh conditions. It allowed people to move about to the many attractions that were on, around the locality. The old tradition of visiting the graveyards around the locality was very well observed with lots of people attending to their own plots. The Church attendances were on a par with the previous year, and we compliment all the choirs, on their performances, and all people who participated in the ceremonies. Thankfully we had no major accidents around the locality. We send get well messages to everybody who was sick over the festive holiday and a return to good health for 2018. Congratulations also to a number of people who got engaged  and tied the knot over the festive season. Thanks to all the individuals groups and organisations, who enhanced the lives of so many during the past year, due to their unselfish and voluntarily  efforts, as it is much appreciated.

The usual number of Wren Groups were out and about calling to the houses and entertaining the people, with their own traditional brand of music song and dance. The present Glensharrold group celebrated their 61st anniversary, and Carrigkerry their 35th. Ardagh Comhaltas, Coolcappa Music group and  West Limerick Charity Wrenboys were other groups that visited the locality. A visit from them can brighten up the Christmas for many people who participated in their young days. Saint Kieran’s GAA club held a very successful road hurling competition on Wednesday December 27 around the Ardagh loop, with the proceeds going to the Leanne Bennett Fund and Milford Hospice.

The Great Southern Trail Greenway walk on the same day was a major attraction in Newcastle West, with a record number of people participating. The six mile/9k from Barnagh to the Longcourt Hotel was a most pleasant experience, with lovely weather and nice scenery accompanying all along the way. The mince pies, cream and tea/coffee at the hotel was an added bonus. The four day racing festival in Greenmount was a big attraction for many more people, who enjoyed the thrills and spills, wins and losses.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Joseph Walsh, Kilcolman, and Catherine Hayes, Athea,  who were married on Saturday December 16 at Saint Bartholomew’s  Church Athea and afterwards at a reception in the Killarney Oaks Hotel.

The death has taken place of Mary Moriarty-Leahy née Davoren Ministerland, Ardagh and formerly of Brick Lodge, Clarina, peacefully at her residence on Thursday December 21. She lay in repose at St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Friday December 22 from 4.30pm until 7.30pm, and large crowds attended. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday at 11.30am, and burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her  husband Seán, sons Ken and Brian, daughter Caroline, sister Anne, brothers Liam, Sean, Pat and James, grandchildren, uncle Fr. Joe Kennedy, extended Davoren, Leahy and Moriarty families, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Thomas (Tom) Wright, Ballymoirisheen Ardagh late of an Garda Siochana and Listowel Co. Kerry. He passed away peacefully at Beechwood House Nursing Home in Newcastle West on Tuesday December 26 and he was predeceased by brothers John and Ted. He was 79 years old and mainly served in North Kerry spending 20 years in Listowel. He was well cared for by Patsy and family members in recent years, after been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, ten years ago. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West Wednesday December 27 from 5pm  followed by  removal  to Saint Molua’s  Church Ardagh. Fr Michael Noonan celebrated his Funeral Mass on Thursday at 11.30am, and family members participated during the ceremony. He was laid to rest afterwards in the local cemetery. We extend our sympathy to  brothers Patsy and Mike, sisters Mary and Catherine, sisters in law, brothers in law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Frank and Mary Moore Carrigkerry who recently celebrated their joint 60th birthday’s.

The Christmas Raffle in aid of Coolcappa Hall was held before Christmas and congratulations to the prize winners: €200 Estuary Oil Voucher Emily Madden, Afternoon Tea for 2 at Dromoland Castle Maureen Egan, Christmas Hamper Ciara Hayes, Rathkeale House Hotel meal voucher Kerry Vaughan, Chocolates and Wine Ailbhe Mc Guiness, Biscuits and Wine Mike Ruttle, Flower Arrangement Ali Mc Innes, Chocolates Andrea Browne. The committee wish to thank all sponsors, and supporters for their support.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday December 18. The numbers drawn were 5,14,24, and 25 , and there was no lucky Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the  five lucky dip winners who won €40 each:  Michael Greaney c/o Tommy Greaney, Siobhán O’Connor c/o Peadar’s, Anne Hollyhead c/o Denis Greaney, Connie Kennelly Shanagolden, and Jack Aherne Ardagh. Christmas Draw 2017 €40 each to Mike and Eileen c/o Josie, Séan and Teresa Downey, Lisgordan, Susan Moriarty c/o John Mullins, Pa Wilmott c/o Denis Greaney,  and Helen Costello Coolcappa.  Next week’s Jackpot will be €3,600 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s  Bar Ardagh.

The Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association trip to the National Museum and Dáil Eireann, Dublin on Tuesday January 23 is now fully booked out with two people on a waiting list. If more people are interested  a mini bus will be provided. Contact Secretary Mary on 087-9282462. The Heritage Calendar 2018 which includes the photo competition winners is on sale in all local outlets, and every household in the locality are urged to buy one, as it will be a lovely keepsake. The Ardagh History book by Mary Kury is on sale at Moloney’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry,  Greaney’s shop, Ardagh and Newcastle West Book shop.

A Park Run is held each Saturday morning in the Demesne in Newcastle West at 9.30am. People can run walk or jog the 5k distance in a safe and enjoyable location.

The set dancing class with Fiona, will resume in the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Tuesday January 9 at 8.30pm, and all are welcome.

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 enthusiastic  people. The admission is €10 and all are welcome.

The Kilcolman senior citizen’s  party will be held in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Sunday January 14. People who wish to attend are asked to forward their names to Joan Hayes, 069-60307 or Mary O’Connor, 087-6110396

A charity céilí in aid of Fr Chris O’Donnell SCA (Templeglantine) St Patrick’s Parish Mission Work  Argentina, will be held at the Devon Inn Hotel  on Friday January 19 at 9.30pm. Music by Taylor’s Cross Céilí Band  and admission is € 10 and all are welcome.

The death has taken place of Maureen Egan (nee Stack), Ballinvulla, Ardagh, and formerly of Stacks Carrigkerry, peacefully at her home in the loving care of her family in her 99th year on Saturday December 30. Predeceased by her loving husband Daniel (Dan), brothers Tom, Liam (Lee) and sister Nan. Her remains lay in repose at Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Sunday from 3pm, for five hours. Large crowds attended and long queues formed as people came to pay their respects to the well known family. Maureen was the last remaining member of the Stack family who came from Knockanure, Co Kerry around 1860 to set up business in Carrigkerry.

Fr Tim Curtin concelebrated her Funeral Mass on New Year’s Day with Fr John Duggan, Fr Eugene Boyce, and Fr Tony Kelleher, and family members participated in the Readings, Prayers of the Faithful, Offertory Gifts, and Reflection. Before the service commenced family members brought symbols associated with Maureen’s life to the Altar. They included her Rosary Beads which expressed her great faith in prayer and the daily Rosary which was always recited in her home. Her apron which showed her dedication to the work of the household. A bucket which was a symbol of her outdoor work on the farm, milking cows, feeding calves and pet lambs. A CD as she loved music and dancing and listening especially to Daniel O’Donnell, and Foster and Allen. A scarf as she enjoyed her days out shopping and her great interest in fashion.

Fr Tim recalled her long path through life during his homily which began on November 8, 1919. Her parents were Robert, and Mary and she had two brothers, Tom and Lee, and sister Nan. She attended Carrigkerry School which was next door to her home, and the Convent of Mercy Newcastle West. She worked in the family business Shop Pub Post Office, Undertaker, Auctioneer Provision Store, and farm until her marriage to Dan Egan in Saint Joseph’s Church O’Connell Avenue Limerick on February 2,1943. Together they raised seven children, at the family farm in Ballinvulla, Ardagh. Maureen worked long and hard all through her life, and her great faith and true Christian values shone through, and  which she passed on to her family.

Son John, on behalf of the family, thanked all for their help and assistance, and shared a few personal details before the service concluded.  He recalled her great faith, love of flowery potatoes, Paddy Powers, and that she will be greatly missed. She was laid to rest in Ardagh Cemetery afterwards, and we extend our sympathy to her family Brigid (Griffin), John, Ann (Mallow), Mary (Liston), Nora (Madden), Gerardine (Ger, Mullingar), and Teresa (Lawlor), grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughter-in-law Joan, sons-in-law Tom, Gerard, David, and Mike, nephews, nieces, friends and neighbours. May she rest in Peace.

Sympathy is extended to Kilcolman N.S. Principal Catherine Ferris on the death of her mother Elizabeth, late of Tarbert Co. Kerry.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Aoise Harnett, Ballinabearna, daughter of Bernie, and Pat, and Tim Crowley Bandon Co Cork who were married in Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Friday December 29 and held their Reception in the Listowel Arms Hotel. Belated congratulations also to Mary O’Connor, Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry daughter of Maura, and Paddy and Ben Logan, Australia who were married in Australia on August 6 2016. The couple who reside in North Queensland returned home and held a celebration party for all who were unable to be with them on their special day at the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Saturday December 30.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Eileen O’Sullivan Ballylin Ardagh who celebrated her 70^th birthday at a party attended by family neighbours and friends at the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Friday January 5. Johnny Ahern supplied the music and all joined in the celebrations for a most popular lady.

ADRSC held a New Year’s Day walk from Ardagh to Newcastle West and back on the Great Southern Trail Greenway. It was led by the Village People act who was the winners of the recent Lip Sync Battle. It was a very successful walk with a good mix of young and mature people participating.

The New Year Day walk bonfire and entertainment/refreshments in Knockfierna Hill attracted a large crowd again this year. It was dry and cold and the majority of walkers made it up to the summit to enjoy the great view of Limerick and surrounds.

Congratulations to Ray Cahill Ardagh who was joint winner with Claire Horgan of the Athea Utd soccer club Last Man Standing competition.

Saint Kieran’s held their annual general meeting in Ardagh Community Hall on Friday November 17with 30 people present. All the addresses, and reports were presented and plenty of discussion took place on club affairs, and the activities of the ADRSC which proved so successful in 2017.John Hough replaced John Aherne as Irish officer, and new members were brought on to the committee, and managers and selectors for a number of teams for 2018 were put in place. The others will be named in due course, before the new season commences.

The County senior football championship draw for 2018 was held at the County Convention held in Cappamore on Sunday December 17. Saint Kieran’s are in group 2 with Ballysteen, Oola, Father Caseys, Newcastle West, and Saint Patrick’s.

Congratulations to Paudie McCarthy, Noel Broderick, and Johnny McCarthy, who were the winners of the Road Hurling competition on Wednesday December 27 around the Ardagh loop, with the proceeds going to the Leanne Bennett Fund and Milford Hospice. Patrick Windle, was a member of the team that won the Knockaderry Road Hurling event.

The club are participating in the GAA National Club Draw2018. 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.

The Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association trip to the National Museum, and Dail Eireann, Dublin on Tuesday January 23 is now fully booked out with two people on a waiting list. If more people are interested a mini bus will be provided. Contact Secretary Mary on 087-9282462. The Heritage Calendar 2018 which includes the photo competition winners is on sale in all local outlets, and every household in the locality are urged to buy one, as it will be a lovely keepsake. The Ardagh History book by Mary Kury is on sale at Moloney’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry, Greaney’s shop, Ardagh and Newcastle West Book shop.  The next meeting will be held on Wednesday January 17 at 8.30pm in Ardagh Community Hall and all are welcome.