By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Kathy Fitzgerald, nee Reidy, of Corbally, Kilcolman, Ardagh and wife of the late Joe. Kathy was retired from farming and a homemaker and a very respected member of the community.  She liked her Bingo and cards, and she was out and about until her untimely passing. She lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home Shanagolden on Tuesday January 9 from 6pm with removal to Kilcolman Church. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday at 11am with burial afterwards in the local cemetery. We extend our sympathy to  her sons Tom, Seamus, daughters Martina, Kay, brother, sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, son In law, daughters in law, relatives, kind neighbours and friends. She will be sadly missed by all and may she rest in Peace.

The Carrigkerry Community First Responders telephone number is 087-9730692 and the Ardagh Community First Responders number is 083-8889963. People are asked to keep them close to their phone in case of an emergency.

The following are the Lottery results from Peadar’s Bar Ardagh on Monday January 8. The numbers drawn were 5,8,18, and 26 and there was no lucky Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Stephen Kennelly Shanagolden, John O’Connor c/o Neary’s, Denis Collins Ardagh, Marie Walsh c/o Reen’s Bar, and Thomas Hanley Creeves.   Next week’s Jackpot will be €3,800 and the draw will be held in the Old Mill Bar.

Saint Kieran’s 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 Munster Scór Na Nóg finals 2018 were held at Ovens Eire Óg GAA club Cork on Sunday January 7. The club were represented by the set dancers who performed very well but honours eluded them this time.

The West Limerick GAA Board All Star Banquet will be held on Friday, February 23 in Rathkeale House Hotel. Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s trio of Noel Callanan for U-21 A Football, Liam Kennedy for Minor B Football, and Michael O’Sullivan Past Referees Award who will be honoured on the night. Limerick GAA are currently looking for people to train as referees, and they will be holding training courses in February for interested participants.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Knockaderry following a replay in the 1977 West Limerick Junior Hurling Final. I am seeking the match reports for both matches and photographs, which were published in the West Limerick Board column in the Limerick Leader,  and Limerick Weekly Echo, newspapers.  The 40th anniversary of the victory has just passed and it started off a run of success for the hurlers, which eventually led to County success in 1985. It is planned to mark their success in the coming weeks.

Carrig Celtic B lost 2-1 at home to Athea Utd B at home in Division 3 of the Desmond League on Sunday January 7. Carrig Celtic and Creeves Celtic had no games due to weather conditions. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Creeves 2-1 at Newbridge to extend their lead to seven points with an extra game played. Dora Bury scored two for Rovers with Avril Dalton scoring the Creeves goal.

Limerick GAA season tickets are now available to order for the 2018 club games  under the jurisdiction of the Limerick Senior County Board. The price of this ticket is €100 and they can be ordered through the office by phone 061-335516 oremail [email protected]

West Limerick 102 community Radio are promoting their 50/50 draw 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 Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association trip to the National Museum, and Dáil Éireann, 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.

The set dancing class with Fiona is held  in the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Tuesday  from 8.80pm  and the set dancing class with John Joe is held in Con Colbert Hall Athea, on the same night from 9pm.  The set dancing class with Fiona is held in Monagea  on Thursday’s from 8.30pm.

The social dancing class resumed in Ardagh Hall  on Wednesday January 10  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 is 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 from 8pm to 10pm.

All singers, musicians, dancers, and entertainers, are invited to Jim’s Rambling House in Newbridge on this Friday January 19. The action gets underway at 8.30pm, and all are welcome to attend.

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 annual Milford Hospice 10k run/walk will be held on Sunday January 28 at the University of Limerick commencing at 11am. It is open to all runners and walkers of all levels and abilities, and all the proceeds will go directly to support the work of Milford Hospice, across Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary. Early bird registration is now open with a fee of €20. Participants can register on the Milford Care website on www.milfordcarecentre.ie or phone the Fundraising Department on 061 485860.

A variety concert will be held in Father Casey’s Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale on Monday February 5 to fund a cancer patients appointment bus. This voluntary group has a Kerry-Cork-Limerick Cancer Link Bus in operation at present, and they hope to extend the service into the West Limerick/North Kerry area. The doors open at 7.30pm and tickets will be available at the door and all the proceeds collected will go towards the bus fund.

The Thomond Archaeological and Historical Society will hold its first lecture of 2018 on Monday 22 January. This illustrated lecture will be given by Randel Hodkinson on ‘Limerick Related Photographs’. The speaker comes from several generations of Ecclesiastical Painters and Decorators and these photographs, which have not been by the public are unique and will be of interest to many. The lecture will commence at 8pm in Room T.1.17 Tara Building, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick City.