By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Ger Barrett, Ardagh who received the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Babbybobby at the recent West Limerick Drama Festival held in Knockaderry. He was a member of the Knockaderry/Clouncagh drama society who performed The Cripple of Inishmaan. Ger is a very experienced actor, who has represented a number of groups over the years, including Ardagh.

Ardagh Montessori and Afterschool  main street Ardagh is celebrating 14 years in business this year. It was established by the McGrath family in 2004 and run by Martina  and it currently caters for forty children from around the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish. They held a very successful Outdoor Event on March 8 which was attended by parents of the children attending the school and the local community. Continued success to Martina and members in the future.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association and the Fenian Pike men participated in the Saint Patrick’s Day parade held in Rathkeale. It was a dry and cold afternoon as  nineteen members paraded from the New Line through the street and past the reviewing area at the Community centre.  Mary and Paul Kury dressed in appropriate costume with a model of the  Ardagh Chalice, led the way. The 14 pike men with direction from Paul Moriarty displayed their skills as they marched along, receiving good support from the large attendance that lined both sides of the street. The other  members were Jim Kelly, Michael Ambrose, Todd Ambrose, James Ambrose, Mike Drinnane, John Keane, Dave Dillane, Cormac Behan, Paul Ahern Ger Barrett, Brendan Duggan, Mike Copse, Con Cremin, John P O’Sullivan, John Hough, and Tom Aherne. By participating in the parade the heritage association were promoting their links with the 1867 Fenian Rising and the 150 anniversary of the finding of the Ardagh Chalice

The AGM of the Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizens Christmas Party was held in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Tuesday, March 13. After the business of the past year was conducted the committee who have been in place since 2001 decided to retire. With only one other person in attendance there was no option but to wind up this committee. On behalf of the community who have benefitted from their efforts I would like to thank this dedicated committee for their hard work and commitment down the years. Their kindness will be remembered long into the future. It is most important that a new committee be put in place to continue this Christmas Party that brings so much joy to our senior citizens.

The death has taken place of Josie McCormack née Costello, Birmingham, UK and formerly of The Carnagh Line, Ballyhahill. Funeral will take place in Crewe, Birmingham on Friday, March 23. We extend our sympathy to her  sons Michael and Martin, brothers Timmy, Dinny, Ned and Tom, sisters Kitty, Nellie and Breda, grandchildren, relatives and friends.  May she rest in Peace.

We extend our sympathy to Eoghan, and Martina, McGrath, and family Ardagh on the death of Eoghan’s father Denis,  Mullagh, Ennis, Co. Clare (late of Coolagarranroe, Burncourt, Co. Tipperary and Annageragh Creamery) on Monday March 12  suddenly, but peacefully at home. Reposing at St. Mary’s Church Mullagh on Wednesday from 5pm with prayers at 8pm. The Funeral Mass  was celebrated on Thursday March 15 at 12 noon followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Sympathy also to the extended members of the McGrath family. May he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday March 12. The numbers drawn were 2,10,14 and 21, and there was no lucky Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Dave Connelly, c/o Bus Eireann, Patrick Windle, Knockaderry, Noel and Mary Woulfe, Ardagh, Helen Costello, Ardagh, and Helen Byrnes, Ardagh .Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,600 and the draw will be held in the Old Mill Bar.

Congratulations to Donie Donovan, and James Bridgeman, who were first prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden on Friday March 9. Congratulations to John and Peg Mulvihill who were prize winners at the card game held in Rathkeale on Wednesday March 14.

Carrig Celtic defeated Broadford Utd  away by 3-1 in Round 3 of the Desmond Cup on Sunday March 11. Sean McSweeney, John Hayes, and Killian Enright, scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B lost 3-1 (Tony Doyle) away to Newcastle West Rovers B .Creeves Celtic defeated Glantine  3-1 away in Round 2 with goals from Mark Hennessy, Danny Coleman, and Richie Hayes.

In the Desmond Ladies Cup Kilcolman Rovers defeated Kilbehenny 3-2 at home in Round 1 with two  goals from Kelly Mc Lean, and an own goal. Creeves Celtic lost 3-0 at home to Breska Rovers in the quarter final.

Darragh Treacy, and Sean McSweeney, (sub) from Saint Kieran’s were members of the Limerick team that defeated Waterford by 2-10 to 2-9 in Division 4 of the National Football League played in Martinstown on Saturday March 10. The County Senior Football Championship commences for Saint Kieran’s on Sunday April 1 when they play Ballysteen in Round 1 at 6.30pm, in the Bog Garden Rathkeale. In Round 2 on Friday April 6 they play Saint Patrick’s at 6.30pm in Clarina.

Friday, March 23 has been chosen as Daffodil Day which is the annual fundraiser for cancer around the country. Sharon Kinehan (Madigan) and Jackie Geoghegan, Ardagh, are holding a coffee morning in aid of the Irish Cancer Society on Saturday, March 24 from 10am to 2pm at Sharon’s house. All support will be greatly appreciated for this very deserving cause. Contact Sharon on 086-8106522 for more details.

A Benefit Night for Milford Hospice will be held at Jim’s Rambling House Newbridge on Friday March 23 at 8.30pm. All musicians, singers and dancers are welcome on the night. A raffle will be held for great prizes, and all support will be greatly appreciated.

Knockdown Vintage Club and Estuary Macra, are to hold a fundraising draw in aid of local causes in the Knockdown Arms on Sunday March 25 at 6pm, following the vintage car and vintage/modern tractor run. Tickets cost €2 each or €5 for three, for the valuable prizes on offer. The Variations will provide music from 4pm to 6pm, and all support will be appreciated.

The social dancing class resumes after the week break for  Bingo in Ardagh Hall on Wednesday March 28 from 8-10pm. Eileen will go through all the dances, and all are welcome.

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. County News on Wednesdays from 9.30pm to 10.30pm is a new show presented by Pat O’Donovan. A panel will discuss the items making the current news, and people can ring in and have their say on 069-66200.

The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival takes place across Limerick City and County from Monday March19 to Sunday 25. With over 200 free events in this year’s programme there is certainly something for everyone to choose from, with a diversity of activities that includes dance, art health and science, business and developing career options. Shanagolden Further Education and Training Centre are holding a  Positive Technology hour from 10am to 11am, on Friday March 23.and all are welcome.  You will be shown how technology apps and websites can be a positive resource for all the family. Contact Melanie Casey on 069-60106 beforehand.