By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Ita Doody, St Catherine’s Nursing Home and formerly of Sheehan’s Road, Newcastle West and Liskilleen, Ardagh on March 17, peacefully at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home Newcastle West. Ita was born in Liskilleen Ardagh in 1923 and she attended Ardagh N.S. Her working life was spent as a Priest housekeeper from 1948 to 1986 in the Cashel and Emly Diocese and from 1986 until retirement in 1990 in Monagea and then she moved to live in Sheehan’s Road in Newcastle West. She was housekeeper to Fr T Kennedy in Inch, Fethard, Ballybricken, and Borrisoleigh for 38 years in the Cashel and Emly Diocese. Ita was also housekeeper to Fr Howard in Monagea from March 1987 to November 1990 in the Limerick Diocese. She visited many places on pilgrimage over the years, with many visits to Knock Lough Derg, Lourdes, San Giovanni, Lisiesux and Banneux in Belgium.
She lay in repose at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home on Monday March 19 from 5.30pm, followed by removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception Newcastle West at 7.30. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Tuesday at 2.30, followed by burial afterwards in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Church Street Rathkeale. We extend our sympathy to her remaining sister, Sister Mary Julianna Doody, Convent of Mercy in Clacton on Sea, England and her nephews, nieces, kind neighbours, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.
The ADRSC committee are one of nine communities in West Limerick celebrating after receiving Leader funding totalling €1.4m for their various community facility projects. The Ardagh based astro-turf project received the second highest amount of €357,000. This will be a great boost to the fundraising which got off to a great start last year.
Jim and Patricia Ahern, Carrigkerry were guests on the Joe Nash show on Limerick Live 95fm on Wednesday March 14. Patricia is unique as she is probably the only lady plasterer in the country. She started out plastering with her father Jim 22 years ago and she is the sixth generation of the family being involved in the building trade. It is what she always wanted to do and she loves plastering in a male dominated trade. This has never caused her any problems, only receiving curious looks at times from people not sure of her identity.
There are a lot of technical skills involved in plastering and Patricia is a master of her craft, and the envy of many less qualified trades’ people. Jim is very proud of his daughter who he considers better than himself. Jim retired in 2005 and Patricia and son Ray ( 7th generation) are now continuing the family business. It was a lovely interview with Jim and Patricia who Joe referred to as the Hillary Clinton of plastering. Continued success to Patricia, and Ray in the future.
Mary Keating from Shanagolden retired from Ahalin N.S. on Friday March 23 after a lifetime of teaching. She spent many years teaching in Carrigkerry N.S. where she left a lasting impression on all the pupils under her care. Mary has left wonderful memories to all the children she has been involved with. We wish Mary a very happy retirement and thank her for her dedication and contribution over the years.
Muireann Donovan, Kilcolman would like to thank everyone who donated to her tea/coffee morning in aid of the Hope Foundation. The total amount collected was € 725. The raffle prize winners were Noreen Ryan, Marie Behan, and Noreen Noonan.
The following are the Lottery results from the Old Mill Bar on Monday, March 19. The numbers drawn were 6,8,17, and 23, and there was no lucky Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Mike Walsh, Shanagolden, Michael Magner, Ardagh, Majella Lenihan, Ardagh, Jim Geaney c/o Josie, and Richard Woulfe c/o Denis Greaney. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,800 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.
Congratulations to Mike Mahony and Mike Young, who were prize winners at the card game held in the Flag Floor on Wednesday March 14. The annual Good Friday game will be held on Friday March 30 at 9pm, and all are welcome. Congratulations to Donie Donovan and James Bridgeman, who were first prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden on Friday March 16.
Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Rathkeale 2-13 to 1-9 in Division 1 of the County Football League played in the Bog Garden on Monday March 19. The club have rescheduled their medal presentation to Saturday April 21. Last year’s minor and U-21 footballers will receive their West and County Championship medals in Neary’s Bar, and a fundraising table quiz will also be held.
Carrig Celtic received a walk over from Athea United in Round 1 of the Desmond Premier Division League Cup on Sunday March 18. Creeves Celtic lost 2-1( Mark Hennessy) at home to Abbeyfeale Utd in Round 3 of the Desmond Cup. In the ladies Desmond Cup quarter final Kilcolman Rovers defeated Charleville 2-1 away with goals from Ida Trant, and Kelly McClean.
The Ardagh cleanup will take place on Friday March 30 at 9.30am from the Community Centre. The volunteers will be collecting rubbish all around the roads, and all are welcome to drop by and help out. The people in Carrigkerry will also be out in force collecting around the village and approach roads. Individuals can also make a contribution by collecting the rubbish around their house and surrounding areas.
The annual Trocaire Lenten campaign was launched on Ash Wednesday and continues up to Easter Sunday. Please give what you can to help people like Kumba who is pictured on this year’s Trócaire box to build a new life after an unexpected landslide destroyed her home and her family’s livelihood. The boxes can be handed in over the Easter weekend.
The following are the dates and times for the Easter ceremonies in Ardagh/Carrigkerry: Holy Thursday March 29 Mass in Ardagh at 7.30pm. Good Friday March 30 The Lords Passion, 3pm and Stations of the Cross 6pm in Carrigkerry. Stations of the Cross 7pm in Ardagh. Easter Vigil Saturday March 31, Mass in Ardagh at 9pm. Sunday April 1 Mass in Carrigkerry at 11am.
The following are the dates and times for Coolcappa/Kilcolman: Holy Thursday March 29 Mass in Coolcappa at 7.30pm. Good Friday March 30 The Lord’s Passion 3pm in Kilcolman. Stations of the Cross 7.30pm in Coolcappa. Easter Vigil Saturday March 31, Mass in Kilcolman at 7.30pm. Sunday April 1 Dawn Mass Coolcappa at 6.30am, and also at 10am in Coolcappa.
Stage 2 of Rás Mumhan will be held in the West Limerick area on Easter Saturday, March 31 between 11am to 2pm approximately. It starts in Listowel and passes through Carrigkerry and Ardagh before finishing up in Athea. People are asked to co-operate with the stewards, race marshals and Gardaí, and traffic delays are expected.
The Old Mill ladies football club will be holding a bag packing fundraiser at Tesco in Newcastle West on Saturday April 7 from 10am to 6pm. Volunteers over 16 years who are available to help out are asked to contact by text Moira McEnery 086-8110634. The club are holding a clothes collection on Saturday April 21 and any clothes can be dropped to a committee member or contact Moira McEnery 086-8110634 prior to that date. The club are also holding a coffee morning (Mad Hatter theme) on Saturday April 28 from 10am to 1pm. All support for these fundraisers will be appreciated.
The parish mass times in Ardagh/Carrigkerry will rotate from the weekend of April 7/8. Mass will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturday evenings at 6.30pm, and in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sunday’s at 11am.