By Tom Aherne

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Laura Enright, and Anthony Liston, both from Carrigkerry who were married in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Thursday May 24. Fr Tim Curtin performed the ceremony and the Reception/Party was held in the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Mary O’Connor (Jobbers Cross) Moig Shanagolden, who recently celebrated her 99th birthday with family members.

Best wishes to all our students who are doing their state exams in the coming weeks. It is a stressful time for all the families involved. Give it your best shot as it is only one small part of your life.

The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar Ardagh on Monday May 28. The numbers drawn were 16, 17, 18, and 26, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won € 40 each:  Patsy Griffin c/o Sean Downey, Pa Crowley Ardagh, Geraldine Dowling Ardagh, Pa Quaid Carrigkerry, and Eddie Hartnett Creeves. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 7,800 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill, and Vinnie Wrenn, who were prize winners at the card game held in Ballingarry hall on Saturday May 26.

Coolcappa was the venue for the West Limerick Junior B Hurling League Final sponsored by Ivan Neary of Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Sunday May 27. Feohanagh defeated Tournafulla by 2-11 to 2-9 and Gearóid Sexton (Feohanagh) was presented with the Man of the Match Award in Neary’s Bar afterwards.

St Kieran’s lost to Drom/Broadford by 2-12 to 1-10 in the All County Senior Football League Round 3 at Coolcappa on Thursday May 24. St Kieran’s lost away to Monaleen by 2-10 to 1-11 in the All County Senior Football League Round 4 on Saturday May 26.

St Kieran’s lost to Askeaton by 0-23 to 1-11 in Round 1 of the West Junior A Hurling Championship played in the Bog Garden Rathkeale on Friday June 1. They were well off the pace against a more physical and skilful side that were always in control.  Askeaton led by 0-12 to 1-7 at half time, and with wind advantage pulled well clear, scoring points from distance. St Kieran’s lined out without John Greaney, Pat Quaid, Maurice Shine, Darragh Treacy Donal Nolan, Seamus Mangan, and Sean Mc Sweeney from last year’s panel. The loss of experienced players from a small panel is hard to overcome, and young players will need time to adjust to the rigors of junior hurling. TEAM Cilian Ambrose, Billy Breen, Paudie Mc Carthy, Mikey Breen, Mike Windle, Brendan Mc Carthy, Anthony Mullins, Anthony Molyneaux0-3, Jack Ben Harnett, John Buckley 1-0, Johnny Mc Carthy, Killian Enright, John O’Connor, Danny Collum 0-5 Ian Mackessy 0-3. Subs Ray Noonan, Evan Donovan, Padraig Trant, Edward Fitzgerald, Mike Enright. Eoin Bourke.

Carrig Celtic defeated Athea Utd 5-2 away in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday May 27. Ray Brouder 2, Killian Enright 2, and Liam King scored their goals. Congratulations to Dave Dunne from Creeves Celtic who received the Division 3 Player of the Year Award. Congratulations to the following players who are receiving Desmond Schoolboys/Girls League Player of the year Awards:  Oisín Ryan Kilcolman Rovers, U 12 Division 3. Eoin Liston Carrig Celtic, U12 Division 4. Dean Quaid Kilcolman Rovers, U 14 Division 2. Conor Mc Mahon Kilcolman Rovers, U 12 Division 6. Méabh Kelly Kilcolman Rovers, U 12 Girls Division 2.  Leah Hayes Coen Newcastle West Town, International Cap Recognition Award.

The learners of VTOS Shanagolden are currently holding their Annual Art Exhibition at Newcastle West Library and it will continue up to Friday June 29. There are over 60 drawings from 10 mature learners, on display which they produced from their weekly class with tutor Maureen Barry Fitzgerald. The exhibition titled In the Making shows the works completed by first and second year adult learners as part of their Level 5 Painting/Drawing Module.  Melanie Casey the VTOS Co-ordinator in Shanagolden performed the official opening on Thursday May 31 in front of an appreciative audience, of family members, friends, and invited guests. Her words of wisdom were thought provoking informative and encouraging. Tutor Maureen also spoke about the benefits of art, and the opportunities available for learners, and wished all learners well in the future. The majority of the drawings are for sale, and they would make a nice keepsake for a friend.

Shanagolden are currently enrolling learners for the next Academic Year QQI-Level 5 Information Processing) which will commence in September. Participants must be over 21 years and in receipt of Social Welfare for at least six months. Mature learners will be taught new skills in Computers, Communications, Accounting, Work Experience, and Art. People who join the programme can retain their Social Welfare entitlements, and receive travel and meal allowance, Childcare support under CETS, and Career Guidance.  Contact Melanie Casey on 069-60106 for more details.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage meeting this Thursday June 7 in Ardagh Community Centre at 8pm, and all are welcome

The final Céilí in Tournafulla before the summer break will be held in Halla Tadgh Gaelach, on this Friday June 8 at 9-30pm. Music by Johnny Reidy and refreshments will be provided.

Friday and Saturday June 8/9 have been allocated as Sunflower Days in aid of Milford Hospice. All the money raised will be used locally to support the increasing number of people seeking to use this service. To volunteer or donate please visit www.sunflowerdays.ie.

Carrigkerry National School Parents Association are holding a fundraising bake sale in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Saturday June 9 from 12 noon to 2pm. All baking donations would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped in to the Community Centre before 11am.

ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services Limerick will hold a church gate collection in Limerick County on Saturday June 9 and Sunday  June 10.The annual Church gate collection is a vital source of funding to enable ADAPT to maintain the level of service for women and their children and your support would be much appreciated.  Volunteers who support the work of ADAPT are giving their time to help with the collection. ADAPT is based in Limerick offers a wide range services to women survivors of domestic abuse and their children.  ADAPT offers a one-to-one local service, court accompaniment and advocacy in the county, for women experiencing domestic abuse, 24 hour Safe Refuge and 24 hour Freephone Helpline 1800 200 504.

Are you living with Domestic Abuse?  You can talk to someone in confidence.  There is 1-2-1 help available, locally and privately.  You do not have to come to the Refuge, unless you want to, one of ADAPT’s Support Worker will meet you somewhere safe near you. You will not be told what to do.  You will be shown the options available to you and supported in whatever decisions you make. Contact ADAPT Services, Limerick, 24 Hour Freephone Helpline 1800 200 504 in confidence. ADAPT also offers 24 hour safe refuge for women and children 365 days a year and a range of other services.  See www.adaptservices.ie or Facebook, for more information.

West Limerick 102fm community radio are holding their Annual General Meeting  on Tuesday June 12 at 8pm in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West, and all are welcome.