By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Pat (Patsy) O’Donnell of Coolcappagh, on Wednesday July 25 surrounded by family and friends in the kind care of the staff of St Ita’s Hospital Newcastle West. He lay in repose in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappagh on Thursday July 26 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. His Requiem Mass was Concelebrated by Fr Tim Curtin, and Fr John Mockler, on Friday at 11am. Before Mass commenced life symbols that meant a lot to Pat were brought to the altar, including family portrait, flowers, and Liverpool club colours. Family members participated in the ceremony which was enhanced by the parish choir members. Chris read a touching family reflection, and Mairead on behalf of the family thanked everybody for their assistance before the final prayers. Fr Tim traced Pat’s journey through life during his homily.
Pat was born on March 7 1948 to Billy and Mollie O’Donnell and he had one brother Willie-John. He was educated in Coolcappagh National School and he was an employee of Shannon Meats Rathkeale for many years. He also worked on local FAS Schemes, and voluntary work around the village. With his wife Mary whom he married in 1979 they were caretakers of the local school. He was also involved in the upkeep of the local cemetery, and always on call to help out when needed. He valued the helpful presence and guidance of his neighbours. I got to know Pat through his involvement in soccer in the late 1970s, and he was a passionate Liverpool supporter. He was involved as a player with the first local team in the area Celtic Rangers in the 1960s, and later with Kilcolman, and Creeves. He served as a player, trainer, manager and supporter, and was always good for a chat about sport.
He was taken ill in May and after a two month battle he lost the fight. He will be sadly missed by family and friends and the community which he enriched by his presence for seventy years. Pat was laid to rest afterwards in Coolcappagh cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Mary, sons Anthony, and Chris, brother Willie-John, daughters-in-law Mairead, and Sinead, grandsons Killian, and Eoin, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends. May he rest in Peace. His month’s mind Mass will be celebrated in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappagh on Friday August 31.
The death has taken place of Bridget (Bridie) Flynn nee Copse of Ballymorrisheen, Ardagh peacefully at University Hospital Limerick on Wednesday July 25. She was 77 years old and a native of Ballyloughane, one of fourteen in family and she attended Carrigkerry National School. She worked in Shannon for a number of years, before her marriage to Patjoe, and move to Ballymorrisheen. They were blessed with four in family and very devoted to each other. It was a home full of family values and prayers and the Rosary were said daily. She lay in repose at her residence on Friday July 27 from 4pm to 8pm. Her remains arrived at Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday for 11.30 am Mass. It was concelebrated by Fr Michael Noonan, and Fr Brendan Duggan Athea, and family members participated during the ceremony which featured Bridie’s favourite hymns and traditional music.
Before Mass commenced life symbols that were dear to Bridie were brought to the altar. They included a family photograph to show her love and devotion to family members. An apple cake showing her role as a homemaker. A Bodhrán, for Bridie was very interested in music, song, and dancing all her life. A Liverpool jersey to show her love of sports, and the contribution made by family members. A bunch of flowers from her own garden showing her love for gardening and nature and the outdoors. Daughter Bridget, and son Michael, paid a lovely joint tribute to their mother, and her exploits before the final prayers. They thanked everybody for their support to date, and their father who cared so well for her. Bridie was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery on Saturday July 28. We extend our sympathy to her husband Patjoe, daughter Bridget, sons Michael, Patrick and Seamus, daughters in law Lisa, and Maria, sons in law Frank, and David, grandchildren Sophie, and Niall, sisters Mary, and Nora, brother Michael, and extended family and a wide circle of friends. May she rest in Peace.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to the following couples who recently celebrated milestone anniversaries; Jim and Joan Aherne, School Road Carrigkerry who celebrated their golden jubilee, and Tim and Noreen O’Keeffe, Kilcolman, who celebrated their silver anniversary.
The 2018 Munster Fleadh Cheoil was held in Ennis from Friday July 20 to Sunday July 22. Congratulations to all the local competitors, and prize-winners, which now will represent Ardagh/Carrigkerry branch in the All Ireland in Drogheda.
The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar on Monday July 23. The numbers drawn were 9, 11, 18, and 24, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won € 40 each: Julia Greaney Ardagh, Noreen Murphy Ardagh, Claire Green, Newcastle West, Tina Sheehy, Newcastle West, and Denis O’Sullivan, Newcastle West. Next week’s Jackpot will be €9,400 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh.
The Limerick GAA Club draw for July was held in Mark Foley’s Bar Ballygran on Friday July 27. Congratulations to Thomas Keane of Saint Kieran’s who won €1,000.
The Deel Animal Rescue team would like to say a huge thank you to the people who supported their collection outside St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturday July 21. A total of €146.30 was collected which will go towards the veterinary costs, which are very high due to the large number of animals that need to be treated. A big thanks also to all the people who supported their collection outside St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sunday July 22. A total of € 130.40 was collected which will greatly aid their ongoing work. The Deel Animal Action Group do wonderful work in rescuing treating and finding new homes for animals on a daily basis, and they need all the support they can get. It is a non profit organisation based around Newcastle West Rathkeale and Askeaton, and they are all volunteers.
Saint Kieran’s lost to Drom/Broadford by 1-15 to 3-8 in Round 3 Group B of the West Junior B Football Championship at Quaid Park Coolyroe on Sunday July 22. The team lined out showing several changes from the previous two matches, which resulted in a loss to Mountcollins and a victory over Granagh/Ballingarry. A Darragh Breen goal after a good passing move gave them a great start, but they only added a further point from Ray Brouder to leave them 1-7 to 1-1 behind at half time. Their opponents played a better brand of football moving the ball with quick inter-passing moves and with better accuracy should be further ahead. They kicked 9 wides as St Kieran’s struggled to contain them.
It was much the same in the third quarter as they added four points to trail by five. A second Darragh Breen goal on 16 minutes lifted the team as they took the game to Drom/Broadford who responded with three quick points from play. Points were exchanged as the play moved swiftly from goal to goal and the lead reduced to three points with five minutes to play. Drom/Broadford, who always responded to a score, kicked another point to give them a cushion. St Kieran’s kept attacking and they won a penalty which Darragh O’Connor converted entering added time. They continued to attack in search of an equaliser but time ran out on them. It was a spirited performance especially in the second half but the opening half left them too far behind. They play St Senan’s in the final group match.
With a full panel of players available for selection, they should be capable of progressing from the group stages. TEAM Ray Noonan, Eamon Ambrose, Gavin Hayes, Daniel Barrett, John Byrnes 0-1, Diarmuid Mulcahy, John Buckley, Darragh Breen 2-0, Ray Brouder 0-2, Darragh O’Connor 1-3, Aenghus Gannon, Seanie King, Owen Hayes 0-1, Evan Donovan 0-1, Stephen Lyons. Sub Tomás Moran, Liam Ward.
The annual St Molua Mass will be celebrated in Ardagh Graveyard on Friday August 3 at 6.30pm. It will be followed by rounds to the Blessed Well.
On this Friday August 3 the Bishop Lacy Stone will be unveiled at Ardagh Graveyard as part of the St Molua Pattern Mass at 6.30pm. A talk on Bishop Lacy by Dr Michael White of Madrid will be held later in the Community Centre.
On Sunday August 5 a 12k walk from Bishop Lacy’s birthplace Dromadda, Athea to Ardagh Community Centre will be held. A bus will ferry the people from Ardagh at 12 noon to the start, and the route will take in the Booster Station Rooska, Ballyine, Old Mill Dunganville, and on to Ardagh.
Congratulations to Margaret Hannon, the Square Newcastle West, who won € 280 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday July 27. Tickets cost € 2 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, or from the radio station. All support is very much appreciated.