By Kathleen Mullane

“Many Congrats”

The wedding took place on Saturday last here in Athea Church of Miriam Langan, daughter of Eddie and Teresa of Glenagragra, Athea, to Patrick Brouder of Glenbawn (Knocknaclugga). The bridesmaids were Edel Langan and Noelle McCarthy, the maid of honour was Anne Langan and the bestman was Liam Brouder with the groomsmen James Normoyle and Patrick Cregan, The nuptial ceremony was performed by Fr. Brendan Duggan. The reception was held at The Devon Inn Hotel where everyone had a brilliant day. Congrats to the newly weds and best wishes to them for their future happiness.

Happy “70th” birthday wishes are extended to Jim (Jobber) O’Connor of Gortnagross who recently had a great surprise birthday at the GAA Club in Abbeyfeale. A great night was had by all.

Breda Ahern of Hillside Drive celebrated her “50th” birthday at Brown Joe’s on Friday night last along with family and friends. Best wishes to her on this happy occasion.

Adult dancing begins at the Hall on Tuesday 2nd October at 9pm. Everyone is welcome and you don’t have to even have a dancing partner, so come along.

Well, this week is forecast for nice, dry, crispy, frosty weather, a big change from last week when “Storm Ali” hit our shores. The ploughing in Offaly was badly affected, however the organisers did their best in a very difficult situation and at least with the extra day on Friday – they were somewhat compensated for their losses.

Those who organised the Coffee Morning in aid of Milford Hospice last week, thank sincerely all who gave so generously to the cause.

Can you believe it, in the month of “September” some shops are already selling tins of Christmas biscuits and sweets, even my daughter Marielle in America tells me that Christmas trees and lights and decorations are on sale in many of the shops. The next thing we will be seeing is “Easter Eggs” on the shelves.

A great night is envisaged for Friday, October 5th when the Celebratory Social for the gallant 1963 and 1968 teams, who will celebrate their “55th” and “50th” anniversaries. There will be memories, meeting of old friends – guest speakers and a whole lot more. There aren’t many tickets left so be part of the memorable night. If there is enough interest a bus will be put on for those travelling to the Devon Inn.

By Peg Prendeville

Congratulations to Miriam Langan, Glasha and Pa Brouder, Glenbawn who got married last weekend. We wish them a happy life together.

Ballyhahill National School is doing a clothing collection at the moment so if you have any bags of unwanted clothes shoes curtains etc please drop them to the school and they will gladly take them from you. If you are unable to drop them just contact the school and a pickup will be arranged. The Parents Association wishes to thank all those who were involved in the bag packing on Saturday in Tesco. I have great admiration for the members of this association; they have given a lot of time to keeping up the school maintenance which includes painting, cleaning, cutting back shrubbery etc. They have been delighted with the help they have received from willing volunteers and will continue to appreciate a helping hand as time goes on. The school and grounds is looking very well at the moment. Well done to all involved.

On Saturday October 6th the famous Liam McCarthy Cup will be arriving in Gerald Griffins GAA clubhouse from 10am to 12 noon. All are welcome for photos and a chance to lift this famous cup on the day. Every club in the country is rejoicing this week on hearing the news that JP McManus had donated €100,000 to each county to be divided amongst the clubs to celebrate Limerick’s win this year.

“Healthy Ireland at your library” in association with Limerick Sports Partnership is presenting a talk on “Mind your Mental Health – a talk for adults” at Glin Library on Wednesday 3rd October at 8pm. This talk is of concern to all and all are welcome. It is FREE.  All libraries are currently promoting Healthy Ireland with lots of new titles in Health books. Glin library is open Tuesdays and Friday from 10 to 1 and 2 to 5. On Wednesday from 10 to 1 and 6 to 8 and on Thursdays from 11 to 2.

A Flu Vaccine clinic for Dr Eileen Cassidy’s patients will be held in Foynes clinic on October 9^th from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm and in Glin clinic on October 10^th from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. No appointment necessary. All staff will be on duty and no delay is envisaged.

By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Joseph Harrold of Sweeps Cross, Coolanoran, Newcastle West, on Friday September 14 ex customs and excise in Cobh, Co. Cork. Reposing at St Catherine’s Nursing Home Newcastle West on Sunday, September 16 from 6.30pm, followed by removal to St Molua’s Church in Ardagh. Fr Michael Noonan, and Fr Paddy Bowen, Concelebrated his Requiem Mass on Monday, at 11.30am, with family participation in the readings, prayers of the faithful and bringing the offertory gifts to the Altar.  Maura and Donie provided appropriate hymns and music and Fr Michael traced Joe’s journey through life. He worked with Met Éireann, and Revenue, and the majority of his life was spent living in Cobh. Joe was laid to rest afterwards in the adjoining cemetery and he will be sadly missed by all. We extend our sympathy to his brother John, sister Peg Mulvihill, nephews Tossie and Jack, nieces Marie, Margo and Roseanne, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Bridget Sheehy (née Hartnett), 66 Assumpta Park, Newcastle West, and formerly of Reens, West, Ardagh, in her 97th year. Reposing at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Monday, September 17, from 6pm until 8pm. Arriving at Newcastle West Church on Tuesday morning, September, 18 for 11.30am Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her sons Patsy, Mike, Richard and Willie, daughters Bridie, Mary and Geraldine, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, other relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Nora Ambrose, Dunganville, who celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West on Sunday, September 9. She attended and enjoyed the Ardagh Chalice Festival last weekend.

Congratulations and best wishes to all the students who received their Junior Certificate results on Wednesday September 12.

Congratulations  to Limerick who won the TG4 All Ireland Junior Ladies Football Championship at Croke Park on Sunday, September 16. They defeated Louth by 5-6 to 0-8 and Róisín Ambrose from Ardagh and the Old Mill club was half forward. This is her first year on the team and she linked up the play very well and never put a pass astray. A great achievement for her family, parish, club and county and her late grandfather Jack Bett Enright would have been very proud of her display and success.

Congratulations to Old Mill lady’s football team and mentors who defeated Mountcollins by 3-7 to 1-5 in the County Junior Championship Final at Mountcollins on Friday, September 21.

The following are the Lottery results from Reens Bar, Ardagh on Monday September 17. The numbers drawn were 5, 10, 21, and 22, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each, John Dillane, Ballinabearna, Emma Galvin, Ardagh, Ita Liston, Ardagh, Michael Greaney, Kilcolman and Aoife Liston Adare. Next week’s Jackpot will be   €11,000 and the draw will be held in Reens Bar, Ardagh.

The Ardagh Chalice 150 festival commenced on Friday night last (which was Culture Night) with a parade from Rearasta Fort led by the Fenian Pike men and bodhrán players to St Molua’s Church.  Fr Michael Noonan concelebrated Mass and the six parish quilts were blessed. Minister of State for Finance Patrick O’Donovan performed the official opening which was followed by a History Seminar and an Address by Sean Kelly M.E.P. The Hunt Museum Ardagh Chalice Replica, Sam Maguire Cup, and numerous other replica chalices were all present and greatly admired and photographed.  The events on Saturday featured GAA Blitz, genealogy workshop, busking, Rearasta Fort walk and talk, Comhaltas performance, Art Prize presentation and GAA talks. The festival continues this weekend and to keep informed people can source news on the following sites: www.stkieransheritage.ie https://twitter.com/StKierans

Saint Kieran’s lost out to Newcastle  West by 0-15 to 1-10 in the County Senior Football Championship at Knockaderry Gaelic Grounds on Sunday, September 16. It was a spirited performance against one of the favourites who scored two late points to book a semi-final place. St Kieran’s will play Monaleen in the Quarter final in Kilmallock on Saturday September 29 at 2.45pm. They trailed by 0-8 to 0-5 at half time, and fell five behind before a tremendous goal from Darragh Treacy brough them right back into contention. TEAM: Robert Bradley, Paudie McCarthy, Johnny McCarthy, Kevin Meade, Anthony Mullins, Brendan McCarthy, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Jack Ben Harnett 0-1 Liam Kennedy, Noel Callanan, Darragh Treacy 1-0, Anthony Molyneaux 0-3 Killian Enright, Seamus Mangan 0-2 Sean McSweeney 0-4. Sub John Doyle.

Creeves Celtic defeated Abbeyfeale Utd B 4-0 at home in Division 2 of the Desmond League on Sunday, September 16. Darragh O’Connor 2, Richard Hayes, and Kevin Shanahan scored their goals. Carrig Celtic had no fixture.

The card game has resumed in Ardagh Community Centre on Tuesday’s at 9pm. All are welcome and new players are most welcome.

The RTE Céilí House recording held in Ardagh Community Centre was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. It was due to be broadcast on Saturday night last but RTE were not ready. It will be presented by Kieran Hanrahan on Radio 1 this Saturday, September 29 at 9pm.

Desmond College Newcastle West night classes commence on this Thursday September 27 from 7pm.  They run for eight weeks from 7-9 and it costs €90. Gerard Greaney genealogist from Ardagh is presenting a genealogy and family history class, which should be very interesting for people to delve into. All enquiries to the college.

Applications are open at present for the 2018 Sport’s Capital Programme with a total of 40m on offer. Clubs and organisations wishing to avail of the programme, must register before Friday October 5 and applications can be submitted up to Friday, October 19.

A four week jiving class commences at the Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West on Monday October 2 from 8pm to 9.30pm, no partners needed and all are welcome. A series of social dancing nights commence there on Thursday October 4. The dancing is from 9pm to 11pm, and music that night by Dermot Lyons. Set dancing classes with John Joe Tierney in Con Colbert Hall Athea each Tuesday evening from 9pm. Set dancing classes with Fiona Buckley in the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Tuesday’s and in Monagea Parish Hall on Thursday’s from 8.30pm.

VTOS Shanagolden are currently enrolling learners for the new Academic Year QQI-Level 5 Information Processing) which commenced last week. 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.

Congratulations to John Kiely, Dromcollogher, who won €174 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday September 21. Tickets cost €2 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, or from the radio station. All support is very much appreciated.