By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Adam Teskey (Fine Gael) Killeheen,  Reens, Ardagh who won a seat  in the  Adare-Rathkeale Constituency in the local election on Friday, May 24. He received 2,459 votes to top the poll at the first attempt. He had been co-opted to Limerick City and County Council three years ago. It was a different story for  Conor O’Donoghue (Aontú) Willow Cotage, The Commons, Ardagh in the Newcastle West Constituency who was eliminated after the fifth count. The turnout in Ardagh Booth 1 was 55%, Ardagh Booth 2 57%, Carrigkerry 51%, Coolcappa Booth 1 60%, Coolcappa Booth 2 57%, and Kilcolman 55%.

In the Newcastle West area the combined breakdown of tally votes in Ardagh was: Michael Collins 147, Tom Ruddle 82, John Sheahan 70, Jerome Scanlan 53,Liam Galvin 46, Conor O ‘Donoghue 34, Seamus Browne 23, Francis Foley 23, Christy Kelly 17, John Dalton 10, and Sean O’Mahony 0. The breakdown in Carrigkerry was John Sheahan 113, Michael Collins 75, Tom Ruddle 41, Liam Galvin 37, Seamus Browne 32, Francis Foley 26, Christy Kelly 25, John Dalton 11, Jerome Scanlan 11, Conor O’Donoghue 10, and Sean O’Mahony 0. Congratulations to Jerome Scanlan, Liam Galvin, John Sheahan, and newcomer Tom Ruddle, all from Fine Gael, and Michael Collins, and Francis Foley from Fianna Fáil who were elected.

In the Adare-Rathkeale area the combined breakdown of tally votes in Coolcappa was: Adam Teskey 337, Stephen Keary 98, Kevin Sheahan 41, Emmet O’Brien 20, Theresa Storey 18, Bridie Collins 15, Richard O’Donoghue 15, Trina O’Dea 8, Mark Keogh 4, Leo Walsh 2, and Mike Putt 0. The breakdown in Kilcolman was Adam Teskey 62, Kevin Sheahan 59, Stephen Keary 24, Bridie Collins 15, Emmet O’Brien 15, Richard O’Donoghue 12, Theresa Storey 10, Mark Keogh 8, Trina O’Dea 4, Mike Putt 1, and Leo Walsh 1. Congratulations to Adam Teskey, and Stephen Keary from Fine Gael, Kevin Sheahan, and Bridie Collins, Fianna Fáil, and Richard O’Brien, and Emmet O’Brien, both Non-Party who were elected. Commiserations to the defeated candidates.

Congratulations to Sophie Hennessy Carrigkerry and Kilcolman Rovers soccer club who was named  Desmond Premier Division Youths Player of the Year for season 2018/19 at the annual awards night held at the Longcourt House Hotel on Saturday, May 25.

Carrigkerry Community Centre shed was broken into on Monday night, May 27, and lawnmowers, strimmers and paint was taken. They were the property of the local Carrigkerry/Old Mill Community Development Association and are a major loss. People who may have information or who saw anything suspicious are asked to contact Newcastle West Gardaí on 069-20650.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday May 27. The numbers drawn were 11,12,15, and 24, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Charlie and Tom, c/o Reen’s Bar, Eddie O’Mahony, c/o Denis Greaney, Peggy Conway, Coolanoran, Eileen and Mike, c/o Josie, and Peter Buston c/o Neary’s. Next week’s Jackpot will be €17,800 and the draw will be held in Reen’s Bar Ardagh.

Darragh Treacy and Sean McSweeney from St Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick team that lost to Cork by 3-18 to 0-6 in the Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final at Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday, June 1. Saint Kieran’s defeated Monaleen by 2-7 to 0-8 in Round 4 of the County Senior Football League at Coolcappa on Friday, May 31.

Old Mill Ladies Football Club would like to thank everybody who supported their two fundraisers. They held a coffee morning at Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday, May 24, and a clothes collection in the Old Mill on the following day.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, Joan Fitzgibbon, Sean Sullivan, Mike Cantillon, Jim Dalton and Francis Woulfe, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday, May 24.

Congratulations to the McCormack family Glenville and Foynes Yacht Club on their latest sailing success at Fenit Kerry. Darragh, Mark, Noel and Róisín, and Michael Lynch, on board Stouche, were the overall winners of the J24 Southern Championships two weekends ago.

The state exams are in progress at present and it can be a stressful time for all students and their families. Relax get plenty rest and do your best as there is life after exams, and best wishes to all concerned.

St Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding their next meeting  in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Thursday, June 6 at 8.30pm, and all are welcome.

The final set Céilí of the season will be held at Halla Tadhg Gaelach, Tournafulla on Friday, June 7 at 9.30pm. Music by Uí Bhriain Céilí Band, tea will be served, and all are welcome.

This year’s  Hospice Sunflower Days are Friday/Saturday, June 7/8, and they are looking for people to volunteer to sell sunflower merchandise on both days. The proceeds will go towards the hospice and specialist palliative homecare services nationally. Full details on how to volunteer can be found on the website www. sunflowerdays.ie

On Saturday/ Sunday, June 8/9 volunteer collectors will be outside churches throughout County Limerick, to ask for your support to help maintain the services provided to women and their children where domestic abuse is their experience.  Your support would be much appreciated.  ADAPT offers 24 hour safe refuge in Limerick, 24 hour Freephone Helpline 1800 200 504, face to face 1-2-1 support in the community throughout Limerick city and county, support groups for women, play therapy for children, training in understanding and responding to domestic abuse for workers, healthy relationships programmes for young people.  See www.adaptservices.ie for more information on the many other services or ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services on Facebook.

The West Limerick branch of the Mental Health Association of Ireland will hold its monthly  meeting on Tuesday June 11, at Maple Lodge Gortboy Newcastle West at 8pm sharp. All members are requested to attend as there are a lot of important items on the agenda.

A finishing up for the summer Céilí  will be held in Monagea hall on Tuesday, June 11 commencing at 8.30pm.  Please come along and enjoy a night of fun and dance, all are welcome and there is no charge.

Congratulations to Orla Kelly, Monagea Road who won €361 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday May 31. Tickets cost €2 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, or from the radio station. All support is very much appreciated. New volunteers to get involved in all aspects of the station are needed at present. The roles available include research and studio work, fundraising and lots more. Contact the station if interested. 

Congratulations to Canon Frank Duhig who will celebrate 50 years in the priesthood with a mass in Newcastle West church on Saturday, June 15 at 12.30pm. It will be followed with a reception in the Longcourt House Hotel. Canon Frank is a regular visiting priest to Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish, and this is an opportunity  for parishioners, to thank him for his kindness and service to all over such a lengthy period.