By Tom Aherne

If you have joined St Kieran’s local Community Text Alert and are not getting Texts, please contact, Pat on 0872750061. If you are not a part of the Community Alert Group and would like to join, please contact same number. The text alert service covers the Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Kilcolman /Coolcappagh areas.

We extend sympathy to Eddie and Eileen Behan and family, Carrigkerry, on the death of Eddie’s brother John Joe of Cluain Mhuire, Pallaskenry and Shanagolden.  Predeceased by his partner Irene.  He lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden on Thursday, August 8 from 5pm, followed by removal to St Senan’s Church, Shanagolden. The funeral Mass was celebrated there on Friday morning at 11am, followed by burial in Kilcornan Cemetery. Sympathy also to his extended family members, and may he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s  Bar, Ardagh on Monday, August 5. The numbers drawn were 4,11,20, and 26, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Cathal O’Brien c/o D Greaney, Sean Bridgeman, c/o D Greaney, Pat Flynn, c/o Neary’s, Darren Daly, c/o Moira, and Mairead and Damien, c/o Peg O’Connor.  Next week’s Jackpot will be €19,800 and the draw will be held in Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry.

The annual St Molua’s Mass was celebrated in Ardagh Graveyard by Fr Michael Noonan on Monday, August 5. One of the largest crowds in recent years were in attendance, and the choir members added to the occasion. A heavy shower of rain at the end of Mass, put a damper on the Rosary, and rounds at St Molua’s Well. Fr Tim O’Leary, Bulgaden/Martinstown, celebrated the annual Graveyard Mass in Kilbradern on Sunday, July 14. It was warm and sunny, and the crowd was similar in size to previous years. Fr Tim blessed the graves, as family members stood beside their family plots. It is nice to see the old tradition graveyard Mass survive in these present times, without opposition from some group opposed to the Catholic Church.

Róisín Ambrose was a member of the Limerick camogie team that were defeated by Tipperary 1-10 to 1-5  in the All Ireland Senior Championship Quarter Final at Thurles on Saturday,  August 3.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill and John Wall, and Moss O’Connor and Joan Fitzgibbon, who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday August 2.

Congratulations and best wishes to all who received their Leaving Certificate, and Leaving Certificate Applied  results on Tuesday, August 13.

The Charity Céilí in aid of the Irish Cancer Society held in the Resource Centre Knockaderry on Friday, August 9, with music by the Striolan Céilí Band was a wonderful success. It was a great night of set dancing with 14 set groups on the floor all night.  A mountain of food was provided, and  lovely tea/coffee and delicious treats were served, and lovely prizes won in the raffle. Theresa and Deirdre would like to thank all who supported the night in any way, and a total of €1,514 was raised for ICS. Our thanks to Theresa and Deirdre for giving of their time so unselfishly  to raise so much money over the years they are running this charity Céilí.

Congratulations to our neighbours Athea whose library is featured on a new commemorative stamp to mark the centenary of the death of Andrew Carnegie the Scottish born philanthropist. His grants over a 16-year period (1897-1913) helped to build 80 libraries throughout  Ireland. Athea Library, which was renovated recently, is a lovely building and it is a great honour for the village,to be included in the four stamps that are available for sale. The other buildings are Enniskerry in Wicklow, Clondalkin Dublin and Kilkenny City.

The annual Mass at Barrigone Well will be held on Thursday, August 15 at 3pm. Following the Mass, a family fun day will be held at 4pm on O’Shaughnessy’s Farm in Hazelfield Barrigone, Askeaton. The list of events include: lawnmower racing, voice of Barrigone singing competition, fun run, dog show, 5-A-Side soccer, vintage and modern tractor/car run, roll the bale, children’s treasure hunt, face painting, craft stalls, bouncy castles, live music in the marquee, and lots more. The event is being held to raise funds for the Butterfly Club. Please support generously for this club who wonderful work for the youth.

Heritage Week will be held from Saturday, August 17 to Sunday, August 25 all over Ireland with 2,000 plus events due to be held. Glenville House, Ardagh  will be open during Heritage Week: Tue-Sat, 9.30am-1.30pm. The Desmond Castle in Newcastle West  is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm. Admission and guided tours are completely free of charge. Call 069 – 77408 to find out more. All events are listed on www.heritageweek.ie

The annual cemetery Mass will be celebrated in Coolcappa Cemetery on Sunday, August 18 at 10am, which is the normal Sunday Mass time. The annual Mass in  Clounagh Cemetery  has been deferred until Fr Tim is back.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding a walk to Rathronan Graveyard on Sunday, August 25, to mark Heritage Week. It will start at 2pm from Ardagh Community Centre, and proceed  to Cahermoyle house gate,  then on to Rathronan by the Dark Road, past Glenville and along the Foynes Road to the Graveyard. Talk at the Graveyard, weather permitting or back to the Community Centre for tea and talk. Glenville House will be open during Heritage Week: Tue-Sat, 9.30am-1.30pm. The next meeting of the Association will be held on Thursday August 15, at 8.30pm in Ardagh Community Centre, and all are welcome.

Mass will be celebrated at Ballyine Mass rock on Thursday August 22 at 7.30pm.

Congratulations to Peggy Greaney Broadford who won €286 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, August 9. 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.

Mark Cagney bid farewell to Ireland AM on Virgin Media 1/TV3 on July 31, after 20 years presenting the very popular morning show. In his younger days he was a DJ and a Radio 2FM presenter. I always enjoyed his interviews on Ireland AM, and his style of questioning will be missed.

John Duggan, songwriter of many well-known songs and monologues, recently  passed away aged 85. He was a retired Garda from the west of Ireland and he had a lovely speaking voice for Radio. The songs he wrote included The Old Thrashing Mill, The Rose of Castleree, The Roads of Kildare and Shoe the Donkey. His GAA monologues were a trip down memory lane, mentioning the great players and teams.

Danny Doyle, the Dublin ballad and folk singer, died in Virginia USA on Tuesday, August 6 aged 79 years. He impacted on the Irish entertainment scene back in the 1960s with Whiskey on a Sunday, Daisy a Day and Step it out Mary, to name a few. He was also part of the Showband scene with Maxi and Juke Box. Maxi sang the pop songs, and Danny the slower sets. He moved to the USA in the 1980s and continued his singing career until he lost his singing voice in 2010 following an operation. May they rest in Peace.