By Tom Aherne

The Carrigkerry Turf Futtin Festival  will be held from this Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25 in the pretty village nestling underneath Rooska hill.  All visitors are welcome for what promises to be a great weekend.  This is the second such festival and it commences on Friday at 7.30pm, with a Live Concert of local talent in the Community Centre with special guests the Robert Kelly dancers, plus All Ireland bodhrán playing champion James O’Connor. When it ends there will be music and lots of fun in Moore’s Bar from 10pm.

The action will move to the Sports field on Saturday afternoon for an action-packed sports day from 2-5. There will be races for children and adults, Bouncy Castles, Tug O War, Crossbar challenge, Penalty shoot-out, Bottle and Sliotar Competition and much more fun events. The evening entertainment will start at 7-30pm  at Moore’s Bar, with a Bar persons race, and all are welcome to try their luck. At 9.30pm, the action will centre on the  Bog man’s Ball fancy dress,  with lots of Ceoil agus Craic.

A Bog Walk from 12.30pm, will give people a chance to stretch their legs on Sunday and get some fresh Carrigkerry air.  It is a special guided walk by a local environmentalist showcasing the wonderful plants and wildlife exclusive to this area. Tea and snacks in the Community Centre afterwards. The Grand Finale will be at 6pm with the Turf Futtin Competition, where speed and accuracy will be vital to stand a chance of taking the male and female titles. The MC will be Sean Carrig, and it will be followed by the trophy presentation and a Karaoke Night in Moore’s Bar.

The death took place of Patrick Roche, Coolcappa, Ardagh, peacefully at Killeline Nursing Home, Newcastle West on Tuesday,  August  13. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Thursday, August 15,from 4pm, followed by removal to St Kyran’s Church, Coolcappa. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday at 12 noon followed by burial in Ardagh Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his  sister Nora, cousins, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Liam Kiely, Knockfinisk, Carrigkerry and Christine Kenrick, Shanagolden who were married in St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Saturday, August 10. The happy couple were joined by family and friends at a reception in the Devon Inn Hotel.

Congratulations and best wishes to Kit Egan, Newcastle West, and formerly Carrigkerry, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

The following are the Lottery results from  Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday, August 12. The numbers drawn were 20,23,24, and 27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Tara and Kathy c/o Moloney’s, Den Joe Doran, c/o Josie, Mike and Con, c/o Moore’s, C and A Woulfe, c/o Greaney’s, and MRL, c/o Ailish.  Next week’s Jackpot will be €20,000 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh.

Congratulations to Darragh, Mark and Noel McCormack from Foynes Yacht Club on board 188 Innocence who won the National Mermaid Championship 2019 at the Royal Cork Yacht Club Crosshaven on Saturday/Sunday August 10/11. It was their second year in a row winning the ten-race series.

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.

St Kieran’s lost to Kilmallock by 1-17 to 1-14 in Round 5 of the West Junior A Hurling Championship at Knockaderry on Sunday, August 11. They led by 0-8 to 0-5 at half-time, but Kilmallock dominated the second half to progress to the quarter final. TEAM John Greaney, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Paudie McCarthy, Killian Enright, John Buckley, Brendan McCarthy, Mike Flynn, Mossie Shine, Sean McSweeney, Donie Nolan 1-11, Johnny McCarthy 0-1, Anthony Molyneaux 0-1, Eoin Mc Enery Danny Colum 0-1, Anthony Mullins. Subs Cillian Ambrose, Edward Fitzgerald, Michael Steele, Padraig Trant, John O’Connor, Billy Breen, Mikey Breen, Ray Brouder, Stephen Hennessy, Dan Duggan. Management Chris Madigan, Aidan O’Rahilly, Noel Hennessy. 

Fr Casey’s defeated Saint Kieran’s by 2-13 to 1-4 in Group 2 Round 4 of the County Premier Minor Football Championship in Abbeyfeale on Tuesday, August 6. St Kieran’s defeated Croom by 5-11 to 1-6 in the County U16 Division 2 Hurling Championship to advance to the County Semi Final.

Congratulations to Leah Hayes, Kilcolman and Cork City soccer club who was selected for the Irish U17 soccer squad  who played two  friendly games against Belgium on August 11, and 14.

Róisín Ambrose and Iris Kennelly (0-2) Ardagh and Old Mill football club who were members of the Limerick ladies  team that lost to Laois by 3-21 to 3-5 in the Intermediate relegation final played in Thurles on Sunday August 11. Limerick will play in the Junior grade next year following their relegation.

Congratulations to Jack Mulvihill and Gerard Mulvihill  who were prize winners at the card game held in  Monagea Hall on Wednesday August 7. 

West Limerick 102 fm radio are holding their annual Church gate collections in Kilcolman on Saturday, August 24, and Coolcappagh on Sunday, August 25, Carrigkerry Saturday, August 31, and Ardagh on Sunday, September 1.  All support will be greatly appreciated.

The St. Kieran’s GAA Club are holding a  GAA 2019 All Ireland Senior Football Championship Final Ticket Raffle. First Prize 2 All Ireland Stand tickets, Second Prize 1 All Ireland Stand ticket, Third Prize 2 All Ireland Terrace tickets. The tickets cost €5 each or 3 for €10, and the draw will take place on Wednesday August 28, at 10pm in Ardagh Community Centre. The winners will be notified after the draw, and the result will be published in the local papers and on social media. The meeting of Dublin and Kerry will be a sell out and tickets will be hard to get. All support will be greatly appreciated.

The Ardnacrusha Power Station tours are open since July 1 and they are free to the public. It was part of the Shannon hydro- electric  scheme and Ardnacrusha took four years to build from 1925 to 1929. It cost more than five million to construct and 5,000 workers were involved. The guided tours can accommodate groups of up to 30 people and takes 90 minutes. To book www.esb.ie/ardnacrusha-tours.

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

Glin Development are holding an open day at Glin Castle on Sunday, August 25.

Congratulations to Aisling O’Brien, Castlemahon, who won €285 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday August 16. 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.