By Tom Aherne
The Carrigkerry Turf Futtin Festival took place from Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25, with lots of events being held. A Live Concert of local talent was held in the Community Centre on Friday night, followed by a sports day on Saturday afternoon. The bar persons race attracted both male and female entrants on Saturday evening, and it was won by James Brouder. The Bog man’s Ball fancy dress, followed with lots of Ceoil agus Craic, and Pat King took the prize for best outfit. The Bog Walk attracted over fifty people and many visited Scotland bog as they did the Glensharrold loop. The Turf Futtin Competition was very interesting, and Eileen Flaherty retained the ladies title, and Tom Flavin took the men’s title. It was followed by the trophy presentation and a Karaoke Night in Moore’s Bar. Well done to the organising committee for putting together the programme, and to all who supported the festival.
The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar Ardagh on Monday, August 26. The numbers drawn were 2,13,15, and 18, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Nellie Kelly, c/o Josie, Con Lawlor, Knocknagun, Kitty McCarthy, c/o Tom Harnett, William Collins, c/o Neary’s and John R Kelly, c/o Moore’s Bar. Until the jackpot is won two additional prizes of €50 will be awarded each week. Congratulations to this week’s winners Arianne Reidy, Coolanoran and Mari Yamac, c/o Mace. Next week’s Jackpot will be €20,000 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Nell Shine, Ballyine, Old Mill who celebrated her 90th birthday with family in the Devon Inn Hotel on Sunday, August 25.
The death has taken place of Thomas O’Leary, Ballymorrisheen, Ardagh, and formerly of Liscannor, Co. Clare on Friday, August 23, peacefully at his residence. His remains arrived at Newcastle West Church on Tuesday, August 27 for 11.30am Requiem Mass. Cremation took place afterwards at Shannon Crematorium at 2 pm. We extend our sympathy to his wife Enid, son Philip, daughter Elaine, sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in peace.
St Kieran’s defeated Galbally by 4-15 to 1-6 in Round 5 of Group 2 of the County Senior Football Championship at Bruff Gaelic Grounds on Sunday, August 25. They led by 2-7 to 1-3 at half-time and continued their dominance to book a quarter final place against Father Casey’s. TEAM Rob Bradley, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Paudie McCarthy, Mossie Shine, Anthony Mullins, Brendan McCarthy 0-1, Liam Kennedy 1-1, Johnny McCarthy, John Hayes 0-4, Noel Callanan 1-5, Diarmuid Crowley, Seamus Mangan 1-1, Sean McSweeney 1-2, Donie Nolan 0-1, Anthony Molyneaux. Subs John Doyle, Kevin Meade, Killian Enright. St Kieran’s and Father Casey’s is fixed for Newcastle West on Saturday, September 7 at 5.30pm.
The St Kieran’s Club held a 2019 All Ireland Senior Football Championship Final Ticket Raffle over the last few weeks, and the draw took place on Wednesday, August 28, in Ardagh Community Centre. Congratulations to the four lucky winners: First Prize 2 All Ireland Stand tickets Caroline Wallace, Knockfinisk, Carrigkerry. Second Prize 1 All Ireland Stand ticket J Brosnan, Knockanimirish, Headford, Killarney Kerry. Third Prize 1 All Ireland Terrace ticket Sean Egan, Ballinclemisig, Ballyheigue, Kerry. Fourth Prize 1 All Ireland Terrace ticket Paul Moriarty, Liskilleen Ardagh. The club would like to thank all for their support which is greatly appreciated.
The Limerick GAA club draw for August was held during the Limerick Live 95fm Sports Show on Saturday, August 31, and Saint Kieran’s club had two winners. Congratulations to Donal Donovan, and Tim and Mary Mullane, who won €100 prizes.
Congratulations to Carrig Celtic champions in the Rathkeale Astro Over 35 soccer League, and Creeves Celtic who won the Over 35 Plate Final.
Congratulations to Donie Donovan and James Bridgeman who were first prize winners of the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday, August 23.
Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association members, and friends had three outings to mark Heritage Week. Twelve members visited Glenville House courtyard and gardens on Monday, August 19. Located on the road to Kilcolman the house is surrounded by almost twenty acres of classic parkland with mature trees and bounded on the south by a stream (Slewnaun) winding through a small deciduous wood, represents an undisturbed picture of the home of a member of the smaller landed gentry of pre-Famine Ireland.
We were welcomed by our hosts Owen and Margaret O’Neill, who are the owners since 1994. It was previously owned by the Massey’s who purchased it in 1763. They were a very influential family in the city and county and regarded as kind and supportive landlords. We were given a tour/talk of the walled garden and courtyard and two rooms of the house. We also did the river walk and saw the old original bridge, which was in use before the road was realigned to take it away from the house. We also passed by the ruin of what was an old icehouse, and lovely stone archways, plus a great selection of trees, and plants to view and enjoy along the way, truly a paradise of nature.
Secretary Mary Kury gave a detailed talk on the Massy family as part of the visit, with additional history pieces from Owen, Margaret and John Hough. It was a very enjoyable visit and thanks very much to Owen and Margaret for their hospitality. The house and garden are open to visitors for a few more weeks. Some of the members afterwards went to Shanagolden where John Hough gave a talk on the Creamery and Shanid Castle which they visited.
On Sunday, August 25 four members participated in the bog walk in Carrigkerry which took in the townlands of Knocknagun, Carrigkerry and Glensharrold and paid a visit to Scotland bog. A good crowd including visitors turned out and it was an ideal day for walking. Scotland bog is an upland raised bog and is now protected as a Natural Heritage Area. It is a haven for wildlife and butterflies, and moths were flying about, and in the bog pools dragonflies and beetles were swimming along the surface. The pink flowers of Lousewort were very numerous growing on the acid soil, and the Mountain Ash tree laden with red berries. The bog is a very popular place for walkers who enjoy the peace and quiet and being very close to nature. Refreshments were served in Carrigkerry Community Centre after the walk and enjoyed by all.
On Monday, August 26 ten members visited Ardagh Railway House to recall its past history and its importance to Ardagh village and surrounding area. The Limerick to Tralee railway line, was 53 miles long and it opened in 1867/1880 and closed in 1975/1977. During its years of operation as part of the Great Southern and Western Railway it was a very busy station, with passengers, goods, and livestock arriving and departing daily. Its importance led to the late Paddy Faley composing a recitation The Railway Line to Ardagh, which is still recited at local events.
The former Railway station was a detached two-bay two-storey building built around 1867. Having gable-fronted south bay to west (front) elevation and gabled block to east (rear). Pitched slate roofs with rusticated limestone chimneystacks and decorative timber bargeboards. Dormer window to west elevation. Rusticated limestone walls. Square-headed openings with limestone sills and six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows. Its stone construction and gabled form are characteristic features of railway structures of its time in Ireland. It incorporated a number of decorative features, including decorative bargeboards, which contrast and add interest to the rusticated limestone walls.
The house is now a derelict site, and overgrown, but the original stonework shines through, and remains as a monument to the workmen who built it. The greenway will be a great asset to rural county Limerick in future years, and several people passed by while we were there. The surface is due to be upgraded and tar macadam laid in future months. Toilet facilities and water points are also to be placed along the route, and a ramp put in place at the creamery bridge which will be a great addition for users of the trail. It was another enjoyable visit to a local site as part of Heritage Week, and thanks to all who participated in the three outings. The next meeting will be on Thursday September 5, at 8.30pm in Ardagh Community Centre and all are welcome.
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.
The Zumba class with Mairead is held in Ardagh Community Hall each Wednesday at 7.30pm. It does wonders for your health and it is a most enjoyable evening, and all are welcome.
The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Tuesday Social Club reopened after the summer break on Tuesday, September 3. It is held each Tuesday in Ardagh Hall from 2pm to 4.30pm, with music dancing Bingo and lots more fun and games. Refreshments will be served, and all are welcome.
The return of Céilí dancing is a sign that autumn is approaching and first up is the set Céilí in Tadgh Gaelach Tournafulla on Friday, September 6 at 9.30pm. Music by the Kingdom Céilí Band and teas served, and all are welcome. The West Limerick Set Dancing Club will hold their September set Céilí in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine on Sunday, September 8, at 4pm. Music by Taylor’s Cross Céilí Band and teas served, and all are welcome.
Congratulations to Helen Murphy Abbeyfeale who won €245 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday August 30. 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.