By Tom Aherne

The following are the Lottery results from  Neary’s Bar, Ardagh  on Monday, September 2. The numbers drawn were 13,18,20, and 21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Mary B Mullane, c/o Moloney’s, Denis Woods, c/o Moloney’s, Paddy Bridgeman, c/o Madigan’s, Dan Ryan, Ardagh and Mag Greaney, c/o Josie.  Until the jackpot is won two additional prizes of €50 will be awarded each week. Congratulations to this week’s winners Helen Costello, Coolcappa and Ciara Ambrose, c/o Neary’s. Next week’s Jackpot will be €20,000 and the draw will be held in the Thatch Bar.

We extend our sympathy to Eileen, and Richard Ambrose and family, Dunganville, Ardagh, on the death of Eileen’s brother Fr John Joseph Courtney, Mill Hill Missionaries, Dublin, Kenya, and formerly of Boheshill, Glencar, Co. Kerry, on  August 23, peacefully in the Beacon Hospital Dublin. He was son of the late John and Bridget (nee Foley) Courtney, and his ministry was spent in Kenya until he retired.  He is survived also by his brothers Patie, Donal, Jerry and sisters May (Murphy), Brid (Fitzgerald), sisters in law, brothers in law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, his extended family and friends and by his Mill Hill Missionary colleagues.

Reception of the body on Saturday,  August 24 at St. Joseph’s House, Mill Hill Missionaries, 50 Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin, was at 4pm followed by prayers. Funeral Mass on Sunday, August 25 at 12 noon in St. Joseph’s House. Reposing at Flynn’s Funeral Home, Killorglin, on Monday, August 26, from 5-7.30pm followed by removal to St. Stephen’s Church, Glencar, for 8.15pm reception of the body. Funeral Mass was concelebrated at 12 noon on Tuesday, August 27 followed by burial in Glencar cemetery. May he rest in Peace.

We extend our sympathy to Joan and Jack Ahern, O’Connor Park, Ardagh on the passing of Joan’s sister Eileen (Eily) Burke, Ballynoe, Ballingarry, on Thursday, Sepember 5. Reposing at O’Grady’s Funeral Home, Ballingarry last Friday evening, from 6pm to 7.30pm, followed by removal to  The Church of The Immaculate Conception, Ballingarry. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday at 12 noon, followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Sympathy also to sister Mary, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces other relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations and best wishes to entertainer Donie Nolan, Kilcolman who recently celebrated a milestone birthday. He was honoured at a Céilí held in the Flag Floor on Tuesday, September 3.

St Kieran’s defeated St Senan’s by 1-17 to 0-7 in Round 2 of the West Junior B Football Championship at Ballyhahill on Tuesday September 3. They were on top all through playing a good brand of football on a misty and mild evening. The forwards combined well to kick good points, and Dylan Moloney scored their goal before half time. TEAM Ray Noonan, Eamon Ambrose, Michael Murphy, Eoin Burke, Michael Shanahan, John Byrnes, John Buckley, Mike Flynn, James O’Connor,  Liam Upton, Dylan Moloney, Michael Upton, Eoin McEnery, Aengus Gannon, Brian Crowley. SUBS John O’Connor, Darragh O’Connor, Padraig Trant, Daniel Barrett, Dan Duggan.

St Kieran’s  defeated Father Casey’s by 1-11 to 0-7 in the quarter final of the County Senior Football Championship at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Saturday September 7.  They led by 0-4 to 0-3 at half time  in a low scoring first half that saw both sides kick five wides each. They gradually pulled away to lead by three points with five minutes left. A converted penalty by Sean Mc Sweeney following a foul on Donie Nolan saw them finish seven points clear. TEAM Rob Bradley, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Paudie McCarthy, Mossie Shine, Anthony Mullins, Brendan McCarthy , Liam Kennedy, Johnny McCarthy,  Anthony Molyneaux Noel Callanan 0-1 John Hayes 0-5, Diarmuid Crowley 0-1,  Sean McSweeney 1-3, Donie Nolan, Ray Cahill 0-1 Subs Darragh Treacy, Killian Enright, Kevin Meade, John Doyle. They will play Oola in the County semi final in Kilmallock on Saturday September 21 at 5pm.

An art exhibition of Sahajas work is currently on display at Friars Gate Theatre in Kilmallock. It was opened by Brian Maguire (Sahajas mentor for this year) an internationally known artist on Saturday, September 7 and it will remain on view for the month of September. Sahaja is living in Glensharrold and he uses old disused material to create his masterpieces. His work was already on display in Newcastle West and Dingle this year, and he has several new sculptures done for Kilmallock. It is well worth a view if people are visiting or passing through Kilmallock for the next few weeks.

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.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas branch held their Registration night for music classes  in Ardagh Community Centre on Tuesday, September 10. The classes will resume on Tuesday, September 17.

Irish dancing classes take place in Ardagh Hall on Mondays from 7pm, and Carrigkerry Community Centre on Wednesday’s from 7pm, for step dancing and 8pm for Sean Nos dancing. New dancers are most welcome, and more details from 087-1343745.

St Kieran’s Heritage Association held their September meeting in Ardagh Community Centre on Thursday, September 5, and 11 people were present with apologies from several others. Chairman John P O’Sullivan welcomed all and Secretary Mary Kury read the minutes, and matters arising were discussed. Mary gave a report from the West Limerick Heritage meeting, plus the meeting with Minister Patrick O’Donovan, and Gordon Daly from Limerick Council concerning the future of Ardagh Station house. An invitation from Ardagh Development Association for ideas for placing murals/signs around the village was discussed and forwarded to them.

John Hough spoke about his book on Mitchelstown Creamery which will be launched later in the month. He intends to have a local launch for family and friends in early October. The Sale of Work in November was discussed, and a list of possible stall holders and their products made out. The St Kieran’s Heritage Association will have their own stall, and a lot of variety will be on offer, including Christmas gifts. Next up is the William Smith O’Brien weekend (September 13-15) and the walk and talk to Rathronan Graveyard on Sunday September 22nd. Next meeting on Thursday October 4th in Ardagh Community Centre at 8.30pm.

The William Smith O’Brien weekend will take place from Friday September 13, to Sunday 15. On Friday night in Ardagh Community Centre at 8pm a series of talks will be given by Tim O’Neill Calligrapher on the script and decoration of the Ardagh Chalice, and Book of Kells. A native of Newcastle West he is a retired teacher and author.  Rev Patrick Comerford will speak about Harriet  O’Brien Monsell sister of William. He is a Church of Ireland (Anglican) Priest-in-charge of the Rathkeale group of parishes, and Director for Education and Training in the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe.

Mary Kury who is Secretary of the association, will speak on the life and times of Charlotte Grace O’Brien. The talks will be followed by a question and answer session and refreshments. On Saturday night also in Ardagh Community Centre at 8pm, three  speakers will  recall local people, places and events from past times, during a nostalgia evening. The Bobby Kelly entertainers  will perform, and refreshments will be served. On Sunday at 2pm a walk from the Ardagh Chalice monument at the Church to Reerasta Fort for a talk  by John Hough about the Ardagh Chalice will take place. All three events are free.

A Family Fun Day will be held in Coolcappa GAA Field on Sunday September 15 in aid of the Ardagh Astro Turf Project. It will be hosted by “6 Pack” (and their many friends) one of the Lip Sync acts from last year, and it will commence at 12 noon. The list of events includes Dunk Tank, Bouncing Castles,  Races, Long Puck, Egg and Spoon Races,  Games, Face Painting,  Pigtown Limerick Pig on a spit, Cake Sale, and lots more. All proceeds going to the Ardagh Astro Turf Project, and all support appreciated.

The annual Mass will be celebrated at Reilig Mhuire Graveyard Askeaton on Sunday September 15 at 3pm. All graveyard owners are asked to care for their graves beforehand. All are welcome.

The 88th National Ploughing Championships will be held in Fenagh in Co Carlow from September 17 to 19. Large Crowds will be attending, and the usual transport operators will have daily trips there.

Congratulations to Ger Conaghan Newcastle West, who won €274 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday  September 6. 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.