By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Patrick (Pat) Enright, Trieneragh, Duagh, Listowel, and formerly  Coolcappa, and Lees Solicitors, on Saturday, January 18. A native of Coolcappa Ardagh he was a solicitor by profession, who was highly regarded by members of the legal profession. His funeral arrived at Saint Mary’s Church, Listowel on Monday, January 20 at 5pm. His Requiem Mass was held there on Tuesday, January 21 at 11.30am followed by private cremation. We extend sympathy to his wife Bríd, children Aoife and Pádraig, parents Con and Elsa, siblings Donal, Siobhán, Neil, Elizabeth, Rosemary and John, nephews, nieces, Leonard family and extended family members, clients and friends.  May he rest in Peace.

We extend our sympathy to the family and relatives of Mike Barrett, Rooskagh, Carrigkerry who recently died in England.

Nora Kennelly, on behalf of the family and friends of John Joe Kennelly RIP, Cross, Ardagh, recently presented a cheque of €1,000  to Patsy Collins Unit Manager, Saint Ita’s Hospital, Newcastle West, in appreciation of the care love and support he received during his time  in the Rehab Unit.

Election canvassing continues around the locality with all candidates seeking the vital votes that will see them into Leinster House for the next term. Posters adorn every available pole in the villages and approach roads, and literature is coming through the letter boxes to inform the voters. Local interest centres on Kilcolman Con Cremin Non-Party who will be seeking the votes  of all his loyal supporters.

The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar Ardagh on Monday, January 20.The numbers drawn were 7,15,16 and 17 and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Eddie Harnett, c/o The Thatch, Marian Yamac, c/o Roche’s, Marie O’Donnell, c/o Neary’s, Eileen O’Connor, c/o Moloneys, and Maurice McAuliffe, c/o Nora Dineen. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,200 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday, January  27. The Lottery can now be done online by logging onto clubforce.com, go to “find my club”-St Kieran’s and just click on play lottery and play by card.

The hugely popular Ireland Light Up walking initiative continues every Wednesday and Friday at exactly 7pm for the remaining weeks of Operation Transformation. It commenced on Friday, January 10 in Ardagh and it was a huge success with large numbers and increasing each night. Participants are asked to meet  every Wednesday and Friday and sign the registrar at the Astro Turf Car park from 6.30pm. They are asked to wear suitable footwear a Hi-Viz jacket and bring a torch as the route will be along the Ardagh road Loop. People who do not wish to go on the road can still participate by doing circuits on the footpath around the Astro  turf. The club want everyone to come and join for Ireland Light Up 2020, and all are welcome to this free event.

The final Limerick GAA Club draw for 2019 was held on Limerick 95fm during the sports programme on Saturday, January 25. Saint Kieran’s GAA club unfortunately had no winner, and overall it was a disappointing year results wise, but financially important to the overall finances.

This year’s County Junior A Hurling Championship will be run on an all county basis, (to be confirmed at the next board meeting) and the draws were made at last week’s board meeting. Saint Kieran’s were drawn in Group 1 along with Doon, Garryspillane, Ballybrown, Castletown/Ballygran, and Caherline. There are four groups and the winners of each group will advance to the quarter finals, and the second and third placed teams enter another qualifying round to decide the other four places. I prefer the original divisional route of qualifying, but the east and south divisions were non competitive with few teams in recent years. Time will tell if it is the answer, and the West Championship will now be downgraded as a result of this change.

Limerick County GAA Board season tickets for the 2020 season are now available  to purchase for €100. This ticket will entitle  you to entry to all matches  run by the county board.

Carrig Celtic lost 3-1 ( Francis Moore) away to Rathkeale AFC in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday January 19. Creeves Celtic lost 1-0 at home to Rathkeale B in Division 1, and Carrig Celtic B lost 3-0 at home to Glin Rovers B in Division 2. All three sides occupy the bottom places in their divisions and will need vast improvements if they are to climb up the table.

Coolcappa National School is now enrolling for the new term in September. Parents wishing to enrol their children can contact the school on 069-76493, or email [email protected] for an enrolment form.

Ardagh NS is now enrolling for the new term in September. Contact 069-76353, or email [email protected] For an enrolment application form. An Open Morning will be held at the school on Thursday February 13, at 10am. After school care provided by Ardagh Montessori School contact 087-6814335.

The Irish Cancer Society is seeking volunteers to ferry patients to and from all public hospitals nationwide following chemotherapy treatment. The volunteers will need their own car and all expenses are paid. The service runs from Monday to Friday and volunteers will be needed on two days each month. An active email address is also needed and if interested make  contact by calling Laura on 01-2310594, email [email protected] or go to www.cancer.ie for more information.

Spring has nearly sprung and Saint Patricks Day is on the horizon and thoughts are turning to the annual parades. Rathkeale, which is one of the best in the county, have issued a call for floats and volunteers to act as marshals. Interested groups and individuals are asked to call Pat Neville, Rathkeale Community Council at 087- 2791240. Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association members  have participated in the past two years and been awarded prizes.

West Limerick Weekly Roundup on West Limerick 102fm is a new programme on Mondays from 7-8pm. It is presented by Shirley O’Regan and it includes parish notes from communities around the west Limerick area. Shirley also presents a show on Mondays, from 11.30am to 1pm, and an Irish programme on Sunday morning at 8am with a repeat at 3pm. Shirley is a new voice and very enthusiastic about her shows which are well researched and presented.

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association  annual general meeting will be held on  Thursday, January 30 in Ardagh Hall at 8pm, and all are welcome, with a special welcome for new members.

The annual (eight year) Milford Hospice 10km run/walk will take place on Sunday, February 2, at the University of Limerick with a start time of 12 noon. The new starting location for the 10km route will be P9 car park at Kilmurry Village and will finish at the UL track. Early bird registration is now open with a fee of €20 so early registration is encouraged.  Contact the fundraising department on 061-485860, or on www. milfordcarecentre.ie to register.

West Limerick 102fm community radio present a snooker exhibition between 2 legends of the game  Steve Davis, and Denis Taylor in a repeat of the 1985 world championship final which Denis won on the black ball. It will be held  at the Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West on Tuesday, February 18.  The event will also  include trick shots, Q and A session and a fun night with humour and stories. Standard tickets €25 (Doors 7.30 / Show 8pm) / VIP Tickets €50 (Doors 6.00pm / Reception at 7pm sharp). Admission by ticket only and tickets available from Longcourt Hotel 069 25300 or online at ticketstop.ie

A Night at the Oskers will be held at the Devon Inn Hotel on Saturday, November 14. Following the success of the two Lip Sync events participants have been eager to get involved in another major event in aid of the local ADRSC Committee who put the Astro Turf facility in place in Ardagh. The Oskers is a little different but it is in fashion at present and  will feature a selection of movies, and cast members, building up to the presentation night. More details as time pass, and casting night approaches.

Congratulations to  Liam Galvin Newcastle West who won €197 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday January 24. 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.