By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mary Kelly, Nee Conway, Main Street, Ardagh, wife of the late Joe, peacefully at Beechwood House Nursing Home on Monday, January 27. Reposing at St Molua’s Church, Ardagh, on Wednesday, January 29 from 5.30 to 6.30pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday at 11.30am, followed by burial in Kilscannell Cemetery. We extend sympathy to her daughter Margaret Sheehy, son in law Paddy, grandchildren Paul, Sinead, Michelle, Carmel, Natasha, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

As you may be aware a Waste bin is provided  in Ardagh Graveyard for wreaths, flowers, candles, and waste from graves only. Limerick Council stopped collecting this bin  due to the amount of household waste in the bin, which is not appropriate. We now have an agreement with the graveyard section of Limerick Council that this bin will be collected again.  However, if inappropriate  items are put in this bin, we will lose this very necessary service in the graveyard. Trusting that you will appreciate that this bin is necessary and not to be abused. Thanks to the graveyard section  for their continued support in helping us to keep the graveyard clean and tidy.

Carrigkerry Wrenboy Group held a very successful presentation night at the Flag Floor on Friday, January 24. A large crowd were in attendance and they enjoyed the best of music, song, dance and stories, and lots of refreshments. The members of the group presented cheques to Ardagh/Carrigkerry Tuesday Social Club and Kilcolman/Coolcappa Senior Citizen’s Fund.

The Old Mill ladies football club held their AGM in Ardagh Hall on Friday, January 10,  Triona Ambrose, the Chairperson, welcomed all and the various reports were read, presented and discussed. The following officers were elected for 2020. Chairperson Triona Ambrose, Vice Chairperson Timmy O’Donoghue, Secretary Deirdre Ambrose, Assistant Secretary Moira McEnery, Treasurer Margaret Upton, Assistant Treasurer Tommy Carr,  Child Welfare Officers Jill Liston, and Sheila Lee, PRO Moira McEnery, Committee John Liston, Pat Lee, Ciara Mann, John Doyle, Tommy Carr, Seamus Callaghan, Caroline Kelly, and Pat Horgan. Mentors for the various age group teams were also put in place. The club held their victory dance at the Woodlands House Hotel on Saturday, January 25, and medals were presented to the Intermediate panel who won the county last year. The Player of the Year prize as chosen by her teammates went to Alva Quaid. The club are looking forward to a successful year at senior level and we wish them well.

The annual parish clerk’s collection will be held on Saturday/Sunday,  February 8/9, in Coolcappa/Kilcolman Churches. This is an opportunity to thank Tony and Joan for their dedication and commitment for the work they do during the year. Joan has decided to retire from her role in Kilcolman Church at the end of February, after over 25 years service.  Fr Tim Curtin paid a nice  tribute to her in last week’s parish newsletter.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday, January 27. The numbers drawn were 3, 7,16 and 23 and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Kieran Madigan (online), Liam Liston, c/o D Greaney, J and M Kiely, c/o Sean Downey,  Dawn O’Sullivan, c/o Dawn’s, and T Greaney, Kilreash, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,400 and the draw will be held in the Thatch Bar Newbridge on Monday night. 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.

Michael O’Sullivan from the Saint Kieran’s club is the new West Limerick GAA Board Chairman, and he presided over their first meeting of 2020 at the Devon Inn Hotel on Tuesday, January 21. The annual West GAA All Star Banquet will be held on Friday, February 28 at the Devon Inn Hotel, and three club members will receive awards. Congratulations to Liam Kennedy, Senior Football, Pat Molyneaux, Referee Award, and Darren Dineen, who was a member of the Munster team that won the All Ireland Wheelchair Hurling Competition. The West GAA Scór Final will be held in Askeaton Community Hall on Friday, March 13.

Sophie Hennessy, Roisín Ambrose, Mai Kennelly and Iris Kennelly were members of the Limerick team defeated by Carlow 2-9 to 1-11 away  in the Ladies Football League Division 4 match on Sunday, January 26.

Carrig Celtic  drew 1-1 (Noel Callanan) at home with Newcastle West Town in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday, January  26. Carrig Celtic B drew 2-2 away to Breska Rovers B in Division 2. Creeves Celtic defeated Pallaskenry AFC 4-1 in the Quarter Final of the Riedy Cup

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.

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.

A series of free events titled “Putting your House in Order” will be held in two local venues on the topic of end of life matters. A lot of issues will be addressed including financial, legal, healthcare, and funeral arrangements.  Registration  for each event takes place on the morning from 10.30am and sessions from 11am to 2-30pm, with a break for refreshments. The venues are Woodlands House, Adare on Friday, February 7, and the Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West on Monday, February 10.

Athea Drama Group present the comic drama “Looking for Love” written by Westmeath playwright Jimmy Keary, in Con Colbert Memorial Hall on February 6,8,9,13,15,16, at 8pm.

Newcastle West Film Club present the French comedy drama Le Brio, at the Desmond Complex on Friday, February 7, at 8pm. After a racist outburst in class, a professor is forced to mentor a student.  The admission is €7, and refreshments available, and the venue is ideal, and the committee would welcome your presence.

West Limerick Singing Club meet on the first Friday of each month in Philip Enright’s Ramble Inn, Church Street, Abbeyfeale. Next session will be held on Friday, February 7 at 9pm, and all singers and storytellers are welcome. 

The West Limerick Set Dancing Club will hold their annual Workshop Weekend from Friday, February 7-9 in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine. The set dancing workshops will be held on Saturday from 10.30am to 4pm. Three Céilí’s will be held on Friday night Taylor’s Cross Céilí Band  will provide the music, Saturday night Neily O’Connor Céilí Band  both commences at 9pm, and on Sunday music by the Johnny Reidy Céilí Band  starting at 3pm.

Creeves Celtic soccer club are holding a family table quiz (questions will suit all family members) on Sunday, February 9, at 5.30pm in the Thatch Bar Newbridge. A table will cost €20, and great prizes on offer, and all funds raised on the night will go towards the running of the club.

The West Limerick branch of the Mental Health Association of Ireland will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, February 11, at 8pm, at Maple Lodge Gortboy, Newcastle West. All members to attend and new members will be most welcome.

Congratulations to Tom Cahill, Abbeyfeale who won €180 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, January 31. 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.