By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Michael Geoghegan, Crossabeigh, Knockbridge, Louth, and formerly of Glensharrold, Carrigkerry on Wednesday, February 19 peacefully in the presence of his family in the kind and gentle care of the staff at Our lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. He was predeceased by his brothers Tommy, Patsy, Joe and Sean, sister Mary, and son-in-law Brian Worrall. Michael was in his eighties and he spent most of his working life in England, before retiring back to Ireland. He was a regular visitor to Glensharrold over the years, and he would light up a room with his humour, and tales of times past. His last visit was a few years ago when he attended Mass in Carrigkerry and joined the chat outside the chapel gate. He survived several health scares in recent years before his final illness, and he will be sadly missed by all.
Reposing took place at Dixons Funeral Home on Thursday, between 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday morning at 11 o’clock in St Mary’s Church, Knockbridge followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Alice, daughters Anne and Pauline, son-in-law Hugh McBride, grandchildren Olivia, Emma, David and Niall, brother Tony, sister Sr. Joan, nieces, nephews, extended family neighbours and by all who knew him. May he rest in Peace.
St Kieran’s Heritage Association held their February meeting in Ardagh Hall on Thursday 13, and 14 people were present, with apologies from a few others. Chairperson John P O’Sullivan welcomed all and Secretary Mary Kury read the minutes, and matters arising were dealt with. Ger Greaney was elected as Vice-Chairperson, and the other two positions not filled at the AGM, (Secretary, and Social Events Secretary) will hopefully be filled at the next meeting. The publishing of a journal later in the year which would include interviews with people from the locality was discussed and will likely go ahead. Secretary Mary Kury gave an update from the West Limerick Heritage meeting, and the Kevin Danaher talk held in Rathkeale. She is also corresponding with people in Australia, regarding Jim Quinn’s grave. The condition of the farm implements and machinery ( full of rust) at Bunratty Folk Park was discussed, as was the Monument in Coolcappa, which will be upgraded.
Cheques were presented to Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizens Association represented by Nora Kennelly, and the Brothers of Charity which was accepted on their behalf by Marie Dooley. The money came from the proceeds of the Christmas Fayre, which was a great success, when held on November 24, last. Events coming up shortly include a Pub Quiz at Reens Bar Ardagh on Saturday February 22, at 9-30pm, with lots of interesting questions, fun and discussion. A talk night will be held on Friday February 28, at 8pm in Ardagh Community Centre. The speakers are Nora Kennelly, Eileen Flynn O Sullivan and Sheila O’Regan. The talks will be about 15 minutes long, followed by a question and answer session. Refreshments and chat will follow, and all are welcome. The next meeting will be on Thursday March 5, at 8pm in Ardagh Hall and new members are always welcome to get involved.
Oskar fever has gripped the local community and curiosity has been building for a few weeks now about the forthcoming fundraising event on Saturday, November 14 in the Devon Inn Hotel. An information night will be held on Friday March 6, in Ardagh Hall at 9pm to explain to everyone the process and the plan for this event. Martin Foran, who was involved on the first Lip Sync in 2017, will be present to answer any questions on the event that people might have. It would be great if as many people as possible came to this short meeting and attendance would be absolutely without any obligation to take part. It would be lovely if people who aren’t involved in either organization but had an interest in getting involved in the Oskars came along. They would be very welcome.
This is a joint ADRSC and St Kieran’s GAA fundraiser. The ADRSC are hoping to help raise funds to develop a much-needed walking path around the community field in Ardagh and St Kieran’s are fundraising for development work on the GAA grounds in Coolcappa. This information meeting is the start, so hopefully people can come along on March 6, to get a better understanding on this exciting upcoming event in late 2020.
The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Monday February 17. The numbers drawn were 2,3,5 and 27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each: Eileen Greene, c/o Foley’s, Jason O’Donovan, Ardagh, Moss O’Connor c/o Moore’s, Denjoe Doran, c/o Josie, and Willie Treacy, c/o Neary’s. Next week’s Jackpot will be €6,000 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar, Ardagh 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 pay by card.
The Munster final of Ceol an Gheimhridh was held at Hazelwood College Dromcollogher on Sunday, February 16. Congratulations to Ardagh/Carrigkerry members who won the U-14 four hand Céilí dancing event. Well done to Mya, Aoife, Cliodhna and James. Natasha who worked with them and Donie Nolan who played the music.
Congratulations to Roisín Ambrose, Ardagh who lined out at centre field for U.L. in the Ashbourne Cup collecting her second third level medal. In the semi-final they defeated WIT by 1-6 to 1-5, and in the final on Sunday February 16, they defeated UCC by 3-14 to 0-12. The matches were played at WIT in Waterford, and UL completed the five in a row of wins.
The West Limerick GAA Board met in the Devon Inn Hotel on Monday, February 11, and the draws for the 2020 season were held. Saint Kieran’s will compete in four of their events as follows. In the senior football championship, they play Ballysteen in the quarter final. In the junior B football championship, they are in Group 1 with Ballysteen, Knockaderry, Saint Senan’s and Athea, with the top three teams advancing after the round robin of matches. In the junior B football league, they are in Group 1 with Granagh/Ballingarry, Knockaderry, and Saint Senan’s with the top team advancing to the final. In the junior A hurling championship, they play Drom-Broadford in the quarter final.
The club had three players John Hayes (UL), Liam Kennedy (UCC) and Michael Shanahan (ITT) taking part in the All Ireland Fresher’s Football Championship with their respective colleges in recent weeks. John (0-1) and Liam were members of the Limerick team that defeated Tipperary in the Quarter Final of the Munster U-20 Championship at Neville Park Rathkeale by 0-7 to 0-6 on Wednesday February 19.
The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Tuesday Social Club returned after the Winter break on Tuesday February 18. They meet weekly from 2-4-30pm, and everyone is welcome to come along for a game of Bingo, exercises, music, stories, song, and dance, with birthday celebrations, and a break for refreshments. New members are most welcome.
The Zumba class (€7) with Mairead is held in Ardagh Community Hall each Thursday at 7.30pm. It does wonders for your health and it is a most enjoyable evening, and all are welcome.
Ardagh Drama Group are performing “Nobody is Talking to Me” in Castlemahon Hall on Thursday, February 27, Saturday February 29, and Sunday March 1. Curtin up at 8pm each night and admission is €10, and all support appreciated.
Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding a talk night on Friday, February 28, at 8pm in Ardagh Community Centre. The speakers are Nora Kennelly, Eileen Flynn O’Sullivan and Sheila O’Regan. The talks will be about 15 minutes long, followed by a question and answer session. Refreshments and chat will follow, and all are welcome.
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 Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF) are seeking volunteers for their annual Lollipop Day, which will be held on Friday and Saturday February 28/29. This national charity hosts its fundraiser by selling lollipops at €3 to help raise funds across the country. To volunteer please register at www. ocf.ie/register-for-lollipop-day-2020/. Contact Anne on 086-4542713 for more details or to donate.
The official launch of the Limerick GAA Club draw for 2020 took place at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare on Monday, February 10. The cost to join is €10 each month or €100 for the year, and a minimum of 50% goes directly to the club, (depending on the numbers joined) and the other 50% to support the county teams. The first prize each month is €10,000, with cash prizes ranging down from €3,000, to €2,000, 1,000, €500, €250, and €100. Thirty prizes in total each month, with a special prize added this year. The first special monthly prize will be a family weekend away to the Activity Centre in Longford. The first draw will take place on Limerick Live 95fm, during the sports programme on Saturday, April 4. Saint Kieran’s are accepting members at present, in person or online.
Congratulations to Anthony Pickford Carew Park Limerick, who won €185 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, February 21. 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.