by Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of John better known as Jack Mulvihill14 O’Connor Park, Ardagh, at UHL on Thursday March 12. The Mulvihill family came from Athea to live in Glensharrold in the 1960s, and Jack attended Carrigkerry School. He played games with the locals, and was a member of the Glensharrold 4 ( Mike Ahern, Mike Kiely, and Tom Aherne) who ran a successful Summer Soccer Tournament from 1976 to 1979.He was also a member of the first youth club set up in Carrigkerry in 1974 whose headquarters was the campaign House. Jack was a great worker who used his strength to good effect in various occupations. He liked stonework and he was always available to help when needed. He liked to play cards, darts, and Bingo in his spare time. Jack was always cheerful and outgoing, and he mixed well with the people, and he will be sadly missed.
Reposing was held at St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael Noonan on Sunday March 15, at 12.30pm, and
Jack was laid to rest afterwards in the local cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Maureen, son Gerard. granddaughter Skye, daughter-in-law Lisa, brother Jimmy, sisters Kathleen and Maisie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
The death has also taken place of Anthony John Glenastar Ardagh at UHL on Monday March 9. Since his arrival in Glenastar, he settled in well and made a big impression on his neighbours and friends, with his welcome smile and kind deeds. He was a real countryman who loved his chickens and pets, and his trips on the social bus. Cremation took place at Shannon Crematorium on Friday March 20. We extend our sympathy to his relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
We extend our sympathy to Mary and Pat Flynn and family Rathreigh Ardagh, on the death of Mary’s sister Betty Walsh nee Roche, which took place in England. May she rest in Peace.
The Saint Kieran’s area response team was set up in Ardagh Hall on Saturday March 14, following a well attended meeting. It was set up to help housebound people with their shopping and medical needs. Paul Moriarty who works in the volunteering sector addressed the meeting and explained how it would work. Following participating from other decisions were arrived at and volunteers were signed up. The catchment area was divided into seven sub areas, Ardagh, Carrigkerry, Coolcappa, Coolanoran, Creeves, Kilcolman, and Old Mill. Flyers with lists of volunteers and contact details from each area was delivered to all households.
The group with assistance from shops and pharmacies has agreed strict hygiene protocols, when delivering items to houses, so volunteers don’t pass the virus to the vulnerable parishioners. These include using disposable gloves and the pledge to never enter a house. The bottom line is that each shopper will be personally known to each person requiring the service. To date several people have availed of the service. All people are asked to be sensible in these dark times and follow the health and safety guidelines, so that all come out the other side unscathed.
The Upton family and Ardagh Drama Group recently made a € 7,700, cheque presentation to Milford Hospice Palliative Care Unit. The money was raised following a benefit night held in Castlemahon Community Hall on Sunday February 23.
Saint Kieran’s GAA Club held a very successful road hurling event last Christmas. From donations received they recently presented two cheques for € 1,500, each to Milford Care Centre, and the Daffodil Nurses ( Irish Cancer Society), who continue to do great work in our communities.
Congratulations to Mike Young and Mike O’Mahony, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday March 11. The card game has been called off until further notice.
All matches, and club activities have been called off due to Covid-19. The Saint Kieran’s, and Ardagh Development Association Lottery is also called off at present.
The Darkness into Light the annual fundraising event for suicide prevention charity Pieta House, has been postponed until the autumn due to COVID-19. The postponement leaves them with a major funding gap, which will in turn impact on their services. People who had planned to do the walk on May 9, are asked to register and donate to Pieta. For more information or to donate visit www.pieta.ie/donate.
The Lenten Appeal 2020 is ongoing at present and it is one of the country’s biggest annual fundraisers. Trocaire is relying on the generosity of people this lent to ensure that help is available to the millions of people in some of the World’s poorest countries every year. For more information or to support the Lenten Campaign visit www.trocaire.org/lent or phone 1850 408 408.
The death has taken place of John Balfe, Kilcolman Drive, Newcastle West, and formerly of Kilbradern, Shanagolden, on Friday March 27, peacefully, at University Hospital Limerick, after a long illness. In accordance with current HSE guidance a private Funeral was held, and a Memorial Mass celebrating John’s life will take place at a later date. We extend our sympathy to his wife Imelda, sons James, Seán, Donál, Padráig, daughters Marie and Angela, daughters-in-law Deirdre and Sarah and son-in-law Martin, grandsons Kieran and Liam, sisters Margaret Jones, Eileen Kelly, May Dowling, Bernadette Braddish, Kitty Power and Anne Balfe, brothers James and Willie, a large circle of friends and neighbours. May he rest in Peace.
The death has taken place of John O’Shea Park, Ballyhahill, on Wednesday April 1, peacefully at St. Camillus Hospital and late of Beechwood Nursing Home, Newcastle West after a long illness. In accordance with current HSE guidance a private Funeral Mass was held in Kilcolman Church on Saturday April 4, at 11am, followed by burial afterwards in Ardagh cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Anne, daughter Patricia, son Christopher, brother Noel, sisters Peggy and Chrissie, brother in law, sister in law, nephews, nieces extended family and friends. May he rest In Peace.
Congratulations to Sean O’Sullivan Skehanagh Ardagh, who recently celebrated a significant birthday. He is a very active member of the community who is involved in several activities in sport and entertainment circles. He was a top-class player with his native Ballingarry winning west junior hurling medals in the 1960s. He joined Saint Kieran’s in 1974 and played up to 1983 when he retired. He won a West Junior Hurling medal in 1977 when they defeated Knockaderry following a replay, and a West Novice medal in 1982. Over the years he has been involved in all sections of the club as a committee member, and mentor to many teams. He has also been involved in fundraising activities up to the recent Road Hurling fundraiser on December 27, last. His grandchildren are very involved in sport and Sean and Catherine are great supporters of ladies’ football and camogie as well.
Sean has won Scór honours with Saint Kieran’s as well in the Novelty Act, showing off his acting talents. He has been a member of the Ardagh Drama Group since they were formed in 1992 and was a member of the cast in several of their productions including Moll that year. Sean participated in the ADRSC Lip Sync event in November 2018, as a member of the Younger and Younger group, and really enjoyed the experience, and had a calming effect on the others. Sean is a regular attendee and performer at Rambling House and singing nights around the west. Good health and best wishes to Sean in the future, and no doubt he will have a part to play in the upcoming Oskars.
The Dubliners legend John Sheahan is set to release his debut solo album, Flirting Fiddles, on Friday April 17, and has told RTÉ Entertainment that his children gave him the push to embark on this new adventure at the age of 80. “I’ve been toying with the idea of a solo album for a long time, but Dubliners albums kept getting in the way,” the evergreen Sheahan explained to RTÉ Entertainment from his home this week.”When I reached the age of 80, my children gave me the push, and I thought, ‘It’s now or never’.” With everything from traditional swing to baroque to bluegrass influences.
Flirting Fiddles sees John Sheahan joined by his fellow fiddle players, guitarists, percussionists, a string quartet and more.”Working with younger musicians has been an inspiration, and they have also encouraged me to record my own compositions,” he continued. Flirting Fiddles also features Sheehan’s timeless classic The Marino Waltz, which first entranced Ireland on The Late Late Show’s Tribute to The Dubliners in 1987.”The Marino Waltz was written 34 years ago, but it still feels as fresh as the day I wrote it,” he added. John has strong West Limerick links, with his late mother Mary Drew from Ardagh and his father Patrick from Ballyguiltenane Glin. John was a guest on the Late Late Show on Friday night last, and he played the Marino Waltz, and recited
some poetry. He told presenter Miriam O’Callaghan that he is enjoying life and composing new music and poetry.
The improved weather since mid March has been a blessing due to the current Covid-19 lock in. The drier conditions have led to sections of the farming community to release their livestock outdoors. It is also an opportunity to get out their slurry and spread their fertiliser. I have noticed a few kitchen gardens put in place as well, as people avail of more free time.
The annual Debra Ireland Kerry challenge takes place in Dingle, from May 22-24, and Mike Histon, Pat Toomey, Joe Carrig, and Eamon O’Keane from the Creeves/Shanagolden area are participating. They do this difficult challenge every year in aid of children who have this eye disease, EB or butterfly disease as it is more commonly known. They have raised ,€ 25,000, to date and they would appreciate support again this year.
The Limerick Fleadh Cheoil 2020 due to be held in Athea over the June bank holiday has fallen by the wayside due to the Corona virus. All the other Munster counties have cancelled theirs as well. The Munster final due to be held in Newcastle West in July, is also off. It was last held there in 2007, when it was a great success. The All Ireland finals in Mullingar in August, are also off so it will be a quiet summer on the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann front.