By Tom Aherne

The death has occurred of Michael (Mick) O’Connor, Birmingham England and late of Ballyvaughan, Ardagh, Co. Limerick on  Thursday May 7. Predeceased by his wife Ann, sons Michael and Patrick, brothers Sean and Chris, sisters Maureen (Kennelly), Ellen (Noonan), Josie and Bridie (Thewlis) and his friend Gretta. Sadly, missed by his sons Denis and Jack, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Nora (O’Connor), nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, and friends. Michael was aged 89 years, and his  Funeral will take place in Birmingham.  May he Rest in Peace

The death has taken place of Maureen Harte nee O’Sullivan Birmingham, and originally Doonbeirne  Ballingarry. She was laid to rest on Thursday April 30, in Birmingham, England. Maureen was the wife of the late Tom Harte, and she is survived by her family in Birmingham, brother Sean O’Sullivan, and sister Ann Holyhead, both Ardagh, nephews, nieces, and other extended family members. May she rest in Peace.

The death has also taken place of Mary Bennis Patrickswell wife of former Limerick hurler Phil  on Thursday May 7, unexpectedly after a very short illness at UHL. Phil will be remembered for the part he played as coach to Saint Kieran’s when they won the West and County Limerick Junior Hurling Championship in 1985, and the football team won the County Senior Football Championship. A private family funeral Mass took place in the Church of Blessed Virgin, Patrickswell with burial afterwards in St Mary’s New Cemetery, Patrickswell on Saturday May 9. May she rest in Peace.

Ballyine Shrine was lit up to support Pieta House, and all the frontline staff last weekend.

Our three local parishioners and sportsmen Darragh Treacy Ardagh, Sean Mc Sweeney Carrigkerry, and Dean Liston Glenastar, are currently in Australia and making the news in local media circles. They departed last winter for a year down under to travel work and play sports, but the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted their plans. They are still enjoying life there as the restrictions are not as tight as in Ireland.

Coolcappa National School is enrolling for September 2020 at present. All enquiries please ring 069-76493 or alternatively send an email to [email protected] Parents wishing to enrol  a child in Kilcolman National School for September  2020, please contact the school on [email protected], alternatively go to the school website kilcolmans.com and download an enrolment form and forward it to the school via the email address. Saint Molua’s National School in Ardagh is also enrolling for September 2020.

People can post their Trócaire contributions to Trócaire, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, County Kildare, or forwarded to www.trocaire.org. The box and contribution can be kept until the current restrictions are lifted and then returned to the parish office.

The Limerick GAA Draw to win a Mercedes Car CLA 180 has been rescheduled from June 12, to Saturday October 31. The tickets cost € 20 and will be available to buy until Friday October 16. All proceeds to support the Limerick GAA teams. The Limerick GAA Monthly Club draw has been postponed until further notice.The prospects for a fine summer are looking good according to Michael Gallagher the weather forecaster from Donegal. He uses the old traditional methods handed down to him from past generations to predict the future weather. He has been right about two of our most diverse years, from the freezing conditions in 2010, to the scorching sunshine in 2018. A good weather year will bring a welcome  reprieve from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last Friday morning saw the retirement of Sean O’Rourke the master interviewer on the Today Show on Radio 1, for the past seven years. He started his career as a reporter with the Connaught Tribune newspaper  in 1982 and enjoyed a very successful TV and Radio career in the  intervening years. His wisdom and wit will be sadly missed  but his lovely tone no doubt will continue in another area of the media.

There was widespread sadness throughout Tipperary and beyond last week following the passing of renowned singer Nora Butler Swan. The Toomevara native was an All-Ireland champion ballad singer and performer and one of the biggest champions of traditional Irish music in the country. Nora began performing while at primary school and in 1964 took part in her first Fleadh Cheoil in Roscrea winning first prize in the competition. She won her first All Ireland title two years later in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Among her prestigious honours are five All Ireland ballad singing titles, three at senior level and two at under 18 level.

During her career she released two solo albums, the first in 2001 titled The Dawning of the Day, and featuring the work of top musicians Billy Greenall, Deirdre McSherry and Eileen O’Brien. Throughout her life Nora acted as a champion for traditional Irish music alongside her late husband Pat who was a champion drummer and a long-time member of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Nora was a regular performer at events around the West Limerick area over the years. A private family funeral mass was held on Wednesday May 6, at 10am in St. Mary’s of the Rosary Church Nenagh followed by burial in Lisboney Lawn Cemetery. May she rest in musical Peace.

This week we continue to look back at the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish notes in the Limerick Leader from May1990, as notes are scarce due to the Covid-19. Ardagh ICA were holding a fashion show at the Country Club in Carrigkerry on Friday May 4, commencing at 9pm and admission was £ 1. Part of the proceeds were to be given to the new community alert scheme.

Carrigkerry Youth Club held a Disco at the Country Club the previous Friday night. The turf cutting season was in full swing with the new turf cutting machine virtually taking over from the old traditional  method of the slean. The Irish Heart Foundation thanked all who supported so generously their church gate collection.

Four Saint Kieran’s players Liam Barrett, Dan Larkin (Championship debut) Jimmy Duggan (sub)and John O’Donovan (sub) were selected for the Limerick senior football panel for the Munster first round match against Tipperary at Clonmel . Paul O’Connor centre forward, and Jimmy Duggan full forward, were selected on the Junior team, against the same opposition.