Fr Michael Noonan has been in touch with the following update. Mass will be streamed live via Facebook from Ardagh Parochial House on Saturdays at 7.30pm from this Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am. Also Mass at 9.30am on weekdays, and the Rosary on Saturday mornings at 10.30am.The contact link is https://www.facebook.com/100456194998744/live/ The Munster Bishops have decided that from Monday May 18, Churches should be opened for people to go in and say a prayer as long as they keep social distancing and use the sanitizers on their hands on the way in and on the way out. Also, they should use the surface spray provided on any surface which they have touched with their hands. Our two churches in Ardagh, and Carrigkerry will be open from 10am to 5pm each day. 

Limerick City and Co Council confirmed they have purchased the Old Station House and land at Ardagh. Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association welcome this news, as they have been active in the background with assistance from local politicians in trying to secure its safety and future. The Council have plans to refurbish the old building and put in a car park and seating area. This will give safe and easy access to the Greenway in a planned location which was virtually inaccessible from the path beside the bridge. Now the Greenway will be wheelchair accessible and also available to children in buggies. This will be a great asset to locals who use it. New surfacing and drainage works are to be started on the Green way in the coming weeks between Newcastle West and Rathkeale.

One concerned member of the Heritage Association would like to see the trees cut down to viewing height along the trail, for people safety and to allow the sun in to keep the  new tarmac dry. In time if the trail remains closed in moss and algae etc will grow on the tarmac and it will become wet, slippery and dangerous. It will be a waste of time and money if this happens. Why not get it right now and cut the trees and  vegetation ahead of the drainage and resurfacing work as it proceeds.     Further plans and use of the Station house building which has been safely secured will be discussed in the near future. The Heritage Association are seeking a headquarters for some time now and , maybe they could be accommodated in its future use. The Great Southern Greenway has reopened since last weekend with social distancing guidelines being in place.

The PPE for Limerick fundraiser between the Limerick Hurling and Ladies Football All Ireland Champions of 2018 came to an end on Friday May 1, with a total of over € 13,000 raised. A total of 13 premises in Limerick received vital PPE over recent  weeks. They raised €8,124 through their “go fund me” campaign, along with separate direct cheque donations totalling €1,900 and donated PPE worth €2,980 brought their total to €13K. A huge thanks to Club Limerick Dublin for their very generous donation of €500. Roisín Ambrose Ardagh, and the Old Mill club, plus members of both teams, participated in the video highlighting their fundraiser.

Saint Kieran’s GAA Club whose catchment area includes Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Coolcappa/ Kilcolman parishes, was formed in May 1972. The time has now arrived to include all the material that is available from the four areas and beyond together in book form in a complete club history. A small group of people have come together to oversee the project during the current lockdown of all club activities. This is a window of opportunity  to put the wheels in motion, as the time frame is just two years. The majority of club members may use this time to recall their association with the club, over the years. The history will include a  memories section , recalling the successes, and disappointments,  the personalities involved, and companionship’s  formed within the club over the years.

 All are welcome to share their recollections  be they passed players, club officers, or loyal supporters, with a special appeal to the elder generation. The West and County winning Captains are invited to share their thoughts and  memories of their big days. The role of the dual player, and players that came from other clubs, or went and joined other clubs, would make interesting reading. The carnival matches and tournament games were legendary with many incidents worth recalling. The many dinner dances, club functions, and Scór successes were all part of the club’s story and are worth recalling.

The club would appreciate 600 words or thereabouts, and  ideally your contribution by email, but a written memory can be transcribed afterwards. This is a major club project to record for posterity the dedication, and contribution of men and women in most households within the parishes, and all help will be greatly appreciated. Since it was announced seven people have been fast off the mark and submitted some  lovely reminiscences.  It is planned to have the club history ready in time to launch it to mark  the jubilee of Saint Kieran’s GAA in two years time.

Know your 5K is a new initiative  from the Heritage Council and National Museum of Ireland. It is as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and what people see in the vicinity of their own 5K locality. They are inviting readers to share their discoveries and insights about the hidden heritage found in  peoples own homes and locality. Heritage is a very broad term including archaeology and architecture like ancient monuments, old graveyards or historic buildings. It would be a nice project for members of Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association to participate in. They could share all this information at future talk nights. You can find out more information about Know Your 5K at www.ouririshheritage.org/content/category/archive/place/knowyour5k

This week we continue to look back at the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish notes in the Limerick Leader from May 1990, as notes are scarce due to the Covid-19. The death has occurred of Timothy (Tim ) Larkin at his residence  Reens Ardagh on May 2. Sympathy to his wife sons’ daughters’ sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, and many friends. Congratulations to Anthony Nolan New Houses Ardagh who recently celebrated his 21st birthday.

Saturday May 5, was First Holy Communion Day in Kilcolman Church, and the Mass was celebrated by Fr Madigan PP. The readings were by Sharon O’Keeffe, and Annette Brouder. The prayers of the faithful were recited by Emma O’Mahony, Gerard O’Donovan, Rosemary Hannafin,  William Sheehy,  Jean O’Flynn, and Michelle Collins. The gifts were presented by Siobhan Kiely, Teresa Histon,Gerard O’Donovan, and William Sheehy. The children were prepared by Mrs Mary Liston, N,T.

Sagart a group of traditional musicians, and formerly known as the Holy Show or Limerick Singing Priests launched a new tape “The Whistling Bridge” at the Inn’s Ryan Room on Sunday May 13. The tape contains eighteen  tracks, comprising many well-known  numbers and some original numbers by members of Sagart. It will be on sale in future after all Sagart concerts. The proceeds from this tape will help the Youth Apostolate in Limerick. The members of the group are Canon Eamon Dillane, Fr Tony Loughran, former curate Coolcappa/Kilcolman,  Fr Jim O’Brien,  Fr Tony Mullins Ardagh, Bro Jack Casey, Billy Casey, Timmy, and Michael Collins Strand. The launch was performed by Dermot Kelly the singing bank manager from Limerick.

Four Saint Kieran’s players Liam Barrett, Dan Larkin (Championship debut) Jimmy Duggan (sub)and John O’Donovan (sub) were members of the Limerick senior football panel for the Munster first round match against Tipperary at Clonmel. They won by 1-12 to 1-6 to set up a semi-final meeting with Cork.