by Tom Aherne
Fr Michael Noonan P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry has the following message, for people with outstanding church contributions namely Trócaire, Parish Clerk’s Collection, Easter Dues, due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The Trócaire box collection held during Lent can be sent direct to Trócaire by cheque, including your name and the parish name with your donation. People can also drop in their separate envelopes to the parochial house or into the post-box at the gate of Ardagh Church (by cheque if possible) for each collection. Thanks to all the parishioners who have already made their contribution to all of the above-mentioned collections. The weekly collection to the parish fund (weekly envelopes) can wait until when we begin to celebrate public Masses again in the church to make your contribution.
Saint Kieran’s area response team are still available to help people to do grocery shopping and collect medical supplies. There are 88 volunteers available to contact within the Ardagh, Carrigkerry, Coolcappa, Kilcolman, Creeves, Coolanoran, and Old Mill areas. The list of volunteers was dropped into all houses with the contact details, and were published in the local papers, and placed in the local shops. Ring Paul on 085-7103557 for all details.
Saint Kieran’s Text Alert was set up to cover the local four villages, and surrounding countryside a few years ago. In recent weeks Limerick Council have erected road signs at the entrances to the catchment areas. New members are still being accepted and forms are available in Moloneys shop Carrigkerry, and Greaney’s Shop Ardagh. For further information contact Pat King on 087-2750061.
Limerick Council recently purchased the old Railway Station in Ardagh as part of the plan to develop the West Limerick Greenway. The Council intend to stabilise and conserve the station and reproof it. Future plans for its development have yet to be decided but it will be in consultation with Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association and the wider Ardagh Community.
A €5 Million contract has been awarded to Roadbridge by Limerick Council for the upgrade of the surface of the Greenway. On completion, the entire 40km route from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale will be a 3-metre-wide macadam surface. This will bring the route to the highest national standard and on par with the award-winning Waterford Greenway. The project is being funded by Limerick Council (€3.4m) and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (€1.6m). The work will be completed by June 2021.
The first Limerick GAA Club draw will be held on Saturday June 6 on Limerick Live 95 FM during the sports show from 10-11am. Saint Kieran’s GAA club are open for new members, and people can join online through Clubforce, or by contacting any club officer. The Limerick GAA Draw to win a Mercedes Car has been rescheduled from June 12, to Saturday October 31. The tickets will be available to buy until Friday October 16.
The death has taken place of William (Willie) Keating of Clounties, Shanagolden, on Tuesday May 26, peacefully in the presence of his loving and much loved wife Mary and in the tender and dedicated care of the staff of C.U.H. after a short illness bravely carried. Willie worked at Tadhg O’Connor’s Hardware, and was a great community man around Shanagolden. He was involved in the card game in the Hall and other fundraising activities. Willie’s remains arrived from his home to St. Senan’s Church Shanagolden at 12 noon on Thursday May 28, for a private family funeral mass in compliance with the Covid 19 guidelines. Burial took place afterwards in Shanagolden Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Mary,(former teacher in Carrigkerry N.S.) brothers Micheál, Denis, Pat, sisters Lil, Ita, Mary, brothers in law Maurice, Jim, sisters in law Margaret, Cathleen, Mary, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.
The past few weeks was sad for many with the passing of Nora Enright, Killoughteen, Newcastle West, and late of the Olympic Ballroom, Leonards TV and Newcastle West Post Office. She was a prominent figure in all our lives as we travelled along the highway of life. Her lengthy contribution to business, social life, and charities around the Newcastle West locality was huge. We will miss her warm greeting and helpful ways, as people like Nora only rarely comes along to walk amongst us. The passing of Brendan Bowyer soon after last Thursday linked both through their meetings at the Olympic Ballroom during the showband years. He was 81, and she was 78, and both will be sadly missed.
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 pandemic. Congratulations to the boys and girls from Ardagh Primary School who made their first Holy Communion on Saturday last at Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh. Kathleen Hayes Ballyloughane, and Marie Culhane Barnigue, Carrigkerry have been elected as vice-chairperson, and secretary of the Limerick County Federation of Youth Clubs. Kathleen and Marie are voluntary leaders of Carrigkerry Youth Club which was formed a few years ago. In those short few years, they have done Trojan work in establishing the local Youth Club, which now has an excellent reputation nationwide, and whose members have been at the forefront of many national competitions. We wish them both the best of luck in their new appointments.
The Oblate Fathers are holding their annual re-union at Cahermoyle House on Sunday June 3. The programme commences with Mass at 2.45pm, and that is followed by the Holy Show and a concert.