by Tom Aherne

Mass will be celebrated in Kilcolman graveyard on Sunday July 5 at 10am, Mass will be celebrated in Kilbradern graveyard on Sunday July 12, at 12 noon.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish Facebook site  went live on May 17, joining Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish Facebook site. All the church information is available on both sites, keeping parishioners up to date.

Father Dan Lane former parish priest of Ardagh/Carrigkerry is due to retire shortly. He left for Granagh/Ballingarry parish in September 2004, after spending 11 happy years from September 1993. In that time, he helped to transform the parish,  introducing so many new  services and committees, that enriched the community. Our parish became a role model  for other parishes to emulate mainly due to Father Dan’s foresight and guidance. We wish him good health and happiness in the future.

A purse containing an amount of money was found in the vicinity of Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Bank Holiday Monday June 1. The finder would like to reunite the purse with its owner as soon as possible. Readers are asked to spread the news, and the contact is Emer O’Grady at 069-76198.

Old Mill Ladies Football Club are holding a clothes collection at the end  of June. Please contact Moira Mc Enery at 086-8110634, if you wish to drop off bags before this date. Clothes and shoes must be of wearable quality, and no duvets or sheets.

Saint Kieran’s GAA Club whose catchment area includes Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Coolcappa/ Kilcolman parishes, was formed in  1972, and played their first match on May 28. A small group of people have come together to oversee the publication of a club history  to mark the 50th anniversary of the club.  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.

Since it was announced  several people have been fast off the mark and submitted some  lovely reminiscences. The club would like to receive some more in the coming weeks, before the action resumes, and people will be busy with club affairs. 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.  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.

Saint Kieran’s GAA club and ADRSC are planning a scrap metal and clothes collection on Tuesday September 29. People who may have items  that they would like to give before this date are asked to contact club officers in the coming weeks.  All donations will be greatly appreciated.

ALONE have announced a national support line and additional supports  for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to the current Covid-19 outbreak. They have professional  staff available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance  where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week, 8am-8pm, by calling 0818,222, 024.

The death has taken place of Patrick (Paddy) Connolly, Glenagragra, Glin, peacefully, on  Saturday June 13, at his daughter Christine’s residence. Predeceased by his sisters Eileen and Catherine. Paddy was a well-respected and  familiar figure around the Carrigkerry locality down the years, and his presence will be sadly missed. A private family Funeral Mass took  place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glin, on Tuesday June 16, at 12 noon, followed by a private burial in Templeathea Cemetery.

We extend our sympathy to his sons Tony, Pat and Kevin, daughters Christine and Kathleen, grandchildren Christopher, Kate, Michael, Patrick, Tara, Antonia and Ava, sister Bridget, sons-in-law Tom and John, daughters-in-law Karen and Olivia, nephews and nieces, extended family, neighbours and many friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations and thanks are extended once again to the Noonan family from Templeglantine, who recently posted out the cheques to the six chosen charities, following their Christmas Lights fundraiser last Christmas. Tony and family won the Energia’s Ireland’s Most Christmassy Home for 2019 which added € 3,000 to the fund giving a final total of € 25, 247. The charities to benefit this year were Milford Care Centre,  CRY Monagea,  Brothers of Charity Foynes,  Adare Alzheimer’s Branch,  Brothers of Charity Newcastle West, and  Recovery Haven Tralee. Since the Noonan Lights fundraiser commenced, they have raised over € 220,000.

This week we continue to look back at the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish notes in the Limerick Leader from June 1990, as notes are scarce due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Twenty-three tables took part in a quiz organised by Ardagh Hall Committee and Ardagh ICA. The first prize of £ 100 was won by a team from Feohanagh/Castlemahon. The best students table prize went to a team  led by Olga Neary from Ardagh. The funds raised will go to repair the meeting room in the parish hall.

The West Limerick Community Workshop church gate collection held last weekend was very successful, and thanks to all who contributed.

The sudden death on Tuesday of Rita Sheedy Rooskagh, Carrigkerry has shocked the whole community. She was a very popular friendly teenager, and the Intermediate Certificate class at Newcastle West Vocational School formed a guard of honour at her funeral on Thursday evening and Friday morning. A huge number attended to offer their sympathy on both occasions. Sincere sympathy to her mother, brothers, sisters, grandmother, uncles, aunts, nephews, niece, and other relatives and friends.

Artist Maeve Mc Cormack Nolan  has an art exhibition  running at Duffins Restaurant Tralee. Her work has won her much praise and she was recently  featured on the Pat Kenny Show on TV.

The confined Coolcappa sports will take place in Ardagh on Sunday July 1.