by Tom Aherne

The departure of Edward Buckingham from Glenastar Lodge, brings an end to the family involvement there since the mid-1970s. He is returning to his native England following a very successful career that covered several professions in many parts of the world. His background was in the military, and he was an engineer who made his own model engines. Edward will be remembered for many things over his long lifetime, including his time in the British Army, serving overseas where he met his wife Kate Lee, a nurse  in a hospital in Germany. He generated his own Electricity from Yielding’s Waterfall during his early years in Glenastar Lodge. He was a past Administrator of the Rathfredagh  Cheshire Home for ten years, and often pushed a wheelchair during the annual walk. He was a very fast walker, no doubt due to his army training.

He was  a committee member in the Carrigkerry/Old Mill Community Employment scheme. Edward made national news in 1995 when he sailed solo around Ireland. It took him 26 days to cover the 917 nautical miles and he pulled into 23 different points along the way. A presentation was made to Edward at St. Brendan’s Church of Ireland, Tarbert on Sunday, August 2. The Rev Patrick Comerford, Rathkeale  made the presentation, and warm wishes were extended to Edward for the next chapter of his life. Best wishes and good health to Edward in the future, and may the wind be always at his back.

We extend sympathy to Michael Copse and Family, Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry on the death of his brother John Copse, Churchtown, Newcastle West at St Camillus Hospital, Limerick on Tuesday, July 28. The Requiem Mass was celebrated in Newcastle West Church on Thursday, July 30, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. May he rest in Peace.

Kilcolman Community Creche are currently recruiting for the position of Montessori Teacher. The position is for 5 mornings per week (15 hours). Minimum Level 7 qualification in Early Years Care and  Education required. Also, First Aid and  Child Protection qualifications up to date. Please email your CV and  cover letter to [email protected] or post to Kilcolman Community Creche, Kilcolman, Ardagh, Co. Limerick. The closing date is Friday, August 14.

Saint Kieran’s Text Alert  was set up to cover the local four villages, and surrounding countryside a few years ago. In recent times Limerick City and County 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.

The following is the Coolcappa/Kilcolman cemetery mass time schedule, Saturday, August 15 Coolcappa Cemetery at 7.30pm, Sunday, August 16, Kilbradern Cemetery at 12 noon, Friday, August 21, Kilcolman Cemetery at 7.30pm, Sunday, August 30, Clounagh Cemetery at 12 noon.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Ballybrown by 2-10 to 0-14 in Round 2 of Group 1 of the County Junior Hurling Championship at Askeaton on Sunday, August 2. Saint Kieran’s led by 0-9 to 1-5 at half time. TEAM/PANEL John Greaney, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Paudie McCarthy, Liam Kennedy, Jack Harnett, Brendan McCarthy, Ian Mackessy, Mossie Shine, Eoin McEnery, James O’Connor, Johnny McCarthy, Donal Nolan, Seamus Mangan, Anthony Molyneaux, Michael Murphy, Anthony Mullins, Cillian Ambrose, John Buckley, Edward Fitzgerald, Eoin Burke, Billy Breen, Mike Breen, John O’Conno, Danny Collum.  Saint Kieran’s/Monagea defeated Templeglantine by 4-12 to 1-12 in Division 3B of the U-16 Hurling Championship in Templeglantine on Monday August 3.

Congratulations to Tom Butler, Church View, Castlemahon, who won €104 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday August 7.Tickets cost €2 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, or from the radio station. All support is very much appreciated. New volunteers to get involved in all aspects of the station are needed at present. The roles available include research and studio work, fundraising and lots more. Contact the station at 069-66200 if interested.

The Desmond Castle, Newcastle West and Adare Castle are open to the public free of charge for 2020 as part of the Government’s July Stimulus Plan. A lot of other sites around the country are also open if people get a chance to travel around on holiday.

National Heritage Week will be held from Saturday, August 15, to Sunday, August 23, this year. It will be a restricted programme of events this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Shirley O’Regan from West Limerick 102fm has been assembling heritage items of interest into short slots in recent weeks to mark the event.  Listen out for these programmes, which include a few local voices, which  will be broadcast during Heritage week.

Unfortunately, due to the effects of the COVID-19 restrictions, it is not possible to send gift-filled shoeboxes from Ireland this year. Instead Team Hope will be asking schools, families, friends, communities and businesses to help by donating gift-filled shoeboxes for children affected by poverty online. From September 1st you’ll be able to build your own shoebox online for €20 and get creative with activity sheets, which can be coloured in and uploaded with your donation to tell the child who gets your box a little more about you! We will need your help to spread the word because this year, more than ever, every shoebox counts.