By Tom Aherne

The death has occurred of Patrick (Pat) Costello,  94 Main Street, Rathkeale, and Coolcappa, peacefully at St John’s Hospital, Limerick on Sunday, November 22. Predeceased by his wife Kitty. His Requiem Mass  was celebrated in St Kyran’s Church, Coolcappa, on Wednesday, November 25 at 11am. Burial took place  afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery, Rathkeale. We extend sympathy to his sons Martin, Patrick, Brendan, daughter Mary, grandchildren, brothers John and Donie, sisters Betty, Nancy, Eileen, and Mary, nephews, nieces, son-in-law Gerry, daughter-in-law Rachel, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. May he rest in Peace

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Hannie O’Connor, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry who recently celebrated her 92nd birthday with family.

Joe Dowling living in Ballinabearna, between Carrigkerry and the Old Mill is taking on the mammoth task of walking 320 kilometres (200 Miles)  as a fundraiser for the National Council for The Blind (NCBI).  Joe started his charity walk in the local surrounds of the scenic Demesne in Newcastle West, on Tuesday, December 1 and aims to complete the walk by mid December. Joe is  asking anyone that can afford some type of donation large or small, to contact Councillor Francis Foley in Tadgh O’Connor’s In Newcastle West, Dooley’s Pharmacy in the Square, Newcastle West,  Pat Geaney, Knockaderry or Moloney’s Shop in Carrigkerry where you can put your name on a Sponsorship card. 100% of the funding will go to the NCBI which is a well deserving charity and  very close to Joe’s heart.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for November was held on Limerick Live 95fm during the sports show on Saturday, November 28. The Saint Kieran’s club had one winner Christina Ahern who won €500. To join contact the local St Kieran’s club members in person, or online.

Congratulations to Margaret O’Connor, Glensharrold,  Carrigkerry  on her recent lotto win.

Sophie Hennessy and Róisín Ambrose, from the Old Mill club were members of the Limerick team that were defeated by Fermanagh 4-10 to 4-3 in the All Ireland Junior  Ladies Football semi final played at Kinnegad on Sunday November 22.

Limerick City and County Council has served compulsory purchase orders (CPO) on a mid terrace property in Main Street, Ardagh and two commercial units also on Main Street, Ardagh. The CPO was set up two years ago to tackle derelict and vacant sites.

Le Chéile is a new musical treat for Christmas CD in aid of Friends of Saint Ita’s Newcastle West, and the Butterfly Club Rathkeale. It is on sale at present  costing  €10,at Saint Ita’s, and Tony Hayes, Newcastle West,  Rathkeale Post Office and Sullivan’s Chemist, Rathkeale. The CD includes the following artists, Coolcappa choir members, Michael Nash, Ann Phelan, Jean O’Brien, Charlie Reynolds, Fr Tim Curtin, Canon Tony Mullins, Fr Liam Enright, Michael Enright, Theresa Doyle McMahon, Enda Walsh, Michael Doyle, Siobhan Doody and the Newcastle West Choir.

The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, November 23 in the Community Centre, Ardagh. The numbers drawn were 1,7,11,15 and there was no winner of the €3,400 Jackpot. Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Billy Broderick c/o Mackessy’s, Julia Mackessy Ardagh, John Byrnes c/o Greaney’s, Teresa Noonan c/o Greaney’s, and Patricia McCarthy c/o Podge.  Next week’s Jackpot will  be €3,500. People can play online using club force on the club’s Facebook page, with 6pm on Monday evening the deadline. The tickets are also on sale at the usual outlets, and all support will be appreciated.

Creeves Celtic  held their ninth split the pot fundraiser draw at Hanley’s Food store  Creeves, on Monday, November 23. Congratulations to Sharon Guina who won €144.The entry fee is €2 with €1 going to the club and the other €1 to be paid out in prize money each week. The envelopes to place your two Euro in plus details, are available at Hanley’s Foodstore, Creeves and from committee members. Participants can also sign up to a standing order made payable to the club, contributing €9 per month. The forms are available from committee members, and the  draws will be held on Monday nights, and all support will be appreciated.  

Congratulations to Margaret O’Connor c/o Independent Living Newcastle West, who won €235 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday November 27.Tickets cost €2 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloney’s Carrigkerry) 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, creating new talk shows, documentaries and lots more. Contact the station at 069-66200 if interested.

On sale in the local shops are the 80 page Limerick Annual published by the Limerick Leader costing €3.95, and the 164 page Cork Holly Bough published by the Echo costing €5. The annual contains a look back at events over a year that we will never forget, with articles, photos, sport,  fondly remembered section, and six pages of local community events. The Holly Bough contains the usual mix of seasonal fare relating to our neighbours in County Cork. Both come highly recommended for over the Christmas reading, and either would make a nice gift for that special magazine reading friend.