By Tom Aherne
The death has occurred of Josephine Kiely late of Lower Lisgordan, Ardagh, on Saturday, May 15, peacefully at home, predeceased by her mother Elizabeth, father Patrick and nephew Micheál. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated in Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Monday, May 17 at 11am, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Sympathy is extended to her sister Mary, brothers Donie and Haul, sister-in-law Peg, Mary’s partner Tom, nephews Patrick and his wife Denise, Liam and his wife Christine, nieces Noreen and her partner Niall, Elizabeth and her partner David, grand nephews Christopher and Luke, grand nieces Emily and Ciara, cousins, other relatives, kind neighbours and friends. May she Rest in Peace.
Darragh Treacy 0-1 from the Saint Kieran’s club was a member of the Limerick team that defeated Tipperary by 1-13 to 0-14 in Division 3 South of the National Football League played at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Saturday, May 15. Darragh also lined out last Saturday in Tullamore when Offaly defeated Limerick by 0-16 to 1-11 in their second match
Róisín Ambrose, Ardagh and the Newcastle West camogie club is a member of the Limerick Senior panel for 2021. Limerick will compete in Division 1 Group 2, against Clare and Galway. Limerick defeated Clare by 2-14 to 1-11 on Saturday last in their opening match played in Ennis. Limerick junior team defeated Clare by 2-16 to 2-10 in their opening match at Kilmallock on Saturday, May 15. Róisín Mann, Ardagh and Newcastle West club filled the full back position. They drew with Carlow 1-16 to 3-10 in their second match on Saturday last at Cullen Park Carlow.
On Friday last May 21, Peg Prendeville, Glenbawn, librarian at Glin Library since September 2005 retired. Peg is a published author, and award-winning writer, whose work has been included in numerous publications over the years. Peg was most helpful and courteous to all sections of the community who attended, and her pleasant manner will be missed in Glin. We wish Peg and husband Jim (who is undergoing health issues at present) health and happiness in the future.
The next Limerick GAA Club draw will be held on Saturday, May 29, during the Limerick Live Sports Show from 10-11am.The top prizes each month are €10,000, 2nd prize €3,000, 3rd prize €2,000, 4th prize €1,000. The exclusive 5th star prize is a Barcelona 8-Seater Cast Aluminium Garden Patio Set with Lazy susan worth €1,599. This timeless cast aluminium set includes a table, 8 chairs with seat cushions and a parasol with a 10-year structural guarantee. There are four prizes of €500, four prizes of €250, and 17 prizes of €100. Total prize money each month is €21,000. The Saint Kieran’s GAA Club would welcome new members, and subscription can be paid through the Club force App.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, May 17. The numbers drawn were 8,14,23 , and 27, and there was no winner of the €5,700 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Pat Molyneaux, Askeaton, Noel Murphy, Cullinagh, Newcastle West, John Dillane, Ballinabearna, Amanda and Jack Dalton and Tim Fitzpatrick, c/o Josie O’Connor. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €5,800. 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 split the pot draw on Monday, May 10. Congratulations to Tyler, Ross, Aimee and Aine Flavin, who won €110. The weekly 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 Food Store Creeves, and from committee members. People can also sign up by standing order for €9 per month. The draws will be held on Monday nights, and all support will be appreciated.
Congratulations to John Ahern, Ardagh, who won €340 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, May 21. The tickets cost €2, and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloney’s Carrigkerry, and Denis Greaney’s Shop Ardagh) or from the radio station. All support will be appreciated as finances are tight due to lack of fundraising. The radio station is off limits to members of the public at present, with only volunteers allowed access. When restrictions are lifted all will be very welcome to visit and get involved in programming. A number of exciting new programmes are in the pipeline for later in the year. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.
People driving past Coolcappa village may have noticed a memorial stone on the roadside close to the national school and wondered what the story behind it was. Last Saturday was the 100 anniversary of the man it is dedicated to, Patrick O’Brien. Ger Greaney, who has a passion for genealogy has uncovered the following on Patrick: The crafted stone is in honour of a local volunteer, Patrick O’Brien, who lost his life 100 years ago. Patrick O’Brien was born in Riddlestown on the 12th of April 1896 to Charles O’Brien and Ellen Sheahan. He left for America in 1914 at the age of 17 to help provide for his aging parents. He returned from America to visit his widowed mother in 1921.
He died on May 21st, 1921 as a result of a booby trap bomb on the Tally-Ho Bridge near Rathkeale. ”When opening a filled in trench near Rathkeale he was killed by an explosion. On investigation, it was found that a Mills bomb had been placed in the trench, a foot from the surface, and a piece of wire was placed around a stone. When the stone was removed the pin of the bomb was drawn and the bomb exploded.” He was not found until the following morning and despite the attention of Dr. Hayes, he died from his injuries. This monument is in Coolcappagh, across from the cottage that his parents lived in. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a hAnam Uasal. Members of Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association placed a wreath there on Saturday last to mark his 100 anniversary.
I came across a song about Paddy Dalton who I featured a few weeks ago on the 100 anniversary of his death by Crown forces in Gortaglanna on May 12, 1921. It was written by Tommy Scanlon and I include the five verses as follows.
In Athea’s lonely churchyard, by the Gale’s gentle waves,
Our hero lies sleeping in a green Irish grave,
Our own Paddy Dalton the bravest and best,
We will miss him forever in lovely Coole West.
He fought for his country, and died for the cause,
Against the cruel invaders he hated their laws,
For the dawning of freedom from slavery’s chain,
He gave his young life, but he died not in vain.
To your memory dear Paddy, who fought on the day,
And to all the grand boys from the old I.R.A.
Who fought for their country and died for their land,
To your memory dear Padraig, we have got a fine band.
We will play you sweet music a lullaby of rest,
And softly ’twill steal o’er the hills of Coole West,
We will beat the drums loudly and play Geal mo Chroi,
Until Ireland again be a home for the free.
Flow gently sweet Gale for guard they are keeping,
The angels above o’er the grave where he is sleeping,
While his band o’er the hill’s echoes music serene,
Keeping memory of the cause in our souls ever green.