By Tom Aherne
CRECHE JOB: Kilcolman Community Crèche are currently recruiting for an early years childcare practitioner to work a 39 hour week. The minimum qualification FETAC Level 5 in Childcare ( Level 6 preferable) Interested candidates are asked to email their CV and cover letter to [email protected]
LADIES FOOTBALL: Sophie Hennessy, goalie and Roisín Ambrose, midfield, from the Old Mill Club were members of the Limerick team that lost to Wicklow 1-13 to 1-6 in the opening round of the All Ireland Ladies Junior Football Championship at John Locke Park Callan on Sunday last July 11. They play Derry in round 2.
CAMOGIE NEWS:Róisín Ambrose was a member of the Limerick team that lost to Wexford 2-12 to 1-13 in Round 1 of the All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship played at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Saturday July 17.
GAELIC GAMES: Saint Kieran’s drew with Kildimo/Pallaskenry 3-12 to 5-6 in the final round of the West senior football league at Coolcappa on Tuesday, July 6. They finished second in group 2 behind Newcastle West who advanced to the final. Saint Kieran’s defeated Feohanagh 0-17 to 1-13 in their final group match in the West junior hurling league at Coolcappa on Sunday July 11. They are now in a playoff with Askeaton and Rathkeale to see who will top the group and advance to the final.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday July 12. The numbers drawn were 10, 18, 22 and 30, and there was no winner of the €3,500 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Alva Quaid (Online), Lukas O’Sullivan (Dawns Laundrette), Patrica McCarthy (Askeaton c/o Padge), Pat Dalton c/o Dinny Greaney, Tom Greaney c/o Dinny Greaney. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €3,600. 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.
SPLIT THE POT: Creeves Celtic held their split the pot draw on Monday July 5 .Congratulations to Pat Guinane who won €100. 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 are held on Monday nights, and all support will be appreciated.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Margaret McEnery Camas, who won €650 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday July 16. 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.
SPORTS CLUB: Limerick Sports Partnership are pleased to announce a small Grant Scheme (€1000 maximum per club, €500 minimum) for local sports clubs in Limerick to increase and support participation in sporting activities. The Club Development Grant Scheme aims to assist in the implementation of locally developed, well-planned sports education and training programmes designed to increase participation in sport and physical activity in local communities. In particular, the scheme is aimed at: assisting local clubs to enhance existing opportunities for their local communities to become involved in sport and physical activity; assisting local clubs to initiate new programmes or events geared at involving local people in sport and physical activity.
Please note, your club must be listed on the LSP CLUB DIRECTORY as a pre-requisite to apply for the grant. Your club will not be considered for grant approval if not completed. How do I complete this step? Step 1 Log in or register an account: https://limericksports.ie/clubs/ Step 2 Complete the following listing form: https://limericksports.ie/listing-form/ Step 3 Hit ‘Place Listing’ (Green button. Find the Application Form and Terms and Conditions at the Green tabs below. Completed the signed application forms should be returned to the address below or email to [email protected] The postal address is, Limerick Sports Partnership UL Sport Arena, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick. The closing date is Friday July 30, 2021 at 4pm.
DANIEL O’BRIEN: The very popular Dean Daniel O’Brien, retired parish priest of Newcastle West, died on Monday July 15, 1985. He was about to board a bus to go on holiday when he died suddenly. He had a great interest in the spiritual and cultural life of the town. Though in his 81st year he was his usual alert self. Dean O’Brien was dogged in his later years by failing eyesight but he stoically endured this infirmity and never let it limit his horizons. He was born in William Street Limerick in 1904, and educated in Saint Munchin’s College and Maynooth where he was ordained in 1928. He commenced teaching in Saint Munchin’s in 1929, and remained there for thirty years, ten of which he spent as President. He was an outstanding linguist- Greek, Latin and Irish being his forte and was a fine classical scholar. He was appointed to Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish in 1959, and Newcastle West in 1964, on the death of the dearly loved Monsignor Hannon.
Coming to a rural parish in Ardagh/Carrigkerry was a great challenge for a priest with his city background. Yet he rose to the challenge in typical manner. He made a whirlwind tour of the parish visiting every home and listened to the people’s problems with great patience. He quickly got to know he was in charge of a parish with a conflicting way of life. In Ardagh a well to do Agricultural Community containing some of the best land in the county and the tail end of the Golden Vale. In Carrigkerry district, completely opposite, a hillside community of small farmers similar to the problem areas in the West of Ireland. In Carrigkerry Dean O’Brien quickly made an impact. His first priority was to get the people organised. He was ably assisted by Rev Michael O’Connor, a native of Ballyguiltenane Glin, who was the curate in the parish at the time. A Parochial Committee was formed in Carrigkerry. For the first time in its history, a second Mass was celebrated each Sunday at Saint Mary’ s Church in Carrigkerry.
Building and woodwork classes commenced under Mick Kennelly Shanagolden, and lasted for two years. A Group Water Scheme got under way and a milk collection was organised. Surveys were carried out amongst the small farming community and an Open House Meeting was held in Carrigkerry and all political parties attended. All rural organisations were represented, and as a result the electoral division in West Limerick qualified for social welfare. In later years, the same divisions became a disadvantaged area. All this and more as a result of Dean O’Brien’s dynamic approach to the problems of his parishioners. The list of his achievements at both ends of the parish are too numerous to mention here, yet, he was only P.P. in the parish for five years, before being transferred to Newcastle West in 1964. He retired in September 1979, and his fifteen years of ministry were marked by some outstanding achievements. His passing is deeply regretted in the Ardagh/ Carrigkerry parish.