By Tom Aherne
Ardagh Community Leisure Centre Company CLG is among one of the thirty three Limerick Sports Clubs and Organisations, who have been awarded a grant of €29,343 under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
Prices from property and land sales have increased significantly in the past year and interest is high when new additions come on the market. There are a number of sites for sale around Carrigkerry village at present. In Knockfinisk 33 acres of land/forestry plus a semi-derelict residence is also up for sale.
The Moloney family, who own the local Daybreak shops in Abbeyfeale and Carrigkerry recently purchased Moloney’s supermarket in Broadford after the family retired from business. We wish the Moloney family continued success with their new business venture in Broadford.
Congratulations to Ann O’Connell owner of Pixi and Jon co, Old Mill whose party wear has been nominated for a Junior Designer award. Ann has been in business for the past five years creating hair bows, party hats, bunting and kids mini and midi bags. Ann has strong ties with Athea.
Renovations are complete and the new look Longcourt Clubhouse at Newcastle West Golf Club in Rathgoonan, Ardagh is now open. Indoor dining is now available with delicious food and efficient and friendly service leading to a fantastic dining experience. The course has been very busy with players since the lifting of restrictions.
Craig MacInnes and Lorcan Murphy from the Saint Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick team that lost to Cork 1-17 to 0-13 in the final of the Munster Minor Football Championship played in Thurles on Wednesday, August 11.
In Old Moore’s sport predictions for 2021 Limerick and Mayo are the choices to win the senior hurling and football All Ireland’s. It is good for the game of football to see Dublin defeated and the God’s favoured Mayo to do so. Up to 2018 Mayo and Limerick were the two teams who were always being beaten in finals. Limerick ended their drought going back to 1973 in 2018. Mayo people will hope their team can bridge a 70 year gap (1951) in the final.
The death has taken place of Kitty O’Donoghue, Nee Carrig, Poulaphuca, Ballynacally, Ennis, Co. Clare and formerly Creeves, Askeaton, Co. Limerick. The Requiem Mass was celebrated at Christ the King Church Ballycorick at 11am followed by burial after to Kilchreest cemetery on Friday, August 13. We extend sympathy to husband Con, children Seamus, Christy, Joe, Treassa, Conor, Siobhán and Cathal. brothers and sisters. sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. May she rest in Peace.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, August 9. The numbers drawn were 4, 11, 13 and 30, and there was no winner of the €3,900 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: James Brouder, Ballinabearna, c/o Moore’s, Jack Dalton, c/o Mickey Molyneaux, Liam Kiely, Cullinagh (Online), Michelle and Anne, c/o Josie, Marie Molyneaux, c/o Padge. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €4,000. 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, August 9. Congratulations to Alex and Mia O’Sullivan who won €130. 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.
Congratulations to Christy Lynch Shanagolden, who won €520 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, August 13. The tickets cost €2, or 3 for €5 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. 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.
LOOKING BACK:
Fr Madigan P.P. blessed the site for our Community Hall in Coolcappa on Wednesday evening last, July 21, 1993. He prayed for the success of the building and all its patrons. The building will provide a suitable meeting place and recreation centre for the young and old of the Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish. It is hoped that by the end of September all walls, roof, doors and windows will be complete. Again, the importance of this project cannot be underestimated in a small parish like ours. It will be the ideal meeting place for our children to come and play games and all kinds of sports.
For the adults we will have a meeting room, dancing area, and a stage where concerts and plays etc will be performed. The idea for the hall was first discussed in 1987 during Fr Terry Loughran’s term in the parish and through his efforts, along with a hard working committee the sum of £40,449 was raised. Fr Loughran was very pleased to lay a block and he wished every success with the building of the hall. Taken from the Kilcolman/Coolcappa parish notes dated July 28.
In 1954 (Marian Year) the local people came together and erected on the hillside in Ballyine a beautiful Shrine to our Lady. The Shrine stands on the spot where Mass was celebrated during penal times. It was a remarkable community effort spread over many months. Up to two thousand people are reported to have climbed the steep hillside on August 15, for celebration of Mass at the newly constructed Shrine. Mass has been held there each August most years up to 2020 when Covid arrived.
On August 12, 1962, open air Mass was celebrated in Ballyine. The occasion was the centenary re-union of Ballyloughane School, a half mile south of the Marian Shrine. Built exactly 100 years ago, and still in excellent shape, the school was opened by the then Earl of Devon, Landlord of the district and one of the good landlords. His Lordship, not very sure of his geography, incorrectly named the school Ballyloughane. This hillside centre of learning was of course in Ballyine, but the wrong name stuck and was never changed. Mass was celebrated by the late Canon O’Brien P.P., assisted by Fr. O’Connor, C.C., both Ardagh/Carrigkerry. A total of 300 past and present pupils attended and joined in the celebrations. No less than ten octogenarians attended, all hale and hearty. Among them came one from Philadelphia, Mrs. Hannah Heffernan, a nonagenarian and all enjoyed the occasion. The school continued to serve the district until it closed its doors on June 30, 1969, after 107 years of service.