By Tom Aherne
The parish mass times are changing from the weekend of October 16/17. Mass will be celebrated in St Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Saturday evenings at 6.30pm and in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Sunday mornings at 11am.
The death has occurred of Danny Duggan, Ballycooney, Kilchreest, Loughrea, Galway and Ardagh, County Limerick peacefully in the care of the Corrib Ward, UCHG, surrounded by his family on Monday September 27. Predeceased by his beloved wife Teresa. Danny’s funeral took place in private with family only at Shannon Crematorium on Friday, October 1. Sympathy is extended to his sons, Peter and Andrew, sister Ann, brother William, brother-in-law Seán, sister-in-law Breda, nephews Danny, Eamon and Mark, niece Majella, grand nephew, grand nieces, cousins, extended family, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
Ardagh author Mary Kury’s new book is titled “In loving memory”. As the name suggests it is a survey of four graveyards: Clounagh, Coolcappa, Kilscannell and Rathronan and a review of Cillins/Killeens in the Parish. Each graveyard survey has a map with an index and a list of all the monuments there. The earliest gravestone is dated to 1728. It commemorates Patrick Felan owner of Cahermoyle House at that time. His descendant sold the property to Nicholas Smith in 1765, It then came into the hands of William Smith in 1774, he was grandfather of William Smith O’Brien. The most noteworthy monument is Smith O’Brien’s Mausoleum at Rathronan Graveyard
Other graves of note are the Massy Mausoleum also at Rathronan. The Conway grave in Kilscannell is the resting place of Jim Quinn’s sister. Jim was one of the finders of the Ardagh Chalice. He emigrated to Australia and is buried in Falkner Memorial Graveyard in Melbourne. There are many stones with beautiful carvings: Crucifixion’s scenes, angels, cupids and Celtic knotwork are plentiful especially in Clounagh Graveyard. This graveyard is difficult to access, and this isolation has helped conserve the stones.
Coolcappagh is a new Cemetery with the first internment taking place in 1983. It is located next to the Church car park on the site of the old Parish Church. Priests who were buried in the church have been relocated here and there are two stones to commemorate them. Many who are interred in Coolcappagh, Clounagh and Kilscannell went to school in Coolcappagh. Therefore Coolcappa Boy’s school register has been included. It lists the students who attended there from 1863 to 1907. The book will be launched on Thursday October 14, at 7pm, at Cahermoyle House Ardagh and a further launch at Rathkeale Tourist Office/The Old Court House on Thursday October 28. Tea / Coffee and light refreshments will be served. So do come along and catch up with your local history.
Bridie Murphy from Glenastar, Ardagh will launch her first book ‘Connections’ at Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday, October 17, at 7pm. Bridie is known far and wide for her photography and now this talented lady has used her time during Covid to compile a selection of her poems, articles and photographs in book form. Seamus O’Rourke, Leitrim, author of Standing In Gaps and many funny rural stories heard on radio and TV will perform the launch. The numbers are limited due to hall capacity, but the book will be available from Bridie and many local shops after the launch.
“Such a timeless and beautiful book you will never tire of. Bridie has captured the beauty of everyday events in this walk-through time with her gifted view of the world.” Is how singer and storyteller Frances Kennedy, Listowel describes it. Quote: “This is the perfect collection of stories, poems and photographs to while away the hours and raise the spirits.” From author Vincent McDonnell. With those two wonderful recommendations the book is eagerly looked forward to. The proceeds from the book will go to Temple Street Children’s Hospital and the Irish Air Ambulance.
Saint Kieran’s GAA Club commenced their second 6 week walking programme on Friday, September 24. It is the same 4km route as last year starting from the Astro turf car park at 7.30pm sharp each Friday. Everyone should wear a high Viz jacket and carry a flashlight as the proceed along the public road. For people who would like to do a shorter walk, are welcome also and they can do circuits of the Astro turf. The first event was very popular when it took place in January/February 2020 before Covid-19 struck.
St Kieran’s defeated Monagea 3-9 to 1-9 in Round 4 Group 2 of the County Junior A Hurling Championship at Knockaderry Gaelic Grounds on Saturday October 2. Apart from the first quarter when they trailed by 0-4 to 0-3 at the water break, they were always ahead and led by 2-5 to 0-5 at half time. TEAM: John Greaney, Anthony Mullins, Paudie McCarthy, Aaron Heffernan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Brendan McCarthy, Cathal Mc Enery 0-1, Eoin McEnery, Mossie Shine, Mike Flynn 0-1, Darragh Treacy, Cormac Mann, Ian Mackessy 1-5, Johnny McCarthy 0-2, Sean Ryan 1-0. Subs Donie Nolan 1-0, Michael Murphy, James O’Connor, Edward Fitzgerald. St Kieran’s play Ahane in their final group match with the top two teams to progress to the county quarter finals.
St Kieran’s defeated Claughaun 4-13 to 2-15 in the County Under 17 Hurling Division 3 Shield quarter final on Sunday September 26, at Rebogue. St Kieran’s drew with Pallasgreen 1-10 to 2-7 in the County Under 13 Hurling final at Kilbreedy on Friday October 1. TEAM: Alex O’Sullivan, Cian O’Mahony Joey McClennan, Conor Sheehan, Cian Mulcahy, Cormac Murphy, Shane O’Mahony, Darragh Mullane, Gavin Thompson, Luke Mulcahy, Gearoid Walsh, Graham McDonagh, Killian Greaney, Jack Dowling, Ben Hough, Michael Lynch, Shane Daly.
St Kieran’s GAA Ladies rounders group won their section of the Munster Junior Ladies Rounders Blitz at a windswept Mallow on Sunday, September 26. They won all three matches they played defeating Na Piarsaigh 13-10 in the final. It was a great achievement in the clubs first year taking part in rounders . PANEL Martina O’ Sullivan, Grainne Enright, Emma Galvin, Lorraine Flavin, Maire Madigan, Siobhan Halligan, Majella O’Connor, Stephanie Downes. Other ladies have represented the club in earlier matches this year. They will be holding a presentation night later in the year. Their coach is Michael Sheahan Limerick Community Games and former Mayor of Limerick. Their manager is Deirdre Ambrose a wonderful community worker.
Creeves Celtic drew 0-0 away to Shauntrade in the Desmond Division 1 League Cup Group B match on Sunday September 26. In the ladies Division 1 League Cup Group B Creeves Celtic defeated Feenagh 7-0 at home. Dympna O’Brien 4, Shannon Ruttle, Angela Sheehan, Laura O’Shaughnessy scored their goals.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, September 27. The numbers drawn were 6, 15,18 and 25, and there was no winner of the €4,600 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Ava Crowley Knockbewheen (Online), Caroline Donovan c/o Nora Dineen, Tracy Ryan c/o Reens Bar, M and E c/o Josie, John O Mahony c/o Patrick Mullins. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €4,700. 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.
Congratulations to Mary O’Connell Castlemahon, who won €451 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, October 3. 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 being broadcast at present with more on the way. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.