By Tom Aherne
The Copse family, Glensharrold Christmas Light’s display opened firstly to the public last year. It was well supported, and a cheque was presented to Milford Hospice. The family have been very busy in recent weeks assembling extra light’s for display this year. The lights were switched on last Saturday evening (November 27) by Councillor Tom Ruddle Newcastle West. Fr Michael Noonan blessed the lights, and the children present enjoyed the display. The charities to benefit this year will be Milford Hospice and Pieta House both based in Limerick City. The house can be located in Glensharrold, 2 miles from Carrigkerry village and 2 miles from the main Ardagh to Shanagolden road, turn off at Kilcolman cross. Eircode V94V6KC.
Carrigkerry Playground Committee are holding a fundraising draw at present. First Prize: 2 nights Bed and Breakfast in Moran’s Red Cow Hotel, Dublin. Second Prize: Phillips Superwoof and Sound Bar. Third Prize: 2 Stand tickets for Munster V Castres in Thomond Park. Fourth Prize: Portrait voucher for Bridie Murphy Photography. Fifth Prize: Food Hamper. Sixth Prize: Lunch for two in the Longcourt Hotel, Newcastle West. Seventh Prize: €50 One for All voucher. The tickets are available costing €5 at Moloney’s Daybreak, Moore’s Bar, Pat King, Theresa Hayes, Emer O’Connor, Lorraine O’Sullivan and other committee members. The draw will take place at Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Friday December 3, with more prizes to be won.
St Molua’s National School, Ardagh have a vacancy for a part-time school secretary (15 hours per week). Experience in using online data platforms and Microsoft Office essential. Good communication and IT skills required. Apply in writing with CV and cover letter to: Chairperson St Molua’s NS, Ardagh and include referees. The closing date for applications: Wednesday December 1.
On behalf of Team Hope can we say a huge thank you to all the children their parents, teachers and staff of Ardagh, Carrigkerry, Coolcappa, Kilcolman schools for donating shoeboxes full of gifts for children in Africa and Eastern Europe. Only for these shoeboxes these children would probably not receive any presents this year. Also, thanks to kind neighbours and friends who donate every year.
Mary Kury’s recently launched book is a survey of four local graveyards: Clounagh, Coolcappa, Kilscannell and Rathronan. Each graveyard has its own character, Clounagh has evolved next to a medieval church. Just off the Greenway it is in the middle of a working farm. Many of the headstones here date to 1800 and early 1900 with people coming from Rathkeale and Newcastle West. Kilscannell and Coolcappa are next to the road, so access is easier. Kilscannel is the resting place of the Daniel Conway brother in law of Jim Quinn who found the Ardagh Chalice. Other notable headstones include: The Hallinan family whose ancestor was Bishop of Limerick in 1917-1923 and the Corbett family who are proud to name Denis Corbett in their family tree. Denis captained the first Limerick All Ireland winning team in 1887.
Rathronan Graveyard is best known for the Mausoleum of William Smith O’Brien which is located there. William was leader of the ill-fated 1848 uprising. The Massy family also have a mausoleum there. The oldest stone in the four parishes was read here in 1981. It was dated 1728 and commemorated Patrick Ffelan. The Ffelans were owners of Cahermoyle house during the 1700s with Patrick’s grandson selling the property to William Smith. Willian was grandfather of William Smith O’Brien. The book lists all the headstone with their inscriptions and research notes on each. Each graveyard has a map with the stones listed and an index. It will be of particular interest to local historians, genealogists and descendants of those interred there. This book is available for €20 from Dooley’s Supervalu in Newcastle West or from Mary Kury at [email protected] or 0879282462.
Five members of St Kieran’s Heritage Association attended the Open Morning at Mount Trenchard house and gardens on Friday, November 19. Mount Trenchard is an Irish stately home three miles west of Foynes village on the road to Glin, overlooking the majestic Shannon Estuary. It was the ancestral seat of the Rice, and subsequently Spring Rice family, and changed owners and occupations up to the present days. Driving in the long avenue to the house a person can appreciate its historical importance due to location and layout. A warm welcome awaited the many people that were visiting on a lovely calm and mild morning. Frieda Keane Carmody and daughter Olivia were on hand to meet all and inform people of its past history and future plans.
The attendees included people who had attended boarding and day school there, and those associated with it through other activities. A tour of the house was interesting and showed the vast potential for future use. Restoration work has been taking place in the past couple of years and when complete will be an ideal venue for many diverse events. The walled garden a little distance away is spacious and functions as a Physic or healing garden. A few woodland walks have been restored with ongoing work on others. The views over the Shannon Estuary are breathtaking and the walks around are good for body and soul. Mount Trenchard is an ideal location for many different events, even a family wedding was held there this year. Its vast open spaces for parking and crowds, could include holding open air concerts. Drama groups could use the large hall and excellent stage to perform their plays. We look forward to the house and garden returning to its former glory and future visits there.
Newcastle West defeated Killeedy 1-9 to 0-8 in the County Senior Camogie Final at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Sunday, November 21. Playing their part in the victory were Ardagh ladies, Róisín Mann, Kate Ambrose, Róisín Ambrose 0-1. Iris Kennelly introduced at half-time scored the all-important goal and Molly Murphy was a panel member.
St Kieran’s lost to Kildimo/Pallaskenry 1-16 to 0-10 in the County Minor B Hurling Championship Final at Sean Finn Park Rathkeale on Sunday November 21. They came up against a better team on the day and trailed all the way and were 0-10 to 0-3 at half time. James Normoyle from frees was the main scorer and Cormac Mann led by example around centre field. TEAM: Tom McMahon, Cillian Heffernan, Aaron Heffernan, William Steele, Conor Kelly, Daniel Geraghty, Shay Greaney, Cathal McEnery, Cormac Mann, James Normoyle, Jamie Baynham, Michael Long, Conor Woulfe, Sean Ryan, Conor Shanahan. SUBS: Cathal O’Connor, Darragh McMahon, Lorcan Murphy, Fionn Gleeson. PANEL: Robert Cremin, Craig MacIness, Nathan Cahill, Cian Brennan, Jamie Keane, Jack Kiely. MANAGEMENT: David Woulfe, Ian Mackessy, Donal McEnery, Paudie McCarthy, Donal Balfe.
Creeves Celtic defeated Pallaskenry 9-3 at home in Division 1 of the Desmond League on Sunday, November 21. Eoin McEnery 3, Ray Cahill 2, Willie O’Mara 2, Darragh O’Connor and James O’Connor scored the goals. Carrig Celtic had no game. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Rathkeale 7-0 away with goals from Dora Bury 2, Gillian Musgrave 2, Marie Balfe, Aoife Kenihan and an own goal. Creeves Celtic defeated Breska Rovers B 4-0 away with goals from Dymphna O’Brien 3 and Laura O’Shaughnessy.
The Limerick GAA Club draw was held on Saturday, November 27, during the Limerick Live Sports Show from 10-11am. Congratulations to the Saint Kieran’s club members known as J,A,N,E, who won €100. The December draw will be held on Saturday, December 11. The top prizes each month are 1st prize €10,000, 2nd prize €3,000, 3rd prize €2,000, 4th prize €1,000. The fifth prize each month is an exclusive star prize, and shopping vouchers for local shops can be won in December. There are four prizes of €250, and 17 prizes of €100. The total prize money given out 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, November 22. The numbers drawn were 13, 18, 21 and 28, and there was no winner of the €5,400 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Killian Enright (Online), Tommy Greaney, Kilcolman, James Prendeville, Knockdown, c/o Nora Dineen, The Buston family, Coolcappa, Patsy Duggan, Coolcranogue (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €5,500. 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.
Congratulations to Anthony Sheahan, Asdee, Kerry, who won €485 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, November 25. 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.