By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Michael Ambrose, Dunganville, Ardagh,  who won the first prize in the Boherbue N.S. fundraising draw held on Monday, January 3. The north Cork school was built in 1934 and extended in 1970 and has 195 pupils. The fundraiser was to raise funds for a general-purpose room, extend the playground and upgrade the field to include a health promoting walkway, sensory garden and skills wall. The first prize was a brand-new house worth €355,000. The  two story four bedroom  semi detached house is situated at 6 Sailín Road Killarney on the edge of the town. The lucky ticket number was 6712. We wish Michael, Geraldine and family lots of joy and happiness, following their exciting win.

Bridie Murphy, Glenastar Ardagh,  recently presented Orin and Caitriona Hough Carrigkerry with a donation of €1,100 profits from the sale of her book Connections. The money is to be lodged in the Go Fund  Me account  for Temple Street Hospital and the Irish Air Ambulance. Bridie would like to thank everyone connected with the sales of her book and the support she received.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Lucy Enright, Carrigkerry and Edward Flaherty Glenbawn who were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Friday, December 31. They held their reception in the Old Stand, Shanagolden.

Saint Kieran’s GAA Club held their annual road hurling charity fundraiser on Monday, December 27.  The weather on the  day was ideal and a record number of people participated. People can still make donations to the clubs Go Fund Me page. The final proceeds will be presented to Milford Care Centre and Temple Street Hospital at a later date. The club issued thanks to all who helped out in any way in holding the event and to all participants who gave so generously. It is much appreciated by the club.

Kilcolman Rovers soccer club held their family fun run/walk event on Tuesday, December 28, from Ardagh community centre, Greenway car park. Prizes were awarded for the first three male and female runners and medals for all participants. The  weather was kind, and the event was well supported. People  who may have missed the fundraiser, can still donate by contacting members of the club.

Darragh Treacy from the Saint Kieran’s club was a member of the Limerick senior football team that lost to Kerry 2-23 to 0-6 in round 1 of the group stages  in the McGrath Cup at Austin Stack Park, Tralee on Wednesday, January 5. John Hayes was introduced as a substitute in the second half.

Creeves Celtic  defeated Kildimo 1-0 in Division 1 of the Desmond League on Sunday, December 19. Tommy Dillane scored the goal that kept them top of the table going into the break.

The Limerick ladies board have put their management and panels in place for their underage teams for 2022. The manager of the U-16 team is Tom Byrne from the Old Mill Club, and the players from the club are Caoimhe Byrne, Kate Foley, Meadbh Kelly. Kayleigh Hurley from the club is involved in the U-14 panel.

Congratulations to Brian Nash who won €542 in the fourth Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held during Christmas. Tickets to enter the draw are available at Neary’s Ardagh, Thatch Newbridge and Hanley’s Creeves.

The Squatter is the latest book from Ballyine, Old Mill author Jonathan Dunne. It was launched for the New Year, and it is his eight book, and it is available online. He was educated in Ardagh NS and Scoil Mhuire agus Ide and he currently lives in Spain, teaching and writing. His first book Balloon Animals was released in 2012 and along with the others they contain horror humour and black comedy.

Sweet Old Mill (released on Tuesday December 21), is the title of a new music album by Jacqueline  Geoghegan Mangan Rathgoonan Ardagh.  She also released another album titled Lullaby Lay and is joined on both by family members and other guest musicians. Both CDs are on sale for €10 each and  are available phone 087-4402186, email glensharrold 1991@ gmail.com

Thirty-five years ago, saw the introduction of new number plates on cars  showing the county registrations. Car number plates are now very easy to read and identify since January 1987 when the road vehicles Index Marks (Amendments) Regulations came into force, each Licensing Authority  in the Republic of Ireland changed the registration  marks, normally to the first and last letters of the county’s name. Number Plates were introduced in the Republic of Ireland at the same time as they were in Northern Ireland when the Motor Car Act of 1903 was made law in 1904.

The month’s mind mass for Pat Reidy, Ardvone, Ardagh will be celebrated in St Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Friday, January 14 at 7.30pm.

Ardagh community first responders number is 083-8889963.The group operates in the Ardagh, Coolcappa and Kilcolman areas. Carrigkerry Community first responders  operate in the Carrigkerry area, and the number is 069-31031.

The Ardagh church Eircode is V42 WN82. The Carrigkerry church Eircode is V94E653. The Society of St Vincent De Paul number is 087-3537473. Ardagh Parish Office 069-76678.