By Tom Aherne
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Mike and Nora Murphy, Glenastar, Ardagh who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They are both members of the West Limerick Set Dancing Club and daily walkers.
Sympathy to the relatives and friends around the locality of the late John O’Connor, Killeaney, Glin, who passed suddenly but peacefully in the University Hospital Limerick on Wednesday, February 9. He was predeceased by his parents Tim and Bridget and his sisters Norrie and Kate. Reposing at Madigan’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden on Friday, February 11, at 6pm with removal at 8pm to The Church Of The Immaculate Conception, Glin. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday, February12 at 11am with burial afterwards in Kilfergus Cemetery, Glin. Sympathy also to his brother Paddy, sisters Eileen, Bridget and Mary, brother-in-law Nelius, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends. May he rest in Peace.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, February 14. The numbers drawn were 11, 16, 21 and 29, and there was no winner of the €6,400 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: James Mullins, Newcastle West, Patrick Mullins, Ardagh, Damien O’Dwyer, c/o Neary’s, Pat Moran, (Online), Tom Flavin, (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €6,500. 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 Liston, Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry who won €370, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, February 18. 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. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.
Limerick defeated London 2-9 to 0-9 in Round 1 of Division 4 of the National Ladies Football League played at Fr. John Ryan Memorial Park, Kilbreedy on Sunday, February 13. The Old Mill club were represented by Sophie Hennessy in goals, Captain Róisín Ambrose mid field and Iris Kennelly (0-2) at half forward.
St Kieran’s GAA Club are accepting the various membership fees and the club Limerick draw fee of €100 for the coming season. Darragh Treacy and Liam Kennedy are involved with the Limerick senior football team and Séan Ryan and Craig MacInnes, are members of the Under 20 football panel. John Hayes was a panel member of the UL team defeated by NUIG 0-12 to 1-6 in the Sigerson Cup Final played in Carlow on Wednesday, February 16.
On this coming weekend St Kieran’s senior footballers travel to West Kerry to participate in the Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé club tournament. This is the 33rd edition of the event which caters for men and ladies club teams from all around Ireland. St Kieran’s are in group A along with Rosscarbery Rangers from Cork and Castlebar Mitchell’s from Mayo. They play both on Saturday morning and the group winners progress to the final in the afternoon against the group B winners.
The Coolcappa/Kilcolman Sacristan’s collection was held two weeks ago. Kathleen and Mary would like to extend their sincere thanks to all who supported them in the recent Sacristan’s collection. Any outstanding envelopes can be dropped into the collection boxes at the back of both churches, and in the collection, box used at the weekend masses. Thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Kilcolman National School are holding a fundraising clothes collection on today Wednesday, February 23. Bags of unwanted clothes, shoes, bags, belts, bed linen etc, may be dropped to the school shelter beforehand. No pillows or duvets accepted. The school would like to thank all for the ongoing support with this fundraiser. The school is now enrolling for September 22. Please contact the school office on 069 60005 or by email at [email protected] to register your interest.
Athea Drama group present Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel at Con Colbert Memorial Hall on Wednesday, February 23, Thursday 24, and Saturday, February 26. The doors open at 7pm with curtain up at 7.30pm each evening. Booking is necessary and no walk ins allowed. The tickets cost €10 and ring 087- 6926746 to book a seat. The Spike Players Knocknagoshel present For Better or For Worse in Knocknagoshel Community Centre on Friday, February 25, Saturday 26, Sunday 27, Friday March 4, Saturday 5, Sunday 6 at 8pm. To reserve tickets, call 087-7050670.
Set dancing classes have resumed after the easing of the Covid restrictions around the country. Safety measures will be in place with mask wearing and sanitising necessary. Adult set dancing classes take place in Con Colbert Memorial Hall, Athea on Tuesday night’s at 9pm, In Father Casey’s Clubhouse, Abbeyfeale on Wednesday nights at 8.30pm. In Monagea parish hall on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 8.30pm. All are welcome to renew their usual pastimes, and I am sure beginners will be especially welcome and well catered for.
The Creeves Celtic Split the Pot monthly draw will be held at the end of February. Tickets to enter the draw are available from committee members, at Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, Thatch Bar, Newbridge and Hanley’s Shop, Creeves. All support greatly appreciated.
Athea GAA Club Healthy Athea are holding an awareness night at Con Colbert Memorial Hall Athea on Friday, February 25, at 7.30pm. The guest speaker will be Ciarán Carey the former Patrickswell and Limerick hurling great who is an addiction councillor. Ciarán will deal with the signs of addiction and mental health issues in the community.
The Limerick Scór Na Nóg 2022 finals will be held on the weekend of March 12/13. The junior Scór event is for under 17 years and there are 7 events which cover singing, music, dancing and novelty. The events are figure dancing, solo singing, recitation/storytelling, Instrumental music, novelty/drama, ballad group and set dancing. More details can be got from the GAA clubs and from the county Scór committee.
The Milford Care Centre 10k walk and run will be held at 12 noon at the University of Limerick on Sunday, March 13th. The event is open to runners and walkers of all levels and abilities. The cost of registration is €20 until Saturday February 26th and €25 afterwards. Cash prizes for the first three male and female participants to finish will be awarded. For more details contact the fundraising team at www.milfordcarecentre.ie or telephone 061-485860
The easing of Covid restrictions and the opening up of society has been good news for Bingo players. Local players are delighted to see that bingo has returned to the Parish Hall in Shanagolden on Tuesday night’s at 8pm. The weekly lottery draw has also returned, and the draw is held on stage following the interval at bingo. Tickets cost €2 and are available from committee members and from the local businesses.
The price rise of €300 in the cost of a single grave plot (€1,500) in Limerick Council owned graveyards in Limerick is a step too far and should not be allowed. The Council insists on payment in full before a person can be buried. In Limerick a double plot costs €3,000, compared to €1,000 in Kerry and €735 in Clare. It seems the increase was made by order of a director of service within Limerick City and County Council. It was done without any consultation or been agreed by the councillors. The role of a councillor is being downgraded year on year with council officials having the power to make laws that impact on people and local communities. An increase in cremations has hit the Councils income so they decide to increase the cost of a plot to make up the difference. The old saying there is something rotten in Denmark seem to apply here. The number of grave plots available in Ardagh (extension) is 156.
People are looking forward to the return of the St Patrick’s Day parades around the county. One of the largest and most enjoyable parades outside of Limerick city is Rathkeale. It commences after 12 noon on March 17 and winds its way up the main street to the reviewing stand outside the Community Centre. Both sides of the street are lined with people creating a great buzz and atmosphere for all. The organisers are asking people in bands, clubs, businesses etc wishing to participate to contact the following Pat Neville of Rathkeale Community Council 087-2791240 or Derek Downes of Team Rathkeale at 085-8125700 by Sunday, March 13.
West Limerick 102fm are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to present shows. We are flexible about what role you take within our team and we’d like someone who is eager to learn all elements of putting a show together, editing audio, creating productions, booking guests, writing and recording scripts. In return you will get hands on experience at a successful community radio station and a solid introduction to reporting and producing. The volunteer will receive reporting, producing and studio experience, writing experience, develop useful contacts across government and media, and will join over 30 other volunteers working for a 15 year broadcaster who prides itself on giving a voice to its community. If interested contact the station at their headquarters at the Enterprise Centre Sheehan’s Road Newcastle West. Call 069-66200.