By Tom Aherne
The death took place of Pat Collins, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry, peacefully on Wednesday, March 9, surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his brother Donie and sister-in-law Esther. Pat lay in repose at Kieran Madigan’s Funeral Home, Askeaton on Friday, March 11 from 5pm, followed by removal to St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry. His Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday at 11.30am followed by burial in Ardagh Cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Margaret, daughters Linda, Patricia, Sarah, and Fiona, brothers Mike and Billy, sisters Lilly and Mary, grandchildren, sons in law, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, and a large circle of friends. May he rest in Peace.
The death took place of Con Greaney, Ballinlonig, Dromcollogher and late of Rooskagh West, Carrigkerry, peacefully at home in the loving care of his family on Tuesday, March 8. Predeceased by his wife Lilly and brother Mossie. Con lay in repose at McCarthy’s Funeral Home, Dromcollogher on Thursday, March 10, from 5-30pm to 8pm. The funeral cortege arrived at St Bartholomew’s Church, Dromcollogher for 12.30pm Mass on Friday followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle West. Sympathy to his sons, (Gerard Kilrodane, Ardagh) and daughter, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother, sisters, (Maureen, Reens, Ardagh) son in law, daughters in law, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, lifelong friend Mick, relatives, neighbours, and friends. May he Rest in Peace.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Paddy O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry West and Mike Ahern Knockfinisk who recently celebrated their 70th birthdays. Paddy is a former player with St Kieran’s and well known in horse racing and entertainment circles. Mike is also well known for his involvement in the Wrenboys and in traditional music circles.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, March 7. The numbers drawn were 10,11,16 and 26, and there was no winner of the €6,700 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Owen Hayes senior (Online), Jackie Collins, c/o Eileen Collins Ardagh, B and W c/o Greaney’s, Pa and John c/o Greaney’s, Mary Lawlor (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €6,800. 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 Mike Neville Castlemahon who won €420, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, March 11.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.
Darragh Treacy from the St Kieran’s club was a member of the Limerick football team defeated by Westmeath by 1.12 to 1-6 in round 5 in Division 3 of the National Football League played at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Saturday March 12. Liam Kennedy was a substitute.
Limerick defeated Carlow by 2-13 to 1-5 in Round 3 of Division 4 of the National Ladies Football League played at Cullen Park Carlow on Sunday. March 6. The Old Mill club were represented by Sophie Hennessy (Rested), Captain Róisín Ambrose midfield (0-1) Iris Kennelly (0-2) at half forward and Cathy Ambrose who was introduced late on and made her debut. Limerick advance to meet Fermanagh in the Division 4 semi-final.
In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League played on Sunday. March 6, Creeves Celtic defeated Askeaton 3-0 at home with goals from Dymphna O’Brien, Shannon Ruttle and Laura O’Shaughnessy. Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-1 away to Newcastle West Town. In the Under 12 Girls Inter League competition Desmond defeated South Tipperary 3-0. Chloe O’Connor Kilcolman Rovers and Jean O’Kane Creeves Celtic were involved.
People are looking forward to the return of the St Patrick’s Day parades around the county. St Kieran’s Heritage Association members have been invited to take part in Rathkeale shortly after 12 noon and in the Adare parade (3pm) which returns this year after an absence of 23 years.
A feast of traditional music is promised at an upcoming concert which will be held in the Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West on Friday, March 18 at 8pm and the admission is €5. The night will also see the local launch of three CDs from West Limerick musicians. The CDs were launched recently at other outside venues and with Covid restrictions easing it is an opportune time to share their musical talents with local audiences. The CDs are Back in Time from Dan Brouder Monagea on accordion and partner Angelina Carbery Longford on banjo last year’s TG4 Gradam Ceoil traditional musician of the year award winner, They didn’t come home until Morning from Francis and Aine O’Connor Ardagh and Broadford, Abroad in the Back Kitchen from Diarmuid O’Brien Glin and Donal O’Sullivan Carrigkerry. All six musicians are widely known in traditional music circles having appeared on TV Radio and at the top venues around Ireland and beyond. After two years of near inactivity this night promises to raise the spirits and rediscover the atmosphere created at a live traditional concert.
The Monagea Rambling House returns after two years in the Parish Hall on this Friday, March 18, at 8pm. All entertainers are very welcome to attend, and it promises to be a very enjoyable night of music, song, dance and storytelling.
The very popular Ronan Collins Showband Show ‘Reeling in the Showband Years’ returns to the Limerick University Concert Hall on Sunday March 20. This will be the shows twelfth year touring and filling theatres around the country. Ronan Collins is the host and compare and the show includes a strong line up of entertainers. Tickets are on sale at UCH AT 061-331549 and online at www.uch.ie
Covid restrictions meant that the annual Daffodil Day fundraiser was not held in person since 2019. The good news is that community fundraisers can be held again this year on Friday, March 25. People who wish to get involved in holding an event, can register with the Irish Cancer Society.
Greyhound racing continues at Limerick Greyhound Track, and it is an enjoyable night out. The restaurant is open every Thursday and Saturday night and can be booked on www.limerickgreyhoundstadium.ie The annual Con and Anne Kirby Memorial greyhound stake sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus will be held at Limerick Greyhound Stadium from Saturday, March 26, to Friday, April 22. All the Limerick GAA Clubs will be allocated a greyhound and prizes will be awarded to the final six as in previous years.
The Limerick GAA Club draw for 2022 is now open for membership. The Saint Kieran’s club are promoting it and the first draw will be held on Saturday, March 26. The entry fee for the ten draws is €100, and €21,000 will be given out in prize money each month. The first prize is €10,000, 2nd prize €3,000, 3rd prize €2,000, 4th prize €1,000, 5th prize is an exclusive star prize, and 4 prizes of €500, four prizes €250, and 17 prizes of €100. To join contact the local St Kieran’s club members in person, or online through the Clubforce App with direct options available. The club will receive 50% of all membership received which is vital for the running of it over the year.
Knockdown Vintage Club are back again with their 2022 run on Sunday, March 27. Registration for vintage cars and vintage tractors will commence at 12 noon at the Knockdown Arms and the vintage run will commence at 1pm.Light refreshments will be served from 12 noon. The club are holding a fundraising raffle also in aid of the Irish Community Air Ambulance. The tickets cost €2 each or three tickets for €5. The first prize is a €150 voucher for the O’Donoghue Rings Hotels Killarney. Second prize is a €100 voucher for home heating oil. Third prize is a monster hamper, and there are a number of other prizes as well. The draw takes place in the Knockdown Arms on Sunday, March 27, following the vintage run, with music by Big Maggie/Billy from 4-6pm. Contact Patrick Langan or Dave Noonan for more details and all support will be greatly appreciated.