By Tom Aherne

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Denise O’Connor, Glensharrold and Kieran Brouder, Gortadroma, who were married in St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Saturday, April 9. The reception with family and friends was held in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine.

The go fund me page set up by Tom Hough, Carrigkerry, in aid of the Temple Street Hospital and the Irish Air Ambulance recently closed. Tom and family would like to thank everyone who donated to both worthy causes. The total amount raised for this local fundraiser was €7,730, which has now been transferred to both charities.

St Kieran’s were defeated by Tournafulla 1-22 to 0-10 in the West Intermediate Hurling League Round 2 at Coolcappa on Saturday, April 9. St Kieran’s lost to Castletown/Ballyagran  1-14 to 1-7 in the Junior B Hurling League. St Kieran’s defeated Newcastle West 0-14 to 1-7 in their second match in the County Senior Football League at Coolcappa on Tuesday, April 12. St Kieran’s defeated Hospital/Herbertstown 2-19 to 2-18 in the Junior B Hurling League at Coolcappa on Thursday, April 14. The annual Con and Anne Kirby Memorial greyhound stake sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus continues at Limerick Greyhound Stadium.  The St Kieran’s greyhound  Da Bold Freddie has qualified for the semi finals to be run on Saturday, April 16.

History was made when the newly formed St Kieran’s played their first camogie match on Friday, April 8. The Under 12 team played Knockaderry in a friendly match at Coolcappa. Well done to the 14 girls and all involved, who lined out and commenced a new chapter in the club’s history.

Creeves Celtic lost 2-0 at home to Abbeyfeale United in the Desmond Cup quarter final on Sunday, April 10. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Creeves Celtic 3-0 at Ardagh. Paula Ahern, Mai Kennelly and Ciara Downes scored the goals to send them to the top of the league table.

St Kieran’s Heritage Association organised a local walk/climb from Ardagh Community Hall to the Black Hill in Ballylin on Saturday, April 2. A total of €512 was collected and donated to Charlie Bird’s two chosen charities, Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta Ireland.

The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, April 4 and there was  no  winner of the €7,200 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received  €40 each: Eddie O’Mahony, Newcastle West, Paul Moriarty (Online), John Nash, Lisbane c/o Hanley’s, Pat King, Carrigkerry (Online), Kevin and Tony, c/o Donie Dineen. Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be €7,300. 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 Ethan and Madison Lynch, c/o Christy Lynch Shanagolden, who won €445 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, April 15. 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.

The Newcastle West Film Club returns after a two plus year absence due to the Covid epidemic on Friday, April 22, at 8pm sharp in the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West. They will show the French comedy drama ”The Mystery of Henri Pick” and refreshments will be available. They are looking forward to welcoming all their friends back again for an enjoyable night.

The Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish Mass times will change from the weekend of April 23/24. Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturdays at 6.30pm and in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sunday’s at 11am.

Carrigkerry National School  will commence accepting applications for Admission to the 2022/23 school year on Monday April 25. A copy of the school’s Admission Policy and the Application Form  is available as follows: By emailing office@ carrickerry.ie or writing to the Principal, Carrigkerry NS, Carrigkerry, Co. Limerick.

A Rambling House will be held in Monagea Parish Hall on Monday, April 25, at 8pm. All entertainers are welcome and a great night’s entertainment is looked forward to. Set dancing classes take place in Monagea Parish Hall each Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30pm and all are welcome.

Kilcolman National School will hold a fundraising clothes collection  in aid of the local Ukrainian appeal fund on Friday, April 29. Bags with clothes, shoes, handbags, bed linen, curtains etc can be dropped to the school shelter before  9am on Friday, April 29. All funds raised will be donated to this worthy cause.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for 2022 continues with the April Draw on Saturday 30. The entry fee  is €10 per month or €90 for the remaining nine draws 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. The exclusive Star Prize for April is €500 voucher for McGuirk Golf, plus entry for a team of four  in the Club Limerick  Golf Event on May 12 and 13. To join contact the local St Kieran’s club members in person, or online through the Club force 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.

The West Limerick Singing Club returns following the Covid epidemic on Friday, April 29, in the Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale as part of the Fleadh by the Feale Festival. The monthly sessions resume on Friday, May 6, at 8pm and continues on the first Friday of each month. All singers, story tellers and listeners are welcome at Philip Enright’s pub.

Norma Prendiville from Knockaderry recently retired from the Limerick Leader after 30 years’ service. She was the paper’s correspondent for the West Limerick area which she covered meticulously promoting all the parish events. She was always friendly and approachable and fair in her reporting of all events and will be a loss to the West.  Norma has been very involved in the Éigse  Michael Hartnett Festival and Rathkeale Art group as well. Thanks to Norma for promoting our activities and best wishes in the next  chapter of her life, and her future interests.