By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Pat Nally  (retired mechanic and shop owner) Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry and late of Horseleap, Co Westmeath, suddenly, on Saturday, May 14, at University Hospital Limerick. Reposing took place at Riedy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Monday,  May 16 from 6pm until 7pm. Arriving at Carrigkerry Church on Tuesday morning, for 11.30am Requiem Mass. Burial took place afterwards in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle West. Sympathy to wife Kathleen, daughters Mairead and Joanne, son Stephen, sons-in-law Robert and Patrick, grandchildren Jordan, Marc and Emily, brother Teedy, brother-in-law Seamus, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Michael (Miley) O’Connor in England on Monday, May 9. Son of the late Mossie and Bridie, Glensharrold, he is survived by his wife and four children and extended family members abroad  and around the Carrigkerry area. A memorial Mass will be offered up for the repose of his soul in St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Thursday, May 26, at 7.30pm. Sympathy to all the bereaved members and may he rest in Peace.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish clerks Bernard and Mary wish to say a sincere thank you to all who contributed to their recent annual collection. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

The Rosary is recited at Cahermoyle Grotto  every evening at 6.30pm, during the month of May and all are welcome.

This summer’s Cemetery Masses will be celebrated as follows: Kilcolman Cemetery Sunday, July 10 at 2pm, Kilbradern Cemetery, Sunday July 10 at 7pm, Coolcappa Cemetery Sunday, July 24 at 7pm, Clonough Cemetery, Reens, Sunday, July 31 at 7pm.

Last week the Hough  family (Tom, Caitriona, Orin,) Carrigkerry visited the Air Ambulance centre in Rathcoole, Co Cork to communicate their eternal gratitude for its crucial role in saving  their son Orin’s life. His accident happened in Listowel on May 29, 2021 and he was airlifted by the Irish Community Air Ambulance helicopter to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin.  After spending a week in a coma Orin made a slow recovery and returned to school on a part time basis in September. He spent another 10 weeks at the National Rehab Centre in Dublin and was discharged at the start of March. He can now run around with his friends, do PE and is back playing football and soccer again. His mother Caitriona was a guest on Limerick Live 95 on Saturday morning last talking about his amazing recovery. A good news story and donations can be made to the Irish Community Air Ambulance.

St Kieran’s defeated Gerald Griffins  by 0-13 to 0-10 in round 4 of the West Senior Football League at Ballyhahill on Tuesday, May 10. They finished top of their group and progress to the county football league semi final along with Father Casey’s, Galbally and Monaleen. Next up they play Ballysteen in the West Senior Football Championship semi final. Fionn Gleeson was a member of the Limerick Sarsfield’s team that defeated  Dublin Plunkett’s  1-23 to 1-12 in the Celtic Challenge Corn John Scott Under 17 Hurling semi final played at Claughaun  on Sunday, May 15. They play Cork City in the final on Saturday, June 4.

Amy Mullins Ardagh N.S. played with Limerick in the Primary camogie match against Clare in Ennis on Sunday, May 15. St Kieran’s defeated St Senan’s by 2-15 to 0-5 in the West Junior B Football League at Foynes on Tuesday, May 17. St Kieran’s lost to Crecora by 3-13 to 1-16 in the Junior B Hurling League played at Crecora on Thursday, May 19. St Kieran’s lost to Kileedy by 1-19 to 2-13 in the West Junior A Hurling League at Coolcappa on Saturday, May 21.

St Kieran’s  Intermediate Rounder’s team were defeated by  Fenagh of Carlow at their venue on Sunday, May 15. The members included Emma Galvin, Captain, Majella O’Connor, Siobhán Halligan, Grainne Enright, Corinna O’Shea, Paula McCormack, Katelyn Hayes, Stephanie Downes, Sandra Larkin, Michelle Herbert,  Deirdre Ambrose and trainer Michael Sheahan.

In Division 1 of the Desmond League Creeves Celtic defeated Knockaderry 3-0 at home on Friday, May 13, with Eoin McEnery 2, and Richie Hayes their scorers. They lost to league leaders Breska Rovers 2-1 away on Sunday. In round 2 of the Munster Junior Women’s Shield Kilcolman Rovers lost 4-0 to Dungarvan Utd at Fermoy on Sunday, May 15.

The Old Mill ladies football club are holding the following fundraisers in the coming months: The annual Coffee Morning hosted by Ciara Mann and Sheila Lee will be held on Friday, May 27 from 9am to 1pm in Ardagh Community Hall and all are welcome.  A sponsored walk on the Greenway on Sunday, June 12 at 10am and a clothes collection will be held over the weekend of Saturday, June 25.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for 2022 continues with the May Draw on Saturday 28. The entry fee  is €10 per month or €80 for the remaining eight 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 May is  a Capri 4 seater  round rattan  furniture set  sponsored by Tadhg O’Connor Ltd. 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 Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, May 16. The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 13, 14, and  there was  no  winner of the €7,700 Jackpot. Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received  €40 each: Helen Relihan, Ardagh, c/o Denis Greaney, Shelly and Maggie c/o Josie, Catherine O’Sullivan, Shehanagh, Ardagh,  Paul Woulfe, Dunganville (Online), Eamon Dillane (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be €7,800. 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 John Dwane, Newcastle West who won €460, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, May 20. 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.

Knockdown Vintage Club held their presentation night on Saturday, May 14 in the Knockdown Arms. A cheque for €8,400, the proceeds from their recent Vintage run,  was presented to the Irish Community Air Ambulance. The club extends wishes to all for their support.

After a three year break the County Fleadh Cheoil is returning and has been awarded to Athea after they hosted it in 2019. It will be held over the June Bank Holiday weekend from Wednesday 1 to Monday 6. The Fleadh Competitions will be held on the Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday 1, a storytelling night will be held at the Top of the Town from 8pm. On Thursday 2, a singing night takes place at the Top of the Town  from 8pm. On Friday 3, the official opening will take place in the square followed by a Wrenboy Exhibition. On Saturday  4, a concert featuring Fuinneamh will take place in Con Colbert Hall at 8pm. On Sunday 5,  Céilí with Donie Nolan in Con Colbert Hall at 9pm. On Monday 6, the event will conclude with informal sessions around the village. A great week of entertainment is promised. The Munster finals will be held in Newcastle West from Wednesday, July 13, to Saturday, July 16. The All Ireland will be held in Mullingar in August.