By Tom Aherne
The month’s mind mass for the late Pat Nally, Carrigkerry will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Friday, June 24th at 7.30pm. Pat was a mechanic who operated a garage in Carrigkerry village plus a grocery shop. He also owned the former Olympic Express at Churchtown Newcastle West.
The death has taken place of Nora Kirby, nee Kilmartin, late of Rooska, in Birmingham England. Sympathy to all her relations around the locality.
The death has occurred of Sgt. James (Jimmy) Byrnes, Court Villas, Rathkeale and late of Reens, Ardagh, unexpectedly, in the care of University Hospital Limerick on Wednesday, June 8. Predeceased by his parents William and Hannah, brother Patsy and sister Joan. Reposing was held at Magner’s Funeral Home, Rathkeale on Wednesday, June 15 from 6 to 7.30pm. His Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Thursday at 12.30pm. Burial took place afterwards in Clounagh Cemetery. Sympathy to his brother Willie, sister Maureen, aunt Mary, nieces and nephews Sean, Niamh, Sheila, Michael, Con and Nora, relatives’ friends and neighbours. May he rest in Peace.
People from the Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish and beyond turned out in force at the 7.30pm Mass to mark the 50th anniversary of Fr. Michael Noonan’s ordination in St Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Friday, June 17. He was ordained in the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Janesboro, Limerick on June 18, 1972. Fr. Michael was joined by Bishop of Limerick. Brendan Leahy and fellow priests Fr. Liam Enright, Fr. Frank Duhig, Fr. Joe Cussen, Fr. Richard Keane, Fr. Paddy Bowen, Fr. Muiris O’Connor, Fr. Michael Liston and his family members in a fitting concelebrated Mass. Bishop Brendan paid tribute to Fr. Michael’s 50 years of dedicated service and wished him well in the future.
Ardagh Community Hall hosted a celebration party from 9pm with a fine selection of food to satisfy all tastes. MC David Woulfe welcomed all and paid his own tribute. Conor O’Donoghue from the pastoral committee gave a list of the parishes Fr. Michael had served in and a number of people’s memories of his impacts on them. A number of presentations suitable to Fr. Michael’s pastimes followed: Noreen O’Callaghan. on behalf of the Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish, Conor O’Donoghue, on behalf of St Molua’s N.S., Carrigkerry N.S., made their presentation earlier in the week, David Woulfe, on behalf of St Kieran’s GAA Club and the ADRSC Committee, Marie Copse on behalf of the church adoration committee.
David in conclusion thanked all who were involved in putting in place all the pieces for the jubilee celebrations. Entertainment followed and people who may not have met due to the pandemic mingled and engaged in conversation throughout the night which concluded at 11pm. All present join in wishing Fr. Michael good health and happiness in his ministry into the future.
Stage 3 of Ras Tailteann commenced from Ardagh village on Friday, June 17 after 11am on a 172.1km route to Lisdoonvarna. The ceremonial start saw the riders depart the Square in Newcastle West and travel non competitively the 5km to Ardagh along the Greenway. The team cars travelled by road to Ardagh and lined up on the main street so they could follow the riders. A nice crowd were in attendance including St, Molua’s school students to welcome the riders to Ardagh Station House and also at the lower cross as they set off on their route through Limerick, Tipperary and Clare. This is the 67th edition of the international stage race which covers 756km and includes eight categorised climbs.
Funeral masses will no longer be celebrated on Sundays in the pastoral unit of Coolcappa/Kilcolman, Shanagolden/Foynes/Robertstown and Loughill/Ballyhahill/Glin. This is due to the Sunday Mass schedules and shortage of priests, and no doubt in future it will spread to other diocesan clusters.
St Kieran’s lost to Granagh/Ballingarry 1-13 to 2-9 in the West Junior B Football League final played at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Monday, June 13. The teams were level 1-4 to 0-7 at half time. TEAM: Ray Noonan, Michael Murphy, Cillian Heffernan, John O’Connor, Mike Upton, Anthony Mullins, Dan Geraghty, Mike Flynn 0-1 Sean Ryan, Liam Upton, Adam Lacey, Brian Crowley 1-3, Conor Woulfe 0-1, John Doyle, Anthony Molyneaux 1-2. Subs Pa O’Sullivan 0-2, Aengus Gannon, Michael Steele, Brian O’Neill, Ian Mackessy, Cillian Ambrose.
Darragh Treacy was ever present with Limerick senior football team this year. He played in all 14 matches. Liam Kennedy and John Hayes made one appearance each.
Antrim defeated Limerick by 0-12 to 1-7 in the opening match of the Ladies All Ireland Junior Football Championship at Bruff on Sunday, June 12. The Old Mill club supplied five players to the team and panel. Sophie Hennessy, Alva Quaid, Róisín Ambrose (Captain), Iris Kennelly, and Cathy Ambrose was a substitute. Limerick play New York on Wednesday, June 22, in their other group match and need to win to progress to the knockout stage.
Creeves Celtic defeated Kildimo United 2-1 away in their final match in Division 1 of the Desmond League on Friday, June 10. Brian Nash and Richie Hayes scored their goals. They will play in the Premier Division next year. Congratulations to all involved in their rise through the divisions in recent years. The Desmond League finished in fourth place in the recent Gaynor Cup Tournament held at UL. They lost to eventual winners in MGL South in a penalty shootout in the semi final. Jessica Meade and Ruby Mae Behan from Kilcolman Rovers were involved.
St Kieran’s under 8 camogie team competed in a blitz in Adare on Saturday, June 11. The fledgling club played their first matches against Adare, Ahane and Patrickswell and well done to all involved.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, June 13. The numbers drawn were 8, 15, 20, 30, and there was no winner of the €8,100 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Mike Flynn junior, Glensharrold, Paudie Kennelly, c/o Josie, Angela Keane, Grouse Lodge (Online), Jimmy O’Donoghue, Clounreask, Askeaton, George Daly Newcastle West (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €8,200. 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 Pa Foley, Abbeyfeale who won €545, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, June 17. 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 Old Mill ladies football club are holding a clothes collection over the weekend of Saturday, June 25. All support will be appreciated for this fundraiser.
The next rambling house will be held at Monagea Parish Hall on Monday, June 27, at 8pm sharp. All musicians, singers’ dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend. It will be a fundraiser for St Gabriel’s Respite Centre, Mungret and all support will be appreciated.
Patrons will be delighted to hear that the Rathfredagh Cheshire Home Garden Fete will be held on Sunday, July 3, from 12 noon to 6pm, after a three year break due to Covid. A wide variety of events will be taking place over the grounds to suit all tastes. For vintage enthusiast’s cars, tractors and machines will be on display. There will be live entertainment, a dog show, 5 a side football, re-enactment, bric-a-brac, monster draw, wheel of fortune, stalls with books, clothes, food, plants etc. There will be face painting for the children, colouring competitions, fairy trail and best dressed fairy/goblin competition and lots of other entertainment. All proceeds will go to the Rathfredagh Cheshire Home. The entrance fee (€5) for adults and children over 12. The Cheshire Home is located 6k from Newcastle West along the R520 Bruff line. Eircode V42 RW63.
Ardagh and District Fundraising Society presents a Mock Wedding Party on Saturday, July 9 at Rathkeale House Hotel commencing at 5pm. The dinner will be served at 6.30pm sharp and an auction and a raffle will be held during the night. Live music by Different Sounds and DJ Sean Carrig. The admission is by ticket only and they are available to purchase at Neary’s Bar, Ardagh, costing € 25 each. For more details and to order tickets please call the following: Liz Crowley 085 7493618, Paul Moriarty 085-7103557, Susan Moriarty 087-9485994, Paul Ahern 087-9509775, Trisha Derwin 085-7127484. A great night’s entertainment is anticipated, and all support will be appreciated, and the proceeds will go to the Butterfly Club and Community Crisis Response.