By Tom Aherne

Congratulations and best wishes  in the future to Amy Lawlor, daughter of Ann and Con, Knocknagun, Carrigkerry and Barry Murphy, son of Paula and Michael, Rathcoole, Dublin, who were married in Fossa Church, Kerry on Saturday,  July 16. The reception was held in the Killarney Oaks Hotel, and the happy couple will reside in Perth, Australia.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Mary Flynn, daughter of Breda and Mike, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry and Micheál Lawlor, son of Marie and Pat Knocknagun, Carrigkerry, who were married in St Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Saturday, July 30. The reception was held in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare.

The Mock Wedding Committee recently announced that they raised a total of €6,535.20 from their fundraising event held at Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday, July 11. Their two charities to benefit The Butterfly Club and Community Crisis Response Team have been presented with  drafts for €3,267.60 each. They had 130 people seated for the event and they thanked all who were involved in holding the very successful fundraiser.

Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Louise Muckell,  Cois Deel, Rathkeale who passed away on Wednesday, July 20. Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday, July 28 at St Mary’s Church, Rathkeale followed by a private family burial.

Sympathy also to the family of the late Jimmy Lee, the Square, Newcastle West, who passed away at his residence on Wednesday, July 27. His Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West, on Saturday, July 30, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery. We note the passing of Paddy Hopkirk the Belfast rally driver who died on July 21, aged 89 years. He won several Circuit of Ireland and international rallies and passed through our locality in his Mini Cooper car on numerous occasions. May they all rest in Peace and may the bereaved  be consoled.

Fr. Michael will make his usual First Friday calls on Thursday 4, /Friday 5, August. The First Saturday Mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Saturday, August 6 at 11am, preceded by Rosary and Adoration from 10am. Adoration each Monday from 10am to 1pm in St Molua’s Church, Ardagh.

The County Junior A Hurling Championship  2022 will commence for St Kieran’s against Askeaton on Thursday, August 4, at 7pm in the Bog Garden, Rathkeale. They are in Group 3, with Feenagh/Kilmeedy, Mungret /St Pauls, Ballybrown and Doon. The top two teams from the four groups will progress to the quarter finals.  

Jonathan Dunne, Ballyine, Old Mill, has published a new book ‘Billy’s Experiment’,  a horror story and his ninth novel. The 47-year-old works as a TEFL teacher but is gradually moving to becoming a full-time writer. His early books were black comedy, but he has changed to writing some form of horror, be it supernatural or psychological. ‘The Squatter’ his last book went to number one in the Irish and British  horror category at amazon.com. Jonathan  has been living with his wife Ruth and three daughters in Toledo Spain for the past 20 years.

The Limerick GAA Club draw for July was announced on the Limerick Live 95fm Sports Show on Saturday, July 30. Congratulations to Pat Moran, Ardagh, from the St Kieran’s club who won €2,000. There are five draws remaining and people can still join for €10 per month, by contacting the club online or in person.

The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery  draw took place on Monday, July 25. The numbers drawn were 10, 14, 24, 29, and  there was  no  winner of the €8,700 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Grace Hennessy, Ballyine (Online), Pat’s O’Connor, Knocknagun, Noreen Ambrose Lee, Dunganville, (Online), Mary Buston, Coolcappa, Patsy Duggan, Ardagh, c/o Ann Mullins. Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be €8,800. 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 Mary O’Kelly, Dromcollogher who  won €320, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, July 29. 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.

Mass will be celebrated at Knockpatrick Graveyard  on Sunday, August 7 at 2.30pm, at Barrigone Blessed Well  on Friday, August 15 at 3pm, at Reilig Mhuire, Askeaton Cemetery  on Sunday, August 21, at 3pm.

The following are the Glenville House and Gardens, Ardagh opening hours for 2022:  August 13-21, inclusive(Heritage Week), September 1-13. Tuesday to Saturday from 9-30am to 1-30pm. Admission € 5, Students €3, children and old age pensioners are free.  The house is located a mile from Ardagh on the Kilcolman road and is well worth a visit.

The annual 600km Tour de Munster Charity cycle around the six counties of Munster will take place from Thursday August 4 to Sunday August 7. It commences in Cork City and travels through Munster over the four days before finishing there on the Sunday afternoon. For all details see www. tourdemunster.com and other social media outlets.

St Kieran’s GAA Club will hold their annual Cul Camp in Coolcappa from Monday August 8, to Friday August 12.

Visitors will be delighted to see the return of the Glin Castle and Garden guided tour on Sunday August 21 from 12 noon to 6pm. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate on the day for €10, refreshments will be available, and a raffle will be held. The Glin Knights Visitor centre in the Square is open daily from 10am to 5pm. All are welcome to call and read about the lives of the 29 Knights of Glin.