By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Patrick (Paddy) Molyneaux, The Cross, Ardagh, peacefully at St Catherine’s Nursing Home, Newcastle West on Monday, August 22. Predeceased by his wife Joan, parents and brothers. Reposing at Riedy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Wednesday August 24 from 6 to 8pm. Paddy’s Funeral Mass was concelebrated by Canon Tony Mullins, Fr. Michael Noonan, Fr. Tim Curtin and Fr. Paddy Bowen at 11.30am on Thursday followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Sympathy to his daughters Bridget, Josephine, sons Patrick, Michael, Jim, grandchildren, great grandchildren, son in law, daughters in law, nephews, nieces, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to John O’Connor. Boughill Bó, Kilcolman and Aishling O’Sullivan. Newport who were married in the Church of The Most Holy Redeemer, Newport Co. Tipperary on Saturday, August 27. It was followed by a reception at Limerick Strand Hotel where the Carrigkerry Wren Group put on a performance.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Lena Fitzsimons Ballyneety, Shanagolden and Joseph Halpin Shanagolden who were married in St Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Friday, August 12. The reception was held in the Ballyseede Castle Hotel Tralee.
St Kieran’s defeated Galtee Gaels by 2-12 to 0-9 in Round 3 of group 2 of the County Senior Football Championship at Kilmallock on Sunday, August 21. They led by 1-6 to 0-5 at half time. They continued to push on to claim the points and join Adare on full points after three matches. TEAM: Ian Mackessy, Mossie Shine, Johnny McCarthy, Mike Shanahan 0-1, Kevin Meade, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Brendan McCarthy, (Captain) Liam Kennedy 0-1, John Hayes 0-1, Jack Ben Harnett, Darragh Treacy 0-1, Sean Ryan 0-2, Seamus Mangan 1-1, Anthony Molyneaux 0-1-1, Dylan Moloney 0-2. Subs Noel Callanan 0-1, Adam Lacey 0-1, Shane Fitzgerald, Anthony Mullins, Aaron Heffernan.
St Kieran’s lost to Dromin/Athlacca by 2-18 to 1-11 in the County Under 19 B Hurling Championship semi-final at Bruff on Tuesday, August 23. They led by 1-7 to 0-7 at half time but the south team dominated the second half. TEAM: Nathan Cahill, Shay Greaney, Killian Heffernan, Darragh McMahon, Conor Kelly, Liam Scanlon, Cathal McEnery, Mikey Long, Cormac Mann, Cathal O’Connor, Fionn Gleeson, James Normoyle, Conor Woulfe, Sean Ryan, Conor Shanahan. Sub Tom McMahon.
The Limerick GAA Club draw result for August was announced on the Limerick Live 95fm Sports Show on Saturday, August 27. Congratulations to Donal O’Donovan who won €100. 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, August 22. The numbers drawn were 1, 6, 16, 29 and there was no winner of the €9,100 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Billy Liston, Glenastar c/o Denis Greaney, Billy Breen (Online), Marie O’Donnell, Ardagh (Online), The Buston family, c/o Neary’s, Noreen Clancy, Effin (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €9,200. 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 Sadie Collum, Knockaderry who won €375 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, August 26. The tickets cost €2 or 3 for €5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloneys 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 third music, song and set dancing night was held on Tuesday, August 23, at the Flag Floor, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. The numbers were up, including people from further away and they enjoyed the entertainment, tea and chat on offer. The entertainment continues on Tuesdays from 9pm to 11.30pm over the coming weeks. There is no Eircode, but the venue is just past V94 39N9. Teas are served, admission is €5, and all are welcome.
The following are the Glenville House and Gardens, Ardagh, opening hours for September, from Thursday 1 to Tuesday 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 official opening of the playground and new car park in the Captain Tim Madigan Community Park, Shanagolden will take place on Friday, September 2, at 6.30pm. It is the centenary anniversary of Tim Madigan’s death and a wreath will be laid at the entrance to mark the part he played in the fight for freedom. A memorial bench will be unveiled to honour the involvement of past community council members. It is an evening to look forward to as the Liam McCarthy cup will be in attendance and all are welcome.
Set dancing returns in the hall in Milford on Saturday, September 3 from 9.30pm. It is a very popular venue for West Limerick dancers and a warm welcome awaits all. Music by Jerry McCarthy and tea served. Admission is €10.
A set Céilí will be held at the Dúchas Comhaltas Centre, Tralee on Sunday, September 4 from 2pm to 5pm. Music by Jerry McCarthy and Liam Healy and tea will be served. Admission is €12 and the Eircode is V92 HD4V.
Athea Vintage Club will hold their annual Charity Road Run which supports local charities on Sunday, September 4. Registration from 11.30am at the Top of the Town and assembling from 12 noon in the church car park. Check Athea Vintage Club Facebook or phone Francie on 087- 6666850 for all the details.
West Limerick 102FM will hold their annual general meeting on Monday, September 5 at 7.30pm at the Long Court House Hotel, Newcastle West. All members of the community with an interest in the future of your local radio station are asked to attend. The West Limerick 102FM Board is made up of representatives from various groups including geographical, business, HSE, ETB, Irish Language, PPN, volunteers of the radio. There are a number of vacancies on the board, where nominations are currently being sought to join the board. Nomination forms can be obtained by emailing – [email protected].
Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas branch announce that music classes will recommence on Tuesday evenings in Ardagh Hall this September. Tuition will be available for the tin whistle, flute, fiddle, accordion, concertina, banjo, bodhrán. The registration will be held on Tuesday September 6 from 7pm to 9pm in Ardagh hall.
The College of Further Education and Training, Newcastle West Campus is now accepting applications for a wide range of part-time courses commencing in September. These include Healthcare, Pre-Nursing Studies, Computer Skills, English as a Second Language and much more. For further details, and to apply, check out our website https://collegeoffet.ie/our-courses/ or call us on 069-77636.
Paddy’s Final Whistle
In every village town and parish throughout Ireland there are great community workers, who take pride in their own place, enhancing its appearance and promoting its values. They are often taken for granted but they are the unsung heroes who brighten life’s journey. One such person was the late Paddy Molyneaux, No 2, The Cross, Ardagh who we laid to rest on Thursday last August 25th. Paddy, up to recent years, (when his health declined ) was seldom idle and a familiar figure around the village and beyond. He was rarely seen without an implement of work in his hand as he cut and split timber, cut grass, trimmed hedges and planted a garden. He picked up litter on the road and cleared away rubbish with his wheelbarrow, cut the grass in the graveyard before Ardagh Development took over in 1993 and dug many a grave as well. The school field benefitted as he prepared it for matches, put up nets and swept out dressing rooms.
Paddy could be seen cycling around the village greeting all he met as he went about his work when cycling was near extinct and not as popular as it has now become. Slowing down he could be seen minding his grandchildren and taking them for walks in their buggies. He was a familiar figure sitting on the bench near the Stables, admiring the shrubs and flowers and watching the world go by. Paddy was a good man to sing a song with the Hurling Field in Ardagh and The Fag Song being favourites of his. The former was recorded and broadcast by Donnacha O’Dulaing for his RTE Radio programme which came from Ardagh in 1993.
His wife Joan (a great community worker also) passed away on January 4th 2019 and Paddy’s final years were challenging with health issues. He received great care from his family until his final move to St Catherine’s Nursing Home. He passed away on Monday August 22, on the 100th anniversary of the death of Michael Collins in an ambush at Béal na Bláth in West Cork. Paddy’s Funeral Mass was concelebrated by Canon Tony Mullins, Fr. Michael Noonan, Fr. Tim Curtin and Fr. Paddy Bowen. Family members participated in the ceremony and the readings were taken from the book of wisdom and St Paul’s letter to the Romans. The symbols taken to the altar showed his love for family, Liverpool FC, sports and pastimes. Fr. Tony paid his own tribute to Paddy and shared a hospital story with the congregation.
The St Kieran’s club members held a guard of honour outside the church as the coffin passed through. Paddy was laid to rest beside Joan in the corner of Ardagh cemetery on a mild still afternoon with birds chirping in the nearby trees. When the prayers concluded the words of the Liverpool soccer club anthem ‘You Will never Walk Alone’ arose from the silence in tribute. The shrill of a whistle concluded the ceremonies. Sympathy to his daughters Bridget, Josephine, sons Patrick, Michael, Jim, grandchildren and extended family members. May Paddy rest in Peace.
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Song by Gerry and the Pacemakers
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
For your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone