By Tom Aherne
The death has taken place of Fr. Seamus Power, former PP Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Ennis Road, Ardagh and Carrigkerry and Adm. St. John’s Cathedral, Limerick, on Tuesday, November 15, peacefully at Limerick University Hospital. Predeceased by his brother Liam and sister Sr. Mary RSM. Reposing at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Ennis Road on Friday, November 18, from 4pm to 6pm. The Requiem Mass took place on Saturday at 11am followed by burial in Mount St. Lawrence Cemetery extension. Sympathy to his sister-in-law Margaret, nephews John and Kevin, relatives, friends and parishioners. May he rest in Peace.
Fr Seamus served as parish priest in Ardagh/Carrigkerry from 1984 to 1993. On his arrival it was clear that a lot of renovations to Church property was needed. The parishioners were very supportive financially after the initial shock at the costs involved. The Parochial house was fully renovated, wooden floors on ground floors renewed due to dry rot being present, house was completely rewired, new plumbing throughout, oil fired central heating installed, new PVC windows, new kitchen presses, fridge and cooker, new carpets throughout the house, downstairs toilet created, and the house was painted inside and outside.
Ardagh Church was painted inside and outside, central heating was upgraded, and PVC windows installed in the toilet. Carrigkerry Church was completely renovated. The church was reroofed, rewired, new lighting system, central heating upgraded, new oil burner installed, new amplification system, new seating, new carpet, sanctuary area refurbished, new marble altar, lectern and chair, marble tabernacle pedestal, new confessional unit and the church bell was repositioned from the roof to the ground. He introduced the household envelopes to help pay the costs involved. He left the parish in a good position when he was transferred back to Limerick city. He served the people well and often returned to visit his parishioners.
The go fund me page for Ian Gardiner from Glensharrold following a very serious workplace accident at his newly opened Gardiner food hall has reached over €8,000. It was set up by President Tom Ruddle of Newcastle West Chamber, after Ian had to close his business due to this accident. Both Ian and Tom are very thankful to all the people who donated so generously to Ian’s Fundraiser. This will be a great help to Ian in his rehabilitation.
Limerick Council workers continue their work at the traffic light junction top Cross Ardagh. The purpose of this work was to build up the land bank on the Newcastle West side to enable them to provide drainage, footpaths and public lighting. They are presently working outside the Dairygold Co-op shop after laying the path on the Newcastle West side. The reason for the work is to provide enhanced safety features on this road for residents within the 50kmph speed limit.
St Kieran’s defeated Banner (Clare) 0-17 to 0-16 after extra time in the Munster Junior A Hurling Championship semi final on Saturday November 19, at Cusack Park Ennis. The day was wet and windy but two committed teams produced a very exciting game despite the elements. St Kieran’s were never led and were up by 0-8 to 0-4 at half time. The Banner’s defence were on top on resumption and gradually came back to level with the final puck of the second half to leave it 0-12 each. St Kieran’s led by 0-15 to 0-13 after the first 10 minutes of extra time. The final half saw Saints extend it to 3, but Banner hit three in a row to level with added time being played. Donie Nolan hit the winner from play with the last puck to book a Munster final spot.
TEAM: Cillian Ambrose 0-3, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Paudie McCarthy, Aaron Heffernan, Jack Ben Harnett, Brendan McCarthy, Cathal Mc Enery 0-1, Sean Ryan, Mossie Shine, Cormac Mann 0-1, Johnny McCarthy, Anthony Mullins 0-1, Ian Mackessy 0-6 (Captain), Eoin McEnery, James Muckell 0-1. Subs Anthony Molyneaux, Liam Kennedy, Donie Nolan 0-3, Mike Flynn 0-1, Shay Greaney, Mossie Shine and Johnny McCarthy again. The team had great support on the day and well done to players, management and all associated with the team. Roll on the Munster final.
Carrig Celtic lost 5-1 away to Broadford United B in Division 3 of the Desmond League on Sunday November 13. Creeves Celtic had no match. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Feenagh 6-0 at home with Gillian Musgrave 3, Charlotte Lynch 2, and Rebecca Hogan scoring. Creeves Celtic defeated Dromore United 2-1 away with Caoimhe Boyce and Bridget Liston scoring.
The four-part traditional music series Ceolaireacht on TG4 presented by musician Doireann Ni Ghlacáin featured the West Limerick area on Sunday November 13. Among those featured in the final part were locals Donal Sullivan, Frank O’Connor, son Francis and wife Aine. and an old recording of Con Greaney. It was a very enjoyable programme, promoting the traditional values of the area from top class entertainers.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday November 14. The numbers drawn were 10,11,21,25, and there was no winner of the €10,300 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Paul Mullins c/o Neary’s, Eoin McEnery (Online), Noreen Ambrose Lee (Online), Owen Hayes junior (Online), Catherine O’Donnell c/o Neary’s. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €10,400. 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 Muiris O’Connor Ardagh, who won €340, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, November 18. 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 Hayes family Christmas Lights Display, Shanagolden Eircode V94NC3F switched on their Winter Wonderland on Saturday, November 19. The Carrigkerry Wren group were among the special guests present for the big switch on. All money raised goes to Milford Hospice, Children Ark Unit, Limerick University Hospital and St Gabriel’s Foundation.
A walk takes place each Wednesday evening from outside Ardagh Church from 7pm Sharp. The 5km walk will be along the Greenway and a hi-Viz vest and alight needed and all are welcome. It commenced on Wednesday, November 16, and continues up to Christmas.
The Abha Bhán Players present ‘The Buds of Ballybunion’ in the parish hall Ballyhahill on Friday/Saturday, November 25/26. Tickets can be booked at Paddy O’Rourke’s Shop, Ballyhahill. Phone 069-82106.
The Old Mill Ladies Football Club will hold their AGM in the club’s dressing room Old Mill on Thursday, November 24, at 8pm and new members are welcome. A clothes collection will be held on the weekend of Saturday, December 3. Only clean clothes and no duvets. Clothes can be dropped to any committee member beforehand.
SSE Renewable invites community groups to apply for funding from their community fund. The groups need to be within a 20km radius of their Tournafulla, Rathcahill, Dromada, and Athea wind farms in West Limerick and Lenamore wind farm in County Kerry. Preference will be given to those within 5km. The closing date for Community Fund applications is 5pm on Friday November 25. For more information on how to apply visit sserenewables.com or contact their Community Fund Manager on 0868783104. Email: [email protected]
Rathkeale and District Historical Society next talk is on Friday November 25, at 8.30pm in the Community Arts Centre New Line Rathkeale. The title is Piracy in Munster in the age of sail and the speaker is Connie Kelleher UCC. Admission is free and all are welcome.
The Limerick GAA Club draw for November will be held on Saturday, November 26, and the results will be announced during the Limerick Live 95 Sports Show. The entry fee is €10 per month or €20 for the remaining two 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. This month’s star prize is a €500 voucher for Smyth’s Toys. St. Kieran’s club are the local promoters for the draw.
The Coolcappa Christmas Bazaar will be held in Coolcappa Community Hall on Sunday, November 27, from 12 noon. The family day out will include the Wheel of Fortune, a visit from Santa, Community Crafts, Bake Sale and lots more activities for all to enjoy. Contributions to the bake sale and community crafts would be much appreciated.