By Tom Aherne
Mike O’Sullivan ended his three-year term as West GAA Board chairman at the annual convention held at the Devon Inn Hotel on Wednesday, November 23. The former Glenville native, now living in Ballynash, Foynes, served the club as a player, coach and manager. He has made a huge contribution as an officer to the west and county boards since first elected in 1980. He is wished a happy retirement to pursue his other sporting interests.
Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Timmy Madigan, Lisgordan, Ardagh who recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Limerick hurling stars Kyle Hayes, Gearóid Hegarty and Aaron Gillane, paid him a visit with the Liam McCarthy Cup.
A reminder to all households to make sure that they have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted now. The winter months see an increase in the use of solid fuel appliances, lights, appliances etc and an increased risk of fire and poisoning building up in the home. The cost involved far out weight the potential loss of life.
Shanagolden Post Office reopened on Friday, November 25, following a two-month closure due to the retirement of the postmaster. Best wishes to the new postmaster Sinead Roche and her colleagues for the future.
The last posting dates for Christmas 22 are: Rest of the World: Standard post letters, parcels, registered, Wednesday, December 7, express post 12, DHL 16. USA: Standard post parcels, registered post December 7, post letters, express post, 12, DHL, 16.Rest of Europe: Standard Post Parcels, December 13, post letters, registered post, express post, DHL 19. Great Britain: Monday, December 19, for all standard mail. Northern Ireland: Tuesday, December 20, for all standard mail. Republic of Ireland: Thursday, December 22, for all standard mail.
Marietta Sheehan, Granagh recently presented Michael Hegarty (CEO of St Joseph’s Foundation Charleville) with a cheque for €2,000, from her ” Walk with Marietta 2022 fundraiser”. The former Marietta Smith from Glensharrold, Carrigkerry walked 100km this year and she thanked all who donated to her fundraiser. Over the three years Marietta has done the walk she has raised the great sum of €7,125 for the St. Joseph’s Foundation.
Christmas wreaths for doors and graves are available locally and orders are now being taken. Contact 069-76256 or 086-2123560. The proceeds go to charity.
The Old Mill ladies football club held their annual general meeting on Thursday, November 24, in Ardagh hall. The following officers were elected to run the club in 2023: Chairperson, Triona Ambrose, Vice-Chairperson, Timmy O’Donoghue, Secretary, Mary Barrett, Treasurer Pat Horgan, Assistant Treasurer, Margaret Upton, Registrar, Jill Liston, Child Welfare officers, Breda O’Donoghue and Emma Galvin, Bord Na Nog Chairperson, John Doyle, Public Relation officers, Shauna Upton and Mary Smith. Moira McEnery outgoing secretary and Margaret Upton outgoing treasurer were thanked for their outstanding contributions to the club over the years.
In the premier division of the Desmond League, Creeves Celtic V Granagh Utd was abandoned due to an injury to a Granagh player on Sunday, November 27. Carrig Celtic had no match. Kilcolman Rovers lost 1-0 to Shannonside in the Division 2 Youths League Cup final played at Clounreask on Saturday, November 26. In Division 1 of the ladies’ league, Kilcolman Rovers defeated Creeves Celtic away by 5-0, with Gillian Musgrave 2, Marie Balfe, Charlotte Lynch and Rebecca Horgan scoring.
The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, November 28. The numbers drawn were 15,17,20,21, and there was no winner of the €10,500 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each, Catriona O’Kelly, Reens (Online), M and R Buston, Coolcappa, Helen Hough, (Online), Marian O’Connor, Carrigkerry, Mike Donovan, Kilcolman. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €10,600. 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 Richard Collins, Zip Yard, Newcastle West who won €350 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, December 2. 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.
A walk takes place each Wednesday evening from outside Ardagh Church from 7pm sharp. The walk will be along the Greenway and a hi-Viz vest and a light are needed and all are welcome. It commenced on Wednesday, November 16 and continues up to Christmas.
St Kieran’s GAA club are holding their 2022 Annual General Meeting on Friday, December 9 in Ardagh Hall where a variety of issues will be discussed. They would encourage all club members and all those who would like to contribute to the club in the upcoming twelve months to attend. Donations are continuing to come for the new pitch donation fund as can be seen from the donation barometer at the top cross in Ardagh. The club sincerely thank all those who have contributed to date. Receipts will be issued in due course. All donations will be acknowledged on a ‘donation wall’ in the later phases of the project.
Their annual charity road hurling will once again take place on Tuesday, December 27 around the traditional 4km route in Ardagh starting and finishing at the Bottom Cross. This event has grown from strength to strength since its inception and the support and generosity of the entire community is greatly appreciated by all concerned. The event is open to participants of all ages. Teams of three. €10 per person. They will be announcing their chosen charities for the 2022 edition in the coming weeks. The club look forward to seeing you all on December 27. The club are holding a clothes collection on Saturday/Sunday, January 17/18. All clean clothing will be accepted, curtains, bed linen, paired shoes, no duvets or pillows. The collection details will be announced in the New Year.
The Limerick GAA Club draw for December will be held on Saturday, December 10, and announced during the Limerick Live 95fm sports show. The usual €21,000 prizes on offer. The star prize for the final draw is an iPad, plus additional Christmas prizes worth €500. These are €100 vouchers from Fitzgerald Woodlands House Hotel, Scanlan’s Menswear, Newcastle West, Marie Keating, Photographer, Killeedy, Original Irish Hotels and Kennelly Jewellers, Limerick. The St Kieran’s club are the local promoters.
A Céilí will be held in the hall Milford on Saturday, December 10, from 9.30pm. It is a very popular venue for West Limerick dancers and a warm welcome awaits all. Music by Mountain Road Band and tea and treats served. Admission is €10.
Kilcolman national school will hold a clothes collection on Wednesday, December 14. Bags of clothes can be dropped to the school shelter and thanks to all for their continued support for their fundraisers.
The next rambling house will be held at Ballyhahill Hall on Wednesday, December 14, at 8pm. All musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend. It is a special for Christmas with surprise guests, Wrenboys and lots of traditional entertainment.
Ita Mc Quinn, Monagea Rambling House, is holding her next monthly rambling house on Friday, December 16, at the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West at 8pm. It is a special charity night, and all musicians, singers’ dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend.
A set Céilí will be held at the Old Chapel Room, Captains Lane, Ballyroe, Lower Kilfinane, Eircode V35V998, on Friday, December 16, from 9pm. Music by Taylors Cross and admission is €10.
The Ardagh Community Centre Fundraising Bingo evening takes place on Wednesday, December 21 at 8pm sharp. There is €2,000 in prize money with lots of prizes on the night. All support will be greatly appreciated.