By Tom Aherne
MAUREEN NEARY: The death took place peacefully of Maureen Neary (nee Greaney) Reens West, Ardagh (a native of Rooskagh West), peacefully at University Hospital, Limerick on Saturday, January 28. Predeceased by her husband Martin, daughter Pauline Brouder, brothers Maurice, Con and Mike. Reposing at Riedy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Monday, January 30 from 6pm. Her Funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Michael Noonan at St. Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Tuesday at 11.30am, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle West. Sympathy to her daughters Caroline O’Brien (Duagh), Kathleen Connelly McCarthy, Ardagh, sister Gretta, sons in law, brother in law, sister in law, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, neighbours, relatives, friends, and extended family. May she rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY: We extend sympathy to John Lynch and family, Carrigkerry on the death of his father Dermot, Kielduff Post Office, Tralee, Kerry on Tuesday, January 24, at the Bons Secours Hospital, Tralee. He lay in repose at his residence on Thursday, January 26. His Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballymacelligott on Friday at 11am, followed by burial afterwards in New Rath Cemetery, Tralee. Sympathy to all the extended Lynch family members. May he rest in Peace.
CHARITY PRESENTATION NIGHT: Carrigkerry Wren group held a very successful presentation night at the Flag Floor Rambling House in Glensharrold, Carrigkerry on Friday, January 27. A large crowd was in attendance and cheque presentations were made to five deserving charities during the night, Milford Care Centre, Cerebral Palsy Ireland, Parkinsons Association Ireland, Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Make A Wish Ireland. Present were many musicians, singers dancers and storytellers who entertained all present.
WREN PRESENTATION: West Limerick Wren boys following their successful St, Stephen’s Day outing hunting the Wren, recently held their annual presentations to four charities, Rathfredagh Cheshire Home, Friends of St. Ita’s, Limerick Oncology Unit, Pieta House, Limerick.
ANNIVERSARY: Carrigkerry Community Centre was extended and renovated during 2001 and officially opened and blessed by Fr. Dan Lane on Sunday, February 3, 2002. A heavy fall of snow that morning led to all hands on deck to clear it away so the ceremony could go ahead. Now 21 years later it is still serving the people of the community. It has lost the weekly doctor service and monthly social welfare service, but remains the headquarters for the Community Employment Scheme, and the weekly dancing classes.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, January 30. The numbers drawn were 14,22,24,26, and there was no winner of the €11,300 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Bobby, Denis and Jen Woulfe, Ardagh, Lorraine O’Kane, Creeves (Online), Archie Madigan, Ardagh, Mike Liston, Glenastar, c/o Denis Greaney, Mary Lawlor, Ardagh (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €11,400. 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.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Betty Harnett, Castlemahon, who won €260 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, February 3. 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.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Fergus Gleeson who won €616 in the January Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch on Friday, February 3. Tickets to enter the draw are available from committee members, club managers, at Neary’s Ardagh, Inver five crossroads Rathkeale and the Thatch Newbridge. All support will be greatly appreciated.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic lost 1-0 at home to Rathkeale in the Desmond Premier Division on Sunday, January 29. Carrig Celtic defeated Broadford United B 2-1 at home in Division 3, with Donal Nolan and Cormac Mann scoring their goals. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Creeves Celtic 1-0 at home with Mia Forrestal scoring the goal.
GAELIC GAMES: St. Kieran’s player John Hayes was a member of the UL football team that defeated University of Galway by 1-15 to 2-10 after extra time in the quarter final of the Sigerson Cup played at Dangan on Tuesday, January 31. They play DCU in the semi final this Wednesday, February 8 in Cullen Park. Club players Lorcan Murphy and Sean Ryan are members of the Limerick Under 20 football panel for this year’s campaign. The victory social will be held in the Longcourt Hotel on Saturday, March 11. The county junior hurling winning players will receive their medals during the night. It commences with a four course meal at 7.15. Music by Heart and Soul followed by DJ Sean Carrig. The tickets cost €50 and a good night is anticipated.
FUNDRAISING WALK: David Egan a native of Carrigkerry now lives in Amsterdam and he is embarking on his third fundraising walk which he calls 1K by Father’s Day. The idea is to walk from his present home to his native parish and Ardagh a distance of 1,104km from February 1, to Father’s Day in June and he will contribute a Euro per km walked and hopefully other people will donate as well. In previous years David has raised money for the Mid West Simon Community in Limerick and the Blood Bike South in Cork. This year the money raised will go towards the St. Kieran’s GAA Club new pitch project: gofund.me/d0f4f06e David attended Carrigkerry national school, St. Ita’s, Newcastle West and UL. He left Ireland in 1991 and attended graduate school in the US, for 12 years in New York and San Diego. David moved to Amsterdam in 2003 where he now runs a software company. His family members have been involved with the parish hurling and football club in the past. We wish David well in his walk and fundraising endeavours for his native club. Go David go.
HERITAGE MEETING: St. Kieran’s Heritage Association will hold a meeting in the Community Hall, Ardagh on Wednesday, February 8, at 8pm. All are welcome and especially new members who would like to get involved in the forthcoming activities.
NEW MEMBERS: The Old Mill ladies football club are holding an hour introduction for new members to ladies Gaelic football for primary school children (Junior Infants to sixth class) at Newcastle West Community Centre on Saturday, February 11 from 10 to 11am. The girls are asked to bring runners and water and for more details call or text 086-8588018 or 087-668419.
ATHEA DRAMA: Athea drama group present this year’s production ”The Anniversary” at Con Colbert Memorial Hall on the following dates in February opening on Thursday 9, Saturday 11, Sunday 12, Thursday 16, Saturday 18, Sunday 19. To book 087- 6926746 preferably by text or Whats App. The cast includes Theresa O’Halloran, Johnny Corkery, Julie Moloney, Paul O’Connell, Louise Ahern, Shane McEnery. A wonderful nights drama is looked forward to each night from 8pm.
HISTORY TALKS: Rathkeale Historical Society next monthly talk will be held on Friday, February 10, at 8.30pm in the Community Arts Centre, New Line, Rathkeale. Amanda Clarke will speak about the Holy Wells of County Limerick. All are very welcome to the very popular talks held over the winter months and admission is free.
SET CÉILÍ: A Céilí will be held in the hall Milford on Saturday, February 11, from 9.30pm. It is a very popular venue for West Limerick dancers and a warm welcome awaits all. Music by the Tim Joe and Ann Band and tea and treats served. Admission is €10.
SACRISTAN COLLECTION: The Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish Sacristans collection will be taken up on Saturday, February 11. The envelopes are provided in the family box and are also available at the back of the churches. Both are very committed to their duties and the work involved and your support will be appreciated.
MILFORD CARE: Milford Care Centre are holding their annual 10km run/walk on Sunday, February 12 with a start time of 12 noon. The event is open to runners and walkers of all levels and standards, with the proceeds going directly to support the work of Milford Care Centre in the Mid West. To register, donate or receive sponsorship cards contact the centre by phone or email.
CAR BOOT SALE: A car boot sale will be held in Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday February 12 from 8am to 1pm. To book a place to offer goods for sale call 069-69584.
COMHALTAS NEWS: The Munster Ceol an Gheimhridh finals will take place on Sunday, February 12th in Brú Boru, Cashel, Tipperary. Best wishes to all the local competitors participating. Fleadh Cheoil Na Mumhan 2023 will be held in Tralee from Monday, July 10th , to Sunday, July 16th. The Kerry County Fleadh will be held in Ballybunion over two weekends in June. The set dancing competitions on June 10th and 11th and the music on the following weekend June 17th and 18th. The Limerick County Fleadh will be held in Kilfinane over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
NIGHT CLASSES: People who may wish to take up a new hobby or pastime may be interested in the return of night classes in the Desmond College in Newcastle West. The list of courses available are Genealogy/Local History, Drawing and Painting, Fun with Furniture (upskilling), Machine Sewing for Beginners NOTE own machine required, Crochet for beginners, Pilates, Introduction to Bee Keeping. The cost for each course is €90 and the full fee must be paid on enrolment night which was on Tuesday, February 7. Fees are only refundable if a class has insufficient numbers, as a minimum number is required for each class. The courses will begin on Tuesday February 21, from 7pm to 9pm. For further information contact 069- 62205.