By Tom Aherne
SYMPATHY: We extend sympathy to Rosaline Normile, partner Brian, son Noah, Barry’s Cross, Barnigue, Carrigkerry on the death of her father John (Jackie)Normile, Lisreidy, Loughill, peacefully at Bons Secour Hospital, Tralee on Friday, February 3. Reposing was held at Healy’s Funeral Home, Glin on Sunday, February 5, from 4pm until 7pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr. Austin McNamara on Monday, February 6 at 12 noon in The Church of the Assumption, Loughill followed by burial in Kilfergus Cemetery, Glin. Sympathy also to his wife Nora, daughter Susan Whelan, grandchildren Karen, John, sisters Brenda (Kenneally, USA) and Joanie Murphy (USA), son-in-law John, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. Jackie was a great character who endeared himself to all with his great sense of humour, quick wit and love of the outdoors. A singer and musician with the White River Sound he was known far and wide and his passing is regretted by all who were fortunate to have known him. May he rest in musical Heaven.
SYMPATHY: We extend sympathy also to Catherine Goulding, Glenagore on the death of her sister Johanna ”Joann” (Mary Murphy) Mullane, on Monday, December 26 in Chicago. Visitation at Cooney Funeral Home 625 Busse Hwy in Park Ridge from 9 to 11am on Wednesday January4,Mass in St Juliana Church at 11.30 and interment at Maryhill Cemetery. She was a native of Knockfinisk and aged 84 years old and spent the majority of her life abroad. Sympathy to all her other relatives and may she rest in Peace.
HERITAGE MEETING: St. Kieran’s Heritage Association held their March meeting in the Community Hall, Ardagh on Wednesday, February 8, with twelve members present. Chairperson John P. O’Sullivan welcomed all and Secretary Mary Byrnes read the minutes from the previous meeting. The matters arising (no correspondence) were dealt with speedily. The Railway walk to Newcastle West the previous Saturday was very successful and Liam O’Mahoney (Great Southern Trail founder) was thanked for his very interesting talk. The following is a brief review of the contents of the meeting.
The Association will participate in the St Patrick’s Day parades in Rathkeale and Adare as it is reported that no parade will be held in Newcastle West this year. This year is the 156th anniversary of the Fenian Rising (March 5,1867) and the 175th anniversary of the handing over of the Irish Tricolour in Waterford on March 7, 1948. These two events will be recalled with the Tricolour and the pike people being the main focus of the walking parade. New and youthful pike members are needed to fill the void left by retirees, and training will be provided.
Calendar samples were distributed to members to observe and comment on for the proposed 2024 calendar. It was decided to reprint some previous publications to have them on hand for future events. A rambling house/Irish night was proposed for Saturday April 22, to mark the handing over of the Irish Tricolour to William Smith O’Brien which took place on April 15, 1848. A day trip to Glasnevin Cemetery and other locations in Dublin was discussed. A couple of historical talk nights was aired with speakers and dates to be confirmed. The chairperson forwarded a detailed list of 11 anniversaries to be commemorated this year to members before the meeting which was very helpful.
The annual general meeting will be held in the community Hall Ardagh on Wednesday March 1, at 8pm. A review of activities since the previous AGM in 2020 (before the arrival of Covid) will be held and the election of new officers and committee will take place. People who may be interested in any of the above positions are asked to forward their names to the secretary in advance of the meeting. All are welcome to the AGM including returning and new members who would like to get involved in the forthcoming activities.
SIGERSON CUP: St. Kieran’s club player John Hayes was a member of the UL football team that defeated DCU by 3-12 to 0-12 in the semi final of the Sigerson Cup played in Cullen Park Carlow on Wednesday February 8. John has been involved in all four matches to date, starting the last two at corner forward and contributing on the scoreboard. They play UCC in the final this Wednesday, February 15, in the University Sports grounds Waterford at 7.30pm.
GAELIC GAMES: The County Championship draws were made on Friday, February 3, and resulted for St. Kieran’s as follows. In group 1 of the county senior football, they face Oola, Newcastle West, Father Casey’s, Claughaun, Kildimo/Pallaskenry. In group 2 of the county intermediate hurling they face Croom, Murroe/Boher, Feohanagh, Knockainey, Granagh/Ballingarry. The top three teams in the groups advance to the knockout stages. The club will hold a Premier League Last Man Standing competition from Saturday March 4. The forms are available from all the adult players or from Neary’s Ardagh. The entry fee is €10, first prize is €500 and the entry deadline is Monday, February 20.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic lost 2-0 away to Newcastle West Town in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday, February 5. Carrig Celtic had no game in Division 3. The Desmond Cup commences on Sunday, February 12, for both clubs. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers received a walkover from Breska Rovers B, and Creeves Celtic had no fixture.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, February 6. The numbers drawn were 1, 27, 28, 30, and there was no winner of the €11,400 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Patrick Liston, Carnagh, Ballyhahill (Online), Liam Steele, Ardagh, Noreen Noonan, Commons, Ardagh, Margaret O’Donnell, Feohanagh, Patricia O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry (Online). Next Monday night’s Jackpot will be €11,500. 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 Mairead O’Flynn, Newcastle West who won €230 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, February 10. 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.
FUNDRAISING WALK: Joe Ahern, Glenagore, Athea is back walking again, this time for the Cardiac Care in the Mater Public Hospital, Dublin. His challenge is to walk 100 miles during the month of February. His number is 086-8155614 if people want to sponsor him.
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 (up skilling), Machine Sewing for Beginners NOTE own machine required, Crochet for beginners, Pilates, Introduction to Bee Keeping. The cost for each course is €90, and 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.
RAMBLING HOUSE: The next rambling house will be held at Ballyhahill Hall on Wednesday, February 15, at 8pm. All musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend. It is receiving lots of positive reviews with plenty traditional entertainment and teas served.
ITA’S RAMBLING HOUSE: Ita McQuinn, Monagea is holding her next monthly rambling house on Friday, February 17, at the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West at 8pm. It is a special fundraiser for the Desmond Complex which is a great community complex. All musicians, singers dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend.
ATHEA DRAMA: Athea drama group present this year’s production ”The Anniversary” at Con Colbert Memorial Hall on the following dates in February 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.
FUNDRAISING CÉILÍ: A fundraising Céilí in aid of TLC4CF (Tipperary, Limerick, Clare for Cystic Fibrosis) will take place at Mungret St. Pauls GAA Clubhouse (Eircode V94 AO 62) on Friday, February 17, from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €10, and a raffle will be held for numerous spot prizes. The music by Taylors Cross Céilí Band, teas served and all are welcome. By donating to TLC4CF you can make a difference to the quality of life for people with Cystic Fibrosis. TCL4CF aims to develop and improve services and facilities for people with CF in the mid West region of Ireland. A very large crowd attended the last fundraiser on January 6 and a great night’s dancing took place.