By Tom Aherne
MONTH’S MIND: The Month’s Mind Mass for the late Pat Joe Flynn will be held in St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Wednesday, February 1 at 9-30am and for Eileen Collins on Friday, February 3, at 7.30pm, also in St. Molua’s Church.
CHURCH CEREMONIES: Candles for Candlemas Day will be blessed after 10am Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry on Thursday, February 2. Fr. Michael will make his usual First Friday calls on Thursday and Friday, February 2/3. The blessing of the throats will take place after the 7.30pm Mass in St. Molua’s Church on Friday, February 3, the feast of St. Blaise. Mass in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be celebrated in St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh at 11am on Saturday, February 4. It will be preceded by the Rosary and Adoration.
COOLCAPPA/KILCOLMAN CEREMONIES: The blessing of the throats and candles will take place at the 7.30pm Mass in St. Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Friday, February 3. It will be followed by Adoration from 8-9pm. The same ceremony will be held on Candlemas Day Thursday, February 2 at the 9.30am Mass in St. Kyran’s Church, Coolcappa. The first Saturday (February 4) devotions will be held there at 9.30am, and the blessing of the throats will take place at the 7.30 Vigil Mass. The Sacristan’s collection will be taken up on February 12. 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.
HERITAGE MEETING: St Kieran’s Heritage Association held their first meeting of the year at Ardagh Community Centre on Wednesday, January 25. Chairperson John P.O’Sullivan welcomed all the members back after a difficult three years of inactivity. Secretary Mary Byrnes read the minutes and matters arising were discussed. The main purpose of the meeting was to put in place a preliminary schedule of events for 2023,with the following announced. A railway walk will be held on Saturday, February 4 at 11am from Ardagh to Newcastle West and back along the Greenway, to mark the closure of Ardagh Station on that date in 1963. Participation in the St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Rathkeale and possibly another parade with the Pike men participating. A fair day in June, Bus tour of local sights, Series of Historical talks, an event to mark the 100 anniversary of the arrival of the first guards to Ardagh Station in September 23, 1923. A Historical calendar for 2024 and a Christmas Fair. The next meeting will be held in the same venue on Wednesday, February 8, at 8pm and all are welcome.
BIRTHDAY WISHES: Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Christy Lynch, Coolcappa and Shanagolden who recently celebrated his 70th birthday with family members. Christy is a regular entertainer on the Rambling House scene.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, January 23. The numbers drawn were 1,3,6,13, and there was no winner of the €11,200 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each, Christopher Madigan, Kilcolman (Online), Tom Mackessy, Coolanoran, Paul Woulfe, Dunganville (Online), Marie O’Donnell Neary, Ardagh (Online), Archie Madigan, Ardagh. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €11,300. 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 Tom Ryan, Ballybrown, who won €470 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, January 27. 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.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic lost 1-0 away to Ballingarry in the Desmond Premier division on Friday, January 20. Carrig Celtic lost 4-3 at home to Breska Rovers B in Division 3 on Sunday, January 22. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League, Kilcolman defeated Dromore United 5-0 away with goals from Rebecca Horgan 2, Mia Forrestal, Gillian Musgrave and Danielle Donovan. Creeves Celtic defeated Breska Rovers B 2-1 away with Caoimhe Boyce and Caoimhe O’Connell scoring their goals.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Limerick defeated Kilkenny by 4-13 to 0-2 in round 1 of the National Football League Division 4B at Dunmore, on Sunday, January 22. The Old Mill ladies football club had three players involved on the team, Sophie Hennessy, Roísín Ambrose, (Captain) and Iris Kennelly. Alva Quaid was unavailable and Limerick play Wicklow away next on Sunday, February 12.
PRESENTATION: The Munster Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie team who completed the All Ireland and League double in 2022 were presented with their awards at a function in Kilmurry Lodge on Friday, January 20. Congratulations to Darren Dineen, Ardagh who received his award from the Munster Council Chairperson, Ger Ryan.
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 4, and 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.
GAELIC GAMES: The St Kieran’s club membership rates for 2023 are: Limerick Development Draw only €100, Senior adult player €55, plus Draw €145, Family membership (includes 1 parent/guardian and all children under 18) €75, plus Draw €165, Adult social non playing €35, plus Draw €125, Under 21/ Student membership €35, Single juvenile membership €35, Camogie €35. Membership is now open and numerous options are available.
FILM CLUB: Newcastle West Film Club present ”Juniper” in the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West on Friday, February 3, at 8pm. Admission is €8 and refreshments are available and all are welcome.
RAMBLING HOUSE: The next rambling house will be held at Jim’s Rambling House, Newbridge on Friday, February 3 at 8pm. All musicians, singers dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend.
SINGING CLUB: West Limerick Singing Club will hold their next singing session on Friday, February 3, at 9pm in the Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale. All entertainers are welcome.
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 What’s App. The cast includes Theresa O’Halloran, Johnny Corkery, Julie Moloney, Paul O’Connell, Louise Ahern, Shane McEnery. A wonderful night’s 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.
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.