By Tom Aherne
BEATRICE O’CONNOR: The death has taken place of Beatrice O’Connor, nee Sheehy, Glenastar, Ardagh peacefully at UHL on Wednesday, March 8. Reposing took place at Riedy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Friday, March 10 from 5.30pm followed by removal to St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday at 12.30pm followed by cremation at Shannon Crematorium at 3pm. Sympathy to her husband Pat, sons Michael and Anthony, daughter Cathy, grandchildren Michael, Caitlin, Saoirse, Oliver and Jack, son in law, Dave, daughter in law Christine, brothers and sister, brothers in law, sisters in law, extended family members, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.
MARY SHEPHERD: The death has occurred of Mary Shepherd (née Danaher) Sussex, England and formerly Ashgrove, Newcastle West, peacefully on Saturday January 7, 2023. Predeceased by her brother Sean, Ardagh. Burial of her ashes took place at 12 noon on Wednesday, March 8, in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle West. Sympathy to her daughters Jacqueline and Janice, brother Tom, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Theresa, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and extended family. May her soul rest in Peace.
MONTHS MIND: The month’s mind Mass for the late Bernie Foley, nee Ambrose, Milltown, Askeaton, will be celebrated in St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh on Saturday, March 18 at 6.30pm.
COMHALTAS NEWS: Congratulations to Eoin Bourke, Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas branch, who was appointed Oifigeach na nÓg (Youth Officer) at the Munster CCE Convention held at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Sunday, February 19. He is a top class musician, singer and teacher and is wished well in his term as an officer.
COMMUNITY GAMES: Congratulations to St. Kieran’s community games on their recent success at the county finals on Saturday, March 4, at the Factory venue in Roxboro, Limerick. The Under 13 girls won the 7 a side indoor soccer tournament gold medals and progress to the Munster finals. A second team also participated and were very competitive. The Under 13 boys team reached the semi-final of their competition. Well done to all the players coaches and supporters involved.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Congratulations to Reba Kenny who received the Old Mill ladies Player of the Year Award at their recent presentation evening at the Silver Dollar. Old Mill players Roísín Ambrose (Captain), Iris Kennelly 2-0 and Sophie Hennessy were members of the Limerick team that defeated Derry 2-7 to 0-4 in Round 4 Division 4 of the National Ladies Football League played in Owenbeg on Sunday, March 5. They play Antrim next in the semi-final.
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 open up to Friday, March 31, and numerous options are available. The club are holding a bucket collection in aid of the new pitch development at Ardagh, in the Newcastle West town area on Saturday, March 18 from 9am to 5pm. The club are seeking volunteers to assist in the collection by picking a time slot that suits them. Contact club members if available to help out.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic defeated Granagh United 5-1 at home in the Desmond Premier Division on Sunday, March 5. Eoin McEnery 4 and Bryan Meade scored their goals. Carrig Celtic had no match. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Feenagh 3-2 away with goals from Gillian Musgrave, Marie Balfe, Mia Forrestal. This result left Kilcolman Rovers winners of the division and promotion to the Premier division next season.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Cian Hartnett who won €577 in the February Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Bar on Friday, February 10 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.
BOGS: Seventeen percent of Ireland is covered with peat bogs. This is the third highest of any country, surpassed only by Canada and Finland. The word ”bog” comes from the Irish ”bogach” meaning soft ground. The number of spectacular finds of ancient gold artefacts in bogs suggests that the Bronze Age people of Ireland regarded bogs as special places and suitable hiding places for their precious treasures. The discovery of the Derrynaflan Chalice and hoard in County Tipperary in 1980 was one of the finest examples. Although it is backbreaking work there is something special almost spiritual about the bog. The scent of turf fires and bog tea was a unique pleasure that the Green agenda can never take away from us. The time is coming around again for the next season of harvesting the peat for the coming winter and long may it continue.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, March 6. The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 25, 30, and there was no winner of the €11,800 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Conor Woulfe, Ardagh (Online), Lisa Liston, (Online), Pa Wilmott, c/o Greaney’s, Joan Ahern, Ardagh, Winnie Murphy, Coolanoran. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €11,900. 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 Pat Griffin, Knocknagoshel Kerry, who won €210, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, March 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.
RAMBLING HOUSE: The next rambling house will be held at Ballyhahill Hall on Wednesday, March 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 on show and teas served.
ITA’S RAMBLING HOUSE: Ita McQuinn Monagea is holding her next monthly rambling house on Friday, March 17, at the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West at 8pm. All musicians, singers dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend.
SET CÉILÍ: A set Céilí will be held at the old School House in Foilogohig, Foyle, Ballydesmond, Co. Cork on St. Patrick’s night, Friday, March 17, from 9.30pm. Music by Donie Nolan and all are welcome.
FUNERAL MINISTRY: The training for funeral ministry volunteers for the Coolcappa/Kilcolman team will meet on Monday, March 20 at 7.30pm in Coolcappa Church.
CHARITY CÉILÍ: A charity Céilí in aid of Down Syndrome Limerick will be held at the Longcourt, Newcastle West on Friday, March 24, from 9pm. Music by Con Herbert and Mountain Road Céilí band. The admission is €10 and all are welcome. Down Syndrome Limerick have provided support for those with Down Syndrome and their families throughout the city and county since 1971.
DAFFODIL DAY: Friday March 24, is the date for Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. There are numerous ways people can support this annual fundraiser or they can host their own event. People who wish to get involved can register with the Irish Cancer Society.
VINTAGE FUNDRAISER: Knockdown Vintage Club are holding a fundraising raffle at present in aid of three worthy local charities, Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue, Friends of St. Ita’s Community Hospital. Newcastle West, Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre. The tickets cost €2 each or three tickets for €5. The first prize is a €150 voucher for the Devon Inn, Second prize is a €100 voucher for Brown Joe’s Athea, Third prize is a monster hamper, Fourth prize €100 voucher for Crown Decorating Centre, Newcastle West and numerous other prizes as well. The draw takes place in the Knockdown Arms on Sunday, March 26 following the vintage run, with music by Big Maggie and John O’Sullivan from 4-6pm. Since their foundation in 2010 the club has raised in excess of €50,000 for various charities. The club thank their sponsors participants and the general public for their continued generosity. All are welcome to come along to their family fun day on Sunday, March 26. Contact Patrick Langan 087-2452695 or Dave Noonan 087-2500938 for more details and all support will be greatly appreciated.