By Tom Aherne

JIM KELLY: The death has occurred of Jim Kelly, Ballinena, Old Mill, Newcastle West,  peacefully, on Saturday, March 11, at University Hospital, Limerick. Reposing at Riedy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West, on Monday, March 16 from 6pm followed by removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West. His  Requiem Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, at 11.30am with burial afterwards in Calvary Cemetery. Sympathy to  his daughter Fiona, brothers, Jack and Willie, sisters Mary and Bridie, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Jim was aged 90 years and a retired agricultural contractor. He was known far and wide for his exploits on the football and Tug-o-war fields. May He Rest in Peace.

SEAN COLLINS: The death has occurred of Sean Collins P.C. of Kilscannell House, Kilscannell, Ardagh, peacefully in the excellent care of Adare  and District Nursing Home surrounded by his family, on Monday, March 13. Predeceased by his wife Maura (née Crowe) and sister Ita. Reposing at Magner’s Funeral Home, Rathkeale on Wednesday, March 15, from 6pm to 7.30pm. His Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday, at 11.30am at St. Molua’s Church, Ardagh, followed by burial in Kilscannell Cemetery. Sympathy to his sons Richard and Denis, sister Betty, brothers David and Denis, grandchildren Leeanne, Brandon, Kieran, Sarah, Grace, Padraig, nephews, nieces, daughters-in-law Michelle and Theresa, sister in-laws, extended family neighbours and friends. Sean was a retired farmer and involved in the Fianna Fáil party as an officer and peace commissioner. May he rest in Peace.

TOM MORAN: The death has occurred of Tom (Tommy) Moran, Rathfarnham, Dublin /Athea, Limerick on Sunday, March 12,  peacefully, at St James’s Hospital. Predeceased by his son Sean, father Thomas, mother Cathy, brothers Sean, Patrick and son-in-law Nardus.  Reposing at his home on Wednesday March 15 from 4pm to 7pm. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday at 1pm in the Church of the Annunciation, Rathfarnham, followed by cremation at Newlands Cross, Crematorium. Sympathy to his wife Sheila and children Tommy, Karen, Tracey, Michael, Stephen, Brendan and the late Sean. Very sadly missed by his sisters Mary, Joan, Helen and brother Michael. Also missed by his son-in-law Thor, daughters-in-law Sarah, Tina, Geri, Laura, 20 grandchildren – Ben, Charlotte, Abi, Trudy, Leon, Beth, Ellie, Noah, Meghan, Max, Erik, Oscar, Kamen, Maya, Alice, Stella, Yana, Nesa, Paddy, George, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family, his colleagues and many friends.  Tom and family owned the Country club in Carrigkerry during the 1980s bringing the top national and international acts to the village. He gave good employment and was a generous sponsor to many. May he rest in Peace.

ARDAGH PAVEMENTS: Limerick Council workers continue their work at  the traffic light junction Top Cross, Ardagh. The purpose of this work (done in two stages) was to build up the land bank on the Newcastle West side  to enable them to provide drainage, footpaths and public lighting. This has been completed and now work is progressing from the Shanagolden entrance with the roadside hedge between Fr. Michael Noonan’s house and the former curates house removed. They are presently laying a concrete path from the first house in towards the cross. The reason for the work is to provide enhanced safety features on this road for residents within the 50kmph speed limit.

GAELIC GAMES: Congratulations to Fionn Gleson, Con Enright, Luke Corrigan from the St. Kieran’s club who were members of the Colaiste na Trocaire School, Rathkeale team/panel who defeated Colaiste  Phadraig,  Lucan by 2-21 to 1-16 in the All-Ireland Masita GAA Post Primary Schools Senior D Hurling Final (Niall McInerney Cup) at Portlaoise on Thursday, March 16. The club held a very successful bucket collection in aid of the new pitch development around Newcastle West on Saturday last. Thanks to the 80 plus volunteers, the general public who contributed so generously, all the businesses who accommodated the collectors.

LADIES FOOTBALL: Congratulations to Iris Kennelly who was a member of the TUS Midwest team who won the Colleges Donaghty Cup on Wednesday, March 8 at University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Drome.

SOCCER NEWS: Congratulations to Creeves Celtic player Ben Hough and the U14 Desmond  League team who are all Ireland Champions after defeating the Kerry League 3-2  in the U14 SFAI Interleague Cup Final last Saturday.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, March 13.The numbers drawn were 9, 12, 14, 21, and  there was  no  winner of the €11,900 Jackpot. Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received  €40 each:  Paul Daly, Ardagh, (Online), The Buston family, Coolcappa, Timmy King, Carrigkerry, (Online), The O’Donovan family, Shanagolden c/o Nora Dineen, Angela O’Connell c/o Nora Dineen.  Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be €12,000. 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:  The West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw returns on Friday, March 24, after taking a break on St Patrick’s Day. 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.

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.

HISTORY TALK: Rathkeale Historical Society next monthly talk will be held on Friday, March 24 at 8.30pm in the Community Arts Centre, New Line, Rathkeale The talk will be given by Dr. David Fleming UL and the  topic will be ”Mass Rocks” All are very welcome to the very popular talks held over the winter months and admission is free.

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.

SCOR FINALS: The County Limerick Scór Na Nóg  2023 finals will be held at the Community Centre, Askeaton  on Saturday, March 25 at 4pm. The question time finals take place at 2.30pm. The junior Scór event is for under 17 years and there are 8 events which cover singing, music, dancing question time and novelty. The events are figure dancing, solo singing, recitation/storytelling, Instrumental music, novelty/drama, ballad group and set dancing.  More details can be got from the GAA clubs and  from the county Scór  committee.

SET CÉILÍ: A set Céilí will be held at Tomaisín’s, Lisselton, Co Kerry on Saturday  March 25, from 9pm. Music by Donie Nolan and Taylor’s Cross Céilí band. The admission is  €10 and all are welcome.

GREYHOUND MEETING: Greyhound racing continues at Limerick Greyhound Track and it is an enjoyable night out. The restaurant is open every Thursday and Saturday night, and can be booked on www.limerickgreyhoundstadium.ie The annual Con and Anne Kirby Memorial (Celebrating 10 years) greyhound stake sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus will be held at Limerick Greyhound Stadium from Saturday, March 25, to Friday, April 21. All the Limerick GAA Clubs will be allocated a greyhound and prizes will be awarded to  the final six as in previous years.

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.