By Tom Aherne
SENSORY GARDEN: We welcome a new initiative for Carrigkerry Village. The Carrigkerry Development Association are aiming to revamp the area located in front of the community playground. This space will contain a sensory garden and picnic area, a much needed amenity for the local community and surrounding areas. They hope that the general public will support them in their fundraising activities.
CHEQUE PRESENTATION: The proceeds from Copse’s Christmas Lights 2022 were recently presented to members of Pieta House, Limerick and Milford Hospice, Limerick. Each organisation received a cheque for €3,545.50. Joan and Timmy would like to thank each and every one who called to see the lights and donated. A massive thank you to all the business people who sponsored us again and everyone who supported our lights last year.
HEAD COUNT: The future of church services and buildings with the increasing age and decline in priests is causing concern and up for debate at present. An All Ireland head count at masses is being held to help the church to come to decisions. Limerick Diocese is counting every person attending every church mass in parishes as part of the national count. The future looks bleak and some churches may have to step back on services or close due to the high cost of maintaining church property. Fr. Tim Curtin is in charge of Pastoral Unit 13 comprising of the parishes of Coolcappa/Kilcolman, Shanagolden/Foynes/Robertstown, Loughill/Ballyhahill and Glin. That is eight churches to look after on his own at present as Fr. Austin McNamara is recuperating. Wishing him and Fr. Michael Noonan a speedy return to good health and church duties.
MASS CHANGEOVER: From Saturday, April 1 Mass will be celebrated in St. Colman’s Church, Kilcolman at 7.30pm and there will be no weekend Mass in Coolcappa Church. This new arrangement will be in place in the parish for the next six months.
LIMERICK GAA ANNUAL: The Limerick GAA Annual 2023 compiled by Paul Anglim was launched by Limerick hurling manager, John Kiely, at Coolyroe Complex on Thursday March 16. It is a fine 420 page round up of the 2022 season. It costs €20 and will be available in Centra Stores and other selected outlets including Moloney’s Carrigkerry and Greaney’s Ardagh. Former County Board Chairman John Cregan is in charge of sales and profits will go to the Limerick teams training fund. Old Mill Ladies Football club have 2 pages of club news from Tríona Ambrose promoting their activities with 4 photographs included. St Kieran’s have 3 pages with honours won and 50 year tribute plus 2 photographs. Also included over 3 pages are tributes to Moss O’Connor and Paddy Molyneaux who both died in 2022.
RISING STAR: Congratulations to Iris Kennelly Old Mill and Limerick ladies footballer who has been selected as one of the 2023 Yoplait Ladies HEG Rising Stars. Iris 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. She has also been a leading scorer for the county team in their league group matches to date. Iris received the same award in 2022.
GAELIC GAMES: The Ita Madigan Hurling Tournament (Under 13)final was played on St. Patrick’s Day in the Astro pitch in Ardagh. Dromcollogher/Broadford defeated St Kieran’s by 3-15 to 3-6 to retain the cup for the second year. Askeaton and Knockaderry will contest the shield final.
SOCCER NEWS: In the Premier Division of the Desmond League Creeves Celtic defeated Glin Rovers 3-2 away on Sunday, March 19. Tommy Dillane, Bryan Meade and Seamus Mangan scored the goals. In round 2 of the Riedy Cup Carrig Celtic lost 4-0 at home to Ballingarry B. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Feenagh 2-0 at home with Kate Neville and Gillian Musgrave scoring the goals.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, March 20. The numbers drawn were 17,19,24,25, and there was no winner of the €12,000 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Sharon Carrig Ranahan (Online), Brian O’Neill, Newcastle West (Online), Fiona Fitzgerald, Elm Hill (Online), Nora Mullins, The Commons, Ardagh, Erin Hogan, Cappagh. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €12,100. 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 O’Mara, Charleville, who won €410, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, March 24. The tickets cost €2, or 3 for €5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloney’s 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.
TROCAIRE APPEAL: As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the Trócaire Lenten appeal to help communities in the developing world. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has rightly dominated the news headlines this past year, but the Trócaire appeal is also merited. People have been affected by climate change, drought and conflict and the work done by Trócaire over the past 50 years has saved so many lives. The crisis continues all over Africa and Tócaire help those most at risk, but they need our financial help. Trócaire boxes are still available in the local church porches, if people missed out on collecting them at the start of Lent. We are asked to put some money into them if possible to help family’s this year in Somalia. The boxes can be returned to the churches on Easter weekend and all support will be greatly appreciated.
DISCO: Coolcappa Parent’s Association are holding a children’s Easter Disco on Friday, March 31, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the Coolcappa Community Centre. All children from ages 12 and under are welcome to attend. Parental supervision please. Charge of €5 per child/€10 per family. Refreshments shop open that evening. Prizes for best dancers awarded on the evening.
GLENVILLE HOUSE: The following are the Glenville House and Gardens Ardagh opening hours for 2023: April 1-28, May 2-31, June 1-10, (Heritage Week) August 11-20, inclusive. Tuesday to Saturday from 9-30am to 1-30pm. Admission €5, Students €3, children and old age pensioners are free. The house is located a mile from Ardagh on the Kilcolman road and is well worth a visit.
CÉILÍ DANCE: The Chapel Rooms, Kilfinane will host a night of Céilí and set dancing on Saturday, April 1, from 8pm to 11pm. Donie Nolan and friends will supply the music and entry is €10 with door prize and refreshments included. Kilfinane is well positioned on the border with Cork and Tipperary. It enjoys stunning views as it is nestled among the Ballyhoura Mountains. The venue was known as St. Andrew’s Church of Ireland and was renovated under Leader funding. The first half will be Céili and 2-hand dances and the second half will be set dancing. It is a fundraiser for the County Limerick Fleadh Cheoil which will be held over the June Bank Holiday weekend. All are welcome to the very popular venue for a good night of dancing.
WALK: Creeves Celtic are holding a sponsored fun walk (c. 5km) on Sunday, April 2nd starting at 11am on the Ardagh Greenway. This is a fun event for all the family (young and old!) and they hope to see you all there. All coaches will be handing out sponsorship cards for this walk at training sessions. They greatly appreciate all past and present support of the club.
HERITAGE MEETING: St. Kieran’s Heritage Association participated in the Adare and Rathkeale St. Patrick’s Day parades. Their walking display focused on the pike men and flag carrying by members. They were awarded a prize for their display at the Rathkeale parade. They will hold their next meeting in Ardagh community Hall on Wednesday April 5, at 8pm and all are welcome.