by Tom Aherne
WEDDING WISHES: Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Ian Mackessy, Coolanoran, and Eadaoin Tievnar, who were married recently in Kilshane House Tipperary.
PLAQUE UNVILED: Halla Inse Bán Templeglantine was the venue for the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate parishioners who supported or participated in the struggle for Irish Independence over a century ago on Sunday April 16. Gerard Greaney a member of the St Kieran’s Heritage Association gave the oration/address.
BOARD APPOINTMENT: Ardagh native Jim Woulfe the former CEO of Dairygold Co-op has been appointed as an advisor to work with the Board of Kerry Co-op. He is currently a board member of four others and past member of two other boards. His 40 years experience in many senior management roles will be of great benefit to the Board, to look at the structure of Kerry Co-op as it develops its policy.
KNOCKDOWN VINTAGE: The Knockdown Vintage Club held their presentation night (proceeds from their fun run day March 26) at Knockdown Arms on Saturday April 8. They presented Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue, Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre and Friends of St Ita’s Community Hospital with cheques of € 2,600 each. All who helped to make the day such a success were thanked.
CHEQUE PRESENTATION: Joe Aherne, Glenagore Athea, would like to thank everyone who sponsored him in his 100-mile challenge for the month of February. The total amount he raised was € 1,235, for the Mater Foundation Dublin.
CUCKOO CALL: The Cuckoo has arrived (right on time as in previous years) in our locality and has been heard calling since last Wednesday April 19. The elder generation always looked forward to the arrival as it marked the end of the long winter, and the promise of better weather ahead. When they heard the first call, they would bless themselves thanking the Lord that they had survived another year. The bird likes rural and remote areas, where it can remain unobserved by humans as it goes about its business. Its distinctive call is mainly the only means of knowing its whereabouts.
COMMUNITY GAMES: Congratulations to St Kieran’s Under 13 girls’ indoor soccer team who won silver medals at the Munster finals on Saturday April 15, and the Under 14 boys draught team who received Munster certificates and the competitors who took part in the art and handwriting.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s defeated St Senan’s by 8-17 to 1-5 in the West Senior Football League played at Coolcappa on Saturday April 15. St Kieran’s lost to Newcastle West by 3-9 to 0-7 in the West Junior B Football League on Sunday April 16.
St Kieran’s lost to Knockaderry by 1-12 to 1-9 in the West Senior Hurling League played at Knockaderry on Tuesday April 18. They led by 1-6 to 0-7 at half time. TEAM: Anthony Molyneaux, Anthony Mullins, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Darragh Mc Mahon, Jack Ben Harnett 0-1, Brendan Mc Carthy, Cathal Mc Enery, Fionn Gleeson, James O’Connor 0-1, Cathal O’Connor, Eoin Mc Enery 0-4, Michael Long, Cormac Mann, Donie Nolan 0-3, Michael Murphy 1-0. Subs Conor Woulfe, Billy Breen, Shay Greaney, Jack Flavin, Edward Fitzgerald.
Well done to Sean Walsh who was runner -up the final of the Long Cic Fada on Saturday April 15 in Limerick greyhound stadium. Well done to Sean Kelly on winning the Under 12 Hurling Long Poc Fada. Well done to Maeve Madigan who represented St Kieran’s Camogie Club in the poc fada at the Greyhound stadium.
St Kieran’s drew with Ballysteen 0-14 to 1-11 in round 2 of the West Senior Football League played at Coolcappa on Saturday April 22. They led by 0-9 to 1-5 at half time. TEAM: Robert Bradley, Anthony Mullins, Diarmuid Mulcahy, James O’Connor, Michael Shanahan, Brendan Mc Carthy, Cormac Mann, Lorcan Murphy, Liam Kennedy 0-1, Noel Callanan 0-3, Eoin Mc Enery 0-1, Adam Lacy 0-1, Seamus Mangan 0-2, Donie Nolan 0-2, Alan Daly 0-3. Subs Craig MacInness, Ian Mackessy, Darragh Mc Mahon.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic lost 2-1(James O’Connor) at home to Newcastle West in the Desmond Premier League on Sunday April 16. Carrig Celtic had no fixture. In the Desmond Division 1 League Cup semi finals Kilcolman Rovers defeated Dromore United 1-0 (Gillian Musgrave) at home. Creeves Celtic lost 2-1(Laura O’Shaughnessy) at home to Feenagh.
DANCE CLASS: A very enjoyable end of season Céilí was held at Con Colbert Hall Athea on Saturday night last. It was held for dancers attending John Joe Tierney’s dance classes held locally during the autumn and winter months. Thanks to John Joe and his helpers who provided great music and dancing, delicious food and lots of spot prizes. The classes will return next October
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday April 10. The numbers drawn were 3,7,13,26, and there was no winner of the € 12,400 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each: John Mulvihill Athea, c/o Moloney’s, Peig O’Connor Commons, Ardagh (Online), Paddy Harnett Old Mill, (Online), Owen Hayes Junior, (Online), Donal Behan c/o Greaney’s. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be € 12,500. 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 John Kenny Shangarry, Newcastle West, who won € 300, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday April 21.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.
GROTTO ROSARY: The Holy Rosary will be recited at the Grotto in Cahermoyle every evening during the month of May at 6.30 pm and all are welcome.
FILM CLUB: Newcastle West Film Club present the French comedy drama ” The Rose Maker” in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday April 28, at 8pm. Admission is € 8, and refreshments are available, and all are welcome.
SINGING CLUB: West Limerick singing club are holding a special singing session at the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale on Friday April 28 at 9pm in conjunction with the Fleadh by the Feale Festival. Joe Carrig Creeves will be the special guest.
CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for 2023 is now open for membership. The Saint Kieran’s club are promoting it and the first draw will be held on Saturday April 29. The entry fee for the ten draws is € 100, and € 21,000 will be given out in prize money each month. The first prize is € 10,000, 2nd prize € 3,000, 3rd prize € 2,000, 4th prize € 1,000, 5th prize is an exclusive star prize, and 4 prizes of € 500, four prizes € 250, and 17 prizes of € 100. The exclusive star prize for April is a Two Night Stay in an Grianan Donegal plus a € 250 One for All voucher. The draw is a month late commencing this year and two draws will be held in December. To join contact the local St Kieran’s club members in person, or online through the Club force App with direct options available. The club will receive 50% of all membership received which is vital for the running of it over the year.
PIETA HOUSE: The Darkness into Light 5k walk/run in aid of Pieta House will take place on Saturday May 6 at 4-15am from the Desmond Complex Gortboy, Newcastle West. The walk will continue along the N21 towards Lacey’s Cross, turning left towards Gortboy and back to the Desmond Complex.
COMMUNION: The First Holy Communion Ceremony will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturday May 6 and in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday May 13.
OLD MILL NEWS: The Old Mill Ladies Gaelic football club are holding their annual family fundraising walk on Sunday May 7 at 10am from the Barnagh Greenway Hub. It is open to all ages of people from the wider community. The club are holding are holding a fundraising coffee/tea morning in Ardagh Hall on Friday June 2 from 9am to 1pm and all are welcome to attend.
SENSORY GARDEN: Carrigkerry Playground and Sensory Garden Committee are holding a fun raising Bingo in Ardagh Community Centre on Sunday May 7 at 3pm. € 2,000 in prize money with many more prizes on the evening. A double book and 2 sheets € 20, single book and 1 sheet € 15, half book € 5, extra sheets € 2 each. Prizes € 50 per line, € 1,000 per full house, sheet € 100 for line, and € 400 for house. Teas, Coffees, and the hall shop will be open. All support for this exciting development will be greatly appreciated.