By Tom Aherne

GRANTS BONANZA:

Ardagh village and surrounding  areas were celebrating last Thursday following the announcement of grants (€241,081) awarded  to four groups. The funding is part of a €50 million Community Recognition Fund, a major initiative to support communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries. Funding has been provided for sports clubs, community organisations, transport infrastructure and local groups. The constituency of County Limerick has benefited to the tune of over €1m.

St. Kieran’s GAA club have been allocated €164,500 towards the new pitch development. It was granted for the purchase of the land, site preparation, roads, paths and paving, site services,  electric  site services and landscaping.

The ADRSC committee have been awarded €28,556 for their facility in Ardagh. It was granted for ball wall fencing to top of wall 60m, additional lighting, safety fencing along the car park and path, steps to car park to path, bicycle stand, sensor light to clubhouse, non-puncture cone set, for surface, extension of footpath to ball wall area.

Ardagh Hall Committee have been awarded €41,626. It was granted for dry lining with insulated slab, skirting board, architrave, and doors, supply and fitting of floor, electrical works, including access pad, hub desks and chairs, kitchenette, replacement of flashing and chutes. St. Kieran’s Heritage Association have been awarded €2,899 for the purchase of IT equipment. West Limerick Resources CLG have been awarded  €3,500 for Ardagh  for IT equipment.

MARY FLAHERTY: The death has taken place of Mary Flaherty, Castleview, Newcastle West, peacefully in the care of friends at Care Bright Facility, Bruff, on Saturday, May 13. Wife of the late Timothy. Reposing at her daughter Tina’s residence at School Road, Carrigkerry on Monday, May 15, from 5 to 8pm. Arriving at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West, on Tuesday for 11.30 am for Requiem Mass, followed by burial after in Holy Cross Cemetery, Athea. Sympathy to her daughters Hannah, Jean, Bernie, Mary, Margery, Nora, and Tina, son Timothy, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

GAELIC GAMES:  St. Kieran’s defeated Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan by 0-15 to 0-13 in the final of the Under 17 Hurling Division 3 League final at Kilbreedy on Wednesday, May 17. They led by 0-11 to 0-5 at half time. TEAM: Josh Daly,  Shane O’Mahony,  Conor McMahon, Bryan Sheehan, Joey McClelland, Oisín Ryan, David O’Connell, Sean Long, Eoghan Sheehan, Derry O’Connor 0-10, Jack O’Sullivan 0-3, Luke Mulcahy 0-1 Gearoid Walsh, Charlie McMahon 0-1, Cormac Murphy, Subs Daniel Mulvihill, Tadgh Dineen.

St. Kieran’s lost to Granagh/Ballingarry by 2-9 to 0-9 in the West Junior B Football League in Ballingarry on Thursday, May 18. St. Kieran’s defeated Patrickswell by 2-8 to 1-4 in Under 15 hurling in Patrickswell on Monday, May 15. St Kieran’s defeated Adare by 1 12 to 2-7 in the West Senior Football League at Coolcappa on Saturday, May 20. They led by 1-5 to 0-3 at half time.

SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic defeated Ballingarry 3-2 at home in the Desmond Premier Division on Friday, May 12 with goals from Eoin McEnery, Bryan Meade and James O’Connor. Carrig Celtic lost 3-2 away to Ballingarry B in the Richard Hogan Cup quarter final on Sunday. Seanie King and Micky Long scored. In the Women’s Munster Junior Shield 2nd round Kilcolman Rovers defeated Kilmallock Utd 3-1 at home also on Sunday, May 14 with goals from Marie Balfe, Dora Bury and Gillian Musgrave.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday May 15. The numbers drawn were 1, 20, 21, 22 , and  there was  no  winner of the €12,800 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Marion Anderson (Online),  Alan Hogan (Online), Patsy Donovan, Ardagh, Ann Molyneaux, Ardagh, Mai Gallagher (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be €12,900. 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 Seanie Madigan, Dromcollogher, who won €280, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, May 19 .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.

GROTTO ROSARY: The Holy Rosary will be recited at Churchtown Grotto each evening during May at 6pm.  At the  Grotto in Cahermoyle and the Marian Shrine Rathkeale every evening during the month of May at 6.30 pm and all are welcome.

CLOTHING COLLECTION: The Old Mill Ladies football club are seeking donations of  unwanted clothing to help raise funds at present. The donated items can be placed inside their new orange bin beside their clubhouse. Thanks to all for the continuing support for the club.

VISITOR CENTRE: The Glin Knights Visitor Centre located next to Glin Library is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free to see this very interesting exhibition.

LISTOWEL MONORAIL: The Lartigue Monorail in Listowel is operating  over the summer months until October 1. The Lartigue will run each afternoon from 1pm to 4.30pm.

CEMETERY MASSES:  The following is the summer  schedule for the local cemeteries courtesy of Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish newsletter. Mass will be celebrated  in Shanagolden on Sunday, May 28 at 2pm. In Knockpatrick  Sunday, June 18 at 2pm. In Kilcolman  Sunday, June 25 at 2pm. In Loughill  Sunday, June 25 at 2pm. In Kilbradern Sunday, July 9 at 2pm. In Robertstown, Sunday, July 16 at 2pm. In Mount Pleasant, Sunday, August 6 at 2pm. In Glin Church grounds, Sunday,  August 13 at 7.30pm. In Coolcappa,  Tuesday, August 15 at 7.30pm. In Kilfergus,  Sunday, August 20 at 7.30 pm. In Kinnard,  Monday, August 21 at 7.30pm. In Clonagh  on Sunday September 3 at 2pm.

CONFIRMATION: The Ceremony of Confirmation will be celebrated on Thursday, May 25, in St. Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry at 10am and in St. Molua’s Church. Ardagh at 11.30am.

HOLY COMMUNION: The First Holy Communion  Ceremony will be celebrated in St. Kyran’s Church, Coolcappa on Saturday, May  27 at 10.30am and in St.  Colman’s Church, Kilcolman on Saturday, May 27 at 12.30pm.

OLD MILL NEWS: The Old Mill Ladies Gaelic football club  are holding a fundraising coffee/tea morning in Ardagh Hall on Friday, June 2 from 9am to 1pm and all are welcome to attend.

FLEADH CHEOIL: The County Limerick Fleadh Cheoil will be held in Kilfinane over the June Bank Holiday weekend.  The popular Hup Na Houra show on Friday, June 2 in the Old Chapel Rooms including traditional music song and dance from 8pm. Admission €15. It is a seated candlelit show including complimentary artisan produce, tea and coffee.  Free open-air concerts on Saturday from 7pm with North Cregg and Sunday  from 7pm with Fuinneamh. Competitions and sessions around the town and best of luck to all the local competitors.

FLEADH NUA: The Fleadh Nua will be held in Ennis town over the June Bank Holiday weekend with musicians and dancers participating in competitions, sessions, Céilí and general entertainment. Taylor’s Cross will be playing for a set Céilí in Cois na hAbhna on Saturday, June 3, from 9pm-12am and admission is €10.

FAMILY FUN DAY: St. Kieran’s GAA  club will be holding a family fun day in aid of the new field development in Ardagh in the Astro/community field on Sunday, June 4. It will be a  Craggy Island/Father Ted  theme  afternoon and events start at 1pm. St. Kieran’s Schools Gaelic football blitz will be held at 2pm. The main attraction  will be a comic match involving Priests v Nuns at 3pm. The club will hold their own fittest family event including the hang tough challenge. There will be fun games, face painting, bake sale, tea and tarts, music/dance,  Barbeque. A prize for the best dressed character from the Father Ted Show will be presented and a raffle will be held.  It promises to be a great day out for all family members.

SEAN FINN: An open-air mass will be celebrated at the spot Sean Finn was shot on March 30, 1921, at Ballyroe,  Lisreidy, Loughill West on Sunday, June 4 at 2pm. A Sean Finn Rambling House special  will be held that evening at 8pm at Loughill Recourse  Centre. All welcome.