By Tom Aherne

WREN PRESENTATION: The Glensharrold Wren Group held their presentation evening at Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday, May 21st. All the members and guests were welcomed, and a short history of the group was outlined as follows. Glensharrold Wren Group were formed by 3 neighbours and school friends in 1956 Johnny Kennelly, Tom Kennelly and Tony Geoghegan. They held their wren nights in Kennelly’s house from 1959 to 1978, dinner dances in the Devon Inn Hotel, Ardagh Hall, Carrigkerry Community Centre, Hayes House, Athea and the Flag Floor, Carrigkerry. They released 2 cassette tapes of their music song and dance in 1993 (plus history booklet) and 1998. Performed on Radio Kerry and Radio Limerick,  West Limerick 102 fm Documentary, Dan Paddy Andy Festival, Athea Fleadh Cheoil, members birthdays, cemetery tributes and other  various events.

Since 1993 the group have made many presentations to worthy causes in total over €30,000. The members understand it has been difficult for groups to fundraise due to Covid in recent years. Following a member’s meeting it was decided to assist a few  local organizations. As a result, 6 groups benefitted  from the presentation from unused funds collected in previous years. The groups to benefit were Carrigkerry National School, Carrigkerry Community Centre, Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas Branch, Clodagh’s Fundraiser, St. Kieran’s GAA Field Development, Friends of St. Ita’s Hospital Newcastle West. In conclusion all who received funding expressed their sincere thanks  to the group members for their generosity which will greatly assist them in their ongoing activities.

CEREMONIES: Congratulations to the pupils of Ardagh, Carrigkerry, Coolcappa and Kilcolman who recently received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion and Confirmation in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Thursday May 25.

GRADUATION: Congratulations and best wishes to Asilinn O’Sullivan, daughter of Liam and Mary, Old Mill who has graduated  as a dentist from UCC.

YEAR AWARD: Congratulations to Paddy Mullane from our neighbouring parish Ballyhahill on his Musical Performance of the Year Award from Tarbert Comprehensive School at their awards ceremony held recently. Paddy is a great grandson of the late Con Greaney,  Rooskagh and he is also a musician and singer who entertains at the local Rambling House sessions.

FRIDAY CALLS: Fr. Michael Noonan, Ardagh/Carrigkerry will make his usual  First Friday calls on Thursday and Friday, June 1/2.

GAELIC GAMES: St. Kieran’s lost to Father Casey’s by 6-10 to 2-14 in the West Senior Football League in Abbeyfeale on Tuesday, May 23. They trailed by 2-8 to 0-5 at half time.

SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic drew 1-1 away to Rathkeale in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday May 21.  Eoin McEnery scored their goal and they retain their premier place for next season. Carrig Celtic had no fixture.

CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for May was held on Saturday last and announced on the sports show on Limerick Live 95fm. Congratulations to Tommy Brouder from the St. Kieran’s club who won €500. The prize money will increase by close on €20,000 over the ten draws this year with the 17 €100 prizes doubling to €200 and the 4 €250 prizes going up to €300. 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.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, May 22. The numbers drawn were 3,7,8,26 and  there was  no  winner of the €12,900 Jackpot. Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received  €40 each: Patricia O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry (Online), Liam Steele, Ardagh, Lisa Liston, Glenastar (Online), Margaret Daughton, Ardagh, c/o Nora Dineen, Caroline Donovan, Shanagolden c/o Nora Dineen. Next Monday night’s Jackpot will  be €13,000. 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: Congratulations to Cathy Riordan, Sharwood, Newcastle West, who won €415, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, May 26. 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.

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. It commences on Thursday, June 1, with a singing session at Kelleher’s public house, led by Nell Ní Chróninín. The popular Hup Na Houra show on Friday, June 2 in the Old Chapel Rooms will include traditional music song and dance from 8pm. Participating will be renowned musicians Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Caoimhín O’Fearghail and singer Deirdre Scanlan. Admission €15 and booking is advisable. 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. Sessions will be on around the town all weekend. Comhaltas branches from around the county will also be performing on the gig rig. Competitions commence on Saturday, June 3 at venues 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, Céili and general entertainment. Taylor’s Cross will be playing for a set Céili 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 for lots of good prizes. It costs €5 per line and cards are available around the locality. 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. Parking available in the field and please arrive from 1pm-1.30. A Sean Finn Rambling House special  will be held that evening at 8pm at Loughill Resourse  Centre. All welcome.

HERITAGE MEETING: St. Kieran’s Heritage Association will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, June 7 at 8pm in Carrigkerry Community Centre. All are welcome.

VOLUNTARY HOUSING: Ardagh Voluntary Housing Association will be holding their AGM in the hall Ardagh  on Thursday, June 8 at 8pm. New members would be very welcome.

FLEADH DATES: The Kerry Feadh will be held in Ballybunion from June 9 to June 19. The Clare Fleadh will be held in Ennis on June 10, 11, 17, 18.

SEISIÚN DATES: The very enjoyable Seisiún Shows will be held throughout Ireland during July and August. There is no Limerick or Kerry venue listed at present but hopefully this will change.  The 2-hour show in the Heritage Centre, Freemount, Cork will commence on Wednesday, July 12, at 8pm and in Brú na SÍ  in Youghal on Monday,  July 3. County Clare has 4 venues listed,  Ennistymon commencing Monday, July 3 in St Andrew’s Teach Cheoil at 8pm.  Kilrush commencing on Thursday, July 6 in Teach Cheoil at 8.30pm. Ennis commencing on Friday, July 7, in Cois na hAbhna at 8.30pm. Corofin commencing on Thursday, July 13 in Teach Cheoil  at 9pm.

HERITAGE WALK: On this Thursday evening June 1, a bio diversity walk will take place on the historic hillside of Knockfierna, which is a must for lovers of our landscape and its inhabitants. Pat O’Donovan has secured the services of two of Ireland’s leading experts in that field. The walk will leave the Rambling House at 7.30pm and will be led by well known TG4 personality Mr. Jim McNamara and Bird Watch Ireland’s journalist and author Mr. Albert Nolan. This is an ideal opportunity to learn, while taking part in a walk, viewing plant life, insect and birds.