By Tom Aherne
FUNDRAISING WALK: David Egan a native of Carrigkerry now lives in Amsterdam and he is currently nearing the end of his third fundraising walk which he calls 1K by Father’s Day. The idea is to walk from his present home to his native parish and Ardagh a distance of 1,104km from February 1 to Father’s Day on June 18 and he will contribute a Euro per km walked and hopefully other people will donate as well. In previous years David has raised money for the Mid West Simon Community in Limerick and the Blood Bike South in Cork. This year the money raised will go towards the St. Kieran’s GAA Club new pitch project: gofund.me/d0f4f06e David attended Carrigkerry national school, St Ita’s Newcastle West and UL.
He left Ireland in 1991 and attended graduate school in the US, for 12 years in New York and San Diego. David moved to Amsterdam in 2003 where he now runs a software company. His family members have been involved with the parish hurling and football club in the past. Travelling around different locations as part of his work his recent update from San Diego has him close to his target walk from Amsterdam to Ardagh. He has raised €1,803 to date and hopes to break the €2,000 barrier. David has 229km to go and is currently in Boston where he hopes to continue his walking. We wish David well in the final days of his walk and fundraising endeavours for his native club.
OSKARS: An information night for the forthcoming Oskar’s was held in Ardagh Community Centre on Tuesday June 6, and a good crowd was in attendance, with many more people wishing to get involved not able to attend. David Woulfe, Chairperson and Deirdre Ambrose in charge of events represented the St Kieran’s GAA Club and producer Martin Rowe the production company. David welcomed all and outlined the need for this fundraiser five years after the very successful two Lip Sync nights held in 2017 and 2018. Martin’s presentation was very interesting and informative. He showed snippets from past events held in other counties on the big screen, including the recent ones in Broadford in Limerick and Castleisland in Kerry, plus a selection of films that they have been involved in.
The auditions night will be on Thursday June 15th to select the actors/actresses and chose seven films for the show. All who attend the auditions will receive a role in the films, and many extras will also be needed to participate. A Launch night will be held in Ardagh on Thursday June 22 when the seven films will be announced, and the various parts people will play in each film will also be announced. It promises to be a great event and people interested in participating can contact Deirdre on 087-9509218 for more details.
HERITAGE WALK: St. Kieran’s Heritage Association held a walk to Rathronan Church on Wednesday, June 7. Leaving from St. Molua’s Church on a lovely sunny evening the walkers made their way along the busy road towards Shanagolden. Nature was seen at its best with lovely colour from the wide variety of trees and bushes along by Glenville (the glen of the tree). Birdsong filled the air and the waters of the Slewnaun stream could be heard flowing by the Cooley bridge. The grass in the grounds of the church and graveyard were neatly cut and credit to those who did this work. The 19-member group visited the interior of the church which after 50 plus years of vacancy is still in good condition. John Hough gave a talk about the history of the area with a question-and-answer session. The group viewed the Baptismal Font which is in need of repair. The walkers returned to the village before darkness to conclude an interesting and enjoyable evening.
FLEADH CHEOIL: Congratulations to all the local participants who competed in the County Fleadh Cheoil in Kilfinane over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Those that were successful progress to the Munster finals in Tralee in mid-July.
SUMMER WORK: Last Saturday saw the return of the rain after 3 weeks of dry warm sunshine weather. It was a real bonus after the previous poor spell of weather. It was a hectic three weeks with people working from dawn to dark getting their silage done. Turf in some bogs (Scotland Bog) has been saved and taken home already in the first week of June. The beaches have been crowded as people take advantage to soak in the sun and sea breezes.
GAELIC GAMES: St. Kieran’s defeated Newcastle West by 1-9 to 1-8 in the West Senior Football League Final played in Askeaton on Friday, June 9. They led by 1-7 to 0-4 at half time. Brendan McCarthy accepted the cup afterwards from the West Board Chairperson Breda Breen. TEAM Craig Mac Inness, Johnny McCarthy, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Aaron Heffernan, Michael Shanahan, Brendan Mc Carthy, Mossie Shine, Darragh Treacy, Cormac Mann, Mikey Long, Eion McEnery, Noel Callanan, Alan Daly, Seamus Mangan, Adam Lacy. Subs Kevin Meade, Sean Ryan, Anthony Molyneaux. They play Galtee Gaels in the County semi-final in Ballyagran on Wednesday, June 14 at 7.30pm.
Congratulations to Chloe O’Connor from St. Molua’s National School who was selected on the Limerick Primary Game Camogie Team V Clare at the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday, June 11.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Robbie Hanley who won €548 in the May, Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch on Monday June 5. Tickets to enter the draw are available from committee members, club managers, at Neary’s Ardagh, Inver five crossroads Rathkeale and the Thatch Newbridge. All support will be greatly appreciated.
SOCCER AWARDS: Creeves Celtic held their annual awards night at the Thatch Newbridge on Friday, June 2 after a very successful year. Congratulations to Eoin McEnery, players player of the year, Rob Bradley, coach’s player of the year, David Dunne, players appreciation award, Brigid Dundon, players player of the year, Angela Sheehan, coach’s player of the year, Caoimhe Boyce, MVP award. Congratulations to Creeves Celtic Under 12 soccer ladies who recently won the Desmond League title, a first for the underage section of the club. Ben Hough from the club has been selected on the Desmond League squad for the Kennedy Cup.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, June 5. The numbers drawn were 11, 14, 21, 27, and there was no winner of the €13,100 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Timmy King, Carrigkerry (Online), Alva Quaid (Online), The 5 Lads, c/o Brendan Duggan, Linda Daly Coolcranogue, (Online), Denis Woods, Ballyhahill c/o Moloney’s. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €13,200. 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 Kathleen Harrold, Bruree, who won €345 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, June 9.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.
GRADUATION: Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Dr. Michael Hennessy, son of Grace and Mike, Ballyine, Old Mill, who will graduate this week with a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Physics from UL.
SCHOOL FUNDRAISER: Kilcolman National School are holding a fundraising clothes collection on Friday, June 16. Donations of clothes shoes, bags, belts, bed linen, (except pillows/duvets) would be greatly appreciated. Bags can be dropped to the school shelter any time before that day. The school are also organising a Cake Sale/Lucky Dip fundraiser on Monday June 19 at the school. Donations of cakes, buns, pies, etc would be greatly appreciated. All parents, relations, friends and members of the community are welcome on the day.
FLAG FLOOR: The weekly music and set dancing session, returned for the summer months at the Flag Floor Glensharrold, Carrigkerry on Tuesday, June 13. A first right turn past Carrigkerry on the Glin Road will get you to the old-style farmhouse. From the Glin/Ballyhahill road first left after Carrig Celtic FC Grounds. There is no Eircode, but the venue is just past V9439N9. From 9pm to 11.30pm,teas are served, admission is €5, and all are welcome.
CEMETERY MASSES: Mass will be celebrated in Knockpatrick cemetery on Sunday, June 18 at 2pm. In Kilcolman cemetery on Sunday, June 25 at 2pm. In Loughill cemetery on Sunday, June 25 at 2pm. In Kilbradern cemetery on Sunday, July 2 at 1pm, please note the change of date and time.
RAMBLING HOUSE: Ita’s Rambling House will be held at the Desmond Complex on Friday, June 16, at 8pm. The next rambling house will be held at Ballyhahill Hall on Wednesday, June 21, at 8pm. All musicians, singers’ dancers, and storytellers are most welcome to attend both nights.
SET CÉILÍ: A Céilí will be held in the hall Brosna on Sunday, June 25, at 3pm. Music by Taylors Cross Céilí Band and tea and treats served. Admission is €10. It is part of the Con Curtin Festival which takes place in Brosna village from Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25.