By Tom Aherne
HERITAGE NEWS: St. Kieran’s Heritage Association hosted the launch of the revised booklet William Smith O’Brien, the unlikely revolutionary by author John Hough at Ardagh Community Centre on Friday night last before an enthusiastic attendance. The booklet has 36 pages and 15 photographs and makes interesting reading. It includes an introduction to his O’Brien family background. His early political career and his role in the famine. His conversion to repeal. The 1848 Revolt, its aftermath. The legacy of the Young Irelanders and of O’Brien. The book also recalls the 1998 commemoration to mark the 150th anniversary of the rebellion. A plaque was unveiled by Brian O’Brien his great, great grandson on the entrance wall to Cahermoyle House on Friday, July 31.
The updated booklet and the association’s 2024 calendar were available for sale costing €5 each. The calendar has a photo of the Ardagh Chalice on the front cover and a photo of the Smith O’Brien Mausoleum in Rathronan on the back. The monthly photographs feature groups from past times, from the Ardagh, Carrigkerry, Coolcappa, Kilcolman, Ballyine areas.
An exhibition of heritage material from the catchment area was also on display. This included the various flags and pikes the association used in past events and parades. Ardagh Creamery, Railway, Fenian, Graveyard, Black Hill, Ardagh Chalice and other local memorabilia. Books, publications and articles by local authors from past years. The reports and photographs of past activities was also on view.
John Hough gave a very interesting lecture on William Smith O’Brien and his place in Irish history after the viewing of the exhibits on display. He is the author of several other books including Mitchelstown Co-operative Agricultural Society Ltd A History 1919-1990, A History of Ballyclough Co-operative Creamery Ltd, Ireland’s Co-operative Heartland including Ardagh Creamery History 1891-1974. Dromtrasna School and The Story of the Ardagh Chalice. Refreshments were served and people engaged in conversation afterwards. The booklet and calendar will be available for sale in local outlets.
STREET PAINTINGS: In March 2020 artist Eva Nowinska from Poland living in Newcastle West, completed 10 Ardagh village business premises on canvas similar to what they looked like in past times. The original idea was to place the large, framed paintings around the village, but Covid arrived, and they were left in storage. Last week they were hung up on the walls of the Community Centre and they are attracting a lot of interest. On display are Ardagh Creamery, Post Office, Curley’s Shop, Gardai Station, Martin Fitzgerald Carpentry, Patrick O’Connor’s Bicycle Shop, Publican’s Premises, Family Butcher, Paddy Ahern, Tailor, Hayes Shop. They are lovely to view as they adorn the walls, keeping alive what Ardagh was proud of in past times.
GAELIC GAMES: St. Kieran’s defeated Monaleen by 2-7 to 1-8 in the County Senior Football League Final at Askeaton Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday, June 21. They conceded an early goal and trailed by 1-5 to 0-5 at half time. A two-goal scoring burst midway through the half left them two points ahead after trailing by four after 10 minutes. Brendan Mc Carthy accepted the cup afterwards. Team Craig MacInnes, Aaron Heffernan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Anthony Mullins, Michael Shanahan, Brendan McCarthy, Mossie Shine, Darragh Treacy 0-2, Sean Ryan, Kevin Meade, John Hayes 1-2, Eoin Mc Enery 0-1, Alan Daly 1-2, Seamus Mangan, Adam Lacy. Subs Dylan Moloney, Kevin Guina. This was the club’s fourth League title after wins in 1982, 1988 and 2000 when they defeated Father Casey’s by 1-10 to 2-4. St. Kieran’s play Oola in the first round of the County Senior Football Championship on Saturday, July 1, at 7-30pm at Mungret GAA Grounds. Best of luck to the team and management.
KENNEDY CUP: Ben Hough from the Creeves Celtic club participated in the Kennedy Cup tournament held in U L in recent weeks. He was part of the Desmond League squad that finished in 14th place. Congratulations to Conor Donovan who has been voted the Under 14 Boys Division 2 Player of the Year. Congratulations to Jack Meade, Kilcolman Rovers who has been voted the Under 13 Boys Division 2 Player of the year. Congratulations to Amy Mullins Kilcolman Rovers who has been voted the Under 14 Girls Division 2 Player of the Year. The awards night was held at The Longcourt House Hotel on Sunday, June 25.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Limerick defeated Kilkenny by 7-21 to 1-5 in the opening round of the All -Ireland Junior Football Championship played at Callan on Sunday June 18. Captain Róisín Ambrose 0-4, Iris Kennelly 3-5, Alva Quaid, and Sophie Hennessy from the Old Mill club were involved.
CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw results for June was announced on Limerick Live 95fm on Saturday, June 24. Congratulations to Robert Bradley from the St. Kieran’s club who won €200 this month. The entry fee is €10 per month or €70 for the remaining seven draws 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. 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. The star prize for July will be a €500 voucher from Gleeson’s Sports.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, June 19. The numbers drawn were 16,23,26,29,and there was no winner of the €13,300 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Catherine O’ Donnell c/o Neary’s, Pat and Con Lawlor, c/o Moore’s Bar, Pat Liston, Glenastar, Margaret Barry, Rathgonan (Online), Katelyn Hayes, Carrigkerry (Online). Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €13,400. 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 Helen O’Connor, Abbeyfeale, who won €330 In the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, June 23.The tickets cost €2, or 3 for €5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Molones, 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.
MOUNT TRENCHARD: The Mount Trenchard house and gardens Foynes is open Monday to Friday during June, July and August from 9am to 1pm daily. Heritage week August 12-20, 9am to 5pm. Weekends by appointment. Fee adult €8, pensioners/children/students €4. It is a very interesting place to visit with its storied past as a boarding school and association with the Spring Rice family.
FLAG FLOOR: The weekly music and set dancing session, continue for the summer months at the Flag Floor Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. 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. The session continues each Tuesday from 9pm to 11.30pm, (except Tuesday, July 4, which is Willie Clancy week) teas are served, admission is €5, and all are welcome.
HISTORICAL WALK: The Staker Wallis Commemorative hosted by the Kilfinane Coshlea Historical Society will take place on Thursday, July 6, at 7.30pm. Guided walk from the Market House in Kilfinane (where Staker Wallis was hanged, and his severed head placed on a spike) to the townland of Killeen under the peak of Slievereagh where Staker Wallis was captured. The walk is organised in conjunction with Ballyhoura Bears Walking Club. A high vis jacket and head torch is necessary.
OSKAR’S LAUNCH: A casting/launch night for the St. Kieran’s GAA club Oskar’s will be held in Neary’s, Ardagh on Thursday, June 29, when the seven films for the show will be announced. It will be an exciting night as the various parts people will play in each film will also be announced. The Oskar’s promises to be a great event for the St. Kieran’s GAA club and wider community and people still interested in participating can contact Deirdre on 087-9509218 for more details.
GARDEN FETE: The Rathfredagh Cheshire Home Annual Garden Fete will be held on Sunday, July 2. It is their main fundraiser each year and all support will be appreciated. Donations for the various stalls will be accepted at the reception prior to the day.
CEMETERY MASS: Mass will be celebrated in Kilbradern Cemetery on Sunday, July 2 at 1pm.
WILLIE CLANCY WEEK: The Willie Clancy Summer School is held each July in Milltown Malbay in West Clare. For one week the town and surrounding area plays host to thousands of musicians, singers and dancers from all parts of the world. From early until late an overflow of people throng the workshops, pubs, halls and spill out onto the streets for outdoor entertainment. Many people take their yearly holidays to coincide with the festival and stay in local accommodation. It attracts a large following from Limerick interested in traditional music song and dance. Willie was a musician who played the Uileann pipes, Irish flute and tin whistle. On Sunday, July 2, Taylors Cross Céilí Band will be playing in the Quilty Tavern from 9.30pm. Admission €10 and a great night of set dancing promised.