by Tom Aherne

JOHN BARRETT: The death has taken place of John Barrett, after a short illness in New York aged 66. Formerly of 8 The Cross Ardagh. He was predeceased by his parents John and Philomena, brothers Christopher and Jimmy and sister Peggy. He learned the hairdressing trade in London and was a celebrity hairdresser in his salon Bergdorf Goodman and recently at his JB 57 Studio Manhattan for over 20 years. The Limerick man was well known for the catchphrase which would summarize his work: “It’s not just about the hair, it’s about the care.” His clientele was a star-studded testament to his talents, and included Princess Diana, Julia Roberts, Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon, the Olsen Twins, Martha Stewart, Beyonce, Helena Bonham Carter, Serena Williams, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.  A Memorial service was held in Franke E Cambell Funeral Chapel  1076 Madison Avenue on Monday 14th August at 2 pm. Followed by cremation service.  A Service in Ireland will be at a later date.  Sympathy is extended to his  brothers Pat, Mike, Eddie, Joe, Gerry and sister Kathleen, their families, and a large circle of  friends in New York and the Ardagh region. May he rest in Peace.

VINTAGE DAY: Carrigkerry Playground and Sensory Park  fundraising vintage run and family Day took  place on Sunday August 6. It was an outstanding success and the committee wish to thank all who contributed to the day which raised € 8,000.The following are the results of the raffle held that evening. Voucher for Moran’s Red Cow Hotel, Mia Lawlor,  Voucher  for Prize Catchers, Sandra Browne, Arena Gym Vouchers, Margaret King,/Tom Sheilds/Paul Ahern, Vouchers for Moloney’s Daybreak Carrigkerry, Linda Noonan/Helena King,  Voucher for Longcourt Hotel Newcastle West, Tom Flavin,  Vouchers for Ardagh Co-op, Pat Mangan/Ann Lawlor, Voucher for Greaney Butchers Ardagh, Christy Sweeney,  Tower 2,2 litre Air fryer, Dean Liston,  Voucher for Home Office Newcastle West.  John O’Donnell, Hamper Annette Flavin, Sound bar Peg O’Connor, Old Stand Voucher Connie Mc Coy, Neary’s Bar Voucher,  Theresa Hayes, DG Voucher, Jody Mc Carthy, Eirgrow Voucher, Grainne Mc Coy, The Pike Voucher Jennifer Kiely,  Moores Bar Voucher, Anthony Liston, O’Connor’s Toys Voucher Newcastle West, Megan Hennessy.

BALLAD COMPETITION: The Sean McCarthy Memorial Ballad Competition 2023 was held in Finuge on Sunday August 6 as part of the weekend festival. Congratulations to Gerry Keogh, Killoughteen, who emerged the winner with his song ”Safe Harbour” over 17 other participants. Gerry  works locally and is very involved in the entertainment scene and released a CD a few years ago.

BRIDGE REPAIRS: Limerick Council workers have been repairing a bridge over the river Slewnaun  at Glenville in recent weeks.   It has been stripped down and is being renovated in the new.  Work at Ardagh Junction is near complete with the building of new Piers outside Fr Michael Noonan’s house and timber poles inserted for wire fencing.

COLLECTION THANKS: The organisers of Deel  Animal Rescue wish to thank all who contributed to their  recent collection held in Carrigkerry ( € 108.50) and Ardagh ( € 213) it is very much appreciated.

GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s lost to Murroe/Boher by 0-22 to 0-13 in round two of the County Limerick Intermediate Hurling Championship played  at Mungret on Friday August 11. They trailed by 0-11 to 0-9 at half time TEAM Cillian Ambrose, James O’Connor, Johnny Mc Carthy, Aaron Heffernan, Anthony Mullins, Brendan Mc Carthy, Cathal Mc Enery, Jack Ben Harnett, Sean Ryan, Fionn Gleeson, Eoin Mc Enery, Mossie Shine,  Ian Mackessy, James Muckell, Mikey Long. Subs Anthony Molyneaux, Donie Nolan, Michael Murphy.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday August 7. The numbers drawn were 3,20,21,30,and  there was  no  winner of the € 14,000 Jackpot. Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received  € 40 each: Liam Kiely Cuillinagh, Newcastle West, Christina Mackessy Coolanoran, Paudie Kiely Ardagh, Lorraine Walsh Ardagh, Brendan Duggan Ardagh. Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be € 14,100. 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 Jim Langan, Rathkeale, who won € 255 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday August 11.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 rosary will be recited at Cahermoyle Grotto every Wednesday evening at 6.30pm until further notice and all are welcome to join in.

FLAG FLOOR: The weekly music and set dancing session, continue for the month of August 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,  Teas are served, admission is € 5, and all are welcome.

CEMETERY MASSES:  Mass will be celebrated  in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West on Wednesday August 16 at 7.30pm. In Kilfergus  Glin, on Sunday August 20 at 7.30 pm. In Kinnard Glin, on Monday August 21 at 7.30pm. In Beagh Cemetery Ballysteen on Monday August 21 at 7.30pm. In Churchtown Cemetery Newcastle West  on Tuesday August 22, at 7.30pm. In Clounagh Reens,  on Sunday September 3 at 2pm.

MONTHS MIND: The Months Mind Mass for Hannie O’Connor R.I.P. Glensharrold will be celebrated  in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturday August 19, at 6.30pm.

REMEMBRANCE MASS: Dromcollogher Respite Care Centre annual Mass of Remembrance will be held on Sunday August 20, at 7pm in St Bartholomew’s Church Dromcollogher. All family, relatives, neighbours and friends of people who have spent time there and have now departed this life are invited to pray for and  remember them during the ceremony.

RAMBLING HOUSE:  The next  rambling house will be held at Hall Beag Knockaderry on Sunday  August 20, following the Village Fayre. All musicians, singers’ dancers and storytellers are most welcome to attend on the   night.

SINGING CLUB: The Garry Mc Mahon Singing Weekend hosted by the West Limerick Singing Club will take place in Abbeyfeale from Friday October 13, to Sunday 15. The closing date for entries to the newly composed traditional ballad competition is Monday August 28. Ballads must be original  and not previously  performed or published in public. They can be in English or Irish and sung in the traditional style. The entry fee is € 20, and application forms are available on the West Limerick Singing Club Facebook page, or direct from  West Limerick Singing Club c/o Mary O’Connor (Secretary), Peacehaven, Radharc Na Coille, Moyderwell, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 HN2K. The first prize is € 500, second prize is € 300, and third prize is € 100, and the competition will be held on Saturday October 14.

OSKAR FUNDRAISERS: A number of fundraising events will be held by the St Kieran’s GAA Club in the run up to the Oskar night in the Devon Inn on Saturday November 11. A family fun day will be held in Coolcappa GAA grounds on Sunday September 10, with all the groups holding an event. The cast members and associates of each of the 8 chosen films will be holding individual events in the coming weeks. The Calendar Girls will be holding a Table Quiz in Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Saturday August 26 and another one at Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Friday October 6. The Field cast members will be holding a kids back to school Disco on Friday September 8, in Coolcappa Community Hall, plus a sponsored walk along the Ardagh Greenway on Sunday September 17. The Peaky Blinders members will be holding a pig race in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Saturday September 23. They are currently running a FIFA Women’s World Cup Sweepstake.

The Bridesmaids cast will be running a number of events beginning with a Bingo Loco event in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Friday September 29. They will hold a clothes collection in Ardagh and Coolcappa on November 4, and 5. They will also raffle a signed jersey donated by the senior Limerick hurlers. The cast of Fr Ted will be holding an Irish traditional music night on Friday October 13 in Ardagh Hall. They will hold a static cycle event at the family fun day in Coolcappa on Sunday September 10.The Veronica Guerin cast will be hosting a Guinness Book of World Records event in Coolcappa on Sunday October 29, a Movie Day and a Quiz Night in Reens Bar with dates to be confirmed. The cast of the Snapper will be holding a Halloween Fancy Dress Disco, Rugby World Cup Sweepstake and a Tractor run. More details later.