by Tom Aherne
MARY EGAN: The death has taken place of Mary Egan (nee Costello) late of Coolcappa peacefully at UHL on Monday August 21. The funeral Cortege arrived at St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Thursday August 24, for 12 noon Mass. A private Cremation took place afterwards. Sympathy to her husband Chris, son Shane, daughter Natalie, son in law Brendan, daughter in law Bridget, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces, extended family members and friends. May she rest in Peace.
TOM DOWNES: The death has occurred of Tom Downes, Alan Park., Shannon, Clare and formerly of Ballyine, Old Mill, peacefully, in University Hospital Limerick on Sunday August 20. Predeceased by his wife Helen, brother Mike and sister Dorothy. Reposing took place in Mc Mahon’s Funeral Home, Shannon, on Tuesday August 22) from 6pm to 7.30pm followed by removal to Mary Immaculate Church. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday at 1pm followed by burial afterwards in Illaunmanagh Cemetery. Sympathy to sons Michael and Alan and their partners Diane and Norman, grandchildren Darragh, Katie and Allie, sister Florence, Joan, Kathleen, Mary and Ann, brother Pat, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.
MEMORIAL MASS: A Memorial Mass for John Flavin, Addlestone, Surrey , England and late of Clounleharde, Ballyhahill will be celebrated in the Church of the Visitation, Ballyhahill on Friday September 1 at 7.30pm. Sympathy to his sister Helen, and Peter Fitzsimons and family Barnigue, and other relatives around the locality. John was laid to rest in Chertsey, Shephardon. May he rest in Peace.
MUSIC SPEAKS: Nursing Home week was held from Monday August 21 to Sunday August 27. It is the annual celebration of nursing home care in Ireland with a series of events and activities. To mark the week, over 100 residents and staff from 30 nursing homes across Ireland were recorded singing, and playing in the Music Speaks broadcast, showcasing their talents. Limerick residents are well represented with Noel Smith from Glensharrold singing ”Never Grow Old” and 100-year-old Peig Ryan from Murroe playing her polka on the concertina. NHE.ie will access the broadcast on Youtube.
FLAG FLOOR: A mighty night of music song dance and storytelling was held at the Flag Floor Rambling House on Tuesday August 22. A large crowd attended including guests from the Kilfinane area who participated in the recent Hup Na Houra Seisiun nights at the old chapel rooms. They gave a display of set dancing and the brush dance. Maureen and Chris Culleton from Ballyfin Laois made a first visit. Maureen is a set dancing workshop teacher, and she performed the old style dance The Priest in his Boots to great applause. She had her own rambling house sessions before Covid struck and is a great promoter of dancing all her life.
The local young set dancers performed the West Limerick Polka set and recitations were delivered by Ita Mc Quinn, and Ger O’Connell. Songs came from Con Fitzgerald, Nuala Quinn and Maureen Culleton and musicians included Donie Nolan, Mike O’Sullivan, Anita Bennis, Con Herbert, Charlie Reynolds, Liam Flanagan. The session continues each Tuesday from 9pm to 11.30pm, Teas are served, admission is € 5, and all are welcome.
PRIMARY CARE CENTRE: The recently completed Primary Care Centre at Station Road, Gortboy, Newcastle West is open for a few services and adding more as it is moving close to official opening. Shannon Doc the out of hours service has moved from Bishop Street Newcastle West and is now based there. The phone number is 0818 123500 and the Eircode is V42RD7G.
PLANNING PERMISSION: St Kieran’s GAA Club are applying to Limerick City and County Council for planning permission for A, construction of a GAA clubhouse with changing rooms, and ancillary services, wastewater treatment, system and percolation area, B, revised car parking layout to that granted under 22/228 at Cross and Ministerland Ardagh.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s were defeated by Father Casey’s by 1-14 to 1-9 in Round 4 of Group 1 of the County Senior Football Championship played at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Thursday August 24. They trailed by 1-7 to 1-4 at half time after playing with the wind. They are now out of the championship and play Claughaun in Round 5 needing a result to avoid being drawn into the relegation playoffs. TEAM Craig Mac Innes, Aaron Heffernan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Johnny Mc Carthy, Mike Shanahan, Brendan Mc Carthy, Sean Ryan, Liam Kennedy 0-2, Michael Long, Alan Daly 0-5, Darragh Treacy 0-1, Noel Callanan 0-1, Seamus Mangan, Dylan Moloney 1-0 Adam Lacy. Subs Kevin Meade, Anthony Molyneaux, Eoin Mc Enery. St Kieran’s defeated Glin by 2-12 to 0-3 in the West Junior B Football Championship at Rathkeale on Friday August 25.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Congratulations to Linda Lodge, the former Old Mill player who lined out in goals for Michael Cusack’s Sydney who defeated Clan Na Gael by 3-7 to 2-3 in the final of the New South Wales Senior Ladies Championship Final. It was their fourth title in a row and Linda has been very involved in their successes. In round 1 of the Limerick County Ladies Championship Old Mill lost to Monagea by 0-15 to 1-11 at Old Mill on Sunday August 20. They play Feohanagh/Castlemahon in Round 2 at Coolyroe on Tuesday August 29.
CLUB DRAW: The monthly Limerick GAA Club draw was held on Saturday August 26, and announced on the Sports Show on Limerick Live 95. The St Kieran’s club had two winner this month. Congratulations to Kenneth Greaney who won € 500 and Thos Keane/Noel Fitzgerald who won € 300. People can still join for the remaining five draws by contacting the club promoters.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday August 21. The numbers drawn were 6,12,24,26,and there was no winner of the € 14,200 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each: Geraldine Woulfe Ardagh, Geraldine Madigan Kilcolman, Mikey Kelly Kilcolman, Pat Flynn Limerick, Diarmuid Mc Sweeney Ballydoorlis, Kilcolman. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be € 14,300. 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 Brian Nash, Newcastle West, who won € 290 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday August 25.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.
GALBALLY WALK: The annual walk to Darby’s Bed in Galbally will be held on Saturday September 2, with registration at 10-30am. A second shady lane walk to Castlecreagh on the same day offers the opportunity to enjoy more spectacular views and is suitable for all comers. Registration at Canon Hennessy Community Centre in Galbally village at 10.30am and there is no charge. All participants are encouraged to contribute to a bucket collection which will go towards the purchase of a new Defibrillator for the Hill Walking Radio Group. All will be entered to a free raffle and tea and refreshments will be served afterwards. Participants in both walks are advised to wear sturdy footwear with weather appropriate clothing. More details from 086 0888145.
SACRISTANS COLLECTION: Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish sacristan’s collection will be taken up on Saturday September 2 at the 7.30pm Mass in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman. Please indicate which church sacristan your donation is for on the envelope which is included in your box of envelopes. Both Kathleen and Mary provide a great service and deserve the parishes support.
SET CÉILÍ: A set Céilí will be held in the hall Milford (P56 PN28) on Saturday September 2, from 9pm.(earlier start time this year). It is a very popular venue for West Limerick dancers and a warm welcome awaits all. Music by Ui Bhriain Céilí Band and tea and treats served. Admission is € 10.
CEMETERY MASS: Mass will be celebrated in Clonagh old graveyard Reens, on Sunday September 3 at 2pm.
DANCING CLASSES: The Mc Cormack Kelly school of Irish Dancing will have an enrolment night on Friday September 8, in the community centre Ardagh at 7pm, for step dancing and sean nos dancing. All ages and abilities are welcome. For enquiries text Robert on 087 1343745.
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 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.