by Tom Aherne
OSKAR REHEARSALS: On Wednesday September 20, the cast members of the 7 films for the St Kieran’s GAA Oskar’s night on Saturday November 11, commenced rehearsals at Ardagh Hall. The films are The Snapper, Veronica Guerin, Fr Ted, Calendar Girls, Peaky Blinders, The Field and the Bridesmaids. The rehearsals will be held up to Wednesday October 11and then the filming will be held at select locations. The seven groups have been fundraising in recent weeks and will continue to do so in the coming months. All the funds raised will go towards the new field development which is progressing well. On Saturday November 11, the doors open at 6.30pm in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets cost €30. The show is produced by Kevin Rowe Events, and it promises to be an amazing night. Save the date.
HERITAGE MEETING: St Kieran’s Heritage Association held a meeting in Ardagh Hall on Thursday September 21 to put plans in place to mark the 100 anniversary of the arrival of the Gardai to Ardagh village. They arrived at the Railway Station on September 20, 2023, and served until fire destroyed the barracks on November 10, 1959. It is at an early stage in the planning and October 20/21 is the dates chosen to commemorate their arrival. It is hoped to hold a march from the Station to the original barrack building with musical accompaniment. It is planned to mark the 175 anniversary of the Irish Tricolour along the way. The search is on for relatives of the members who served in Ardagh over the 36 years. If readers have any information the association would be delighted to receive it. It would be lovely to have some of the relatives present to participate in the proceedings. The next meeting has been provisionally fixed for Thursday October 5, at 7-30pm in Ardagh Hall.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Old Mill lost to St Ailbe’s by 4-7 to 1-8 in the quarter final of the Limerick Ladies Senior Football Championship on Sunday September 17.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic lost 3-2 after extra time, away to Newcastle West Town in round 1 of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday September 17. Donie Nolan and an own goal made up their scorers. In the Desmond Division 3 League Cup Group A Kilcolman Rovers defeated Carrig Celtic 3-2 at home with Mike O’Sullivan 2,and Cormac Murphy scoring and Eoin Liston replied for Carrig Celtic.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday September 18. The numbers drawn were 18,19,21,24 and there was no winner of the € 14,600 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each: John Murphy c/o Neary’s, Breda Enright Dromrahnee Ardagh, Danny Collum Creeves, Fiona Hennessy Carrigkerry, Liam Flavin Carrigkerry. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be € 14,700. 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 Long, Feenagh, who won € 270 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday September 22.The tickets cost € 2, or3 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.
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. 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. The Calendar Girls will be holding a Table Quiz in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Friday October 6. The Snapper group will hold a tractor run in Ardagh on Sunday October 8 with registration at 12.30pm. The cast of” Fr Ted” will hold a fundraising Irish Night in Ardagh Hall on Friday October 13, from 8 to 10pm.
CLUB DRAW: The next Limerick GAA Club draw will be held on Saturday September 30, and announced on the Sports Show on Limerick Live 95.The entry fee is € 10 per month or € 40 for the remaining four draws and € 21,000 will be given out in prize money each month, with a first prize of € 10,000. The star prize for September will be an Apple iPad to the value of € 500. 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.
SET DANCE CLASSES: With the loss of evening light set dancing classes have resumed in Monagea Parish Hall for the autumn and winter season. They take place on Tuesday from 8.30pm and Thursday nights from 9pm for beginners and advanced and all are welcome. They are very enjoyable nights with lots of exercise, laughs and friendships formed in comfortable surroundings. For more information call 086-3510774. Classes by Timmy Woulfe are also being held in the Marian Hall Moyvane on Mondays at 8pm. Special attention for beginners during the month of September. Set dancing classes resumed in Milford Hall on Wednesdays September 20, from 8pm to 9-30pm. € 6 per class and no partner needed. For further information call 087 7672084.
Set dancing classes commenced in the hall Ballyhahill on Monday September 25, from 8pm to 9-30pm, with Fiona. All are welcome including beginners for a fun night of dance exercise and friendship. Classes will return in the first week of October in the Hall Kilfinny on Monday 2, at 9pm, in Con Colbert Hall Athea Tuesday 3, at 9pm, in Fr Casey’s Clubhouse Abbeyfeale Wednesday 4, at 8-30pm. Set dancing is an ideal weight bearing exercise and strengthens the bones. It is very good for the mind as concentration is needed. It is also good for social interaction and making new friends.
CLOTHES COLLECTION: Kilcolman National School will hold a fundraising clothes collection on Friday September 29. Bags of clothes, shoes, bags, belts, bed linen, (no duvets or pillows) can be dropped to the school shelter.
NIGHT CLASSES: Desmond College Newcastle West have announced details of their Adult Education night classes schedule for Autumn 23, which begin on Wednesday October 4, from 7-9pm. All courses run for 8 weeks, and they cost € 90 each. The 7 courses available to enter for are Drawing and Painting for beginners and intermediate, Machine sewing for beginners (own machine required), Modern Calligraphy for beginners, Sign writing for beginners, Fun with Jewellery for beginners, Cooking and Baking for fun, Apple iPad Course (you must have your own device). For further information please contact Desmond College at 069- 62205.
ÉIGSE MICHAEL HARTNETT: The annual Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary and Arts Festival remembering the late local poet will take place in Newcastle West from Thursday October 5, to Sunday October 8. Ger Greaney from the St Kieran’s Heritage Association will hold a Genealogy class with the Newcastle West Women’s Shed members at the Desmond Complex on Friday October 6 at 11.30am. Pat Mc Loughlin will launch his fifth novel The Unbreakable Dream at the Longcourt Hotel at 6pm on the same day. A packed programme of events is planned and available online on www.eigsemichaelhartnett.ie or by phone on 087-9706232.
MASS CHANGE: Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish weekend Mass on Saturday’s will change from being held in St Colman’s Kilcolman to St Kyran’s Coolcappa from Saturday October 7. It will continue at 7-30 pm for the autumn/winter months.
SET CÉILÍ: A set Céilí will be held in the hall Milford (P56 PN28) on Saturday October 7, 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 Donie Nolan Céilí Band and tea and treats served. Admission is € 10.