by Tom Aherne
MARY MANGAN: The death took place of Mary Mangan (nee Mc Mahon) Glensharrold, Carrigkerry peacefully after a short illness on Thursday August 31 at UHL. Wife of the late Denis (Denny) Mangan who died on January 1, 2002. She was a native of Ballyguiltenane in Glin and was a homemaker who always had a welcome for all who called to her house. She was a quiet natured person who worked hard and devoted her life to family. A large attendance was present at both the reposing, Mass and burial to show the esteem that Mary was held in. Reposing took place at Riedy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Friday, September 1, from 5 pm with removal at 8 pm to St Mary Church, Carrigkerry .
The Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr Tom Mangan, Fr Michael Noonan, Fr Tony Mullins, Fr Mossie Costello and Fr Mike O’Connor at 12 noon on Saturday. Family members participated in the ceremony with readings, prayers of the faithful, offertory and family music. Symbols of importance to Mary’s life were taken to the Altar before mass commenced. They included her Rosary beads and holy water from Knock, where she made many trips to and Lourdes over the years. A sod of turf to show her dedication to work in the bog, meadow and on the family farm. The Weekly Observer and Ireland’s Own showing her love of reading and current affairs. A Geranium flower showing love for the collection of flowers and cuttings that family members brought to her during the years. A tin whistle to show her love for traditional music and dance and material and needles to show her handiwork at sewing. The first reading was from the Book of Ecclesiastes and the second reading was the second letter to St Timothy, very appropriate for Mary.
Fr Tom a family relative paid tribute to her friendly ways and great devotion to family all her life. She had great faith and was a regular attendee at Mass. Mary Ellen granddaughter on behalf of the family thanked all for their support over recent days. The appropriate music and hymns were from family members and friends. Mary was laid to rest afterwards as the sun shone in the family plot in Ardagh Cemetery. Sympathy to her family John, Margaret, Ellen, Kathleen, Denis, Mary, Veronica, Pat, Gerard and Nuala. Her brother John McMahon (Ballyguiltenane) daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Mary’s presence around Upper Glensharrold will be sadly missed by all and especially by her family. She enjoyed a long life well lived surrounded by a loving family and may she rest in Peace.
ENTERTAINERS PASS: The passing of two well known Limerick city musicians and singers took place last week. Willy Brown (August 26,) from Ballysheedy was a guitarist and vocalist and a founding member of Reform back in the 1970s. With songs such as You Gotta Get Up, One for the Boys and Keep Music Live, Reform made a name as one of the most popular Irish bands of the 1970s and early 1980s. Martin Burke (August 29,) from Lynwood Park and Quilty, Clare was a musician, singer/composer and boatman. At age 77, Martin Burke released his debut album, which included three of his compositions: ‘The Clogher Road’, written in honour of his wife’s parents and home place of Quilty, Co. Clare, ‘Plassey’s Pleasant Shore’; and ‘Lough Derg’, a jolly account of a sailing trip. Best known for the Clogher Road his son Ronan is one of the presenters of the West Wind on Clare FM. The song is sung locally by Noel Smith and Donie Nolan.
WEDDING WISHES: Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Gary O’Sullivan, Ballyine and Eilis Scanlon Kilcolman who were married in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Saturday September 2. They held their reception with family and friends in Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee.
DONATIONS NEEDED: A go fund me page has been set up by Cllr Tom Ruddle Newcastle West to assist Mairead Geoghegan Hurley with her health and financial issues. All donations will be greatly appreciated. People can donate at https://gofund.me/b3ef8f2b
GERRY KEOGH: The Exchange programme on West Limerick 102fm on Friday September 1 featured local artist Gerry Keogh. Presenter Shirley O’Regan was in conversation with Gerry from Killoughteen, Newcastle West, the winner of the Sean McCarthy Memorial Ballad Competition 2023 which was held in Finuge on Sunday August 6 as part of the weekend festival. Gerry emerged the winner with his song ”Safe Harbour” over 17 other participants. Gerry is very involved in the local entertainment scene and released a 14 track CD KEO a few years ago. It was a very enjoyable wide-ranging interview featuring two tracks from his CD and one of his poems. Well done to both for a lovely piece of radio.
GAELIC GAMES: John Doyle from the St Kieran’s club was part of the Limerick master’s team who defeated Kildare by 2-10 to 2-9 in the All-Ireland Spirit Cup semi-final at Courtwood Laois, on Saturday August 26. Limerick will play Armagh in the final.St Kieran’s lost to Knockaderry by 3-15 to 2-16 in Round 2 of the West Junior B Hurling Championship at Coolyroe on Sunday August 26. Congratulations to Darragh Mullane and Gavin Thompson on winning the John Doyle Plate with Limerick Under 15 Hurlers and Eoghan Sheehan on winning the All-Ireland Eugene Carey Under 16 Hurling tournament on Saturday August 26.
FUNDRAISERS: The new field development in Ardagh set a target of € 100,000 for phase one. This target has now been reached following the different fundraisers that have been held to date. The fundraising continues with the Field cast members 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. A family fun day will be held in Coolcappa GAA grounds on Sunday September 10, with all the groups holding an event.
COMMUNITY GAMES: St Kieran’s Community games were represented at the Regional and National Community Games finals in Ennis and Carlow in recent weeks. Congratulations and well done to Jack Downes, Patricia Woulfe, Jack Woulfe and Hugo Mac Iness who participated.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday August 28. The numbers drawn were 14,18,27,29, and there was no winner of the € 14,300 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each: Saoirse Woulfe Ardagh, Kevin Meade Coolcappa, Luke, Niamh, Conor, c/o Julia Mackessy, Danny Collum Creeves, Caroline Daly Kilcolman. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be € 14,400. 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 Coireall Mac Curtáin Feohanagh, who won € 315 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday September 1.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.
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.
DANCE CLASSES: Céilí and set dancing classes for school children will resume in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Friday September 8, at 6.45pm and all are welcome. Timmy Woulfe has resumed his adult set dancing classes in the Marian Hall Moyvane on Monday nights.
FILM CLUB: Newcastle West Film Club present ”Rise” in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday September 8, at 8pm. Admission € 8 and refreshments available. All are welcome.
RAMBLING HOUSE: A rambling house will be held at Jim’s Newbridge on Friday September 8, at 8.30pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers and dancers are welcome to attend. A rambling house will be held in Ballysteen Library (Eircode V94 322C) on Saturday September 9,at 8pm sharp. All musicians, singers, storytellers and dancers are welcome to attend.
QUIZ NIGHT: Creeves Celtic soccer club are holding a Quiz night on Friday September 15, at 9pm, at the Thatch Bar Newbridge. Hugh Keaveney will be the MC and prizes for the winning team will be awarded. € 10 per person, a raffle will be held, and all are welcome.
CLARES WISH: Doon Charity Clare’s Wish Foundation is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a Red Hurley Spiritual Concert taking place on Saturday September 16, at Mount St Alphonsus Church Limerick. Guests Eugene McCarthy, Ciaran O’Connell Uileann Pipes, Soprano Lorraine Galvin, Backing singers Karen Black and Eileen Pringle. Tickets are on sale now from Church shop (061) 315 099 or www.eventbrite.ie Clare’s Wish Foundation 061201674 [email protected]
LISTOWEL RACES: The annual Listowel Race Week takes place from Sunday September 17to Saturday September 23. There will be lots of entertainment around the town as well for people to enjoy.
PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS: The National Ploughing Championships takes place at Ratheniska, Co. Laois from Tuesday September 19, to Thursday September 21.