by Tom Aherne
GUARDS 100 ANNIVERSARY: Friday October 20, was a memorable day in the history of famed Ardagh village as the 100 anniversary of the Garda Siochana arrival was marked jointly by St Kieran’s Development Association and members of the Gardai past and present. A large crowd was present to witness the proceedings as they unfolded for the march from the Ardagh Railway Station to the site of the former Garda Barracks at Ardvone a short distance from Reerasta fort where the Ardagh Chalice was discovered in September 1868. The 15 member Garda Band plus 2 mounted Gardai and the 6 Ceremonial Gardai led off the march from the Greenway car park followed by past members of the Gardai, Ardagh school teachers/ pupils, heritage members and members of the general public.
First stop was outside St Molua’s church to honour the 175th anniversary of the presentation to William Smith O’Brien and the Young Irelander’s by the French of the Irish Tricolour, the Green White and Orange. Fr Michael Noonan blessed the site and Chief Superintendent Derek Smart then laid a wreath there and raised the Tricolour from half-mast. The Garda Band followed by playing Reveille, Solo drum, Last Post and Amhran na bhFiann. The marching group continued through Ardagh village as householders came out to watch and traffic was stopped as they made their way through the lights at the top cross junction to their destination. The present house owners Paddy and Kathleen Daly welcomed all at the door of their bungalow which replaced the demolished 2 Story Barracks that was divided in two to house a Garda and family. The weather was a blessing being dry calm and mild for the outdoor events which commenced at 1.10pm and concluded at the hall for refreshments, medal presentations, viewing memorabilia etc over one hour later.
PAT HARTNETT: The death has taken place of Patricia (Pat) Hartnett (Nee Noonan) of Creeves Cross and formerly of Roche’s Road Rathkeale, peacefully in Abbott Close Care Centre on Thursday October 12. Predeceased by her baby son John, mother Maura, father Mick, and brother John. Reposing was held at St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Sunday October 15, from 6pm to 8pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday afternoon at 2.30pm, followed by burial in the adjacent cemetery. Sympathy to her husband Eddie, son Aidan, daughters Michelle and Siobhan, sisters Marie and Ann, grandchildren Cora, Cian, Cai, Éabha, and Saoirse, daughter -in-law Anna, son -in-law Seán, Michelle’s partner Ger, nephews, nieces, relative and friends. May she rest in Peace.
WEDDING WISHES: Congratulations to Brendan and Joan Duggan School Road Ardagh who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Wishing both good health and happiness into the future.
WEST CHAMPIONS: Congratulations to St Kieran’s who won the West Junior B Football Championship at Killeedy’s GAA Grounds at Raheenagh on Saturday October 21. They defeated the holders Knockaderry by 2-8 to 0-6 after a competitive game played in good conditions. A great start scoring 2-2 in the opening 10 minutes was the winning of the game for St Kieran’s. Brian Crowley with a point from a free opened the scoring. Tom Mc Mahon finished a sweeping movement to the net after 8 minutes. Before Knockaderry could recover corner forward Darragh Mc Mahon added a point, and he scored a cracking goal to put his side 8 points ahead. It was an even game from then on as the teams retired at the break with St Kieran’s leading by 2-4 to 0-4 at half time.
They shaded the second half outscoring their opponents by four points to two despite having a player in the sin bin for 10 minutes. The team contained a mix of youth and experience who blended in well to take the honours. Johnny Walsh on behalf of the West Limerick GAA Board presented the Dr, Jim Mc Carthy Perpetual Memorial Cup afterwards to winning captain James O’Connor. TEAM Raymond Noonan, Shay Greaney, Cillian Heffernan, Ian Mackessy, Shane Fitzgerald, Daniel Geraghty, Michael Murphy, James O’Connor, Lorcan Murphy, Cathal Mc Enery, Jack Ben Hartnett 0-1, Fionn Gleeson, Darragh Mc Mahon 1-1, Brian Crowley 0-6, Tom Mc Mahon 1-0. SUBS Conor Woulfe, Ray Cahill, Jack Mulqueen, Mike Flynn, Brian O’Neill. PANEL Dan Duggan, Eamon Ambrose, Padraig Trant, Cormac Murphy, John O’Connor, Darragh O’Connor, Aonghus Gannon, Patrick Ambrose, Darragh Breen, Jamie O’Brien, Con Enright, Conor Kelly, Eoin Burke. John Doyle (unavailable due to a bereavement). MANAGEMENT Patrick Windle, Noel Broderick, Mikey Greaney, Nicky Kelly, James Windle.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic drew 0-0 with Breska Rovers away in the Desmond Premier League Cup Group A, round 2 on Sunday October 15. Kilcolman Rovers defeated Breska Rovers B 4-2 away in Division 3 of the Desmond League. Mike O’Sullivan, Darragh Mc Mahon, Sergi Moara, and Cathal O’Connor scored their goals. Carrig Celtic had no fixture. In the Desmond ladies Premier league Kilcolman Rovers defeated Janesboro 2-1 away with goals from Dora Bury and Marie Balfe. In Division 1 of the League Cup Group B Creeves Celtic drew 0-0 with Breska Rovers B and advanced to the semi-final on penalties.
CAMOGIE NEWS: Newcastle West defeated Killeedy by 0-17 to 1-5 in the County Senior Camogie Final at Ballyagran on Sunday October 15. Congratulations to all the local players on the team and panel on their win and best wishes for the Munster championship.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday October 16. The numbers drawn were 5,7,12,26, and there was no winner of the € 15,000 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each: Mary Curley Ardagh, Mickey Breen Shanagolden, Margaret Wilmott c/o Moloney’s, Marie O’Connor Commons, Ardagh, Joan Ahern Ardagh. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be € 15,100. 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. NOTE For the month of October an extra lucky dip of €100 will be added to the five lucky dips drawn each week to mark the 30th anniversary of its formation. This week’s winner was DTG c/o Greaney’s. On November 6, the first lucky dip winner will receive a € 500 holiday voucher. Both organizations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Mags Bridgeman Knockaderry, who won € 230, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday October 20.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.
CLOTHES COLLECTION: Kilcolman N.S., will hold a clothes collection on Friday October 27. Bags of clothes, shoes, belts, bags, bed linen(no duvets or pillows), can be dropped to the school shelter any time before this date. Thanks for your continued support.
HALLOWEEN DISCO: Coolcappa Parents Association are holding a Children’s Halloween Disco and Fancy Dress at Coolcappa Community Centre on Friday October 27 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Admission € 5 per child and € 10 per family. All children from ages 12 and under are welcome to attend. Parental supervision please. Refreshments shop open and prizes for the best costume and best dancers will be awarded. It is a fundraiser for Coolcappa School.
CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw will be held on Saturday October 28, and announced on the Sports Show on Limerick Live 95. The entry fee is € 10 per month or € 30 for the remaining three draws and € 21,000 will be given out in prize money each month, with a first prize of € 10,000. The star prize for October will be a €500 fuel voucher. 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.
WINTER TIME: Readers are reminded that winter time comes in on Sunday October 29, at 2am. Clocks to be put back one hour beforehand. Enjoy the extra hour in bed.
SET CÉILÍ: A set Céilí will be held in An Riocht Clubhouse Castleisland on Sunday October 29, from 3-6pm. Music by Taylor’s Cross Céilí Band, tea served, and admission is € 10. The Céilí is part of the Patrick O’Keeffe Festival weekend. It is an ideal venue for the dancers from Kerry, Cork and Limerick and a great atmosphere is always present for the set dancing.
GAA FUNDRAISERS: St Kieran’s club scrap metal collection concludes over the Bank holiday weekend October 28-30. People who want to dispose of unwanted scrap metal are asked to contact Chairman David Woulfe on 086-2205572, to arrange collection. This is the final weekend of the collection and the club thanks all for their support to date. As part of the Oskar’s. a fundraising clothes collection will be held by the cast of the Bridesmaids on Saturday/Sunday November 4/5. They can be dropped off at Ardagh Community field and at Coolcappa GAA grounds. The proceeds will go towards the new field development at Ardagh.
OLD MILL LADIES: The Old Mill club are still accepting a range of used clothes in their orange bin located beside their clubhouse. The annual bucket collection around Newcastle West will be held on Saturday October 28. All support will be greatly appreciated. Their club AGM has been fixed for Tuesday November 28 at the Clubhouse and all are welcome.
KNOCKFIERNA NIGHT: The annual Halloween bonfire night at Knockfierna will be lit on Tuesday October 31 at 5.30pm. This will be followed by music story and song in the Knockfierna Rambling House, and all are welcome.
RAMBLING HOUSE: A rambling house will be held at Ballysteen Hall on Saturday November 4, at 8pm sharp. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend. The Eircode is V94322C, and all are welcome.
BOOK LAUNCH: Keeping the Dream Alive is the title of a new book that tells the story of Limerick’s 1973 All Ireland Hurling win, 50 years on. Work has been ongoing all year by authors James Lundon, Liam O’Brien and Niall Deegan, with input from many more writers. It contains over 500 pages of material and rare photographs recalling all the Limerick matches and events of 1973. The profits from the book will be shared between two local deserving charities, Limerick Society of St Vincent de Paul and The Children’s Ark University Hospital Limerick. The launch will take place at the Woodlands House Hotel Adare on Sunday November 5, from 6.30pm. It promises to be a great night with members of the 1973 team in attendance plus many more guest personalities. The book costs € 30 and will be available to purchase on the night.
NOONAN LIGHTS FUNDRAISER: A fundraising Charity dance in aid of Noonan’s Christmas Lights will be held at the Woodlands House Hotel Adare on Sunday November 5, from 9pm to 11.30pm. Music by the Michael Collins Band and a raffle will be held for numerous spot prizes. The doors open at 8.30pm and admission is €10. This is the first fundraiser for this year’s Christmas Lights display and all support will be greatly appreciated.