by Tom Aherne

MONTHS MIND: The Months Mind Mass for Joan Aherne, School Road Carrigkerry will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Thursday November 23, at 7.30pm.

MARY DOOLEY: The death has taken place of Mary Dooley (Nee Lane)Bishop Street, Newcastle West, late of Dooley’s Supermarket and Clare House, Kilcolman, Ardagh, on Thursday November  9, peacefully in the wonderful care of the nurses and staff of St Ita’s Hospital. Wife of the late Michael and sister of the recently deceased John Lane. Reposing  was held at Riedy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Saturday November 11th from 6 – 7.30 pm. The Requiem  Mass was celebrated  at the church of the Immaculate Conception Newcastle West  on Sunday at 12 noon, followed by burial afterwards in Monagea Cemetery. Sympathy to  daughter Marie, son Patrick, daughter-in-law Niamh, grandson Culann, sister Esther, brother, Maurice sister-in-law Maura, nephews’ nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest In Peace.

MARY LAWLOR: The death has taken place of Mary  Lawlor, ( Nee Cantillon ) Meenogahane, Causeway, Co. Kerry, formerly of Killahan, Abbeydorney  and Ardagh, Co. Limerick, peacefully on  Saturday  November 11, in the care of the staff of St. Bridget’s Ward, Bons Secours, Tralee, surrounded by her loving family in her 95th year.  Predeceased by her  husband Ned, sisters Hannah and Sr. Celsus (Kitty) and brothers Brendan and Michael. Reposing was held  at Casey’s Funeral Home, Causeway  on Sunday, November 12, from 6pm-8pm. The Requiem Mass was  celebrated  on Monday at 11am in St. John’s Church, Causeway, followed by burial in St. John’s Cemetery.  Sympathy to son Maurice, daughters Kathleen (Keane), Sheila (Egan), Hannah (King), Mary (Woulfe and family Ardagh), brother Richard and his wife Eileen, sons-in-law, Billy, Séan, Michael, David, daughter-in-law Eileen, fifteen grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

EILEEN TOBIN: The death has taken place of Eileen Tobin (Nee Bond)  Dunmoylan, Shanagolden,  on Saturday November 11, in her 94th year in the exceptional care of the doctors, nurses, and staff of the University Hospital Limerick. Predeceased by her  husband Michael, son Laurence, brothers John, Jimmy, Mick, Paddy, Frank, Tom, Willie and sisters Bridie, Betty, Sarah, Maura. Reposing  was held at St Colman’s Church, Kilcolman, on Tuesday, November 14, from 6-8pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated  on Wednesday, November 15, at 12 noon, followed by burial afterwards in Kilmoylan Cemetery. Sympathy to  daughters Eileen and Mary Ann, adored grandchildren Laurence, Heather and Mark, great-grandchildren Katie, Jake, and Isabel, sister Cissy (Kozak), sister-in-law Margaret (Bond), nieces, nephews, her wonderful neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.

OSKAR NIGHT:  The dust has settled following the Oskar night held in the Devon Inn Hotel on Saturday November 11. It was a tremendous night for the club and the wider community who made it a sellout show. It was amazing  viewing the local actors/actresses  showcase their talents in seven films, cast interviews, Oskar’s  and a DJ to dance the night to an end. The 13 Oskar’s were awarded by the judges Niamh Nolan, Ciarán Carey, Aidan O’Mahony and John Sheahan  to the following. Best actor Mike O’Connor the Field, Best Actress Rosemary Hodgson Veronica Guerin, Best Supporting Actor Conor Woulfe Fr Ted, Best Supporting Actress, Linda Clifford the Snapper, Best Movie as voted by the judges, Bridesmaids, Best Movie as voted by the audience, The Field, Best Comedy Moment, Calendar Girls, Best Film Location, The Field, Best Dramatic Moment, Veronica Guerin, Highest Grossing Movie, Peaky Blinders, Junior Actor Award, Conor Walsh The Field, Best Film Costumes, Peaky Blinders, Best Producer, The Snapper. Congratulations to all involved in the successful event.

HERITAGE NEWS: St Kieran’s Heritage Association held their November meeting at Ardagh Parish Hall on Wednesday November 15 and 11 members were in attendance. It was mainly a review of the very successful Gardai commemoration day held  in Ardagh on Friday October 20, Limerick Council’s plans for the future at the Station House Greenway site, fundraising and future plans. The  Garda 100 anniversary event was highly praised  by all who attended and thanks again to all who contributed to it. It was a costly day to run (food for 120) but well worth the finance and effort. Limerick Council are proposing major developments at the Station House site, but it will be upwards of three years before it comes to fruition, with planning and construction. The proposed  plans can be viewed in the Council Office in Newcastle West. The Association finances are being drained  after this year’s events and fundraising was discussed. More grants need to be applied for, but this will mean running more events etc as the standard for awarding grants is increasing. It is intended to run a few fundraisers (table quiz, etc) in the new year. A projector screen and laptop has been secured and it is intended to hold a few talks also during the dark nights.

The sale of the 2024 calendar continues in the local shops and at the upcoming Coolcappa Bazaar on Sunday November 26, and at the Carrigkerry  Christmas  Market on Sunday December 3. Renewed thanks to Theresa and Ger for undertaking this major task which is a lovely keepsake with its interesting photographs. The Calendar launched last June is available locally and costs € 5. The calendar has a photo of the Ardagh Chalice on the front cover and a photo of the Smith O’Brien Mausoleum in Rathronan on the back.  The monthly photographs feature groups  from past times, from the Ardagh, Carrigkerry, Coolcappa, Kilcolman, Ballyine areas.  It should  grace many households around the catchment area, and  indeed other peoples who are living away from the locality. The meeting decided to make a € 100, donation towards the upcoming Céilí in Ardagh Hall on Sunday November 26, run by the Fr Ted team (Oskars) in aid of St Kieran’s GAA Field Development. The Rathronan Baptismal Font is being repaired at present and will need a new location when returned. Thanks again to everyone who helped the Association during 2023 as we conclude our activities. The meeting ended on a positive note looking forward to renewing events in early January.

MARIETTA’S WALK: Marietta  (Smith, Glensharrold native )Sheehan Granagh  has raised € 2,000 following her 100k walk to raise funds for St Joseph’s Foundation Charleville. To date she has raised € 9,100 after four years in succession completing the walks. She thanks all the people who donated.

LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday November 13.The numbers drawn were 20,24,25,30, and  there was  no  winner of the € 15,400 Jackpot. Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received  € 40 each, Kennelly’s /co Neary’s, Con and Joe c/o Moore’s Bar, Marion O’Connor Carrigkerry,  Michael Harnett Old Mill, Madge Sheehan Ardagh. Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be € 15,500. 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.  Both organizations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.

RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Kieran Reidy Newcastle West, who won € 250, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday November 17.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.

COPSE’S LIGHTS: The Copse family Glensharrold Christmas Light’s display will be switched on this coming Saturday November 25, at 5pm. The charities to benefit this year will be Milford Hospice and the children’s Ark unit both based in Limerick City. The house can be located in Glensharrold, 2 miles from Carrigkerry village and 2 miles from the main Ardagh to Shanagolden road, turn off at Kilcolman cross. Eircode V94V6KC.  All are welcome.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR: The Coolcappa Christmas Bazaar will be held on Sunday November 26, in Coolcappa Community Hall, (V42HF60) starting at 12 noon. The annual sale of work will include stalls selling  art and crafts, homemade cakes, food etc. The wheel of fortune will operate raffle for lots of prizes and Santa will pay a visit.

CLUB DRAW: The  Limerick GAA Club draw will be held on Saturday November  25,  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 November will be a €500 Smiths Toys 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.  The two remaining draws will be held on Saturday December 16, and Saturday January 6.

CRAFT FAIR: A Craft fair will be held in Ballyhahill Hall on Sunday November 26, from 1pm. Tables can be booked by contacting  Secretary Mary Stanley on 087-1463208.

SET CÉILÍ: A set Céilí will be held in Ardagh Parish Hall (V42F864)  on Sunday November 26,  from 3-6pm. Music by Donie Nolan Band, tea served, raffle/spot prizes and admission is € 10. The Céilí is in aid of St Kieran’s New Field Development Fund and is organised by the Fr Ted Oskar Team. The day will feature mainly sets, and a mix of social with waltz, Siege of Ennis, slosh, 2 hands etc. All support from the locality and outside areas will be greatly appreciated.

CEOL AN GHEIMHRIDH: The Resource Centre and  Gerald Griffin’s National School Loughill are the venues for this year’s Limerick Ceol an Gheimhridh Competition on Sunday November 26. The events are confined to Comhaltas members and include music, song, dance, recitation, storytelling etc.

SONG AND STORY: A song and story evening will be held at Halla Inse Bhán Templeglantine on Sunday November 26 from 4pm to 6pm. All singers, storytellers, reciters and listeners  will be most welcome. Tea will be provided, and an enjoyable evening is promised.

OLD MILL LADIES: The Old Mill Ladies Football  club are still accepting a range of used clothes in their orange bin located beside their clubhouse. Their club AGM has been fixed for Tuesday November 28 at the Clubhouse and all are welcome.

IRISH RAMBLING HOUSE: The Irish Rambling House  are holding their annual concert in Siamsa Tire Tralee on Wednesday November 29, at 8pm. The three-hour show will feature the cast members plus special guests Sean O’Sé,  Elle Marie O ‘Dwyer, Caroline O’Callaghan, John Kinsella, Sonny Egan, Noel Joyce, Breens. Tickets cost € 31, each plus booking fee € 1.50, they can be booked on siamsatire.com or call the Box Office on  066-7123055. A great night’s entertainment is promised, and all are welcome.