by Tom Aherne
FRANK WARD: The death has taken place of Frank Ward, Cooltomin, Askeaton peacefully at Milford Care Centre on Monday January 8. Predeceased by his parents Jack and Marie and father-in-law Tom Ahern. Reposing was held at Madigan’s Funeral Home Shanagolden on Wednesday January 10 from 6pm. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Tim Curtin in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Thursday at 1pm. Before Mass commenced Ella and Jack paid a lovely tribute to their father, as did Fr Tim during his homily. Frank was a man who liked nature and outdoor pursuits, such as hunting, playing games and family involvement. He liked to sing in sociable outlets and enjoyed the company and the fun generated. He was skilled at carpentry and was assembling bird boxes in recent times after returning to it during his illness. Frank was laid to rest afterwards in Coolcappa Cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Ann, daughter Ella, son Jack, Ella’s partner Adam, brothers Brian and Sean, nephew Charlie and his mother Majella, mother -in-law Ann Ahern, extended family members, friends and neighbours. May he rest in Peace.
DYMPNA WALSH: The death has occurred of Dympna Walsh Castleknock, Dublin 15 on Thursday January 4. (peacefully) in the loving care of the staff at Connolly Hospital following the tender care in Mount Hybla Nursing Home, Castleknock. She was a daughter of Sgt Christy Walsh, was born in Ardagh, and went to school there. She qualified as an NT and then studied further and became a Child Physiologist. Reposing at Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Blanchardstown on Wednesday January 10, from 10.30am with removal to The Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge arriving for Funeral Mass at 12 noon followed by a Service to Celebrate Dympna’s life at 2 pm in Glasnevin Crematorium. Sympathy to her brothers , sisters and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.
JAMES CAHILL: The death has occurred of James (Jim) Cahill, West Acton, London and formerly, Ardagh, Limerick and Kinsale, Cork. on Friday December 15, 2023, in the care of the staff of Charing Cross Hospital surrounded by his family, at the age of 89. Beloved husband of the late Mamie (neé Farley), formerly of Kinsale, Co. Cork. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Thursday January 18, at 10.30am in the Church of the Holy Family, West Acton, London followed by cremation in Mortlake Crematorium, Richmond, London. Sympathy to his son Emmet, grandchildren Monty and Katyusha, nieces, nephews, relatives, in-laws, neighbours and many friends. May he rest in Peace.
CLUB AGM: St Kieran’s GAA Club held their annual general meeting at Ardagh Hall on Friday January 12, with a good crowd (28, and several apologies)in attendance. Chairman David Woulfe welcomed all , and the various reports and addresses were dealt with during an upbeat and positive meeting. Secretary Ivan Neary outlined all the teams progress during the year, plus details of the Oskar events in his report. Vice Chairperson Kieran Madigan outlined the improvement made by the camogie players in the club in its first year. They competed in blitzes and their skill levels rose. They fielded teams in Under 8,10,12, and this year will be fielding an Under 14 team. With 80 girls participating they are seeking new people to become involved.
Ger Sheehan spoke on the new pitch development outlining the costs to date and future costs involved. Timmy King, Donal Mc Enery, Tom Harnett, Deirdre Ambrose and Ger were all thanked for the work they put in. Deirdre Ambrose gave an update on the progress of the rounder’s team who won a blitz in Mallow and competed in other competitions. Paula O’Connor the new healthy club officer outlined plans and events for the coming season. John Lynch chairman gave an update from Board Na Nóg who played 130 games and ran a very successful Cúl camp. The underage nursery which was created for the very young players is proving successful with 36 club coaches involved.
During his address which was comprehensive and detailed, David touched on the progress of the football, hurling, Board Na Nóg, rounders and camogie sections of the club. It was a very busy year on and off the field with success gained at Senior and Junior B football. David paid tribute to the very committed volunteers who coached and mentored the teams. The Board Na Nóg officers were thanked for the work they are doing with the underage players. All club players who represented their county colleges and schools were thanked. He paid tribute to the late Noel Hennessy who contributed a lot to the club over the years. Presentations were made to the trustees of Coolcappa grounds during the year.
David also dealt with the distribution of tickets for Limerick’s county matches, thanking Secretary Ivan Neary, for all his work behind the scenes. The Lottery with Ardagh Development Association continued to work well, and more people were playing online. Treasurer Tom Harnett was thanked for the huge financial workload involved in running the club over the past year. Deirdre Ambrose for looking after the membership and Club force and overseeing the running of the Oskar event. The people who updated matches for the Whats App group for people unable to attend matches were thanked. The club ran another very successful road hurling day which will benefit the two chosen Charities, Milford Care Centre, and The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. David said that not many clubs would each year donate to charity when major fundraising is required for the new developments.
Financially it was a good year for the club, who entered 2023 in the black and exited in a better financial position. The numbers in the Limerick Development draw were steady, and prizes won by members in 2023 were down from the previous year. All who gave sponsorship and donated to the new pitch development were thanked. The various club membership rates for 2023 will increase, and a fee for using the Astro pitch will be added. The online club force is proving very successful, and March 31 is the final date for membership. All the club officers, development draw promoters, around the locality were thanked and all who assisted and supported the club in any way during the year were also thanked.
The following officers were elected to run the club in 2024. Chairman David Woulfe, Vice-Chairman Kieran Madigan, Secretary Ivan Neary, Ass-Secretary Owen Hayes junior, Treasurer Tom Harnett, Ass-Treasurer/Development Draw Co-Ordinator, Ian Mackessy, PRO Owen Hayes junior, Registrar/Children’s Officer Deirdre Ambrose, Healthy Club Officer Paula O’Connor, Irish Officer Aisling Hayes, Coaching Officer’s Cormac Walsh, Kieran Madigan, Board Na Nóg Chairperson John Lynch, County Board Delegates David Woulfe and Owen Hayes senior. The club committee contains 23 people, and more are welcome to join. A number of management teams will be announced later at the club meetings, and a fields committee will be put in place.
The proposed Coolcappa Wind Farm and possible concern for the club ground was raised and discussed and JP Mc Manus thanked for his generosity towards the club which will yield € 8,000 for both sections main and camogie. David congratulated all the players and partners who got married during the year and sympathised with families who suffered bereavements. In conclusion he thanked his fellow officers and looked forward with confidence to 2024. A moment of silence was observed for Noel Hennessy to conclude the meeting.
ARDAGH WALK: The Ireland Lights Up Walk in partnership with Operation Transformation started on Wednesday January 10, for six weeks from Ardagh Church car park at 7pm sharp. The 6.4kw walk will be along the Greenway towards Rathkeale and a hi-Viz vest and a light are needed, and all are welcome.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday January 9.The numbers drawn were 1,9,25,27, and there was no winner of the € 16,000 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each, Kay Ryan Coolacokera, Ardagh, Catherine Hanley Coolcappa, Tommy Greaney Kilcolman, Laura Curtin Ballinabearna, Fiona Hennessy Glenastar. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 16,100. 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. Both organizations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Shauna Ryan who won € 542, in the December , Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge. Tickets to enter the draw are available from committee members, club managers, at Neary’s Ardagh, Inver five crossroads Rathkeale and the Thatch Newbridge. All support will be greatly appreciated.
GOLF OFFICERS: Congratulations to Michael O’Connor on his election as President of Newcastle West Golf club and Kate O’Shaughnessy as Lady President.
RAMBLING HOUSE: A rambling house will be held at Ballyhahill Hall on Wednesday January 17, at 8.00pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend. Ita’s Rambling House will be held at the Desmond Complex on Friday January 17, at 8pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend.
REVIEW/PREVIEW NIGHT: St Kieran’s GAA Club are holding a review of the 2023 season and a preview of the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship at the Longcourt Hotel Newcastle West on Saturday January 20, 2024. The panel of guests are very well known for their media involvement since they retired and include All Ireland captains, medal winners and All Stars, Brendan Maher from Tipperary, Richie Bennis from Limerick Aislinn Connelly Galway, Tom Condon Knockaderry, Mark Landers Cork and Anthony Daly Clare and the MC will be T. J. Ryan. The Mc Carthy Cup will be present on the night and there will be a super raffle. The prizes in the raffle will include a season ticket for Limerick inter county matches, Large framed photographs of various Limerick winning All Ireland teams, and numerous more similar prizes. The tickets cost € 25 and are on sale from local businesses and committee members. It promises to be a very entertaining night to hear all their views on how the coming year will turn out and Limerick’s chances of entering the record books. All proceeds from the night will be going towards the new pitch development in Ardagh, which is progressing very well. The doors open at 7pm and the event commences at 8pm.
FUNDRAISER: Kilcolman Rovers will hold their annual run/walk challenge on Sunday January 21, from 12 noon outside the Community Centre Ardagh. It will be the usual route and finishing back at the hall for light refreshments. There will be prizes for the first 3 male and female runners and medals for all the participants. All are welcome to participate. This is the club’s annual fundraiser, and all support will be greatly appreciated.
HISTORY TALKS: Rathkeale Historical Society resume their monthly talks following the Christmas break on Friday January 26, at 8.30pm in the Community Arts Centre New Line Rathkeale. Three local talks from Michael Hourigan ”A Horse Trainers Story”, Tommy Quinn ” A Rathkeale Childhood”, and Emer O’Regan ”Work on the Medieval Graveyard in Ballingarry”. All are very welcome to the very popular talks held over the winter months.
CLOTHES COLECTION: Kilcolman NS are holding a fundraising clothes collection on Monday January 29. Bags of clothes, shoes, bags, belts, bed linen(no duvets or pillows) can be dropped to the school shelter any time before this date. Thank you for your continued support.
PARK RUN: The very popular park run is held in the Demesne Newcastle West on Saturday morning from 9.30am. All are welcome to join in the proceedings.
SMOKE ALARMS: A reminder to all households to make sure that they have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted now. The winter months see an increased in the use of solid fuel appliances, lights, appliances etc and an increased risk of fire and poising building up in the home. The cost involved far out weight the potential loss of life.
DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes have resumed in Kilfinny Hall on Monday’s at 9pm, Con Colbert Hall Athea on Tuesday’s at 9pm, and Fr Casey’s Clubhouse Abbeyfeale on Wednesdays at 8.30pm. Classes will resume in Monagea Hall on Tuesday January 23, at 8.30pm.