by Tom Aherne
JOHN MC SWEENEY: The death took place of John ( John Michael )Mc Sweeney Knocknaclugga, Athea, and formerly Carrigkerry. Pre-deceased by his parents William and Mary Anne. John lay in repose at St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Tuesday January 16, where large crowds attended to pay their respects. The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Fr Austin Mc Namara, Fr Michael Noonan, Fr Tim Curtin and Canon Tony Mullins on Wednesday January 17 at 11am. Before Mass commenced symbols that brought enjoyment to John Michael’s life were brought to the altar. They included a forestry tree branch as he walked through the forest daily and he loved nature and the outdoors. A newspaper and his glasses as he liked to read the daily paper to keep up with local and national news. A pint glass as he enjoyed his Sunday night trips to Athea, where he had a few drinks and socialised with his friends. The TV remote as he kept in touch with the sports shown on the channels. The game Connect 4 which he enjoyed playing with family at Christmas time.
Family members participated during the ceremony in the readings from the Book of Ecclesiastes and from the second letter of St Paul to Timothy, which were very suitable for the life John Michael led. He led a good honest life, connected to nature and people, kept the faith that will lead him safely home to his heavenly Kingdom. Family members assisted in the prayers of the faithful, offertory procession, and tributes which were heartwarming. Fr Austin paid his own tribute to John Michael who was now at rest after the long search to bring him home. Margaret Carroll enhanced the ceremony with her hymns and a large crowd were present to bid John goodbye and support the family.
Sister Mary and brother Martin paid lovely tributes to John Michael, with lovely anecdotes that had people laughing and smiling and which were warmly received. He was born in 1950 and he attended Carrigkerry national school. He worked at Paddy Mc Cormack’s Joinery Works in Ardagh for many years in the baling sheaves department with Paddy (Kieran) Mc Cormack. He worked on numerous FAS and community projects in Carrigkerry/Old Mill, Newcastle West and Killeaney making friends easily with his interesting conversation. His early years were spent in Carrigkerry where he attended Stacks and Moran’s for entertainment.
John lived a simple life, kept to his routine and possessed great faith despite being tested by the arrival of Covid. He loved to talk about all the great characters who he knew from his young days, great feats of strength, match incidents and dance halls he frequented. If he was around to see the crowds that attended his reposing in St Mary’s Church on Tuesday evening, he would have been amazed at the impact he made within his community and the wider west Limerick area. We will miss his familiar presence out and about, but he made a dramatic exit that will keep his memory fresh in all our lives well into the future. Burial took place afterwards in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West. Deep sympathy to his family, brothers Paddy, Liam and Martin, sisters Margaret (Leahy) and Mary (Ahern), brother-in-law Timmy, sisters-in-law Noreen, Eileen and Bridget, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in heavenly peace.
ANN WALLACE: Sympathy to Mary Foley Knocknagun Carrigkerry following the death of her sister Ann Wallace The Demesne, Glin. She lay in repose at her family home on Wednesday January 17, from 5.30pm. The Requiem Mass was in Glin Church on Thursday from 12 noon followed by burial in the church grounds. Sympathy to Ann’s family, brother Johnny Donegal and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.
PATRICK NOONAN: Sympathy to Anne Marie Burke (a member of Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas and treasurer of the Limerick Comhaltas County Board) on the death of her father Patsy Noonan Cappagh and late of Kilfinny. He died in his 85th year at Abbott Close Nursing Home Askeaton. Reposing was held in St James Church Cappagh on Friday January 12. His Requiem Mass was celebrated there on Saturday followed by burial in Cappagh Cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Mary, sons Kieran , Dermot and extended family members. May he rest in Peace.
MICHAEL COLBERT: The death occurred of Michael Colbert, Glenageary, Co Dublin and late of Ballysten at his home on Wednesday January 10. Reposing at his home on Sunday from 3pm to 6pm. His funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church Foxrock at 11am on Monday January 15, followed by burial in Dean’s Grange Cemetery. Sympathy to his children, and extended family members. A Mass was celebrated in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Friday January 19. May he rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY: We extend sympathy to Mike Dunne (Glensharrold/Carrigkerry Wren Groups) Clarecastle, and formerly Knockfinisk/Dunmoylan on the death of his brother-in-law Frank Mc Govern Whitethorn Drive Limerick at his home on Sunday January 14. Reposing at his home on Monday from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. His funeral Mass was celebrated at Christ the King Church Caherdavin on Tuesday January 16 at 11.30am followed by burial in Castlemungret Cemetery. May he rest in Peace.
TODAY SHOW: Linda Corbett from the Old Mill was a guest on the Today Show on RTE 1 on Friday January 19. She featured on the makeover slot with Maura and Daithi and mother Mary also appeared.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday January 16.The numbers drawn were 2,8,14,25, and there was no winner of the € 16,100 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each Paul Noonan Ardagh, Hannah Greene Ardagh, Connie Kennelly Shanagolden, Carmel Power Kilscannell, Claire Greene Newcastle West. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 16,200. 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.
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 each Wednesday and a Hi-Viz vest and a light are needed, and all are welcome.
SOCCER NEWS: In Division 3 of the Desmond League Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-1 (Sean Ryan) away to Askeaton/Kilcornan B on Sunday January 14. Creeves Celtic and Carrig Celtic had no games.
GAELIC GAMES: John Doyle from the St Kieran’s/ Old Mill club has been appointed the Limerick Ladies Under 14 team manager for this season. Iris Kennelly Old Mill scored 1-3 for Limerick in the Ladies Division 4 National Football League opening match played at Coolyroe on Sunday January 14.
The Limerick GAA Club draw will resume on Saturday March 30th. The draw details will be launched shortly. The County Senior Scor finals will be held at the Community Hall Askeaton on Friday March 22, at 8pm.
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.
CÉILÍ/SET DANCING: A Céilí and 2 hand dances plus set dancing will be held in the Old Chapel Rooms in Kilfinane on Friday January 26, from 8-11pm. Music by Taylor’s Cross Band, Admission € 10 and refreshments will be served.
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.
CAR BOOT SALE: A Car boot sale will be held at Newcastle West Community Centre on Sunday February 4, from 8am to 1pm. Pre booking of stalls is essential on 069-69584. Please note that inside pitch is now € 15, and € 10 for outside pitch.
RAFFLE RESCHEDULED: The Carrigkerry Playground/Sensory Garden committee cancelled their Christmas raffle due to a local bereavement in Carrigkerry at Christmas. They have rescheduled it now for Sunday February 4, at Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry (Bank Holiday weekend). First Prize: Overnight stay with dinner for 2 at the Mustard Seed Ballingarry sponsored by Neilus Brouder. Second Prize: € 100 voucher for Moloney’s Carrigkerry. Third Prize: € 50 voucher for Brown Joe’s Bar Athea. Fourth Prize: Food Hamper from Dooley’s Supervalu. Fifth Prize: € 25 voucher for the Devon Inn Templeglantine. Sixth Prize: Bottle of Red and White wine from M and K. Seventh Prize: Bottle of Wine and a candle gift set from Tom Ahern Autos. The lines are € 2 each or 3 for € 5. Thanks for the continued support for the development to everyone.
DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes have resumed in Kilfinny Hall on Monday’s at 9pm, Marian Hall Moyvane Monday’s. 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. They will be held also weekly on Thursday nights from 9pm.