by Tom Aherne
JOE ENRIGHT: The death has occurred of Joe Enright, Kerrikyle, Ardagh, on Thursday February 8, suddenly at his residence. He was Pre-deceased by his parents, Patrick and Josephine, brothers and sisters. Reposing took place at Riedy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Sunday February 11, from 5.30 pm, followed by removal to St Colman’s Church Kilcoleman. The Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr Tim Curtin, and Fr Pat Bluett Kilmallock on Monday at 12.30 pm. The readings were from the Book of Wisdom and from the second letter to Saint John. Fr Tim paid a lovely tribute to Joe tracing his journey through life during his homily.
Theresa his sister thanked all for their support towards the family especially nephew Pat and his wife Briget. His two home helps, Gretta and Joan. Gretta Quinn for many years, husband John and the Quinn family. Joan Copse who was calling to visit Joe twice a day. Donie and Maura supplied the hymns and music during the ceremony and the local wren members performed a selection of music and bodhran playing at the graveside. Joe was laid to rest afterwards in the local cemetery. Sympathy to his sisters Theresa, Eileen (London), Bridie (Australia), brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
From a large family Joe attended Kilcolman N.S. and spent his working life outdoors with locals mainly doing agricultural work on the land. He was a tidy, good and honest worker around the farmyard, meadow, garden and bog. He always gave value for money and maybe was too generous with his time and labour, allowing people to take advantage. I got to know Joe early in life as he visited the Kennelly house nightly back in the 1960s. He would participate in the entertainment around the open fireside, which consisted of singing, storytelling, dancing, card playing, ring throwing with his neighbours and friends.
Joe was a shy but lovely singer whose favourite song was ”The Hills of Sweet Mayo”. He made and played the tambourine (Bodhran) and hunted the wren with a few groups but mainly the Cahill family from Kilcolman. Joe was a member of the first Community Employment scheme in Ardagh village from 1993 and very involved in the Hall renovations, stonewall building, street, school, and church grounds clean ups. Joe liked to socialise in Carrigkerry and other locations and mixed well. He would always walk to Carrigkerry shop and was very active all his life. He kept a very tidy house and enjoyed listening to his radio. He didn’t move out that much in recent years and was well cared for at home. There was only goodness in Joe who will be sadly missed by all his family, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Limerick and Longford drew 2-7 each in round 4 of the Ladies National Football Division 4 League played at UL North Campus on Sunday February 11. Róisín Ambrose and Iris Kennelly (players) and Sophie Hennessy and Alva Quaid ( panel) from the Old Mill club were involved.
JOHN MICHAEL: The family of the late John Michael Mc Sweeney recently presented cheques to Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue and Little Blue Heroes (on behalf of gardai) in Gerald Griffin’s GAA Clubhouse, in gratitude for helping to find him after 8 days searching last month. They each received € 2,210 from funds donated locally in the shop, church, Carrigkerry wren group, family and friends. during and after the search.
PRESENTATION: Mary Kury from Ardagh received a scroll from Askeaton Civic Trust on Saturday February 10, in acknowledgment for her work in researching and publishing local history books.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday February 12.The numbers drawn were 2,12,13,30, and there was no winner of the € 16,500 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each, Tommy Greaney Kilreash Ardagh, DTG c/o John Aherne, Marian O’Connor Carrigkerry, John Buston Coolcappa, Shane Ambrose Dunganville. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 16,600. 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 organisations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Nora Dineen Ardagh, who won € 205 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday February 16.The tickets cost € 2, or 3 for € 5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloneys Carrigkerry, and 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.
ALONE ‘Would you be willing to provide companionship to an older person locally? ALONE are seeking volunteers in your area. Full training and support provided. If interested, please apply via the ALONE website at www.alone.ie or for further information please contact Aoife Dennehy on 086-0120221 or via email [email protected] If you are over 60 and would like to know more about the service, ALONE can offer you, please call 081 8222 024.
CALVARY CEMETERY: The Stations of the Cross will be recited in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West each Sunday during Lent at 3pm. All who have connections with the cemetery are welcome to attend and to participate.
WELLNESS AND ADDICTION: St Kieran’s GAA Club present a free presentation on Addiction and Mental Health by Ciaran Carey at Ardagh Parish Hall on Friday February 23 at 7.30pm. The topics covered will include: The understanding and education around mental health and addiction. The impact on the individual as well as their family members and in turn the effects on the local community. Services that offer support to help make those vital changes in one’s life, thereby providing hope and healing for the individual and their family. This focus on mental health and wellbeing is for members of the club and wider community and all are welcome to attend.
FUNDRAISER: A charity night in aid of Surgeon Noonan Society will be held at Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Friday February 23 at 9pm. The Surgeon Noonan Society is an NGO run by 4th year UCC students providing medical aid to Africa through fundraising and voluntarily work. Daniel Collins (ex St Kieran’s GAA player from Cahermoyle Ardagh is heading to Africa later this year to provide medical aid. The entertainment will be provided by Sean Carrig, Ray Noonan, Darragh Collins, Aoibh O’Reilly etc. A raffle will be held on the night for lots of spot prizes and all support will be greatly appreciated.
SET DANCING: A set Céilí will be held in Con Colbert Hall Athea on Saturday February 24, from 9pm. Music by Uí Bhriain from Kenmare Kerry, admission € 10 and refreshments will be served. On Sunday February 25, Monagea Community Centre will be the venue for a charity Céilí to help send a student nurse volunteering in Uganda with Nurture Africa, in the summer. Music by Mountain Road Limerick, admission € 10 with raffle and refreshments. Nurture Africa is an Irish Charity working to empower African families to become more self-reliant. All support will be greatly appreciated.
ACTION GROUP: Coolcappa Community Action Group are holding an information evening regarding the Ballynisky Windfarm proposal on Monday February 26, at 8pm in Coolcappa Community Hall. Eircode V42HF60.
BEREAVEMENT MEETING: A bereavement support information evening will take place in Milford Care Centre, Education Department on Tuesday February 27, from 7pm – 8.30pm. The Bereavement Information evening is designed to give general information on grief and bereavement to bereaved people, their family and friends. Members of the Bereavement Service will be present to provide general information on Grief and Bereavement. The evening will comprise of: Short talk by a Bereavement Counsellor, Different experiences of Grief, Services available, Question Time. The information evening is free.