by Tom Aherne
BIRTHDAY WISHES: Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Chloe Ahern, Glensharrold who recently celebrated her 21st birthday with family and friends.
MONTHS MIND: The months mind Mass for Joan Duggan School Road Ardagh will be celebrated in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday March 2, at 6.30pm.
50TH ANNIVERSARY: Ardagh ICA Guild are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and the members came together recently to mark this milestone. The Ardagh Guild was formed on 12-2-1974, (I also saw March 11, 1974, mentioned) and the first officers were President Eileen Collins, Vice President Mrs Danaher, Secretary Maura O’Dwyer, Treasurer Kathleen Wilmott. Press Officer Mrs O’Sullivan, Production Officer Miss K O’Connor, Competition Secretary Mrs Breen, International Officer Mrs Kennelly.
In the early years the emphasis was on craft such as upholstery, rush work, rug making and sewing classes. The Guild entered many competitions, including ”Make and Model”, Drama, Set Dancing, and the Quiz team won many prizes. On March 7,1988, the Guild hosted its first Federation meeting and the following week the first round of the Friends Washing Up Liquid” sponsored competition. Their achievements include an ”Arts Award for Literature” presented to Mary Tobin O’Connor in December 1998 and May 1999. Mary was awarded third prize in the national final of ‘Jacobs/I.C.A. Creative Writing” competition. In 2003 the Federation ”Role of Honour” was presented to Joan Riordan.
Ardagh Guild has been very involved in many activities at local/community level, being involved in setting up a Parish Community Alert scheme, fundraising and overseeing the erection of road signs in conjunction with Limerick Council. The parish Christmas Party for Senior Citizens and the Chiropody Clinic were also initiated by the Guild. They have held classes in cookery, flower arranging and art etc. Joan Riordan was Federation President for the Golden Jubilee of Limerick Federation in 1994 and continued to serve in various roles at national level. Down the years many charities and organisations have benefited from fundraising. They have held fashion shows, invited guest speakers to deal with a wide variety of topics and organised annual outings. Continued success to the members of Ardagh Guild in the future.
ELM HILL: A noted landmark on the Ardagh to Reens junction Elm Hill House at Kilscannell has been falling into a derelict condition in recent years. Maurice Studdert a Magistrate and Captain in the Limerick Volunteers built Elm Hill House in the middle of the eighteenth century. It was a two-story eighteenth-century house erected over a basement, and the property of I.Studdert in 1837. The house passed through the Wandesford and Magner families and was purchased by Patrick Woulfe in 1931. The Woulfe family continued to live in the house until the 1990s, with two brothers being the last occupants. In the intervening years the house became derelict, as rain poured in through large holes in the roof and the floorboards becoming rotten. in recent weeks the roof has fallen in and Elm Hill house is now just a past landmark.
PHILOMENA KEILY: The untimely death has occurred of Philomena Keily, Templeathea at Milford Care Centre. She lay in repose at St Bartholomew’s Church Athea on Sunday February 18. Her Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr Willie Russell and Canon Tony Mullins on Monday followed by Cremation. Sympathy to her husband Anthony, son Rhys, daughters Sarah, Molly, Julia, mother Peg, sister Julia, brothers William and Michael, Anthony’s parents John and Ann Keily Ardagh, and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.
DANIEL JOYCE: The death has occurred of Daniel (Donal) Joyce late of Loughill following an accident in his adopted Canada. He lay in repose at Madigan’s Funeral Home Shanagolden on Monday February 19. His Requiem Mass was celebrated on Tuesday at the Church of the Assumption Loughill followed by burial in Kilcolman Cemetery. Sympathy to his sisters Miriam, Trish, Hilda, Helen and extended family members. May he rest in Peace.
SHEILA DUNNE: The death has occurred of Sheila Dunne(née O’Brien) Glanmire, Cork and Newcastle West, Limerick on Tuesday February 13, peacefully, but suddenly at the Cork University Hospital, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Daughter of Esther Forde Rooskagh and Dan O’Brien, Newcastle West and wife of the late Ted, mother of Lilley and T.J. Reposing took place at the Mayfield Funeral Home, Old Youghal Road of Jerh. O’Connor Ltd, on Wednesday February 21, from 5.00pm to 6.00pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated at 2.00pm on Thursday February 22, in the Sacred Heart Church, Glounthaune. The funeral cortege proceeded afterwards to the Island Crematorium, Rocky Island, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. Sympathy to her family Lilley, T.J., brothers Donal and Vincent, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends and colleagues. May she rest in Peace.
GAELIC GAMES: John Hayes from the St Kieran’s GAA Club lined out for Limerick in their 1-12 to 0-10 defeat to Sligo in Division 3 of the National Football League round 3 fixture at Mick Neville Park on Sunday February 18. Michael Long is training with the Limerick Under 20 football panel preparing for the Munster Championship. Calum Madigan, and Sean Walsh are part of the West Limerick panel for the Mackey Cup competition. The Ita Madigan Under 13 hurling tournament is ongoing and the final is planned for Sunday March 3.
SOCCER NEWS: The first round of the Desmond Cup commenced on Friday February 16, with Carrig Celtic defeating Ballingarry B 3-2 away after extra time. Ian Mackessy, Brian Foley and Seanie King scored their goals. On Sunday Creeves Celtic defeated Rathkeale B by 2-0 away with goals from Kevin Guina and Bryan Meade. Kilcolman Rovers lost 5-1 away to NCW Town Reserves. In the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-0 away to Breska Rovers in the Premier Division. Creeves Celtic drew 1-1 at home to Broadford United with Caoimhe O’Connell scoring.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Limerick lost to Leitrim by 2-11 to 1-7 in round 5 of the Ladies National Football Division 4 League played at Ballinamore on Sunday February 18. Róisín Ambrose and Iris Kennelly (players) and Sophie Hennessy and Alva Quaid ( panel) from the Old Mill club were involved.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday February 19.The numbers drawn were 1,3,8,29 and there was no winner of the € 16,600 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each, Kate Ambrose Liskilleen, Ardagh, Anne Mullins Ardagh, Eoin Moran Carrigkerry, Winnie Murphy c/o Mackessy’s, Meadhbh Ambrose Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 16,700. 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 Mary Lynch Shanagolden who won € 205, in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday February 23.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.
TROCAIRE APPEAL: As we progress through Lent and approach Easter, we are reminded of the Trócaire Lenten appeal to help communities in the developing world. Trócaire boxes are available in the local church porches, if people missed out on collecting them at the start of Lent. We are asked to put some money into them, if possible, to help family’s this year in Malawi. It has been badly affected by climate change and is one of the least developed countries in the world. The people have to make long journeys many times per day to collect water for usage, which may not be clean and harmful to use. The boxes can be returned to the churches on Easter weekend and all support will be greatly appreciated.
FILM CLUB: Newcastle West Film Club present ”Anatomy of a Fall” in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday March 1, at 8pm. Admission € 8 and refreshments available. All are welcome.
SINGING CLUB: The next West Limerick singing club session takes place on Friday March 1 at 9pm in the Ramble Inn Abbeyfeale. The special guest will be Declan Coyle and friends from Roscommon. Declan is the author of a booklet ”In Song and in Story” a collection of original songs, stories, parodies, poems, ballads, sketches etc.
DRAMA DATE: Killeedy Parish Hall Committee in association with Spike Players Knocknagoshel present ”Roadside” by Noel Marian, (a comedy in three acts) at St Ita’s Parish Hall Raheenagh (V42ET85) on Friday March 8, at 8pm. Tickets cost €10and call 086-1649099 to reserve same. The proceeds are in aid of the Parish Hall.
SET CÉILÍ: A Céilí will be held in the hall Milford on Saturday March 9, from 9.00pm. It is a very popular venue for West Limerick dancers and a warm welcome awaits all. Music by Jerry Mc Carthy and tea and treats served. Admission is € 10. All are welcome to attend.
GAA ROUNDERS: St Kieran’s GAA Club Rounders will commence training on Sunday March 10 from 6pm to 7pm in Ardagh Astro pitch. New players are welcome and asked to bring along runners, water and a football glove is optimal. Ring Deirdre on 087-9509287, or Emma on 087 629 3602 for all details.
ATHEA CÉILÍ: Congratulations and well done to all involved in staging the Céilí at Con Colbert Hall on Saturday night last. A large crowd from near and far attended and enjoyed a great night of music and dancing with delicious refreshments served at the break. Looking forward to the next one.