by Tom Aherne
MONTHS MIND: The months mind mass for Noel Hennessy Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Sunday February 11, at 11am.
SOCIAL GATHERING: Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish Pastoral team invite the attendees at the 11am Sunday Mass St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on February 11, for tea and biscuits at the back of the church. It is being run on a trial basis and all are welcome.
MARY CURLEY: The death took place of Mary Curley Main St, Ardagh, on Thursday January 25, suddenly at her residence. Daughter of the late Brian and Freda. Mary was a very private person whose working life included years in Dell Limerick, the family business in Ardagh, and Ardagh Community Employment Scheme for 7 years, with the last 5 in the office. She was involved in the Development Association since its formation in 1992 and promoted their Lottery. Mary was very intelligent and meticulous in her work, and she loved taking care of animals. She was due to retire in a couple of weeks and looking forward to travelling around the country. Private family cremation took place on Tuesday January 30,at Shannon Crematorium. Sympathy to her brothers Michael, Peter, John, Mark and David, sisters Patricia, Aileen, Sheila and Grainne, sisters in law, brothers-in-law, aunts, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in peace.
HELEN CRONIN: The death has occurred of Helen Cronin(née Woulfe) (Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, late of Dunganville Ardagh, Co. Limerick) on Wednesday January 31, peacefully in the kind care of the staff of Ashford House Nursing Home, Helen, beloved wife of the late Derry and remembering also her late sister Mary. Reposing took place on Friday February 2, in Quinn’s of Glasthule from 4pm to 6pm. Removal on Saturday to St Michael’s Church, Dun Laoghaire arriving for 10am Funeral Mass followed by burial in Shanganagh Cemetery. Sympathy to children Margo, Martin, Denis, John and Therese, sons-in-law Simon and Hugo, daughters-in-law Ruth, Beatriz and Eilís, adored grandchildren Grace, Alexa, Lily, John, Rachel, Amaia, Katie, Isabelle, Alanna, Christopher and Arthur, her sister Joan, brothers Jack and Francis, extended family and friends. May she rest in Peace.
WREN PRESENTATION: The Carrigkerry Wren Group held their Presentation evening at the Flag Floor Rambling House, Carrigkerry on Saturday January 27. This year’s 7 chosen charitable groups and organisations who received donations were: Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing Service, Abbeyfeale District Search and Rescue, Carrigkerry Playground Sensory Garden, Debra Ireland, Carrig Celtic FC., Kilcolman Rovers FC., and St. Gabriel’s Foundation (Mungret). The Group would like to thank everyone who supported them on St. Stephen’s Day in the wren.
BUSINESS RETIREMENT: The closure of Denis Greaney Butcher Shop Main Street Ardagh on Saturday January 27, signals the end of a very lengthy and successful business after 36 years trading. Denis opened his shop on Friday December 11, 1987, and his motto was ” only the best is good enough for the customer” and this continued all through his business life. Denis was an employee of Aughinish Alumina before realising his lifetime ambition, by opening his own business. Denis from Kilcolman was well known in sporting circles through his involvement with St Kieran’s GAA Club and Kilcolman soccer club. He built up a very impressive customer base in his modern butcher/vegetable shop drawing people from a wide region. He was also very good for promoting all the local clubs and organisations social events. Over the years he was joined by his sons Conor and Kenneth, and they increased their services following the closure of other businesses in Ardagh. Thanks to the Greaney family for providing a great service and happy retirement to Denis and his wife Julia into the future.
GARDA RETIREMENT: A retirement function for Detective Garda Liam Ruttle was held at Charleville Garda Station, to mark his 30 plus years of service to communities in Dublin, Cork, Mallow and Charleville. Son of Mary and Michael from Newbridge, Askeaton, Liam Received his early education at Askeaton National School and then St Munchin’s College in Limerick. He was employed for two years in Golden Vale Marts in Kilmallock before he joined the Garda in Templemore Garda Training College in 1993. After training he spent four years in the Bridewell Garda Station in Dublin. Liam served in Watercourse Road in Cork City, Mallow Garda Station before being transferred to Charleville Garda Station in 2022. Liam was promoted to Garda Detective in 2002 and he was at the forefront of the investigations around the locality. Large numbers attended the coffee morning to pay tribute to his contribution to the Gardaí and wish him a happy and healthy retirement.
SOCCER NEWS: In the premier division of the Desmond League Creeves Celtic defeated Broadford United 1-0 (Kevin Guina) away on Sunday January 28. In Division 3 Carrig Celtic defeated Kilcolman Rovers 3-2 in Ardagh to go top of the table. Seanie Dwyer, Mikey Long, and Jordan Ryan scored for Carrig and Denis Finn 2, replied for Kilcolman.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s GAA Club membership rates for 2024 are, Limerick Development Draw only € 100. Adult social non-playing member € 40, and plus Limerick draw € 130. Senior adult player including Astro turf levy € 100 and plus Limerick draw € 190. Family membership ( includes one parent/guardian and all children under 18) € 120 plus Limerick Draw € 200. Under 21 and Student membership ( over 18, including Astroturf levy) € 80. Single Juvenile Membership (GAA and Camogie player € 50.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday January 29.The numbers drawn were 5,8,13,18, and there was no winner of the € 16,300 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each, Kara Greaney Carrigkerry, Anne Holyhead Ardagh, Linda and Ray Noonan Ardagh, Marie O’Connor the Commons Ardagh, Gavin O’Keeffe Ardagh Road Newcastle West. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 16,400. 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.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Lauren Hennessy who won € 562, in the January, Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge on Friday February 2.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.
HERITAGE MEETING: St Kieran’s Heritage Association meeting on Wednesday February 7 at 8pm in Ardagh parish hall.
RADIO DRAW: The West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw returns on Friday February 9, on the Exchange programme at 12.45pm. The tickets cost € 2, or 3 for € 5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloneys Carrigkerry, ) 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.
JIMS RAMBLING HOUSE: A rambling house will be held at Jim’s house Newbridge on Friday February 9, at 8pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend.
SET CÉILÍ: A Céilí will be held in the hall Milford on Saturday February 10, from 9.00pm. It is a very popular venue for West Limerick dancers and a warm welcome awaits all. Music by Tim Joe and Anne Band and tea and treats served. Admission is € 10. All are welcome to attend.
MILFORD FUNDRAISER: The annual Milford Hospice 10 km run/walk will take place on Sunday February 11. The event is open to all runners and walkers of all levels and ability and all the proceeds will go directly to Milford Care Centre. All the details can be got by contacting the Milford fundraising department.
RAMBLING HOUSE: Ita’s Rambling House will be held at the Desmond Complex on Friday February 16, at 8pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend. A rambling house will be held at Ballyhahill Hall on Wednesday February 21, at 8.00pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend.
QUIZ NIGHT: Sinn Fein are holding a Quiz Night at Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on Saturday February 17 at 9.30pm. Table of 4 € 40, and a raffle for spot prizes will be held. All are welcome to attend.
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.
SET DANCING: The month of February will be welcomed by set dancers around West Limerick as 3 will be held in three different venues during the month. On Sunday February 18th a set Céilí will be held in Halla Tadhg Gaelach from 3-6pm with music by Star Of Munster from Clare. Admission € 12 and refreshments will be served. Con Colbert Hall Athea is the venue on Saturday February 24th from 9pm. Music by Uí Bhriain from Kerry, admission € 10 and refreshments will be served. On Sunday February 25th 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.
DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes are held in Ballyhahill Hall at 8pm, Kilfinny Hall at 9pm, Marian Hall Moyvane on Monday’s. Monagea Hall 8.30pm and Con Colbert Hall Athea at 9pm, on Tuesday’s. Milford Hall at 8pm, and Fr Casey’s Clubhouse Abbeyfeale at 8.30pm on Wednesday’s. Monagea Hall at 9pm on Thursday nights. Set dancing is one of the best exercises available for people of all ages. It is weight bearing and strengthens the bones. It keeps the brain active as the dancers concentrate on the upcoming parts and it gets people socially involved. New members are always made very welcome at all the venues mentioned.