by Tom Aherne
THOMAS HANLEY: The death has occurred of Thomas Hanley Creeves Cross, Shanagolden on Saturday March 30, after a long illness bravely borne, surrounded by his family at Milford Care Centre. Predeceased by his parents Ellen and Tom, and sisters Sheila and Ann. Reposing took place at St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Tuesday April 2, from 5pm to 7pm and large crowds attended to pay their respects and console the family. The funeral mass was concelebrated by Fr Tim Curtin, Fr Michael Cussen and Canon John O’Shea at 12 noon on Wednesday. Fr Tim paid a lovely tribute during his homily and family members participated during the ceremony. A chalice donated by Fr Toomey ( family) was used following the offertory. Music and hymns by the Noonan family. Cremation took place in Shannon Crematorium afterwards. Sympathy to his wife Marie, children Bernadette, Tommy and Ellen, granddaughter May, brothers Pat and Timmy, son -in-law Cathal, Ellen’s partner Hugh, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Thomas was born on January 28, 1958, and attended nearby Nutgrove School until its closure in 1968, and transfer of pupils to Shanagolden School. He attended Shanagolden Technical School, St Munchin’s College and N.I,H,E, limerick (now UL). Thomas took over the family run business at Creeves Cross in 1981, situated at the five crossroads branching towards Askeaton, Ardagh, Foynes, Rathkeale and Shanagolden. He oversaw the construction of a newly extended premises, offering a wider choice of goods and better value. Thomas and assistant Ann worked long hours in the shop and Filling Station which also boosted Lottery, hardware, news agency and fuel supplies. People calling outside opening hours were always welcome and catered for in a satisfactory manner. The closure of the shop on Friday July 22, 2022, was a sad day for Thomas and the local community.
Thomas was well suited to the role of shopkeeper, advisor, confidant and friend to all. He had an air of calmness and treated all customers with courtesy and dignity and was unhurried in his service to them. He was a very interesting person to converse with his wide knowledge of local, national, sporting and international affairs. The closure of the shop and his passing signals an end to the great service the Hanley family provided to the local and passing customers. Sadly, his retirement was short lived due to his illness, but his contribution to life around Creeves Cross will last long into the future in the minds and hearts of those he touched. May he rest in Peace.
KEVIN LONG: The death occurred suddenly of Kevin Long Rooskagh East, Carrigkerry on Monday April 1. Reposing took place at Riedy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Thursday April 4, from 6pm to 8pm. Cremation took place in Shannon Crematorium on Friday April 5, at 4pm. Sympathy to his parents Henry and Jackie, brothers Patrick and Cormac, Grandmother Bridie, sister -in-law Mari, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
DENIS O’BRIEN: The death occurred peacefully of Denis (Den) O’Brien Tenekilla, Ballyhahill at University Hospital Limerick on Tuesday April 2. Pre-deceased by his beloved daughter Edel, father Tom, mother Moll and brother Con. Reposing took place at the Church of the Visitation, Ballyhahill, on Thursday, April 4, from 5pm until 8pm. The Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Fr Austin Mc Namara and Fr Tim Curtin on Friday, April 5, at 12 noon, Burial took place afterwards in Kilfergus Cemetery, Glin. Sympathy to his wife Gertie, sister Jose, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, special friend Timmy Conroy, neighbours and a wide circle of friends and colleagues. Den was the very popular photographer with the Weekly Observer newspaper and a great friend to all sporting and community clubs and organisations. May he rest In Peace.
DAFFODIL DAY: Sharon Kinehan ( Madigan) and friends Ballyegna, Ardagh would like to thank everyone who supported their tea/coffee day on Friday March 22. They raised € 2,080 for the Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Day.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday April 1.The numbers drawn were 2,3,8,17,and there was no winner of the € 17,200 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each Margaret and Sarah O’Connor Glensharrold, Denis Woods Ballyhahill, Hazel O’Donnell Newcastle West, Michael O’Grady Carrigkerry, Angela O’Connell Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 17,300. 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 Kelly Newcastle West, who won € 240 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday April 5.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.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Grace O’Donnell who won € 561, in the March , Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge on Friday April 5. 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.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Limerick lost to Carlow by 1-7 to 0-6 in the Ladies National Football League Division 4 Final played at St Brendan’s Park Birr on Saturday April 6. Commiserations to Old Mill players Róisín Ambrose, Iris Kennelly and Sophie Hennessy.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s defeated St Senan’s by 3-11 to 2-12 in the West Junior B Football League played at Foynes on Tuesday April 2. St Kieran’s defeated Monagea by 0-15 to 0-10 in the West Intermediate hurling league at Coolcappa on Saturday April 6. The St Kieran’s nominated dog Feshtys Mo has progressed to the Con and Anne Kirby Memorial quarter final.
FARM SALE: Following the death of owner John Lane, Clare House Kilcolman is listed for sale by public auction in one or four lots in GVM Limerick City on Wednesday May 29, at 3pm. Containing 190 acres of outstanding and well-maintained land it would be ideal for dairying, beef or other uses. Also for sale is the two-story residence, courtyard, out offices and farm sheds. The sale is expected to attract a lot of interest as the dairy run farm is ready for startup.
POTHOLES: The long spell of wet weather since July 2023, has highlighted the condition of many of our rural roads. The very wet weather we got in recent months, and the lack of proper attention, is really showing with lots of potholes appearing from surface water running and lodging on road surfaces. Neat Inlets need to be put in place to divert the running water into dykes by a worker with a spade and shovel. The machine makes too much room and the removed soil piled high is a danger to vehicles who need to pull in. All the rural roads need to be examined and repaired before their surfaces are further eroded. They need to be attended to now before some motorist badly damages their vehicles. The rural dwellers pay their motor tax as well as the urban dwellers, and a little fair play would be appreciated. All the candidates contesting the Council election on Friday June 7, will be calling to our doors shortly looking for our support. Maybe they may need to put pressure on the council to upgrade the roads before they show their faces on our doorsteps.
SCHOOL ENROLMENT: All the local national schools are currently enrolling new pupils for September 2024. All have different means of doing so by visiting calling, emailing, etc.
HERITAGE AGM: St Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding their annual general meeting on Wednesday April 10 at 7.30pm in Ardagh Hall. A € 10 membership fee will be collected for the coming year. New members are most welcome to attend.
SEAN FINN LECTURE: Limerick Old IRA Memorial committee and Rathkeale Historical Society will hold a lecture evening on the life and times of Brigadier Sean Finn from Rathkeale who was killed in action at Ballyroe, Ballyhahill on March 30, 1921, in Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday April 12 at 8pm. The speaker will be author and historian Tom Toomey from Limerick. The occasion will also mark the handing over of a tricolour to Rathkeale Historical Society to be included in the Sean Finn Collection in Rathkeale Library. Tradition has it that the tricolour found in a Clare house has the blood stains of Sean Finn on it. Members of the Finn family will also attend, and all are welcome.
DRAMA DATES: Abha Bhán players present ” A Tomb with a View” by Norman Robbins in Ballyhahill Parish Hall on Friday and Saturday April 12/13, at 8pm. It is advisable to book the tickets in advance as seating is limited. Call 086-8458821 or 069-82106 (business hours) Cash only no card.
SET CÉILÍ: A Céilí will be held in the hall Milford on Saturday April 13, from 9pm. It is a very popular venue for West Limerick dancers and a warm welcome awaits all. Music by Ger Murphy and Ken Cotter and tea and treats served. Admission is € 10. A fundraising raffle will be held at this Céilí with all the proceeds going to Cliona’s Foundation. Sinéad Murphy, a TY student from Milford, and set dancer is walking the Camino in Spain in June with several school students from Hazelwood College to raise money for the foundation. Cliona’s Foundation provides help to families who are dealing with a financial crisis while caring for a seriously sick child. Your support would be greatly appreciated.