by Tom Aherne
MICK O’CONNOR: The death has occurred of Mick O’Connor Ballykennedy House, Ballingarry, and late of Carrigkerry, peacefully, following a brief illness, at University Hospital Limerick, on Tuesday, May 14. Mick is predeceased by his parents Mick and Margaret, brothers Dave, John and Moss, sisters Kit, Maureen, Ita and Eileen. Mick was aged 86 a member of the farming community and married to Birdie from Athea for 58 years.
Reposing at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Thursday, May 16, from 5pm, until late to cater for the large attendance. The Funeral cortège arrived at St. Munchin’s Church Knockaderry for Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Friday. Mass was concelebrated by Fr Tom Crawford, Fr Derek Leonard, Fr Edwin Irwin and Fr Derek Leonard. Family members participated and the music and hymns enhanced the ceremony. Symbols of Mick’s path through life which were taken to the altar included his rosary beads, book, CD, stick and collar for training animals. Fr Tom paid tribute to Mick and son Mike on behalf of the family thanked everybody who were so good to Mick and the family.
Mick was laid to rest afterwards in Clouncagh New Cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Birdie, sons John and Mike, daughters Margaret (O’Grady) and Siobhán (Burke), sons-in-law Declan and Frank, daughters-in-law Eileen and Áine, devoted grandchildren Robert, Michael, John, Sophia, Jack, Darragh, Jim, Declan, Josh, Leah and Corie, sisters Peig, Joan and Anne, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, all his other relatives, kind neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Mick was one of 11 in family to parents Mick and Margaret and the family lived at the junction branching to Glin across from the forge (Jack Dwyer) in Knocknagun, Carrigkerry. I often visited their house during my schooldays after Mass on a Sunday morning. Margaret died to soon in the early 1960s and Mick lived to be over 100 years. They were known as the Sandpit O’Connor’s and highly regarded for their hospitality, singing, sport and welcoming home. Mick was in England in those years, and it was later on that I got to know him. Mick and Birdie returned from Birmingham and settled in Ballykennedy on the Knockaderry, Ballingarry border. Over the years they welcomed their 4 children and built up their farm to an outstanding prize-winning standard.
Mick was an outstanding traditional singer who was always ready to burst into song. He was a member of the choir in Knockaderry, and he performed at Rambling Houses and other entertainment outlets. His crowning glory was his CD (Limerick Vales) compiled in aid of St Ita’s Hospital in 2009. It contained 18 tracks including Carrig Town which Donie Nolan sang as Mick’s coffin departed the church. It raised € 3,500 for the ongoing improvements and tracks from the CD can still be heard on West Limerick 102. Mick was a humble man committed to his family and church, loved to read, had a keen eye for cattle and enjoyed training animals. The large crowds that attended on both days showed the esteem in which the family are held and Mick’s advice, guidance and contribution to life will live on in his grandchildren. A proud son of Carrigkerry Mick rest in Peace.
JOHN DOWNEY: A Memorial Mass for John Downey New York and formerly of Creeves, Askeaton, was held at St Kyran’s, Church, Coolcappa at 2pm on Saturday May 18, followed by burial of Ashes in Reilig Mhuire, Askeaton. John passed away peacefully on October 15, 2023. Pre-deceased by his siblings Tim, Michael, Pat, Julia, Eileen (Laverty), Breda (Enright) and Mary (Kelly). Sympathy to his wife Mary, son Paul, daughters Anne, Eileen and Michele, grandchildren, sons in law, daughter in law, nephews, nieces, brother-in-law, sisters in law, relatives and a large circle of friends. May he rest in Peace.
NORA MAI HOURIGAN: The death has taken place of Nora Mai Hourigan (née Walsh) Glantane, Mallow and formerly of Inchintotane, Newmarket, who passed away peacefully at home on Monday May 6, beloved wife of the late John, and sister of the late Mary Anne, Michael, John, Ben and Andy. Reposing at O’Connell’s Funeral Home, St. James’ Avenue, Mallow on Wednesday (May 8th) from 5.30pm to 7pm followed by Removal to St. John’s Church, Glantane. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday (May 9th) at 12.30pm. Burial took place afterwards in Clonfert Cemetery, Newmarket.
Reposing at O’Connell’s Funeral Home, St. James’ Avenue, Mallow on Wednesday (May 8th) from 5.30pm to 7pm followed by Removal to St. John’s Church, Glantane. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday (May 9th) at 12.30pm. Burial took place afterwards in Clonfert Cemetery, Newmarket. Sympathy to her son Andrew the proprietor of the Thatch bar and restaurant Newbridge, children Siobhán, Katie, Micheál, Seán, Máire, Nóirín, Tom and Conor, sister Kay, brother Jim, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.
SPORTS GRANTS: Under the Sports Capital and Equipment programme grants of 26 million to sporting organisations nationwide have been announced recently. It’s the largest ever funding allocation to date and further funding will be confirmed at a later date. The local organisations who will avail of the funding will include Ardagh District Recreational and sporting Company Ltd for sports and maintenance equipment € 18,513. Creeves Celtic F.C. for equipment purchase €12,100.
MAYOR AWARD: Congratulations to Fergus Scanlan, Chairman of the Friends of St Ita’s who recently received a mayoral award from Cllr Gerard Mitchell. It was to mark his leadership and massive contribution in raising essential funds for St Ita’s Community Hospital Newcastle West over the past twenty years. A well-deserved award for Fergus who is deeply dedicated to his role as chairperson.
DESERVED PRESENTATION: Joan Pollard Carew and the committee of the Sweets of May set dancing festival made a presentation to Timmy Woulfe Athea in the Abbey Hotel Ballyvourney on Saturday May 11th. Joan and Pat Murphy paid well-deserved tributes to him in the company of his daughter Bernadette and grandson Philip. Timmy is loved and admired throughout the world of set dancing, and especially in the West Limerick/North Kerry area where he continues to teach and inspire! Timmy have given decades of his life reviving, recording and making notes of sets and also teaching and promoting set dances. Joan presented Timmy with a specially commissioned crystal plaque in acknowledgement and appreciation for his enormous contribution to Set dancing.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Congratulations to Limerick who defeated Cork by 1-10 to 0-7 in the Munster Ladies Gaelic Football B Final played in Mallow on Saturday May 18. Included in the team was Sophie Hennessy, Róisín Ambrose (joint captain) and Iris Kennelly from the Old Mill club.
SOCCER NEWS: Creeves Celtic defeated Abbeyfeale United 4-0 away in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Friday May 10. Eoin Mc Enery 3, and Dara Noonan scored. Carrig Celtic defeated Knockaderry 2-0 at home after extra time in Round 1 of the Richard Hogan Cup with Ray Brouder scoring both. Congratulations to Anthony Molyneaux Carrig Celtic who has been named Division 3 Player of the Year.
MASTERS FOOTBALL: John Doyle from the St Kieran’s club was a member of the Limerick Masters football team who defeated Clare by 0-18 to 1-7 at Clarecastle on Friday May 10. St Kieran’s lost to Crecora by 3-13 to 1-18 in the County Intermediate Hurling League in Crecora on Saturday May 18.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday May 13.The numbers drawn were 2,10,20,25, and there was no winner of the € 5,100 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each, John Lynch Carrigkerry, Michael Liston Glenastar, Ian Mackessy Ardagh, Tommy Mc Coy Old Mill, Jim Molyneaux Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 5,200. 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 organisations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Nora Gilmore Dromcollogher, who won € 205 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday May 17. 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.
AIRCRAFT SURVEY: From mid-May until late autumn a low flying aircraft may be seen flying low across Kerry, northwest Cork and neighbouring parts of Limerick. The Tellus aircraft will be flying at low levels of 60 metres over rural areas and 240 metres over urban areas collecting geological information. It will help inform the management of our environment and natural recourses.
KNOCK PILGRIMAGE: A Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine from the Shannon West Pastoral Unit which includes Coolcappa/ Kilcolman parish will take place on Thursday May 23. The bus will depart from the Longcourt Hotel at 7.15am, Ardagh Cross at 7.25, Parish Hall Ballyhahill at 7.45, Loughill Church at 7.55, Foynes Museum at 8.05, and at Shanagolden Square at 8.15am. The times are approximate and for further details contact Jerry Corcoran on 087-228 2626 or Lizzie Woulfe on 087-743 5267.
BINGO NIGHT: Creeves Celtic FC will hold a Bingo fundraising night in Rathkeale House Hotel on Thursday May 23, at 8.30pm sharp. The prize fund will be € 2,000 and all support will be greatly appreciated.
OLD MILL NEWS: The Old Mill Ladies Gaelic football club are still accepting unwanted clothes which will help raise funds for the running of the club. The clothes can be left in their orange bin beside their club house. They are holding a Coffee Morning in Ardagh Hall on Friday May 24, from 9am to 1pm.
RAMBLING HOUSE: A rambling house will be held at Jim’s Newbridge on Friday May 24, at 8.00pm. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend.
CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for 2024 is still open for membership. The Saint Kieran’s club are promoting it, and the third draw will be held on Saturday May 25. The entry fee for the 8 draws is € 80, and € 21,000 will be given out in prize money each month. The first prize is € 10,000, 2nd prize € 3,000, 3rd prize € 2,000, 4th prize € 1,000, 5th prize is an exclusive star prize, ( € 500 voucher for Gleeson’s Sports Limerick) and 4 prizes of € 500, four prizes € 250, and 17 prizes of € 100. To join contact the local St Kieran’s club members in person, or online through the Club force App with direct options available. The club will receive 50% of all membership received which is vital for the running of it over the year.
CEMETERY MASS: Mass will be celebrated in Robertstown Cemetery on Sunday May 26, at 2pm.
ALERT AGM: The local Text Alert AGM will be held in Ardagh Hall on Tuesday May 28 at 8pm. All subscriptions will be due on the night. New members are welcome.