by Tom Aherne
PARISH CLERK’S COLLECTION: The Ardagh/Carrigkerry parish clerk’s collection will be taken up this coming weekend in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Saturday May 4, and in St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Sunday May 5. We are very lucky to have such dedicated people in charge of both churches. Please be generous with your donations.
SYMPATHY: Sympathy is extended to Paddy D O’Connor and family Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry on the death of his sister Breda Witherow (nee O’Connor) Norwich, England. May she rest in Peace.
HOLLY WALSH: The death has occurred of Holly Walsh late of Virginia, USA and Lisbane, Shanagolden, Co. Limerick on November 30. A Memorial Mass took place at St. Kyran’s Church, Coolcappa at 4pm on Saturday April 27. The burial of ashes took place afterwards at Kilbradren Cemetery. Sympathy to husband Joe, parents Dr. William and Diane Bedwell, brother Adam, brothers in law Mike and James, extended family and many friends. May she rest in Peace.
SAINT ITAS: The Friends of St Ita’s hosted two very enjoyable thank you evenings last week in Newcastle West. Chairperson Fergus Scanlan welcomed all the fundraising groups who contributed to the Friends over the past year and outlined how the money was being spent in the ongoing improvements at the hospital. Glensharrold Wren Group members were amongst the attendance.
SCOR SUCCESS: Congratulations to Reens Ardagh native Mike Larkin who was a member of the Banogue novelty act team who won the Munster senior Scór title at the Community Hall Newport on Saturday April 13.
CUCKOO CALL: The Cuckoo has arrived (right on time as in previous years) in our locality and has been heard calling since Sunday April 21. The elder generation always looked forward to the arrival as it marked the end of the long winter, and the promise of better weather ahead. When they heard the first call, they would bless themselves thanking the Lord that they had survived another year. The bird likes rural and remote areas, where it can remain unobserved by humans as it goes about its business. Its distinctive call is mainly the only means of knowing its whereabouts.
CAR DUST: From the middle of the week people have awoken to find their cars and the ground covered in dust. When the windows are washed the cloth used shows up yellow. This cannot be right and may be harmful to humans, livestock, pets etc. I have heard nobody complain in media circles and it may be confined to my area. Its something to be taken up with canvassers when they call. I suspect its coming from the estuary where the Sahara dust was supposed to have come from in previous episodes.
SOCCER NEWS: In the Premier Division of the Desmond League Creeves Celtic defeated Breska Rovers 4-0 away on Sunday April 21. James O’Connor 2, Bryan Meade and Eoin Mc Enery scored the goals that keep them top of the table. Kilcolman Rovers had two wins over Dromore United B in Division 3. They won 5-2 on Friday with goals from Sean Ryan 2,Noah Supple, Cormac Murphy and Denis Finn. On Sunday they won 3-0 with goals from Brian Crowley, Cormac Murphy and Sean Ryan. Carrig Celtic lost 2-1 (Ray Brouder) away to Breska Rovers B in the Riedy Cup 2nd round.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s defeated Croagh/Kilfinny by 2-27 to 0-11 in the West Junior B Hurling League in Coolcappa on Tuesday April 23. TEAM Donie Nolan, Brian O’Neill, Billy Breen, Shay Greaney, James O’Connor, Cormac Mann, Sean Long, Conor Woulfe, Fionn Gleeson, Jack O’ Sullivan, Michael Murphy, Danny Collum, Cillian Meade, Anthony Molyneaux, Derry O’Connor. Subs Con Enright, Liam Scanlon, Eamon Ambrose, Tadhg Dineen, Sean Hughes. St Kieran’s defeated Mungret/ St Paul’s by 2-7 to 1-9 in the West Junior B Football League played at Crescent Comprehensive on Thursday April 25. TEAM Ray Noonan, Ben Cussen, Shane Lynch, Shay Greaney, Mike Upton, Anthony Mullins, Jack Mulqueen, James O’Connor, Jack O’Sullivan, Cathal Mc Enery, Anthony Molyneaux, Fionn Gleeson, Brian O’Neill, Oisin Ryan, Con Enright. Subs Oisin Commane, Luke Corrigan, Brian O’Neill.
CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for April was held on Saturday April 27, and announced during the Limerick Live 95fm sports show and St Kieran’s club had one winner. Congratulations to Gerard Lynch who won € 500.The entry fee for the eight remaining 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, 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.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday April 22.The numbers drawn were 13,23,25,26, and there was no winner of the € 17,500 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each, Marian O’Connor Carrigkerry, Julia Greaney Kilcolman, Nora Cronin Ardagh, Con and Joe c/o Moore’s Bar, John Dillane Ballinabearna. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 17,600. 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 Liam Doody, who won € 210 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday April 26. 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.
SINGING CLUB: The next West Limerick singing session in the Ramble Inn, Abbeyfeale will be on Friday April 3, at 9pm. All are welcome to attend including new members.
FLEADH CÉILÍ: A Céilí will be held as part of the Fleadh by the Feale weekend in Father Casey’s GAA Clubhouse Abbeyfeale on Friday May 3rd at 9pm. Music by Uí Bhriain, refreshments served, and admission is € 10. A great night’s dancing is promised on the Kerry Limerick border, and all are welcome.
CEMETERY MASSES DATES: Kilcolman Cemetery May 5 at 2pm, Loughill Cemetery May 12, at 2pm, Kilmoylan Cemetery May 19, at 2pm, Kilbradern Cemetery May 19, at 7.30pm, Robertstown Cemetery May 26, at 2pm, Mount Pleasant Cemetery June 2, at 2pm, Glin Church grounds June 9, at 2pm, Kilfergus Cemetery June 16, at 2pm, Kinnard Cemetery June 17, at 7.30pm, Shanagolden Cemetery June 23, at 2pm, Borrigone Well August 15, at 3pm, Coolcappa August 15, at 7.30pm, Clonagh Cemetery September 8, at 2pm.
DESMOND CASTLE: The Desmond Castle Newcastle West is open to visitors daily from 10am to 6pm. Two people are needed to avail of a tour of the castle, which has a very interesting history.
FOOD AND CRAFTS FAIR: A Food and Crafts Fair in aid of Ardagh Community Centre will be held there on Saturday May 4, from 12 noon to 3pm. Entry is a donation to the Community Centre. To book a stall please contact Ger on 087-2349622 or Moira on 086-8255473. Please come and support local business and clubs.
HOLY COMMUNION: The first Holy Communion dates for 2024 have been announced for Ardagh/ Carrigkerry parish as follows. On Saturday May 4, in St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry at 11am. On Saturday May 11, in St Molua’s Church Ardagh at 11am.
KILCOLMAN ROVERS: A group of club members of the Kilcolman Rovers soccer club are holding a fundraising walk on the Kerry- Limerick Greenway over two days on the May bank holiday weekend. The 70km walk from Fenit to Rathkeale will cover the entire length of the Greenway and raise funds for the club teams. All people who sponsor the members will be entered into a draw for incredible prizes which will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Sunday May 5, at 9pm. The prizes include Overnight accommodation for two including Breakfast, Dinner, Golf in Mulranny Park Hotel and Mulranny Links Golf Club, Overnight accommodation and dinner for two in Dunraven Arms Hotel Adare, dinner for two in the Mustard Seed Ballingarry, A case of wine with Prosecco white and red wine and many more including a seller’s prize. All support will be greatly appreciated.
PIETA HOUSE: The Darkness into Light 5k walk/run in aid of Pieta House will take place on Saturday May 11 at 4-15am from the Desmond Complex Gortboy, Newcastle West. The walk will continue along the N21 towards Lacey’s Cross, turning left towards Gortboy and back to the Desmond Complex. People can register online at www.darknessintolight.ie or at the Red Door Square Newcastle West on Saturday May 4, from 12 noon to 3pm.
OLD MILL NEWS: The Old Mill Ladies Gaelic football club are holding their annual family fundraising walk on Sunday May 12 at 10am from the Barnagh Greenway Hub. It is open to all ages of people from the wider community. They 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.