by Tom Aherne
MARY O’CONNOR: The death has occurred of Mary O’Connor (nee Doody) Rooskagh East Carrigkerry at St Catherine’s Nursing Home Newcastle West on Wednesday December 11. Predeceased by her husband Batt and daughter -in-law Helen. Reposing at Riedy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Friday December 13, from 6pm followed by removal to St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry. Fr Raphael Okanumeh and Fr Tom Mangan concelebrated her funeral Mass on Saturday at 11.30am and family members participated during the mass. Symbols associated with Mary’s long life taken to the altar included baking flower, rosary beads, St Bridget’s Cross. Family members paid tribute, including the very young members singing of John Denver’s ”Country Roads.” Mary was a homemaker, who was blessed with a long life well lived. She possessed great faith and had a welcome for all who called to her house. Donie sang ”Lovely Glenagowan” in a final tribute as the coffin was leaving the church. Mary was laid to rest afterwards in Ardagh Cemetery. Sympathy to her sons Tom, Paddy, Mike, Jimmy, Batt, daughters Catherine, Joan, Mary Ellen, sister Kathleen O’Shea, sister-in-law Mary Doody, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.
JOAN AHERNE: The death has occurred of Joan Aherne ( nee Burke) 2 O’Connor Park Ardagh and formerly Ballynoe, Ballingarry at Beechwood Nursing Home Newcastle West on Wednesday December 11. Predeceased by her parents, brothers and sisters. Reposing was held in Riedy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Thursday December 12 from 6pm, followed by removal to St Molua’s Church Ardagh. Fr Michael Noonan, Fr Dan Lane and Fr Frank O’Dea concelebrated her funeral Mass on Friday at 11.30am. Family members participated during the Mass and Fr Michael paid tribute to Joan’s great faith and her devotion and contribution to the work in the church. Symbols associated with Joan’s long life, taken to the altar included altar cloths, holy water, wedding photo, brush, teacup. Joan was a native of Ballingarry and a lady of quiet disposition, who made all welcome to her home. Her life revolved around the workings of the church, washing the altar linen and other jobs that needed doing. She faced her final illness with great faith and fortitude. Joan was laid to rest in Ardagh Cemetery. Sympathy to husband Jack, brothers -in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.
RICHARD BUSTON: The death took place of Richard (Sonny) Buston, Coolcappa, Ardagh peacefully at U.H.L. Predeceased by his mother Margaret, father Tom, sister Veronica, brother-in-law Jim U.S.A, and brothers-in-law George and Michael. Reposing at St. Kieran’s Church Coolcappa, on Tuesday December 10 from 5.30-7.30pm.The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Maryann, sons John, Richard, Peter and grandson David, daughter-in-law Fiona, sister Margaret, brother-in-law Peter, nephews and nieces (U.K. & U.S.A.), brothers-in-law, sister-in-law and a wide circle of neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.
MICHAEL AHERN: The death has occurred of Michael (Mickey) Ahern, Rooskagh East, Carrigkerry on Saturday December 7, peacefully at University Hospital Limerick. Reposing at Riedy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Tuesday December 10, from 6 o’clock to 7.30pm. Arriving at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Newcastle West on Wednesday morning for 11.30 am Requiem Mass. Burial took place afterwards in Calvary Cemetery. Sympathy to his wife, Elizabeth, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
TV PRESENTER: Katelyn Hayes from Knockfinisk, Carrigkerry is one of two new faces to join the Nuacht Cúla4 team this year. Nuacht Cúla4 is a daily six-minute news bulletin as Gaeilge specifically for children, broadcast from Tuesday to Friday at 1:30pm on the children’s channel Cúla4.Katelyn attended Carrigkerry national school, and Scoil Mhuire agus Íde secondary school in Newcastle West. Katelyn now 24, obtained a degree in Irish and maths, as well as a master’s in media and journalism, both from the University of Galway. The other new joiner to Nuacht Cúla4 is Longford native, Laura Pakenham
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday December 9.The numbers drawn were 1,5,20,30, and there was one winner of the €8,100 Jackpot. Congratulations to Edel Windle, Knockfinisk, Carrigkerry who matched the numbers. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each: Pat Ryan Croom c/o Moloney’s, Odhran Donovan, Duncaha, Shanagolden, Pat O’Shea, Kilcolman c/o Neary’s,Nora Dineen, Ardagh, Patrick Windle, Knockaderry. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,000. 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 John from Tarbert, who won €370 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday December 13. 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 Leah Reidy , who won €445 in the November Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge. 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.
SOCCER NEWS: Carrig Celtic defeated Shountrade 2-1 in the Desmond League Division 2 League Cup played at Mick Hanley Park Askeaton on Tuesday December 3. Ray Brouder and Sean Long scored their goals, and they play Glin Rovers B in the final. Creeves Celtic and Kilcolman Rovers had no match. In the Ladies Premier Division Kilcolman Rovers lost 1-0 away to Broadford United. Creeves Celtic defeated Shountrade 2-1 away with goals from Laura O’Shaughnessy and Caoimhe O’Connell.
CAMOGIE AGM: St Kieran’s held their Camogie AGM in Ardagh Hall on Tuesday December 3. Congratulations to the following who were elected to run the club in 2025. Chairperson Christine Mulcahy, Vice-Chairperson Johanna Cussen, Secretary Sharon Sheehan, Assistant Treasurer Sharon Sheehan, Children’s officer Deirdre Ambrose, Registrar Lorraine Madigan, Development officer Finbar Hogan, PRO Linda Clifford. Congratulations to Sharon Sheehan who is the Limerick Camogie Board treasurer for 2025.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s defeated Croom/Ballingarry by 2-14 to 0-7 in the County Under 20 B Football Championship semi final played at Sean Finn Park Rathkeale on Saturday December 14. They led by 1-12 to 0-2 at half-time. TEAM: Con Enright, Conor Kelly, Cillian Heffernan, Conor Mc Mahon0-1, Sean Long, Darragh Mc Mahon 0-1, Mikey Kelly, Jack O’Sullivan 1-4, Lorcan Murphy 0-1, Fionn Gleeson 0-1, Mikey Long 0-1, Cathal O’Connor 0-1, Luke Corrigan 0-2, Oisin Ryan 0-1, Eoghan Sheehan. Subs Oisin Commane 0-1, Brian Sheehan, Derry O’Connor, Charlie Mc Mahon 1-0. St Kieran’s play Galtee Gaels in the county final this coming weekend.
CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for December was held on Saturday 14 and announced during the Limerick Live 95fm sports show from 10am to 11am. Congratulations to Christina Kelly, Mary Aherne O’Connor and Seamie Byrnes from the St Kieran’s GAA Club who each won €200.
MUNSTER GRANTS: The Munster GAA Council have announced their list of club development grants for 2024. St Kieran’s club are due to receive € 20,000 under category 4A,which covers pitch development, floodlighting and hurling wall developments.
ARDAGH BINGO: The Ardagh Community Centre Fundraising Bingo takes place this Wednesday December 18, at 8pm sharp. There is € 2,000 in prize money with lots of prizes on the night. All support will be greatly appreciated.
FILM CLUB: Newcastle West Film Club present ” The Holdovers” in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday December 20, at 8.00pm. Admission € 8 and refreshments available. All are welcome.
RAMBLING HOUSE: Ita’s rambling house will be held in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday December20, at 8pm All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend the Christmas event for a great night’s enjoyment.
CHRISTMAS CEREMONIES: The Coolcappa/Kilcolman Christmas ceremonies are as follows: Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa at 4pm and in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman at 6pm. Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated in Kilcolman at 9.30am, and in Coolcappa at 11am.
CARRIGKERRY WRENBOYS: The Carrigkerry Wrenboy group will assemble in Carrigkerry at 10.45am on St Stephen’s morning to hunt the wren. The group will also perform at Creeves Cross at 1.30pm, weather permitting.
CHARITY ROAD HURLING: The St Kieran’s annual charity road hurling will once again take place on Friday December 27 around the traditional 4km route in Ardagh starting and finishing at the Bottom Cross. This event has grown from strength to strength since its inception and the support and generosity of the entire community is greatly appreciate by all concerned. The event is open to participants of all ages. Teams of three. €10 per person. All you need is a high Viz jacket, Hurley and a few sliotars. They have announced their chosen charities who will benefit from the 2024 edition as Milford Care Centre, and Bru Columbanus Cork. The club look forward to seeing you all on December 27 at 11am. People who are unable to attend can donate through the Go Fund Me page.
SET CÉILÍ DANCING: A set Céilí will be held at the Marian Hall Moyvane on Sunday December 29, from 3pm, Music by Taylors Cross and admission is €12. Teas served and all are welcome.
WISHES: As these are the final notes for 2024, I would like to thank everybody who assisted me in the task, and wish all a happy and safe Christmas, and a bright and stress-free New Year.