by Tom Aherne
WEDDING WISHES: Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Jerome O’Connor, son of James and Nuala, Ardagh and Sinead O’Meara, daughter of Maurice and Ann, Abbeyfeale who were married in the Church of the Assumption Abbeyfeale on Saturday December 21. The reception was held in the Listowel Arms Hotel.
SEAN MURPHY: The death has occurred of Sean Murphy, Hillcrest, Rooska East Carrigkerry, peacefully on Thursday January 2, in the wonderful care of the nurses and staff at Milford Care Centre. The Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday January 9, at 12 noon with burial afterwards in the local cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Ettie, daughters Beatrice, Kit, Joan and Anne, son Bertie, sister Beatrice, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, sister-in-law Peg, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
JOB OFFER: Moloney’s Daybreak Carrigkerry has an opening for shop/Deli assistants, part time and full-time work. The position will consist of mornings evenings and weekend work. Experience preferred but not necessary, as all training will be provided in store. Wages negotiable on experience. Please email [email protected] with your CV.
WEATHER WOES: The heavy snowfall on Saturday January 4, brought our locality and the greater west Limerick area to a standstill for the past week. I measured 15 inches of snow around my yard and my house had no power from Sunday morning until Thursday afternoon. People were housebound and unable to get out to the road which was impassable. The tractor was king and the only means of transport for the first few days. Thanks to the neighbours who provided transport to the shops and cleared the road and our yards with his mini digger. All events were cancelled and schools and workplaces closed within the affected areas.
FORESTRY BLAMED: The many forestry’s were once again the chief culprits when the trees fell and brought down the power lines going through them. With Governments pushing more tree planting and forestry developers allowed to plant trees under and too close to power lines this will continue. As a result, the area’s most affected were where the most forestry plantations are situated in West Limerick, North Cork and North Kerry. Where power lines are running through land under trees, a roadway should be put in place to allow easy access to the line and all trees not allowed to be planted within the height of the tree species planted in case they fall. People’s safety and wellbeing should surely come before the planting of trees in places where they are causing so much distress to households during adverse weather conditions.
TREE DISPOSAL: Limerick Council recycling centres will accept Christmas trees free of charge for the month of January, with a limit of one tree per person. Gortnadroma Recycling Centre is open weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am (closed for lunch from 1pm to 1.30pm) to 3pm. They can be contacted on 069-82339.
ARDAGH WALK: The Ireland Lights Up Walk in partnership with Ireland’s Light Up will start on Wednesday January 15, for five weeks up to February 19, at 7pm sharp. The walk will be around the new field and Astro pitch, and all are welcome.
SAINT ITA: To mark St Ita’s Day in Killeedy a parish social will be held in St Ita’s Hall Raheenagh on Wednesday January 15, at 8pm. Music by Peter Burke, buffet served, admission € 20. Tickets available around the locality.
RAMBLING HOUSE: A rambling house will be held at Ballyhahill Hall on Wednesday January 15, at 8.00pm and teas served. All musicians, singers, storytellers, dancers and listeners are welcome to attend for a great night’s enjoyment.
NOONAN LIGHTS: This coming weekend Friday January 17, Saturday 18, and Sunday 19, Noonan’s Christmas Lights for charity will be open to the public from 5.30pm to 9.30pm. These three night are to make up for those lost due to the snowfall. All are welcome.
TAYLORS CROSS: Donie Nolan Kilcolman and Taylors Cross Céilí Band have a busy weekend ahead. They will be on stage in Cois na hAbhna Ennis on Saturday January 18, from 8pm to 11pm, and in the Community Centre Ballinskelligs on Sunday January 19, from 3pm to 6pm.
PHOTO COMPETITION: The closing date for the RTE Weather Photo Competition 2025 is Sunday January 19. Elaine Crowley from Knockfinisk, Athea, whose lovely local scene was a runner-up in the Winter season category last year is featured in the current RTE Guide, plus all the details on how to enter.
SET DANCING CLASSES: Set dancing classes for the winter/spring months have returned after the Christmas/New Year break and the snowfall. Newcomers to set dancing are always made welcome at the different locations. The dancing provides great weight bearing exercise, balance, co-ordination, fun, laughs, interaction, which is good for body and mind. Mondays: Parish Hall Ballyhahill 8pm ,Marian Hall Moyvane 8.30pm, Community Hall Kilfinny 9pm, Tuesdays: Community Centre Monagea 8.30pm, Con Colbert Hall Athea 9pm, Wednesdays: Parish Hall Milford 8pm , Fr Casey’s GAA Clubhouse (check venue) Abbeyfeale 8.30pm, Thursdays: Community Centre Monagea 9pm.Classes are held also in other locations beyond our locality. Check Sets.ie for details.
SOCIAL DANCING: Social dancing classes are held in Fr Casey’s GAA Clubhouse (check venue) Abbeyfeale on Tuesday night’s from 8pm. Social dancing takes place in Duagh Sports Complex each Friday night from 9pm, with good bands, refreshments available, and admission €10. Dancing in the Railway Bar Abbeyfeale on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Dancing in Freemount Hall on Sundays from 3pm, all year round. Dancing in Knockaderry Resource Centre on Saturday nights. Tea dancing returns to Monagea Hall on the first Sunday of each month from 3pm.
MUNSTER CLUB FOOTBALL: The 2024 Munster Junior B Football Competition coordinated by Knockaderry GAA will kick off on Sunday 19th January 2025. Again, this year our competition is being hosted by Castletown Ballyagran GAA Club as our grounds in Knockaderry are undergoing major refurbishment. The Eircode for Castletown Ballyagran GAA Club is V35 AK82. All 6 counties, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford are represented. There will be 2 quarter-finals, followed by 2 semi-finals with the semi final winners playing in the final. The draw and dates for the competition has been made and are as follows: FIXTURES Sunday 19th January, Quarter Final 1Burgess (Tipperary) v Wolfe Tones (Clare) in Ballyagran at 2.00pm. Sunday 26th January, Quarter Final 2 St Kieran’s (Limerick) v Roanmore (Waterford) in Ballyagran at 2.00pm.Sunday 2nd February Semi Final 1, Beale (Kerry) v Burgess (Tipperary) or Wolfe Tones (Clare) in Ballyagran at 2.00pm. Sunday 9th February Semi Final 2, Goleen (Cork) v St Kieran’s (Limerick) or Roanmore (Waterford) in Ballyagran at 2.00pm. Sunday 16th February Final TBC. Fixtures are weather permitting and may be subject to change.