by Tom Aherne
SYMPATHY: The death has occurred of Elizabeth O’Sullivan (nee Mc Bride) Knockrour, West, Scartaglen, County Kerry and formerly Rooskey County Roscommon, peacefully at University Hospital Kerry after a short illness on Sunday February 23. Reposing was held at Tangney’s Funeral Home Castleisland on Wednesday February 26 from 5pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Lourdes Church Scartaglen at 12 noon on Thursday followed by burial in Scartaglen Cemetery. Sympathy to her husband John (Carrigkerry West native) sons Joe, John Denis, Donald, and extended family members. May she rest in Peace.
NEW YORK PARADE: Catherine Mc Daid (Mackessy) from Coolanoran has been selected by the Irish American Society’s Board of Directors and Committee/Society as one of the aides to Grand Marshall Eileen Cronin for the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Mineola on March 2. Catherine daughter of Tom and Julia is very prominent in volunteering circles in her adopted county.
REPRESENTED IRELAND: Congratulations to Gavin and Kalen Ryder from Ardagh who represented Ireland in the European eight ball pool championships held in Malta. Both brothers played in the junior level, under 23 level and men’s level at the tournament. Both Gavin and Kalen are members of the Limerick pool association. Continued success to both in the future.
CÉILI HOUSE: The popular Céilí House programme recorded at Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry on February 8, was broadcast on Saturday February 22. Presented by Kieran Hanrahan it featured some local entertainers. I didn’t get to hear the recording but the reaction was positive.
PRESENTATIONS: Coolcappa N.S. Lights Up committee recently held a presentation event to distribute their funds raised at their Coolcappa Vehicle run held on November 24,2024. A total of €6,900 was raised and distributed equally between Coolcappa National School and The Butterfly Club Rathkeale. Congratulations to all involved in staging the community event, The Vintage run was a great success and will be held again on November 23, 2025.
CAMINO WALK: Joe Dowling from Ballinabearna, Old Mill is participating in the Camino Charity Walk again this year. It is a 300km walk over 2 weeks in Portugal during Easter. All monies raised will go to the designated charity this year which is ”Vision Ireland” formerly known as NCBI. Joe is seeking sponsorship for his walk and can be contacted by phone on 087-6335440 or by email [email protected]. All donations big or small are welcome for this very important charity event.
AMSTERDAM WALK: David Egan a native of Carrigkerry now lives in Amsterdam and he is embarking on his fifth fundraising walk which he calls 1Km by Fathers Day. This year’s walk is for De Regenboog Groep, an Amsterdam-based charity that provides services for people in financial distress. He commenced on February 7, and the walks are around Amsterdam. After 3 full weeks of this year’s 1k by Father’s Day, David is making great progress. Over 200km walked and €425 raised for De Regenboog Groep. In previous years David has raised money for the Mid West Simon Community in Limerick and the Blood Bike South in Cork, the St Kieran’s GAA Club new pitch project and Carrigkerry Sensory Garden. David attended Carrigkerry national school, St Ita’s Newcastle West and UL. He left Ireland in 1991 and attended graduate school in the US, for 12 years in New York and San Diego. David moved to Amsterdam in 2003 where he now runs a software company. We wish David well in his walk and fundraising endeavours for his local charity. You can help David by contributing via this link. https://gofund.me/12c2171f
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday February 24.The numbers drawn were 1,6,14,16 , and there was no winner of the €5,700 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each: Linda Noonan, Commons, Ardagh, 8+ c/o Dinny Greaney, John Shine, Ballyine, Noreen Horgan, Rooskagh, Donie Dineen, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €5,800. 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 Pat Dempsey Meanus, Bruff, who won €200 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday February 28. 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.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s lost to Goleen from Cork in the Munster Junior B Football Competition by 0-8 to 0-7 in Ballyagran on Sunday February 23. They led by 0-6 to 0-4 at half time. TEAM: Con Enright, Ian Mackessy, John Doyle, Michael Murphy, James O’Connor, Johnny Mc Carthy, Fionn Gleeson, Jack Sullivan, Shane Fitzgerald, Cathal Mc Enery, Jack Ben Harnett, Ray Cahill, Luke Corrigan, Oisin Ryan, Anthony Molyneaux. Subs Seamus Mangan, Mike Upton, Shay Greaney.
SOCCER NEWS: It was a blank weekend for local clubs in the Desmond League on Sunday February 23. The Desmond League lost 3-0 away to the Wexford League in the Oscar Traynor quarter final competition. Local players involved were Dylan Moloney and Kevin Guina.
HERITAGE MEETING: St Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding a meeting at Ardagh Hall on Thursday March 6, at 7.15pm and all are welcome.
ATHEA DRAMA: The play ”Sharon’s Grave” by John B Keane will be performed by Athea Drama Group in Con Colbert Memorial Hall on Thursday March 6, at 8pm. Continuing on March 8th, 9th. Tickets can be booked by text, Whats App on 087-6926746.
WOMENS DAY: International Women’s Day will be celebrated in Rathkeale this year on Friday March 7. A noon walk will be held from the Square to the hotel, followed by refreshments at 1pm, a guest speaker and music, by Jean O’Brien and Colaiste na Trocaire Choir and singing from St Anne’s girl’s choir. A fundraising walk for breast cancer starts at 11am from the Square. Women are invited to wear purple to show their support.
FITNESS CLASS: St Kieran’s GAA Club are holding a fitness on the move class for adults aged 55 plus on Fridays from 2-3pm, at Ardagh Community Hall. This is a follow up to the 4-week class held last December. €5 per person per class and for more information call Paula on (087)2223581
DRAMA DATE: Killeedy Parish Hall Committee in association with Spike Players Knocknagoshel present ”The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Martin Mc Donagh, at St Ita’s Parish Hall Raheenagh (V42ET85) on Friday March 7, at 8pm. Tickets cost €10 and call 086-1649099 to reserve same. A raffle will be held also, and the proceeds are in aid of the Parish Hall.
COUNTY SCÓR: The County Senior Scór Finals will be held in the Community Centre Askeaton on Friday March 7 at 7.30pm. The question time final will be held in St Paul’s GAA Pavilion on Thursday March 6 at 6.30pm.
FILM CLUB: Newcastle West Film Club present ” The Outrun” in the Desmond Complex Newcastle West on Friday March 7, at 8.00pm. Admission € 8 and refreshments available. All are welcome.
KNOCKADERRY DRAMA: Knockaderry/Clouncagh Drama Group present ”Hitting the Jackpot” by Jimmy Keary a three-act comedy at the Resource Centre Knockaderry on Friday March 7 at 8pm. It will continue on March 8,9,14,16. Tickets available at the door and more details from 087-1230741.
KNOCKPATRICK CEMETERY: Due to storm damage some of the headstones at Knockpatrick cemetery have fallen down. People with graves there are asked to call and check on them. The annual Mass will be held there on Saint Patrick’s Day March 17, at 12 noon.