CHRISTMAS CEREMONIES: The Coolcappa/Kilcolman Christmas ceremonies are as follows: Christmas Eve Mass will be celebrated in St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa at 5pm and in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman at 6.30pm. Christmas Day Mass will be celebrated in Coolcappa at 9.30am, and in Kilcolman at 11am. The Ardagh/Carrigkerry Christmas ceremonies are as follows The Christmas Eve Mass will be held in Ardagh at 6.30pm and the Christmas Day Mass in Carrigkerry at 11am. Confessions Ardagh Friday December 22,from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Saturday December 23, from 12 noon to 1pm. Carrigkerry Saturday December 23, 11am to 11.45am.
MONTHS MIND: The Months Mind Mass for Patsy Madigan, Lisgordan Ardagh will be celebrated in St Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Friday December 22 at 7.30pm.
ANNIVERSARY MASS: The first Anniversary Mass for the late Patrick Flaherty Glenbawn, Carrigkerry, will be celebrated at St Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Thursday December 21, at 7.30pm.
JIMMY CAHILL: The death has taken place of Jimmy Cahill formerly of the Post Office Main St Ardagh. He passed away on Friday December 15, in London, aged 89 years. Jimmy played in goals for the Ardagh Hurling team in the early 1950’s before he left to work in England. He had a good puck out of the sliotar. Funeral details later, sympathy to his relatives, and may he rest in Peace.
MUNSTER AWARD: Congratulations to Roisin Ambrose Ardagh and Old Mill Ladies football club on receiving the 2023 Munster GAA Ladies Footballer of the Year Award at the Muckross Park Hotel Killarney on Saturday December 16 at the Munster GAA Awards night.
UNIVERSITY AWARD: Neil Johnson from Reens Ardagh was conferred with an Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws (LLD) in recognition of his exceptional leadership of the charity Croi, since his appointment as its first CEO in 1993. It is the highest possible award from the University of Galway for his contribution to the fight against heart disease and stroke. Neil steps down at the end of December and will move to an international role as executive director of the Global Heart Hub. We thank him for his leadership at Croi and wish him well in his new role.
RECEPTION: The Adare-Rathkeale Electoral Area of Limerick City and County Council hosted a civic reception to honour the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Weekly Observer at Áras Seán Finn Council Office Rathkeale on Friday December 8. Hosted by Cathaoirleach Adam Teskey and attended by the owners Jerry and Mary Morrissey, staff members, and contributors. It was a very enjoyable occasion as it also remembered the part played by past people associated with its success. This great achievement was marked by the presentation of a scroll from Adam to Jerry and Mary.
HERITAGE NEWS: St Kieran’s Heritage Association held a Christmas get together at Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Wednesday December 13. Members and friends attended to mark the end of the 2023 activities and to mark their 7th year in existence. A lot has been achieved and lots more to be addressed and new members are always welcome to join the group. A limited number of calendars are on sale at the usual outlets. Happy Christmas to all and looking forward to more events in 2024.
SOCCER NEWS: In Division 3 of the Desmond League Carrig Celtic lost 1-0 at home to Glantine on Sunday December 10. Creeves Celtic and Kilcolman Rovers had no fixtures. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Creeves Celtic defeated Shountrade 5-2 at home with goals from Grace O’Shaughnessy 2, Caoimhe O’Connell, Leah Kelly and Aisling Coleman. Kilcolman Rovers had no match.
CLUB DRAW: The Limerick GAA Club draw for December was held on Saturday December 16, and announced during the Limerick Live 95fm sports show. The St Kieran’s club had no winner. The final draw will be held on Saturday January 6. The news that the club will benefit from the allocation of funds from the J P Mc Manus donation to Limerick County GAA Board was greeted with delight around the locality.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s GAA Club held their Bord Na Nóg annual general meeting at Coolcappa on Friday December 15. The following were elected to run the club for 2024. Chairperson: John Lynch, Vice-Chairperson: Cormac Walsh, Secretary: Mikey Mahony, Ass-Secretary- Brendan Mulcahy, Treasurer: Deirdre Hough, Ass-Treasurer: Stephanie Downes, P.R.O. Linda Clifford. Best wishes to all in the year ahead. St Kieran’s GAA Club will hold their annual general meeting in Ardagh Parish Hall on Friday January 12 at 8pm.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday December 11.The numbers drawn were 3,11,18,28, and there was no winner of the € 15,800 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each, Aileen Mc Mahon Duncaha, Jim Mc Mahon Knockaderry, Pat O’Grady Knockfinisk c/o Moore’s Bar, John Loughane Askeaton, Lorraine Walsh Kilrodane, Ardagh. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be € 15,900. 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 organizations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Nora Reidy Newcastle West, who won € 310 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday December 15.The tickets cost € 2, or 3 for € 5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloneys Carrigkerry, and Denis Greaney’s Shop Ardagh) or from the radio station. The Christmas Hamper raffle is ongoing, and tickets are on sale for it costing € 5. The draw for it will be held also on Friday December 22, during the Exchange programme. All support will be appreciated. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.
OSKAR FUNDRAISER: The Calendar Girls have a slot in the Newcastle West Tesco Blue Tokens Community Fund at present. They are asking customers shopping there in the coming weeks to donate tokens towards their Oskar fundraising in aid of the St Kieran’s New Field Development.
ARDAGH BINGO: The Ardagh Community Centre Fundraising Bingo takes place this Wednesday December 20, at 8pm sharp. There is € 2,000 in prize money with lots of prizes on the night. All support will be greatly appreciated.
REVIEW/PREVIEW NIGHT: St Kieran’s GAA Club are holding a review of the 2023 season and a preview of the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship at the Longcourt Hotel Newcastle West on Saturday January 20, 2024. The panel of guests are Brendan Maher from Tipperary, Richie Bennis from Limerick Aislinn Connelly Galway, Tom Condon Knockaderry, Mark Landers Cork and Anthony Daly Clare and the MC will be T. J.Ryan. The tickets € 25 are on sale from local businesses and committee members and would make an ideal Christmas gift.
SET CÉILÍ: The end of season class Céilí will be held in Monagea Hall on Thursday December 21, from 8.30pm. A Raffle will be held, and the proceeds will go towards sending 2 local student nurses volunteering to Uganda next summer. Bring some treats that can be shared at the break and your own drink. Recorded CD Music and all are welcome for a night of great dancing fun and craic.
READING MATERIAL: On sale in the local shops are the 96-page Limerick Yearbook published by the Limerick Leader costing € 5.95, and the 164-page Cork Holly Bough published by the Echo costing €6. The annual contains a look back at events over the year, with articles, photos, sport, quiz sections etc. The Holly Bough contains the usual mix of seasonal fare relating to our neighbours in County Cork. It contains lovely articles, poems, photos, Crossword, Diffney Quiz, fashion, sports and children pages. Both come highly recommended for over the Christmas reading, and either would make a nice gift for that special magazine reading friend. Ireland’s Own and Ireland’s Eye magazines have also published their Christmas Annuals which contains lots of seasonal reading. Old Moore’s Almanac 2022 € 6.90 is a must buy for many of the elder generation involved in farming and rural activities. It contains the usual mix of the fairs, marts and horse fixtures around Ireland. Monthly Calendar, weather predictions, Eclipses, Sunrise and Sunsets, Hints and Tips, Crossword, Horoscope, gardening and lots more articles to enjoy.
CARRIGKERRY WRENBOYS : Carrigkerry Wrenboy Group weather permitting, instead of their usual house to house visits have decided to perform outdoors again this year at various locations on St. Stephen’s Day. Their opening performance will take place in Carrigkerry at 10.45am , followed by Knockdown Arms at 11.45am, Kilcolman 12.45 pm. Creeves Cross 1. 45 pm. Ardagh at 2.45pm. with a final performance in the Square, Newcastle West at 3.45 pm. Hopefully the weather will be favourable, and people will get the opportunity to visit one of these locations.
CHARITY ROAD HURLING: The St Kieran’s annual charity road hurling will once again take place on Wednesday 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 2023 edition as Milford Care Centre, and The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. 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 Wednesday December 27, from 3pm, Music by Taylors Cross and admission is € 10. Teas served and all are welcome. Later at 9pm a set Céilí will be held at the Community Hall Ballyhea 5K South of Charleville (Eircode P56KA44. It’s a fundraiser for the hall and a raffle will be held. Music by Johnny Reidy, teas served, admission is € 12, and all are welcome. A set Céilí will be held at the Community Hall Meelin Co. Cork on Monday January 1, 2024, from 3pm. Music by Tim Joe and Anne and admission is € 10. Teas served and all are welcome.
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE: We are lucky to be at home for Christmas but spare a thought for those who are unable to come home because of other commitments and for those who will never again come home. Since last Christmas the sadness of death has struck many a home. On Christmas Day many a tear will be shed when loved ones look across the room and see the empty chair, never again to hear the stories, laughs, and caring word. Many a cemetery will be visited to say a little prayer to cope with the loss, and to ease the pain. We think of the many lonely people in our midst, especially those who are alone and may not see anyone this Christmas Day. For those who are sick in hospital, nursing homes and their worried family at home. For the many people in distress, due to illness, job loss, debt, etc, who are worried about what the year ahead holds for them.
We have come through another year, which has been lucky for some but more difficult for many others, including the people of Ukraine. Despite the few joys, and all the trials, we struggle on to another new year with courage and hope. We have a lot to be thankful for this Christmas as it is the time of the year that unites us by the message it gives, about peace, joy, happiness, caring, and love. Happy New Year to all.
WISHES: These are the final notes for 2023, 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.
CARRIGKERRY / OLD MILL DEVELOPMENT 