Issue 204

14th March 2014

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Supported by Department of Social Protection, which is funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 Have you something to advertise or tell the community, then you can email: [email protected], call 087-2612030 or drop a note into Domhnall Ó Gairbhí Newsagent, Thomas Street, on or before Tuesday evening of each week.

SPORTS COMPLEX ALMOST COMPLETE

One of the refurbished snooker rooms. Photo by Donovan Studios. Work is almost complete in the newly refurbished Rathkeale Sports Complex which has been part leased to Limerick Youth Services. Rathkeale retains the Snooker Hall, while Limerick Youth Services have extended the ground floor providing an Internet Cafe, Games Room, Fire Escape, Kitchen and Toilets.

We visited the Snooker area and were amazed at the improvements: bright colours, new carpets, lighting and heating and a private entrance. C.C.T.V. will be installed this week. Great credit is due to the engineers, builders, local electrician, John Lyons and O’Sullivan Iron Works and all who have contributed. The Local Community Employment Project has spent hundreds of hours working there painting the place from top to bottom. Well done to all involved. Anthony O’Flaherty is the Chairman of the Snooker Club and it is hoped he will be able to get the local players back to the glory days of old.

St Patrick’s Day. We need volunteers to steward on the day. If you are interested in helping out, please contact any of the committee Alison O’Riordan, Katie Sheehy, Noreen Hogan, Nicola Hogan, Cathryn Smullen, Anne Gaughan, Sian Wilmott, Tom Enright, Jason Dowling and Valerie O’Riordan. Or contact 087-2755735.

RATHKEALE FIRE BRIGADE SHAVE OR DYE 2014 TH

SUNDAY 16 MARCH @ 8pm at RATHKEALE HOUSE HOTEL. SEE ANY FIRE BRIGADE MEMBER TO SPONSOR. 1

RATHKEALE COMMUNITY COUNCIL CHILDREN’S CORNER RCCCC

!!

Saturday 15th March Rathkeale House Hotel 9.30pm Music by Blue Bayou Foley’s Bar & Restaurant – Reen’s Pike 9.30 Music Special Quest. Sunday 16th March 1. St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, although he was born in Britain, around 385AD. His parents Calpurnius and Conchessa were Roman citizens living in either Scotland or Wales, according to different versions of his story. 2. As a boy of 14 he was captured and taken to Ireland where he spent six years in slavery herding sheep. He returned to Ireland in his 30s as a missionary among the Celtic pagans. 3. Legend has it that he used the native shamrock as a symbol of the Holy Trinity when preaching and brought the Latin alphabet to Ireland. 4. Miracles attributed to him include the driving of serpents out of Ireland. However, evidence suggests post-glacial Ireland never had any snakes in the first place. 5. Wearing green, eating green food and even drinking green beer is said to commemorate St. Patrick's use of the shamrock - although blue was the original colour of his vestments. 6. St. Patrick was said to have proclaimed that everyone should have a drop of the "hard stuff" on his feast day after chastising an innkeeper who served a short measure of whiskey. In the custom known as "drowning the shamrock", the shamrock that has been worn on a lapel or hat is put in the last drink of the evening. 7. Popular Irish toasts on St. Patrick's Day include: may the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out. 8. St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1737. Around 34 million modern Americans claim Irish ancestry. 9. It is believed that St. Patrick died on March 17 in 461AD. It is a national holiday in Ireland, and on the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, which was founded by Irish refugees. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. 10. Dublin has a parade that attracts hundreds of thousands of people, while in Chicago the river is dyed green for a few hours. The biggest parade is normally held in New York, while the largest celebration in the southern hemisphere is in Sydney, Australia. The little bird told me this week Lisa Marie is 10, Lorcan is 3, Ashling is 5 and Maurice is 7.

Rathkeale House Hotel – Chestnut Bar 8pm - Shave or Dye with The Rathkeale Fire Brigade. DJ Ray until Late. Rathkeale House Hotel – Ballroom 8.30pm Old Style Dancing with Declan Aungier. Foley’s Bar & Restaurant – Reen’s Pike 9.30 Music Paddy Quilligan. O’Sullivan’s Bar 9.30 Disco with DJ Paul Monday 17th March

Rathkeale St. Patrick’s Day Parade See page 13 for further details. Rathkeale House Hotel Performance by Ardagh Carrigkerry Wren Boys Rathkeale House Hotel – Chestnut Tree Bar 6pm Live Music with Des O’Connor. O’Sullivan’s Bar 2-6pm Disco with DJ Bunny + Finger food. Tuesday 18th March O’Sullivan’s Bar 9pm Cards – 45 Drive. Wednesday 19th March Rathkeale Community Centre 9pm Cards – 45 Drive. Thursday 20th March Rathkeale Community Centre 8.30pm Bingo

Classified Complete House Clearance Auction Saturday 22nd March at 11am Rosemount, Rathkeale for the reps of the late Tony and Joan Rodgers. Briefly: 3 piece suite, DR table / chairs. Inlayed antique bookcase / writing desk. Display Cabinet, Old Wall Clock / Oak Hall Table / Bed (complete suite) / Dinner Service, Fridge, Freezer, Washing Machine, Dryer / Oak Dresser / Radio / Television / Electric Sewing Machine, China, Lawn Mower and Contents of Garden Shed etc. – O’Donovan & Assoc. 087 9977340 – 069 62713. Viewing Friday until 7.30pm and Saturday from 9am. 2

COMMUNITY NOTES Reported By Tim Shiels Daffodil Day Friday 28th March is Daffodil Day. This is for an excellent cause and volunteers are urgently required to sell daffodils. Happy Birthday: Congratulations to Abbie O’Riordan who celebrated her birthday last Saturday with family and friends. Congratulations to Tiffany Hogg who celebrated her 18th birthday in Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday night last with family and friends. This was a surprise party for Tiffany. D.J. Ray provided the dance music. Public Lecture: A public lecture by Dr. Gerard Norton O.P. on “Celebrating the Psalter” at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick on March 13th at 5.00pm. Parish Clerk’s Collection: Next weekend the 15th & 16th March is our revered “Parish Clerk’s Collection”- Mary Kenneally’s Church door Collection. Mary does fantastic work and has done so for years. Please support her collection. Pipe Organ Festival: A pipe organ festival consisting of fifteen concerts in nine different Churches over the course of the year. A celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the organ in St. John’s Cathedral on Friday 14th March at 7.00pm. Renowned Irish organist Gerard will perform the opening recital in the Cathedral.

GARTH BROOKS CONCERT: A draw will take place for 2 premium tickets for one of the Garth Brooks concerts in Dublin next July. All proceeds to ‘Gather by the Feale’ Festival July 16-20. Tickets are €5 each and available from Jack O’Rourkes Bar, The Square, Abbeyfeale. Tel 068 31314. Cookery & Nutrition Class With Frank Moynihan The proposed class will be held on Monday mornings at a venue to be arranged – providing there is sufficient interest. The class is being organised by the Rathkeale Mum’s Group in association with West Limerick Resources. For information or to register your interest contact David Breen, Community Centre, The Square, Rathkeale. Co. Limerick. Phone 087 373 9663 Results of Card Game held in Rathkeale Community Centre March 11th 2014 Marie Wrenn and Mike Sullivan Francis Woulfe and Jim Langan Table Prizes Vinnie Wrenn and Joan Fitzgibbon Mary Barrett and Eileen Carrig Raffle Nancy Danaher, Mick Hough, Pauline Kerins & Mike Kerins. Usual game again next Wednesday, March 18th at Rathkeale Community Centre

New Players welcome!

GENERAL NOTES Happy Anniversary: Congratulations to John and Mary Lynch who celebrated their 31st Wedding Anniversary recently. Champagne + canapes fashion show: Treat your mother, granny, godmother, wife, girlfriend, sister, auntie to a pamper afternoon at Devon Inn, Sun. April 6 3-6pm, champagne + canapes, fashion show, prizes and much more. An ideal gift for Mothers Day. Tickets just €10 from Mary O'Connor, Fitzgerald Superbites, Carol Fitzgerald, Railway Bar, Pia Scannell, Flower Shop, Mary O' Riordan, TJ's Bar Main St., committee members or on the door. This is a fundraiser for Gather by the Feale taking place from July 16-20 - Abbeyfeale newest festival . 3

O

St. Mary’s/Sean Finn’s GAA Club Reported by David Gilbourne

Bord na nOg – St Patrick’s Day Parade Please note that the Bord na nOg will congregate at Tadgh O’Connor’s for the St Patrick’s Day Parade at midday. All last year’s U8s, U10s, U12s, U14s & U16s are welcome to take part. See you then! Helmets for Under Age Players Helmets can be purchased at a reduced rate through the club. Contact Mike Barrett 087-9162184 if anyone wishes to avail of this. Senior Football Our Senior footballers kick off their season in the West Senior Championship on St. Patrick’s Day. We play Drom/Broadford in an eagerly anticipated clash in Newcastlewest at 11am. Come out and support the lads this Monday! West Junior Hurling Championships 2014 Format: Two groups with top team from both groups make semifinal. 2nd & 3rd teams from both groups make quarter finals. Group1: Templeglantine, Croagh/Kilfinny, Drom/Broadford, Tournafulla, Adare. Group2: Feohanagh, Monagea, St Marys, Askeaton. West U21 Hurling Championships 2014 Our U21 hurlers played the combination team from Askeaton & St. Kierans last Saturday in Mick Neville Park. We eventually ran out convincing winners on a final scoreline of 2-13 to 0-09. This win now qualifies us, as group-1 winners, for the West A- Final against Allaughaun Gaels. (Tournafulla/Templeglantine) who are group-2 winners following their convincing win (6-09 to 1-08) against an understrength Monagea/Newcastlewest last Saturday in Askeaton. The A-final will be played on Saturday 22-March at a time and venue to be decided. West U21HC Group1 P W D L F A diff Pts St Marys

2

2

0

0

3-31 1-19

18 4

Daithi Broudair

1

0

0

1

1-10 1-18

-8

Askeaton/St Kierans

1

0

0

1

0-9

West U21HC Group1 P

W

D

L

F

St Marys

2

2

0

0

3-31 1-19

18 4

Daithi Broudair

1

0

0

1

1-10 1-18

-8

Askeaton/St Kierans

1

0

0

1

0-9

0

2-13 -10 0 A

diff Pts

0

2-13 -10 0

West Junior Hurling League 2014 Format: Two groups with top 2 teams from both groups making the semi-finals. Group1: Adare, Templeglantine, St. Mary’s, Askeaton. Group2: Knockaderry, Drom/Broadford, Croagh/Kilfinny. The first round of this competition will be on Thurs 3rd April.

West Senior Football Championship 2014 10 teams participating in a straight knock-out format. Quarter final-1: Newcastlewest v Fr Caseys Quarter final-2: Castlemahon v Ballysteen. Quarter final-3: Adare v Athea. Preliminary rounds with winners playing in Quarter final-4: Sean Finn’s v Drom/Broadford & Mountcollins v St Kierans. We are fixed to play Drom/Broadford on St. Patrick’s Day at 11pm in Newcastlewest West Junior-B Football Championships 2014 Format: Two groups with top team from both groups make semifinal. 2nd & 3rd teams from both groups make quarter finals. Group1: Drom/Broadford, Mountcollins, Ballysteen, Athea, St Kierans. Group2: St. Senans, Gerald Griffins, Knockaderry, Glin, Sean Finns. The first round of this competition will be on Thursday 10th April. West Minor Football Championships 2014 Format: A single group of 8 teams with each team guaranteed 7 games. Sean Finn’s, St. Kierans, Drom/Broadford, Shannon Gaels, Deel Rangers, Mountcollins/Athea, (Gran/B’garry/Banogue), Adare. The first round of this competition will be on Friday 4th April. Co Board Master Fixture list We recently received the master fixture list from the county Board. With details of all county competitions. We are in the Minor 13-a-side hurling championship, All County Hurling League Div-3 (Junior Hurling), Co Senior Football Championship, Premier U21 Football and Co Senior Football league. County Minor Hurling 13 aside Competition Group-1: Ballybricken Bohermore, Caherline, Dromin Athlacca , Feohanagh Castlemahon, Granagh, Glenroe. Group-2: St. Mary's Sean Finn’s, Feenagh/Kilmeedy, Knockainey, St. Patrick's, Killeedy, Bruree . Our games in this competition are as follows: Sunday 29-June, Home v Feenagh/Kilmeedy 12 noon Friday 11-July, away v St. Patrick’s 7.30pm Friday 18-July, away v Bruree 7.30pm Friday 8-August, home v Knockainey 7.00pm Friday 15-August,away v Kileedy 7.00pm. th Semi Final August 30 th Final September 06 County Junior Hurling League Division 3 Group-1: Murroe/Boher, Crecora/Manister, Askeaton, T’glantine, B’bricken/Bohermore, St Mary’s/Sean Finn’s Group-2: St. Patrick’s, Old Christians, Fedamore, Croagh/Kilfinny, Monaleen Our games in this competition are as follows: 01-April (Tue) 6.30pm: away v Ballybricken Bohermore 08-April (Tue) 6.30pm: home v Askeaton 20-May (Tue) 7.30pm : home v Murroe Boher 27-May (Tue) 7.30pm; Away v Crecora Manister 24-June (Tue) 7.30pm: Home v Templeglantine County Senior Football Championship Group-1: Fr. Caseys, NCW, St. Kierans, Adare Galbally, Ballysteen. Group-2: Drom/Broadford, St. Patrick’s, Pallasgreen, St. Mary’s/Sean Finn’s, Ballylanders, Monaleen. Our games in this competition are as follows:

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Weekend 27-April: v Pallasgreen Weekend 5-June: v Ballylanders Weekend 10-Aug: v St. Patrick’s Weekend 24-Aug: v Drom/Broadford Weekend 4-Sept: v Monaleen Quarter Finals September 20th th Semi Finals September 27 th Final October 12 County Premier U21 Football Championship Group-1: Oola, Athea, Ballybrown, Fr Caseys Group-2: Rathkeale, St. Kierans, Bruff, NCW, St. Kierans Our games in this competition are as follows: 31-Oct (Fri) v NCW 07-Nov (Fri) v St. Kierans 14-Nov (Fri) v Bruff 21-Nov (Fri) v Shamrocks County Senior Football League Group-1: St Kierans, Feo/Castlemahon, Fr Caseys, Monaleen, NCW, Bruff, Adare, Drom/B’ford Group 2: Mountcollins, Hospital/H’town, Oola, Sean Finns, Mungret, Galbally, Pallasgreen, Ballysteen Our games in this competition are as follows 22-March (Sat) 3.00pm: Away v Oola . 29-March- (Sat) 3.00pm: Home V Pallasgreen. 15-April (Tue) 6.30pm: away v Mountcollins . 22-April (Tue) 6.30pm: Home v Mungret. 17-June (Tue) 7.30pm: Away v Galbally. 01-July (Tue) 7.30pm: Home v Hospital Herbertstown. 08-July (Tue) 7.30pm; Away v Ballysteen. Gum Shields now Compulsory – Attention All Footballers We wish to advise that Gum Shields are now compulsory for all footballers from Bord na nOg level right up to Senior level. The new rule will be strictly enforced in all training sessions and matches. Frank Lynch is currently looking after fittings at his house in Blossom Hill. Please contact Frank if you would like to arrange a time. Contact details are available through Pat Sheahan. Frank has advised us that the shields are now available for collection for the first lot of players who got impressions made. Limerick GAA Clubs Draw (Formerly Mackey Draw) Our promoters are currently travelling the high-ways & by-ways of the parish to promote this draw again this year. We have a number of new promoters on board so if you were in previously you may be getting a call from a new promoter this year. The first draw takes place on the last Friday of March with a draw each month right through to December. Cost is the same as previous years - €100 for the full 10 draws. There is a top prize of €13,000 each month with 22 other excellent prizes that must be won each month. Our club, (along with most of the other clubs in Limerick) is the big beneficiary of this draw. It is our main fundraiser for the year and we are very grateful to our members who support us each year. A big thank-you to each of you from all our players and members. We are appealing to you to support us again this year. By supporting it, you are directly supporting our club. Anybody looking to join as a new member can contact any of the following: Anthony Frawley, Brian Duggan, Brian Nolan, Dave Gilbourne, Jonny Mooney, James O’Connor, Joe O’Connor, Liam Chawke, Mike Barrett, Mike Sheahan, Mary Liston, Mike Stackpoole, Pat Sheahan, Shivaun O’Connor, Tom White.

Senior Scor Quiz The Senior Scor Quiz will take place in Claughaun GAA Clubhouse on Wed. 12th March at 8pm. The winners at this event will go straight to the All-Ireland Final in Castlebar on the weekend of 26th April. The Quiz team requires a team of 4 with all questions related to Ireland and Irish Games. Please contact the Club Irish Culture Officer, Shivaun O’Connor for further details or if interested in taking part. Email - [email protected] or text 086 1556727. Club Membership now due Club membership for the 2014 season is now due. Rates for 2014 remain unchanged from last year and are as follows: Adult €20, Under-18 €10 and a family rate of €50. All players must pay their membership prior to taking part in any games or training. This will be strictly enforced this year so make sure you contact Philip O'Donnell, who is the club registrar again for 2014, before training commences. We are taking this matter very seriously this year and you simply won’t play if you haven’t paid. Players are also going to ensure that their fellow players have paid so no excuses. Scrap Metal There’s an old saying that says, “It’s an ill wind that blows no good”. Maybe the storms of last week have increased the possibility of scrap metal in the area. We would like to take this opportunity to remind our friends and supporters that the club has an on-going scrap metal collection operation in place. Contact James O’Connor or any committee member if you have anything to donate. Collection can be arranged if necessary. Find us on Facebook Become a friend on Facebook to receive updates on fixtures, last minute changes, results and so on. Go to www.facebook.com/#!/Rathkealegaa and send us a friend request. Upcoming Fixtures 17-March (Mon): West SFC: Sean Finns V Drom Broadford in Newcastlewest 11am. 22-March (Sat) West U21H Final: St Marys V Allaughaun Gaels, (time/venue tba) 22-March (Sat) Co SFL: Away v Oola at 3pm. 29-March (Sat) Co SFL: Home V Pallasgreen at 3pm. 1-April (Tues): Co Jun Hurling League: away v Ballybricken/Bohermore at 6.30pm. st 3-April (Thurs) West JHL: 1 round game, details to be notified. 4-April (Fri) West Minor Football: 1st round game, details to be notified. 8- April (Tues): Co JHL: home v Askeaton at 6.30pm. 10-April (Thurs) West Jun-B football league: 1st round game, details to be notified. 15-April (Tue) Co SFL: away v Mountcollins at 6.30pm. nd 17-April (Thurs) West JHL: 2 round game, details to be notified. 22-April (Tue) Co SFL: Home v Mungret at 6.30pm. nd 24-April (Thurs) West JBFL: 2 round game, details to be notified. 27-April (weekend of): County SFC v Pallasgreen (Venue/date/time tba).

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Eddie’s Quiz Corner Last Week’s Answers 1. What 1991 film won best film, actor, actress, director Oscars? - Silence of the Lambs. 2. What was the capital of Ethiopia? - Addis Ababa. 3. Giacomo Agostini won 122 Grand Prix & 15 world titles in what sport? - Motorcycle Racing. 4. What is the largest state in the USA? - Alaska. 5. Alan Stuart Konigsberg is famous as who? – Woody Allen.

This Week’s Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Whose autobiography was entitled “ The long walk to Freedom?” Who ran through the streets naked crying Eureka? What is the correct term of address to the Pope? In which city was Alexander Graham Bell born in 1847? Robin Williams dressed in drag for which 1993 film?

Rathkeale Clean Up Week

Munster Schools Indoor Championships: Last Wednesday the Munster Schools indoor championships took place at Nenagh indoor arena. We had 8 athletes from our club compete . Roisin Ambrose, Orlaith Leahy, Sophie Meredith, Eadaoin Lyons, Sean O’Connor, Tara Coleman, Meave Power , Alison Healy , Aoife McEnery, Barry Coleman and Padraig Power. The age groups for the schools are very different to the normal AAI competition rules and the categories are Minor, Junior and Intermediate. There was a huge attendance from all the schools in Munster and some events had 13 heats in the sprint. However it was a very well organised event. Results: Girls Minor: Sophie Meredith 1st Long Jump, 1st High Jump, 1st Shot Putt, 2nd 60m Sprint th Girls Minor :Orlaith Leahy 4 60m sprint nd Girls Junior: Roisin Ambrose 2 600m rd Boys Junior: Sean O’Connor 3 600m Inter Girls: Eadaoin Lyons 3rd 60m Sprint Inter Girls relay: Eadaoin Lyons, Tara Coleman, Aoife McEnery, Meave Power 3rd

Next Events:

All Ireland Juvenile Individual track and field: Saturday 22nd and 23rd March All Ireland Juvenile relay: Saturday 29th March Leevale Open Sports: 6th April Limerick AC Open Sports: 13th April

Training: Every Thursday: Mick Neville Park Astro turf. Meet at 6:45 – 8:10 Cost €3pp or €5 per family. Sunday: Rathkeale AFC soccer pitch at 10:45 to 12:15 Every Monday: NCW Community Centre at 6:50 to 8:00pm. Cost €2.

The National Spring Clean-Up will take place again this year. To coincide with this the County Council has agreed with the Schools in the town that they would target the week of the 7th to 14th April as the clean up week for Rathkeale town and parish. Pupils in St. Anne’s, St. Joseph’s as well as Colaiste na Trocaire will lead the campaign this year, targeting specific areas in the town and countryside as well as encouraging their parents to clean up houses, roads and streets. This is an ideal opportunity to work together for the benefit of the community. Often it takes the eyes and awareness of the younger generation to make adults aware of looking after their environment. In this way we can heighten awareness of litter and waste, heighten the importance of recycling and looking after our environment. Over 3,500 Schools took part in the Green Schools’ Project last year. Both Primary Schools are hoping to get their third Green Flag this year while students in Colaiste na Trocaire are focusing on the numerous other ways to improve our environment. Over the next few weeks we will be publishing more information on the plans for Rathkeale Clean-Up Week: April 7th to 14th.

L to R: Roisin Ambrose Junior Girls Silver 600m & Inter Girls Eadaoin Lyons bronze 60m sorint.

L to R: Sean O'Connor Junior boys 600m bronze & Sophie Meredith Junior Girls Gold Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Putt. 6

Talent Competition Sunday 15th March in Askeaton Community Centre. Check in 6.30pm. Group Modern Dance : Leah and Ellen also Orla and Hannah. Finals Solo Modern Dance of Ellen Lynch and Leah Cunningham. Also Managers are needed for the following. Contact Fiona Dalton for details 1. Camogie U-14 2. Hurling U-11 3. Badminton U-15 Boys & Girls 4. Gaelic Football U-10 Mixed 5. Gaelic Football U-12 Girls 6. Soccer Boys U-12 A 7. Soccer Boys U-12 B - County Only 8. Soccer Girls U-15 9. Soccer Girls U-12 - 7 a side 10. Swimming B with Primary School Squads Competition 11. Rounders Throwball U-11 Mixed 12. Rounders U-13 Boys & Girls 13. SpikeBall U-14 Boys & Girls

PROGRAMME FOR PARENTS: The Rathkeale Incredible Years Programme is here to offer Parents a helping hand in their role. The free Programme is open to any parent who has children in primary school. Those wishing to learn more can come along to an information evening in the Hub room in the Rathkeale Community Centre on this Thursday March 13th at 7.30pm. All are welcome. RATHKEALE JOBSEEKERS’ NETWORK: The Rathkeale Jobseekers’ Network meets each Wednesday from 2-3pm in the Rathkeale Community Centre. This space is for those who feel they could do with support to access information on training & employment opportunities in the area. This is an open door format, no registration is necessary. New members are welcome & encouraged to attend. Contact Brenda at West Limerick Resources Rural Employment Service (RES) on 069 66297. ORAL HISTORY COURSE: West Limerick Resources will be running an Oral History Training Initiative starting this April. Training will consist of two elements. Participants will develop Oral History Interviewing techniques as well as examine the legal and ethical issues relevant to gathering Oral History. The second element of the training will focus on digital voice recording and editing techniques. Training will also explore how oral history can contribute to the local heritage of communities and identify suitable ways of showcasing their research. Training will run one evening per week for 10 weeks. The course is free of charge and open to people living in the West Limerick area. To register for the programme contact Suzanne on 069 79114 or email [email protected] DRAMA WORKSHOPS: West Limerick Resources will be offering a series of drama workshops across the West Limerick area this spring. The short courses will include acting, directing for stage and technical skills. Courses are free of charge and open to anyone living in the West Limerick area. To apply for a place please contact Suzanne on 069 79114 or email [email protected]

BRIDGE RESULTS 1st.Mary O Sullivan & Margaret Mulcahy. 2nd.Phil Fitzgerald & Margaret Hennessy. 3rd.Brid Shire & Beda Gleeson. 4th.Siobhan Curran & Michael Fitzgibbon. Spring League Positions. 1st. Ann Roche 29pts. 2nd. Sean Hanratty 28pts. 3rd. Margaret Hennessy 26pts. 4th.Mike Fitzgibbon 25pts. 5th Claire Hanratty 22pts. 6th.Siobhan Curran 21pts.

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Sports Congratulations to all students who took part in the North Munster Indoor Athletics in Mallow last Tuesday. Róisín Ambrose won silver in the U15 600m, Sean O’Connor won bronze in U15 600m and Eadaoin Lyons won Bronze in the U17 60m and girls’ U17 4x2 200m.Other prize winners were Orlaith Leahy U14 600m and Rachel lynch 60m. Our first year footballers had a win against Kilmallock during the week in Neville Park. The final score was 13 to 2.5. G.A.A Coaching T.Y’s are participating in a GAA Coaching Course over the coming weeks. Ger Downes from Limerick GAA County Board is running the course which will give the students a coaching qualification and hopefully open up opportunities for them to coach at GAA Summer Camps in the future. World Book Day World Book Day was celebrated in the school on March 5. One of the activities was 'drop everything and read'. First year pupils are currently enjoying a reading challenge. Music Congratulations to Jack O'Donoghue and Dylan Murphy who qualified for the next round of the TV 3 Munster School's Talent Search which was held in the Strand Hotel, Limerick last Sunday evening. The talented duo had to perform a number songs in front of a large audience and a panel of adjudicators. Seinn On Thursday 3 April Seinn Choir Concert will take place in the University Concert Hall, Limerick. A number of singers and musicians from Coláiste na Trócaire have been chosen to take part in this wonderful musical event which is a new initiative of the Diocese of Killaloe and Limerick to promote liturgical music in second-level schools. Students from Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Offaly will perform with a full orchestra under the direction of Ian Callanan. Soloists included Shannon Ruttle, Laura Barry, Stephanie Anderson, Sarah Hannon, Eoin Burke, Lauren Clancy and Enda Walshe along with musicians Claire Murphy (flute) and Eoin Burke (whistle). Tickets for the concert cost 10 euro from UCH Box Office. For further information please contact the school. Noye's Fludd Enda Walshe (boy soprano) a third year pupil has been chosen to play the part of Noye's son in a new Opera titled Noye's Fludd composed by Benjamin Britten. This is a Community Opera featuring over 100 young performers and professionals featuring children from schools across Limerick. The Opera will be performed in St. Mary's Cathedral on a number of dates during the last week of March. New York A number of Music students throughout the school are currently preparing for a trip to New York which is planned for March next year. A number of fund-raising events will take place in the coming months and there is a lot of interest in the project. An information night was held in the school on Tuesday night last and there was a large attendance present. The next information night will take place on Tuesday March 25 at 7.30 pm.

L to R: A cycling demonstration in the Gym Coláiste na Trócaire & Cycling enthusiasts taking to the road as part of the Cycling Course

A group of cyclists taking part in the Cycling Course at Coláiste na Trócaire.

Colaiste na Trócaire Cycling Course Transition Year students of Coláiste na Trócaire organised a very successful Cycling Course last weekend. The course involved preparation, training and fitness for this this popular pastime. Patrick Marrey, a fitness and training expert from Mayo presented the course over the two days. A large number of cycling enthusiasts of all ages attended this enjoyable event.

Awards for Coláiste na Trócaire Students

Students from Coláiste na Trócaire receiving an award from Dr. Fergal O'Brien of the Kemmy Business School for achieving an A Grade in Business Studies in the Junior Certificate exam 2013. Declan McCarthy, Aoife Stackpoole and Jason Leahy with Ms Lorna Bunyan. 8

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Fixtures Saturday 14th March Youths Division 2 League Cup Semi Final (extra time & penalties) Granagh Utd V Rathkeale 2.30 (T. Fitzmaurice) Sunday 16th March Weekly Observer Desmond Cup 1st Round (extra time & penalties) Rathkeale V Newcastle West Rovers B 11.30 (J. Molyneaux) Schoolboy Fixtures Saturday 8th March League Game Under 10s Rathkeale v Croom (home) 3.00pm Under 12s Cullen/Donohill v Rathkeale (away) 11.00am Cup Game Under 14s Galbally v Rathkeale (away) 12.30pm Visitors put through the Hoops Rathkeale 5 Kilmallock Utd 0 The under 13s advanced to the Semi Final of the Cup with a resounding victory over a gallant visiting side. The Rathkeale side were on top in every sector of the pitch and on the day were too strong for the Hoops. Playing against a very stiff wind, we took the lead on 15 minutes, when the in-form Patrick Johnson raced onto Aaron’s astute pass and finished clinically. Shortly after, both players were involved with Andrew to set up team captain Micheal for our second. With our defence of Colin, Paudie, Micheal and Gavin in complete ascendancy, our opponents rarely got sight of Dean or Niall on our goal. In the second half we scored three unanswered goals, via Aaron, Andrew and Patrick to finish off a satisfactory day’s work, with all our players giving a very good account of themselves Team Dean Kennelly, Micheal Brennan, Gavin McCarthy, Colin Fitzgerald, Paudie Mulcaire, Andrew Meade, Sean Malone, Micheal Mulcahy (capt.), Patrick Johnson, Aaron Hogan, Mark Hogan. Res Evan Barrett, Jim Mulcaire, Dom White, Nathan Teskey, Niall O Shea.

after that and they were class goals - one great finish from Eadaoin and a great turn and finish from Aine. This was a great team performance from 1 to 11; all the girls deserve a lot of credit for giving it their all. Team : Meadbh Moran, Maeve Power, Jennifer Farrell, Kate Geary, Sarah Fitzgerald, Chloe Mullins, Tara Coleman, Eadaoin Lyons, Shauna Shire Williams, Katie Brennan, Aine Tagney. Scorers : Aine Tagney (2) Eadaoin Lyons (2)

Astro Hire On Hire of Astro Turf: Rathkeale AFC Club offers two, state of the art, floodlit and partitioned (removable) pitches available to everyone to rent by the hour. These pitches are supported with changing rooms and shower facilities. If you would like to block book a pitch, or make a one- off booking, please contact us to avail of our special offer rates. Contact John Coleman 0872754330 Contact Us Rathkeale AFC can now be contacted on its new email address [email protected]. If for any reason you need to contact the club, requiring information or would like to share some information, the above email address can be used. Facebook Rathkeale AFC can be found on Facebook. Go to the club’s page to see the latest news and pictures of our teams in action.

Under 16s Ladies Kilmallock 0 Rathkeale 4 We were away Saturday for our first league game since December, due to the bad weather. We had only 11 players available on the day, but I must say all girl gave their all on the day to secure 3 valuable points. We played the first half against a strong wind. Our back four and Meadbh in goals withstood anything the home team threw at us. Our four midfielders and Aine and Katie upfront worked hard with little ball coming their way. We went in at half time 0-0 fairly happy. With a strong wind at our backs we started the 2nd half well, pressing the home team high up the field and our hard work paid off when Aine put us one up with a nice finish. The home team were relying on catching us on the break but our back 4 were superb on the day. Good work between Chloe and Katie set up Eadaoin for our 2nd and we were well on top at this stage. We added two more goals

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