Craft Morning. The craft group which meets in Toonagh Hall on Wednesday mornings broke up last week for the Christmas holidays. On Wednesday last children from the nearby Toonagh School visited the hall to see the work done by the group over the past weeks. They were shown how to make various Christmas arrangements and were a very attentive and enthusiastic audience. Recent Death. The death has taken place of Paddy Courtney, Attyterilla, Ruan, at his home, following an illness. Paddy was born and raised in Ardcarney, Ruan and lived in the parish all his life. His wife, Sarah (Killeen), to whom he was married for nearly forty three years, predeceased him around five years ago. In his younger days Paddy played hurling with Ruan and, indeed, was pictured in the Clare Champion only last week, in a picture remembering the Minor A team of 1968 which reached the County Final that year. Paddy worked with Clare County Council and when he left that job he used his skills as a talented stonemason building walls and facing buildings with stone. His legacy in stonework lives on in various places - the grottos in Loughville, Inch, Clarecastle and Ennis and the apartments on Mill Road in Ennis. He also worked as security in Mullaghmore and was delighted to be working outdoors, as he had a great affinity with nature and animals and loved his garden. He loved playing cards, and especially the social aspect of meeting people. In later years his fifteen grandchildren brought great joy and fun into his life. Paddy is survived by his sons Christopher, Peter, Alan and Sean, daughters Olivia and Aine, daughters in law, sons in law, grandchildren, brothers Desmond, Jimmy and Michael, sisters Pauline, Yvonne and Hilda, extended family and friends. Paddy was laid to rest in Ruan Graveyard, following concelebrated requiem mass in St. Mary’s Church. Christmas Ceremonies. Over thirty teenagers from the local Youth Club joined the congregation at Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Ruan on Saturday evening Dec. 21. They provided music, read prayers of the faithful and a Christmas reflection which added to the ceremony. A number of them also played at the Christmas Eve Mass, when the church was packed to capacity. Mass on Christmas morning was celebrated in St. Tola’s Church, Dysart, again a large crowd attended, with family members who had returned home for the holidays adding to the congregation. All Ireland. Munster GAA organised a function at the Kilmurray Lodge Hotel, Limerick to honour the Munster Wheelchair Hurling Team which won the 2019 All Ireland. On the way to the final they defeated Connaught and Ulster before meeting Leinster in the final, when they came away with the trophy. One of the members on the team is Caroline O’Halloran, from Ruan. Hunting the Wren. Members of the local Camogie Club were hunting the wren on St.Stephen’s Day and were overwhelmed by the welcome they received on visiting the homes they managed to get to - time didn’t allow them to visit every house in the parish. The monies raised are vital to the functioning of the Club for the coming year and the Club appreciates the support of the community. |
Notes for December >