The death has taken place of Bridget (Chris) Lawlor (nee O’Donoghue,) Knocknagun, Carrigkerry at Saint Catherine’s Nursing Home, Newcastle West, on Friday 7^th December. Wife of the late Pat, and mother of the late Nora Vaughan, Chris was in her 95^th year, and one of the oldest members in the parish. She was born in Monagea on 22^nd December 1917 and also baptized there. The family moved to Sugarhill, in Templeglantine and she attended Cratloe N.S. and Newcastle West Convent School, and worked in Abbeyfeale, and Newcastle West. Chris married Pat Lawlor from Limerick City in 1949 and the family came to live in Knocknagun, Carrigkerry in 1960. She was a most popular member of the community and a friend to all in her new location. The family had an open door and a welcome for all callers. They had one of the first Televisions in Carrigkerry and many of the locals would call in by night to watch the most popular programmes of the time. Chris made people feel special and the kettle was on the boil for all callers.  She liked music and the Wrenboys, and the Irish language, and she was a familiar figure sitting outside her house during the summer months. She provided a shed at the end of her house, for many years for students to shelter in and put in their bicycles, while waiting for the School Bus. Chris sadly lost her husband Pat in 1979 and her daughter Nora in 2004. We will remember Chris for her kindness, elegant walk and her pleasant smile, and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Her remains reposed at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West, on Sunday evening followed by removal to Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry. Her nephew Fr Connie O’Doherty concelebrated her funeral Mass, assisted by Fr Larry Madden, Ardagh/Carrigkerry Fr John Duggan, Castlemahon/Feohanagh, Fr Phonsie Cullinan, Rathkeale, and Fr Thomas Hurley Templeglantine, at 11.30am on Monday morning. Family members assisted in the readings, offertory prayers of the faithful and reflection. Fr Connie traced her path through life in his homily and her grandson James gave a moving tribute, on behalf of the family at the end of Mass. Chris was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West, on Monday 10^thDecember.   We extend our sympathy to her sons Ned, Gus, Con, and Pat, daughters Anne,(O’Dwyer) and Mary(Young) brother Jim, sisters Kay Moloney(Croagh) and Nora O’Doherty (Thurles,) 27 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives neighbors, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Joe Geoghegan died on Monday11^th November, and he was laid to rest (following Requiem Mass in Saint Peter and Pauls Church) in Wardley Cemetery Manchester, on Wednesday 28^th November. He was born on Christmas Day 1930 son of the late Margaret, and Tom, from Glensharrold Carrigkerry. He was educated in Carrigkerry National School, and worked at John and Annie Hayes farm in Knockfinisk for six years. He was a dedicated worker and a very popular figure around the locality and all were sad to see him depart for England in August 1952. He spent sixty years living and working there and he was also a regular visitor home, during that period. He was husband of Mary and father to Mike and Angela, and he was a very popular and trusted member of his community. Joe was a gentleman kind generous loyal protective honorable respectful and funny and he will be sadly missed by all who were lucky to have known him. He was a hard worker all his life, and he was highly organized and did things in a neat and tidy manner. On his last trip home to Glensharrold about five years ago. He spent a few hard days painting and cutting hedges around the home place. He always kept in contact with home, and kept informed of the happenings of the neighbours and the results of matches. He was a season ticket holder and lifelong Manchester United supporter, and he listened to RTE Radio, and seldom missed a Ceilí House Programme of a Saturday night. Sympathy to his wife Mary, son Mike, daughter Angela,  daughter-in-law Kathryn, grandchildren, Liam, Rachel, Claire,Niall, brothers Michael and Tony sisters Mary and Joan, and extended family members, and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Sympathy to Peg, and Paddy O’Sullivan and family Carrigkerry West, on the death of Peg’s brother Brian Quinn, Hillside Drive Athea. He was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery Athea, on Tuesday 11^thDecember. Sympathy also to his brothers, and sisters, nephews and nieces, and extended family members. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Elizabeth (Lilly) Power (nee Sheehy) peacefully following a long illness at her home in Kilscannell, Ardagh, on Tuesday 11^th December. Her remains reposed at her residence on Wednesday from 4pm, followed by removal to Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa. The Concelebrated Requiem Mass was celebrated by her brother Fr Jim Sheehy Columbian Fathers, nephew Fr Eugene Boyce, Fr Denis Mullane, and seven other priests from the Columbian Fathers. Fr Jim and Fr Eugene paid lovely tributes to Lilly during the ceremony and family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful offertory and bringing life symbols to the altar. Lilly was from a family of nine, and a hard worker, in the home and farm, who had a great devotion to the Holy Rosary. She married her husband Donie in 1961 and they celebrated their Golden Anniversary last year.  She liked a day out at the races, and having a meal out, and visits to her family in later life.  Her faith was very important to her, and she liked to attend Mass, in various churches, and also saying the Rosary once a day at least. She liked people to call to the house for a chat, and all were made very welcome with a cup of tea, and a good conversation which she enjoyed. Burial took place in Kilscannel Cemetery on Thursday 13^th December. We extend our sympathy to her husband Donie, son John, daughters Marie, and Breda, seven grandchildren, brother Fr Jim, sisters Julia, Kay, Teresa, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, and nieces, neighbours, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations to John Sheehy and Bill Downes, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game, held on Wednesday 5^th December.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill and Vinny Wrenn, and Jim Lynch and Peg Mulvihill who were prizewinners at the Card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 9^th December.

The Limerick G.A.A. Club Draw for December was held at Saint Patrick’s G.A.A. Club House on Friday 7^thDecember.  It turned out to be a great night for the Saint Kieran’s club, who won first and second prizes. Congratulations to Seamus Culhane Barnigue, Carrigkerry who won €15,000, and Seamus Ambrose, Ardagh, won €5,000. This was the final draw for 2012 and the next draw will be in March 2013.

The following are the Lottery results from the draw held in the Old Mill Bar on Monday 10^th December. The numbers drawn were 2, 5,7,13, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €100 Timmy Roche c/o Josie. €60 Mary Malone c/o Reen’s. € 60 Connie Naughton c/o Curley’s. €60 A and D c/o Denis Greaney. €30 Pa Linda, and Shane, c/o Moloney’s. €30 Nancy Barrett c/o Moloney’s. €30 Patrick Brouder c/o Moloney’s.  Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €20,000.

“Mrs. Liston’s” Shop in Coolcappa village closed for business on Friday 30^th November. Kathleen opened the shop on 3^rd March 1966 and over the 46 years it provided a most important service to the local community. It became a focal point for people to meet before and after church school, hall and sports events. Kathleen and Tony provided a dedicated service to their customers, and we would like to thank them for this and wish them well in the future.

The Saint Kieran’s club participated in the County Scór na nóg finals in the Cappamore Community Centre, on Saturday 8^th December. They performed very well in the three events but were out of the honours on the night.

On sale at present in the local shops are The Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal, The Athea Parish Journal, and The Limerick 2012 G.A.A. Yearbook. They all contain articles of local interest which will keep people busy reading over the Christmas festival.

A meeting to put a committee in place to oversee the development of a children’s Playground in Carrigkerry was held in the Community Centre on Thursday 6^th December. A follow up meeting has been fixed for this coming Thursday night 20^th December at 8.30pm, to receive feedback from the committee members put in place.  All interested in being involved in this exciting venture are asked to attend and all are welcome.

Gortadroma dump will close on Friday 21^st of December, at 3.30pm, and will re-open on Wednesday2nd January at 8.am

Saint Kieran’s G.A.A.Club is holding a charity road hurling tournament on Saturday 29^th December. The entry fee is € 30 for a team of three people, and all the proceeds will go towards cancer research. The event commences from Ardagh Church Car Park at 11.am and will take in the surrounding areas. People interested in participating are asked to contact club secretary Ivan Neary on 087-6577541 or any club officer.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all people who helped me to compile these notes over the past twelve months. I would also like to wish the editors, staff member’s fellow contributors and all the readers at home and abroad   a very peaceful and joyful Christmas, and a happy New Year.