The death has taken place of Brendan Fullam, New Ross, County Wexford and late of Ardagh, County Limerick on Friday 8^th February peacefully at Saint Vincent’s Private Hospital. He was a retired Bank Manager and a true gentleman who will be sadly missed by a wide region of friends.  He gained fame in later life as a bestselling author of eight books about Gaelic games. Brendan was educated in Ardagh N.S. and Ballyfin College in County Laois.  He spent 41 years in the National Bank and Bank of Ireland travelling all over Ireland to places in all four provinces. He served in Dun Laoighaire, Killorglin, Kilrush, Clifden, Ballyshannon, and New Ross. He settled in New Ross and in retirement concentrated in his passion for Gaelic games and hurling in particular. He made a number of public appearances in Limerick promoting his books and giving lectures on Gaelic games, and was much admired for his invaluable contribution to our national games. His remains reposed at his home in Millbanks, on Saturday and Sunday followed by removal on Sunday evening at 7pm to the Church of The Assumption, Rosbercon. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday 11^th February followed by burial in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Enniscorthy.  Brendan was predeceased by baby Gemma wife Teresa (nee Armstrong) and sister Feena. Sympathy to his wife Mary ( nee Kickham ) children twins Helena, and Deirdre, Máire, Gráinne and Brendan, brothers Aodán, Paddy Mel, Kevin, 12 grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughter –in-law, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, family and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Mary Shields (nee Ahern) Glensharrold Carrigkerry at Limerick Regional Hospital on Tuesday 12^th February. Mary was in her eighty eight year and a housewife and homemaker who enjoyed good health until recent months. She was a native of Glensharrold and educated in Carrigkerry N.S and with her late husband Dan raised nine children on their family farm. Her door was always open and a warm welcome waited for all people who called and her hospitality was known for miles around. Mary was dedicated to her family and her life revolved around them. She liked her cigarettes and playing Bingo and was a woman of deep faith. Her remains were removed from Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West on Thursday evening last to Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry. Fr Larry Madden celebrated her Funeral Mass on Friday morning at 11.30am. Family members participated during the ceremony with the readings, offertory prayers of the faithful and taking symbols associated with Mary’s life to the altar. Her grandson William on behalf of the family paid a lovely tribute to Nana Shields towards the end of the Mass, which struck a chord amongst the congregation. Maura and Donie supplied appropriate hymns and tunes, and Mary’s son Dan played a personal tribute on mouthorgan and bodhran. The funeral cortege passed by her residence on the way to her final resting place beside her late husband Dan who died in 1987. Burial took place beneath a clear blue sky and rays of sunshine in Kilcolman Cemetery on Friday 15^th February. The local wrenboys played music and sang songs at the graveside in a final tribute to a lady whose warm personality and kind heart endeared her to all. May she rest in heavenly Peace. We extend our sympathy to her sons Dan, Tom, Noel, Joe, daughters Eileen, Breda, Kathleen, Mary, Elizabeth, sister Bee, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The annual Munster Convention of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann took place in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow on Sunday 3^rd February. Jackie O’Connor Kilcolman was thanked for her valuable contribution to Comhaltas at provincial level.  She served as Oifigeach Na Nóg (Munster Youth Officer) from 2007 to this year.

The following are the Lottery results from The Thatch Bar Newbridge, on Monday 11^th February. The numbers drawn were 5, 8, 12, 27, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €60 Sean Flaherty c/o Curley’s. €60 Patrick Mullins Ardagh. €60 Mick  Hayes c/o Bus Eireann. €30 John Quinn c/o Neary’s. €30 Fergal O’Keane c/o The Thatch. €30 Joe and Ruby Synan Shanagolden. Next week’s Jackpot will be €6,200 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh.

Congratulations to Peg Murphy and Joan Madigan, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 6^th February.

Carrig Celtic lost 4-2 aet at home to Ballingarry in the Premier Division League Cup Quarter Final on Sunday 10^th February. Seán Mc Sweeney and Ray Cahill scored their goals. Old Mill lost 3-1 away to Rockhill Rovers in Division 3 of the Desmond League.  Brendan Hayes scored their goal and the team is now bottom of the table. Carrig Celtic B had no fixture in Division 2 and they are also bottom of the table. Carrig Celtic ladies drew 1-1 away with Breska Rovers in the Desmond Ladies First Division, to conclude their season.

Congratulations to the following Saint Kieran’s Community Games indoor teams on their success. U-10 girls who won bronze, U-13 girls who won silver, U-13 boys who won bronze.

Congratulations and best wishes to Mary and Dan Hartnett Carrigkerry who recently celebrated their 50^thwedding anniversary. A party was held in The Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Saturday 9^th February to mark the occasion.

Johnny McCarthy was a member of the Limerick team that defeated Offaly by 0-12 to 1-8 in Division 4 of the National Football League at O’Connor Park Tullamore, on Sunday 10^th February. Darragh Treacy was a substitute.

Brendan McCarthy was a member of the Limerick U-21 football team that defeated Wexford by 3-11 to 1-16 in a U-21 challenge game at Pilltown. Kevin Meade was introduced as a substitute.

Alva Neary and Mai Kennelly were members of the Limerick team that defeated Derry by 4-23 to 0-2 in Division 4 of the Ladies National Football League at Martinstown on Sunday 10^th February. Ide Trant was introduced as a substitute.

Lent has arrived and Trocaire boxes are now available for collection in the local Churches’, and it is hoped that all families will take one home. Trocaire this year celebrates 40 years working for a just World and they would appreciate a positive response to this year’s appeal. Over that time they have done wonderful work in helping so many people, and communities to improve their conditions and lives in the third World. We are told that almost half of the people in the World live on less than €2 a day which means a constant and desperate struggle to survive. By contributing €2 a day over Lent it will make a big difference to support some of the poorest communities in the World to work their way out of poverty. €2 a day will help landless families to secure land to farm to grow food and to earn an income. €2 a day will provide families with agricultural training to ensure better harvests and a more reliable source of food. €2 a day will help communities set up a savings and loans scheme, providing families with the capital to buy land or start a small business.

There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on the Sunday’s of Lent in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh from 2pm to 4.30pm.  

The Rosary will be recited fifteen minutes before all Masses during Lent in Ardagh, and Carrigkerry Churches in as far as this is possible. It is hoped that somebody in the congregation would take on this responsibility.

The Lenten Stations were taken up last week end and people who may have forgotten can drop them into the collection boxes this coming weekend.

The Stations of the Cross will be recited in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West each Sunday during Lent at 2.30pm. All are welcome to attend and to pray for the faithful departed.

Parents wishing to enrol their children in Saint Molua’s National School for September 2013 are invited to contact the school principal for an enrolment application form. The closing date for application is Friday 22^nd February. Please telephone 069-76353 for more details.

Saint Kieran’s club is holding a victory dinner dance at Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday 23^rd February. Music by Different Sounds and tickets cost € 25 and they can be got from club members.

Afternoon Tea dancing will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Sunday 24^th February from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. The music will be supplied by the well known entertainer Marie Griffin from County Clare. The organizers would welcome more local support for this fundraiser as the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the Community Centre.

A fundraising night in aid of The Dialysis Unit, Limerick Regional Hospital will take place  at the Flag Floor Rambling House on Friday 1^st March at 9.30pm. A great night’s entertainment is promised and tea and refreshments will be available and all are welcome.