The death has taken place of Elizabeth (Lilly) Magner at Abbot Close Nursing Home, Askeaton, late Rathreigh, Ardagh, Raheen, and University Hospital Limerick.  She was a retired nurse, and the last surviving member of her family.   She was born in 1928 the second youngest of a family of nine She received her nursing training in The Mater Hospital in Dublin. When the Regional Hospital Limerick opened in 1954 she was one of the first staff members there and very involved in getting the premises ready for patients. She was a sister in the Theatre, and a role model for all the student nurses who received their training there. She was kind and caring and held in high esteem by all her work mates. She was living in Raheen for many years but never lost touch with the family home in Rathreigh, Ardagh. She retired from work in 1993 after close on forty years of dedicated service there. Lilly was very interested in flowers and her garden. She was also interested in reading and current affairs and visiting family and friends.

She lay in repose at Abbot Close Nursing Home Askeaton on Sunday, 9th March from 7pm to 8.30pm. Her remains arrived for 11.30am Requiem Mass in Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappagh. Fr Michael Noonan P.P. Raheen Fr Muiris O’Connor, and Fr Sean Long, concelebrated and family members participated in bringing life symbols, to the altar, readings, prayers of the faithful and the offertory gifts. Fr Noonan gave us an insight into Lilly’s pathway through life during his homily.  Her former colleagues from the Regional Hospital were present as well as her neighbours and circle of friends.  A couple of touching tributes were paid to Lilly before the final prayers, and the hymns and music by Phil and Irene enhanced the ceremony. She was laid to rest in the local cemetery as the sun shone bright. We extend our sympathy to her nephews, nieces, sister –in-law, relatives, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Alice Barrett (nee Stokes) Glenastar, Ardagh, and wife of the late Michael (Mick) at her residence on Sunday 9th March. She was a native of Cappagh and one of three in family and in her mid eighties. She was predeceased by her brother Sean and sister Mary and was the last surviving member of the Stokes family. She worked in Rathkeale and in England before her marriage to Mick from UpperTuraree, Glin, in 1959. Mick, Alice, and their children Pat, Geraldine, Alice, and John settled in Glenastar Ardagh, in 1971 and integrated well into the community. The family spent many happy nights, at Stack’s Lounge Bar, and Moran’s Tavern, enjoying the entertainment on offer.  Alice liked the dancing and the chat, and enjoyed the company of her friends.  She was a passionate card player and liked all things traditional including the Irish Nights held at Windles Bar. She enjoyed the simple things in life, and was a devoted wife and mother, and a great neighbour, and friend to all. Alice was a gentle and caring person honest and sincere, and much admired for the qualities she possessed. Alice and Mick celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2009 and her deep faith was a great comfort and strength to her when Mick passed away in 2011. She received great care at home and in Saint Ita’s  Hospital in recent years, and she will be sadly missed by all.

She lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West, on Monday 10th from 6pm, followed by removal to Saint Mary’ Church Carrigkerry.  F r Larry Madden, Fr Willie O’Gorman, and Fr Paddy Bowen, concelebrated the Funeral Mass, which was a celebration of Alice’s long life, on Tuesday morning. Family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful reflection, and offertory gifts. The gifts included a rosary bead and prayer cards, as a symbol of her faith. A family photograph showing her love for family. A deck of cards to show one of her favourite pastimes. A music CD to show her love for traditional music and song. Her granddaughter Linda Kennelly paid her own special tribute playing the Three Leaf Shamrock on the fiddle.

Pat Barrett on behalf of the family thanked everybody for their assistance, and attendance, and delivered a touching tribute, to their mother, before the final prayers. Alice was laid to rest in sunny Saint David’s Cemetery Churchtown, Newcastle West, on Tuesday 11th March. The local wrenboy group and friends played and sang a few of her favourite tunes, and song, as a final tribute. We extend sympathy to sons Patrick and John, daughters Geraldine, and Alice, son-in-law Jimmy Kennelly, daughters-in-law, Christine, and Nancy, Grandchildren, Michael, David, Linda, Colin, Alice, Daniel, Michael, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces, other relatives, neighbours, and friends. May she rest in gentle  Peace.

The death has taken place of Thomas (Tom) Fitzgerald Ballyloughane, Athea, peacefully on Wednesday 5th March in his 92ndyear at Cahermoyle House Nursing Home, Ardagh.  He was a retired member of the farming community. He lay in repose at Kelly’s Funeral Home, Athea on Friday 7th from 7pm followed by removal to the local Church. His Funeral Mass was celebrated in Saint Bartholomew’s Church Athea, on Saturday 8th March followed by burial in the Old Cemetery, Templeathea. We extend our sympathy to his sister Peg (known as Sister Eithne) nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

We extend sympathy to the Culhane family Barnigue, Kilcolman, on the death of their uncle Tom Houlihan Meadowlea, Ballyhahill, and formerly of Flean, Ballyhahill at Saint Ita’s Hospital Newcastle West on Tuesday 11th March. He lay in repose at Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West on Wednesday 12th March followed by removal to Ballyhahill Church. Requiem Mass on Thursday at 12 noon followed by Cremation in Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork at 4pm. We extend our sympathy to his sister Mary (USA) nephews Pat, and David, nieces Moira, Eileen, and Noreen, grandnephews, and grandnieces,, neighbours, relatives, and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Róisín Ambrose, Ardagh, and Saint Mary’s Athletic Club, who won a silver medal in the junior girls 600 meters event in the Munster Schools Indoor Championship at Nenagh Indoor Arena on Wednesday 5th March.

Congratulations to members of the Saint Kieran’s Community Games who enjoyed success in the recent County Finals of the talent competition. The U-14 Set Dancers Molly Gleeson, Niamh Mullins, Cathy Ambrose, Tara Geraghty, Mia Forrestal, Arianne Reidy,  Therese O’Connor,  Róisín Mann,  Ciara Dineen,  and Molly Mc Grath.won the gold medal. Molly Mc Grath won gold in the U-11 Solo Irish Dance. In the U-14 Solo Irish Dance Aine Nolan was third and Arianne Reidy was fourth. In the U-12 Group Irish Dance Aine Nolan and Eileen Collins won gold and Cian Ward, Molly Mc Grath, and Mia Forrestal won silver. Well done to all the other competitors who represented the club and were out of the medals.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday 10th March. The numbers drawn were 10,18,27,29, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows. €60 Conor Hanley, Coolcappa. €60 Amy Magner, c/o Neary’s. €60 Tom Neary, Ardagh. €30 Amanda Kinsella, Old Mill. €30 John Curley, Ardagh. €30 Joan Molyneaux, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in the Old Mill Bar and the Jackpot will be €11,000.

Congratulations to Peg Murphy and Joan Madigan, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 5th March.

Congratulations to Jim Dalton, and Francis Woulfe, who were first prizewinners at the card game held in Shanagolden on Friday 7th March.

Creeve’s Celtic defeated favourites and Premier League side, Carrig Celtic 3-2 in the first round of the Desmond Cup on Sunday 9th March. The match was played in Carrigkerry as Creeves pitch was unplayable due to the overnight rain. David Franklin, James Naughton, and Jamie Ruttle, scored for Creeves Celtic with Anthony Molyneaux, and Ray Cahill on the mark for Carrig Celtic.

Carrig Celtic B drew 3-3 at home to Newcastle West Rovers B in Division 3 of the Desmond League, with goals from Brian Byrnes, 2 and Podge Balfe.

Johnny McCarthy and Darragh Treacy from Saint Kieran’s saw action with Limerick in their 1-14 to 1-13 win over Wexford in Round 4 of the National Football League Division 3 tie at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Sunday 9th March.

Askeaton/Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Saint Mary’s 2-13 to 0-9 in the West U-21 Hurling Championship at Mick Neville Park on Saturday 8th March.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Senior Citizens Christmas Party Committee are holding their annual collection in Ardagh/Carrigkerry on this coming weekend Saturday/Sunday 22nd/23rd March.

There will be afternoon tea dancing in Carrigkerry Community Centre on this coming Sunday 23rd March.  The music will be supplied by Joe Desmond from Cork and all are welcome to come along and enjoy the occasion.

Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will take place on Friday 28th March. Volunteers will be selling fresh and silk Daffodils lapel pins and other Daffodil items. All the money raised in Limerick will remain in the area providing services and support for cancer suffers and their families, and  all support for this very deserving cause will be greatly appreciated.