The death has taken place of Mary Cregan (nee Frawley) Avondale Crescent, Tipperary Town, and late of Old Mill Ardagh, at her residence on Tuesday 1^st April. She was a native of Ballinabearna, and in her eighties. Mary was a sister of the late Jim, and they attended the local School in Ballyloughane. She was employed by Limerick County Council and worked in the Library section before her marriage to Jim Cregan in 1958.  She had to give up her job once she got married due to the rule at the time.  Mary became a housewife and homemaker to her three children Paul Patricia, and Rosin. She was a very intelligent person who was a role model for her children who all did well in their careers. Mary overcame a health setback in 2000 to resume her activities with the support of her family. She will be sadly missed by her family relatives and friends, and by all who knew her around the Old Mill.

She lay in repose at her residence on Wednesday April 2^nd from 6pm to 8pm. Fr Larry Madden P.P. Ardagh/Carrigkerry celebrated her Requiem Mass at Saint Molua’s Church, Ardagh, on Friday at 11.30am. It was attended by family relatives and friends from Tipperary and from the locality. Family members participated in the readings, offertory gifts, and reflection, and Ann-Marie’s singing and music was uplifting. Fr Larry recalled Mary’s path through life which turned full circle with her burial. It was always a wish of hers to return to her native place to be laid to rest. Her daughter Rosin on behalf of her family paid a moving tribute to her mother before the final prayers. She was laid to rest afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her husband Jim, son Paul, daughters Patricia, and Rosin, grandson, nephews, John, and Tom, niece, Joan, sister-in-law, Mary Frawley, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Patrick Rua O’Sullivan, Teannovree, Killorglin, Co Kerry and Glensharrold, Carrigkerry at the University Hospital Limerick on Sunday April 6^th. Pat was a retired member of the Gardaí and he had been living in the locality for a good number of years. He lay in repose at St Joseph’s Home Killorglin, on Wednesday April 9^th from 4pm to 6.30pm, followed by removal to Saint James Church, Killorglin, arriving at 7pm. His Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday at 10.30am, followed by burial afterwards in Dromavalla Cemetery.  A good number of people from the locality travelled to Killorglin for his funeral on both days. We extend sympathy to all his relatives. May he rest in Peace.

Congratulations to the Saint Kieran’s Community Games on the success of the U-16 Choir members who were silver medal winners in the County Finals in Askeaton on Saturday March 29^th. They would like to thank  all who contributed to their church gate collection last weekend.

The West Limerick Primary Schools Board made a special presentation to Tim Crowley the recently retired Principal of Ardagh National School, on Monday March 10^th.  It was to acknowledge the huge contribution he made to the school’s Gaelic games in West Limerick for close on 30 years. The late Noel Liston, and Tim enjoyed great success as managers of the West Limerick Sarsfield Cup teams during that time. The presentation was made by the current Chairman Diarmuid O’Connor

The organizers of the recent Coffee Morning in aid of the Irish Cancer Society held in Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Friday March 26^th which raised €1,225 would like to thank everybody who helped in any way to make the event a great success.

Kate Buckingham from Glenastar, would like to offer a sincere thank you to everybody who made Daffodil Day around West Limerick such a success. The amount collected will be announced in the coming weeks.

Congratulations and best wishes to Raymond Brouder, Carrigkerry who celebrated his 21^st birthday with family and friends at a party in the Ballintemple Inn Newcastle West on Friday April 4^th.

The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday April 7^th. The numbers drawn were 18,25,28,29, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Nikita, Dean, and Finn c/o Moore’s. €60 Ann Dalton c/o Lyons. €60 Gerard Mulvihill c/o Curley’s. €30 Tommy Mullins Ardagh. €30 Brenda Wright c/o Becketts. €30 Denis Buckley c/o Neary’s. Next week’s Jackpot will be €11,800 and the draw will be held in Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry.

Johnny McCarthy and Darragh Treacy were members of the Limerick football team that were defeated by Cavan by 0-18 to 0-14 in Round 7 of Division 3 of the National Football League at the Gaelic Grounds Limerick   on Sunday April 6^th.

Saint Kieran’s received a walkover from Tournafulla in the West Junior B Hurling League.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Monaleen by 4-4 to 3-6 in the U-14 Feilé Peil at Mick Neville Park on Sunday April 6^th.

Alva Neary was a member of the Limerick team, and Mai Kennelly a panel member, that defeated Wicklow by 2-11 to 3-7 in Division 4 of the Ladies National Football League in Tournafulla, on Sunday April 6^th.

Jason Mullins was the referee for the West U-21B Hurling Final between Croagh/Kilfinny and Alluaghan Gaels played at Coolyroe on Saturday April 5^th.

Carrig Celtic defeated Athea Utd by 4-1 at home in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday April 6^th. Sean Mc Sweeney 3 and Seanie King scored the goals for Carrig who are in 3^rd place.

Old Mill lost 3-1 at home to Killeaney in Division 1 with Brian O’Neill scoring their goal.

Creeves Celtic defeated Newcastle West B at home on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the Division 2 League Cup quarter final. James Naughton, 2 and James Bridgeman scored their goals. Creeves Celtic B drew 0-0 at home to Knockaderry in the Division 3 League Cup Group A quarter final.

Creeves Celtic defeated Carrig Celtic 4-1away in the Desmond Ladies League.

Registration for the 2014 National Spring Clean which runs for the month of April is now open To participate and to receive your free clean-up kit please visit www.nationalspringclean.org. 2013 was a very successful year thanks to all the volunteers who participated. There were 3531 clean up events nationwide, and an estimated 550.4 tons of litter was collected. Over half a million people participated in the clean up events, and approximately 35% of the total amount of waste was recycled.

The Saint Senan’s district Text Alert service which covers Coolcappa/Kilcolman is now active. If you see or suspect crime in your area please contact your local 24 Hour Gardai Station on 069-20650. A text to alert the public will only be sent to all members of the text alert service. If there is a need to do so the Gardaí will investigate.

Trocaire boxes can be returned to both churches this weekend and people are asked to be as generous as possible with their donations.  They were available in the local churches and all families were asked to take one home, and fill them up over the weeks of Lent.  All donations will make a difference and 92 cents from every euro goes on direct charitable expenditure.  Two euro a day will support a community to install an irrigation system or water pump. This will help families to increase their harvest from one to two a year and free up children’s valuable time from fetching water so they can attend school. Two euro a day will provide goats or chickens for a family ensuring they have a source of food and income in times of drought. Two euro a day will help families living in areas prone to drought to plant drought tolerant crops, ensuring they can grow their own food and earn an income.

The annual Good Friday 45 Drive will be held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 18^th April. The prize money on offer will be € 2,000 and admission is € 15 and all card players are welcome.

Creeves Celtic soccer club are holding their annual table quiz in Coolcappa Community Hall on Friday 18^th April. A table of four for €20 and all support much appreciated.

The following is a list of the special church collections for 2014 for the Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish. The households in the Parish have been issued with envelopes to contribute to the following.   Holy Places Collection (Good Friday) 18^th April. Vocation Sunday Collection 10^th/ 11^th May. Parish Clerk’s Annual Collection 17^th/18^th May. Limerick Youth Service Collection 31^st May/1^st June. Limerick Diocesan Counseling Service Collection21st/22^nd June. Peters Pence Collection 5^th/6^th July. Mission Sunday 18^th/19^th October. The Diocesan Needs Collection is taken up on the 3^rd Sunday of each month. Lenten Stations 8^th/9^th March. Easter Dues 19^th/20^th April. October Stations 4^th/5^th October. Christmas Dues 24^th/25^th December.

West Limerick 102 community radio are holding their next car boot sale and indoor market in the Community Centre Newcastle West, on Easter Sunday 20^th April from 8am to 2pm. The gates open at 7.30am, and to book a stall contact Marian on 087-68866450 or the office on 069-66200

I would like to wish Domhnall, Lillian, correspondents, contributors, and all the readers a very happy Easter.