As part of her official visit to Limerick, the eighth Irish president dropped in to cut the ribbon at the new Southill Area Centre, before heading across town to do likewise at the new building of the St Munchin's Family Resource Centre.

Three youngsters have also had a day to remember after presenting flowers to the President. And Mary Kelly, the mother of the slain teen Happy, has wholeheartedly welcomed the project in Southill, which she says, removes any labels, troubled youngsters may have.

Both community projects have been in the pipeline for a number of years - with the new area centre in Southill mooted as far back as 1996.

And although both projects have been up and running for some time now, both communities admitted it felt "fitting" that President McAleese carry out the opening.

The Southill Area Centre, a much needed resource on the southside of the city, provides a local employment service for the area, a magical playground creche for the youngsters, and an after school club for teens.

Meanwhile, the St Munchin's Family Resource Centre in Ballynanty, provides similar services for youngsters to pensioners.

These include community outreach programmes, including a 'Good Morning St Munchin's Service' calling at people's houses to check if they are okay.

President McAleese said she was amazed at these new community facilities in Limerick city.

Speaking in Ballynanty, at the St Munchin's Family Resource Centre, she said: "The range of caring that goes on here is quite extraordinary. When we were walking around, I saw people making 66 dinners for meals on wheels, and the people who were making them are literally on wheels'. They are so committed to making any bit of a difference. They do it because they care."

She said youngsters growing up in St Munchin's Parish and Southill are "very lucky".

"These kids will grow up spontaneously knowing how much love there is in the community. But this does not happen if you do nothing. It happens when you organise and plan," President McAleese said.

Upon her arrival in both Ballynanty and Southill, President McAleese was flanked by two security cars, a number of gardai. She was also joined by Mayor Kevin Kiely - in his home parish of St Munchin's - Defence Minister Willie O'Dea, Minister of State Peter Power, and Deputy Jan O'Sullivan.