Then & Now: The Green and White is back on Limerick shelves

THE LATEST issue of the Green and White magazine covers the Spring of 2023 and contains 48 pages. The joint editors are Ciarán Crowe, and Joe Lyons, and it was first published in 1996. This is issue no 77 and Declan Hannon and the Mc Carthy Cup in front of the All-Ireland homecoming celebrations are pictured on the front page. The back page features Limerick GPA Hurler of the Year Diarmaid Byrnes, Limerick Ladies football captain Cathy Mee and two photographs from the South Limerick Schools South football final. A brief look at the contents follows.

The Green and White file features Limerick's on-the-field leaders in Camogie, Marian Quaid captain and Orlaith Kelleher vice -captain. They answer a number of questions and state their ambitions for Limerick camogie in 2023. The Larkin Shield (primary school's girls’ football) was won by South Limerick, defeating Limerick City by 3-3 to 2-3 in the final played last November in Rathkeale. Team photos and panels included also. Monaleen's club All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling success in 2022 is featured in text and photos over two pages.

They defeated Tuairín from Mayo by 1-17 to 1-15 in the final last January.

The Sarsfield Cup story is told by Conor O'Dwyer from Cappagh NS. It was won by West Limerick who defeated Limerick City by 3-8 to 2-2 in the final. The four team panels and team photographs are included. Top Award for Mike is the heading for a page tribute to Michael O'Donoghue from Newcastle West who was honoured for a lifetime of service to primary school's Gaelic games. He received the Pat Trainor Award for his near 40 years involvement in Cumann na mBunscol in Limerick and Munster.
Monaleen NS won the Celtic Image Shield (Girl’s football county championship for Limerick Primary School teams) defeating Doon in the final by 4-4 to 3-2. Monaleen NS also won the boys title two days earlier. This competition also features with all the other divisional winners Adare, Kilmallock and Roxborough panels and photographs.

The Munster GAA Awards 2022 are featured over two pages of text and photographs. They were held in Clonmel and Limerick received three awards. Aidan O'Connor, Ballybrown -Under 20 Hurler of the Year, Diarmaid Byrnes, Patrickswell -Senior Hurler of the Year, John Kiely, Galbally - Manager of the Year. Limerick's Magnificent Seven is the centre page spread showing Limerick's All Stars with their awards plus Diarmaid Byrnes with his Hurler of the Year award.

The Lundon Eye recalls the 2022 Munster Hurling Final between Limerick and Clare in Thurles and the 72-page programme produced for the occasion. James also features the 1974 match programme between the same teams, which was the first ''Souvenir Official'' programme for a Munster Final. Part 1 of the Eamon Grimes story is told in the Limerick All-Ireland Winning Captain's series. There are many more articles and features, facts and figures to catch the eye.

The current issue is another fine publication, with lots of interesting news, great school photos, puzzles, cartoons, and crossword to satisfy all readers. The magazine is distributed to all the local primary schools and is also available in certain shops in the city. Continued success to the Green and White magazine, and to Ciarán and Joe, with their future publications.

Freefalling by Georgina Miller previews at Belltable this June

An extraordinary true story brought to life in an incredible way

Saints and Seekers
DAVID BRACKEN is editor of Limerick Saints and Seekers, a book about people from various traditions associated with the county. Some were born here; others came to live here, and more were connected to Limerick through the centuries. I recently got a copy of the book which was published last year, from a friend. It contains 266 pages from 55 different contributors. The 54 short stories are told in 10 different chapters titled: Of Early Ireland, Of Limerick's See, Of Missions, Martyrs and Our Lady of Limerick, Of Poets and Preachers, Of Men of Good Counsel and Mary Our Help, Of Women Religious, Mary King and Our Lady of Lourdes, Of Saints and Seekers, Of Defenders of the Voiceless, Of Limerick's Own, Some Visitors and the Empress of Japan, Of New Ireland and Nineveh Plain.

I quote the following from the back page about the book: In Of Limerick Saints and Seekers, we journey through a millennium and a half of Limerick history with scholars and scribes, poets and preachers, martyrs and missionaries, and founders of churches and religious communities. Drawing from early Ireland to present day, this collection of stories details the lives of extraordinary people from a variety of faith traditions and perspectives, from well-known saints, to unknown and unsung religious and lay people, including St Íte, foster mother of the saints, Gille, Limerick's first bishop, the medieval Askeaton Madonna; Terence Albert O'Brien, bishop of Emly; Sikh scholar Max Arthur Macauliffe and Anglican nun Sr Mary Clare Whitty, martyred in Korea.

With fascinating contributions, many from the modern-day people of Limerick - academics, archaeologists, archivists, bishops, poets, pastors and theologians - this book illuminates the diverse richness of Limerick's story by highlighting the saints and seekers who have shaped its history. David Bracken, Limerick diocesan archivist, is rooted in the heart of Limerick city, where he lives with his wife and five children. He edited The End of all Things Earthly: Faith Profiles of the 1926 Leaders (Veritas 2016).

Most readers will be familiar with some of the stories included in the book which is published by Veritas Publications. Others will be less known but equally interesting coming from all parts of the city and county. All the contributors are well known for their past work and together they have produced a fine collection of stories relating to Limerick's history. The Foreword is by Jessie Rogers and the Introduction by Bishop Brendan Leahy and copies may still be available to purchase.

It is an easy book to read as the stories are short and readers can dip into it from time to time. There are 16 pages of photographs of interest to view and the front cover artwork is by Robert Hardy. I enjoyed reading about the Cotter sisters of Killeedy and their 87-year connection with the great southern land of Australia and New Zealand. Many more stories remain to be read when time allows. It is another fine history of Limerick people and church-related matters and congratulations to all involved.