But two such gifts I will treasure for quite some time.

That wonderful organisation, The Civic Trust, to mark their 25th anniversary, have published a calendar.

But it is a far cry from the run of the mill type.

Each page has a superb picture highlighting the work carried out by the Trust over the years. It is a superb effort and congratulations to all behind its production.

And, of course, the annual book produced by Sean Curtin, featuring pictures and stories of Limerick in bygone times, is an absolute must for all of us who love our city and the rare old times.

The latest book and calendar are not only a must-have, but will be cherished for years, as are the books written previously by Denis O’Shaughnessy.
 
This Wednesday evening will be a special occasion for those who reside in Southville-Gurteen Gardens in Ballinacurra. Residents Association chairman, Stephen Cleary, will put on display at a local hostelry the trophy awarded for being chosen as “the tidiest area in the whole of Limerick”.

For Stephen, his committee members, and many workers it is the culmination of months of extremely hard work in making the area look spick and span.

No doubt Stephen will be the recipient of many words of congratulations even from the one or two who took no part in any of the many clean-ups and lawn cuttings and who now glow in the success!

The phenomenon-to-be, Andy Lee, gave a buzz to the city on Monday morning, even if he was thousands of miles away in Florida. He flew back after a spell in Castleconnell, but in his wake left consternation as hundreds, possibly thousands, of people could not obtain tickets by 10am for his first professional fight in Limerick.

It was remarkable to see people standing in the biting cold and occasional showers to buy their tickets for a fight in which, at the time of writing, no opponent has been named.

It is testimony to Lee’s popularity that such is the case.