Local Notes: Bicentenary of St Patrick's Church, 'Novo Notes' choir wins singing award and Jessica heading to Cambodia
Olivia and John Dolan at the recent Clann na nGael dinner dance in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin
The bicentenary of St Patrick's Church, Dysart, will be marked in late August with Dr Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Achonry presiding over ceremonies in the church. The church was built in 1825, which was three years prior to Catholic Emancipation. The church re-opened on Friday, March 21st, to facilitate the Sacrament of Confirmation following a two month closure period during which its interior underwent a complete refurbishment. A carpet floor covering was put in and the interior was also freshly painted. The exterior of the church, which is located on the Ballyforan road exit from the village, will be freshly painted prior to the late August ceremonies.
Line dancing returns to the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on successive Mondays. Beginners at 7 p.m. and regular class at 8. 15 p.m..
There will be a cake sale in the Parish Hall, Ballybay, Kiltoom, and St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy after Sunday Masses on April 6th to part fund a Kiltoom student parishioner who is travelling to Cambodia for five weeks to volunteer with UCD Volunteers Overseas in the MOEI education project. Jessica Collins, is a first year music-film and drama student in UCD and her role within the project is to teach English to students attending local and free community schools. Her aim is to provide an interactive and enjoyable learning environment for all students. She will be covering her own expenses for the trip inclusive of flights, vaccinations and various other costs and the donations from the general public will go straight to this wonderful cause.
The death took place on Sunday, March 9th, at University College Hospital, Limerick, of Mr Frank McKevitt, Dovea, Thurles, who was a native of Famore, Kiltoom. The deceased was in his 91st year and he had been in ill health a short time. He was the proprietor of a supermarket in Thurles for a number of decades and he was noted for his undoubted business acumen, tact and discretion in all his dealings with the general public. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was a most obliging neighbour and reliable friend. An avid sports enthusiast, he was a keen follower of Gaelic games generally and the horse racing scene. He played club football at senior level with the St Brigid's (Kiltoom and Cam) GAA Club in the late fifties and early sixties and he won three senior county championships with the club. the club. He retained many friendships with club personnel over the decades and was a lifelong follower of the fortunes of club teams. Predeceased nine years by his wife Marion, he is survived by sons, Paul and Dave and daughters, Orla and Maeve. He is also survived by one brother, Paddy, Famore, Kiltoom; sister, Mrs Kathleen Quinn, Terenure, Dublin; ten grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass in Thurles Cathedral the burial took place in Thurles.
For the second successive year a choir drawn from the staff of Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical plant at Monksland has taken first place in an annual choral competition in Galway. The 15 member choir known as "Novo Notes" was declared the overall winner in the workplace section at the Choir Factor competition in St Nicholas Church recently. The Choir Factor event raised funding for the SCCULL Sanctuary in Clarinbridge, Galway, which provides therapeutic support for people living with conditions such as cancer, Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s and MS. The NovaNotes singers beat off competition from five other choirs, including groups from Medtronic and Fidelity Investments. NovaNotes won the same competition last year when the Monksland facility was operated by Alkermes and the group performed as the Alkermes Allego choir. The choir also took first place in 2019. The choir has performed together since 2017 and the main goal of its members is to have fun and switch off for a while and enjoy the wellbeing benefits singing brings. Currently the choir has 15 members and the number fluctuates depending on how busy the plant is at any given time. The singers rehearse every Monday and twice a week in the run up to a performance. They perform songs from a variety of genres, including popular music, folk music, musical theatre and traditional music. The choir has been supporting SCULL since 2017 and is delighted to be associated with this worthy causes.
The Drum Apostolic Work Group will hold its annual Easter raffle for food hampers on Good Friday, April 18th. All proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to Irish Missionaries. Lines are €2 each or three lines for €5. There are also knitted Easter chickens on sale in various shop outlets at €3 each or two for €5. For additional information on the raffle or the Easter chickens contact Margaret at 0906437170 or Colette at 0906437123.
A new block of chair yoga classes commenced at Moore Community Hall from Thursday, March 20th. The classes run from 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.. Those interested in joining the classes should contact Niamh for more information at 0879041707.
Mrs Kathleen Coffey, Rosscahill, Galway, whose passing took place on Monday, March 17th, at University College Hospital, Galway, was sister of Pat Goode, Derrylahan, and Mrs Nancy Turley, Dolanstown. The deceased was in her nineties and she had resided at Clonshask, Oldtown, Moore, for a period. Following Mass of the Resurrection in St Mary's Church, Moore, on Friday, March 21st cremation took place at Shannon Crematorium.
The committee with overall responsibility for the development of the new carpark and sensory garden in the environs of the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom, will hold a collection to defray the cost of ongoing maintenance this weekend, Saturday/ Sunday, April 5th and 6th. The insurance and gardening for the facility amounts to circa €2,500 per annum. The support of parishioners would be greatly appreciated.
Despite bids for other locations by Fianna Fail groups, Roscommon Ogra Fianna Fail under the chairmanship of Brideswell native, Malachy Hand, has secured the Ogra Fianna Fail National Youth Conference for County Roscommon and it will take place on April 11th and 12th in the Hodson Bay Hotel. The event will bring together over 500 delegates, members and supporters to discuss and debate a range of topics. The guest of honour will be the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin. Ogra Fianna Fail is marking 50 years since the organisation was founded by then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch and Seamus Brennan.
A general meeting of Kiltoom Community Alert will take place on this Thursday, April 3rd, in the Parish Hall, Ballybay, Kiltoom, at 9 p.m.. All those interested in Community Alert are invited to attend.
The AGM of the Moore Active Retirement Group will take place on Monday, April 7th, at 8 p.m. in Moore Community Hall. New members are welcome to come along and join the group.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Jimmy Keenan, Padraig Harney, Enda McHugh, Johnny Hughes, Brian Fallon, Mrs Marian Grehan, Mrs Marian Kell, Mrs Patricia Staunton, Paddy Dolan, Kevin Donnelly, Mrs Eithne Leonard, Alfie Gately, Donie Brennan and Eamon Ward.
The AGM of the Roscommon branch of the Retired Nurses Association will be held in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, on Monday, April 14th at 11 a.m.. All members welcome.
Join RWN CycleUp Textiles to create your very own upcycled textile wreath on Sunday, April 6th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Riverside Centre, Athleague, F42 K685, €15 per adult and €10 for 12–17yr olds accompanied by an adult. All materials provided – just bring your creativity. Book now on cycleup.ie/training or call or text 089 986 8217.
