Local Notes: Biography launched, AGM details and SVP collection
Bernie Ward and Sinead Flanagan at the Castlerea St. Kevin’s organised walk on St. Stephen’s Day in aid of Parkinson’s Ireland, Roscommon branch. Pic: Liam Reynolds
Following on from the very successful Christmas Giving Tree projects over the last number of years, the Happy Feet afterschool club is once again giving back to the Castlerea community. Happy feet is collecting any unwanted Christmas gifts, chocolates, sweets, toys etc and all donations will be given directly to St.Vincent de Paul here in Castlerea. Items can be dropped off at either of the services in Knockroe or in Tarmon National School from Monday, January 12th – Friday, January 16th. For more information contact - Ashling 085 8680678.
The Castlerea / Trien Defibrillator Group will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, January 7th at 8 p.m. in d’Gaff, Barrack Street. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for December 31st was 26. Winners of this week’s lotto were Johnny Mahony, Mary Kelly, Erika Sweeney, Frank Regan, and Colm Coyne. Each receive €100.
The members of the Castlerea Lourdes Deanery, would like to extend sympathy to the Flanagan family, Foughill, Trien, Castlerea, on the passing of Mary Flanagan, which took place at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, on December 31st after an illness bravely borne. Mary was one of the founding members of the Castlerea Lourdes Deanery, in 1972, with the late Paddy Vaughan, Michael Giblin and M.J. Finnegan. Mary did trojan work, fundraising and travelling to Lourdes on many occasions to help with the sick on the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage. Her brother Gerry also travelled on the pilgrimage to help with the sick.
The Castlerea Brass and Reed band would like to extend congratulations to Francis and Marian Gannon on their recent retirement from their travel agency business, which they ran so professionally, for the last 31 years. They have looked after many trips for the band to the UK and USA over the years. Everything was done to perfection, and no stone was left unturned. The band would like to to thank them for all their help over the years, they will be missed. Wishing Francis and Marian health and happiness in the years ahead.
The trad night in Mulvihill’s on Sunday, December 28th, proved to be another great success, with the one and only king of music, Terry McGowan and his team of musicians and singers, Patsy Finan, Kevin Igoe jnr, Avril Cornwall, Francis Murray, William Cornwall, Jimmy Moore, David Cornwall, Pat Lyons, Michael White, and Margaret White. There were also some great songs from Amy Finan, of Crazy Corner fame, Sean Moran, of Mike Denver fame, whistler Junior McLoughlin, Danny Burke and Dixie Thompson of Celtic Cru fame and John Walsh. Overall, it was a great night’s entertainment for the huge crowd present, who are looking forward to the first trad night of 2026 on Sunday January 25th in Mulvihill’s, starting at 8 p.m..
The death occurred suddenly at his home on Sunday, December 14th of Mr Padraig Morgan, of Knockroe, Castlerea and formerly of Killerr, Ballintubber. Predeceased by his parents, John and Una, nieces, Tracey Brennan, and Lisa Higgins. Padraig was a kind and gentle person. He was well liked and came from a highly respected family. He loved to have the chat, smoke his pipe, and play his button key accordion. He will be sadly missed by his loving sisters, Bernie, Kathleen, Freda, Noreen, Joan and Pauline, auntie, Nora, brothers-in-law, Michael Joe, Derek, MJ, Ronald and Paul, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. His remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home, on December 19th to St. Brigid’s Church, Ballintubber and following Mass of the Resurrection burial took place in Ballintubber Cemetery. May his gentle soul Rest in Peace.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family and large circle of friends of Haulie Browne from Lisalway who passed away on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th. Funeral Mass took place in St. Paul's Church, Kilmurray on Wednesday, December 31st with burial afterwards in Toberelva Cemetery, Castleplunkett.
The club wishes all club members and supporters a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. Thank you for all your support on and off the field in the year gone by, including the Waxathon fundraiser and Tulsk to Lapland Challenge held over the Christmas holiday period.
The AGM of Tulsk GAA Club will take place on Saturday, January 17th in the clubrooms. Nominations and motions to club secretary Olivia Costello on secretary.tulsk.roscommon@gaa.ie or to Olivia Costello, Carrowkeel, Tulsk. All usual AGM rules apply.
Warmest greetings for a Happy, Healthy New Year to all members, associate members, the members of fellow community organisations, the public in general, the members of our neighbouring communities, the editor, management and staff of the Herald, and all readers everywhere. As ever, your great support for all projects during 2025 is greatly appreciated, and all look forward to a continuation of the same this year. Sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of the late Jo Cassidy (RIP), Ballintava, Dunmore (formerly Curragh West); also to the family, relatives and friends of the late Mary Flanagan, Foughill, Trien.
There were many favourable comments passed on how well Williamstown looked during the festive season, with the new Crib on the square, the carefully positioned circle of lights surrounding the crib, the lovely Christmas tree in the grounds of St Therese’s Church, the individual Christmas trees which many householders and businesses had attached to their buildings, and the numerous displays of Christmas lights in so many houses, all combined to create a unique Christmas atmosphere in the locality. The Christmas ceremonies in the Parish Church, which were well attended, were even more meaningful due to the consistently excellent performances by the church choir. Quite a number of people travelled home for the Christmas period, and to those who have yet to depart, safe travelling to all.
As in previous years, the production of the Williamstown 2026 Calendar, again a joint venture by Williamstown Tidy Towns and Williamstown Heritage Society, was a great success. In addition to all copies of the calendar being sold, the positive feedback being received about the production is a source of much encouragement to those involved. Warm thanks to those involved in the planning and in the selling of the calendar, to the generous sponsors and to all those who purchased the calendar in such great numbers. Thank you to the heritage section of Galway County Council for its grant aid towards the venture, a gesture which is greatly appreciated by all.
“The Puddler Poet, the Life, Times and Poetry of Michael McGovern”, the biography by the late renowned broadcaster, Jim Fahy of this almost forgotten local man, was launched so successfully in Williamstown Sports Complex in October. It was a memorable, unforgettable occasion with a huge crowd, from both sides of the Atlantic, in attendance. For those who have yet to get a copy of the biography, to which the feedback is very positive and complimentary, it is currently available at €20, from Sharkey’s Spar, SNJ Cafe, and the WDC office (all in Williamstown). It is also available in Books ‘n More and Pat Lane Shoes (both Tuam), Charlie Byrne’s bookshop and Kennys’ Bookshop (both Galway), Newsround (Roscommon), Mulvihill’s Newsagents (Castlerea) and Ballintubber Post Office. It can also be purchased via the online site “buythebook.ie” or directly from Leo Finnegan (086 1603043) or (finneganleo100@gmail.com). If there is postage/packaging involved, the costs are €6 (Ireland), €12.50 (UK) and €20 (USA).
