Local Notes: Bridge, Bingo, Irish Classes
Elphin set dancers U-14 B group competed in the county round of Ceol an Gheimhridh in Strokestown last weekend and are through to the Connacht round.
An 8K/5K fun walk/run in aid of Down Syndrome Roscommon will take place at Orchard Park, Elphin on Saturday, March 14th at 12 noon. Run or walk, all abilities welcome. Prizes for first male and female in 8k and 5k. Purple clothing optional. Admission €10/family. This event is supported by Elphin GAA healthy club.
Winners of the Garvey Cup competition on January 29th were: 1st, Margaret Quinn and Anne Lenehan; 2nd, Mary Cummins and Eamon Beirne; 3rd, Eithne Cryan and Maura Kelleher; 4th, Martina Morris and Myles Quinn.
Abbeycartron NS, Elphin is now accepting enrolments for all classes for the 2026/27 academic year. Registration forms are available by calling the school secretary on 07196 35385 or sending an e mail to abbeycartron.ias@eircom.net
The death occurred on February 1st, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, of Mr Thomas Joseph (Tom) Kelly, Lisboy, Elphin. Predeceased by his parents, Maureen and Tom, brother Alan, niece Mary and nephew Padraig. Tom will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving daughters, Aisling and Aoife and their mother Catherine; sisters, Mary, Margaret, Grace and Bernie; brothers, Paddy and John; much loved grandchildren, Méabh and Hugh; son-in-law, Gavin; sisters-in-law, Siobhan and Deirdre; brothers-in-law, Declan and John; cherished nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. Tom will be sadly missed by his neighbours and friends, many of whom loved to ramble to his house where there was always a great warm fire and a cheerful welcome. He loved the tradition of rambling and indeed the first rambling house in Elphin started in his kitchen many years ago before it found a home in the Tower Inn. He was a fine singer and a great storyteller. Following requiem Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Elphin on Wednesday he was laid to rest in the New Cemetery.
The death occurred on February 3rd, peacefully, in his 94th year, in the care of the staff at Sonas Cloverhill Nursing Home, of Mr Seamus McGrath, Cloghermore, Elphin. Predeceased by his parents, James and Bridget, brothers, Paddy and Vincent, sisters, Bridie, Margaret and Nancy and his recently deceased nephew, David (UK). Seamus will be sadly missed by his loving brother, John; sister, Kathleen (Hampton Hill, London); brother-in-law, Michael (Castlerea); nephews and nieces, Denise, Kathy, Nigel, Kevin, Ann Marie and Michelle; relatives, good neighbours and friends. Following Requiem Mass on Friday in the Church of the Holy Trinity, Kilmaryal Seamus was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
There is a fantastic line up of tutors for the Dr. John Stafford Tradfest. Amongst them are James Hogan, flute; Zoran Donohoe, Concertina; John Dwyer, whistle; Aoibhinn Lynch, button accordion; Seamus Brogan, traditional singing, Jason MacAonghusa, fiddle. Workshops will take place on Saturday February 21st. Booking is essential. Register on drjohnstafford@gmail.com. The Tradfest will take place from Friday, February 20th to Sunday, February 22nd in Elphin.
Celebrate the music and stories of Turlough O’Carolan, followed by the presentation of the inaugural Dr John Stafford Award for outstanding service to Irish traditional music in Roscommon on Saturday, February 21st at 7.30 p.m. in An Bothar Rua, Main St, Elphin. Join Mossie Martin, Niamh McGloin and John Wynne for an evening of music, poetry, storytelling and shared tunes — just as it would have been in O’Carolan’s time. Bring your instrument to join in, or sit back and enjoy. All are welcome.
The Piper's Cross Ceili Band , All-Ireland Champions, will play at the Dr. John Strafford Tradfest ceili at 9 p.m. on February 20th in Elphin Community Centre. Live music, raffle, light refreshments.
Thank you to everyone who supports our Monday bingo sessions. Bingo continues every Monday at 8 p.m. in Elphin Community Centre.
Huge congratulations to all dancing teams who competed in the county round of Ceol an Gheimhridh in Strokestown. All three teams U-11 and two U-14s are through to the Connacht round.
If you have any local news or items you wish to highlight in the local notes in the Herald please email parnell.deirdre@gmail.com.
Scrabbagh NS, Kilmore N41 N276 is currently enrolling pupils for 2026/27. The school will hold an open evening on Tuesday, February 17th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.. All are welcome. Enrolment packs are available from the school by calling 071 963 7245 or by e-mailing scrabbaghns@gmail.com.
Strokestown Town Team CLG held its AGM on Thursday, February 5th in the community centre. The following officer board was elected: chairperson, Rory Doyle; secretary, Declan Kavanagh; treasurer, Frank Hanly. The newly elected chairman, Rory Doyle, said the theme of his chairmanship for the coming year is “listening” and that he aims to listen to the views and concerns of all as development plans and projects for the town progress over the coming months and years. Congratulations to the new committee, thank you to the outgoing committee. The group looks forward to closely engaging with all as work progresses. The Town Team is open to new and returning members.
Would you be willing to provide companionship to an older person in the Strokestwn area? ALONE is seeking volunteers in the area. Full training and support provided. If interested, please apply via the ALONE website at www.alone.ie or for further information please contact them on volunteer@alone.ie or call 081 222024.
Irish language classes for adults continue in Cruachan Ai Centre, Tulsk (F45 HH51), every Wednesday, from 6.30 p.m., to 8 p.m.. This course is suitable for all levels with an emphasis on conversational Irish. Beginners welcome. This course is supported by Roscommon County Council and Boyle Municipal District. For further information contact Maire at (086) 6095402. Bigi linn.
There will be a coffee morning fundraiser for Palestine on Sunday, February 15th at 12 noon, in Kilbride Community Centre. Guest speaker will be human rights monitor, Lisa Kerr. More information at roscommon@ipsc.ie.
The Strokestown Assisted Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund Committee wish to thank most sincerely all those who supported, donated or gave prizes for the recent raffle, supplied food and anyone who helped in any way to make the recent table quiz in the Percy French Hotel an outstanding success. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.
The Roscommon Underwater Search and Recovery Unit would like to thank all who very generously supported the annual church gate collection. The organisation is very grateful for all the help, support and for the words of encouragement. A total of €407.50 was collected in Strokestown.
Roscommon LEADER Partnership in collaboration with Wageningen University is seeking host families in rural Roscommon to accommodate research students from June 5th to 19th. For more information, contact Anthony at (086) 9264868 or Sandra at (086) 0786882.
Mrs Cora Glover, Newtown, Strokestown, has been bereaved by the death of her father, Mr Micheal Hanly, Callow, Frenchpark, which took place at the Plunkett Nursing Unit, Boyle, recently. He was son of the late Mr Tom Hanly and of the late Mrs Winifred Hanly, Clashaganny, Tulsk. He was brother of Mr Percy Hanly (Lisroyne), He was predeceased by his wife, Mary; brother, Sheamus, and sister, Mona. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Bridget’s Church, Breedogue, and the interment followed in Kilnamanagh Cemetery. He is survived by his sons, Adrian, Tommy and Gary; daughters, Deirdre, Orla and Cora; brothers, Jackie and Percy; sister, Eileen; grandchildren, Karin, Katie, Chloe, Alanna, Micheal, Thomas, Amy, Emma Jane, Emily, Isabel, Grace, Sarahjane, Aoife and Dana; sons-in-law, Padraig, Joe and Richard; daughters-in-law, Ann, Elena and Michelle; brother-in-law, Jimmy and his wife Irene, nephews, nieces, extended family and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
The death took place on January 25th, in Melbourne, Australia, of Mr Patrick Joseph (P.J.) Dayton. A native of Strokestown, he was son of the late Mr Brian Dayton and of the late Mrs Mary Dayton (nee Mannion), Bumlin. He emigrated to Australia at a young age. He was predeceased by his parents and by his sister, Kathleen (USA). The funeral and interment took place in Melbourne. A Memorial Mass for the happy repose of his soul was celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown, on February 5th last. He is survived by his wife, Cathy; sisters, Marion, Pauline, Margaret and Bernadette and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
