Local Notes: Castlerea Crusaders, junior and senior finals and sympathies expressed
In the bag – Leon Konieczka and Piotr Wator from St Paul’s Boys National School in Castlerea show off their Chemistry in a Bag experiment. The students were visiting the Chemical Sciences Department at University of Limerick. The visit was a prize won by the school at the STEMtacular STEM fair, an initiative set up to promote engagement with science in Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, Cavan and Sligo.
The summer opening times for Castlerea outdoor swimming pool have been announced. The 2025 season begins on Wednesday, June 18th and runs until Sunday, August 31st. The opening hours are as follows: Wednesday to Saturday – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 4 p.m, 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.; Sunday – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.. There will be an adult only session from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays. There will be a one lane swim during all sessions. Aqua Aerobics will be held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11.15 a.m. to 12 p.m.. For pool hire and swimming lesson enquires contact Konrad on (094) 9620459.
Following the very successful AGM of Castlerea Musical Society on June 11th in Tully’s Hotel, the following officers for 2025/2026 were elected: President, Mary Heaney; Chairperson, Frances Cooke; Vice-Chairperson, Clare Kelly; Secretary, John Mitchell; Treasurer, Connie Gannon; PRO, Pat McDonnell / Austin Waldron; other committee members, Angela Webb, Valerie Campbell, Lucy Madden, Ciara Mahoney, Romy Madden, Julie Mannion. The meeting was attended by a large number of existing and new members, which all were delighted to see. The highlight of the night was the announcement of next year’s show, Oklahoma, which will be staged in April 2026.
The annual church gate collection in aid of the assisted pilgrim section of the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place on Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd at all churches in County Roscommon. This year 35 assisted pilgrims from the diocese will travel to Lourdes and all monies collected at church gates will be used to help defray the costs of this section of the pilgrimage. Please support this very worthy cause.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for June 11th was number 14. Winners of this week’s lotto were Patrick O’Connor, Barry Egan Jamie Flannery, Padraic Gorham, and Mathew Masterson. Each receive €100.
The Castlerea Crusaders are getting stronger at Just Go Fitness in Castlerea—a gym that specialises in small group personal training focused on real results. Coach Peter Turner, a member of Castlerea Crusaders AC, said: “Whether you’re into strength and conditioning, just go sweat, flow, or hyrox, there’s a class for everyone. With sessions running from 6 a.m. to 12 noon and again from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. it’s easy to ‘fit’ fitness into your schedule.” Peter also highlighted the gym’s community spirit, adding: “It’s not just about training—it’s about connection. Just Go regularly hosts events, hikes, and fun, active days out for friends and families.” One event coming up soon is the Run with the Roses 5km, happening on Sunday, July 27th at 9.30 a.m. starting from The Hub in Castlerea and organised by Castlerea Crusaders AC.
The St. Paul’s NS junior and senior league finals for the late Paddy Bruen Shield and the late John F. Glavey Cup will take place in the school ground on Wednesday, June 18th at 12 noon.
The death occurred peacefully on Wednesday, June 4th surrounded by his loving family and in the loving care of Fearna Manor Nursing Home, Castlerea, of Mr Eamon Connally, Southpark, Castlerea. He was predeceased by his parents, Pat and Agnes and brother Padraig. Deceased was a quiet, gentle, witty and inoffensive person, a good neighbour and a man who always took time to talk to people both young and old. He was a farmer by trade and a great judge of cattle and always took great pride in his stock. Beyond his own farm Eamon was one of the founders of Castlerea Mart back in 1976. He gave over 40 years’ service working as a clerk in the mart and was highly thought of by both managers. He worked under Noel Moran and Brendan Egan. His fellow work colleagues all had great time for him. When word filtered through of his passing on Wednesday, June 4th, the next day at the mart sale Mr Brendan Egan, manager of the mart spoke highly of him to the large crowd of customers present and a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect. Eamon was a great supporter of the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band and travelled with them on many of their trips to the USA, London, Manchester and Birmingham. He was a very knowledgeable person and had a great interest in sport. He loved to socialise and used to look forward to the mart staff outing every year. He had great devotion to Our Lady of Knock and Our Lady of Lourdes. He will be sadly missed by his sister, Mary Templeman (UK); brother-in-law, Robert; niece, Louise; nephew, Andrew; cousins, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. His remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. John McManus, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. Before the final blessing John McDermott, a member of the Castlerea Mart Committee, gave the eulogy on Eamon’s life. The ceremony was enhanced by the Castlerea Church Choir under Director Clare Kelly with organist Ena Conroy. Members of the Castlerea Mart Committee formed a guard of honour at the removal. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The death occurred peacefully at home on June 6th, surrounded by his loving family, of Mr Sonny (Nicholas) O’Grady, Cloontrask, Castlerea and formerly Urlingford, County Kilkenny. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Julie-Ann, brothers, Paddy and Micheal. Deceased was a very kind and gentle person and a good neighbour. He was a top-class carpenter and worked in the UK for many years where he met his wife, Mary. They married in 1961 and moved back to Cloontrask when he retired in 2000. He had a great interest in life and was a great family person. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always loved the family gatherings. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and he will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Mary; daughters, Nuala McNeely (London), Carmel Rogers (London), Catherine Beacroft (Essex), and Tish Garvey (London); grandchildren, Christopher, Sarah, Rosie, Emma, Nick, Holly, Jack, Jake, Georgie and Josh; great-grandchildren, Liliella, Evie, Harper, Mia, Maddy and Cian; brother, Brian (London); sisters Vernoica Dowley (Wexford), Kathleen Connelly (Castlerea), and Mary Bridget Hamilton (London); sons-in-law, Joe, Steve, Geroge and Pat; brothers-in-law, John, Michael, Roy; sister-in-law, Margaret O’Grady; extended family, neighbours and friends. His remains were removed from his home on Wednesday, June 11th to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds, cremation took place at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Dublin. Before the final blessing, his daughter Nuala gave a eulogy on Sonny’s life. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing and music of Carmel McLoughlin. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The death occurred peacefully on Saturday, June 7th, surrounded by her loving family, in the wonderful care of Roscommon Hospice of Mrs Nancy Grealis (nee King), Main Street, Castlerea. She was predeceased by her daughter Jacqueline and her parents Tom and Delia. Deceased was a very kind, gentle and jolly person, a most obliging neighbour, who also had great time for people. With her husband Paddy and family they ran the Swift Dry Cleaning beside the old Post Office in Castlerea for 37 years and anyone who frequented the business was always attended to with a friendly smile. Indeed, they often went beyond the call of duty to oblige their customers. Nancy was a character in her own way and very witty. She was a great woman for lighting candles for people who were sick. She was also a great family person and loved family gatherings. She also loved doing puzzles every day and had a great devotion to Our Lady of Knock. She was a regular visitor to Mulvihill’s with members of her family for the Monday night card game to see how her husband Paddy was doing and of course she would have the little treat and a chat with those who were not playing cards, including her great friend Lilly Connell. She adored her seven grandchildren and loved when they would come to visit her. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and she will be sadly missed by her beloved husband of 60 years, Paddy; daughters, Nicola (Connell), Donna (McHugh), and Erika (Sweeney); sister, Kathleen Lowry (Ballaghaderreen); her seven adored grandchildren, Kelvin, Clive, Kianna, Derek, Kaleb, Leah and Lauren; sons-in-law, Seamus, Jim and Michael; brothers-in-law, Chris and Peter; godson and nephew, Ciaran; nieces, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. John McManus, cremation took place in Shannon Crematorium. The communion reflection was read by her niece Maura and before the final blessing her nephew Ciaran gave the eulogy. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing and music of Owen Kenny. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
