Local Notes: Cavan venue for All-Ireland semi-final, Card drive winners, Community Council
Tracey O’Brien, Trasa Curley and Claire Leahy, pictured at a St. Stephen’s Day bog walk fundraiser in Brideswell. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
Hundreds of supporters of the St Brigid's GAA Club from the parish of Kiltoom and Cam will descend on Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan, on this coming Sunday, January 4th, for the All-Ireland senior club semi-final clash between Brigid's and Scotstown of Monaghan. The game is scheduled to get underway at 3 p.m.. Scotstown won their fifth provincial title with a stirring three point victory over Kilcoo of Down in extra time. It will be Brigid's first club championship fixture to be played outside of Roscommon. They have played each of their provincial games to date at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park.
The death took place recently at South Westmeath Hospice of Mr Gerald (Gerry) Fitzgerald, Battery Heights, Athlone, who resided for most of his childhood years at Carrowloughin, Kiltoom. Aged 49, he had been in ill health a short time and he bore his illness with characteristic fortitude. He had been attached to the Irish Army at Custume Military Barracks, Athlone, for a number of years and his passing at an early age has come as a shock to his immediate and extended family, neighbours and circle of friends. Of a chatty and friendly disposition, he was an obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. He is survived by his wife, Jean; daughters, Elaine and Attrica and son, Aaron. He is also survived by brothers, sisters, six grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Monday, December 22nd, at Ss Peter and Paul, Athlone, burial took place in Coosan Cemetery.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Eimear Coyle, Johnny Hughes, Peter McHugh, Karen Keogh, Liam Grehan, Mrs Mary Doyle, Mrs Eithne Leonard, Mrs Marian Grehan, Michael Doyle, Michael Duffy, Mrs Maureen Duffy, Padraic Seery and Mrs Sarah Seery.
Ms Helen O'Brien, St Ruth's Farmhouse, Milltown, Kiltoom, whose passing took place on Sunday, December 14th, at her residence, was nationally known in the Irish hotel and farm guesthouse sector for over 50 years. Aged 94 on March 28th last, she managed the Ballincar House Hotel at Rosses Point, Sligo, from 1972 to 1990 and had a considerable customer base when she began her farm guesthouse in her native parish in 1990. Of an affable and friendly disposition, her undoubted business acumen and care and concern for her guests meant that repeat business came her way in abundance. She remained active in the sector up until the sheepdog trials in the area this past year and many of her guests over the decades expressed condolences with the extended O'Brien family over the past three weeks. Helen delighted in the company of others and enjoyed card playing, reading avidly and widely and gardening as her main hobbies. She also had a lifelong fondness for household pets and had a major interest in animal welfare issues generally. Devoted to her extended family, she was also noted for her neighbourliness in her residential catchment and she enjoyed friendships with a wide age range. A deeply religious person, her innate decency and integrity was always to the fore and she espoused Christian values by personal example. She also supported a wide range of charitable causes and bequests with typical self-effacement over the decades. A member of a farming family of two boys and three girls, she is survived by one brother, Tom, Milltown, and one sister, Mrs Ita Harrington, Grange, Curraghboy. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on Wednesday, December 17th cremation took place at Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy.
Martin McEnroe, Newtowncarbery, Baylough, Athlone, and formerly of Brideswell, has been bereaved by the recent death of his brother, Thomas McEnroe, Coosan, Athlone, which took place at Tullamore Regional Hospital. Aged 73, he was a native of Ava Maria Rowe, the Batteries, Athlone and was an engineering instructor with FAS for a number of years. Of a friendly and jovial disposition, he was held in high esteem by his work colleagues and all those who made his acquaintance. Devoted to his immediate and extended family, he was an obliging neighbour and reliable friend. An avid sports enthusiast, he was a skilful golfer and a lifelong following of the GAA scene and soccer scene generally. He is survived by his wife Eileen, (nee McManus, Coosan); son, Paul and daughters, Barbara, Adeline and Collette. He is also survived by brothers, Brendan, Coosan; Martin; Paddy, Sligo, Michael, Strandhill, Sligo; sister, Mrs Irene Dolan, Coosan; nine grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Coosan, burial took place in Coosan Cemetery.
The 20 members of the newly elected Taughmaconnell Community Council for the upcoming three year term will be made public at the January meeting of the council on Tuesday, January 13th, in Taughmaconnell Community Centre at 8 p.m.. Voting papers were issued to residents of each station area in October. The Community Council was formed in Taughmaconnell in 1980 and over the past 45 years the council has coordinated a number of community initiatives and projects in Taughmaconnell Parish.
The marriage took place recently at the Kilnessan Hotel, County Meath, between Eoin Cunniffe, younger son of Gerard and Michelle Cunniffe, Famore, Kiltoom, and Roisin Walshe, daughter of Larry and Kate Walshe, Ashford, County Wicklow. The bride was given away by her father. The civil ceremony was performed outdoors at the hotel by the registrar. The bestman was Daniel Cunniffe, brother of the groom and the groomsman was Ross Willis, friend of the groom. The bridesmaids were Niamh and Patti Walshe, both sisters of the bride. The groom is performance director with Irish Men's Hockey and the bride is a doctor. The couple will reside in Dublin.
