Local Notes: Cemetery Mass, Exposition, The Mayo Link
The untimely death of Mrs Susan Watson, Carrownderry, Kiltoom, in the care of the Claddagh and ICU wards of University Hospital, Galway, on Tuesday, July 21st, has caused profound sorrow and regent throughout South Roscommon and South Westmeath. Aged 41 on July 31st last year, she was the former Ms Susan Elliott, Tang, Ballymahon, and she had resided in Carrownderry, Kiltoom, since 2013. She had been in ill health for some time and she bore her illness with characteristic fortitude and resilience. She had been in the employment of the Hodson Bay Hotel, Kiltoom, latterly, and, prior to that, she worked at the Retreat Nursing Home, Athlone, and, in both work roles, she was deservedly popular with her work colleagues and the general public alike. She was a devoted wife to her husband Hubert and also a devoted mother to her four daughters. She was also a most obliging neighbour and a reliable friend to all those privileged to make her acquaintance. Her main hobbies were foreign travel, walking and gardening. She also had a lifelong love and interest in all animals and animal welfare, especially dogs. Her caring and compassionate nature saw her volunteer with the Order of Malta in Athlone for a number of years prior to marriage. A religious person, she supported a number of church linked activities and a range of charitable causes in the course of her short life. She is survived by her husband Hubert, a native of Carrownderry, Kiltoom, and daughters, Annie, (8); Emily, (7); Kate, (6); and Chloe, (5). She is also survived by her parents, Billy and Dolores Elliot, Tang; brothers, Brendan, Shane, Aaron and Billy; parents-in-law, Bertie and Mary Watson, Carrownderry; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following concelebrated Mass at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom, on Saturday, July 25th, the burial took place in Kiltoom Cemetery. The principal celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. The other celebrants were Rev. Goodwin Atede, CC, Tang; and Very Rev. Paddy Conlon, retired, the Pigeons, Athlone. They were assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy. The teaching staff at Ballybay National School, Kiltoom, formed a guard of honour outside the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on Saturday morning.
The annual Open Air Mass will be celebrated in Kiltoom Cemetery on this Saturday, August 8th, at 7 p.m.. The customary big attendance is anticipated.
There will be Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on this Friday evening, August 7th, at 7 p.m..
Hundreds of people attended the many and varied events in South Roscommon's most central village, Brideswell, over the weekend of July 24th to 26th inclusive to coincide with the annual pattern at the holy well of St Brigid. There was the customary big attendance at the open air Mass at 12.30 p.m. on Sunday and the traditional stations were recited at 4 p.m. on Sunday evening. The celebrants of the Mass were Very Rev. Michael Mc Manus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam, and Rev. Ronnie Madden, South Georgia, USA, currently on holiday in Ballinasloe. They were assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy. The weekend events in the village kicked off on Friday evening with an arts class and a magic show which was attended by a big number of children. The bog walk over 4km on Friday evening was a success. On Saturday, the farmers’ market and emergency services event were held throughout the afternoon. Two groups from Cork were among the participants in the road bowling event on Saturday evening and the half hour comedy play staged by the Roscommon Drama Group brought forth a favourable response from all attendees.
The annual Parish Camino from the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, to St Brigid's Holy Well via St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, attracted a big number of walkers of all ages. The marquee in the centre of the village was full to capacity on Sunday evening for the screening of the All-Ireland final between Mayo and Kerry. The Right Track band rounded off the events of the week-end on Sunday evening. The chairperson of the Brideswell Pattern Weekend Events Committee, Padraig Curley, Kieranstown, thanks the parish community and all those who supported the varied events over the weekend.
A big number of Mayo natives resident in South Roscommon celebrated Mayo's win over Kerry in the All-Ireland Final last week. Kiltoom was the birth place of the late Dr Mick Loftus, Crossmolina, who served as president of the GAA in the mid-eighties. He was born in the late 1920's while his father Martin Loftus was stationed as a Garda in the then Kiltoom Garda Station. According to the 1926 census, Martin Loftus, aged 26, and his wife Mary, aged 23, were resident in Kiltoom then. Dr Mick Loftus attended a number of GAA linked events hosted by the St Brigid's (Kiltoom and Cam) GAA Club. He also formally launched the St Brigid's Club history in the Prince of Wales Hotel, Athlone, in the mid-eighties while president of the GAA. The club history was penned by the late Michael Fayne, the Berries, Kiltoom, who was a native of Lower Ardmullen, Kiltoom. He held a number of administrative posts in the St Brigid's GAA Club including that of Public Relations Officer.
The marriage took place on Friday, July 24th, at St Patrick's Church, Dysart, between Keith McKiernan, younger son of Eddie and Sinead McKiernan, Ballykeeran, Athlone and Aine Meares, only daughter of Micheal and Ann Meares, Culleenirwan, Dysart. The bride was given away by her father. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass and papal blessing was performed by Very Rev. Francis Beirne, PP, Ballyforan, Dysart and Tisrara. The bestman was Simon McKiernan, brother of the groom, and the groomsmen were Adam O'Connor, Liam McAdam and Peter Parker, all friends of the groom. The bridesmaids were Aisling McKiernan, sister of the groom; Neasa Gately, Denise Moran and Aoife Healy, all friends of the bride. The lessons were read by Conor Meares and Cathal Meares, twin brothers of the bride. Hymns with musical accompaniment were rendered by the Irwin brothers, the Elms, Athlone. The reception was held at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon and the honeymoon is being spent in Greece.
