Local Notes: Church News, Fantasy Football, Active Age
The youngest Towey (Olivia four months) with Colm and Yvonne wishing Imelda Towey health and happiness in her retirement as she turned the key on Towey’s shop at Main Street, Ballaghaderreen last weekend. Pic: Liam Reynolds
The Cornerstone, Frenchpark is starting a web development course for beginners on Tuesday, April 14th. This will be a completely free course, but places are limited and fill up fast. To secure your spot call 094 987 0340 during office hours (Monday to Thursday, 9.30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and Fridays, 9.30 a.m.-1 p.m.).
Mr Donal Moran, Lisacurkia, Tibohine and formerly of Lisdrumneil, Fairymount, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1st last. A highly regarded member of the community, Donal was predeceased by his father, Tom, mother, Jane, brothers, Tommy, Peter, Vincent, and Brian and his sisters, Maura, Ita, Nancy, and Carmel. He will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife, Patsy; daughter, Orla (James); sons, Patrick, Derek (Melissa) and Jonathan (Triona); brother, Gerry; grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. His remains will be removed from the Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen to St. Beithin’s Church, Tibohine on Tuesday evening (today). Following Mass of the Resurrection on Wednesday, March 4th at 11.30 a.m. Donal will be laid to rest in Fairymount Old Cemetery.
The death occurred suddenly of Mrs Kathleen Cunningham, Newbridge, County Galway and formerly of Tibohine on Saturday, February 21st last. The late Mrs Cunningham (née Ryan) was predeceased by her husband, Mattie, mother, Bridget, father, Kevin and her three sisters, Pearl (Connor), Marian (Hora) and Joan (King). Kathleen (80) will be deeply missed by her heartbroken children, David and Catriona; her brothers, Patsy (Tibohine) and Kevin (Birmingham); son-in law, Eugene Carney; grandchildren, James and Eoin; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed from Cunningham's Funeral Home, Newbridge, Ballinasloe to St. Patrick's Church, Newbridge on Wednesday evening last. Following Requiem Mass on Thursday, February 26th, burial took place afterwards in Killyan Cemetery.
Pray for the repose of the souls of Mr Manuel Jose de Souza, Brazil (father of Diane Smyth, Buckhill Fairymount), Mr Padraig Lavin, Ballymore, Boyle (cousin of the Casserly, Regan, Mearon & Corcoran families, Fairymount), Mr Tom McDermott, Corskeagh, Frenchpark and Mr Neil Sedaka, Los Angeles, California. May they rest in peace.
Masses will be held in Tibohine Church at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (3rd), Frenchpark at 7 p.m. on Thursday (5th), Ballinagare at 7 p.m. on Friday (6th), Frenchpark at 11 a.m. Tibohine at 6.30 p.m., Ballinagare at 8 p.m. on Saturday (7th) and in Frenchpark at 10 a.m.. Fairymount at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday (8th). Visits to the sick and housebound will take place in Fairymount and Tibohine on this Thursday (5th) and Frenchpark & Ballinagare on Friday, March 6th.
A parish mission will be held in Frenchpark Church on Tuesday/Wednesday, March 10th/11th commencing at 7 p.m. on both nights. It will be led by Fr. John Keane and Deacon Don Devaney (Divine Mercy). On Tuesday (10th) at 7 p.m. the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration will take place in preparation for the Healing Mass on Wednesday, March 11th at 7 p.m.. Tea/coffee and refreshments will be served afterwards in Frenchpark Hall. All welcome.
St. Mary’s NS, Ballinagare is currently collecting bottles and cans as part of a Return Scheme fundraiser. If you have any bottles and/or cans with the Return logo, kindly place in the Return bin in the shelter. Your support would be much appreciated.
Fairymount National School commenced accepting enrolments for Junior Infants for the 2026/2027 school year on Monday, March 2nd last. A copy of the school’s admission policy and application form for admission will be available on request by emailing info@fairymountns.ie or by writing to the Principal, Fairymount NS, Fairymount, Castlerea. The closing date for applications will be Friday, May 3rd next.
The Frenchpark Ladies Group would like to thank all guests who attended their very successful party held on Sunday, February 15th last in Frenchpark Parish Hall. Thank you to everyone for their generous donations and gifts in support of the raffle. It was greatly appreciated and contributed towards creating yet another memorable occasion for the local community. Many thanks also to our local businesses who supported this event.
Western Gaels held its weekly lottery draw on Saturday, February 28th last. There was no jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 19, 24, 27 and 31. Cash prize winners (€20 each) were Gary Beirne, Melissa Casserly, Gerry Cummins, Adrian/Fiona Drury and Fiona Quinn. The next draw (jackpot €6,900) will take place at the clubhouse in Frenchpark on this Saturday, March 7th. Tickets are available on-line through the Clubforce app or from local outlets.
Angela East, professional florist, will host an Easter flower demonstration in Fairymount Hall on Friday, March 27th next. Further details to follow.
A 25 card nigh is held on Thursday evenings from 8.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Tibohine Community Centre, €2 per person to keep the lights on. All welcome.
Details – QPR, 1660; Meadowbank, 1601; Luton, 1589; Cambridge, 1580; Luke, 1577; Rovers, 1458; Livingston, 1367; The Gaels, 1347; Westlife, 1327; Gunners, 1247.
If you have any local news or items to highlight, please email to qprlodge@hotmail.com
The newly founded Killaraght Active Age is hosting a public meeting at 8 p.m. on March 5th in Killaraght Community Centre where the guest speaker will be Sergeant Cara Kiernan, crime prevention officer, Sligo-Leitrim Garda Division. The presentation will cover home security, scam awareness, personal safety and community crime prevention and will be followed by a question and answer session. Admission is free and all are welcome.
The death took place on Monday, February 23rd at Sligo University Hospital of Mr Andy Joe McDonagh, Mount Irwin, Gurteen. News of his passing was received with great sadness as he was a well-liked and popular member of the community. He took part in farming all his life and had a keen interest in horses -always having a few around to look after. He adjudicated at some of the shows over the years. His remains reposed at the family residence on Thursday and Friday evenings and were removed to St. Patrick's Church on Friday evening. Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Saturday by Fr. Joe Caulfield PP with the burial afterwards in Gurteen Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Martha; son, David (Irene); daughters Rena (David), and Noelle (Mark); grandchildren, Deirdre, Joanne, Oisin and Liam; his sisters Ann and Linda, and extended family and friends.
The death took place on February 24th of Mrs Imelda Donnelly (nee Lloyd) of Boyle and Mohill, a sister of Irene Drury, Mahanagh. Sympathy to her son, Lloyd, daughters, Valerie and Adrienne and their families. Also to Irene, sisters and brothers and families. May she rest in peace.
Yoga classes on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in Gurteen Hall -open to men and women. Beginner friendly and new members welcome. For more information contact Kathleen at 087-9560778.
Gurteen Active Age group meets on Mondays from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen and new members are welcome.
Thank you from Rise and Shine Trust (formerly Irish Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust) for €324 - Gurteen and €89 Cloonloo - church gate collections. The Trust brings hundreds of children and youths to Lourdes for the week after Easter Sunday. Well done to all concerned.
Achonry Pioneer dinner dance takes place on Friday, March 20th at 8 p.m. in the Yeats County Inn, Curry. Music by The Duets. Tickets €40 p.p. To book contact Thomas 087-2344338.
Well known musicians Catherine McEvoy, Edel McWeeney and friends will be in concert in the Coleman Music Centre on this Saturday, March 7th at 8 p.m. To book ring 071-9182599.or email www.colemanirishmusic.com EASTERN HARPS The 50/50 draw for Eastern Harps on February 23rd was won by Ethna Sharkey, Gurteen, €589. Well done Ethna. The club appreciates all who take part each week.
The Gurteen Celtic draw had no jackpot winner last week - numbers drawn were 5,16,17,28 and the winner of the €50 was Ciaran O'Dowd, Rathmadder. This week’s lotto is €5,300 and will be held in Roisin Dubh.
Bingo is held in Gurteen Hall on Fridays at 8 p.m.- jackpot next Friday night is €2,300 in forty six calls or less. The Lotto jackpot is €200.
