Local Notes: Class Reunion, Harvest Mass, Men's Shed Fitness
Congratulations to newlyweds Elma and Gerard Gallagher who were married in St.Patrick’s Church, Granlahan followed by a wedding reception at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon. Pic: JanaPix
Call out to the Class of ‘76 , Convent of Mercy, Castlerea. Hard to believe that 50 years have slipped by since the class of ’76 walked the corridors of the Alma Mater! Wouldn’t it be great to a have a very informal get together to reminisce and catch up? The suggesting date is Saturday, November 28th in Castlerea. In order to get an idea of who is interested in the reunion call or text Kathleen Herbert at ( 086)1229421, Ann Finan at (086)3409104 or Bernie Freyne at (086)3994309 by November 6th.
The winning Bonus Ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for Wednesday, October 21st was 17. Winners of this were Mary & Paul Lafferty, Joe Devine, Emmet Featherstone, Junior McLoughlin, Frank McGuinness, and Kathleen Gunning. Each receive €100.
Congratulations are extended to Daniel Pugh who won a U-14 County Westmeath championship medal with Garrycastle recently when they defeated Shandonagh in the final. Daniel is a son of Paul and Michelle Pugh (nee Regan). He is a grandson of Paddy and Anne Regan, Cloonsuck, Castlerea. His mother, Michelle, played ladies football with Castlerea St. Kevin’s and county minor with Roscommon. His grandfather Paddy won a juvenile U-15 county championship with Castlerea in 1960 and runner up minor county in 1962. His uncle John won county championships with Castlerea U-12s in 1983, U-14 1985, U-16 1986 and minor 1988. His uncle Gene with St. Kevin’s won county championships U-16 1985, minor 1988, junior 1989/93 and intermediate 1992/93. Playing against Daniel in the final was Josh Scahill, grandson of Liam and Madeline Scahill, Ballindrimley, Castlerea and son of David. David won senior county championships with Castlerea St. Kevin’s in 2003/2009 and senior league in 2000/2001. He also won underage county championships. Josh is following in the footsteps of his older brothers, Daniel who plays senior football with Westmeath, Will who won an All-Ireland senior Colleges cup with Mullingar this year and DJ. His granduncle, the late John O’Mahony, gave great service to Mayo and managed Galway when they won senior All Ireland’s in 1998 and 2001.
Congratulations are extended to John Murphy, Cregaslin, Castlerea, who retired as a steward at Knock Shrine on Sunday, October 18th after 42 years of service. During that time he always carried out his duties in a most professional manner. He became a steward at Knock Shrine in 1984 and rarely missed a Sunday. During that time he made many friends. He was also very popular with the staff and clergy at Knock Shrine. His late father, John Joe Murphy who passed away in 1972, was also a steward at Knock Shrine for many years. Fr. Richard Gibbons, PP, at Knock thanked John for the great service he had given and him with a certificate, medal and a framed photo of Knock Shrine. John thanked Fr. Richard and all who had made him so welcome during his time at a steward. A successful businessman, he is a great man in the community of Castlerea and along with his wife Lilly, who is a retired nurse, have done many good deeds for people over the years and are still doing them.
Well done to former Castlerea St. Kevin’s player Dermot Lyons Jnr who did a fine job on refereeing the recent Roscommon county senior football final at Hyde Park between St. Brigid’s and Padraig Pearses. Well done also to his umpires Paddy Duignan, Noel Curran, Marty Connelly and Barry Regan who were on top of their game.
The death occurred of Marian Keegan, St. Patrick’s Street, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, on Sunday, October 11th, tragically. Predeceased by her parents John James and Celia. Deceased was a very kind and gentle person and a good neighbour. There was a great sense of shock in the town of Castlerea and the surrounding areas when word filtered through of Marian’s tragic passing. She was very well liked in the community. She was always very friendly and loved to have the chat with people. She was a nurse by profession and worked in St. Patrick’s Hospital, Castlerea, for many years and always carried out her duties in a professional manner. She was always very kind to the many patients she cared for over the years and was highly thought of by her employers and her fellow work colleagues. She loved her family and was a woman of great faith with a great devotion to Our Lady of Knock. Marian will be sadly missed by her brother, Séan; sister-in-law, Anne; niece, Shauna; nephews, Shane (Amanda), Jamie, Kevin (Amy) and Joseph; uncles, Johnny and Jimmy McGrath; aunt, Kathleen Dwyer (USA); cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends. Her remains were removed from her home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. John McManus with co-celebrants Fr. Kevin Reynolds and Fr. Chris Garret, Sligo, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. The eulogy was read by Shauna Keegan. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing and music of Carmel McLoughlin. Past members of St. Patrick’s Hospital nursing staff formed a guard of honour as her cortege was leaving the church. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Articles, photographs and reports for the annual magazine should be handed in to any member of the committee or emailed to the editor as soon as possible. The magazine has become an integral part of the community and makes a wonderful Christmas gift for the diaspora.
Keep fit classes commence on Tuesday October 27th for six weeks in the Community Centre. These classes are open to all and all are welcome.
The Dunmore Further Education and Training centre is offering health and fitness classes every Friday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.. These classes focus on practical nutrition, exercise and wellbeing strategies to help participants lead healthier and happier lives.
Williamstown increased its mark by a further 11 points, going from an already impressive 373 to an excellent 384 in the national Tidy Towns Competition. As a result, Williamstown now has the third highest mark in County Galway in its population category, which is Category A. Congratulations to all those involved locally in this great achievement, with the recent trend of having an increased mark year-on-year being continued yet again.
Regular contacts are being maintained with many members of the world wide diaspora, while visitors, including a number from overseas, continue to call to Templetogher. Sympathy to Ursula and the Hevican family, Farm on the death of Ursula’s sister, Imelda Nolan, Elphin; to Fiona and the Fleming family, Kildaree on the death of Fiona’s mother, Maureen Kelly, Glinsk; to the family, relatives and friends of the late Willie Naughton, Chequer Hill, Dunmore, whose passing evoked much sadness in the community, where he was a popular and much loved personality. His loss is felt in a special way among the members of Williamstown GAA Club, as Willie was an active member of the club family for many years. RIP Imelda, Maureen and Willie.
Warm congratulations to Sara Louise Lambe, Carraroe and Kieran Noone, Polredmond on their wedding on Friday last. Congrats also to Sara Louise’s parents, TJ and Helen Lambe, to Kieran’s parents, Seamus and Bea Noone, and to both families. TJ and Bea are both key members of the Heritage Society. You can see all the Heritage Society’s activities on the Facebook page - facebook.com/heritagewilliamstown
The annual calendar, a joint production between the Tidy Towns and Heritage Society, is now available and the very positive comments being received on the finished product from so many people are most encouraging. One of the advantages of having it available early is to facilitate those who wish to post copies abroad. This year's calendar, therefore, includes a nice mixture of new and old photos and some spectacular aerial photos from the RTÉ 1 Nationwide programme, broadcast in August. There has been, once again, a great response from the many sponsors, and thanks to all. The calendar is available in Sharkey's Spar, in SNJ Cafe (both Williamstown) or directly from Noel Finnegan (086 6086264) or Leo Finnegan (086 1603043).
There was a very large congregation present for the annual Harvest Thanksgiving Mass in St. Therese’s Church, Williamstown on Sunday last. With a comprehensive selection of farm produce of every description on display in front of the altar, the double theme of the Mass was - an expression of thanks for the abundance of food available, and the sharing of resources with the less fortunate.
