Local Notes: Community Easter Egg hunt, Roscommon Men's Choir concert and recent deaths
Castlerea Crusaders paid a visit to Paddington Bear in Westport after members participated in the full and half marathon and 10km on a sunny Saturday in Westport.
A Community Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Happy Feet Childcare, will be held on Saturday, April 19th in the Demesne. Tickets, €5 per child – available now on Eventbrite. Follow the trail, collect your clues, and claim your chocolate Easter Egg at the finish line. The day will also include face painting, coffee cart for the grown-ups, playground fun. Start times are 10.30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.. The times are staggered to avoid crowding. The hunt finishes beside the playground. Tickets must be bought in advance – no sales on the day. One ticket per child, adults do not need a ticket. Please bring your own basket.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s Lotto for April 2nd was number 11. Winners of this week’s lotto were Damien Garvey Liam Callaghan, Larry Keaveney, Michael O’Connell, and Rose Callaghan. Each receive €100.
The Friday Social Group takes place on the first Friday of every month in Castlerea Library. This is a lovely group where you can have a chat and a cup of tea and get to know people in the Castlerea community.
The death occurred unexpectedly at her home on Wednesday, March 26th of Miss Anna Flynn, Maple Road, Wedgewood Estate, Sandyford, Dublin 16, and late of The Square, Castlerea. A retired member of An Garda Siochána, she was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Elizabeth. Deceased was a member of a very highly respected Castlerea family who have been in business in Castlerea since 1945. They were in business in Boyle prior to 1945. Anna was a retired member of An Garda Siochána. She joined in the early 1960s and was the 30th female in the country to join. She passed out from the Garda Training College, Phoenix Park, Dublin, in 1962 and her first post was Store Street, Garda Station, Dublin. On the same day as her passing out, Michael O’ Regan, who now lives at Knockroe, Castlerea, and who later served as a member of An Garda Siochána in Castlerea for over 30 years, also passed out and was also assigned to Store Street with Anna. Anna retired in 1991 after 29 years of service, a service of which she was proud. Anna, like all the Flynn family, was steeped in music. Her brother, Tom, is the longest member of the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band (he joined in 1953). She was a member of the Dublin Symphony Orchestra and sang in the church choir during her lifetime in Dublin, and at many concerts. Gifts brought to the altar before her funeral Mass included a fiddle to symbolise her love for music, her cap symbolising her 29 years as a member of An Garda Siochána, a photo of her graduation from the garda college, a photo of her from her happy childhood in Castlerea, a prayer book and rosary beads symbolising her deep faith and her love of the Church and her devotion to Our Lady. She will be sadly missed by her brothers, Tom and Robbie; sister, Angela; nieces and nephews, Deval, Celine, Robert and Alan and their partners; sister-in-law, Sarah, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home, on Monday, March 31st to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Chris Garrett burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. At the beginning of Mass, her niece Derval introduced the gifts. Her grandniece Kelly read the Communion reflection. Before the final blessing, her nephew Alan gave a eulogy on Anna’s life. Her grandniece, Kelly on trumpet, with Castlerea Brass and Reed Band, Band leader Richard Thompson on the drum performed the Eucharistic salute. The Castlerea Church Choir provided the singing and music with director Clare Kelly and organist Enna Conry. Danny Burke, a friend of the family spoke at the graveside and sang ‘When Irish eyes are smiling’. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
The death occurred peacefully on Monday, March 24th at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, of Mr Edward (Ted) Flynn, Cloonkeen, Castlerea. He was predeceased by his parents, Timothy and Rose. Deceased was a very quiet and inoffensive person and a man of great faith and had a great devotion to the church in Castlerea and spent many hours there in the Adoration Chapel and doing his stations of the cross. He also made many trips to Lourdes and Medjugorje with his great friend, the late Eddie Kelly, Knockroe. Indeed, Eddie taught him to play the fiddle and tin whistle. He was a farmer by trade, and he also used to repair tractors at his home. He was a good neighbour, and he will be sadly missed by his loving sisters and brother, Mary (London), Pat (Castlerea) and Catherine (London); brother-in-law, Tony and sister-in-law, Eileen; nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. His remains were removed from McDonagh’s Funeral Home on Thursday morning to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing of the Castlerea Church Choir with organist Ena Conry under director Clare Kelly. His cortege was led to the Church and cemetery by a tractor driven by Jamie Webster, his neighbour. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The Castlerea Community School First Year boys’ team sponsored by Cahill’s SuperValu defeated St. Cuan’s in the quarter-final of the Connacht Colleges Division (D) Championship at Enfield, Ballintubber on Monday, March 31st on the score of 9-16 to 8-4. This was a high scoring game with both teams putting some fine moves together and taking some fine scores. Castlerea will now play Davitt College, Castlebar, in the semi-final in the Centre of Excellence, Bekan, on Friday, April 11th at 10.30 a.m. Team and Scorers: Aaron Cryan, James Hanley, R. Durr (cpt), Aaron Hayes, Kyle Lyons, Diarmuid Fleming, David Walsh, Alex Doyle 0-1, Rory Hawkshaw 1-4, Nik Knapkis 0-1, Ciaran Higgins 0-1, Wiktor Dabrduski 1-0, Issac Lafferty 0-1, Ethan Neary 6-5, Evan Kelly 1-3, subs used Andre Mupfurc and Amaan Satter. Team manager, Paul Gooney with Danny Burke.
The members of the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band would like to extend sympathy to the Flynn family, The Square, Castlerea, on the recent passing of Anna Flynn.
The late Cllr Tony Waldron started the Rambling House and got ALONE and Suck Valley Way involved. In a fitting tribute to his memory, a Rambling House will be held on Sunday, April 20th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Kenny’s Lounge, Ballintubber. Also remembered will be the late Gerry Burke, accordion player who passed away on St. Patrick's Day. Gerry loved the Rambling House sessions and will be missed. The Rambling House sessions will live on and continue to take place in various venues to encourage people to come together in rural communities. The sessions are relaxed, inclusive and fun. Come along and share your music, songs, dancing or poetry. Everyone is welcome. Tea and coffee will be served and there will be a children’s corner with art and Lego.
The countdown is on to this special event. Castleplunkett Development Association is delighted that the Roscommon Men’s Choir will be joined by the wonderful Laura Kearney as a special guest at the upcoming gig in The Trinity Arts Centre, Castlerea on Saturday, April 12th. The event will take place at 8.30 p.m. with doors open from 8 p.m. Tickets are €20 each and available on Eventbrite, on the door on the night, or from any committee member. All proceeds will go towards the development of the amenity site in Castleplunkett village. This event is kindly sponsored by: James Flanagan & Sons, Tulsk and Padraig Cryan Blocklaying Ltd. Get your tickets and come along for a fantastic night of entertainment.
Sincere Sympathy is extended to Philip and Keith Raftery, their partners and extended family on the passing of their mother, Fina who passed away on Tuesday, April 1st. Predeceased by her husband, J.P and her father Joe, Fina's Funeral Mass took place in St. Paul's Church, Kilmurry, on Saturday, April 5th followed by cremation afterwards in Lakeland Crematorium, Cavan. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Rossie Ramble Fundraiser: Sincere thank you to all who supported the club's Rossie Ramble Draw in the Claddagh Ring, London. Funds raised will go towards fencing, walkway and lighting around the club's new training pitch. Winners of the Rossie Ramble Draw were as follows: 1st, John Dillon; 2nd, Cathal O'Rourke; 3rd, Cathal Brady; 4th, Padraig Scott; 5th, Thomas Franz Osterman; 6th, Marty McNeill; 7th, Eimear Miley; 8th, Mark Maxwell; 9th, Dervla Flanagan; 10th, Veronica Nally. Congratulations to all prize-winners and thank you once again to all who contributed towards making this fundraiser a great success.
Holy Week ceremonies will take place as follows: Holy Thursday, April 17th, Mass in Kilmurry at 8p.m.; Good Friday, April 18th ceremonies in Tulsk at 3p.m.; Holy Saturday, April 19th Mass in Tulsk at 9p.m.; Easter Sunday, April 20th Mass in Kilmurry at 10a.m. and Tulsk at 11:30a.m..
