Local Notes: Darkness into Light Launch, Ms Ireland, Alone
Members of the Strokestown Darkness Into Light committee preparing for the annual walk. The county launch of the event took place last week in Strokestown.
The Strokestown International Poetry Festival returns to the town over the May Bank Holiday weekend with a rich and varied programme that celebrates both the tradition and the continuing evolution of Irish poetry. Running from Friday, May 1st (Poetry Day Ireland) to Sunday, May 3rd, the festival will once again be based at the historic Strokestown Park House, providing a fitting setting for what is Ireland’s longest-running poetry festival.Festival-goers can expect a lively mix of bilingual readings, book launches, poetry films, workshops, panel discussions and open-mic events, reflecting a deliberate effort to keep poetry relevant and responsive to changing times.
The County Roscommon launch of Darkness into Light was held in the Percy French Hotel in Strokestown last week. Darkness into Light, the annual 5km organised by Pieta and local volunteers will take place again this year in Strokestown on Saturday, May 9th at 4.15 a.m... Shirely Caslin a member of the Strokestown Darkness into Light said that the event was about hope. “It’s about connection and it’s about recognising that even in the darkest moments there is always a way forward.”
The committee of the Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club held its AGM on Saturday night last in the Percy French Hotel Strokestown. After the chairperson, the secretary and the treasurer delivered their respective reports, Mr John O’Connor addressed the meeting and stated that the club is happy to report that it will proceed with the Vintage Harvest Day Festival again in September this year. He thanked all the sponsors who have supported the club financially in the past, especially Roscommon County Council and the Sliabh Ban wind farm. He also thanked the stewards and helpers for their work during the club’s various activities over the past year. Officers elected for the coming year are, chairperson, John O’Connor, Tully, Fourmilehouse; secretary, Michael Farrell, Curraghroe, Strokestown; treasurer, Bernie Kearney, Grange, Fourmilehouse; safety officer, Brendan Melaniffe, Ross, Elphin; PRO Henry Owens, Lismehy, Strokestown and assistant PRO Tom Murray Mountpleasant, Strokestown. Votes of sympathy were extended to the Gibbons family, Ballinafad and Cornashinagh, on the death of Walter Gibbons, late member and valued helper, also to the Collins family Ballybeg on the death of Francis Collins, another valued member of the club. Sympathy was also extended to the family of Ray Keogh, Derreen, Strokestown, Ray always supported the harvest day festivals and to the relatives of Eamon Brennan, Lecarrow, Eamon attended the oats harvesting and vintage shows last year. There was also a vote of sympathy to Henry Owens on the death of his brother Al, who passed away recently in England.
Results of the SCDA fortnightly draw held on April 14th - numbers drawn - 4 5,16, 21. Two Lucky Dip winners - Barry Campbell, Fourmilehouse, and John Murray, Castlenode. Next draw is on Tuesday, April 28th at the SCDA office. Jackpot - €1,050. Thank you for your continued support.
The Roscommon Branch of MS Ireland would like to express sincere gratitude to all who contributed so generously to the recent church gate collections. Amouns received, Carniska, €183.17 and Strokestown, €316.41. Many thanks also to the people who took up the collections.
Would you be willing to provide companionship to an older person locally? Alone is seeking volunteers in the area. Full training and support provided. If interested, please apply via the Alone website at www.alone.ie or for further information please contact Alone on volunteer@alone.ie or call 0818 222024. If you are over 60 and would like to know more about this service Alone can offer you, please call 081 8222024.
The people of Strokestown and the wider area were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs Mary Murray (nee McDonnell) of Lenamalla, Four Roads, which took place at the Claddagh Ward, Galway University Hospital. She had been a member of the teaching staff of Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Strokestown, for many years where she was highly respected among her teaching colleagues and student body alike who now mourn her passing. A native of Lacken, Rahara, she was daughter of the late Mr Laurence Joe McDonnell and of the late Mrs Tessie McDonnell. Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Four Roads, and the interment followed in Tisrara Cemetery. She is survived by her husband, Francis; sons, Padraig and Damien; daughters, Maria and Therese; sons-in-law, Michael Carty and Adrian Forkin; daughter-in-law, Martina Burke; grandchildren, Aaron, Ciaran, Elisha, Ronan, Rian, Micheal, Senan and Eoin, extended family and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
The death took place recently at Shannon Lodge Nursing Home, Roosky of Mr Tom Carley of Rooaun, Kilglass. He was son of the late Mr Paddy Carley and of the late Mrs Lilly Carley. He was a highly respected member of the farming fraternity. Of an outgoing and sociable disposition, he was a popular member of his local community and who now mourn his loss. He was predeceased by his infant son, David. Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Sacred Heart Church, Kilglass, and the interment followed in Kilglass Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Agnes (nee Dalton); sons, Damien, Adrian, Eamonn and Ollie; daughter, Mrs Andrea Keogh; son-in-law, Bill; daughters-in-law, Fiona, Sharon, Claudette and Marie; grandchildren, Dylan, Chloe, Danny, Rachel, Jack, Emma, Sean, Tommy and Ciara; sisters, Mrs Betty Cox and Mrs Mary Breen; brother-in-law, Peadar; sister-in-law, Eithne; nieces, nephews and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
