Local Notes: Easter Commemoration, Tower Bar Sessions, Scór
Jacinta the Seanchaí Ceolmhar and Séamus the Connacht Blade, at the Elphin CCE woodlands musical treasure hunt on St. Patricks Day.
The County Roscommon Easter Commemoration will take place at the County IRA memorial at Shankill, Elphin on Easter Sunday, April 5th. A parade will take place to the memorial at 1 p.m. where wreaths will be laid at the Roll of Honour tablet. A decade of the rosary will be recited as Gaeilge. The1916 Proclamation will be read and the Roscommon Roll of Honour will be called out. This year especially honoured will be Commandant Thomas (Toby) Mannion, Athlone who was shot and fatally wounded by Free State forces in August 1923. A wreath will be laid at the grave of Commandant Mannion in Kiltoom Cemetery later in the day.
The death occurred suddenly on March 23rd of Mr Paul Kelleher, Dún Carraig Céibh, Leitrim Village, and late of Elphin. Paul will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his heartbroken family, loving wife, Shauna; adored children, Cara and Tadhg; cherished son of, Noeline and Pat Kelleher; brothers, David and Robert (Ellen); parents-in-law, Linda and Sean Duignan; brother-in-law, Peter (Sinéad), sister-in-law, Lorna (James); nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, relatives, loyal companion Cooper, neighbours and a large circle of friends. Elphin GAA Club said that it was with profound sadness that it learned of the untimely death of former cherished player Paul.
Formerly of Shankhill, Elphin, the North Roscommon club noted that “Paul was an Elphin man through and through and even though he had made his home in Leitrim Village with Shauna, Cara and Tadhg, he never forgot Elphin.” The club recalled that Paul started his footballing career with Elphin at underage in Orchard Park.
“He came through the ranks with great enthusiasm and love for the club, which continued right through to senior.
“Some of his achievements included the 2006 Minor Division One Championship where he was described as the Colm Corkery of Elphin. Indeed, it was a good description as he always had a big presence on the pitch. He went on to play in the two senior county finals and although we didn't win, he played a pivotal role in getting us there. He also helped us deliver a senior league title in 2011.
“Paul was more than just a player — he was a team-mate, a friend and a true gentleman who embodied the spirit of our club. As significant as his presence was on the pitch, it was even greater off it.
“Paul had the beautiful gift of lighting up any room with his warm smile, gentle nature, and vibrant personality. Whether celebrating a hard-fought win or finding humour in a loss, he was always ready for a laugh and a pint with his team-mates and friends.
“Paul’s loss “leaves a deep void in our club and wider communities and his presence will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him on and off the pitch, the club said.
Mass of Christian burial in St. Mary’s Church, Carrick-on-Shannon, on Saturday was followed by private cremation.
A parent/baby/toddler group starts on Wednesday, April 15th 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in Elphin Community Centre, €3 per day. The group will meet every second Wednesday during term time. For information contact Helena on 0879759076 or Niamh on 0892260223.
Elphin Day Centre’s Easter Mass and party will take place on this Wednesday, April 1st. Mass at 12 noon followed by usual party and refreshments. Music by Billy. Raffle on the day with lots of prizes. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Day Centre will close on same day for the Easter break. Reopening Monday , April 13th. If anyone wishes to avail of the l day centre services please ring 0719635566 or 0876803675.
Well done to Mary Morris and Colm on featuring on ‘The Great House Revival’. The work Colm and Mary both undertook is mind boggling and the end result is stunningly beautiful. Huge congratulations and it's wonderful to see life returning to the main street of Elphin. The joy was tinged with sadness by Hugh Wallace’s untimely passing but you could see how delighted he was in the achievement.
Elphin GAA representatives are Connacht GAA Scor Sinsir Trath na gCeist champions 2026. Comhgarairdeas to Mick, Colm, Mattie and Micheal, a brilliant team.
The Tower Inn will hold its traditional festivities over Easter. On Saturday, April 4th there will be a junior music session starting at 8 p.m. with the traditional Easter Egg draw being held during the night, everyone will be made very welcome. On Easter Sunday night starting at 8.30 p.m. there will be more of the Tower Inn traditional Easter festivities with traditional Irish music, singing and story telling (the full Irish) which has proved to be very enjoyable in the past and should not disappoint those attending. The Tuesday night traditional music sessions continue with a big welcome for all musicians and listeners.
The SuperValu TidyTowns 2026 competition for 2026 was launched on Monday, March 24th at the Linear Park in Carrick-on-Shannon. Elphin Tidy Towns looks forward to entering the competition this year as a learning experience. Elphin has entered before and received very positive remarks from the judges. The group will need help from the community to further the application. Saturdays at 10.30 a.m. is when the group meets at the Day Centre polytunnel. All welcome, even if you can only come now and again for half hour, every little counts.
Míle, míle buíochas to all the wonderful children and their parents who braved the wind and rain on St. Patrick’s Day to take part in the Elphin CCE Woodlands Musical Treasure Hunt in the Elphin Palace Neighbourwood Park. Along the way, the children learned new words as Gaeilge, discovered more about nature, and explored the rich world of Irish traditional music, song, and dance Well done to everyone who joined in and made it such a memorable afternoon! A special Go raibh maith agat to Seamus the gatekeeper and Jacinta, the beautiful seanchaí ceolmhar and thanks to Sinead, Aidan and John for taking photographs and ensuring no mess was left behind.
Bingo every Monday starts at 8 p.m. in Elphin Community Centre. Thank you for your continued support.
If you have any local news or items you wish to highlight in the local notes in the Herald please email parnell.deirdre@gmail.com.
Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies in Croghan parish will take place as follows: Holy Thursday in Drumlion Church at 7 p.m.; Good Friday in Drumlion at 3 p.m., Croghan 4.30 p.m.; Easter Vigil (Saturday), Drumlion 7 p.m., Croghan 8.30 p.m.; Easter Sunday, Croghan 10 a.m., Cortober 12 noon.
An Age Friendly Easter Event will take place in Kilbride Community Centre (F52 N277) on Wednesday, April 9th, commencing 11 a.m.. Information stands and health checks available from 10.30 a.m.. Organised by Roscommon Leader Partnership, the day will include the launch of the Roscommon Age Friendly Directory by Dr. Martin Daly T.D., also live music and story-telling, chair yoga sessions and refreshments. The free event is open to people of all ages. Any queries contact Linda on 086-7807438 or Sheila on 087-1508511.
Bingo takes place in the Patrician Hall, Cortober on Sundays at 8 p.m.. Big cash prizes to be won. All welcome.
The Old Creamery Community Café, Croghan is open on Thursdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.; Saturdays 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. All welcome to visit.
Carrick-on-Shannon Tidy Towns committee is organising an Easter Bonnet Ceili in the Market Yard, Carrick-on-Shannon on Easter Sunday, April 5th commencing at 12.30 p.m..
St. Carlo Acutis Teens Retreat at Knock on Sunday, April 19th from 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.. Register at 086-3020948.
