Local Notes: Easy Meals, Sewing, Chair Yoga
Adrian Freyne, Tommy Gill, P Casserly, David Ryan and Freya Gill at Nash Park, Frenchpark where Western Gaels defeated Boyle in the Division 3 League Final. Pic: Breda Durr
The local Tidy Towns group is entering the national competition this year and would really appreciate all the help it can get. The group generally meets at the picnic area on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and works around the village until 12noon. The group would be delighted to have the help of anyone who can spare even 30 minutes. All can play their part by maintaining their own home area and business. Judging for the competition will commence at the beginning of June. The judges normally name areas and premises that require attention and they give praise where praise is due. The hard working group is particularly delighted that Frenchpark has been selected to represent County Roscommon at the 2026 National Pride of Place ceremony.
The Roscommon Community Games athletics finals will take place at the St. Faithleach’s GAA grounds in Ballyleague on Saturday, May 30th next. Best wishes are extended to Douglas Hyde Community Games competitors. Contact Lisa on 083-0180862 or Michael on 086-0783814 for further details.
A cardiac first response course will be held at The Cornerstone, in Frenchpark on this Wednesday, May 27th at 9.30 a.m.. The course will be four hours. It is also free, but any donation would be welcome. Places are limited. Contact 094-9870340 if interested.
A Thermomix & Tasting event will take place in Tibohine NS on this Wednesday, May 27th at 7pm. See how to make delicious and easy meals. Live demonstration and tasting. Ask questions and get inspired. Free admission. All welcome.
Are you looking to up your sewing skills? An intermediate sewing course begins on this Tuesday (today) at 11 a.m. in The Cornerstone, Frenchpark. Contact 094-9870340 during office hours (Monday to Thursday, 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and Friday 9.30 a.m to 1 p.m..
Tibohine NS is delighted to share the news that in partnership with Sunflower Children’s Hospice "Tractors & Tea" the highly anticipated Motor/Tractor Run and Family Fun Day is returning to Tibohine Community Centre on Sunday, June 14th next. Registration from 8 a.m.. Children’s entertainment from 12noon and vehicles to depart at 1.30 p.m.. To start off the fundraising, there are some raffle prizes on offer. Further details are available on Tibohine NS Facebook page.
The death occurred peacefully of Mr Dermot McElroy, Bray, and formerly of Frenchpark on Saturday, May 16th last, with his wife Angela by his side, at Wicklow Hospice. Husband of the late Evelyn who died in 2021, Dermot is deeply regretted by his daughter, Deirdre; sons, Ken, Andrew and Terry; grandchildren, great-granddaughter, brother, extended family, relatives and friends. Following Requiem Mass in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Bray on Saturday, May 23rd last, Dermot was laid to rest in Springfield Cemetery, Bray.
Mrs Bridgie McDermott Abbeytown, Boyle and formerly of Tournagee, Kingsland passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 16th last. Mother of Sheila McDermott and Margaret McClean Frenchpark, Bridgie was predeceased by her father, Terrence, mother, Bridget, husband, John, sisters, Sarah, Mary, and Philomena and her brother, Johnny. The late Mrs McDermott (née Beirne) will be sadly missed by her daughters, Joan, Sheila and Margaret; son, David; brothers, Pat, Michael, and Terry; sister, Winnie; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, relatives, neighbours and wide circle of friends. Following Mass of the Resurrection in St Joseph's Church in Boyle on Tuesday, May 19th, burial took place in Killaraght Old Cemetery.
Pray for the repose of the souls of Mr Padraic Nolan, Lisnagard, Elphin (brother of Dolores O’Connor, Frenchpark); Mrs Dora Muldoon, Shrule County Mayo and formerly (née Lavin) of Lissergool, Tibohine; Miss Liz Howard, Glasnevin, Dublin and late of Nenagh, County Tipperary; Mr Michael Moore, Loughrea, County Galway, and formerly of St. Patrick’s Street, Castlerea and Mr Padhraic Beirne, Aghacashel, County Leitrim. May they rest in peace.
Masses will be held at 7 p.m. in Tibohine on Tuesday (26th), Frenchpark at 7 p.m. on Thursday (28th), Ballinagare at 7 p.m. on Friday (29th), Tibohine at 7 p.m. and Ballinagare at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday (30th ) and Frenchpark at 10 a.m. Fairymount at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, May 31st.
Sr. Mary Gallagher from the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary wishes to express her sincere thanks to all parishioners for their very generous donations towards her recent parish appeal. The total amount collected was €1791.16.
Western Gaels held its weekly lottery draw on Saturday, May 23rd last. There was no jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 5, 20, 21 and 28. Cash prize winners (€20 each) were Gerry Eustace, Adrian/Colette Freyne, Tara Gaynor, James Murren and Bernie Sharkey. The next draw (jackpot €3,800) will take place at the clubhouse in Frenchpark on this Saturday, May 30th. Tickets are available on-line through the Clubforce app or from local outlets.
Chair yoga classes in Fairymount Hall continues on this Wednesday (27th) from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Suitable for everyone. Cost is €12. For further information or to book a space. contact Suzie on 083-8234259.
Summer music and yoga camps will take place from Monday, July 13th to Friday, July 17th next, 9.30 a.m. to 12 noon, in Tibohine Community Centre. Limited to fifteen spaces. Strictly children aged seven to twelve years. For further information, contact Oliva on 085-1971372..
Details: QPR, 2321; Rovers, 2319; Meadowbank, 2109; Luton, 2066; Cambridge, 2049; Luke, 2024; Westlife, 1969; The Gaels, 1957; Livingston, 1915; Gunners, 1779.
If you have any local news or items to highlight, please email to qprlodge1@hotmail.com
The very attractive local development, known as the Community Park, which lies between the GAA grounds and the primary school, has recently seen further developments. Two new seats have been provided beside the walkway in the general park area, and a picnic table has been placed in the sensory garden area. These developments, in addition to the rapid growth of the numerous shrubs and trees planted here, make this lovely amenity more attractive than ever. Well done to all involved with this special venture.
The group’s most recent meeting was held on Tuesday last, May 19th in Templetogher. It was well attended and again proved to be very productive. With the busy season approaching, members were making plans for both ongoing and upcoming projects, including the online StoryMap of the locality, which is a joint project between ourselves and Williamstown Tidy Towns. There was slight disappointment among members that a grant application to the Heritage Council, requesting assistance with strengthening the roof of Templetogher Mill, was unsuccessful on this occasion, but there are always other avenues to be explored. A broad discussion was had on adding to the collection of artefacts and heritage items, and on doing some reorganisation of the already large collection of same. The theme for National Heritage Week this year is “Heritage at Risk”, and it was felt that the group could present an attractive and enjoyable open fay at Templetogher based on this theme. The membership fee for 2026 is being collected, and thank you to those who have already renewed. All others who wish may take out either regular membership or, for those not in a position to attend meetings, associate membership, the fee for both remains at €20. Sympathy to John Joyce, Galway (formerly of Shanbally) and the Joyce family, on the recent death of John’s wife, Ann.
Congratulations to the players and management of the Northern Gaels U-19 team, who captured the North Division 3 League title in Tuam Stadium on Wednesday last with a narrow win over Athenry. A special word of congrats to the players on the panel from the Williamstown area.
The Williamstown Festival Committee has announced the programme for this year’s event, which is being held from Thursday, June 25th to Sunday, June 28th, a little earlier than in previous years. As ever, the hardworking members of the committee have drawn up an excellent programme, packed with a variety of interesting and exciting events, to suit all ages and tastes. No doubt, the event will be as enjoyable and well supported as ever, and the added excitement and atmosphere which it always brings to our community is to be greatly welcomed.
An important section of road in the locality, known locally as the Nuala na Miodóige Walk, has recently been resurfaced, and this work, combined with the major improvement to the bend at the head of the school road, is a very welcome development. This walk includes Corralough Lake, which is steeped in the history of Nuala na Miodóige, a member of the Burke family from Glinsk Castle, who, according to local tradition, lived on an island in the lake with her family.
Saturday last, May 23rd, was First Holy Communion Day for eight children from Williamstown National School. Congratulations to the children, their parents and family and their teachers on celebrating this landmark occasion in their young lives.
