Local Notes: Farm Visit, Monoply Run, School Time Capsule
Darragh Murray visited Brideswell NS late, his former primary school.
In view of the current density of population in the greater Monksland-Bealnamullia area more dog waste bins are needed along the footpaths serving the major road arteries, some local residents have stated to the Herald. There are some dog waste bins in Monksland but they are not currently being effectively utilised by a number of dog owners who do not pick up after their pets foul the footpaths and the grass verges alongside them. Fianna Fail’s Cllr John Keogh, who is a past chairperson of Roscommon County Council, called for more dog waste bins for the area 12 months back. He believes that the provision of the bins would encourage dog owners to "pick up" after their pets fouling and utilise the bins provided by putting the bag in the nearest bin provided. He does not believe that the bins should be provided within the various estates in view of the fact that people have a responsibility for their pets in proximity to their own homes. He added that for a litter warden to be effective in respect of possible prosecutions for dog fouling he or she would need to observe the incident "on the spot". Commenting that unless the dog warden or litter warden was behind a bush or on the footpath it would be impossible to police the situation. Cllr Keogh is pleased that the Government has recently introduced legislation to increase the dog fouling fines from €50 to €150. Concluding, he stressed that he was not anti-dog and knew full well that dogs bring a great deal of pleasure and companionship to their owners and their respective families. Moore based Fine Gael councillor Valerie Duffy informed the Herald that where there are facilities for dog owners they are not being utilised in the manner in which they could. Keeping communities clean and tidy is important both from an environmental point of view and a health point of view. Dog owners may bring bags with them and it only takes a few seconds for them to pick up and place in the nearest bin. She added that it is in the interest of all those in any community to observe the procedures and follow the guidelines which are laid down. Concluding, she remarked that nobody is setting out to penalise anyone and she fully realises that there are many responsible dog owners. Cllr Emer Kelly, who is a Ballyforan based Independent member of Roscommon County Council, is of the view that more dog waste bins are needed in all towns and villages including the general Monksland-Bealnamullia area. People also need to take responsibility for the ownership of their own dog pets and clean up after them. All three council members also hold the view that some dog waste bins should be installed alongside the footpath on the road into the Hodson Bay area temporarily until the major regeneration project gets underway there.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Kevin Donnelly, Mrs Marian Kelly, Gerry Menton, Vincent Brady, Mrs Karen Keogh, Mrs Eithne Leonard, Mrs Edel Coyle, Tommy Cormican, Sean Gately and Johnny Cormican.
A Teagasc organised sheep conference scheduled for the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, on this Thursday, June 18th, will feature a workshop on the sheep farm of John Galvin, Coolfree, Taughmaconnell, at 5.30 p.m.. This will follow the first session, which will take place at the Shearwater from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with four papers of specific interest to the sheep sector. The second session will commence at 7 p.m..
The death took place recently at the Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom, of Mr David Morgan, Birmingham, who was a native of Breeole, Taughmaconnell. Aged 55 last October, his untimely passing after a short illness bore with characteristic fortitude, has come as a great shock to his immediate and extended family, work colleagues, neighbours and circle of friends. The deceased had worked in cyber security in Birmingham for a number of years and he was deservedly popular with his work colleagues and all those with whom he became acquainted. He emigrated to Birmingham approximately 37 years ago and he visited his extended family members and friends in Taughmaconnell a number of times annually. His main hobby was following the music scene generally and he played both the tin whistle and accordion with skill since his school days at Feevagh National School. Devoted to his immediate and extended family, he was a most obliging neighbour and reliable friend. Predeceased by his brother, Noel in January 2018 and his father, Tommy, in March last, he is survived by his wife, Kim, a native of Birmingham, son, Ben; and step daughter, Emily. He is also survived by his mother, Helen, (nee Naughton, Lisbrock, Brideswell); sisters, Rosemary, South Yorkshire, England; Collette, Breeole, Taughmaconnell; one nephew, nieces, and a number of other relatives. Following Requiem Mass on Friday, June 12th, at Olton Friary, Solihull, Birmingham, the burial took place in Wythall Cemetery.
Mrs Delia Kilkenny, St Joseph's Villas, Athlone, whose passing took place at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, on Thursday, May 28th, was mother of Martin Kilkenny, Bealnamullia and Damien Kilkenny, Taylorstown, Drum. Aged 91, she was the former Ms Delia Martin, Longford, and she enjoyed the respect and esteem of all those with whom she became acquainted. Devoted to her immediate and extended family, she was noted for her sense of neighbourliness in her residential community. Over the decades, she supported a number of community and church linked activities. She was a long serving member of the choir at the Church of St Peter and Paul, Athlone, and she was to the fore in the Tidy Towns and estates committee in Athlone for a number of years. She had been in ill health in recent months and she bore her illness with characteristic fortitude. She was predeceased in recent months by her husband, Jimmy, and is survived by sons, Martin, Damien and James, St Joseph's Villas, Roscommon Road, one daughter, Mrs Maeve Harkin, Coosan; one sister, Mrs Josie Canning, Teffia Park, Longford; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at Ss Peter and Paul, Athlone, on Monday, June 1st, the burial took place in Coosan Cemetery.
A new five week baby massage course will begin on this Thursday, June 18th, in Moore Community Hall from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.. The course will run until July 16th and is suitable for children from birth to one year. Pré-booking is essential. For more information contact Emily via email:lastingtouchbabymassage@gmail.com.
Lough Ree Men's Shed and the Health Service Executive will host a Men's Health Evening at the St Brigid's GAA Clubhouse on this Friday, June 19th, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.. There will be a plethora of health related stands and there will also be free health checks. There will also be presentations from a pharmacist on drug related matters, a chartered physiotherapist will speak on why movement is one of the most powerful tools for men to enable them to stay stronger, healthier and more active for longer. The final talk will be given by a clinical psychologist who will outline briefly some practical tips for mental illness and wellbeing as well as discussing the availability of services locally for those who may need additional assistance in this area.
The Moore Scouts will once again hold a monoply run on Saturday, June 27th in Ballinasloe from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Further details will follow next week.
Barry and Joanne Browne, Coolagarry, Curraghboy, have been bereaved by the passing of their 12 year old son, Luca which took place on June 3rd. His passing has caused profound sorrow and regret within his immediate and extended family circle, neighbours and circle of friends. He was predeceased by his grandfather, Ambrose, and is survived by his parents, sisters, Amelia and Abigail, grandparents, John, Mary and Claire; aunts, Anne Marie, Karen, Christa, Toni and Adele, uncles, Damien, Martin, George and Peter and other relatives. A private cremation followed Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom, on Saturday, June 6th.
On this Thursday, June 18th, at noon Brideswell National School, which is located in South Roscommon's most central village, will open a time capsule from 2001 which was buried at the time the school marked the centenary of its opening. All families and friends of the Brideswell school community are welcome to come along and share in this special occasion. Following the opening, the capsule will be re-sealed and updated with present day items for future generatins to discover.
There will be Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on this Friday, June 19th, at 7 p.m..
