Local Notes: Frenchpark ICA birthday, Rathcroghan conference and Oweynagat cave

Frenchpark ICA recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation. The ICA is the biggest women’s organisation in the country and its aim is to bring together both rural and urban communities. The organisation offers support, friendship, personal development, education and life-long friendship to its members. If you would like to join, please come along to an Open Evening on Monday, October 9th next at 8.30 p.m. in Frenchpark Hall to meet current members over a cup of tea. A short session of gentle exercises has also been arranged for the evening. Everybody welcome.

PASTORAL COUNCIL

A meeting of the local Pastoral Council will take place on this Wednesday, October 4th at 8 p.m. in the Parish Office, Frenchpark. It is important for all committee members to attend.

GAELIC GAMES

Western Gaels Ladies travelled to Fuerty on Sunday last to face St. Ciaran’s in the semi-final of the County Intermediate football championship. The home side led by 2-3 to 0-2 at the interval. In the second half, the Gaels improved considerably and goals from Eva Lavin and Martina Freyne kept them in contention before losing out on a final scoreline of 2-6 to 2-11. Team – S. Lavin, L. Bruen, K. Beirne, S. Bruen, D. Lavin, S. Dowd, Lorna Flynn, S. Timon, C. Timon, C. Sampey (0-2), E. Murren (0-1), L. Lavin, N. Cafferky, M. Freyne (1-3), E. Lavin (1-0).

LATE MRS SARAH O’BOYLE

The peaceful death took place of Mrs Sarah O’Boyle, Rathnollog, Ballinagare, and late of Swinford, on Thursday, September 28th last at Aras Mhathair Pol in Castlerea. A highly regarded member of the community, Sarah was predeceased by her husband, John Willie; brothers, Tony, Paddy, Tom , John and her sisters, Margaret and Delia. The late Mrs O’Boyle (nee O’Malley) will be sadly missed and remembered with love by her heartbroken family, sons, John and Pat; daughters-in-law, grandchildren, Ruairi, Aisling, Ciara and Caiti, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends. Her remains were removed from Gibbon’s Funeral Home to the Sacred Heart Church, Ballinagare on Friday evening last. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Saturday, September 30th last, the funeral proceeded to Drummin Cemetery.

LATE MR SEAMUS BEIRNE

The death occurred peacefully of Mr Seamus Beirne, Ardrum, Ballinamore, County Leitrim on Saturday, September 23rd last at Galway University Hospital. Brother of Lillian McDonnell, Frenchpark, Seamus will also be sadly missed by his devoted wife, Bernie; daughter, Fiona (and son-in-law Ciaran); sons, James (Beth), Peter (Ruth), Stephen (Eimear) & Brian (Katie); grandchildren Darla, Senan and Shay, his extended family, relatives, neighbours and many friends. His remains were removed from his home on Tuesday, September 26th last to St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinamore for Requiem Mass followed by burial afterwards in Oughteragh Cemetery, Ballinamore.

BEREAVEMENTS

Pray for the repose of the souls of Mr Gerry Kelly, Church Road, Castlerea; Mrs Annette Lynam, Kilronan, Ballyfarnon and Mr Tom Niland, Skreen, County Sligo. May they rest in peace.

CHURCH NEWS

The painting of the interior of Tibohine Church will begin on Monday, October 9th next. Masses will be held in Tibohine at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday (3rd), in Frenchpark at 7 p.m. on Thursday (5th), in Ballinagare at 7 p.m. and Fairymount at 8 p.m. on Friday (6th), in Ballinagare at 8.30 p.m. and Tibohine at 7 p.m. on Saturday (7th), in Frenchpark at 10 a.m. and Fairymount at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, October 8th. Visits to the sick and housebound will take place in Fairymount/Tibohine on this Wednesday, October 4th and Frenchpark/Ballinagare on this Thursday, October 5th.

LOTTO

Western Gaels held its weekly lottery draw on Saturday, September 30th last. There was no jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 15, 17, 19 and 27. Cash prize winners (€20 each) were Kathleen/Kieran Gaffrey, Shane Hunt, Ann/Michael/Pat Lavin, Elizabeth O’Connor and Mairead Phillips/Michael White. The next draw (jackpot €9,600) will take place at the clubhouse in Frenchpark on Saturday, October 7th. Tickets are available online through the Clubforce app or from local outlets. Western Gaels defeated Strokestown 0-10 to 0-9 on Saturday last at the CCE in Bekan to secure their place in next season’s senior football championship.

LINE DANCING

Line dancing classes, with Mildred Beirne, will take place in Frenchpark Hall on Wednesday s from 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. (7.30 p.m.) for beginners or anyone who wants to learn a few steps before the main class begins.

FANTASY FOOTBALL

Details – Rovers, 441; Gunners, 428; Cambridge, 408; Meadowbank, 398; Westlife, 354; Blues, 361; ET, 298; Luke, 269; QPR, 264; Kennedy Airport, 211.

THANKS

Caroline and James Feeley, Mantua, wish to thank everyone who attended their coffee morning and all who donated so kindly to the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. A total of €1,037.50 was raised.

ROSCOMMON RACES

CASTLEPLUNKETT/ KILMURRY

HARVEST PARTY

As part of the Cultural Companions Programme Kilmurry Hall will host a Harvest Party for senior citizens on Sunday, October 15th commencing at 4.45 p.m. with Mass. This will be followed by a meal and dance with music provided by Sean Brennan. If you would like to attend please contact 087 6627782 or any member of the hall committee before Wednesday, October 11th. A meeting will take place in Kilmurry Hall on this Tuesday, October 3rd at 9:30 p.m. to organise the event.

CASH FOR CLOBBER

Thank you to everyone who dropped clothes to the national school for the recent collection.

LADIES DELIGHT ON DOUBLE FOOTBALL SUCCESS

Congratulations to St. Mary’s ladies footballers who enjoyed success on the double over the past seven days. The club’s U-12’s, sponsored by John Brady Engineering, defeated St. Croan’s in their decider while the U-14’s defeated Clann na nGael’s second string by a single point in their final in Ballyleague on Sunday. The U-14’s are sponsored by Sean Crean Eco Insulation Plastering. Well done to both teams, their mentors and respective management teams on their fine achievements of recent days.

MAJOR CONFERENCE

The Rathcroghan Conference 2023 ‘Archaeology Above & Below’ will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 11th and 12th. With topics ranging from 1798 through to prehistoric barrows, via walled gardens, early church sites, round towers and caves, and from community groups and academics from across the Ireland, there is something to interest everyone! To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ie/.../rathcroghan-conference-2023 for in-person and online tickets. This event is grant supported by Roscommon County Council. Tickets are priced €40 for a weekend ticket and €25 for a full day ticket. For details, telephone 071-9639268. Early booking is advisable.

PASTORAL COUNCIL

A meeting of the Tulsk Pastoral Council will take place on Wednesday, October 3rd at 8 p.m. in the Presbytery, Tulsk. All council members are invited to attend.

SYMPATHY

Prayers were recited at weekend Masses for the late David Feeney, Ballymurray, brother-in-law of Padraig Cassidy, Corrigeen.

Tulsk

TULSK MUSIC CELEBRATION

A celebration of ‘Tulsk Music’ will form part of the celebrations of ‘Cultural Companions’ a range of cultural events taking place across the county for the month of October. This event will take place in Trinity Arts Centre, Castlerea on Saturday, October 21st from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Among the performers are local musician Sean Regan, Declan Askan, Peter Molloy and special guest Pauline Scanlon from Dingle, County Kerry. To book, email trinityartscentre@hotmail.com.

HALLOWEEN

With the cave of Oweynagat being the home of Halloween, and reputed as Ireland’s Gate to Hell, what better way to celebrate Halloween, the ancient festival of Samhain, than by a special guided visit down into the bowels of the earth! To facilitate this journey Rathcroghan Visitor Centre present the ‘Origins of Samhain’ which is a daily tour to Oweynagat (the Cave of the Cats), the birthplace of Samhain and the home of Halloween. This special seasonal tour will run from Monday, October 23rd to Friday, November 3rd inclusive, departing Rathcroghan Visitor Centre at 3 p.m. sharp. Tickets are priced €15 per person (which includes the cost of an adult with a child).

IRISH CLASSES

Conversational beginners Irish classes continue in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre on Tuesdays at 8 p.m..

DANCE CLASSES

Irish Dance classes under the direction of Siobhan Feeney take place every Wednesday in the Macra Hall, Tulsk. Classes take place from 5.45 p.m.. Girls and boys aged four years and upwards are welcome to join and learn how to dance in a non-competitive environment. For more information, email Siobhan at feeneyschoolofdancing@gmail.com.

COUNTY ROSCOMMON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A meeting of the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society will take place on Tuesday, October 10th at 8 p.m. in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. A feature of the meeting will be the Michael J. Kelly Memorial Lecture entitled ‘Roscommon 1912-23: assessing changes in the revolutionary decade’ by Athlone historian and author of ‘Roscommon: The Irish Revolution, 1912-23’. Members and non-members are welcome to attend.