Local Notes: Golf Lotto, Condolences, Monthly Dance
Clare Kelly, Dympna McGarry, Ena Conry, Eileen Mulvihill, Kathleen Freyne and Rita Goggins pictured recently at the Castlerea Community Choir's summer performance at the Trinity Arts Centre, Castlerea. Pic: Breda Durr
Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others is open to all ladies over 2. Whether you played before or never kicked a ball in your life, you are more than welcome on Mondays at 8.30 p.m. at Castlerea St. Kevin’s. Phone of text 087 618 6640 for further details.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for May 27th was number 11. Winners of this week’s lotto were Damien Garvey, Liam Callaghan, Larry Kearney, Michael O’Connell and Rose Callaghan. Each receive €100.
Castlerea St. Kevin’s Minor Club would like to extend congratulations to former club player Dermot Lyons who refereed the recent Tier 2 All-Ireland minor quarter final between Clare and Sligo in Tubbercurry. He was also the fourth official in Salthill for the All-Ireland football championship game between Galway and Kildare.
The annual Corpus Christie Procession will take place on Sunday, June 7th after the 12 noon Mass (weather permitting|. The route is St. Patrick Steet towards the Railway Station, Church Road, Aras Mhathair Phoil for benediction and returning via Roselawn Drive to the church.
Condolences to the Hester family, Vale View, Lisalway, on the passing of Padraic Hester in his 90th year. He was brother of the late Frank Hester, Main Street, Castlerea and Rev. Canon Seamus Hester, UK. For over 20 years he was an employee at Castlerea Mart and at Thursday’s sale, mart manager Brendan Egan, his staff and customers held two minutes silence as a mark of respect.
The death occurred peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, May 23rd at Roscommon University Hospital of Mrs Freda Waldron, (née Gaffney), Knockroe, Castlerea. Deceased was a very kind, gentle person, a wonderful neighbour who always had time for people both young and old. Anyone who frequented her home was always made most welcome and treated to the cup of tea or coffee and a scone or whatever was on the menu. She was a great family person and adored her grandchildren and loved when they would come to visit her. She had a strong faith and was very devoted to Padre Pio and Our Lady of Knock. She loved her two cups of tea at the start of her day’s work. She had a great interest in all sports and loved watching the games on TV. Her favourites TV programme was Judge Judy and she also enjoyed the soaps. Freda will be sadly missed by her heartbroken daughter, Jessica and son, Jonathan (USA); mothers, Eileen (Ballinlough) and Betty (USA); adored grandchildren, Davin, Darby, Anthony, Tegan, Ronnie, Tae and Fallon; sisters, Hilda, Joann, Tess, Kathy, Diane and Claudette; brothers, Sean, Padraic, and Martin; aunt, Freda; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. Before the final blessing, her daughter Jessica gave the eulogy. The Communion reflection was read by her brother Sean Gaffney. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing of Julia Heaney with Ena Conry on piano. May Freda’s gentle soul rest in peace.
The death occurred peacefully of Mrs James Kennedy, Knockroe, Castlerea on Monday, May 25th, peacefully in the loving care of the staff of Drumderrig Nursing Home, Boyle surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his beloved parents, Mary and James, his brothers, John, Miko, Joe, Pat, Aidan, and Brendan and his sister ,Mary. Deceased was a very kind and gentle person and also very witty. He had great time for people both young and old and always had that friendly chat with them. He was a barber by trade and ran a successful business at Main Street, Castlerea for many years. He was very loyal to his customers, and they had great time for him over the years. He was a keen sportsman and a handy Gaelic footballer in his youth and won a parish league medal in 1953 when Castlerea beat Cloondahara in the final. He was a selector with the Castlerea club when they won their first County Roscommon junior championship in 1957. He was also a selector in 1958 when the senior team lost the county final. His sons and brothers also gave great service to Tarmon, Castlerea and Castlerea St. Kevin’s. He was one of the founder members of the Castlerea Celtic Soccer Club formed in 1958. He played with them and over the years helped to raise much needed funds to develop Celtic Park and it was only fitting the stand in the park was named after him in 2025. His son Alan has done trojan work for the club. James was a Celtic referee and his sons all played for Celtic and coached many underage teams. He was a good badminton and snooker player with Castlerea badminton and snooker clubs. He was also a keen golfer and the two days he enjoyed most playing was Sundays with Fr. Joe Fitzgerald and the late Tommy Bruen (they used to say an odd Hail Mary when things were not going well during the game) and the Monday game with Fr. Michael Kelly, his friend, which used to last a while because Fr. Kelly would not sit in the buggy because James was a bad driver. James was also fond of music, and he played with the famous Billy Mack Showband for many years all over Ireland and the UK. Indeed, the Kennedy family were steeped in music, his late brother Aidan had his own band in Manchester, and his brother Eamon is a top-class musician as are Eamon’s sons. He was a great family person, and he adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also a man of great faith. Husband to Kathleen, loving father to Ken (London), Alan (Castlerea), David (Chester), Carola (Florida), Derek (Aughnacliff). James will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, heartbroken children, his adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kellie, Nia, Finn, Aidan, Halle, James, Jack, Georgia, Darragh, and Annie; daughter -in law, Kathryn, Alan’s partner Derval, Derek’s partner, Shirley and Ken’s partner, Michelle, his brother and sisters, Eamon, Celia, Kathleen, Helen and Theresa, brother-in- laws, sister-in- law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. His remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Before the final blessing, a beautiful eulogy was read by his son Derek. The ceremony was enhanced by the beautiful music can singing of the deceased nephews Mark, Raymond and Joey Kennedy. His coffin was draped with the Castlerea Celtic flag, and the club provided a guard of honour at his removal. His good friend Fr. Joe Fitzgerald, Roscommon, with Fr. Kevin Reynolds received his remains on Wednesday evening at the church. Danny Burke said a few words at the graveside and rendered a song. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice would appreciate your kind assistance in helping raise funds on National Sunflower Days for Hospice on Friday and Saturday, June 12th&13th. Sunflowers will be on sale at local stores on both dates. Any time you can give on any of those dates would be most appreciated. Contact 0949388666 or email info@hospice.ie.
The monthly dance in Kilmurry Hall continues on Sunday, June 7th with Brendan Jermyn. Dancing from 8 p.m. to 10p.m with doors open at 7.30 p.m. Admission €10. Come along for a great night of dancing.
Best wishes to all junior cycle and Leaving Cert students who will begin their exams this Wednesday, June. 3rd Go n-éírí an t-ádh libh.
Sincere thank you from Tulsk GAA to all who supported the club's weekend of celebrations for the official opening of the new training pitch. It was great to see so many club members, young and not so young, male and female, taking part in games of football and camogie on the new pitch over the weekend... the culmination of many years of hard work on and off the field. The club extends a huge thank you once again to all who have supported the club's numerous fundraisers over recent years towards the pitch development - without this generosity this development simply could not have happened. A huge thank you to all who worked so hard to make the weekend such a great success.
