Local Notes: Heritage Society, Book Launch, Community Games
Following 30 years of dedicated, efficient service delivering the post popular postman, Tom Nee, Derryvode, Williamstown retired. He is pictured here with his colleagues from An Post Castlerea at his retirement function in Garvey’s Ballintubber.
Following 30 years of dedicated, efficient service of delivering the post to the people in a large section of the community, popular postman, Tom Nee, Derryvode, retired from his post last week. Though the role of those involved in delivering post to the community has changed in recent years, it is still a fact that, for some people, contact with the local postman or postwoman is one of the few social contacts which they have. In addition to his efficiency, Tom’s friendly manner has always been an added bonus. Congratulations to him on his retirement and wishing him and Anne every health and happiness in the next stage of their lives.
Members are always conscious of the fact that there are three important strands in heritage - the natural, the built and the cultural, and in drawing up plans for 2026, which they are currently doing, they continue to take all three into account. Between the voluntary efforts of members, the support of the general public and the grant assistance from the various agencies, the group is confident that 2026 will be another very productive year.
The ‘Plant-Grow-Eat’ programme, organised by Williamstown Tidy Towns, and held over the last three Saturdays in the polytunnel at the Parish Hall, has been an outstanding success. There has been an excellent attendance on each of the days, both from the immediate locality and from much further afield. The local Tidy Town group liaised with Emily from Galway Rural Development and excellent tutor, Claire Hussey to present a most interesting and informative series, dealing with the basic skills of planting vegetables, preparing beds, fertilising the soil, sowing the seeds or bulbs, watering them, sowing apple trees, potatoes, cabbages and sowing the novel “salad” window boxes. Well done, both to those involved in organising this most worthwhile venture and to all those who came along to participate. The final session is on this Saturday, March 7th from 10 a.m. to 12, when both the regulars and newcomers are welcome to attend.
It is now 25 years since local woman, Teresa Smyth, Beaugh, had a successful kidney transplant, and since then, she has enjoyed excellent health. This is, indeed, a memorable and wonderful milestone. Warmest congrats to Teresa on completing a healthy quarter of a century since the transplant. Teresa has packed so much into those 25 years, not least being a superb and successful representative for Ireland at two World Transplant Games. And typical of Teresa, she wants to, yet again, help out the Kidney Association with a most worthy fundraiser. It takes the form of a raffle with excellent prizes such as hotel stay, rugby tickets, cash, vouchers and hampers. Donation envelopes are available in local outlets. The draw will be held at a function in the Blue Kuku, Kiltevna with music by Freebird on Saturday, March 14th from 9 p.m.. This most worthy cause is deserving of widespread support.
The Kiltullagh Branch Supporting People With Special Needs 300 club draw is now due for renewal for 2026, €2 per month/€24 for the year. Please contact your promoter or any member. New members welcome to join.
The AGM of Ballymoe FC will take place on Friday, March 6th at 8 p.m. in the clubhouse, Ballymoe. The club encourages all players and parents of underage athletes to come along. This club belongs to all, and the input of everyone matters in how it's managed. Volunteers are urgently needed to help oversee all youth teams and serve on the Ballymoe FC Committee. If you're interested, please attend the AGM or reach out directly. Support is vital for the ongoing success of the club.
Coiste Scór C.L.G Ros Comáin is delighted to announce that the Scór Sinsir county final will return to Kilmurry Hall on Saturday, March 14th, will see clubs from all over the county contest the annual cultural showcase. Scór provides a very inclusive social outlet for GAA members and encourages all of Roscommon GAA clubs to get involved. Whether it's as simple as having a solo singer or a quiz team, every parish potential Scór competitors. For further information contact secretary.scor.roscommon@gaa.ie or call 087 9145557.
Progressive 25 continues in Kilglass GAA Centre on Tuesdays at 8.30 p.m.. Last week's winners were joint 1st, Pat Mullooly, Oliver Compton, and James Owens; joint 2nd, Gerry Conlon, Aidan Cassidy, Joe Murray, Bernard Creeg, Michaael Donnelly, and Charlie Reynolds; raffle, Mickey Treacy & Margaret Cox. New players welcome.
In the Kilglass Gaels Lotto held on February 28th the numbers drawn were: 3, 4, 8, 28,Bonus No 24. There was no jackpot winner. There was one Match 3 number winner of €200, Shane McCormack. Next week's jackpot €9,500 for four correct numbers, €13,500 for four correct numbers plus Bonus Number. Next draw takes place in the clubrooms on Saturday, March 7th.
This week's Kilglass Ladies Bonus Ball number was 1. Winners, Martina Tully & John G Diffley, €50 each.
Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge, will be conducting a walking tour of the site through Irish. This will take place on Saturday, March 7th at 12 o'clock. For further information contact the centre or visit our website, www.rathcroghan.ie.
It may not have been Roscommon’s day in Hyde Park last Sunday against Dublin, but the Tulsk U-10’s enjoyed their time in the spotlight during half-time of that game. The club’s stars of tomorrow were in action during the interval before an appreciative crowd in the county’s main GAA ground – well done to all the young men and women representing the parish with pride.
Congratulations to author Tamlyn McHugh on the launch of her new book Roscommon Holy Wells Customs, Cures and Sacred Waters which was officially launched by Dr. Marion Dowd MIAI, FSA and Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Liam Callaghan in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk. The publication is an easy to understand, yet comprehensive guide to the many sacred wells in the county, not least Ogulla Holy Well, just off the Castlerea road in Tulsk where St. Patrick baptised the parish’s two patron saints, St.’s Eithne and Fidelma. The event was supported by the County Roscommon Historical & Archaeological Society & County Roscommon Heritage Forum. The project was funded by The Heritage Council under Ceangal, the Local Authority Heritage Programme, delivered in partnership between the Heritage Council and Local Government Ireland.
The sympathies of the local community are extended to Patricia Corban (née Breslin), late of Shragh, Loughrea, and formerly of Curcreigh, Killina. The deceased was a member of a highly respected family in the local community who have contributed to religious and public life in many ways over many years. The deceased passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, in the wonderful care of Galway Hospice. Predeceased by her loving husband Sean, the deceased is survived by her children, Edward, Shane, Eimear, Michael and Brian; son-in-law, Iain, daughters-in-law, Irene, Karen and Joanne and partner Vinna, grandchildren Aaron, Eamonn, Caoilinn, Laoise, Emily, Ben, Adam, Ruby, Bobby and Owen, brother Fr. Michael Breslin, sister Sr. Stephanie Breslin, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives and her many friends. The deceased reposed in Kilboy’s Funeral Home, Loughrea before arriving to the Church of the Holy Family, Clostoken for Requiem Mass, followed by burial in Clostoken Cemetery.
Congratulations to club member Megan Gaughan, who recently graduated from the LGFA National Learn to Lead programme. Megan is very active on a wide variety of levels within the sport and is a great role model for young people in the local community.
The next meeting of the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society will be on Tuesday, March 10th in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre from 8 p.m.. All members are invited to attend the meeting – new members are welcome.
Entries are now being taken for local competitors to compete in a wide range of events, representing Tulsk Community Games this year. Entries are now being sought for a wide variety of field events for this year, ahead of a series of county events taking place on Thursday, March 26th from 6 p.m. at Castlerea Community School. Among the events are the 5km marathon for O-14 and U-16 boys and girls; the cross-country 1,200m for O-11 and U-13 boys, girls and mixed squads; cycling on grass for O-12 and U-14 boys and girls; cycling on grass for O-10’s and U-12 boys and girls; cross-country mixed relays for O-10 and U-12 boys and girls and mixed distance relays, also cross-country for O-12’s and U-14’s boys and girls. Expressions of interest must be received by Saturday, March 7th. For details, contact Rachel on 087 923 1512. Similarly, expressions of interest are now being taken for swimming events for this year, namely backstroke, freestyle and butterfly events in a range of various age categories. County events take place on Monday, April 6th (Easter Monday) at Roscommon Swimming Pool. Again, for more details, contact Rachel on 087 923 1512 before Saturday, March 21st please.
Tulsk History Society’s annual quiz will be held in O’Connor’s on Saturday, March 14th. With the recent survey of Killina Cemetery being prepared for uploading to the Society’s website (Tulskhs.com), six of the parish’s seven cemeteries have been completed. Plans for the survey of Rathmoyle Cemetery and a project for this year’s Heritage Week are on the agenda. Anybody wishing to join the Society should email historytulsk@gmail.com.
