Local Notes: Heritage Society, Congratulations, Easter Ceremonies
Clara Canny getting ready with Siobhan Egan for the production of ‘Big Splash Small Fish’ staged by the Cloonbonniffe Drama Group at the Trinity Arts Centre, Castlerea. Pic: Liam Reynolds
Despite the inclement weather with Storm Dave, the Easter ceremonies in the parish were all well attended, including the dawn mass in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Due to the storm on Easter Saturday night, the big Paschal fire could not be lit outside the church but John Sharkey put a plan in place and provided a smaller container and with Danny Burke, lit the fire outside the church and carried it into the porch of the church where Fr. John McManus and Fr. Mario lit the big candle for the Paschal fire.
The death occurred peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe on Saturday, April 4th of Mrs Moira McGuinness, (nee McCarrow) Creggaslin, Castlerea, and formerly of Ballinode, Monaghan. Predeceased by her parents Patrick and Mary. The deceased was a very kind, gentle and jolly person and a good neighbour. Although ill for some time, she always had the friendly smile and the chat for everyone. She had a great love for her family and her husband Denis of 46 years. She loved gardening and took great pride in her garden. She was a woman of great faith and always carried her Rosary beads with her which gave her strength and comfort. She had a great devotion to Our Lady. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and she will be sadly missed by her husband, Denis; sons, Declan (Castlerea), Dwain (Cayman Islands), Martin (Berlin) and Ciarán (Galway); grandchildren, Caylee, Carragh, Saorlaith, Sadhbh and Darach; brothers, Kevin, Patsy, Malachy (Monaghan) and Aidan (New York); sisters, Colette, Monica and Martina (Monaghan); daughters-in-law, Teresa, Karen, Lydia and Sonia; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends. Following Mass of the Resurrection in St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, celebrated by Fr. John McManus. Private cremation took place at Mount Jerome Crematorium, Dublin. The ceremony was enhanced by the music and singing of Jacqueline Kenny. The Eulogy was read by her son Dwain and the communion reflection was read by her daughter-in-law Karen.
The death occurred peacefully on Monday, April 6th, surrounded by his loving family in the wonderful care of the staff at Roscommon Hospice of Mr Tom (Tomas) Byrne of Knockroe Castlerea, and formerly of McHale Road, Castlebar. Predeceased by his parents Tommy and Maggie and his sister Anne. Deceased was a very kind and gentle, good humoured person and always had time for the friendly chat with people. He had a great interest in sport and played in goal for many years with Castlerea St Kevin's, St. Patrick’s Hospital football team and Castlerea Celtic. He was also a keen golfer with Castlerea Golf Club. He also played badminton with Castlerea Badminton Club. Tom came to castlerea as a young man to work as a nurse in St. Patrick's Hospital on October 1st, 1974, and always carried out his duties in a caring and professional manner and was highly thought of by his employers and work colleagues. He just missed out on winning an All-Ireland hospital championship medal with St Patrick’s Hospital in 1974, but he went on to win four Connaught 7-a-side championship with them before committing to Castlerea. He won an U-16 Mayo championship with Castlebar Mitchell's in 1972. Tom loved his family and adored his grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by his heartbroken children, Jennifer (Reilly, Belmullet), Claire (London), and Tommy (Dublin); adored grandchildren, Ella and Daithí; brothers, Seamus, Liam, Sean, Padraig and Brendan; sister, Ena (Tobin); son-in-law, David, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. Following Mass of the resurrection celebrated by Fr. John McManus, burial took place in Castlebar Cemetery. Before the final blessing his niece Niamh read the reflection and the eulogy was read by his daughters Jennifer and Claire. The ceremony was enhanced by the music and singing of Enna Conry, Julie Heaney and Mark Kennedy. As his cortege left the church a guard of honour was provided by former work colleagues and organisations he was involved in the community.
Congratulations are extended to Teresa Donlon, Trien, who retired recently after over 30 years of service at Hester’s Golden Eagle. She also who won the Employee Excellence Award at the recent Irish Restaurant Awards regional dinals held at Knockranny House Hotel, Westport. This was a well deserved award for Teresa who for over 30 years always made everyone that entered Hesters most welcome, always had the chat and the friendly smile. Here’s wishing Teresa many happy years in retirement with her husband Frank.
The death occurred peacefully after a short illness at Roscommon Hospice on Sunday, April 5th of Mrs Anne Neary (nee Casey) Knockroe. Predeceased by her parents Willian and Agnes, sisters, Una and Kathleen, her brothers Jimmy and Hugh. The deceased was a very kind, gentle person. Anyone who frequented her home was always make most welcome. She was a wonderful neighbour, and she had a great love of gardening and took great pride in her garden. She was a woman of great faith and always carried her prayer book with her. For many years she was a nurse and always carried out her duties in a caring and professional manner and was well like by all her colleagues. She was a great family person, and she adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved when they would come to visit her. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and she will be dearly and lovingly missed by her husband, Pat; daughter, Anne; son, Stephen; son-in-law, John; daughter in law, Mary and brother Bill. She will also be fondly remembered by her cherished grandchildren, Catriona, Ashling, Shane, Liam and her adored great-grand daughters, Eabha, Sadhbh and Maya, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, kind neighbours and friends. Before the final blessing the eulogy was read by her daughter Anne. The ceremony was enhanced by the music and singing of Jacqueline Kenny. Following the Funeral Mass the deceased was laid to rest in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP Despite the unfavourable weather conditions, there was quite a good turnout for the annual Good Friday litter pickup, and a significant amount of work was done. What is equally important is that, on different days, groups of people in various parts of the parish are coming together and doing the litter pickup in their own area. Well done to all involved in this most welcome development, which sets a superb example.
One of the major projects for 2026 is the production of a digital map of the locality. This project is a joint one with Williamstown Tidy Towns, and it has enormous potential. Improvements continue at Templetogher Heritage Area, with the repainting of the large wooden gates adding significantly to the attraction of the area. Thanks, in the first instance to Williamstown Tidy Towns for making the paint in question available and secondly, to the participants in the RSS Scheme who did the tasteful painting job, not forgetting their supervisor. Another very welcome addition to the facilities at Templetogher is the placing of a defibrillator there. Thanks to the Parish Council for this most important development. Cooperation between the various community organisations in the locality continues to be a very positive feature. Another project which underway is trawling through old newspapers in search of items of interest relevant to the locality. It’s amazing to note the little nuggets that are turning up.
The society extends sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of the late Frances Griffin, Ballymoe (formerly Tarmey, Kilnalag), including her nephews and nieces from both the Finnegan family, Williamstown and the Tarmey family, Kilnalag; to the family, relatives and friends of the late Tommy Costello, Granlahan, including his wife Mary, children, brother Joe, sisters Mary, Helen and Bernadette; to the family, relatives and friends of the late Oliver Killaheena, England (formerly Cloonminda, Glenamaddy and Beaugh, Williamstown), including his brother Paddy; to the Lennon family, Derryvode on the death of their cousin, June Cordineli, New Jersey (daughter of Elizabeth Egan, Templetogher). RIP Frances, Tommy, Oliver and June.
Many of remember with great fondness Oliver Killaheena from his younger days in both Cloonminda and Beaugh. Always pleasant and friendly, bursting with energy, and full of good humour, he leaves many warm memories behind, not least on the football field, where his considerable talent was often seen to great effect. Rest easy, Oliver, old friend.
Well done to local footballer, Nathan Feeney on being selected to line out for London against Mayo in the Connacht Senior Championship in Ruislip on Saturday last. Though Mayo eventually ran out comfortable winners on the day, it’s good to see that Nathan’s talent is being recognised in his current base.
