Local Notes: Improved road signage, wedding bells and GAA update
Alice Wright with Padraig Stephens and Mella Stephens-Marques, pictured at a Market Day at Athleague End of Summer Festival. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
The improvement in general road signage throughout South Roscommon in recent decades is now often the subject of much favourable comment. The village structures and road junctions generally are well signposted. Athleague is signposted in the Creagh environs of Ballinasloe, Monksland and throughout South Roscommon inclusive of the Curraghboy-Roscommon road junction at Curnaseer, Kiltoom. Curraghboy is signposted at the Golf Links Road junction in Roscommon town and Four Roads village is also signposted on the Roscommon side of Knockcroghery. For many years motorists travelling to Rahara for weddings and funerals found it difficult to know where to turn off along the N61 Roscommon to Athlone road route. Rahara is now signposted on the road link the Athlone side of St John's Church. Clonown remains without signage in Athlone town but the road turn off on the Athlone to Ballinasloe road has had a Clonown sign for a number of years. Motorists travelling to both the Brideswell and Ballyforan funeral homes find the lack of signage for the villages along the Athlone to Tuam road within South Roscommon, namely Bealnamullia, Brideswell, Dysart and Ballyforan a problem in particular for those travelling from North Roscommon and West Roscommon with the intention of making a turn off on the Athlone to Roscommon N61 route. The villages are signposted on the major link roads in the area but not along the N61 within South Roscommon. A big number of motorists also hold the view that the road linkage for Limerick, Cork and Waterford should have signposting in the Athlone environs as well as the current signage for the cities of Dublin and Galway.
The marriage took place on Saturday, August 16th, at St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell, between Joseph Brandon, son of Martin and Mary Brandon, Fourmilehouse, Roscommon, and Sharon Corbett, daughter of John and Pauline Corbett, Onagh, Taughmaconnell. The bride was given away by her father. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass and Papal Blessing was performed by Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell. The bestman was Kieran Brandon, brother of the groom. The bridesmaids were Caroline Corbett and Deirdre Corbett, both sisters of the bride. The reception was held at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon.
The death took place on Tuesday, August 12th, of Mrs Maura Walsh, Old Galway Road, Monksland, Athlone. Aged 78 in May last, she was the former Ms Maura Kennedy, Johnstown, Cornafulla, and she had resided in family setting at the Old Galway Road for 53 years. She had been in ill health a short time and she bore her final illness with characteristic fortitude. Of a friendly and caring disposition, she was devoted to her immediate and extended family and noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential community. Her innate decency and integrity enabled her to make many lifelong friendships with a wide age range. She was a lifelong PTAA member and she received the various jubilee pins and diplomas down the years. A devout Catholic, she espoused Christian values by virtue of everyday example and she was a Minister of the Eucharist and reader at both Ss Peter and Paul, Athlone and St Anthony's Friary, Athlone, for a number of years. She had also visited Lourdes and Medjugorge over the years and had visited Knock Shrine annually up until last year. She also supported a wide range of Church and community activites in her native Parish over the years. She is survived by her husband Paul, Old Galway Road; son Sean, Johnstown; daughters, Mrs Yvonne Mulvihill, Johnstown and Mrs Caroline Fox, Barley Fields, Bealnamullia. She was predeceased by her sister Mrs Sheila Kelly and is survived by her brother Liam, Johnstown; sister, Mrs Pauline Mannion, Cloneyourish, Athleague; five grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at Ss Peter and Paul, Athlone, on Thursday, August 14th, the burial took place in Drum Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Joseph Wenjeslaus CC, Drum. He was assisted by Deacon Tony Larkin, Athlone ROAD CLOSED To facilitate ongoing works associated with the gas works in the Monksland area the Drum Road linked to the Summerhill junction was closed for some days two weeks back. Traffic was diverted via the old Ballinasloe road and Nolan's Cross. The road re-opened pm Thursday week last and a traffic management system has been in place.
The death took place recently of Mr Ronald Christopher (Ronnie) Keane, Dublin Road, Athlone, who was a native of the Curramore Road, Kiltoom. Aged 61, the deceased had been in ill health for a short time and he bore his final illness with characteristic resilience and fortitude. The deceased was a skilled electrician by trade and his all round competence in that work arena meant that he was much in demand among the public generally. Of a chatty and jovial disposition, his winning smile, affability and genuine nature enabled him to make many lifelong friendships with a wide age range. He is survived by his father Michael; brother Michael Junior; sisters Marie, Georgina and Siobhan; nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on Monday, August 18th, the burial took place in Kiltoom Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael Mc Manus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy.
All four South Roscommon senior club sides are competing in the third round of the group games this coming weekend. Padraig Pearses will clash with St. Dominic's. St. Brigid's will meet Michael Glavey’s and Clann na nGael take on St. Faithleach's. To date, a big number of supporters from the club catchments have been attending the clashes.
