Local Notes: Leading rowing figure widely mourned, heritage talk and social dance
Roscommon Rose Rachel Hastings at her send-off party for the Rose of Tralee in the Big Apple, Ballyforan, pictured here with with: Kelsey Daly, Blaithín O’Rourke, Melissa Kelly, Miriam Hastings, Ailish Connolly and Grace Dodd. Pic. Gerard O'Loughlin
Mr John McGeehan, Clonark, Cornafulla, Athlone, whose death took place at his residence on Tuesday, July 16th, was synonymous with the sport of rowing over a number of decades. He was president of Rowing Ireland from 1980 to 1988, a former Olympics team manager and a past president of Athlone Boat Club. He was the recipient of wide ranging tributes from the rowing fraternity both locally and nationally following his death. In the course of their tribute Rowing Ireland emphasised that during his tenure as [resident he had worked tirelessly to promote and develop rowing across Ireland. In the process his vision and commitment helped to elevate the sport, inspire young athletes and strengthen the rowing community with the outcome that his legacy will continue to influence Rowing Ireland for years to come. Athlone Boat Club by way of tribute stated that the deceased was held in high regard in the rowing club in Athlone and at national level. Formerly of Beechpark, Athlone, he is survived by his wife, Mary , brother, Frank, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Coosan, on Thursday, July 18th, the burial took place in Coosan Cemetery.
The death took place on Monday, July 22nd, at a Boston hospital of Mr Ronan Morris, Weymouth, Boston, who was a native of Kieranstown, Brideswell. Aged 79, he emigrated to Boston at the age of 18 and he had been employed as a truck driver in the city for upwards of 50 years. He had been in ill health for some time and he bore his illness with characteristic resilience. He was a weekly bingo enthusiast and he also enjoyed card playing as a hobby. He was a regular visitor to his extended family members and friends in South Roscommon over the decades. He is survived by his wife Mary, a native of County Cork; son, Patrick; daughters, Marie and Carol and granddaughter Lauren. He is also survived by a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection in Boston on Saturday, July 27th, the burial took place in Boston.
South Roscommon's nationally known local historian, Willie Gacquin, Curraghboy, will be the guest speaker at a heritage talk in Ballintleva National School on Sunday, August 11th, at 3 p.m.. Entry is free and all those interested are welcome to attend.
A total of €1,284 was raised for Brideswell National School by virtue of the cake sale held in the school on Pattern Sunday, July 28th. This sum would not have been raised without the hard work of the Brideswell NS Parents Association, volunteers and all those who supported the fundraiser in any way. The organisers extend a sincere thank you to one and all.
The death took place on July 23rd at Roscommon Hospice of Mr Paul Ferry, Lysterfield, Curraghboy, who was a native of Ardsbeg, Gortahork, County Donegal. Aged 58, he had resided in family setting at Lysterfield for the past 20 years. Of a friendly and caring disposition, he was devoted to his immediate and extended family and noted for his sense of neighbourliness in his residential catchment. A fluent Irish speaker, he was a plumber by trade and much in demand for his all-round competence in that area. An avid sports enthusiast, he had the distinction of training both a Cam Celtic under-age soccer side and a Hodson Bay Celtic soccer youth team and he was deservedly popular among the memberships of both clubs. Skilful at making St Brigid's crosses, he also enjoyed gardening as one of his main hobbies. He is survived by his wife Jeannie (nee Freeman, Tarmon, Castlerea); sons, Ultan, Brendan and Cathal and daughter, Nicha. He is also survived by one brother, John; sisters, Moya, Linda, Lorraine and Gwen and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on Thursday, July 25th, the burial took place in Cam Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, a native of Curraghboy.
Mr Aidan O'Carroll, Hodson Bay, Kiltoom, has been bereaved by the death of his brother Mr Billy O'Carroll, Ballinasloe, which took place on Thursday, July 25th last. Aged 94, the deceased was known internationally on the hotel and hospitality scene for a number of decades in his role as proprietor of the highly rated Hayden's Hotel, Ballinasloe. Predeceased by his wife, Renee, he is survived by daughters, Maeve, Finola and Clodagh. He is also survived by his brother, Aidan; three grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Creagh, on Tuesday, July 30th, the burial took place in Creagh Cemetery.
Mrs Regina O'Connell, Rathpeak, Moore, has been bereaved by the death of her father, Mr Ger Bracken, the Green, Clara, which took place on July 13th at Beaumount Hospital, Dublin. Aged 67, his unexpected death after a short illness has come as a shock to his immediate and extended family, neighbours and circle of friends. The deceased was a self-employed plumber and he was much in demand for his all-round competence in that arena. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a most obliging neighbour. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and daughters, Lydia, Clara; Helena, Clara; Debbie, Rathdowney; Regina, Rathpeak; Aisling, Taughmaconnell and Holly, Clara. He is also survived by brothers, John, Clara; William, Mountmellick; sister, Mrs Mary Leigen, Clara; eight grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Brigid's Church, Clara, on Thursday, July 18th, the burial took place in Clara Cemetery.
The death took place on Friday, July 5th, at Tullamore Regional Hospital of Mrs Anne Murphy, Moyvannion, Kiltoom. Aged 78, she had resided in family setting at Moyvannion, Kiltoom, for the past 46 years and she had been in ill health a short time. Of a friendly and jovial disposition, she was the former Ms Anne Tobin, Clough, Ballacola, County Laois, and was attached to the Civil Service in Dublin and latterly the Department of Education in Athlone for a number of years. She was deservedly popular with her work colleagues and all those who made her acquaintance. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she was a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. She enjoyed reading avidly and widely as her main hobby and she was regarded as an authority on the published works and plays penned by the late Maeve Binchy. She also engaged in knitting and crochet work as hobbies. She supported a number of community activities in her adopted parish and was involved in Foroige in the decades past. A religious person, she performed innumerable acts of Christian charity with typical self-effacement throughout her life. Predeceased seven years by her husband Gerard, a native of Inchicore, Dublin, and by her baby daughter Susan, she is survived by sons, Vincent, Italy; David, Sheffield, England; daughters, Mrs Catherine Seery, Cornafulla, Athlone and Geraldine, Nottinghamshire, England. An only child, she is also survived by seven grandchildren, first cousin, Catherine O'Connor, Portlaoise, and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on Tuesday, July 9th, the burial took place in Kiltoom Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, a native of Curraghboy.
The death took place on Thursday, June 20th, at the Royal Free Hospital, London, of Mr James (Jimmy) Collins 50 Gadstury Close, London, who was a native of Castlesampson, Taughmaconnell. Aged 79 on October 7th last, he emigrated to London in 1968 and was employed at the building construction scene in the city and its environs. Of a quiet and caring disposition, he was deservedly popular with his work colleagues and all those with whom he became acquainted. Devoted to his extended family, he was noted for his sense of neighbourliness in his residential catchment. A Gaelic games enthusiast, he was a follower of the Roscommon GAA scene generally. He was a regular visitor over the decades to his extended family members and friends in Taughmaconnell Parish. He is survived by brothers, Liam, London; Tony, Monksland; sisters, Mrs Dympna Guinan, Clonfanlough, County Offaly and Mrs Ita Ganley, Castlesampson. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell, on Thursday, July 11th, the burial took place in Taughmaconnell Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell.
Arrangements are well advanced for a social dance in Moore Community Hall, Lakeland, on Friday night, August 16th. The function is scheduled to get underway at 9.30 pm with Eddie Quinn. Contact Rosie at 0877707105.
The annual Cemetery Mass will be celebrated in Kiltoom Cemetery on this Saturday, August 10th, at 7 p.m.. The customary big attendance is anticipated. Roscommon County Council has installed two new gates at each end of the cemetery wall alongside the main Athlone to Roscommon road. The two access gates will facilitate pedestrian access to the cemetery in safety throughout the year.
