Local Notes: Mass Times, Scór na nÓg and Barn Dance
T.J. Lambe, Williamstown, pictured with his horses at Fuerty Fair. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
The Scór na nÓg county semi-finals will take place in St. John’s Community Centre, Lecarrow on Friday and Saturday, October 16th and 17th. On the Friday night, the competition will be held for solo singers, ballad groups and instrumental music and on the Saturday night figure dancing, recitation, novelty acts. The best of luck to all the St. Dominic’s competitors.
October devotions continue on Sunday, October 18th in St. John’s Church, Lecarrow where the rosary will be recited at 6p.m. and also on Sunday, October 29th in Knockcroghery Church. All are welcome.
St. John’s Parish Heritage Group thanks all who contributed to the recent church gate collection for the maintenance and upkeep of the Old St. John’s Cemetery. A total of €420.21 was collected. A sincere thanks to all for the generous contribution and thanks to the collectors.
The Kilcroan Cemetery Committee sincerely thanks everyone who attended last Sunday’s final cemetery cleanup of 2026, as well as all who helped throughout the year. Special thanks go to Aidan Conboy and Tommy Timothy, who organised the strimmers and ensured they were ready and working each Sunday. The committee also thanks everyone who took part in the Sunday rota, volunteered for extra Sundays, or stepped in at short notice. The excellent condition of the graveyard is a credit to each and every one. The committee is always looking for new volunteers to give just two hours a year to clean the cemetery. Please contact Kathleen at 087 7553909 to add your name going forward. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the upkeep of the cemetery. The generous donations will greatly help towards the maintenance. It is a pleasure to get positive feedback on Kilcroan Cemetery and without all the help, this would not be possible. It is only right and proper to acknowledge and respect the dearly departed. As always, when you visit the cemetery, the committee would kindly ask that anyone cleaning graves take away the wreaths or old flowers from the cemetery. Please do not leave anything around the walls.
SNJ Cafe in Williamstown, which has become such an important addition to the community in recent years, celebrated the second anniversary of its opening on Tuesday last, October 6. There were decorations and celebrations to mark the occasion, with all customers on the day getting a free treat.
Warm congratulations to the proprietors Sam and Nijole, and wishing them continued success with their venture, which has already far exceeded their wildest expectations.
Monthly meetings of the Heritage Society are now on hold for the winter months, but ongoing projects will continue and the WhatsApp group will keep all in contact with each other. “The Puddler Poet - the Life, Times and Poetry of Michael McGovern”, the biography of a very talented local man from Castlefield, Williamstown, written by the renowned RTÉ broadcaster, the late Jim Fahy, remains available at €20, from many bookshops and other outlets in the locality, in the West of Ireland, and further afield. It can also be purchased directly from Leo Finnegan (086 1603043) (finneganleo100@gmail.com) Sympathy to Liam Costello, Castlerea (former principal of Williamstown NS) and his family, on the death of Liam’s sister, Teresa Moore, Mayfield, Claremorris.
Williamstown Heritage Society and Williamstown have completed production of the annual calendar. The calendar has already gone to print and will be available in a few weeks. The response to the request to various businesses, organisations and individuals to sponsor advertisements in the calendar has been most encouraging. So it looks very much as if the great success of this venture in all previous years is about to be repeated once more.
A public meeting to discuss the two year delay in the repair of the main road coming into Arigna village will take place in the Miners’ Lounge Bar on October 19th at 8 p.m.. Local representatives will be in attendance. A good public attendance is essential.
In cooperation with Harp Ireland and to celebrate Lá na Cruite / The National Harp Day 2026, members of the Carolan Collective – including some Roscommon harpers playing both ancient wire-strung and modern harps – will perform a selection of local music and song in Kilronan Castle on Saturday, October 17th at 8 p.m..ocated less than two kilometres from O’Carolan’s grave in the ruins of Kilronan Abbey (14thcentury), why not take the opportunity for an afternoon stroll and visit the last resting place of the blind bard on the picturesque shore of Lough Meelagh, followed by some restorative refreshments, fine food and wonderful music and song in Kilronan Castle.
Dark evenings are setting in, so why not dust off those dancing shoes and come join jiving, starting Thursday, October 15th at 8 p.m..
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot when the draw was held at the weekend. The numbers drawn were 6,12,16, 18. Consolation prizes were won by the following, €70, Mary Kelly, Keadue; €30, David Cooney, Ballyfarnon; €20, Joanne Cox, Ballyfermoyle, Keadue; €20, Julie Kilbride, Tullytawn, Keadue; €20 Catherine Gaffney, Ballyfarnon. Jackpot now €3,400. Enter online at stronansgaa.com.
Ardcarne Foroige Youth Club meets every two weeks in Cootehall Community Hall, Friday evenings 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.. New members are always welcome. If you would like to become a leader, the group would love to have you come on board. Contact Flora 085 883 0323.
Barracks Cuppa & Chat – has resumed in the Barracks, Cootehall on Thursdays at 11.30 a.m.. New members welcome.
The Cootehall, Crossna Drumboylan Defibrillator Group is holding a fundraising function in Clancy’s Bar, Knockvicar on Saturday, October 17th. Music by Stuart Moyles. Refreshments and raffle on the night. Many great prizes to be won. Please come along and support.
Roscommon Dementia Alliance hosts a monthly Cafe in Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle to help support people affected by dementia their families and carers. This month’s Cafe takes place on Wednesday, October 21st, 2 p.m.to 4 p.m. and will include music, song, advice and a chat. If you like to attend, please visit www.roscommondementia.ie or contact Teresa Keegan on 087061183 for more information.
Card games resume in Drumboylan Centre on Thursday, October 15th at 8.30 p.m..
Ardcarne Parish Graveyards Committee wish to express sincere thanks for the generous donations received following the recent tri-annual appeal. A list of donors will be published and displayed in Ardcarne and Kileenan in November 2026. Any person who wishes to donate should do so now to have their name included on this list.
Kilkerrin Choir, in association with Dunmore Choir, present an evening of Remembrance and Hope on Friday, October 16th in Kilkerrin Church and Saturday, October 17th in Dunmore Church at 8 p.m.. Come along to q very special evening of music and share in the comfort that music can bring as all pause and remember those we have loved and lost. Funds raised go to HUGG and Anam Cara. Tickets can be purchased online at tickettailor.com or at the door.
Holy Rosary will be recited in Kilkerrin Pastoral Centre daily at 3 p.m. except Tuesdays and Fridays due to Tuesday evening prayer meeting and Friday Adoration. Volunteers needed. Holy Rosary recited in Clonberne Church on Sundays at 7 p.m..Broadcast on local radio 106.6FM.
A Healing Mass will be celebrated at 7.30 p.m. in St Patricks' Church, Glenamaddy on Friday, October 23rd with service of laying of hands of healing by Eddie Stones. Special night of hymns and prayers. A voluntary contribution will be taken up.
The Baby Noel Heneghan Barn Dance takes place on Saturday, October 17th in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. A great night of entertainment is promised with music from Claudia Buckley, John Molloy and Sean Fahy. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets €20 available on Eventbrite, from reception in the Abbey Hotel or on the door on the night. All proceeds go to FirstLight. Your support is greatly appreciated.
