Local Notes: Memorial tractor run, Sports' Day, and late Mrs Bernie Murray appreciation
Pupils from the junior room at Kiltrustan NS, Strokestown made tennis rackets as part of their work on the theme of hobbies.
The 43rd annual Kiltrustan Sports' Day takes place on Sunday, June 22nd, with gates open at 12.30 p.m.. Races commence at 1 p.m. sharp. Admission, €5 per person and €20 per family. Lots of activities on the day.
The results of the SCDA fortnightly draw held on May 27th - numbers drawn were 8, 10, 19, 21. There was one Match Three winner - John Caldwell, Curry. Next draw is on Tuesday, June 10th at the SCDA office. Thank you for your continued support.
Mass at Kiltrustan Church on Sunday, June 15th is at 10 a.m..
Service of Holy Communion at St. Coman's Church, Roscommon, on Sunday, June 15th is at 11.30 a.m..
The Elphin and Achonry pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place from Friday, June 13th to Sunday, June15th June. For details, including bus travel, please visit elphindiocese.ie/lough-derg.
Application forms and full details for the assisted pilgrim section of the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes are available from Fr.Ray Milton, P.P., Pilgrimage Director, St. John's, Lecarrow, phone- (090) 6661115. Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is Friday, June 16th. All other enquiries in relation to the pilgrimage can be directed to Joe Walsh Tours (JWT) at (01) 2410800 or by e-mail to info@joewalshtours.ie.
Would you be interested in providing home from home short breaks for children and adults who have an intellectual disability? The Brothers of Charity Services Ireland Homeshare Roscommon are recruiting host carers. For further information on what is involved, please e-mail Homeshareroscommon@bocsi.ie or telephone Caroline on (090) 6628500 or (087) 2126607.
The Roscommon GAA Social Initiative annual outing takes place on Saturday, July 18th to Westport and Achill, cost €85. Contact Kathleen Dixon at (087) 4122348 for further details.
The committee of the "Mad Mick" memorial tractor run, in memory of the late Mr Michael Kelly, Borefield, together with the Kelly family, wish to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the success of the run, including sponsors, raffle donors, auction donors, tractor drivers, those who made donations, purchased raffle tickets or assisted in any way. This co-operation helped to raise a whopping €28,483.09. The committee is delighted to see the proceeds going to Kiltrustan Heartsafe Group, Strokestown's Children's Playground and also a contribution to the Hub Community Cafe. The Committee know that Mick (Michael) would be delighted with the entire event and outcome.
The monthly memory cafe will take place at the Lough Key Forest Park Boyle, on Wednesday, June 18th June, from 2 p.m., to 4 p.m., and on July 16th from 2 p., to 4 p.m.. The cafe helps to support people affected by dementia, their families and carers. Contact Teresa Keegan on (087) 7061183 for more information.
The death took place recently at Roscommon Hospice of Mrs Bernadette (Bernie) Murray (nee Carthy) of Gallowstown, Roscommon, wife of the late Mr Johnny Murray. A native of Ballymore, Strokestown, she was daughter of the late Mr Brian Carthy and of the late Mrs Susan Carthy (nee Fallon). She and her late husband operated the Corner House licensed premises in Strokestown for a number of years during which time she made many firm friends in the area. She also previously resided at Trim, County Meath. News of her passing was heard of with deep regret among her relatives, former neighbours and many friends. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Colin, sisters, Bridget, Rosie and Pattie, brother, Timothy, brother-in-law, Pat, uncle, Michael, and aunt, Mary. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Carniska, and the interment followed in St. Coman's Cemetery, Roscommon. She is survived by her children, Suzanne and John; grandchildren, Ryan, Gary and Shauna; sisters, Margaret and Mary;
brothers, Seamus, Matt, Brian, Gerard and Eamon; nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
No words of mine would ever be adequate to describe Bernadette or Bernie, as she was known by most everyone, all her life. Indeed, Bernie was the name she carried with dignity, honesty, integrity and good humour from the time she left the foothills of Sliabh Bán near Strokestown to the very last day of her life in the wonderful care of the doctors, nurses and entire staff of Roscommon Hospice and before that in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. Bernie herself would have looked after many patients with kindness and compassion during her time as a nurse, so her family will be forever grateful that she was cared for so well in the final weeks of her life. Her beloved children, Suzie and John, were at their Mum’s bedside morning, noon and night during her time in hospital as Bernie battled her illness with incredible courage and unwavering optimism. Suzie and John had an extraordinary bond with their Mum.
Her grandchildren, Ryan, Gary and Shauna were so central to Nanny Bernie’s life. Clearly, her children and grandchildren all possess that genuine, caring quality that was such an integral part of Bernie’s life. Every conversation with Bernie included her family.
Life for Bernadette Carthy began in the little townland of Ballymore on October 27th, 1945. Granny Carthy said that Bernie was a “great little worker and housekeeper and helped look after her younger brothers and sisters.” Bernie attended Clooncagh National School and later Strokestown Secondary School. She moved to England at the age of 16 and followed in her mother Susan’s footsteps and started as a nursing cadet in Sheffield where she joined her older sister, Rosie.
Bernie completed her training at Crumpsall General Hospital in Manchester. She won first prize in nursing for the whole of the north of England for which she received £1,000 prize money. With that money, Bernie purchased her first car, a Mini. She met her future husband, Johnny Murray, on a blind date, in Manchester and got married in Strokestown in August 1969. They eventually settled in Manchester where she continued her nursing career. The birth of their two children, Suzanne and John, brought Bernie and Johnny immense joy and happiness. Down through the years, Bernie always spoke about how proud she was of her children and how good and kind they were to her. That same pride extended to her grandchildren, Ryan, Gary and Shauna.
Bernie returned to Ireland in 1975 and settled in Cooksborough outside Mullingar. During her time there, she nursed in Ballinderry. She returned to Manchester in the late 80’s and set up a group of nursing homes.
She had a change of career when she opened a bar and takeaway in Strokestown in the early 90’s. She thoroughly enjoyed her time there and made many new friends. Such was her nature and goodness that when she made friends, she nurtured those friendships which crossed all generations. Nothing was more important to Bernie than meeting and keeping in touch with all the family. She suffered great sadness when her husband Johnny died. After her time in Strokestown, she opened a health shop in Trim, County Meath which she ran for 28 years. She continued to help so many people with her kindness and advice. She was proud to hand over the business to her son John, who has continued that spirit of helping others.
A light has gone out in our family with the passing of our beloved Bernie.
Our memories of Bernie will live on forever – a very special person, deeply loved by everyone. Rest in Peace Bernie.
