Local Notes: Mini masterpieces, James Kilbane evening and arts festival
Roscommon Credit Union, Ballaghaderreen branch made a recent donation to Ballaghaderreen Women's Shed.
A mural has been commissioned for the gable wall of what many know as the De La Salle Brothers school, which became St. John’s National School and now is known as the Family Resource Centre (F45 EK13). The official launch will take place on Friday, July 4th at 2 p.m. by Grace Boland T.D., daughter of the Minister for Education in 1982, John Boland. The mural is in Remembrance of the abolishment of corporal punishment in 1982. All are welcome to attend for this unique and momentous occasion.
Do you have a child starting school in September? If so, Ballaghaderreen Library invites you to a story time session especially for school-going children and their parents on July 12th at 11 a.m... There will also be an opportunity to pick up a free Little Library Bag and to join the library if you are not already a member. This is a free event and booking is advised at ballaghaderreenlibrary@roscommoncoco.ie or 0906 632537.
Explore your creative side with writer Mary Branley and share with other like-minded young people, in a supportive setting at Ballaghaderreen Library on July 2nd, 9th, and 16th from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.. Your writing will be published in the annual Siarscéal publication and will be shared at the special Festival Day in October. This is open to all teenagers aged 13-18. Workshops are free but spaces are limited. To reserve your space contact ballaghaderreenlibrary@roscommoncoco.ie or phone 0906 632537.
It’s competition time at Ballaghaderreen Library for those mini masterpieces. All children under 10 can enter by creating an artwork that reflects the theme of the month. For July the theme is Sunny Days. Draw or paint on A4 white paper. Add your name and age or library card number on the back and submit your masterpiece to Ballaghaderreen Library before the end of each month to be in with the chance of winning a monthly prize. All monthly winners will also have the chance to showcase their art at the end of the year during a special Christmas exhibition. A special guest will choose the overall winner for 2025 who will receive a grand prize.
The Citizens Information service will be in attendance at The Community Resource Centre, The Shambles, on Wednesday, July 2nd from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.. No appointment necessary. For further information contact the Community Resource Centre (CDP) on 094 — 98 62565, Roscommon Citizens Information, 0818 07 6360.
The Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival, running from August 2nd to 10th, will include Rocky Towey and family, who will perform before Sharon Shannon in St Nathy's Cathedral on Thursday, August 7th. Rocky has already played a supporting role to Sharon in Australia. Appearing at the same venue on Wednesday, August 6th, before the Celtic Tenors, will be a new children's choir, assembled by Catherine Coyle, making their debut performance. Also performing that evening will be the Cathedral Choir led by Maria Moynihan, with a solo performance by soprano Chloe (Beecham) Ewings of Edmondstown House. Meanwhile, the Broken Theatre Circus will have performances daily at a Big Top in the Fair Green. More acts and entertainers will be announced over the coming weeks.
There is an opportunity available for a metal fabricator apprenticeship at Tully Forge Ltd., Ballaghaderreen. Contact Gerard Mulrennan, Unit 19, Ballaghaderreen Business Park. gerard@tullyforge.ie www.tullyforge.ie
ATU St. Angela's is inviting applications for the Autumn 2025 Programme, Part-time Certificate in Religious Education for primary school with online delivery. Closing date for applications is August 15th . For further information, contact Mary Kearns, mary.kearns@atu.ie. Remember the 977 LocalLink bus runs directly to the ATU campus from Ballaghaderreen.
Ballaghaderreen FC’s 50/50 jackpot of €230 on Tuesday night last was won by Mike & Margaret Muldoon, seller, Imelda’s. The Joker was not found. Mike and Margaret will have a chance to win €1,000 on Tuesday, July 1st at the Community Park, if they can pick the Joker before the 50/50 draw takes place. Tickets are available in outlets throughout the town and online at Clubforce.com.
Ballaghaderreen FC has a special orange coloured deposit return scheme bin at its ground in the Community Park. This bin is to raise funds for the club and to also clear the ground of empty plastic bottles and cans only. Empty, undamaged plastic bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo are the only items to be placed in this bin. Ballagh FC thanks you for your continued support.
Last weekend’s competition was kindly sponsored by Gaynor Plant Sales. The gents competition was won by Aidan Tansey with 40 points. Dion Dwyer was second with 39 points. Many thanks to all the generous sponsors GAA 50/50 The GAA 50/50 draw was held on Sunday, June 29th in Solan’s Bar, Main Street. Winner of the jackpot of €510 was Pat Morley, c/o Brusna Inn, selling agents, Brusna Inn. Next draw is on July 6th in The Hatch Bar, the Square. Well done to Ballagh on their comprehensive win against Westport.
‘Ballagh Tourism’ needs your help for the summer season. It needs you to help promote what a unique area of beauty and a place of heritage Ballaghaderreen is. Ballaghaderreen Shop Local (BSL) will be giving free strategy advice on how to maximise your tourism exposure both locally, online and abroad, as well as advice on funding availability and products that can help. If your business is in the hospitality, leisure, travel, transportation or lifestyle and wellness, then BSL can help. Grants from Tourism Ireland, Roscommon County Council and other bodies are available. Contact Ballaghaderreen ShopLocal on Facebook or at Ballaghaderreenshoplocal@gmail.com.
The walking group meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at The Family Resource Centre. Phone Philly to confirm participation on 0861360154. Refreshments served afterwards. Get involved, get active and make friends in Ballagh.
The Active Retirement group meets in the Ozanam Centre from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. New Members are welcome.
The death took place on Tuesday, June 24th of Mrs Josephine Molloy Doddy, wife of John, Doddy's Pub, Ballymote. She was a sister-in-law of Sarah Powell, Clonsilla, Gurteen. Sincere sympathy to her husband, John; daughter, Jane and to Sarah.
Gurteen Cemetery Mass on Saturday, July 26 at 11 a.m.; Templeronan Cemetery on Sunday, August 3rd at 4 p.m.; Killaraght Cemetery Mass on Sunday, August 10 at 1 p.m..
The Eastern Harps 50/50 draw held on Monday, June 23rd was won by Rhona Tansey, Ballinafad who won €633. The club is most grateful for all the support each week to assist with the running of the club.
Gurteen Celtic’s jackpot was not won on Sunday, June 22nd. Numbers drawn were 6, 11 ,18 and 27 and the €50 prize went to Veronica Shannon, Cloonanure, Gurteen. The committee is most grateful for all support.
Bingo is held every Friday at 8 p.m. in Gurteen Hall. Jackpot is at €2,100 on 46 calls and the lotto jackpot is €350. The committee is most thankful for all the support.
Gurteen Community Care’s annual summer outing to Castlecourt, Westport will be on July 10th. Dinner served at 1 p.m. followed by music and dancing, €50 per person and booking is essential. The closing date was extended to get enough numbers because unfortunately the outing cannot go ahead unless there are sufficient numbers. Contact Veronica 086-8679173, Paddy 087-7870013, Mary 087-60995579 or Gurteen Day Centre.
The concert in the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen on this Wednesday, July 2nd will feature the Lissadell Ceili Band. A night not to be missed- email colemanmusiccentre.com or telephone 071-9182599.
St. Patrick’s Church Strandhill is having an evening of prayer, hymns and praise with James Kilbane on Sunday, July 13th at 7 p.m.. Donation will be accepted. Information from parish office, 071-9168147. All welcome.
