Local Notes: Parade Time, Easter Ceremonies, Hospice Thanks
Cllr Sean Moylan, Deputy Martin Daly, Cllr Valerie Byrne and Deputy Claire Kerrane at the opening of the first phase of the Scramogue to Ballaghaderreen road project, the 7km Frenchpark by-pass. Pic: Breda Durr
Strokestown’s annual Easter parade takes place at 3 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Entries free, and all welcome. Contact 0719633759.
Results of the most recent SCDA fortnightly draw- Numbers drawn - 2, 8,12, 20. Two ‘Lucky Dip’ winners – Maureen Gibbons, Eurospar; Emma Hamill and Anita Parsons, Tulsk. Next draw is on Tuesday, March 31st March at the SCDA office. Thank you for your continued support.
Easter Ceremonies at the Church of the Immaculate Conception Strokestown, will include Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, April 2nd at 8 p.m.,; Celebration of the Lord's Passion, on Good Friday, April 3rd at 3 p.m.,; Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday, April 4th at 9 p.m., and Easter Sunday Mass at 11.30 a.m..
The Strokestown support group of the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice wish to thank most sincerely all who supported and donated to their "Shine a Light" Cards, and to McDonnell's Pharmacies in town and in Elphin for facilitating cards sales, with €984 collected. Also thanks to the Silver Eel Angels' Group who presented a cheque for €2,102 being the proceeds of sales of their book, "The Echoes of Our Angels" launched last November; to Strokestown Community Centre for donating €500 being the proceeds of the Bingo Christmas Raffle; and a private donation of €50. All funds received go directly to funding palliative care services in the community and in Hospices.
There will be a clobber/clothing collection at Kiltrustan Sports' Clubhouse on Saturday, April 4th from 11 a.m., to 1 p.m., going forward, Collections will continue on the first Saturday of each month.
There will be an Age Friendly Easter event at Kilbride Community Centre (F42 N277) on Wednesday, April 8th 2026, from 10.30 a.m., to 2 p.m..
The death took place recently at Roscommon Hospice of Miss Elizabeth (Elsie) Owens of 19 French Court, Strokestown. A native of Strokestown, she was daughter of the late Mr Charles Owens and of the late Mrs Lena Owens (nee Heavey), who were at that time the proprietors of a public house and grocery business at Bridge Street. The family subsequently moved to reside on the family farm at Cloonrane. She attended the local primary schools and the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon. She then studied and trained in Home Economics and Food Science. As a result she worked in a number of institutions including hospitals and hotels, where her diligence and kindly manner were much appreciated. She worked in Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in Connemara and for some years prior to her retirement at Mount Carmel Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin. She returned to live in her native town where she revived some old acquaintances and made many new friends through her friendly and charming disposition. She was a member of Strokestown Golf Club where she served as Lady Captain. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the Church Choir and Altar Society for many years, and the Choir fittingly performed at her Funeral Mass. She was very supportive of local events including the annual International Poetry Festival. She was a member of the County Percy French Society and of the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society and participated in all of its outing and activities. She loved foreign travel with family and friends. She remained active up until her final illness. News of her passing in her 97th year was heard of with deep sorrow among her relatives, wonderful neighbours and a large circle of life-long friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Mrs Marion Canning (Elphin) and by her brothers, Michael (Ballygar) and James (French Court). The Funeral Mass was concelebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown, by Monsignor Gerard Dolan (Sligo) (cousin), Fr. Eamonn O'Connor, P.P., and Canon Ciaran Whitney (Strokestown), and the interment followed in Strokestown Cemetery. She is survived by her sisters, Rosalie (Dublin), Mrs Helene Scott (Dublin) and Mrs Louise Curley (Athlone), nephews, Gerard and Michael Curley and David Scott, nieces, Mrs Edel Neary and Mrs Antoinette Whitty, grandnephews, grandnieces, cousins and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
The death took place recently in Manchester of Mr Seamus Carthy of Lisonuffy, Strokestown. He was a member of an old-established family in the area of Ballymore, Strokestown, and a frequent visitor to his home town where he maintained many friends and was immensely popular and convivial. He was son of the late Mr Brian Carthy and of the late Mrs Susan Carthy (nee Fallon). He was predeceased by his sisters, baby Bridget, Rosie, Patti and Bernadette, and by his brother, baby Tim. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Carniska, and the interment followed in Lissonuffy Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; children, Kieran, Kathleen and Colleen; grandchildren, Charlie, Finley, Gracie, Aoife and Fiach; sisters, Margaret and Mary; brothers, Matt, Brian, Gerard and Eamon; nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and other relatives to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
During a eulogy for Seamus his brother Brian recalled: “Truly, Seamus was a one-off who certainly lived life to the full. Seamus was so proud of his homeplace at the foothills of Sliabh Bán and surrounding areas. He had a deep appreciation of Irish culture and his Roscommon roots.”
Brian added: “It's been an extremely difficult last 12 months or so for the Carthy family with the passing of our eldest sister, Pattie in January 2025; Bernie left us a few months later in May 2025; Seamus's daughter, Colleen lost her partner, James in early January 2026 while Seamus sadly died on February 3rd. Our niece, Pauline Sharkey put it so well on the Carthy Party WhatsApp Group when she said that Seamus was loved and enjoyed wherever he went.
Seamus came into this world on November 14th, 1947. He was christened James Francis after his grandfather, Jimmy Carthy. But James Francis, the first son of Brian and Susan, soon became Seamus and that is the name he was known by all his life.
Older family members and relatives remember Seamus as a little boy with his own unique personality.
In her book, 'In The Shadow Of Sliabh Bán', mother said that Seamus was always an active lively little fellow. The year Seamus made his First Holy Communion; he fell off a bicycle and fractured a femur. He spent 12 months in Woodlands Orthopaedic Hospital in Galway. At the end of that time, Seamus had an operation and had a pin put into his hip. As mother said, Seamus's exploits in the Woodlands Hospital are something that should go down in history. He certainly led the nurses a merry dance.” Brian recalled that “he left home at 16 to work in England - a formidable challenge for any youngster even in today's world.
Seamus often talked about his younger days making the hay, saving the turf and helping daddy at carpentry and construction.
We have in our possession a letter which Seamus wrote to mother in February 1965 - 61 years ago.
He tells mother that he had secured a permanent job as a junior clerk in the head office of the railways having passed the entrance exam and the medical. He said it was the best job anyone could get. He asked mother to write to him as soon as possible and to tell everyone he was asking for them.”
Brian continued: “He had a special grá and affection for his many, many friends in Manchester - wonderful friendships nurtured through the decades. He was regular visitor to the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester where he was a friend to everyone.
Seamus played a key role in that special community, and the primrose and blue Roscommon flag was always proudly flown from his red van in the St. Patrick's Day parade in Manchester. On Thursday, February 19th in Manchester Seamus received a very special send-off as the wonderful community, he so loved, came together to honour him. As the hearse brought Seamus's remains for his last visit to Irish World Heritage Centre, led by a lone piper, a guard of honour was formed with all his friends’ holding flags from the 32 counties. It was very emotional for all his family, who will be forever grateful for that incredible gesture and the total respect shown for Seamus. Our deepest appreciation and thanks to you all.”
He went on to say: “He came home as often as possible to see family and friends. He loved visiting Frank’s of Ballybeg and Beirnes in Strokestown having drinks and telling stories. Seamus moved on from his first job in the railways and then started his career in construction - the same trade as our Dad. Seamus was a very humble and generous man, and I was told countless stories in Manchester of how Seamus continually supported people in need without a word to anyone.
“Many of you here today who remember Seamus sitting at the counter in Frank’s of Ballybeg or Beirnes in Strokestown with his cap on sideways, sipping his drink, telling stories and laughing at his own jokes, might find it hard to visualise Seamus the businessman, who hired hundreds upon hundreds over the decades in his building firms in Manchester.
His son Kieran said that when you run a business, many think that people work for you, but Seamus turned that around. Seamus worked with them and for them. They weren't just his workers or colleagues but his friends.
Seamus met his future wife, Brenda Towey in January 1970 in Manchester. They got engaged in September 1971 and married in June 1973 - 52 years married last year.
Seamus and Brenda were blessed with three wonderful children, Kathleen, Kieran and Colleen. He was so proud of you all and I know that you all had a deep love for your Dad. His family was front and centre and he passed on his love of Ireland to you all Seamus was so proud that you all followed in his footsteps in construction, engineering and architecture.
His grandchildren Charlie, Finlay, Gracie, Aoife and Fiadh brought Seamus great joy, none more so than in the last few years when he faced health issues.
“Seamus enjoyed life to the full. He loved sport was a keen racing pundit. He attended many of the big racing occasions over the years, including the Grand National in Aintree and the Gold Cup in Cheltenham. Just a small personal reflection - as a young boy Seamus got me up out of bed in the early hours of the morning to listen to BBC Radio's coverage of the Sonny Liston/Cassius Clay World title fight. So, his interest in sport, not just Gaelic Games and racing, was evident from very early on in his life.
Over the years, in advance of the All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals, Seamus would ring me to organise tickets for his friends from the competing counties.
I'd hardly be out of the RTÉ commentary position in Croke Park when the call would come from Seamus to source tickets. Always the good deed.
Seamus was just very good-hearted.
And that big generous heart of his gave up on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, in North Great Manchester Hospital, previously known as Crumpsall, where his two sisters Rosie and Bernadette had both nursed.
So, no doubt in his final moments, Seamus was enveloped by the care and spirit of Rosie and Bernadette.
The family are consoled that Seamus had a wonderful last day in hospital as he entertained the nurses and staff with stories and spread joy as only he could.
He was laughing and joking with the nurses’ moments before he lay down, and he was gone within 30 seconds.
The words of the poet John O'Donohue are appropriate:
"Though we need to weep your loss, You dwell in that safe place in our hearts, Where no storm or night or pain can reach you."
God bless you Seamus as we take you to your final resting place in Lisonuffy,” Brian concluded.
