Local Notes: Population Growth Continues, Booklet Launch, Card Games Resume
Members of the Kiltoom/Cam Community Group presenting a cheque to Martina Jennings of Roscommon Mayo Hospice following a hugely successful coffee morning sponsored by Hodson Bay Hotel. The event raised valuable funds for Hospice care services across the region, and the group would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported the morning and contributed to its success.
The recent census figures, which indicate that the greater Monksland area of South Roscommon now has a population of 5,282, a growth of over 2000 individuals since 2006, is reflective of ongoing population inflow to South Roscommon due to its geographic proximity to Athlone, Ballinasloe and Roscommon. Since the late seventies in particular, South Roscommon has been experiencing a growth in population and the recent lifting of restrictions on one off housing should assist that ongoing growth. The South Roscommon villages of Bealnamullia, Ballyforan, Knockcroghery, Lecarrow, Athleague and Brideswell have benefitted from group housing schemes and there has been individual house building in proximity to Curraghboy, Rahara, Castlecoote, Chapel Street, Four Roads, Dysart and Mount Talbot. The South Roscommon members of the council have highlighted the need for the ongoing development of the South Roscommon villages, and, on the infrastructural front, the villages have benefitted from additional public lighting, extension of footpaths and more clearly defined road markings. The schools in the villages and rural districts are now more clearly outlined and defined but the council members are also seeking pedestrian crossings in the villages in proximity to the schools. The community centres in the villages are now also prominently identified due to the footpaths and additional public lighting. The community centres are also well maintained by the local community committees and generally they enjoy a great deal of community activity and usage by local residents and groups.
At Gullane’s Hotel, Ballinasloe on Saturday last, the Galway 1925 All-Ireland football champions committee hosted a lecture on the great seven-in-a-row Ballinasloe football side, 1913-1919, which went on to backbone the All-Ireland winning squad. Historian Steve Dolan launched the booklet ‘The Ballinasloe Invincibles’ to commemorate the great players of a century ago, with all proceeds going to charity.
Cushla Active Age will hold a coffee morning in Monksland Community Centre on Saturday, October 31st from 10 a.m. in aid of Roscommon Hospice. Event will include a cake sale, bring & buy and a raffle. Hospice Christmas cards & Let Love Shine a Light cards for Christmas Tree in Knock will be on sale on the day.
The death took place on Monday, August 31st, at Roscommon Hospice of Mrs Eileen Daly, Moyvannion, Kiltoom. Aged 75 on February 9th last, she was the former Ms Eileen Grehan, Newpark, Kiltoom, and she had resided in marital setting at Moyvannion since 1979. She had been in ill health for some time and she bore her illness with characteristic resilience and fortitude. She was an employee of the Civil Service at the Department of Education in Dublin for eight years prior to marriage and she had a lifelong interest in educational matters and current affairs generally. Devoted to her immediate and extended family, she was a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. Over the decades she was associated with a number of community activities in South Roscommon, and, in recent years, she was an activist with the Monksland Active Age Group and the Kiltoom and Cam Community Group. An exponent of Irish music, song and dance, she was very much to the fore in the Athlone Comhaltas branch and taught set dancing throughout the midlands with the utmost tact and concern for her pupils. She was also a member of the Strawboys Group and danced with the Group at weddings and functions all over the midlands. A religious person, she had great devotion to Our Lady and St Martin De Porres and she supported a wide range of charitable causes and bequests with typical self-effacement. Of a chatty and jovial disposition, her affability and innate decency enabled her to make friendships with a wide age range. She is survived by her husband John, a native of Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan; daughters, Mrs Fiona Egan, Ballinahowen; Mrs Deirdre Ward, Lecarrow, and Orla, Walkinstown, Dublin. A member of a family of five boys and two girls, she is also survived by one sister, Mrs Philomena McAndrew, Ballina; brothers, Noel, Moyvannion, Kiltoom; John, Boston, USA; Malachy, London; Joseph, Hodson Bay, Kiltoom; Francis, Boston, USA; five grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom, on Thursday, September 3rd, the burial took place in Kiltoom Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Brendan O'Sullivan, PP, Ballinahowen. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy.
The weekly progressive 25 card games will resume at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on this Tuesday, September 15th at 9 p.m.. The series of games has been hosted at the handball complex from September to June since the late eighties with the exception of the Covid time period. New players are always welcome to come along and join.
The weekly line dancing classes will resume at the St Brigid's Handball Complex, Curraghboy, on Monday, September 28th. The beginners class commences at 7 p.m. and the regular class commences at 8.15 p.m.. Newcomers are welcome.
The death took place on Sunday, August 23rd at Romford, Essex, England, of Mr Tom (Tommy) Kelly, Romford, Essex, who was a native of Dundonnell, Taughmaconnell. Aged 88 in June last, he was employed as a postman by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs in his native Taughmaconnell for some time prior to emigrating to Britain in 1959. He was employed in the construction scene for a number of decades and was much in demand for his skills and all round competence in that work arena. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was respected for his affability and innate decency. An avid Gaelic games enthusiast, he played with a St Peter's GAA panel in the late fifties which took home three Roscommon minor titles and he continued his involvement with the GAA scene by being both a player and committee member of Thomas McCurtain's GAA Club in Dagenham. He was a regular visitor to his extended family members and friends in his native Taughmaconnell up until recent years and he also enjoyed foreign travel generally as a hobby. He is survived by his wife Chris, a native of Cork city; son Anthony, Sydney, Australia; daughter Elaine, Romford. A member of a farming family of three boys and three girls, he is also survived by one brother, Ronan, Dundonnell, Taughmaconnell, grandchildren, and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection the burial took place in Romford.
The St Brigid's Community Choir resumed their get togethers for the autumn and winter on Wednesday, September 2nd. They will meet on successive Wednesdays in the St Brigid's Sports and Social Centre at Newpark at 8 p.m.. New members are welcome to come along and join the choir. The choir will stage their first concert of the season in the St Brigid's Centre at Newpark on December 5th, at 8 p.m..
Mrs Claire Kelly, Cloneash, Oldtown, has been bereaved by the death of her father, Mr Michael McDermott, Cloonkeen, Castlerea, which took place unexpectedly on August 17th, at University College Hospital, Galway. The deceased was a highly esteemed member of the local farming community who kept abreast of the changing trends in farming over the decades. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. Of a chatty and friendly disposition, his affability and genuine nature enabled him to make friendships with a wide age range. A devout Catholic, he had great devotion to Our Lady of Knock and he performed innumerable acts on Christian charity in the course of his life. An avid Gaelic games enthusiast, he was a follower of all Castlerea St Kevin's GAA panels and Roscommon GAA panels and was helpful and supportive of his wife Marie when she held an administrative role with the Castlerea-St Kevin's Club. He is survived by his wife Marie, (nee Finan); son, David, Castlerea, and daughters, Mrs Michelle McLouughlin, Swinford, and Mrs Claire Kelly. He is also survived by one brother, Cormac, Boyle; sisters, Mrs Martha Joyce, Glenamaddy; Mrs Celia D'Arcy, Castlerea; Mrs Mary Donlon, Glinsk; six grandchildren; nephews, nieces, and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Friday, August 21st, the burial took place in St Joseph's Cemetery, Castlerea. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. John Mc Manus, PP, Castlerea. Members of the Castlerea-St Kevin's GAA Club formed a guard of honour at the removal on Thursday evening.
All is now in readiness for the staging of the annual Ballyforan Fair on the Ballyforan Green on this Saturday, September 19th, and Sunday, September 20th. Saturday will once again be the main fair day featuring sheep, horses and poultry. There will also be a dog show, a baking competition, children’s entertainment with a total of €8,000 as a prize pool. The activities continue on Sunday with the South Roscommon Vintage Club Vintage Rally featuring a traditional threshing and baling.
