Local Notes: Recent bereavements, Creative Sessions, GAA Presentation
Twins Savannah and Sophie Connolly with their Dad at Fuerty Fair. Pic: Breda Durr
The phenomenal input of PJ Martin, the Derries, Kiltoom into his local St Brigid's GAA Club and the Roscommon GAA scene generally was recognised by the club at a lunche in the Hodson Bay Hotel on Sunday, October 11th, when he was the recipient of a " This Is Your Life" presentation. Aged 81, PJ is the current vice-president of the club and his contribution as an official of the club over the past six decades was duly lauded. Former player, Basil Mannion, the Berries, Kiltoom, delivered the presentation in the course of which approximately 12 past officials and current and past players paid tribute to both him and his wife, the former Ms Emily Turley, Four Roads. P J, who was an inspector in the Special Delivery Service with An Post in Athlone for ten years prior to retirement, served St Brigid's in the roles of chairperson, secretary, treasurer and vice-chairperson. He was chairperson for seven years, secretary for 13 years, treasurer for 18 years and vice-chairperson for five years. He held the post of secretary of the then Mid-South Board for 13 years; the post of secretary of the Roscommon Minor Board for six years and also served on the executive of the Roscommon GAA County Board for 13 years. The current chairperson of the St Brigid's GAA Club, Alan McNiece, Barrymore, Kiltoom, paid a special tribute to him at the lunch for his decades of service. PJ is also known in golfing circles and he has been a playing member of Athlone Golf Club at Hodson Bay for the past 25 years.
The death took place on Friday, October 2nd, at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, of Mrs Marion Kelly, Hawthorn Avenue, Ballyforan. Aged 71 on October 24th last, she had been in ill health for some time and she bore her illness with characteristic dignity and fortitude. A native of Augherine, Ballaghaderreen, she resided in Birmingham in her youth and took up residence in Shannon, County Clare in 1971. She married Richard Kelly of Carrowkeel, Dysart, in 1973 and they had resided in family setting at Hawthorn Avenue since 1994. Of a friendly and caring disposition, deceased was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who was noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential community. Her innate decency and integrity was to the fore always and she enjoyed friendships with a wide age range. She enjoyed gardening and reading and viewing television as hobbies. A deeply religious person, she had great devotion to Our Lady of Knock and visited Knock Shrine a number of times annually up until recent years. An engaging conversationalist on a one-to-one basis, she espoused Christian values by virtue of everyday example. She is survived by her husband Richard; sons, Richard, Torpane, Ballyforan; Chris, Doughill, Curaghroe, and daughter, Marian, Kilkerrin, County Galway. She is also survived by her brothers Thomas, Birmingham; Philip, Shannon; sisters, Mrs Catherine Shanagher, Shannon; Mrs Evelyn Walsh, Kilkeshin, Co. Clare; five grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at St Joseph's Church, Ballyforan, on Monday, October 5th cremation took place at Shannon Crematorium. The celebrants of the Mass were Very Rev. Francis Beirne, PP, Ballyforan, Dysart and Tisrara and Rev. Michael Murphy, CC, Kilkerrin.
The Old Athlone Society has announced that the next lecture in its 2026–2027 programme, How the Free State Won the Irish Civil War, will be delivered by Dr Gareth Prendergast on Wednesday, October 28th at 8 p.m. in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. Dr Prendergast is a serving Colonel in the Irish Defence Forces, with more than 30 years of military service. Alongside his distinguished military career, Dr Prendergast has an impressive academic background. The Old Athlone Society welcomes everyone to what promises to be an informative and thought- provoking evening, offering a new perspective on the Irish Civil War and the military and strategic decisions that shaped its outcome. For further information, visit www.athlonehistory.ie.
Rotary Club of Athlone began the new Rotary year under this year's club president, Tony Gannon, by sending a donation for the Nepal Disaster Relief Fund, following the devastating flood and landslide which trapped many people and killed many more. The polio eradication campaign is the current fundraiser. This disease is almost eradicated, but there are pockets where vaccinations have not taken place and therefore polio has not been stopped. In November the annual gala concert in aid of the South Westmeath Hospice, another good local cause, will take place. Tickets worth €25 can be bought on the Eventmaster site.
The death took place on September 28th last at the Clondalkin Lodge Nursing Home, Dublin, of Ms Ellen (Nellie) Morgan, Inchicore, Dublin, who was a native of Pollalagher, Brideswell. Aged 97, she had been employed as a carer in Dublin all her working life and was noted for her care and concern for the well-being of all those entrusted into her care. A deeply religious person, she spent much of her holiday time over the decades visiting the Holy Shrines of Europe including Lourdes, Fatima and Medjugorje. She also enjoyed reading as a hobby. A member of a farming family of four boys and seven girls, she is survived by one sister, Mrs Margaret Glennon, Ballycreggan, Kiltoom; nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Monday, October 5th, in the Oblate Church of Mary Immaculate, Inchicore, the burial took place in Cam Cemetery.
The deadline for all articles, photographs, and news snippets for the annual parish magazine for the Parish of Moore and Clonfad is Sunday, October 25th. The magazine is published annually under the umbrella of Moore Community Council. The articles may range from family achievements and sport linked successes to reports from community groups active in the Parish over the past year. The family linked photographs to be submitted may range from First Holy Communion to graduations. Obituaries are also featured in the publication annually. The material should be submitted to the Moore Community Office, Moore Hall, Lakeland, Ballydangan, Athlone. The email is moorecc3@gmail.com. The telephone number for additional information is 0909673538.
The death took place on Saturday, October 3rd, at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, of Mrs Kathleen Finneran, Killeglan, Taughmaconnell. Aged 80 in February last, she had been in ill health a short time and she bore her illness with characteristic dignity. The former Ms Kathleen Lennon, Clonbulia, Drum, she was attached to the staff of St Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe, for a number of years prior to marriage. She was a devoted wife for the past 57 years to her husband Johnny and was also devoted to her immediate and extended family. She was also a most obliging neighbour and reliable friend to all those privileged to make her acquaintance. A weekly bingo enthusiast, she also enjoyed gardening and reading as hobbies. In recent years she partook in the activities of the Ballinasloe Social Services alongside her husband Johnny every Tuesday. A religious person, she supported a range of charitable causes and bequests with typical self-effacement over the decades. She is survived by her husband Johnny; sons; Sean, Killeglan; Paul, Killeglan; Noel, Creagh, Ballinasloe; daughters, Mrs Ann Grady, Kilclooney, Ballinasloe; Mrs Patricia Blackweir, Killeglan; Mrs Helen Fitzgerald, Waterville, County Kerry and Mrs Linda Ward, Kidlawn, Shannonbridge. She is also survived by brothers, Michael, Thomastown; Tom, Clonbulia; John, Dublin; Joe, Dublin; sister, Lena, USA; eleven grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell, on Wednesday, October 7th, the burial took place in Taughmaconnell Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell.
Free artist-led creative sessions for older adults will take place in Moore Hall on successive Mondays from October 19th to November 23rd, from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.. No experience is necessary. The sessions will be led by artist Claire Daly Madden and those interested may book by contacting the Moore Community Office at 0909673538. They can also email moorecc3@gmail.com
The death took place on Saturday, September 26th, of Mrs Bridie Farrell, Parkroe, Craughwell, Galway, who was the former Ms Bridie Staunton, Ballyline, Curraghboy. Aged 73 in August last she bore her final illness with characteristic dignity and fortitude. A general nurse by profession, she was attached to the nursing staff of the Regional Hospital, Galway, and nursed in its ICU and HD for varying periods. In her nursing role, she was noted for her caring and compassionate nature and her concern for the welfare and well-being of all those entrusted into her professional care. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she was a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. She enjoyed gardening and reading as her main hobbies. A devout Catholic, she supported a wide range of charitable causes and bequests with typical self-effacement. She was a regular visitor to her native Curraghboy over the years and she retained many lifelong friendships in the parish. She is survived by her husband Tommy, a native of Craughwell; sons, James, Craughwell; Ronan, Craughwell and daughter, Mrs Catriona Cunningham, Oranmore. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs Margaret Clarke, Dunlo Street, Ballinasloe; brothers,, Vincent, Ballyline; John James, Ballyline; six grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Colman's Church, Craughwell on Wednesday, September 30th, the burial took place in Ballymore Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Bernie Costello, Chaplain, Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy.
