Local Notes: Recent deaths, Emerald Jubilee, and Liverpool remembers Gerry
Congratulations to Canon Liam Devine on the celebration of the Emerald Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Pic: Dave Maher/Sportfile
St. John’s Lecarrow Vintage Club is hosting a parish Family Fun Day on Sunday, June 22nd in Lecarrow village as part of the Lecarrow Pattern celebration. Highlights on the day will include a novelty “High Nellie” cycle around the village, and a number of duck races will be run in the local river, ducks will be available to sponsor on the day. There will also be a soccer skills challenge, free face painting and many other attractions and amusements. Donations from the funds raised on the day will be made to Roscommon Underwater Search and Rescue and Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. Please come along and have fun in the village while supporting good causes.
There was a deep sense of shock and sadness when the news broke of the unexpected death of Mr Michael ‘Tiger’ Lyons, Knockcroghery who passed away on May 23rd peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff at University Hospital Galway, surrounded by his loving family. His passing will leave a deep void not just in the parish of Knockcroghery but in a much wider circle when he was so well known. He was the second eldest of a family of three boys, born to his late parents, Pat and Margaret Lyons. He was born in November 1939 and was in his 86th year. Predeceased by his infant son Patrick, parents, Pat and Margaret and his brothers, Jimmy and Peter. Michael received his primary education at Ballymurray National School, afterwards he help out on the farm with his father. Like many young men in those years Michael decided to go to England for some time. He secured work and married the love of his life, Phil, who was a neighbour’s child from Gailey. They later returned home, took up residence in Knockcroghery, settled into the Lyons ancestral home and raised a family of three girls and four boys. Michael’s father and grandfather had been a big part of the village for a long time and was one of the families involved in making clay pipes, a tradition that made the village of Knockcroghery famous. His father Pat was a teenager in 1921 when the black and tans burned the village and he often told his three sons about how he slept in a car in the shed for months after their home was destroyed. Michael took over the running of the family farm with the help of Phil and the family. He was well known within the farming community and drove a cattle lorry for many years and covered the length and breadth of the country transporting cattle and sheep to marts and factories. Among other voluntary pursuits, Michael was part of the committee that revived the Knockcroghery Fair in the early 1990’s. Tiger as he was known to so many in recent years, loved going to the races especially the Galway Races when he was part of a large gang of Knockcroghery racegoers making the annual trip. In fact, he attended the Roscommon Races on Monday prior to his death. Michael had a great love for all sport and was a keen follower of Gaelic games, all through his life. In his younger days he was a great hurler and won junior county medals in 1968 and 1972 with St. Patrick’s and was part of the first St. Dominic’s team to win a county championship, the intermediate championship in 1973 (the team captained by the late Tony Coyne). His achievements and contribution to St. Patrick’s and St. Dominic’s Clubs are referred to in St. Dominic’s GAA Passion for Play book. Michael will be very sadly missed by his wife Phil of 61 years, daughters, Margie, Karen, and Polly; sons, Peter, Mike, Shamey and Tony; sixteen grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
The local cemetery committee has arranged a big clean-up of Ballintubber Cemetery on Wednesday, June 18th at 7 p.m.. The committee is appealing to people to attend to help with grass strimming, weeding and sweeping. Please bring strimmers, spades, scrapers, wheelbarrows, buckets and brushes. The committee is asking that Christmas wreaths, artificial wreaths in poor condition and withered flowers be removed from graves. If this is not done prior to the Cemetery Mass, the committee will be doing it. This clean-up is in preparation for the annual Cemetery Mass. Another clean-up when required will be organised prior to the Mass.
The annual church gate collection in aid of the assisted pilgrim section of the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place on Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd at all churches in County Roscommon. This year 35 assisted pilgrims from the diocese will travel to Lourdes and all monies collected at church gates will be used to help defray the costs of this section of the pilgrimage. Please support this very worthy cause.
A stroll for Sean Brown the popular Cloonfad man will take place on Sunday, June 29th in Cleveragh Park, Sligo. The funds raised in the gofundme page will go towards the care of those suffering from Motor Neuron Disease. This will be a short community walk and all are invited to participate.
As the youth season comes to a close the club wishes to thank everyone who helped to make it so successful. In particular the sponsors. Heat pump troubleshooters, DG Roofing, Cloonfad Scenic Walks, Roadcare Works, MTB Construction, Fagan Carpentry and Kirrane Auctioneering. The roll of honour for 2024 is as follows: U-18 Challenge Cup and Premier Division Cup Champions; U-16 Division 1 runners-up; U-14 Division 1 Champions; U-12 Division 2 League and Cup Double; U-11 Champions League Runners-up; U-11 Girls’ Champions League runners-up.
Congratulations to Canon Liam Devine on the celebration of the Emerald Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Canon Liam will celebrate mass in Kilmurry Church on Friday, June 20th at 8p.m. Refreshments will be served afterwards in Kilmurry Hall, with music by Jimmy Kearney. All welcome to come along and join in the celebrations.
Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke from Tarmon, have won gold medals for Ireland at the World Hyrox Championships. The boxing sisters won gold in the doubles event in Chicago on Sunday last. Hyrox is an indoor fitness competition. A massive congratulations to the girls on such a huge achievement.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the Shelley and Keaveney families, Milltown, on the passing of Mary Joe, and Teresa's nephew, John Gorman who passed away in London recently. John lay in repose at McDonagh’s Funeral Home, Castlerea on Sunday and funeral Mass took place on Monday, in St. Patrick's Church Castlerea with burial afterwards in Ballintubber Cemetery. May he rest in peace.
Gerard (Gerry Cunningham ) who died recently was a lifelong Liverpool supporter and it was fitting that a tribute was paid to him in the match day programme at the recent Liverpool v Chrystal Palace game. No doubt he would have been proud and honoured to be remembered on what was a momentous occasion for the club as Liverpool clinched a historic 20th league title.
The peaceful death occurred on Sunday, May 25th at his home of Mr Thomas (Tommy) Dowd, Camderry, Newbridge/Creggs, County Galway. He was predeceased by his parents, Darby and Mary, brother, Pakie, sisters, Maureen, Kathleen and Lena and grandson, Jack. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Christina; children, Avril, Chrystal, Dermot, Rachel, Thomas, Marguerite, Martin, Michael, and Aine; brothers, Peter, Martin, John and Dermot and sister, Bridie. He is also mourned by his sons-in-law, Enda, Martin and Donal; daughters-in-law, Lorin and Sarah; partners, peter and Miriam; grandchildren, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, and extended family members relatives and friends. His remains reposed at Smyth's Funeral Home, Roscommon on Tuesday, May 27th before removal to St.Mary's Church, Kilbegnet. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Wednesday May 28th the burial took place in the local cemetery.
The peaceful death occurred on Friday May 23rd at University College Hospital, Galway of Mr Michael Lohan Ballinahowna, Creggs. He was predeceased by his wife, Catherine, parents, John and Mary, brothers, Patrick and Thomas and sister, Sr. Marie Bernadette. Michael is survived by his sons, John, Thomas and Michael; daughter, Mary; sisters, Peig, Brid, and Eileen; brother-in-law, Thomas; nephews, nieces, extended family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. His remains reposed at Smyth's Funeral Home, Roscommon on Monday May 26th before removal to St. Mary's Church, Kilbegnet. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Tuesday, May 27th the burial took place in the local cemetery.
Hard luck to the Glinsk ladies junior team who were knocked out of the Connacht 7s in Bekan after a shoot off with Kilconly. Glinsk finished joint second in the group stage but lost the shoot off by three points to two. Glinsk defeated St.Michael's/St.Ronan's and Eoghan Rua but lost narrowly to both Kilconly and Mountbellew/Moylough. The following players proudly represented Glinsk - Shauna Keane, Aisling Keane, Caoimhe Keane, Sarah O'Neill. Tegan Neary, Taylor Neary, Nichola Mulligan, Rita Connelly, Saoirse Kelly, Beth O' Mahoney, Nicole Mulhearn, Roisin Brennan, and Emma Griffin. Well done also to manager John Feeney who had the girls well motivated and in great shape on the day.
Residents are invited to an important public meeting in terms of having their say on the future of the community. Tulsk Action Group, in partnership with Tulsk Lord Edwards GAA Club, has secured significant funding to develop a master plan for a four-acre site next to the new pitch, a project that will shape the future of the community. Ideas and visions are welcome at this important meeting which takes place on Thursday, June 19th in Tulsk Macra Hall between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.. During this meeting, Outscape, the organisation leading the master plan design, will host a community workshop to gather input from all residents. The goal is simple - make sure every voice is heard and every idea considered. Whether you’ve lived in Tulsk your whole life or are just new to the locality, this is residents’ opportunity to help shape what this space becomes for the community and for future generations. This is an important opportunity for residents to come together as a community — all residents are warmly invited to attend.
The sympathies of local residents are extended to Olivia Lenihan on the passing of her mother, Mrs Bridie Costello (nee Mulvee) late of Chapel Street, Elphin and formerly of Killeglan, Taughmaconnell. The deceased, who was in her 86th year, passed away with her family by her side, in the care of all the staff at Sonas Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague. She was predeceased by her husband, Pat, parents, Mary and Pat and brother-in-law, John. Bridie will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving daughter, Olivia; sons, Padraig and Brendan; daughter-in-law, Lenore; adored grandchildren, Cillian, Alisha, Fionn, Aoibheann and Nóra; brothers, Tom and Pat; sister, Kathleen; sisters-in-law, Sheila and Mary; nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. The deceased reposed at Brady’s Funeral Home, Elphin before being removed from the family home to St Patrick’s Church, Elphin for Funeral Mass on Monday, which was followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Well done to the PB Network junior ladies on maintaining Division 2 status for next year after their recent game against Western Gaels. Well done to all the players and management on a fantastic achievement.
The June meeting of the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society (CRHAS) took place in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk last week. A lecture was given by historian, Dr. Aidan Enright, who spoke on the history of the O’Conor Don family of Castlerea. There was wide ranging debate following the lecture, which was very well attended. The Society will now break for the summer season and return with the new season of lectures in October.
Well done to all the local participants in the handwriting county finals of Community Games, which took place in Kilbride Community Centre last week. There was intense competition in all of the grades, namely for U-10s, U-12 and U-14s.
Sadly, due to the impact of Storm Éowyn earlier this year, there will be no Mass at Ogulla Shrine this year. Efforts are ongoing to repair the storm damage.
Members of the local community are invited to attend two events organised by South Connacht CIS in partnership with Roscommon County Council, Roscommon LEADER Partnership and Age Friendly Roscommon in Kilbride Community Centre. The first of these events ‘State pensions and retirement entitlements’ will take place on this Wednesday, June 18th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. while the second ‘wills and inheritance’ will take place the following Wednesday, June 25th again from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Information stands will be on display at both events.
It was a busy weekend for Tulsk’s camogie stars of the future. First the club’s U-14’s, sponsored by TRA Professional Services, travelled to Cavan to play in the Táin Óg Finals while the club’s U-12 travelled to Kildare for the Hurl With Me Blitz Day. The team are sponsored by Sonas Healthcare.
Tulsk’s U-10’s, sponsored by Hilltop Dairies, had a busy week, which involved a trip to Newtownforbes to play Clonguish GAA. The team participated in a very entertaining game where the players played great football. Meanwhile, the club hosted its first home blitz of the year, welcoming Strokestown, Kilglass Gaels and St Barry’s. This was an enjoyable and fun day for the 16 lads involved, who all got to play three games. Thanks are extended to all the clubs involved and to the parents who providing tea/coffee.
The Tulsk Rinka Summer Camp will take place in the local Macra Hall from July 15th to 17th inclusive for children aged five years and older. Bookings are now being taken but there is also an opportunity to win a free place to the camp. The question to answer is – how many Rinka Summer Camps are there. To enter, visit the home page on Facebook of Tulsk Macra Hall and tag a friend to receive an extra entry.
The following is the schedule for Cemetery Masses in the parish for this season – the first celebration will be held in Rathmoyle Cemetery on Sunday, June 8th at 10 a.m.. Then on Saturday, July 5th at 8 p.m., Cemetery Mass will be celebrated in Killina. The annual Cemetery Mass in Tulsk will take place on Sunday, July 6th at 11.30 a.m. while Cemetery Mass in Kilcooley Cemetery will take place on Sunday, July 13th at 11.30 a.m..
Kellogg’s GAA Cul Camps will take place in Tulsk from July 28th to August 1st. Places are still available. Book online now at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie
Tulsk GAA club wishes to extend their sincere sympathies to club secretary Olivia Costello, on the passing of her mother, Bridie last week. Condolences to Cillian, Alisha and the extended Costello/Lenehan families. May Bridie's gentle soul rest in peace. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dílis. An important meeting takes place in the Macra Hall this Thursday, June 19th at 7 p.m. to develop a masterplan land surrounding our new training pitch. All are welcome to attend - have your say on what should be included in this area. The club's PB Networks sponsored junior team had a comprehensive win over Kilglass Gaels in the Division 5 League on Sunday. The club's PB Networks sponsored Intermediate team will play St. Dominic’s on Wednesday, July 2nd in the O'Gara Cup.
