Local Notes: Remembering James Lyons who gave a lifetime of dedication to the development of athletics
Pictured at an Allianz Cumann na mBunscol National Awards night 2025 in the Hodson Bay Hotel were: Áine Burke, Cathy Dervan and Olivia Dolan. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
A County Roscommon man who made a massive contribution to athletics in the community and at provincial and national level was laid to rest on Monday. James (Jimmy) Lyons, Bellfield Cottage, Togher, Taughmaconnell, who was 93, died peacefully at home on March 7th, surrounded by his loving family. Connacht Athletics said that it was saddened to hear of the “passing of a great Connacht Athletics man, Jimmy Lyons from St Ronan’s AC in Roscommon” and paid tribute to him for a lifetime of dedication to the development of athletics in Connacht. “Jimmy was a hard man to say no to at any time when it came to athletics and Community Games, always putting the athletes first regardless of ability and was ever encouraging the enthusiastic athlete. “Buses to Ferbane sports, Mosney, Galway Dublin hosting cross country races were regular occurrences,” said the group in an appreciation. Jimmy always kept athletes to the fore making sure they enjoyed their athletics. “When athletics wasn't popular Jimmy worked hard and for free as the Connacht Development Officer for BLOE [athletics before AAI]. He helped set up clubs, gave his time to young coaches, while somehow working full time raising his own family. Connacht Athletics has lost a dear friend a fantastic supporter of athletics May he Rest in Peace .” He was predeceased by his wife, Sheila; brothers, John and Michael and sisters, Mai and Nora. Beloved father of Micheál, Maura, Gráinne, Sheila (Noone), Siobhán (Flynn), Deirdre (Scannell) and Séamus and brother to Kathleen (McGinty, Derry) and Denis (London). Jimmy will be very sadly missed by his sons-in-law, Séan, Frank and Mark; daughters-in-law. Clodagh and Eimear; grandchildren, Oisín, Grace, Eoin, Conor, Shane, John, Sarah-Jane, Fionn, Molly, Alex, Jack, Matilda, Laura, Diarmaid, Jamie, Ruby, Joe, Caoimhe, Charlie and Dan. Jimmy will be remembered fondly by his brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends and neighbours. Jimmy reposed in Grenham's Funeral Home, Ballinasloe on Sunday, with removal to St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell. Requiem Mass for Jimmy was celebrated on Monday followed by burial in Taughmaconnell Cemetery.
Arrangements are now well advanced for the holding of Clann na Gael GAA Club's annual social on this Saturday, March 15th in The Shamrock Lodge, Hotel, Athlone. The function will commence at 7.30 p.m. and music will be supplied by Shanie Mac. There will be a presentation to the senior ladies champions on the night.
Mr Francis (Frank) Lennon, Upper Curramore, Kiltoom, whose passing took place on Wednesday, February 19th, at Roscommon Hospice was one of South Roscommon's best known and most respected senior citizens. Aged 90 on December 15th last, he was a member of a long established Kiltoom farming family. He had been in ill health a short time and he bore his illness with characteristic fortitude. A sheep and beef farmer, he was also prominently identified with the South Roscommon vegetable growing scene and he sold his quality produce in the market in Roscommon Town for over 50 years. He was noted for his communication skills as a vegetable seller and he displayed tact and discretion in all his dealings with his customers which extended in recent decades to second and third generation members of families in the Roscommon environs. He also kept abreast of the changing trends in farming generally and was a very competent judge of all livestock, especially cattle and sheep. Devoted to his immediate and extended family, he was a most engaging conversationalist with total recall of events and happenings of yester year. He was also a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. A devout Catholic, he recited the Rosary daily all his life and he had been a member of the Legion of Mary in Kiltoom in the fifties and sixties. He also visited Knock Shrine annually up until recent years and supported a wide range of charitable causes and bequests. He also had a lifelong devotion to St Anthony and espoused Christian values by virtue of everyday example. He supported a number of community activities in his native parish and served on the executive committee of the now defunct Kiltoom Group Water Scheme from the early eighties onwards. He was also a lifelong PTAA member and he had the distinction of receiving the 70 year of membership pin and diploma back in 2019. A member of a family synonymous with the St Brigid's GAA Club and the Roscommon GAA scene generally, he was a supporter of all St Brigid's and Roscommon GAA teams and he delighted in seeing his grandson Conor Hand line out recently with the Roscommon senior panel and his granddaughter Ria Lennon play with the Roscommon Senior Ladies Gaelic panel. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila, (nee Kelly, Killarney); sons, Tom, Brian, Colm and John and daughter, Mrs Ann Hand. A member of a family of six boys and three girls, he was predeceased by his brother, Pat, Curramore, and sisters, Mrs Mary Dolan, Curraghaleen, and Mrs Bridget Egan, Bealnamullia, and is also survived by one sister, Mrs Anne Henehan, Hill of Berries; brothers, Jay, Gorrynagowna; Anthony, Garrycastle, Athlone; Joe, Glasson; John, ( Brother Ronan, St John of God Order, Stillorgan, Dublin) eleven grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on Saturday, February 22nd, the burial took place in Kiltoom Cemetery. The chief celebrant was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. The other celebrants were Very Rev. Derek O'Connell, St John Of God Order, Kerry and Rev. Father Jason, O. Carm, Moate.
The death took place on Wednesday, February 26th, at Roscommon Hospice of Ms Margaret ( Rita) Meares, Culleenirwin, Dysart. In her 93rd year, she moved back from Ballsbridge, Dublin, seven years ago to live out her final years in her native Dysart. She had been in employment as a fashion buyer with Arnotts, Dublin, for upwards of 40 years and she travelled all over Europe buying fashion items for the Dublin outlet. She had worked in the fashion industry in Britain prior to taking up her post in Dublin and she was deservedly popular with her work colleagues and all those with whom she became acquainted. She retained many lifelong friendships in her native Dysart over the decades. She was an accomplished bridge player and she also enjoyed reading as a hobby. She was predeceased by her brother, John, Culleenowolagh, Dysart, and her sisters, Mrs Bridie Davey, Sydney, Australia and Mrs Mary Moore, Finchley, London and is survived by nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Joseph's Church, Ballyforan, on Friday, February 28th, the burial took place in Dysart Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Francis Beirne, PP, Ballyforan, Dysart and Tisrara.
The AGM of the Drum Cemetery Voluntary Group will take place on this Tuesday, March 11th, in Drum Parish Hall at 8.30 p.m.. All current members are requested to attend and new members are also welcome to come along and join the group.
Administration staff and general operatives are required for diverse areas of the Moore Community Employment Scheme. Those over 50 signing for credits for a number of years may now apply to participate in the scheme. Those interested should contact 0862501475.
All young people are welcome to join the weekly indoor hurling-camogie sessions in Moore Community Hall on successive Thursday evenings. U-10s from 6. 30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. and over 10s from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.. If those attending do not have a helmet one will be provided. Hurleys suitable for indoor hurling will also be provided. Admission, €2.
Mrs Bernadette Brooks, Racepark, Taughmaconnell, has been bereaved by the death of her father, Mr John King, Doughiske, Galway, which took place on February 15th at his residence. Aged 91 on February 9th last, the deceased was an esteemed member of the local farming community and he had also worked at the Galway Racecourse, for a number of years. Of an affable and caring disposition, he was devoted to his immediate and extended family and an obliging neighbour. An avid Gaelic games enthusiast, he played hurling with the local Castlegar Club in his younger days and was in the winners enclosure with them on a number of occasions. He is survived by his wife, Anne; sons, Noel, Gerard, Francis, foster son, Patrick; daughters, Mrs Sheila Brennan, Mrs Margaret O'Riordan, Mrs Kathleen Kelly and Mrs Bernadette Brooks. He is also survived by sisters, Sister Margaret, Mercy Sisters, Galway; Mrs Ann Monaghan, Galway; 19 grandchildren, one great grandchild and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at the Holy Trinity Church, Mervue, the burial took place in Renville Cemetery, Galway. Sympathy was extended to the Brooks family, Racepark, on their bereavement at the February monthly meeting of Taughmaconnell Community Council recently.
Mr Sean Dunning, Ballymakeegan, Longford, whose passing took place at the Laurel Lodge Nursing Home recently, was a native of Clonown, South Roscommon. In his late seventies, the deceased was brother of Mr Padraig Dunning, Clonown. He was attached to the Garda Siochana and was noted within the Garda force and the communities which he served for his integrity and innate decency. He was predeceased by his wife, Maisie, and sister, Kathleen, and is survived by brothers, Hubert and Padraig; sister, Anne and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Tuesday, March 4th, at St Mel's Cathedral, Longford, the burial took place in Clonown Cemetery.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Liam Fallon, David Connaughton, Eamon Ward, Padraig Flatley, Mrs Mary Doyle, Michael Doyle, Johnny Hughes, Vinny Brady, Grayson Reid, Mrs Marian Grehan and Mrs Eithne Leonard.
