Local Notes: Tourist attractions praised, social dancing and mass times
Tom Mulry from Four Roads, who will reach 100 years young on his next birthday on October 4th, pictured here with his daughter-in-law Angela and son Mark at the Irish National Sheepdog Trials in Bridswell at the weekend. Pics: Gerard O’Loughlin
The many and varied tourism assets, which are now fully functional throughout the rural South Roscommon terrain are often the subject of favourable comment from visitors to the area and especially during the current peak tourism season. The geographical outline of the area is a valley within the Shannon and Suck rivers and access to both has greatly improved in recent decades. On Lough Ree, Portrun, Lecarrow Harbour and Hodson Bay have all been developed as recreational and amenity areas. Access to the Suck around Ballinasloe, Shannonbridge, Correen Ford and Ballyforan has improved immensely over the past three decades and fishing is a part of the holiday scene on the Suck. Fishing stands have also been provided on the Cross river in the Bealnamullia area and the Ballyforan Amenity Park and walk-way has strengthened the tourism potential for fishing and recreation generally at that location. The Athlone Golf Club 18 hole course at Hodson Bay, Kiltoom, has long had a national profile and it strengthens the general tourism package at Hodson Bay. Many visitors to the area with a passion for Gaelic games have been stopping off in recent years to view the Gerry O'Malley memorial in Brideswell village and, over the past year, the memorial to the legendary Jimmy Murray in Knockcroghery is also attracting visitors. Over the past 15 years the memorial bronze bust of John Gately Downey of Castlesampson in Taughmaconnell Parish which was erected in October 2010 at Chapel Street, Taughmaconnell has also been arousing visitor interest from USA tourists in particular. Mr Gately Downey was the first foreign born Governor of California. The many and varied memorials erected by the Drum Heritage Group attract visitors annually also and many of them also stop off at the Drum Heritage Centre. Key tourism assets in South Roscommon which attract hundreds of visitors annually include Glendeer Pet Farm, Drum, the Derryglad Folk Museum near Brideswell and the Knockcroghery Clay Pipe Visitor Centre. Two other internationally known tourism attractions in the St John's area are St John's Wood and the ancient medieval town of Rinn Duinn. Public parking has also improved in proximity to both facilities. The Green Heartlands cycle route is well signposted. The hotels and guesthouses serving the region are well marketed and visitors to cemeteries seeking out ancestors or wishing to pray for deceased family members express satisfaction at the manner in which the old cemeteries have been restored and also signposted in the rural districts. Athleague is yet another village on the Mid-South Roscommon border which has greatly enhanced its general tourism package over the past two decades.
Arrangements are now well advanced for the holding of a social dance in Moore Community Hall on Friday night, August 22nd. Dancing will be from 9.30 p.m. with Pat and Susan Murray. Contact Rosie @ 0877707105.
The Drum Cemetery voluntary group has arranged for its annual Mass to be celebrated on Saturday evening, August 16th, at 7 p.m. in the Drum Cemetery Reflection area. The Mass will be offered for all the faithfully departed. The customary big attendance is anticipated.
General operatives and administration staff are required for a number of diverse areas of the Moore Community Employment Scheme. For more information see www.jobsireland.ie or contact 0862501475.
The St Brigid's Community Choir will resume rehearsals after the summer break at the St Brigid's GAA Centre, Newpark, Kiltoom, on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 8 p.m.. The choir is currently comprised of over 40 members. New members are welcome to come along and join the choir in the autumn.
The death took place on Friday, July 25th, at her residence of Mrs Kathleen Glennon, Doone, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, who was the former Ms Kathleen Mulvey, Cappayuse, Ballydangan. In her mid-seventies, she had resided in family setting at Doone, Kilconnell for over 50 years. Devoted to her immediate and extended family, she was noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential catchment. Of an affable and friendly disposition, she was a lifelong PTAA member and she received the various jubilee pins and diplomas over the decades. A devout Catholic, she supported a wide range of Church linked activities and varied charitable causes. She is survived by her husband Sean; sons, Shane and Cyril and daughter, Geraline. She is also survived by sisters, Mary, Athlone; Margaret, Cappayuse; grandchildren, Sean, Zach, Daniel, Mya, Isabelle and Emily and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at St Patrick's Church, Fohenagh, on Monday, July 28th, the burial took place in Killure Cemetery.
The death took place unexpectedly at the Galway Clinic on Thursday, July 24th, of Mrs Mary O'Neill, Clonellan, Ballydangan. Aged 73, she was the former Ms Mary Murray, Clonellan, and was a member of an esteemed farming family in the locality. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she performed innumerable neighbourly deeds and kind acts throughout her life. She took a keen interest in current affairs and all farming affairs and was an engaging conversationalist on a one to one basis. A lifelong PTAA member, she received the golden jubilee PTAA pin in recent years. A devout Catholic, she visited Knock Shrine annually over the decades and supported a number of charitable causes and bequests. She enjoyed reading and gardening as her main hobbies. She is survived by her husband Kevin, sons, David and Mark and daughters, Anne-Marie and Michelle. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following concelebrated Mass at St Brigid's Church, Drum, on Monday, July 28th, the burial took place in Drum Cemetery.
Dr Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Achonry will celebrate the annual Mass of the Angels at Ss Peter and Paul, Athlone, on Wednesday, August 20th, at 7.30 p.m.. After the Mass a memorial will be unveiled and blessed in the church grounds to remember the little ones called home too soon.
The Athlone Deanery one day pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place on Saturday, August 23rd next. The cost is €50 euros per person which includes bus fare and admission to the Island. The spiritual director is Rev. Joseph Wenjeslaus, CC, Drum. To book or enquire email loughderg@ athlone parish.ie or call 0906437125 Cemetery Mass Hundreds of people attended the annual Open Air Cemetery Mass celebrated in Kiltoom Cemetery on Saturday evening, August 9th last. The celebrant was Very Rev.
Michael Mc Manus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy.
There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on this Friday evening, August 15th, at 7 pm.
Fundraiser event for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind takes place at the Bounty Athlone on August 16th at 9 p.m. Please support this worthy cause. Music by Midlife Crisis on the night also raffle. Free entry.
