FRENCHPARK
Sunset last week over Rathkineely, Ballinagare. Pic: Breda Durr
Letters have been distributed throughout the parish areas in regard to Fr. Micheál Donnelly’s Farewell. Anyone who did not receive a letter but wishes to contribute can place a donation in an envelope marked ‘Donation towards Fr. Micheál’s Farewell’ and it can be drop in to the collection basket at the weekend Masses or hand it into the parish office in Frenchpark. Also, please note that there will be a follow-up meeting in regard to a farewell party on this Thursday, July 23rd at 8 p.m. in Frenchpark Hall.
The death occurred peacefully of Mr Robert Callaghan, Lisduff, Fairymount on Sunday, July 12th last at Sligo University Hospital. Known locally as Robbie, he was predeceased by his parents, his sister Maeve and brother-in-law Bernie. In his 88th year, Robbie will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his sister, Angela; brother-in-law, Pat; niece, Fiona; nephews Raymond, Barry, Brendan and Pauric; grand-nieces and grand-nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. His remains were removed from The Sharkey Funeral Home, Frenchpark to The Church of the Sacred Heart, Fairymount on Wednesday evening last. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Thursday, July 16th last, interment took place in Fairymount Old Cemetery.
Pray for the repose of the souls of Fr. Miceál Noone, Galway & Ballaghaderreen; Mrs Yvonne Loughran, Upper Main Street, Ballyhaunis and Ms Brenda Fricker, Liberties, Dublin. May they rest in peace.
In memory of Michael Creighton and Pat McCrann, a Tractor Run will take place on Sunday, August 2nd next at Sheepwalk, Frenchpark. Run begins at 1 p.m. sharp. Registration from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.. Registration fee - €20. Music on the day with Chloe Sweeney with a DJ to follow. All proceeds will go towards supporting the schools in the four church areas.
Western Gaels held its weekly lottery draw on Saturday, July 18th last. There was no jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 4, 11, 22, and 33. Cash prize winners (€20 each) were Keith Butler, Caoimhe Dowd, Bernie/ Ger Eustace, Alan Finneran and Kyle Kerrane. The next draw (jackpot €3,600) will take place at the clubhouse in Frenchpark on this Saturday, July 25th. Tickets are available on-line through the Clubforce app or from local outlets.
Masses will be held in Frenchpark at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (21st), Fairymount at 10 a.m. on Wednesday (22nd), Tibohine at 7 p.m. on Thursday (23rd), Ballinagare at 7 p.m. and Frenchpark at 8 p.m. on Friday (24th), Ballinagare at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday (25th) and Frenchpark at 10 a.m. and Fairymount at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, July 26th.
Masses will take place at Tibohine New Cemetery on this Saturday, July 25th at 7 p.m.; Tibohine Old Cemetery Saturday, August 1st at 7 p.m.; Fairymount Old Cemetery on Sunday, August 2nd at 11.30 a.m. and Kilcorkey Cemetery on Friday, August 7th at 7 p.m..
Sewing classes for beginners will be held at The Cornerstone in Frenchpark, starting on this Tuesday (today) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Four-week course - €40. Places are limited. To book phone (094) 9870340.
A family sports day will take place at Tibohine Community Centre on Sunday, August 23rd next from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Further details will be available at a later date.
The Roscommon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold its annual church gate collection at the Sacred Heart, Church Ballinagare on Saturday, July 25th. Roscommon SPCA Charity is run by a team of dedicated volunteers with all money donated going directly to animal welfare in the county.
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The best wishes of the entire local community are extended to Fr. John Gannon who said his final Sunday Mass in Tulsk Church last weekend. Fr. John has served as parish priest of Tulsk for the past ten years and in that time, he has endeared himself to the community in many, many ways. A very pleasant and friendly individual, Fr. John is a man of deep Christian belief. Forthright but always fair, Fr. John treated everyone he interacted with equally and generously. For those who endured loss or challenge, he was a wonderful support and friend. In keeping with his unassuming nature, he extended his thanks to the community for their support and kindness during his time in Tulsk. Fr. John departs to Boyle where the community’s gain will be very much Tulsk’s loss. It’s no exaggeration to say that a tear or two was shed in the church last Sunday after Fr. John led the congregation in the singing of Amazing Grace. This was a poignant and moving affair, supported by the local Tulsk Choir of which Fr. John was deservedly fulsome in his praise. All of the community wish Fr. John every success in his new post – the thoughts and prayers of the community are with him. The parish of Tulsk will now be administered with support from the neighbouring Ballintubber and Ballymoe parishes – best wishes are extended to the new priests who will be administering the parish in coming weeks.
Well done to Mike McCarthy from the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre who as usual gave a wonderful lecture on the theme of ‘Who Shot Queen Meabh’ as part of this year’s Boyle Arts Festival. Mike has given the lecture to other audiences in the Roscommon Arts Centre and elsewhere in recent months. Wonderfully and wittily presented, the lecture received considerable public approval when performed at the weekend.
Hard luck to the Roscommon camogie ladies and Tulsk representative Grace Jones - who wore the Roscommon jersey with such pride at the weekend. The team were defeated by Armagh but played with great skill, intensity, and some superb scores on display. It just wasn’t Roscommon’s day, but every player should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved this season.
Congratulations to the Kingsize Big & Tall Menswear sponsored Roscommon LGFA U-16 team on their 4-14 to 0-10 win over Laois in the All-Ireland B Final last week – the congratulations of the entire community are extended to all the team and its management.
Well done to Cillian Hussey, who was selected as Best Dressed at his Debs and is now in the running for Ireland’s Best Dressed 2026. Local residents are invited to cast their vote for Cillian and show their support by liking/voting through the official competition link - https://www.debsireland.com/bestdressed/cillian-hussey/.
As part of National Heritage Week Rathcroghan Visitor Centre will host an event, coinciding with storytelling and the launch of Finnbennach Bull Sculpture on Thursday, August 20th, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.. This original sculpture, funded through Roscommon LEADER Partnership, was made by Longford artist, Liam Kavanagh and will serve as a landmark sculpture for Tulsk and Roscommon. It will celebrate the early Irish stories which inspired its creation, as well as the countless generations. The bull, made of stainless steel, represents the monstrous Finnbennach, the White Bull of Connacht, who was the property of Ailill Mac Máta, the husband of the Warrior Queen Medb (Maeve) of Connacht, whose home is at Rathcroghan. It is from here that she assembles the armies of Ireland to go across to Cooley, County Louth, to kidnap the only equal to the Finnbennach on the island, the Donn Cuailnge, the Brown Bull of Cooley. The local community is warmly invited to attend this event which celebrates the launch of a unique landmark, hear the origin story of the two bulls, how they caused war across Iron Age Ireland and how they met their ultimate end!
Tulsk GAA Club’s intermediate team have a busy August ahead of them in anticipation of this year’s Intermediate Football Championship. The side begin their campaign at home to St. Dominic’s on Friday, July 31st at 7.30 p.m. in Tulsk before travelling to Tarmonbarry to take on home side St. Barry’s on Friday, August 14th at 8pm. The side’s final round robin match will be on Friday, August 28th in Ballyforan at 8pm when they take on a St. Brigid’s second string.
Tulsk History Society is compiling a history of shops and public houses past and present in the Tulsk, Castleplunkett and Killina districts of the parish, and is looking for old photographs to illustrate a publication it plans to launch in August. Photos inside or outside of the premises will be welcome. Scanned copies can be sent by email to historytulsk@gmail.com.
Tulsk History Society’s newsletter is now out online via the website. This month the newsletter looks at the history of policing in Tulsk (including RIC and gardai), the story behind the old Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) banner, which many people will not be aware has a second mural on the reverse side to the United Irish League (UIL). The newsletter also reveals a re-print of a customer list from Simpson's Shop from over a century ago, looks at the 1926 census from a Tulsk context, and does a deep dive into the history of Fahy's shop in Glenvale. The legendary stallion 'Lapcock' also makes a cameo appearance. All of the society’s newsletters can be viewed on the website, as can all the editions of the Tulsk Morning Howl.
