Local Notes: Annual Senior's Party, Chair Yoga, Cross Making
Holly Folan with her grandfather at the opening of the exhibition ‘Maiden, Mother, Saint,’ as part of the 2026 St. Brigid's Day Festival at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk. Pic. Breda Durr
The Frenchpark ladies group would like you to join them on Sunday, February 15th next from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Frenchpark Community Hall for the annual seniors’ party. A two-course meal and drinks will be provided. Dancing to music from Carmel McLoughlin begins at 4 p.m..
Western Gaels held its weekly lottery draw on Saturday, January 31st last. There was no jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 20, 28, 29 and 34. Cash prize winners (€20 each) were Martin Casey, Annette Cregg, Breda Durr, David Gaffrey and Charlie Henry. The next draw (jackpot €6,500) will take place at the clubhouse in Frenchpark on this Saturday, February 7th. Tickets are available on-line through the Clubforce app or from local outlets.
Classes will resume in Tibohine Community Centre on Monday, February 9th next from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Seven-week block. No experience required. For further information or to book a space contact Suzie on 083-8234259.
As part of its fundraising efforts, the Fairymount National School Parents Association is collecting empty bottles and used batteries. If you have any bottles with the return logo, these can be placed in the orange bins at the side of the school. The money collected from these goes straight to providing equipment for the school. If you have any used batteries, please contact 087-1418896 to arrange collection of same. The more collected, the higher the chances are of winning a sports equipment grant for the school. Batteries in size up to electric fence batteries are accepted. Many thanks to all for your continued support.
The death occurred of Mr Padraig Rock, Dublin and late of Runaboll, Ballinameen on Saturday, January 24th last at Clearbrook Nursing Home in Dublin. Padraig was predeceased by his father, Bernard, mother, Kathleen and his brothers, Benny in 2015 and Tommy in 2025. He is deeply regretted by his loving sisters, Marian Keenehan (Boyle), Agnes Gannon (Kilmore) and Kathleen Wynne (Kent); brothers-in-law, Noel and Chris, Kathleen’s partner, Mark; sister-in-law Bernadette; nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Following Requiem Mass in St. Attracta’s Church, Ballinameen on Saturday, January 31st last, Padraig was laid to rest in Caldra Cemetery.
Pray for the repose of the souls Mr Johnny Cryan, New Jersey, USA (son of the late Charlie Cryan and Breege Martin, Ballinagare); Mr Gilbert Muldowney, Ballinameen & Lucan, Dublin; Mr Eugene Crosbie, Enniscorthy, Wexford; Mrs Nancy O'Connor, Convent Road, Ballaghaderreen and Mr Nicholas Fleming, Curraghsallagh, Lisacul. May they rest in peace.
The Don National School, Cortoonmore will hold an enrolment evening on Tuesday, February 17th next from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for new pupils and their parents. For further information contact the school on (094) 9880478 or you can e-mail the school at office@thedonnationalschool.com LINE DANCING Line dancing with Mildred Beirne has resumed in Frenchpark Hall on Wednesdays, 7 p.m. for beginners and 8 p.m. for advanced.
Classes will resume on this Friday, February 13th in Frenchpark Hall from 11 a.m.-12 noon. Suitable for all. Beginners welcome, €10 per class. Contact Suzie on 083-8234259 for more information.
Details – QPR, 1434; Luton, 1392; Luke, 1254; Cambridge, 1170; Rovers, 1155; Meadowbank, 11425; Gunners, 1059; Livingston, 1042; The Gaels, 1041; Westlife, 1001.
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As part of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre’s participation in this year’s St. Brigid's Day Festival, a series of two lectures took place in the visitor centre last Saturday. The first speaker that day was Dr. Elizabeth Dawson of Carlow College whose lecture was entitled ‘St Brigid: earliest evidence, veneration and status.’ The second speaker at this special event was Dr. Sharon Greene, who spoke on the theme of ‘Seeking Brigid: the archaeology of a saint.’ The morning was a most enjoyable and stimulating occasion which attracted a considerable attendance. Well done as always to Elaine, Mike, Daniel and all the team at the visitor centre for hosting such a unique and enjoyable event.
Last Saturday, to mark St. Brigid’s Day and the public holiday which commemorates this occasion, Rathcroghan Visitor Centre officially launched a brand-new exhibition, entitled ‘Maiden, Mother, Saint.’ by Frenchpark based artist, Natalie Wood Folan, as part of the 2026 St. Brigid's Day Festival in Roscommon. The exhibition is an immersive one exploring Brigid as Ireland’s most enduring figure of continuity — goddess, abbess, and saint. Through large-scale painting, sculpture, and installation, visitors are drawn into the threshold between Iron Age ritual and Early Christian devotion, showing how Brigid absorbed and carried forward the sacred power of both worlds. The exhibition can now be viewed during the normal opening hours at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. The exhibition is supported by Roscommon County Council through the Creative Ireland initiative.
Congratulations to Killina National School Third Class student, Áine Moore, who represented the school in the Swim Ireland Connacht Minor Primary Schools’ Gala last weekend, taking part in the 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle events.
The sympathies of all local residents are extended to Bernie Murray of Clooneyquin, on the recent passing of her brother, P.J. Dayton, late of Strokestown and Australia, whose death occurred recently.
The staff and pupils of Tulsk NS are taking part in the WEEE Ireland schools battery recycling challenge. They need your help with collecting used batteries, so that they can be in with a chance of winning a €2,000 sports equipment voucher for the school. Local residents are encouraged to check their homes as there could be used batteries hiding in Christmas tree lights, old toys, watches, computer mice and keyboards, electric toothbrushes, battery powered candles and old TV remote controls. Please contact the school to arrange to drop off any batteries or message the school’s Facebook page and the organisers of this initiative will be in contact.
A clothes collection in aid of Tulsk GAA, St. Mary’s ladies football and Tulsk camogie clubs will take place on Tuesday, February 25th at 9.30 a.m. at the Tulsk GAA Club dressing rooms (car-park side). For details, contact Lizz on 087-6805749.
The sympathies of local residents are extended to the family and friends of the late Mrs Camilla (Mellie) Kelly (nee Caroll) of Church St. Strokestown, whose death occurred last week. The deceased was the wife of the late Peter Kelly, who was a native of Ogulla, Tulsk and sister-in-law to the late Annie, Mary, Gerry and Michael Kelly, also of Ogulla, Tulsk. The deceased was universally regarded as a pleasant and endearing lady, who will have been well known both in the Tulsk and Strokestown communities where she and her late husband ran a bar and shop for many years, on Church Street, Strokestown before the deceased lived in later years in Lisroyne, also in Strokestown. In her 99th year, the deceased enjoyed a long and distinguished life and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in the loving care of the staff at Sonas, Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague. Predeceased by her husband ,Peter, parents, Tom and Margaret, her brothers, P.J. Benny and Tommy and her sisters Maisie, Olivia and Annette, the deceased is survived by her daughter, Caroline (Downey); sons, Peter and Paul; son-in-law, Frank, daughter-in-law, Mairead; grandchildren, Andrew, James, Declan, Michael, Andrew and Roisin; her great-grandchild, Cian; nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. The deceased reposed in McHugh's Funeral Home, Strokestown before removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown. Following Funeral Mass, burial took place afterwards in Strokestown Cemetery.
Strokestown Lourdes Assisted Pilgrims Fund would like to thank members of the local community who supported the recent Table Quiz in the Percy French Hotel, Strokestown.
Tulsk National School is hosting an open evening on Thursday, February 26th from 6 p.m. to 7 pm.. For further details, contact tulsknationalschool@gmail.com or phone 087-4006702.
Irish language classes for adults continue in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk, (Eircode F45 HH51), on Wednesdays from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.. This course is suitable for all levels with an emphasis on conversational Irish. Beginners are welcome. This course is being supported by Roscommon County Council and Boyle Municipal District. For further information contact Maire, 086 6095402.
Well done to the students of Clooneyquin National School, Killina who were busy making St. Brigid's crosses in their respective classes last week, ahead of St. Brigid’s Day. Some these have been left into Killina Church for any parishioners. Well done to all the participating students and their teachers.
The Annual General Meeting of the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society will take place on Tuesday, February 10th at 8 p.m. in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk. All members are requested to attend. The society’s secretary, Albert Siggins will give a short lecture on the Wigglesworth’s of Churchpark, Roscommon. The family patriarch, Joseph was a Lieutenant in the 49th Regt which served against the American colonists in the 1770’s.
