Local Notes: Bereavements, Cash for Clobber, Tulsk Morning Howl
Young people from St Coman's Wood Primary School, Roscommon showcasing their talents at a Music Generation Roscommon event at Roscommon Arts Centre last weekend. Pic: Brian Farrell
There was a deep sense of shock and sadness when the news broke of the sudden death Mr Padraig Gannon, Carnagh, Kiltoom, who passed away at his home on Sunday, April 26th. His passing has caused deep sadness not alone with his family but with the entire parish and the wider community where he was so well known through his business. Padraig was in his 82nd year, born in November of 1944. He was one family of seven boys and one girl born to his late parents Margaret and Luke Gannon. He was also bereaved by the passing of his three brothers Oliver, Stephen and Michael. Padraig was a great family person who had a wonderful relationship with all his family, a loving husband a caring father, and proud of his six grandchildren. The many family gatherings meant so much to him. Padraig had a unique ability in the art of friendship. His showed kindness and generosity to his neighbours, friends and so many people whenever the need arose, he was always available to help out in any event, let it be, setting a fire, shopping or transport. He was a great worker, and his heart belongs to the land he loved, the green fields, cattle and sheep, also the garden which he tended to with great care and in the home where his skills were seen too with great effect. Padraig was well known through business. After completing his education, he took up employment with a local grocery business in the area and enjoyed his work dealing with the public. After some time, he moved on and took up the position as a hardware commercial traveller for a Galway company and spent many years travelling to various stores and meeting people. During those years he met his future wife, Helen, married and moved into their new home in Carnagh, where they later raised their children Mary, Gerry and Edel. As time passed on, their family married and made their own homes and businesses. Padraig was a man of many talents and could turn his hand to all types of jobs and his tools were never far from his hands. With his many years and experience in sales he started up his own business which was again very successful over the years. He will always be remembered for the beautiful red Christmas candles he crafted which light so many windows during the Christmas season throughout the four corners of Ireland. On the social side Padraig enjoyed card playing and played the progressive 25 card games.
He was a dedicated lifelong follower of all Gaelic games notably the Roscommon team and his local club St. Dominic’s. In recent years he stood on the sideline to watch his grandchildren take to the pitch. During his youth Padraig played with the St. Joseph’s team in the early 70s and later at the St. Dominic’s team when the club amalgamated in 1973. Padraig played alongside his five brothers, Joe, Stephen, Sean, Oliver and Anthony.
He was a lifelong member of the local pioneer association. He had a strong faith; Mass and his prayers were very important to him. He had a great devotion to Our Lady of knock and made many visits during the years. He also had a great devotion of Saint Anthony's novena. He supported all church and community activities.
Padraig and Helen were married for upwards of 44 years and lived a happy, fulfilled married life. They enjoyed many happy holidays both overseas and in Ireland and numerous social outings. He will be forever missed by his wife, Helen; children, Mary, Gerry and Edel; son-in-law, Tony; daughter-in-law, Ann,; sister, Geraldine Quinn; brothers, Joe (Drum), Sean and Anthony (Carnagh); brothers-in-law, sisters-in -law, grandchildren, Cillian, Ella, Ally, Hannah, Amelia and Jamie; nieces, nephews, neighbours and his many friends and customers. Padraig reposed at his home before removal to St. John's Church for his funeral Mass. Celebrated by Fr. Ray Milton. The warm words spoken by Fr. Ray clearly show how special Padraic was. Burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. May he rest in peace.
There was a deep sense of sadness and regret when the news broke of the passing of Mrs Eilish Dolan of Culleen, Knockcroghery who passed away peacefully on April 30th in the devoted care of the staff of Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, surrounded by her loving family. Her passing leaves a great void among the family, friends and a wider circle. She was formerly Eilish Mullooly, Cornamart, Knockcroghery. She was born in November 1946 and was the youngest of a family of six children born to her parents Annie Kate and Thomas Mullooly, the baby of the family who was cherished and doted on by all and grew up in a warm close knit loving home. After completing her education Eilish went on to train as a hairdresser with a salon in Roscommon Town. On completing her training, she took up her first post in Knockcroghery later returning to work in a Roscommon salon. During those years she met her future husband, Val Dolan later married and made their home in Culleen and had a long happy and wonderful married life. Together they raised their three children, Colette, Paul and Alan. During those years Eilish ran her hairdressing business from the family home in Culleen for many years fondly known by all as “The Salon.” There was a warm and welcoming presence at all times and Eilish was noted for her hairdressing skills and her caring approach to customers. Beloved grandmother to her nine grandchildren, who brought her enormous joy. She enjoyed their frequent visits, and they loved putting on little concerts to entertain everyone and Eilish enjoyed their performance. The family gatherings and celebrations were at the heart of her life. She possessed a very warm friendly and caring personality, a wonderfully witty sense of humour and a great love of conversation and deeply loved by all who knew her. Her home was always welcoming sitting by the fire chatting tea and refreshments always on hand. She was noted for her baking skills, particularly her brown bread and also for her appetising dinners. She was a proud St. Dominic’s camogie player in her youth, strong, competitive and committed to her club and county. As her children came of age, she watched her three children compete in football, hurling and camogie for their clubs and was immensely proud of their achievements. In later years her health began to deteriorate, but she was so fortunate to have the devoted support of her family nieces, nephews, cousins, wonderful neighbours and the dedicated medical team who cared for her. Colette, Paul and Alan wish to express their sincere gratitude to all. The last few years were difficult with her own health and the loss of her husband, Val who passed away in January 2024 took a heavy toll. She also grieved deeply for the loss of her sister Mary Gately and four brothers Vincent, Jerry, Olly and Emmett. She is now reunited with husband, Val and all those she lived and loved which, is a great comfort to the family. Eilish reposed at her home in Culleen until her removal to St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery for her funeral Mass with burial afterwards in Gailey Cemetery. She is now sadly missed by her daughter, Colette; sons, Paul and Alan; son-in-law, Rhys; daughters-in-law, Miriam and Stephanie; her nine grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and many friends. Eilish’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30th.
Tulsk GAA club invites all of the local community and its diaspora to join them for what is sure to be an unforgettable weekend. Beginning on Friday night, May 29th, there will be a welcoming reception in Dec’s Bar, Castleplunkett from 9 p.m.. Then on Saturday, May 30th from 10 a.m.there will be a series of underage games and blitzes, led by the club’s minor board. This will be followed at 2 p.m. by the official opening of the club’s new training pitch and ancillary facilities. Then at 3 p.m. one of the most eagerly awaited events of the entire weekend takes place as the Tulsk GAA, the Over 40’s legends game.
Later at 6pm, there will be a barbeque in O’Connor’s in the village followed at 8 p.m.by a special reunion of past players, hosted by John Quinn, who is being flown home from Chicago. Sunday’s celebrations begin at 12.30 p.m. with a camogie game followed by the adult men’s team facing Kilmore in the Northern League from 1.30 p.m.. A ladies football match will follow at 3 p.m. with an U-12 girls league match beginning at 6 p.m. against Roscommon Gaels. Later on Sunday night from 8 p.m. in the marquee, there will be a GAA ‘Night with the Stars’ with a guest panel featuring Mark Landers, Kelly Hopkins (Feeney), Trina Murray, former Westmeath GAA player Dessie Dolan and the legend that is Paddy Joe Burke. This is sure to be a lively and entertaining conversation, which will be moderated by Shannonside FM’s big match commentator and Tulsk native, Willie Hegarty, who has the distinction of scoring the very first point on the then new Tulsk GAA pitch in 1985. The final event of the weekend, on the Bank Holiday Monday, June 1st will be ‘The Brown Bull of Pooley’, taking place in the Tulsk GAA grounds from 12 noon.
Tulsk NS Parents Association will hold a “Cash for Clobber” clothes collection fundraiser in aid of Tulsk NS on Thursday, June 4th. Donations of clean, dry and ready-to-wear clothing, paired shoes, handbags and accessories would be greatly appreciated. Bags may be dropped to Tulsk NS on the morning of the collection.
Well done to all the participants in the Tulsk Community Games art, handwriting and model making events, the talents of which were given full expression at a wonderful exhibition in the Macra Hall last weekend. Well done to all participants.
The Tulsk History Society has confirmed that the May edition of the Howl is out now in usual outlets. News from yesteryear this quarter includes a notification from Fahy's shop in Glenvale, tenders for the building of Killina church (1896), cattle driving in 1907, lots of nationalism, and a lost lamb in the year of Our Lord, 1894.
Congratulations to all the students attending Clooneyquin National School who celebrated their First Holy Communion at the weekend. Best wishes are extended to the children, their parents, guardians and teachers.
