Local Notes: Card Drive Winners, Mobile Library, Holy Well Mass
Adam Craven, Taughmaconnell (centre), winning his heat in the boys’ U-10 60 metres at the Roscommon Community Games athletics finals in Ballyleague. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin
Decades of commitment to the Irish cultural community by Tom Shine, Lower Curramore, Kiltoom, have been recognised by Gaeltacht Atha Luain, who recently presented him with a special award at the Garrycastle GAA Clubhouse, Athlone. Tom has been an activist with Comhaltas in Athlone for over 60 years and he has served as chairperson of the Roscommon County Board of Comhaltas for 20 years and is currently an honorary president of the Roscommon County Board. He was a ceili and set dancer with the Simpson Daly School of Dancing for over 30 years and he had the distinction of dancing at venues across Europe with Simpson Daly in the seventies and eighties. Making the presentation to him, the chairperson of Gaeltacht Atha Luain, Mickey Moran, commented that they were blessed to have people like Tom so willing to give their time to help keep Irish native culture and traditions alive. Tom has also been one of the key behind the scenes activist in charge of the set and stage design for the Kiltoom Drama Group productions for over 30 years. He celebrated his 80th birthday on January 14th last with a party for immediate and extended family and friends at the St Brigid's GAA Complex, Newpark, Kiltoom.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Willie Gacquin, Kevin Donnelly, Mark Doyle, Mrs Marian Grehan, Mrs Marion Lynch, Ms Marian Dunning, Ms Mary Duignan, Eddie Nestor, Mrs Bernadette Burke, Cllr Tony Ward, Padraig Harney and Peter McHugh.
The death took place on Friday, May 22nd, at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, of Mr Paddy Harrison, Curnageeha, Brideswell. Aged 77 in October last, he was a native of Ballinamona, Brideswell. He had been in ill health for some time and he bore his final illness with characteristic fortitude. Of an affable and friendly disposition, he was a wholesale draper in the midlands and west for upwards of 50 years, and, in that role, he was noted for his innate decency, integrity and tact in all his dealings with the general public. He was also a part-time farmer and nationally known Angus cattle breeder. He was a member of the Council of the Irish Angus Cattle Society and had the unique distinction recently of receiving the Irish Angus Cattle Society Hall of Fame award. Devoted to his immediate and extended family, he was a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. Over the decades he supported a number of community and church linked activities and he was a member of the Cam Parish Pastoral Council for a time period. He took a keen interest in current affairs and political affairs and he was an active member of the Brideswell Fianna Fail Cumann and a lifelong supporter of the Fianna Fail party. An avid sports enthusiast, he played rugby with Blackrock College while a student there. He subsequently also lined out with Connacht rugby selections. He was also a playing member of the St Brigid's GAA Club in his younger days and he also played golf at Roscommon Golf Club. He is survived by his wife, Carmel, (nee Fahy, Colemanstown, County Galway); son, Karl, Curnageeha; daughter-in-law, Emma, and grandchildren, Anna, Patrick and JJ. A member of a family of four boys and six girls, he is also survived by brothers, Tommy, Ballinamona; Michael, Limerick; Frank, Dublin; sisters, Mrs Doreen Kilraine, Dublin; Mrs Angie Kelly, Tuam; Mrs Josie Kelly, Castlerea; Mrs Ann Naughton, Ballygar; nieces,nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on Tuesday, May 26th, there followed a private cremation. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy.
The Roscommon mobile library service will visit Monksland on Thursday, June 18th, from 1 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.. Library membership is free.
The Elphin and Achonry Pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place over a three day period from this Friday, June 12th, to Sunday, June 14th. Further details including bus options are available at www.elphindiocese.ie/lough-derg LATE MR VAL KENNY The death took place suddenly at his residence on Saturday, May 23rd, of Mr Val Kenny, Gortfree, Curraghboy. Aged 57 on February 14th last, his untimely passing at an early age has come as a great shock to his immediate and extended family, neighbours and circle of friends. A skilled butcher by trade, he worked latterly for a number of years at Tavanagh Meats, Brideswell, and he was noted for his affability and genuine nature. He was also a part-time farmer who took a keen interest in all farming affairs always. His main hobby involved a lifelong interest in motor bikes and he attended a number of rallies and gatherings involving the motor bike fraternity. He was noted for his sense of neighbourliness in his residential catchment. He is survived by his daughter, Niamh; sons, John and Ruairi; partner, Sally; sister, Mary McGowan; aunts, Maisie Gately, Vera Cummins and Josephine McGovern and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on Thursday, the burial took place in Cam Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy. Members of the motor bike fraternity in the midlands and west accompanied the remains of the deceased from St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, to his final resting place in Cam Cemetery.
In recent weeks, new road markings have been put in place on junctions and road linked networks in the Monksland-St Coman's Park area of South Roscommon adjoining the Athlone urban area. The markings include clear full white and broken white lines and yellow lines on roadside margins. The work extends from the St Coman's Park area to the Monksland Industrial Estate and the Monksland Retail area.
Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell, will celebrate the annual open air Mass at St Ronan's Holy Well, Taughmaconnell, on Sunday, June 21st. The customary big attendance is anticipated.
The death took place on Tuesday, May 26th, at Roscommon University Hospital of Mr Tony Nevin, Toberiheen, Ballydangan. Aged 85 on April 9th last, he had been in ill health health a short time and he bore his final illness with characteristic dignity and resilience. A native of Portumna, he had resided in Ballydangan for 57 years. Of a caring and friendly disposition, deceased was a well-known member of the farming community. He was also a part-time land reclamation contractor and he included mushroom growing in his farming routine for a number of years. Devoted to his immediate and extended family, he was a most obliging neighbour and reliable friend. Over the decades he supported a number of community and church linked activities. A devout Catholic, he was a frequent visitor to Knock Shrine up until recent years and he was also a benefactor to a range of charitable causes and bequests. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, (nee Munnelly, Moygownagh, County Mayo); sons, Charlie, Ballydangan; John, Ballydangan; daughters, Mrs Ann Brill, Ballydangan; Mrs Olivia Hogan, Tubberiheen; Teresa, Tubberiheen and Denise, Camcloon, Ballydangan. A member of a family of six boys and five girls, he is also survived by one brother, Michael, Killimor, County Galway; 19 grandchildren, two great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Mary's Church, Moore, on Friday, May 29th, the burial took place in Moore New Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell.
The death took place on Friday, May 15th, at University Hospital, Galway, of Mrs Deirdre Donoghue, Feevaghmore, Dysart. Aged 60 on April 26th last, she was the former Ms Deirdre Small, Aughrane, Ballygar, and she had resided in family setting at Feevaghmore, for the past 35 years. Of an affable and friendly disposition, she had been in ill health a short time. The deceased had been attached to the catering staff of Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, for a number of years prior to marriage and she was deservedly popular with her work colleagues and all those with whom she became acquainted. Devoted to her immediate and extended family, she was also an obliging neighbour and reliable friend. An excellent homemaker, she was skilful at knitting, sewing, baking and cooking. A religious person, she supported a number of charitable causes and bequests over the years. She is survived by her husband, Billy, sons, Michael, Ballyforan; John, Feevaghmore; and daughter, Linda, Moycullen. A member of a family of 15, she is also survived by brothers, Patsy, Gerard, Martin, Liam, John and Michael; sisters, Kathleen, Ann, Gretta, Carmel, Maureen and Doreen; granddaughter, Ava Grace; nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Patrick's Church, Dysart, on Tuesday, May 19th, the burial took place in Dysart Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Eugene Mc Loughlin, retired PP, Athleague and Roscommon.
The death took place on Saturday, May 16th, at Roscommon Hospice of Mr Frank Costello, Castlesampson, Bealnamullia, Athlone. Aged 83 on April 29th last, he had been in ill health a short time and he bore his final illness with characteristic fortitude. The deceased was an employee of Roadstone, Bealnamullia, for a number of years and he was also a part-time farmer and he enjoyed the respect and esteem of all those with whom he became acquainted. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was noted for his sense of neighbourliness in his residential community. An avid sports enthusiast, he played club football with Padraig Pearse’s and soccer with Skyvalley Rovers and remained a lifelong supporter of both clubs. He also reared and raced greyhounds as a hobby. He took a keen interest in farming affairs and current affairs and was an engaging conversationalist on a one to one basis. Noted for his affability and witty disposition, he enjoyed friendships with a wide age range. A devout Catholic, he supported a wide range of church linked activities over the decades and he was a regular visitor to Knock Shrine up until recent years. He also espoused Christian values by virtue of everyday example and he was generous in his bequests to charitable causes. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, (nee Ryan, Ardnaglug, Moore); son, Keith, Castlesampson; daughters, Mrs Lorraine Corroon, Mullingar; Mrs Susan Egan, Castlesampson and Mrs Carol O' Brien, Clontarf, Dublin. He is also survived by one brother, Paddy, Kilcoole, County Wicklow; sisters, Sister Aine, Nazareth House, Sligo; Mrs Teresa Scully, London; Mrs Brigid Ward, Athleague; Mrs Phyllia O'Herlihy, Tralee; 12 grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell, on Tuesday, May 19th, the burial took place in Taughmaconnell Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell.
