Local Notes: Cemetery Mass Dates, Feile Winners, Handball News
Aladdin, the mini musical, was presented by Victoria Walker Dance at St. Joseph’s Hall, Boyle as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, Roscommon last weekend. Pic: Brian Farrell
A new pre-school is opening at Rahara NS in September. All interested please contact 086 177 2404 for more details and application forms.
Dates for the upcoming cemetery Masses are as follows: Gailey Cemetery, Saturday, July 18th at 7p.m.; St. John’s Cemetery, August 2nd at 11.30a.m. and Rahara Cemetery, Sunday, August 9th at 10 a.m..
The diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from August 28th to September 2nd. Flights from Ireland West Airport.
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland is holding its annual Church gate collection at Mass times at the following churches on the weekend of June 13th / 14th- Ballinamore Bridge/Toghergar, Ballygar, Ballymoe, Glinsk and Newbridge. The organisation would like to extend a word of gratitude to each and every supporter and also to the loyal church gate collectors.
Fielding a minor team for the first time in years, Glinsk minor girls qualified for the nine-aside league final against St.Fursey's. Glinsk had an impressive run to the final defeating St.Mary's, St.Furseys's and Barna along the way. The Glinsk girls found the going tough in the first half and were facing an intimidating deficit at half time. Playing with pride and passion, the girls found their mojo in the second half and went down fighting on an 8-13 to 6-11 scoreline. Overall with a small panel the girls enjoyed an entertaining and competitive league campaign and can look forward to the championship with confidence. Panel: Caitlin Feeney, Isabelle Boyle, Roisin Brennan, Aibhilin McDermott, Caoimhe Keane, Niamh Ogilvie, Beth O'Mahoney, Lara Devaney, Kate Devaney, Ali O'Toole, Nicole Mulhearn, Liadan O'Toole, Afia Darby, Elena Curley.
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland is holding its annual Church gate collection at Mass times at the following churches on the weekend of June 13th / 14th- Ballinamore Bridge/Toghergar, Ballygar, Ballymoe, Glinsk and Newbridge. The organisation would like to extend a word of gratitude to each and every supporter and also to the loyal church gate collectors.
Playing in the competition for the first time Glinsk U-15 girls celebrated one of the club's greatest days in Knockdoe More where they defeated a resilient Milltown team in the Division 4 Feile final. On their way to the final Glinsk blazed a trail of glory by defeating Claregalway, Mountbellew/Moylough, Corofin and Kilconly. Right through the campaign the girls displayed tremendous bravery, tenacity and resilience and these qualities combined with heart and desire and an insatiable will to win ensured that the trophy would come to Glinsk for the first time. Following the presentation there were great scenes of ecstasy, jubilation and excitement before the team made their way home where they received a rousing reception. Glinsk Feile team 2026: Isabelle Boyle, Kate Connelly, Aibhilin McDermott, Hannah Curley, Lara Devaney, Naimh Ogilvie, Rosie O'Mahoney, Emma Kerrane, Kate Devaney, Aoife Mannion, Aoibhinn Gannon, Kayla Kerrane, Bridgin Brennan, Liadan O'Toole, Clare Byrnes, Lucy Fahy. A big thank you to the parents and the management team of Christine Mannion, Brian McDermott, Stacey Byrnes and Michael Kerrane who have devoted some much time throughout the year.
The very attractive local development, known as the Community Park, which lies between the GAA grounds and the primary school, has recently seen further developments. Two new seats have been provided beside the walkway in the general park area, and a picnic table has been placed in the sensory garden area. These developments, in addition to the rapid growth of the numerous shrubs and trees planted here, make this lovely amenity more attractive than ever. Well done to all involved with this special venture.
The next meeting of Williamstown Heritage Society will be held on this Wednesday, June 10th at 8 p.m. in Templetogher, somewhat earlier than previously planned. Members are currently busy with both ongoing and upcoming projects, including the online StoryMap of the locality, which is a joint project between ourselves and Williamstown Tidy Towns. The theme for National Heritage Week at the end of August this year is “Heritage at Risk”, and the group is working towards presenting an attractive and enjoyable Open Day at Templetogher based on this theme. Membership fees for 2026 are being collected, and thank you to those who have already renewed. All others who wish may take out either regular membership or, for those not in a position to attend meetings, associate membership, with the fee for both remaining at €20. Sympathy to Maureen (formerly Noone, Polredmond) and the Brophy family, Dublin, on the death of Maureen’s husband, Sean Brophy. Sympathy also to Seamus and the Noone family, Polredmond, to Michael and the Noone family, Kildaree and to Bernadette and the Feeney family, Kildaree (all siblings of Maureen). RIP Sean.
The community has just lost one of its much loved personalities with the death of Mrs Teresa Cusack (nee Feeney), Dunmore Road. Though she spent various periods of her life away, she was born and raised in Williamstown and spent most of her life in the community, which she loved. Her passing comes just a couple of months after the death of her brother, Johnny Feeney. Teresa was loved and highly regarded by all who knew her as a gentle, caring, loving person, who never sought luxuries, but was very content with the simple things in life. More than anything, her unwavering faith and her strong Christian values set the tone for a life full of love, charity and friendship. The love which she consistently lavished on her family was repaid in kind over the years. Life was not easy for her in her early years, as her father died when she was just ten. She developed a strong and enduring work ethic in order to help her mother support the family through difficult times. When circumstances eased, she spent some time working in America, but the lure of home remained strong. She met and married the love of her life, Michael Cusack, a member of An Garda Siochana, as a result of which they and their growing family lived in various locations until Michael’s retirement. Then it was back to Williamstown, where the Cusacks made their permanent home. Despite a number of health challenges, Teresa’s calm demeanour and endless patience allowed her to enjoy many happy years. When her health deteriorated, her husband Michael was an excellent and loving carer. His relatively sudden death eight years ago meant a change of direction for Teresa. Into the breach stepped her loving daughter, Clare, who, with her husband, Joe Owens, brought her into their home in Headford, where they tended, cared for and loved her in an exemplary manner. Another cruel blow struck the family just a year ago, when Joe died very suddenly. Despite her massive shock and devastating loss, Clare continued to care lovingly for Teresa. There is no doubt, either, that her calming presence and strong faith helped Clare through a most difficult period. The Funeral Mass, at which Teresa’s son, Fr. Michael, was the chief concelebrant, was a fitting celebration of a life well lived. The symbols presented at the beginning, the inspirational homily by Fr. Michael, the meaningful Prayers of the Faithful said by family members, and the heartfelt, sincere and most courageous message given by Clare towards the end of the Mass painted the clearest possible picture of a very special lady. Sincere sympathy to Teresa’s children Pat, Philomena, Fr. Michael, Mary, Clare, Cathy and Martin, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister Josephine, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, devoted carer Rita, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. RIP Teresa. L.F.
An important section of road in the locality, known locally as the Nuala na Miodóige Walk, has recently been resurfaced, and this work, combined with the major improvement to the bend at the head of the school road, is a very welcome development. This walk includes Corralough Lake, which is steeped in the history of Nuala na Miodóige, a member of the Burke family from Glinsk Castle, who, according to local tradition, lived on an island in the lake with her family.
Regular meetings of the Environment and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee of Galway County Council are held in the council chambers in Galway. At the most recent of these, dealing with two issues, litter and water quality, local man, Noel Finnegan, brought up a number of very relevant points, for which he was warmly congratulated by his fellow members, both during the meeting and afterwards. Well done, Noel, for ensuring that the opinions of those on the fringe of the county are heard, loud and clear, in the corridors of power.
Due to the unsettled nature of the weather on Sunday morning last, it was not practical to hold the annual Corpus Christi Procession through the streets of the town. A smaller procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place inside the church. It was most meaningful, and kept alive this longstanding tradition.
Congratulations to Emily Connaughton who won the U-13s Plate on Saturday in Kilglass at the Battle by the Shannon One Wall Handball Competition. Emily saw off tough competition from around the country to claim her prize. She displayed confidence in her serves and took control of her games from the get go. Well done to Emily and all the juveniles who competed over the weekend.
