Local Notes: Cemetery Rota, Well Done Caoimhe, Condolences
Seamus Beatty in Tully bog bringing home the turf. Pic: Breda Durr
The marriage took place on Friday 5th June at St. John’s Church Lecarrow between Claire O’Brien only daughter of Mary and Michael O’Brien, Carriglen More Lecarrow and Michéal Byrne son of Patricia and Pat Byrne, Ballyglass Rahara. The bride was given away by her father Michael, the ceremony with nuptial Mass was celebrated by Very Rev Fr. Ray Milton PP of St. John’s Knockcroghery and Rahara. The maid of honour was Ciara Mullally friend of the bride bridesmaid was Susan Coyle also a friend of the bride. Bestman was Daire Byrne brother of the groom and groomsman was Robbie Byrne cousin of the groom. The page boys were Dylan O’Brien nephew of the bride and Conor Bowie nephew of the groom. The readings were read by Aisling Bowie sister of the groom and Thomas Hurley friend of the couple. The prayers of the faithful were rendered by Yasmin Byrne, Conor Gibbons, Denise McConn and Niall Byrne family members and friends of the couple. The reception was held in The Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. The couple will reside in their new home in Ballyglass on completion. Claire and Michéal are wished a happy life together.
Arrangements have now been set in place for the annual Mass at St. John’s Well Lecarrow beside the car park. Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 24th June at 7.30 p.m. at the Well weather permitting, otherwise in St. John’s Community Centre. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. All are welcome, it is a lovely experience to come and witness outdoor Mass at the Well.
There was a deep sense of sadness throughout the parish of St. John’s and further afield when the news broke of the death of Mattie Carney of Lisphelim, Lecarrow who passed away peacefully at Portiuncula University Hospital Ballinasloe on June 3rd with his loving family by his side after illness bravely borne. He was aged 64 years. Mattie and his three sisters Mary, Elizabeth and Teresa were born to their late parents Annie and Martin Carney. Mattie received his primary education at Glanduff NS and second level at Vocational School Athlone. Mattie loved the land and nature and stayed on to help his farther Martin on the family farm for some time. He later took up employment with the well-known business in Roscommon known as “The Melting Pot” and was well received by his employer and work colleagues. Over the years he delivered hundreds of hot meals throughout the county to many households and residences. He was regarded as an excellent worker and was caring and compassionate to so many in his dealings. He possessed a very friendly and caring nature and was kind to so many people. He will be remembered by so many who had the pleasure of knowing him through his work. As pastimes he loved Gaelic games, music and the traditional songs and enjoyed meeting his friends in Lecarrow. He will now be sadly missed by his sisters Mary, Elizabeth and Teresa, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law Billy Mullen and Michael Wyer, cousins, relatives and by his many good friends, local work colleagues and good neighbours. Predeceased by his parents Annie and Martin, his brother-in-law Michael Creighton. Mattie reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home Roscommon followed by removal to St. Johns’ Church Lecarrow for his funeral Mass on Saturday 6th June at 11a.m.. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
CASTLEPLUNKETT/ KILMURRY
The annual mass at Ogulla Shrine will take place on Friday, June 26th at 7p.m..
The GAA social inclusion annual outing to Dan O'Hara's cottage in Clifden and Glengowla Mines in Oughterard will depart from Tulsk GAA pitch at 7a.m. on Saturday, July 4th. The cost is €95 which includes bus tour, ticket, breakfast and evening meal.
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.
CREGGS/GLINSK
Mrs Phil Beirne, Kilbegnet, Creggs was recently bereaved by the death of her brother, James Fitzmaurice, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow and formerly of Athleague, Co Roscommon. The deceased passed away peacefully on June 6th at Naas General Hospital. Predeceased by his wife, Sheila, he is survived by his son, Hugh, daughters, Rachel and Julie, daughter-in-law, Muireann, sons-in-law, Ciaran and Larry and grandchildren, Darragh, Eoghan, Aoife, Sarah, Jack and Katie. He is also mourned by his siblings, Mary, Chrissie, Brendan, Michael, Peter, Phil, Bridie and Sean, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. The funeral Mass and burial took place in Baltinglass.
Mrs Mary Conacur, Glinsk was recently bereaved by the death of her brother, Peter Vahey, Brent, London and formerly of St Patrick's Avenue, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Peter passed away on May 13th in Charing Cross Hospital, London following a short illness. An avid soccer player he played in goal for his local club before emigrating to the UK. He visited his relations in Glinsk on a regular basis over the years where he was warmly received by his niece and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, Peter and Kathleen and his sister Kathleen and her husband Bernard Haddigan, he is survived by his sister, Mary, brother-in-law, Michael Conacur, best friend, Cathriona, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. The funeral Mass and burial took place in Castlebar.
Sympathy is extended to Aaron Mullin, Rustaul on the passing of his aunt Mrs Amanda Stephens.
Sympathy is extended to Fiona Moran, Ussey on the recent passing of her mother Mrs Rena Laffan, Knocklong, Co Limerick.
CLOONFAD
Well done to the junior team who defeated Fuerty by 1-15 to 2-9 last week. The next game is against Ballinameen next Sunday.
Maintenance of the cemetery will take place this month and continue until October. Volunteers and grave owners are asked to make contact with the named leaders each month to arrange time for the monthly clean up. June - Michael Kirrane. July - Padraig Cunniffe. August - Terry Fitzmaurice. September - Frank Brennan. October - Sean Brennan.
A public meeting will take place on Tuesday 23rd in the community hall Ballyhaunis at 7 p.m. Anyone with information on rural shops in the area are invited to attend.
Games evening takes place on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m.. Music workshop and Open Mike takes place on Saturday 27th June 4 to 6 p.m.. Music workshop, band jam take place. Pizza and snacks served. All are welcome.
COOTEHALL/CROSSNA/DRUMBOYLAN
Well done to Caoimhe Bruen for winning a horse-riding gold medal in the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026 which took place recently from June 18th–21st. The four-day event brought together over 1,200 athletes competing in 12 sports across various venues, including Equestrian. The whole of Cootehall is immensely proud of your great achievement.
This week saw the closure of Drumboylan National School after 76 years of service to the community. Enrolment numbers had declined to an unsustainable level, a trend that some have linked to local rural housing and planning issues. Drumboylan NS in North Roscommon and Slatta NS in the east of the county have become the latest rural schools to close amid falling enrolment numbers across the country.
Thank you to all that turned up on Saturday for our inaugural coffee morning. It was a very successful and well attended occasion and provided a great opportunity for visitors and locals to get together in this wonderful community facility. More coffee morning dates will be announced shortly.
