Local Notes: Cemetery Upkeep, Population Base, Influx of Visitors
Tom Corbett, Teresa Fitzgibbon, Alec Farrell, Caroline Treacy and John Kelly, Padraig Pearses GAA Club, at Sunday's double header of senior hurling championship action in Woodmount. Pic: Gerard O'Loughlin
The sudden death of Mrs Caitlin Duignan, Thomastown, Ballydangan, on Tuesday, August 4th, has sent shock waves throughout the South Roscommon area where she was widely known. Aged 66, she was a native of Rathcoole, County Dublin, and she had resided in Thomastown for the past 45 years. Daughter of former Fianna Fail Minister, the late Kevin Boland and his wife Ciss, who was the former Ms Ciss Finneran, Onagh, Taughmaconnell, Caitlin spent almost all her summer holiday time at the home of her uncle Paddy Finneran in Onagh and strengthened her love of Gaelic games and soccer in particular during those holiday breaks. She was educated at all Irish national and secondary schools in Dublin and was a fluent Irish speaker. Of an affable and caring disposition, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and an individual who was noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential community. In her varied work roles over the decades, her innate decency and integrity was always to the fore. She worked latterly for 16 years at Naughton's general grocery outlet at Thomastown, and her tact and discretion in all her dealings with the general public in that work role will long be remembered by her customer base. Her main hobby was playing bingo and the weekly bingo game in Taughmaconnell Community Centre was cancelled on Monday, August 10th, as a mark of respect to the Duignan family. She was an activist at under-age level with Clann na nGael teams for some years and also with the Bealnamullia Football Club. She also regularly supported Skyvalley Rovers panels over the decades. She espoused Christian values on a daily basis and performed a wide range of charitable deeds with typical self-effacement. She is survived by her husband, PJ, Thomastown; sons, Padraic, Conor and Cormac and daughters, Sinead and Sorcha. She is also survived by one sister, Sile, Rathcoole, eight grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at St Brigid's Church, Drum, on Monday, August 10th, the remains were cremated at Shannon Crematorium. The celebrants of the Mass were Rev. Joseph Wenjeslaus CC, Drum and Very Rev. Michael Finneran, retired PP, Cloontuskert, a native of Onagh, Taughmaconnell and a first cousin of the deceased.
The recent collection for the upkeep of Kiltoom Cemetery ,which was taken up at the Cemetery Mass realised €2625. The cemetery committee thanks all those who contributed or assisted in any way with the collection.
There will be Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on this Friday, August 28th, at 7 p.m..
Recent planning linked controversies regarding the Monksland area of South Roscommon have brought forth public comments indicating that the greater Monksland area has a population base bigger than that of Roscommon Town. The most recent census indicates that the greater Monksland area now has a population of 5,282. In 1981, the population of the area was 1,000 and it had risen to 2,500 by 2006. The latest figure indicates that the population of the Monksland area has experienced a growth of over 2000 people over the past 20 years.
There has been a big influx of visitors to the South Roscommon area throughout the months of July and August. The berthing areas of Portrun, Lecarrow Harbour and Hodson Bay have also had a wide range of cruisers staying overnight in recent weeks. Baysports at Hodson Bay has been busy throughout the summer. The majority of visitors to the South Roscommon area are from Britain and the USA. Amongst those who visited Ireland from the US for the Royal Dublin Society Horse Show was Frank Cunniffe, eldest son of the late Ned and the late Rose Cunniffe, Curnaseer, Kiltoom. Frank resides in family setting in Connecticut, USA where he operates a horse ranch alongside his wife Bonny. Their daughter Eilish has represented the US in international show jumping circles in recent years. Frank is an annual visitor to his native Kiltoom where his brother Michael resides at Cappalisheen, his sister Mrs Bernadette Galvin resides at Rockhill and his sister Mrs Sandra Grieslain resides at Curnaseer. His sister, Mrs Patricia Kinahan, formerly of Hodson Bay, also resides in Athlone.
The death took place recently at Roscommon Hospice of Mr Michael Asicus Lennon, Cushla, Monksland, who was a native of Ardkeenan, Drum. Aged 76 in May last, he was a plasterer by trade and was much in demand for his skills and all round competence in that work area. He had been in ill health a short time and he bore his illness with characteristic resilience. Of a friendly and polite disposition, he was a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. He was a lifelong follower of Gaelic games generally and played with the Tara Club in London during the six years he worked in London in his younger days. He supported all Clann Na nGael and all Roscommon GAA panels over the decades. He also enjoyed shooting as a hobby and was a prominent member of the Drum and District Gun Club for a number of years. He is survived by brothers Timmy, Curryroe, Drum, and Martin, Newbridge, County Galway and one sister, Kathleen Denonne, Michigan, USA. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection on Friday, August 14th, at St Brigid's Church, Drum, the burial took place in Drum Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Joseph Wenjeslaus, CC, Drum.
The death took place on Saturday, August 1st, in Tenerife, of Mrs Breege Angela Clarke, Tenerife, who was the former Ms Breege Angela Greene, Derrylahan, Moore. Aged 81 in May last, she had resided in family setting in Tenerife for the past 35 years. Prior to taking up residence in Tenerife she was attached to the staff of a Bank of Ireland branch in Dublin for a number of years. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her affability and genuine nature enabled her to make friendships with a wide age range. An accomplished golfer, she also enjoyed horse riding, foreign travel and reading as her main hobbies. She is survived by her husband Brendan, a native of Bohola, County Mayo; son Conor and daughters Jacqueline and Hilary. A member of a farming family of five boys and five girls, she is also survived by one brother Michael, Derrylahan; sisters, Mrs Ina Dolan, Kilgarvin, County Westmeath; Mrs Nell Mannion, Lower Ardmullen, Kiltoom; Frances, Ballinasloe; six grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. The Funeral Mass took place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Bohola, on Saturday, August 15th, and her ashes were laid to rest in St Joseph's Cemetery, Bohola.
The Conway Academy of Irish Dancing will resume classes at the Parish Hall, Ballybay, Kiltoom, on Monday, September 7th. Those interested are requested to come along and join their regional, all Ireland, international and world champions. For additional information contact Edel on 0896121257.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice is calling on people across Mayo & Roscommon to host a coffee morning/evening on National Coffee morning for Hospice, Thursday September 24th or any date that suits. By hosting a coffee morning in your workplace, home or anywhere you choose, you will be supporting palliative care services in the community and in the two hospice units in Mayo and Roscommon. Coffee and posters will be provided by contacting 0949388666 or email info@hospice.ie. or you can register online at https://www.hospice.ie/fundraising/coffee-morning/
