Local Notes: Comedy Night, Historical Society Launch, Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas Market takes place in Cloonfad Community centre on Sunday, December 6th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ballinaheglish Community Centre will host a Christmas Fair on Sunday, November 22nd from 12 noon to 5 p.m.. There will be over 20 stalls selling a wide variety of items. Entry to the fair is free. There will be a raffle for Christmas hampers on the day. Colouring competition for children. Please come along and support the stall holders as well as the Community Centre.
The winners of the Progressive 25 drive in Clooneycolgan on Thursday night last were as follows: 1st, Noel Carroll; 2nd, Padraig Fannon; 3rd, Jackie Gunning and Louis Cribben; 4th, Liam Corcoran; table prize, Brendan McDermott . Next game is Thursday at 8.30 p.m… New players always welcome.
The death occurred on October 30th of Mrs Teresa McDermott (née Jackson), Ballinaheglish and formerly of Tempo, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, peacefully, after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family and under the exceptional care of the staff of St Joseph’s Ward and Dunlo Ward at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe.
Dearly mourned and sadly missed by her devoted husband, Sean, and adoring children, Mairéad, Damien, Fiona, Mary and John. Predeceased by her son, Rory and her brothers, Francis and Kevin. She will also be sadly missed by her brothers, Michael and Kieran; sisters-in-law, Sadie, Claire, Eileen and Bernadette; sons-in-law, Barry and Ed; daughter-in-law, Jennifer; beloved grandchildren, Molly, Cara, Elsie, Ervin, Ralph and Hugo; nieces, nephews, relatives, and a wide circle of neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed from her home in Ballinaheglish to St Patrick’s Church, Ballinaheglish for Mass of the Resurrection. Burial took place afterwards in Oran Cemetery. May she rest in peace.
Keadue won the county award and its 16th gold medal in the National Tidy Towns Competition 2026. Keadue Tidy Towns would like to thank the entire community, volunteers, Scoil Cill Ronáin and all local committees for their ongoing support. Thanks also to Roscommon County Council and our local Super Valu.
Ballyfarnon Tidy Towns: Well done to all involved for a terrific result, up nine marks this year in the Tidy Towns competition 2026. Well done to all the volunteers, homeowners and local business who helped and supported so much.
There was no winner of the most recent lotto jackpot. Numbers drawn were 7,19,22 & 30. Consolation prizes were won by: Barry McNama, Arigna, €70; Marian Nichloson, c/o Mo Chairde, €30; Lindsey Mattimoe, Keadue; Claire McGurn, Kilrush; Marie Casserley, c/o Mo Chairde, Ballyfarnon, all €20 each. Enter online at stronansgaa.com.
The Premier Division team had a hard fought draw with Boyle United with the final score of four goals each. Mark Maloney scored a hat trick after Liam Fleming got the first after being set up by Luke McDermott. The Division 3 team, despite putting in a good performance, lost one nil to local rivals Lough Harps.
Tickets for Cloonfad Utd annual Christmas draw are now available. First prize is €500 and there are many other wonderful prizes including a luxury hamper. The draw takes place on December 21st.
The annual Christmas Market takes place in Cloonfad Community centre on Sunday, December 6th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Community Centre. Potential vendors are sought and should contact the committee.
Michael Glavey’s GAA Club is hosting an indoor cardio challenge in the Community Centre on Saturday, December 5th. The activity involves teams of four participating in a bike/row/ski challenge on stationary ERG equipment with each team attempting the greatest distance in 20 minutes. Please support.
Kilbegnet/Ballinakill Historical Society will launch its 2027 calendar in the Heritage Centre, Creggs on November 20th at 8.30 p.m.. It will be launched by Martin Ward, Glinsk. This year's calendar will feature places of local interest. Please come along to the launch. Calendar can be purchased locally or from any member of the society.
Kilkerrin Arts Society presents a comedy “The Whitehead Boy” by Lennox Robinson in Kilkerrin Community Centre on Thursday, November 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday, November 21st at 8 p.m.. Come along and enjoy a night of drama and laughter.
In conjunction with An Garda Sióchana Kilkerrin Community Alert Group encourage all parishioners 65 years or over who are medically vulnerable, living alone or spending long periods of time alone to contact any member of Kilkerrin Community Alert (in strict confidence) to discuss or organise getting a security pendant. Please contact 086 175 53733 or 086 616 9592.
Your prayers are requested for Michael Goggins, Claremorris, (uncle of Fr Tommy Commins); Noreen Mannion, Ballygar Road, Mountbellew (daughter of James Mannion, formerly Milltown); Peg O’Shea, Kilkenny, (niece of Freddie Heverin, Ballyedmond); Tommy Hynes, Newbridge, (uncle of Lynda Naughton, Glenn); Pat Ward, Cricklewood and Lisheen, Glenamaddy, (brother of the late Ann Halvey, Castletown).
The community is invited to send in articles, stories, long/short, poems, pictures, recipes, wedding pictures etc to be included in this year's annual magazine. All items can be dropped into the WDC Office during office opening hours, or email to williamstowndevelopmentcompany@gmail.com All items to be included must be in the WDC Office by November 28th.
During the winter period, while monthly meetings are on hold, ongoing projects are continuing. One such project, now completed and selling very well on the market, is the 2027 Calendar, which, as in previous years, is a joint venture with the local Tidy Town group.
Phase One of another very ambitious project, the production of a Storymap of the parish, has also been completed, This is a two year project, and is again a joint venture involving the Heritage Society and the local Tidy Town Group. When completed, this Storymap will be an invaluable online resource.
Sympathy to Paddy and the Connaughton family on the death of Paddy’s mother, Delia Connaughton, Williamstown; to Imelda and the Caulfield family, Ballyhiague on the death of Imelda’s brother, Martin Waldron, Ballyhaunis; to Colleen and the Smyth family, Moneen on the death of Colleen’s aunt, Anne (Nan) Crump, Dublin (nee Kenny, Moneen); and to Bernie and the Hayes family, Castlerea (formerly Ballyroe, Williamstown) on the death of Bernie’s husband, Gerry Hayes. Gerry was a popular and active member of the community, in sporting and other areas, for several years. His constant good humour and his skill as a tradesman will be remembered by many.
A special Memorial Mass for deceased parishioners, who have passed away during the last year will take place on Sunday, November 29th at 10.30 a.m. in St Therese's Church, Williamstown. You are warmly invited to attend. If you would like to include the name of a deceased family member or friend to be remembered at this Mass, please contact the parish office before Friday, November 20th or contact the WDC Office on 0949643374, or by email williamstowndevelopmentcompany@gmail.com A candle will be provided for each person remembered.
The annual calendar is now available, is selling very well, and the very positive comments being received on the finished product from so many people is most encouraging. One of the advantages of having it available early is to facilitate those who wish to post copies abroad. The price of the calendar is €10 and the postage costs to various destinations are as follows: Ireland, €3.50; UK, €7; USA, €10; Australia, €12. With modern technology, it is possible to improve photographs immensely. This year's calendar, therefore, includes a nice mixture of new and old photos and some spectacular aerial photos from the RTÉ 1 Nationwide programme, broadcast in August.
There has been, once again, a very generous response from the many sponsors of the calendar, to whom all are very grateful.
The calendar is available in Sharkey's Spar, in SNJ Cafe (both Williamstown) or directly from Noel Finnegan (086 6086264) or Leo Finnegan (086 1603043).
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