Local Notes: Coping Skills Programme, Bridge Results, Bingo
Gabriel Lynch presenting a cheque for €1,200 to Niall Brennan, winner of the first prize in the Tremane Hurling Club Christmas Draw, sponsored by Lynch Flooring. Picture also includes David Carr, treasurer Tremane Hurling Club.
Roscommon Town ICA Guild will hold its first meeting for 2026 in Hannon’s Hotel on Tuesday, February 3rd at 7.30 p.m. The guild is looking forward to a busy year, book club, trips, speakers, activities, and conversations. Hoping to see members and as always new members are welcome to join the guild.
Seeking Safety is a free coping skills programme for women affected by trauma, mental health and/or addiction. Learn new ways to cope safely with your own triggers, impulses and symptoms and gain a more compassionate understanding of yourself and take back your power from the impacts of trauma, mental health and/or addiction. The programme is funded by the HSE and is being delivered in Castlerea and Boyle with a new group starting in Roscommon Town. For more information contact Lorraine in complete confidence on 094 96 21690/lcampbell@rwn.ie.
Results from the Bridge Clubs: Roscommon Bridge Club (Anthony McCormack Memorial) : 1st, Kitty Dowd & Phyllis O'Shaughnessy; 2n, Maurice Buckley & Larry Shine; gross, Phil & Seamus Cooney.
Happy '71 Bridge Club: 1st, Chris & John McGrath; 2nd, Veronica McManus & Judy Adamson; gross, Tresina Murphy & Larry Shine.
St. Coman's Bridge Club (Maureen Mulryan Memorial): 1st, Margaret Egan & Maura Moran; 2nd, Mary Judge & Agnes Murray; gross, Maria Hickey & Gertie Spillane. January 28th: 1st, Breege Weir & Pat Pierse; 2nd, Nuala Costello & Chris McGrath; gross, Kitty Dowd & Celia Ansboro.
Ballymurry Bridge Club - Charity Night - Section A: 1st, Ethel & Brian Keenan; 2nd, Rosaleen O'Hanrahan & Patricia Keane; gross, Michael Dolan & Kevin Coyle. Section B: 1st, Patricia Callaghan & Maria Delaney; 2nd, Valere & Pat Finneran; gross, Judy Adamson & Evelyn Curley.
The winners of the Progressive 25 drive in Clooneycolgan on Thursday night last were as follows: 1st, Noel Carroll; 2nd, Gerry Cunningham; 3rd, Padraig Fannon; table prize, Tony Connolly. Next game Thursday at 8.30 p.m..
Sympathy is extended to May Feeney, Ballyglass and her extended family on the death of her sister-in-law, Josie Hunt (nee Feeney), Ballyloughan Roscommon Town. May she rest in peace.
Bingo continues in the Ballinaheglish Community Centre on Friday at 8.30 p.m.. Jackpot will be €550 on 48 calls or less. Please support.
There was a deep sense of shock and sadness when the news broke of the death of Mr Gerry Grady of Culleen, Knockcroghery on January 1st, in the wonderful care of the staff in ICU at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, after a short illness bravely borne, and surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his parents, Pat and Annie Mae, brothers Declan and Noel, sisters Anne and Marie.
Gerry was born on June 25th, 1955, and was one of a family of 16 children born to his parents Pat and Annie Mae. He was reared in St. John’s, and his home was over Lough Ree where he enjoyed many happy days fishing with his dad, his siblings and also his neighbouring school friends. A group of his school friends would meet at the harbour for a long day’s fishing and boating on Lough Ree. The highlight of the autumn for Gerry and his friends was picking hazel nuts in the warren in preparation for Halloween. He also spent many years in St. John’s Wood cutting timber in his grandfather’s portion of the wood with his dad and with help of his siblings drawing it home by ass and cart as tractors were scarce in those days.
He received his primary education at St. John’s National School and second level at Roscommon Vocational School. After some time, he decided the classroom wasn’t his favourite place, so he began working as a farm hand with local farmers for many years and was regarded as a good worker and very capable. Following this he moved to Athlone to take up employment with Diskin Builders. When a position became vacant in Lecarrow quarry, which was owned by CIE at the time, Gery saw an opportunity to move closer to home and he took up employment in the quarry, the quarry later closed. He, along with his work colleagues, were redeployed with CIE in Roscommon Town. Later when his contract with CIE expired Gerry began working on various FAS schemes for a few years. At this stage Gerry’s dad, Pat, a self- employed stone mason was about to retire, and Gerry and his brother Pat Joe decided that they could not allow this skillful trade to die out, and they both took on the trade and began building stone wall. With Pat as the mentor, many fine stone walls were built by them, which are still evident in the parish and beyond a testament to their fine skill. As well as building stone walls Gerry was involved in the family farm and was happy down the fields taking care of the sheep and cattle.
He met the love of his life, Marie and they married in September 1983, making their home in Culleen and being blessed with two lovely daughters, Michelle and Aishling. They spent many happy years rearing and educating their two girls. Family was very important to Marie and Gerry, and they have many fond memories of going on holidays and travelling around Ireland to various destinations and places of interest with the CDs playing and a singalong in the car. As years passed by the girls moved on, married and made their own homes. Gerry and Marie became more adventurous and began going on sun holidays abroad.
In more recent years they were blessed with three grandsons Brandon and twins Evan and Eli. Gerry enjoyed taking them on trips to St. John’s Wood and pointing out the different types of trees and wildflowers and also where the badger setts were located.
He had many hobbies and interests which included fishing, shooting, darts, card playing and badminton and also reading political and history books.
He was a member of St. John’s Gun Club and took part in many fox hunts and clay pigeon shoots. He was a keen angler and took part in fishing competitions and in later years enjoyed leisurely days fishing on Lough Ree with friends. He was a dedicated member of Lecarrow Benevolent Fund and was always available to help with preparation for the fundraising events. He also enjoyed fox hunting with his lifelong friend Paddy.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Marie; daughters, Michelle and Aishling; grandchildren, Brandon, Evan and Eli; sons-in-law, Con and Paul; brothers, Pat Joe, James and Anthony; sisters, Chrissie, Bernadette, Alice, Doreen, Carmel, Sandra, Linda and Heather; aunt, Philomena, Mullingar; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Gerry reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home, Roscommon and returned to his home in Culleen until his removal from his home on Monday, January 5th arriving to St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery for Mass of the Resurrection and burial afterwards in Gailey Cemetery.
Gerrys Month’s Mind Mass will take place on Saturday, February 7th at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church Knockcroghery.
