Local Notes: Exodus to Croke Park, First Lecture, Active Retirement
Lorraine Moore and Irene Dowd, pictured at a recent bog walk fundraiser in Brideswell. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
There will be an exodus of hundreds of supporters of the St Brigid's senior panel to Croke Park on Sunday, January 18th, when they clash with Munster champions, Dingle, in the All-Ireland Senior Club Final. It will be Brigid's fourth senior final clash and a first final outing for Dingle. Since the early 50s St Brigid's have taken home 19 Roscommon county senior titles, six Connacht club titles and one All Ireland club title by virtue of their defeat of Ballymun Kickham's of Dublin in Croke Park on St Patrick's Day in 2013. Currently, the townlands and business concerns throughout the parish of Kiltoom and Cam are adorned with bill boards and signage extending good wishes to the panel of players in their quest for All-Ireland club glory. A big number of households also have St Brigid's flags hanging in their gardens.
In order to facilitate parishioners who are travelling to Croke Park to support St Brigid's in the All Ireland Club Final against Dingle, the Sunday morning Mass at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom, on January 18th will be celebrated by Very Rev. Michael Mc Manus, PP, at 8.45 a.m.. Mass will be celebrated in St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on January 18th at 10 a.m.. The customary evening Mass on Saturday evening, January 17th, will be celebrated at 7 p.m.at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom.
The first lecture of 2026 to be hosted by the Old Athlone Society will be in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, on this Wednesday, January 14th, at 8 pm. It will feature Dr Padrag Lenihan, Galway, son of the late Paddy and the late Breege Lenihan, Hodson Bay, Kiltoom, who will speak to the theme of "Sieges without Guns, Athlone and the Midlands, December 1641-February 1643."
The marriage took place on Wednesday, December 31st, at the Castle Durrow Hotel, County Laois, between Andrew Curley, eldest son of Tom and Mary Jo Curley, Kiltoom, Athlone, and Aine White, daughter of Willie White and Julie Kelly, Limerick. The bride was given away by her father. The marriage ceremony was performed by registrar Ms Trisha Corcoran. The bestman was James Curley, brother of the groom and the groomsmen were Michael Curley, also brother of the groom and Joey Cunniffe, Conor Greene and Paul Fuery, all friends of the groom. The bridesmaids were Maya Uwakwe-Kelly, cousin of the bride and Kate Coffey, Laura Forde, Brid Heffernan and Sally Ann Cusack, all friends of the bride. The readings were delivered by Liam and Sean White, both brothers of the bride; Lizzie Moffatt, aunt of the groom and Kieran Kelly, uncle of the bride. The music was provided by the Scott family, cousins of the bride and Fionn White, brother of the bride. The honeymoon is being spent in Portugal and Cape Verde. The couple will reside in Dublin.
The death took place on Wednesday, December 24th, at the St Vincent's Care Centre, Athlone, of Mrs Ita Halligan, Mountpleasant, Coosan, Athlone, who was wife of the late William (Bill) Halligan, who was a senior executive official in the planning section of Roscommon County Council for many years. The former Ms Ita Duffy, she enjoyed the respect and esteem of all those with whom she became acquainted. Devoted to her immediate and extended family, she was noted for her sense of neighbourliness in her residential catchment. Predeceased by her husband, Billy, she is survived by sons, Hubert and Billy and daughters, Ann, Cathy, Oonagh and Deirdre. She is also survived by one brother, Luke, sisters, Una, Phil, Bridie and Helen, 11 grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Coosan, on Monday, December 29th, the burial took place in Coosan Cemetery.
The marriage took place on Wednesday, December 31st, at St Patrick's Church, Dysart, between Richard Grogan, youngest son of Joe and Jackie Grogan, Cloghan, County Offaly, and Karen Carty, second daughter of Tommy and Una Carty, Culleen, Dysart. The bride was given away by her father. The ceremony with Nuptial Mass was performed by Very Rev. Francis Beirne, PP, Ballyforan, Dysart and Tisrara. The bestman was Paul Grogan, brother of the groom and the groomsmen were Lyndon Cox and Cian Lyons, both friends of the groom. The bridesmaids were Linda Carty, sister of the bride; Sarah Carty, also sister of the bride and Tina Carty, cousin of the bride. The lessons were read by Katie Lawlor, friend of the bride and Valerie McManus, aunt of the bride. Michael Grogan, nephew of the groom, was page-boy and Alice Grogan, niece of the groom, was flower girl. Hymns with musical accompaniment were rendered by Aoife Coady. The reception was held at the Athlone Springs Hotel, Monksland, South Roscommon and the honeymoon is being spent on a cruise. The couple will reside at Culleen, Dysart.
The death took place on December 28th at the Roscommon Palliative Care Unit of Mr Padraig Gately, Cullawinna, Mount Talbot. Aged 73 in August last, he was held in high esteem by all those who made his acquaintance. Skilful with his hands, he had a lifelong interest in all forms of machinery. Of a friendly and chatty disposition, his dwelling house was the local rambling house in the townland. He is survived by sisters, Mrs Catherine Hannon, Lismaha, Mount Talbot; Mrs Liz Hughes, Summerhill, Carrick-on-Shannon, one niece, two nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Tisrara, on Wednesday, December 31st, the burial took place in Tisrara Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev.Francis Beirne, PP, Ballyforan, Dysart and Tisrara.
The Monksland based Cushla Active Age Group recently made a presentation to Roscommon-Mayo Hospice of €6,000 at a gathering in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. The funds were raised by a bucket collection outside Mulligan's grocery premises on the Roscommon Road and SuperValu in Monksland which was followed by a coffee morning, bake sale, brick-a-brac stall and raffle at the Monksland Community Centre in November. The Cushla group wish thank most sincerely all those who supported or assisted the fundraising for Hospice in any way.
The death took place on Friday, December 26th, at the Sonas Nursing Home, Athlone, of Mrs Mai Murray, Cranberry, Ballydangan. The deceased was a member of a highly esteemed family in the locality. Of an affable and caring disposition, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who performed innumerable neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential catchment down the years with typical self-effacement. Predeceased by her husband John and son Evin, she is survived by sons, Ciaran, Niall and Sean and daughters Cora, Ruth and Camilla. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Mary's Church, Moore, on Monday, December 29th, the burial took place in Moore New Cemetery.
The Moore Active Retirement Group is currently organising a three night hotel break from May 25th to 27th inclusive which will include tours, meals and music. A coach will be provided from Moore. For more information contact any member of the Moore Active Retirement Group.
General operatives and administration staff are required for a number of diverse areas of the Moore Community Employment Scheme. For further information see www.jobsireland.ie or contact 0862501475.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Mrs Karen Keogh, Mrs Eimear Coyle, Mrs Patricia Staunton, John McHugh, Vinny Brady, Mrs Bernadette Burke, Brian Fallon, Mrs Marian Grehan, Mrs Eithne Leonard, Paddy Dolan, Kevin Donnelly, Ms Bernadette Mee and Mrs Audrey Flatley.
