Local Notes: Golf Lotto, Trad Session, School Football
Margaret Diggins, Mayo/Roscommon Hospice and Shane Keegan who announced a fundraiser for the planned new children's hospice. On January 31st Kilkeevan Gun Club (Castlerea) will host a social night in the Cosy Bar Castlerea. Live music, a raffle and food will be served. A great night's entertainment is guaranteed for a very special cause.
Castlerea Musical Society presents an evening of entertainment by candlelight in the Trinity Arts Centre on this Saturday, January 24th at 8 p.m.. This variety performance evening will include singing, dancing, Irish music and more, all by warming candlelight. Tickets available through Gr8events. Some tickets may be available at the door.
An important meeting of Castlerea Community Games will take place in The Gaff, Castlerea on Monday, January 26th at 8 p.m. to ensure the future of the games in Castlerea. All from Castlerea parish area are welcome.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for January 14th was number 12. Winners were Tom O’Connor, Mamie Creaton, Gerry O’Gara, Dr Greg Kelly, and Emmet Patten. Each receive €100.
The death occurred peacefully on Saturday, January 3rd of Mr Ivan Finch, Main Street, Castlerea and formerly of Ballindrimley, Castlerea. He was a member of a highly respected and established Castlerea family who ran a garage and paper business in Castlerea for many years. They used to collect the English and Irish papers every Saturday in Dublin and distribute them to many areas in Connacht. They also did the same during the week with the Irish papers. Ivan did many trips to Dublin for many years every Saturday. He was an all-round sportsman. He won an U-15 championship with Castlerea in 1962, and minor county championship in 1963/64/65. He was a great soccer player with Castlerea Celtic and won a few leagues with them in the 1970’s. He was also a keen golfer and was captain of Castlerea Golf Club in 1981 and represented the club in many team competitions. He was a member of the team beaten in the Pierce Purcell All-Ireland Shield final in Portmarnock in 1972. He also liked to have a flutter on the horses with Rachel Blackmore his favourite jockey. He also loved the game of pool and the game of 25. His late mother Josephine was a member of the Castlerea ladies O’Rourke Park Committee for many years and helped to fundraise for the development of the O’Rourke Centre and park. Ivan loved feeding the birds and paying a visit to his friends. He was also a man of faith. He will be forever sadly missed by his brother, Joe (Nenagh), sister Eve (Liverpool), sister-in-law, Mary, brother-in-law, Albert, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. His remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home on Thursday morning and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing and music of Julia Heaney and Eoin Kelly. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The death occurred peacefully on Thursday, January 8th of Mr Paddy Brett, Castlehill, Castlerea, at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. Deceased had been living in Castlehill for the past number of years and was highly thought of in the community. He loved gardening. He took great pride in his work and looked after many gardens around the town and further afield including Castlerea Golf Club. He had a lovely garden at the back of his home, and he was very proud of it. He loved cycling his bike to attend to his work. He loved to smoke his pipe and would spend some time each day in the shelter on the Market Square smoking his pipe and have a chat with his friends, both young and old. He was very devoted to the Church and would attend the 12 o’clock Mass on Sunday’s while he was able. He would never pass a church gate collection without giving a donation to those collecting. Paddy, who was a native of Aughamore, will be sadly missed by his family. His remains were removed form McDonagh’s Funeral Home, Castlerea, to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea and following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds, who gave a beautiful homily, burial took place in Aughamore Cemetery. Before the final blessing, his grandson Aidan Ruane thanked Fr. Kevin, the choir, Mary Gannon, all present and the people of Castlerea for the kindness they showed to Paddy during his time in Castlerea. The ceremony was enhanced by the beautiful singing of the Castlerea Church Choir with organist Enna Conry. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
The death occurred peacefully on Tuesday, January 6th at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, of Mr Sean Vaughan of Cloonsuck, Castlerea. Predeceased by his parents Thomas and Bridget, and his sisters Eileen, Nancy and Delia. Deceased was a very kind, gentle and jolly person, and a wonderful neighbour who always had time for people. He was a great community person and was involved in everything that was good for Cloonbonniffe and the surrounding area. He was a farmer by trade and took great pride in his farm and animals. He also loved driving his tractor. He loved his family and adored his 12 grandchildren and was very proud of their achievements. Indeed, he was delighted when Cloonbonniffe National School won the Cuman na mBunscoil two teacher football and basketball titles for the first time in the history of the school in 2024 and retained their titles in 2025. He had two grandchildren Emma Dunleavy and Tommy Vaughan who were members of the teams both years. His grandsons Sean Vaughan and Ryan Dunleavy were members of the Castlerea St. Kevin’s minor team that won the county championships in 2025. His son Thomas plays a big part in coaching Castlerea, St. Kevin’s underage teams while his daughter-in-law Olivia Vaughan does trojan work as chairperson of the Castlerea Pastoral Council. Sean was a handy footballer in his younger days but he broke his leg in a challenge game against Castlerea in 1954 when he and Danny Burke drew on a ball. Danny broke his big toe. Sean never played much football after that but always took a great interest in Castlerea and Roscommon teams. He will be sadly missed by his loving by his loving wife, Helen; son Thomas (Castlerea); daughters Rosemary Becker (Munich), Mairead Lyons (Keash) and Denise Dunleavy Castlerea); adored grandchildren, Leanne, Sean, Conor, Ryan, Amelia, Katie, Lucia, Matthew, Tom, James, Emma and Ethan; his daughter-in-law, Olivia; his sons-in-law, Jens, Aidan and Seamus; brothers-in-law, Joe, Tom and Peter; his sister-in-law, Rosie, and his cousin, Helen, extended family neighbours and friends. His remains were removed from McDonagh’s Funeral Home, Castlerea, to St. Brigid’s Church, Cloonbonniffe and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. John McManus, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. Before the final blessing the eulogy was given by his son and daughter Thomas and Denise. The Communion reflection ‘Broken Chain’ was read by his daughter Rosemary. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Friday, January 2nd was birthday night in Mulvihill’s where two ladies, Enna Conry, church organist and Sheila Moran (nee O’Leary), retired teacher from Castlerea Community School, celebrated their birthdays which fell on the same day. They were joined by popular postman Noel Curran who was also celebrating a special birthday that day. There was a great sing song with plenty of talent and songs from Eugene Collins of Castlerea drama and musical and Sean Moran of Mike Denver fame, Brian Keavney, Stacy Sharkey, Patricia Collins, and Danny Burke. The duet by Enna and Sheila brought down the house. There was a wonderful array of food which was provided by Miriam Gannon, Celia Mulligan, Bridie Malone, Caolin Doherty and Miriam Conry and the Mulvihill’s. A great night entertainment was had by all. Danny Burke, MC for the night thanked all for making the night such an enjoyable one, those who did their party pieces, provided the food and the Mulvihill family for hosting the night.
Castlerea St. Kevin’s would like to extend sympathy to the following families who have suffered bereavements in the past number of weeks: Hanmore family, Harristown; Flanagan family, Foughill, Trien; the Brennan family, Foughill, Trien; Finch family, Ballindrimley; Vaughan family, Cloonsuck; Connelly family, Cloooncundra; Egan family, Longford; Duggan family, Ballindrimley; Mitchell family, Willsbrook; Joyce family, Cregameen; Morgan family, Knockroe; Flannery family, Arm and the Doherty families, Ballinlough, on the passing of John and Gabriel Doherty who were both members of the Castlerea St. Kevin’s junior hurling team that won the County Championship in 1968.
The monthly trad session in Mulvihill’s take place on Sunday, December 28th with Terry McGowan and his team of musicians. Please come along and enjoy the night. Starting at 8 p.m. Come early and make sure you get a seat. The trad playing members and all at Mulvihill’s would like to wish a speedy recovery to John Walsh, Castelpark, who never misses a trad night and often gives a verse of a song.
The Castlerea Community School First Year team had a great win over Roscommon Community College in the county schools’ championship 13-a-side at Roscommon on Tuesday last on the score of 3-22 to 4-6. Team: Harry Tobin, Ben Daly, James Cahill, Lorenzo Nanbe, Daniel Connelly, Arthur Dabrowski, Tom Vaughan (captain), Odhran Higgins, Blake Burke, Senan Higgins, Daniel Riley, Turi Farias, Aaron Harte, sub used Lubanzi Nkuhly. Team manager: Richie Britton.
