Local Notes: Healing Mass, SPCA Collection, Rose of Tralee
Members of Kiltoom Drama Group with Rose of Roscommon Rebecca Collins, KIltoom at a gathering for Rebecca at Athlone Golf Club in advance of the Rose of Tralee. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
The need to expedite the Monksland-Bogganfin major link road project in South Roscommon within the next four or five years has been emphasised by three Athlone area councillors contacted by the Herald who have welcomed the fact that Roscommon County Council is seeking engineering services for stage one to four of the project. The councillors stressed that the road project is a "key component" for ongoing development in the South Roscommon environs of Athlone. Former council chairperson, Curraghboy Independent Cllr Tony Ward said that it was disappointing that there had been no development concerning the project for over 20 years. He stated that the link road would serve a number of purposes in view of the amount of development taking place in Monksland/Bealnamullia. Firstly, it would take the heavy traffic away from Ganley's roundabout on the N61 and ease access to the Monksland Industrial Estate and Tuam road. It would also take " a huge amount of traffic pressure" off the N61. Pointing out that the current population of the greater Monksland/Bealnamullia area is greater than that of Roscommon Town, the project would also align with other developments going on in Monksland including the sports parks and additional shopping facilities. A roundabout in Bogganfin would relieve traffic congestion and the link road would also ease the traffic pile ups at specific times of the day in Monksland which are especially evident on Bank Holiday weekends. Concluding, he explained that he had put down notices of motion at meetings of Roscommon County Council down the years on an ongoing basis and he would therefore like to see the engineers appointed for the project as soon as possible. He had also regularly queried the needs for road changes regarding the N61 which would take the heavy traffic away from the Barrymore, Hodson Bay, Curramore and Curraghboy road junctions on into St John's and Lecarrow.
Rahara based Independent Cllr Laurence Fallon, who is also a former council chairperson, commented that "action regarding the plan" had fallen off in the past few years. In view of Sean Mulryan's plan for the development of Athlone as "a massive midland city" the link road is vital for South Roscommon. Currently, road capacity is a critical issue in the Monksland area and the failure to provide for road infrastructure could lead to planning refusals and an inability to attract further industrial development to the Monksland Industrial Estate. He too would like to see the link project expedited and become more of a reality within the next five years.
Moore based Fine Gael Cllr Valerie Duffy also stressed that the road project needed to be expedited urgently. Currently, traffic through Monksland and in and out of the various residential estates there is choc-a bloc. The N61 congestion is also at its peak. She added that County Roscommon relies a lot on Monksland for "good quality employment" and many people who work in industrial concerns there reside in South Roscommon. Adequate sports and other facilities are needed in the greater Monksland/Bealnamullia area inclusive of shopping facilities in view of the population. Concluding, she remarked that if the planning for the greater Monksland/Bealnamullia area was now to start from scratch it would be " a little bit different".
A special Family Tree Healing Mass will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy on Friday, August 7th commencing at 8 p.m. The celebrant will be Fr. Gerry Campbell. Confessions will be available from 6.30 p.m. and the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 7.30 p.m. Fr. Gerry will Bless Holy Water and all religious items after Mass. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and individual blessings for healing will take place after Mass. Refreshments will be available afterwards. All are most welcome. Eircode is N37W704.
Roscommon SPCA will be holding its annual church gate collections at St. Mary's Church, Moore on both Saturday and Sunday, August 1st & 2nd; Our Lady of The Rosary Church, Clonfad at both Masses on Sunday, August 2nd; Church of Christ The Good Shepherd, Four Roads on Sunday, August 2nd; and St. Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell on Sunday, August 2nd. Roscommon SPCA is run by a team of dedicated volunteers and all money donated goes directly to animal welfare in the county.
Mrs Mary Mannion, the Berries, Kiltoom, has been bereaved by the sudden death of her sister, Mrs Bernadette McKenna, Dungiven, County Derry, which took place on July 14th last. Aged 68 last April, her death, at a comparatively early age, has come as a great shock to her immediate and extended family, neighbours and wide circle of friends. The former Ms Bernadette Gillen, Dungiven, she enjoyed the respect and esteem of all those with whom she became acquainted. Devoted to her immediate and extended family, she was a most obliging neighbour and reliable friend. An avid Gaelic games enthusiast, she was a long serving activist with St Canice's GAA Club. She is survived by her husband, Martin; sons, Darren, Padraig and Niall; daughter, Bronagh. A member of a family of four boys and five girls, she is also survived by brothers, sisters, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection in St Patrick's Church, Dungiven, on Friday, July 17th, the burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.
St Peter and Paul's Parish in Athlone, which includes the Drum-Clonown, Cornafulla and Bealnamullia areas of South Roscommon, is currently considering the formation of a community committee to explore the possibility of tidying up the graveyard at Cloonakilla, Bealnamullia. The objective involved is making it accessible to visitors and enabling an annual Mass to be celebrated in the cemetery. Individuals interested in joining the committee are requested to contact Martina now at parishoffice@athloneparish.ie
The death took place on Thursday, July 16th, at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, of Mr Gerry Galvin, Corryderryhugh, Athleague. Aged 80, deceased was a member of a very well-known and highly respected family in the locality. He had been in ill health a short time and he bore his final illness with characteristic fortitude. Of a chatty and friendly disposition, he was one of the best known plumbing contractors in Mid-Roscommon and he was much in demand for his skills and all around competence in that work arena. Devoted to his extended family, he was noted for his sense of neighbourliness in his residential community and his innate decency and integrity enabled him to make friendships with a wide age range. His main hobby was card playing and he was a regular at the Tuesday night progressive 25 games in Curraghboy and card games at other venues in Mid-South Roscommon up until recently. A sports enthusiast, he was a follower of Gaelic football and hurling and enjoyed viewing all sport on television. He was predeceased by his brothers Tom, Stephen and Paddy and sisters Maureen, Mona, Bridie and Ita. He is survived by his wife, Maura (nee Hegarty, Creggs); brothers, Austin, Ennis, County Clare; George, home; sisters, Mrs Betty Dolan, Longford; Mrs Kitty Hourigan, London; Mrs Anne Brehony, Sandfield, Knockcroghery; Mrs Dympna Higgins, Castlerea; nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Assumption, Castlecoote, on Monday, July 20th, the burial took place in Athleague Cemetery.
The annual Mass of the Angels will be celebrated at Ss Peter and Paul, Athlone, on Wednesday, August 19th, at 7.30 pm. Members of the community are invited to be involved in the liturgy. Individuals who would like to volunteer to read, offer a prayer or reflection, or present the gifts, should contact the St Peter's Parish office.
The participation of the Roscommon Rose of Tralee representative, Kiltoom native, Ms Rebecca Collins, in the festival will be marked in the parish of Kiltoom and Cam when she attends Masses at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, and St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on Sunday, August 2nd. There will be a meet and greet in both halls after the respective Masses. All children in the parish are welcome to meet her in the halls and have a photo taken with her. A collection will also be taken up for Rebecca's chosen charity ‘Mary's Meals’. The support of parishioners would be greatly appreciated.
