Local Notes: International rugby selection and Tidy Towns results
Susan Coyle, Kiltoom and Elaine Halligan, Clonown, pictured at a coffee morning in Clonown Community Centre, in aid of Lough Ree RNLI. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
The Tidy Town committees in a number of South Roscommon villages reported "satisfaction" with the overall general improvement in marks in the competition this year when contacted by the Herald. Therese McCarthy, chairperson of the Dysart Tidy Towns Committee, expressed delight that the village had increased its marks by 14 points this year and tied with Rahara in the most improved category. She said that for the past two years they had Michael Gately as a general maintenance worker in the village and its surrounds. They had planted additional shrubs and flowers. The improvements in the appearance of St Patrick's Church on the Ballyforan road to coincide with its bicentenary had also helped in the competition. The two national schools in the Dysart area, namely, Ballintleva and Feevagh, work well with the committee and compete favourably in environmental competitions associated with national schools. Thirdly, the committee finds Roscommon County Council and the Athlone Electoral Area members supportive and helpful annually and she was pleased to express satisfaction with the manner in which the council works with the committee. Emily Staunton, Carrick, Curraghboy, secretary of the Curraghboy Tidy Towns Committee, was " happy" that they had upped their marks this year by eleven points from 333 to 344 points. They had planted additional shrubs and flowers and had lamp posts and sign posts painted. They also had six hanging baskets placed at key locations in the village inclusive of the Athlone road. All four "Welcome to Curraghboy” signs" had been replaced by the council. A mile mark was discovered in proximity to McDermott's licensed premises and the committee hope to have its location appropriately marked for the competition next year. Jimmy Darcy, Ballybrogan Road, Lecarrow, who is chairperson of the Lecarrow Tidy Towns Committee, expressed satisfaction that the marks for Lecarrow at 297 were broadly similar to the marks of last year. The committee carried out general maintenance and upkeep and he stated that he was pleased that the environs of the Community Centre and the Lecarrow Harbour area are generally well maintained. They are also pleased to avail of a community worker on and off on a 20 hours scheme basis.
A Special Mass for the Holy Souls will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy on Monday, November 9th commencing at 8 p.m. The celebrant will be Fr. John Walsh. 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. John will bless holy water and all religious items before 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.
The death took place on Sunday, October 4th at the Ballinasloe Care Centre of Mrs Mai Kelly, Moore South, Ballydangan. Aged 97 in September last, she was the former Ms Mai Finn, Tully, Moore. A member of an esteemed farming family in the locality, she was noted for being a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She took a keen interest in all farming affairs and was an engaging conversationalist on a one to one basis. She was respected in her residential community for her capacity for hard work and her sense of neighbourliness. A devout Catholic, she had great devotion to Our Lady and had visited Knock Shrine annually up until recent years and had also visited Medjugorje. She was a frequent presence in Moore Community Hall where she helped out the various committees at a range of functions and gatherings. Her main hobby was gardening. Predeceased in March 2019 by her husband Paddy, she is survived by sons, Michael, Moore South, Brendan, Ballinasloe; daughters, Mary, Galway and Eilish, Somerset, England. The last surviving member of a farming family of three boys and one girl, she is also survived by four grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Mary's Church, Moore, on Thursday, October 8th, the burial took place in Moore Cemetery.
The death took place on Thursday, October 8th, at the Rye Vale Nursing Home, Leixlip, of Mr Oliver (Ollie) Mannion, Kilcloon, Meath, who was a native of Lower Ardmullen, Kiltoom. Aged 89 on July 14th last, he had been in ill health a short time and he bore his final illness with characteristic dignity. The deceased was a well-known property developer in the Dublin-Meath environs and he was held in high esteem for his all-round knowledge of the property scene generally and his innate decency and integrity in all his dealings with the general public. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was a most obliging neighbour and trustworthy friend. An avid sports enthusiast, he won two county senior championship medals with St Brigid's in the decades past and he had a lifelong interest in his local St Brigid's GAA Club and the Roscommon GAA scene generally. An accomplished golfer, he played latterly at the Island Club, North Dublin and Hollystown Golf Club on the Dublin-Meath border. He was predeceased by his wife Josie (nee Walsh, Ballymoe) and is survived by sons, Greg, London; Ivan, Hollystown, Dublin; Ralph, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin; daughters, Aisling, London and Mrs Louise Gaudenzi, Forli, Italy. He was predeceased by his twin brother Virgil and his sister Mrs Marie Dowd and is survived by brothers, Joe, Lower Ardmullen; Billy, Lower Ardmullen; Tadhg, Hodson Bay; eleven grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. A private family funeral service took place at the Glasnevin Crematorium on Tuesday, October 13th.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Mrs Mary Doyle, Mrs Karen Keogh, Mrs Patricia Staunton, Michael John Grenham, Padraig Kelly, Ms Marian Dunning, Gerry Menton, Donnie Bennan, Mrs Bernie Burke, Eddie Nestor, Sean Gately, Alfie Gately, Mrs Marian Lynch and Peter McHugh.
The death took place on Wednesday, October 14th, at her residence, of Mrs Margaret (Maggie) Shine, "Ashbury Green", Taylorstown, Athlone. Aged 63 on September 10th last, she had been in ill health for some time and she bore her illness with characteristic resilience and fortitude. The former Ms Margaret McKenna of Motherwell, Scotland, she met her husband Peter while working in the child care area in London and they married in 1993. Peter is a native of Taylorstown, and the couple returned to Taylorstown to reside in 2000. The deceased was attached to the staff of Wonder Years creche in Cornafulla for a number of years and in her work role she was noted for the care and concern she showed for all the children in the creche, and, in turn, she was much loved and respected by their parents and guardians. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, her quiet affability and innate decency endeared her to all those privileged to make her acquaintance and her passing, at a comparatively early age, has come as a shock to her immediate and extended family, neighbours, friends and acquaintances. She performed innumerable neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential catchment over the years with typical self-effacement. She is survived by her husband, Peter; daughter, Zoe, Taylorstown and Anna, Oran, Roscommon. She is also survived by brothers, Paul, Preston, and Stephen, Motherwell; grandchildren, Noah and Tadhg; nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Cremation took place at the Shannon Crematorium on Friday, October 16th.
Darragh Murray, son of Aidan and Bernie Murray, Lisbrock, Brideswell, has been selected with the Irish rugby squad and he will line out with the Irish panel on this Friday for their clash with Argentina at the Aviva Stadium. He has been a professional rugby player with Connacht since the age of 18 and he is now aged 25. His brother Niall, who is aged 27, is also a professional rugby player with Connacht. Niall had the distinction of making his 100th appearance with Connacht in their clash with Leinster on Friday night last. They are past pupils of Brideswell National School, St Aloysius College and Colaiste Ciarain, Summerhill, South Roscommon. They are grandsons of the late Noel Murray, Lisbrock, who was a long serving panellist with the St Brigid's (Kiltoom-Cam-Curraghboy) senior panel.
The Rosary will be recited in Kiltoom Cemetery every Sunday throughout the month of November after the celebration of Sunday Mass in the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom.
