Local Notes: Memorial Garden Thanks, Sports Day, Farewell Party
The Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Cllr Domnick Connolly with Mary Finnegan at the unveiling of a Wall of Fame at the Fairymount Memorial Garden. Pic: Liam Reynolds
Now that the dust has settled on the GAA commemoration and celebration at the Fairymount Memorial Garden Michael Gilligan thanks to all those who made it such a special occasion. Thanks to Roscommon GAA County Board and History Committee; Roscommon LGFA and Intermediate All-Ireland winning team; All Star Shredding, main sponsors; Castlerea Brass Band; Civil Defence; Western Gaels GAA Club; Johnny Johnson; John Lavin sound system; Paddy Joe Burke; Fr John McManus; McCann’s Shop; St Brigid’s GAA Club; Strokestown GAA Club; Four Roads Hurling Club; local media - Roscommon Herald, Roscommon People, Shannonside FM and Ros FM; Roscommon County Council; gardaí; Ros Plant Hire; Ardcarne Garden Centre; Homeland; Castlerea Garden Centre; gardener Kevin Brennan who did amazing work; those who did promo clips; Pat Hoey and Roscommon Signs; Tony Conboy, Colm Hannelly and Martin Walshe who provided teams and photos; WG ladies for catering; WG lads for parking; Claire and Fionan McCann; Tomas Murray, chairman Roscommon GAA; family members Leo, Tony, Daryl and Francis without whom none of this would have happened; Tony and Philip Thacker; Liam Reynolds photography; Susan Gaynor IT; all who have given sponsorship and donations private and business including Tommy Philips, gold star sponsor. A total of €662-70 was collected in the bucket collection and €332-70 was donated to Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation Thanks to all who attended on the day and shared photos and video clips recording a very memorable day. Thanks especially to the older people including the 90 plus year olds who turned out. Thanks too to the relatives of deceased players who attended the tree planting ceremony in their memory.
“From the outset of this project it was planned to have the older generation and remember the deceased as a major part of whatever ceremony evolved. No piece would be complete without reference to the LGFA Intermediate All Ireland Winners. Many people have remarked what a wonderful bunch they are and I agree totally. They won their final in style and have shown style and class since. It was an honour to have them present on the day. It is almost the stuff of fairytale that Jenny Shine, who was born and raised within a mile of the garden, should return after her many years of service to LGFA with the All- Ireland Cup. She is truly a great ambassador for her sport. The team are a credit to their families, clubs and Roscommon. Finally finally a mention to Johnny Johnson for his inimitable rendition of the Roscommon anthem ‘Land of the O’Connor’,” concluded Mr Gilligan.
Western Gaels held its weekly lottery draw on Saturday, August 15th last. There was no jackpot winner. The numbers drawn were 4, 17, 22 and 32. The next draw (jackpot €4,000) will take place at the clubhouse in Frenchpark on this Saturday, August 22nd. Tickets are available on-line through the Clubforce app or from local outlets.
A family sports day will take place at Tibohine Community Centre on this Sunday, August 23rd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. All are welcome.
Fr. Micheál Donnelly’s farewell party will be held on Sunday, September 6th next with Mass at 3 p.m. in Ballinagare Church followed by a function in Ballinagare Community Centre. Please note there will be a follow-up meeting for this social on Wednesday, August 19th at 8 p.m. in Frenchpark Hall to finalise plans. All interested parties are asked to attend this meeting.
Fr. Larry Ebuk, PP, Frenchpark will be away until Friday, September 18th next and will be back to celebrate Masses on Saturday, September 19th. In the interim, Canon Liam Devine has kindly offered to celebrate all weekend and weekly masses which have been previously booked throughout the year. If there is an emergency, please contact Fr. John McManus at the presbytery in Castlerea on (094) 9620040.
The death occurred peacefully of Mrs Breda Duffy, Weekfield and Clooneenbane, Roscommon on Wednesday, August 5th last at Roscommon Hospice. Sister-in-law of Adrian & Brendan Duffy, Moyne, Fairymount, she was pre-deceased by her father Kieran Fallon in 2012. Breda will be forever missed by her heartbroken family, her husband, Noel; daughter, Karen; son, Paul; mother, Peggy; son-in-law, Anthony; grandchildren, Kayden, Adam and Conor; brothers, Shawn, Michael, Marty, Andrew and Dermot; sisters, Anna and Sharon; extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Saturday, August 8th last for Mass of the Resurrection followed by private cremation.
Pray for the repose of the souls of Mr David Keenan Birmingham, nephew of Gerry Moran Lisdrumneil and the late Eileen Helbert Leitrim, Fairymount; Mrs Chris Lowry, Patrickswell, County Limerick & formerly of Brusna, Ballaghaderreen; Mr Liam O’Neill, Mountrath, County Laois; James & Noreen McHugh, Kilcar, County Donegal and Fr. Pat Nicholson, Corrigeenroe, Boyle. May they rest in peace CHURCH NEWS Masses will be held in Frenchpark at 7 p.m. on Thursday (20th), Tibohine at 7 p.m. and Ballinagare 8.30 p.m. on Saturday (22nd) and Frenchpark at 10 a.m. and Fairymount at 11.30 a.m. on Sunday, August 23rd.
Roscommon SPCA expresses sincere thanks for the generous donations received at the church gate collection held recently in Ballinagare. Amount realised was €184.25 with all money going directly to animal welfare in the county.
Deadline for entries to the 2026/27 Fantasy Football League is Thursday, August 20th next. Contact 086-0783814 for further details.
If you have any local news or items to highlight, please email to qprlodge1@hotmail.com
Local residents wish Ciara McGinty, The New York Rose, the best of luck in the Rose of Tralee. Ciara's late grandmother Patsy, sister of John Rogers and Peg Dobey hails from Emlagh, Castleplunkett. Good luck Ciara. Best wishes also to The Roscommon Rose, Rebecca Collins who is a great ambassador for the county. Good luck Rebecca.
Best wishes to all Leaving Cert students receiving exam results this coming Friday, August 21st.
Many thanks to everyone who attended the annual cemetery Mass in Kilcroan Cemetery on Sunday. It was heartening to see such a large turnout. Thanks to Fr. Julian and Fr. Luke for celebrating such a lovely Mass, to sacristan Kathleen for preparing the altar, and to Pat McDonagh for providing the canopy. The choir added greatly to the celebration and was warmly appreciated by all. Thank you also to the Keegan family for providing car parking facilities. Thanks to everyone who gave so generously towards the upkeep of the cemetery. Your support is greatly appreciated. The committee received many compliments on the appearance of the cemetery, which is thanks to the volunteers who come out on the second Sunday of each month for the clean-up. Well done to everyone. Go mbeimid go léir anseo arís an bhliain seo chugainn.
Roscommon All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Helena Cummins has been nominated for a Golden Glove Award for the second year running. She was previously nominated in 2025 and won the award in the popular vote. This year she has been nominated for a save she made in the championship match against Westmeath. Helena has had a wonderful year so far captaining her Roscommon team to a famous All-Ireland championship final win against Fermanagh in Croke park.
Hard luck to both Michael Glavey’s men’s and ladies teams who lost their championship matches over the weekend. The ladies lost their first round intermediate championship match against Padraig Pearses on Sunday morning in Woodmount and the men were defeated by Strokestown in the senior championship on Sunday afternoon in Enfield. Hopefully both teams will have better days ahead.
