Local Notes: Memories of Martin Hession and Mary Ellen Keane

Castlerea

JOHNNY CARROLL TRIBUTE CONCERT

A special tribute concert for Castlerea trumpet legend Johnny Carroll to celebrate his 66 years in showbusiness and his 80th birthday will take place in the Clayton Hotel, Galway on November 28th. It will feature the Conquerors Show Band and a host of artists from the past and present era.

There will be two 50 seat buses travelling to concert from the Roscommon and Castlerea areas. Price of the bus is €10 per person and concert tickets are €30. For further information, contact concert organiser Julie Healy 087 9049388 or email: ticketyboo52@yahoo.ie

FLEADH COLLECTION

Roscommon has been allocated the hosting of the Connacht Fleadh 2024. Strokestown will be hosting the event. As part of a Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann fundraising drive for the event a church gate collection will be held in your area on the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. All donations will be very much appreciated.

GOLF LOTTO

The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for September 13th was 43. Winners of this week’s lotto were Anthony Cahill, Tom Callaghan, Michael Clarke, Treasa Meaney and Paddy Mannion. Each receive €100.

LATE MR MARTIN HESSION

The death occurred peacefully after a short illness on Monday, August 21st, at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar of Mr Martin Hession, Cloondahara, Castlerea, and formerly of Raheens, Mountbellew. He was predeceased by his wife, Rita; brothers, Johnny, Tommy and Mick and sister, Mary. Martin was a very kind and gentle person who was well liked. He was also a great neighbour, always very approachable.

He loved gardening and took great pride in his garden. He loved the card game 25 and would often play a few nights a week. He also loved bingo. He was a psychiatric nurse by profession and worked at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Castlerea, until he retired. He was always very kind to the many patients he cared for and always carried out his duties in a most professional manner. He was highly thought of by his employers and his many work colleagues. He will be sadly missed by his sons, Liam, and Gerry; daughter, Mary; adored grandchildren, Ellie, Jack, Ryan, Anna, Eve, Sophie, and Sarah; daughters-in-law, Regina, and Laura; son-in-law, Carl; sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours, and friends.

His remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, and following Mass of the Resurrection, celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. Before the final blessing his son, Liam gave a eulogy on Martin’s life. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing and music of Jacqueline Kelly. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

LATE MRS MARY ELLEN KEANE

The death occurred peacefully at home after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, August 20th of Mrs Ellen Keane (nee Carty), St. Patrick Street, Castlerea, and formerly Aghadrestan, Loughglynn. She was a very kind, gentle, jolly person, and a wonderful neighbour.

She had a great interest in gardening and took great pride in her flower garden. Painting and decorating were much-loved hobbies of Mary’s.

Having finished one project, she would be swiftly moving on to the next. Herself and her husband John shared 56 happy years of marriage together. She was a woman of great faith and had a great devotion to St. Anthony. She will be sadly missed by her husband, John; son, Michael; daughters, Josephine Cullen, Catherine, Suzanne Keane, Veronica Hunter; sister, Ronnie Maxwell; brothers, Tom and Michael; her thirteen adored grandchildren, sons-in-law, Pat, Gerard and Stan; brother-in-law, Hubert; nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends,

Her remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds with co-celebrant Fr. Michael Donnelly, Frenchpark, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. The communion reflection was read by Jennifer Keane. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing of the Castlerea Church Choir with director Clare Kelly and organist Ena Conry. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

SPCA HOLDING MEET AND GREET EVENT TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS

Roscommon SPCA is celebrating 60 years of animal welfare service in County Roscommon this year with a meet and greet day on Saturday, September 23rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Hub in Castlerea. This is a great opportunity to meet the dedicated team of volunteers who run Roscommon SPCA every day, and to learn how you can become a volunteer or a member yourself.

The group would welcome local businesses who want to sponsor and support Roscommon SPCA cause. There are many ways to do this and more information will be provided on the day. The event will feature face painting, family and pet portraits, a colouring competition, a raffle and more.

CASTLEREA ST. KEVIN’S NEWS

The Castlerea St. Kevin’s U-14 team under their manger Aidan Fleming with selectors Sean Ryan, Barry Gill, Shane Donlon and David Farrell defeated Elphin/Ballinameen in the Division 3 County Championship semi-final and Frenchpark on Wednesday, September 6th on the score of 4-6 to 4-4.

This was a fine game of football all through by two very committed teams with the issue in doubt up until the final whistle. Both teams played some delightful football, and the only pity was that there had to be a loser. But in the end Castlerea deserved their victory. Team and scorers: Cian Bruen, Calum Walsh, Aaron Egan, Tadgh Donlon, Sean Silke, Eddie Finneran 0-2, Kevin Chiforiuc, Alan Joyce 0-1, Ryan Dunleavy 1-1, Alex Doyle, Oisin Fleming 1-0, Martin Sharkey, Rory Hawkshaw 0-2, Conor Hannon, Tylar Waldron 1-0. Subs used Evan Devine 1-0, Evan Kelly and Daniel Higgins, other subs Diarmuid Fleming, Cathal Mocklar, Michael McLoughlin, Isaac Lafferty, Sean Gill, Tom Vaughan, Sean Fitzmaurice, Patrick Foley. Team sponsor, Tommy Joyce, Wispy’s.

Former Castlerea St. Kevin’s player Dermot Lyons (Jnr) has been very busy over the past number of weeks refereeing matches in all grades in the Roscommon County Championships. He also refereed this year’s Connacht Minor Football Championship Final between Mayo and Galway.

He is also a member of Dara Bruen’s back-room team with the Castlerea St. Kevin’s Intermediate Team.

COFFEE MORNING

All roads will be leading to the home of Fr. Kevin Reynolds at The Presbytery, St. Patrick Street, Castlerea, on Thursday, September 21st where he will be holding a coffee morning in aid of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice starting at 11.30 a.m. and continuing right through the day. Fr. Kevin welcomes everyone to his home both young and old. Please support this worthy cause.

CASTLEREA PARISH NEWS 2023

Please forward reports/articles form clubs, organisations, individuals etc. to castlereaparishnews@gmail.com Photos of events and special occasions are especially welcome.

The deadline for accepting material is October 20th. Material received after this date cannot be accepted due to printing deadlines. The editorial committee is appealing to all organisations, clubs, schools and businesses to take out an advert in the Parish News to help defray the cost of printing.

CASTLEPLUNKETT/ KILMURRY

BUSY START FOR CASTLEPLUNKETT NS

Teachers and pupils in Castleplunkett NS have had a very busy start to the new school year.

The Artist in School Residency has had a vibrant start with artist Nollaig Molloy. The pupils also participated in the Heritage in Schools Day, soccer training has returned and the RSA came to visit to talk about how important it is to wear seat belts in the car, wear hi-vis and helmets when walking/cycling.

CULTURE NIGHT

Culture night will take place nationally this Friday, September 22nd. Culture Night aims to celebrate culture, creativity and the arts brought to you by The Arts Council.

There are various different things happening around County Roscommon from Roscommon Town to Castlerea to Frenchpark, Boyle and Keadue. For more information, search Culture Night Roscommon.

KILMURRY HALL

An AED Defibrillator has been installed on the outside wall of Kilmurry Hall, a very welcome asset to the community.

MAYO/ ROSCOMMON HOSPICE COFFEE MORNING

Mayo/Roscommon Hospice is looking for people to host a coffee morning/evening with family, friends or work colleagues on National Coffee Morning for Hospice on Thursday, September 21st .

Please register at www.hospice.ie, email info@hospice.ie or call 094 93 88666. All funds raised local stay local. Please support.