Local Notes: New York trip, Irish book launch and recent deaths
Noreen Burke, Avril Mannion and Anna Lise Mongan, pictured at South Roscommon Family Resource Centre’s fifth birthday celebrations. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
Pádraig Pearses GAA Club will hold a launch night for John Boland’s book “Cúpla Focal Nua” on Thursday, June 12th at 7.30 p.m. at the clubhouse. John is a member the Irish comhrá group that meets in the clubhouse every Tuesday night. This book, derived from the group’s wish that the Irish language be made fun and simple, is full of short stories that will be of interest to local schools and to the wider community. John won an All-Ireland junior hurling medal with Roscommon in 1965. He also was principal in St Ciarán's NS Moore. The GAA will be represented by the national Irish language officer Jamie O’ Tuama and chairperson of the GAA’s national Irish language committee Áine Uí Choinn.
The total amount raised through the church gate collection at the Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom, in aid of the car park and sensory garden at Ballybay on the weekend of May 17th-18th, amounted to just over €1,100. The committee responsible for the project thank all of the people who contributed so generously to the collection. The monies raised will defray a significant proportion of the on-going running costs for the current year. Those who would still like to make a donation may do so by placing it in an envelope in the collection bags at any of the Masses at the Church of the Christ, Ballybay.
All levels are being catered for at pilates classes currently taking place at Ballybay Parish Hall, Kiltoom. The classes improve strength, balance and flexibility. Beginners classes take place on successive Tuesdays at 9.30 a.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.. Classes are also running for intermediate level, post-natal and pregnancy pilates. Those interested are requested to contact Michelle at 0863127619.
Meath midfielder, Bryan Menton, son of Colm and Annette Menton, Ashbourne, has family links to the Kiltoom and Cam area. Bryan's father, Colm, is a native of Curraghboy village, while his mother Annette is the former Ms Annette Moroney, Newtown, Kiltoom. Bryan scored two points for Meath in their championship clash with Roscommon at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon. The final score was Roscommon 2-15, Meath 21 points. Bryan, who is employed as an architectural technologist, has been a member of the Meath senior panel since 2010. Aged 34, his father, Colm, was a playing member of the St Brigid's (Kiltoom and Cam) GAA Club for 16 years, mainly as a half forward. A member of a family of two girls and one boy, he is nephew of Curraghboy postmaster, Gerry Menton and grandson of Mrs Mai Moroney, Newtown, Kiltoom. Meath will now clash with Kerry in the final game in that grouping.
Thanks to all who supported the recent tea day in the home of Maura and Seamus Harney, Glentaun, Creagh. A total of €2,310 was raised in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
Cornafulla resident Vincent Harney, who conducts guided tours of Athlone during the tourist season, was interviewed on the RTÉ One television programme "Today" on Wednesday, May 28th, by broadcaster Maire Derrane, who conducted a number of interview segments for the show in Athlone on that afternoon. Vincent outlined the relevant data concerning the well-known railway bridge across the Shannon in Athlone and the main town bridge alongside Athlone Castle where a number of the interviews were conducted. He also commented upon the six Harry Clarke windows in St Peter and St Paul's Romanesque Church alongside the river, which he explained is in the Diocese of Elphin. He also referred to the associations Custume Military Barracks has with the town and surrounds.
The death took place on Sunday, May 25th, at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Dublin, of Mrs Mary Jordan, Rockingham Grove, Leixlip, who was wife of Noel Jordan, who is a native of Cappalisheen, Kiltoom. Aged 72 on October 20th last, she had been in ill health for some time and she bore her illness with characteristic fortitude. The former Ms Mary Corrigan, Bangor Erris, County Mayo, she was employed in the Civil Service in the Department of Social Welfare for a number of years and she had resided in family setting in Leixlip since 1976. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she was a most obliging neighbour and a trustworthy friend. A sports enthusiast, she was a lifelong follower of Gaelic games generally and served for many years of the executive committee of St Mary's GAA Club in Leixlip. She also attended all the GAA fixtures in which her son David played with Leixlip and also the Kildare senior panel of which he was a member for a period. Of a friendly and jovial disposition, she supported a wide range of community activities and many charitable causes over the decades. She is survived by her husband, Noel; son, David, Leixlip and daughter, Mrs Marie Curtis, Delgany, County Wicklow. She is also survived by one brother, Paddy, Bangor Erris; sister, Mrs Anne Griffin, Blanchardstown, Dublin; seven grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Nativity, Leixlip, on Friday, May 30th, the burial took place in Confey Cemetery.
Sister Nuala Mulleady of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters, New Jersey, USA, is currently on holiday in South Roscommon with her sister, Mrs Maureen Kenny, Corroclough, Kiltoom. A native of Cloonkeen, Taughmaconnell, where her brother, Eugene resides in the family homestead, she has ministered with the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for 66 years and is currently engaged in parish pastoral work in New Jersey. She has held a number of roles with the FMS in Sudan, Africa, and throughout the USA over the decades. She last visited her extended family members and friends in South Roscommon two years ago.
The death took place on Friday, May 23rd, at the Sonas Nursing Home in Athlone of Mrs Kathleen Caulfield, Liberty, Ballydangan. Aged 85, she was lovingly cared for at Sonas for a time period. The former Ms Kathleen O'Connor, Clonmacnoise, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts and she supported a number of charitable causes. She is survived by her husband, James (Finn); son, Damien; sisters, Mrs Josephine Condon, Mrs Eileen Byrne; brothers, Kieran and Peter; three grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Mary's Church, Moore, on Wednesday, May 28th, the burial took place in Drum Cemetery.
The death took place on Friday, May 23rd, at his residence of Mr Klaus Zerbe, Newpark House, Kiltoom. Aged 78, he had been residing in family setting at Newpark House for the past 20 years. A native of Neumunster, Germany, he also had a family residence at Churchtown, Dublin. He had been in ill health for some time and he bore his illness with characteristic resilience. Devoted to his immediate and extended family, he was a most obliging neighbour. He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Shane, David and Stefan; daughter, Blanka; brothers, sister, grandchildren and other relatives. His funeral service took place at the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold's Cross Road, Dublin, on Tuesday, May 27th.
Preliminary arrangements are currently being made by the Padraig Pearses (Moore-Taughmaconnell-Creagh) GAA Club for a four night trip to New York in April 2026 to coincide with the Roscommon V New York Connacht GAA senior football championship clash. The club envisages a four night stay from Thursday, April 2nd to Monday, April 6th. Those travelling will be accommodated in a central Manhattan hotel and the package will include flights, hotel and airport transfers from the clubhouse with optional extras including breakfast and professional guided bus tour of New York. The club will also be visiting Shannon Gaels GAA Club in Queens. The approximate cost is €1,300 per person sharing. Prices are also available for single travellers, couples, families and groups of three or four sharing rooms with tailored pricing. Deposits will need to be paid in the near future to confirm placing. Currently the club is looking for an idea regarding numbers. Those interested in travelling are requested to contact Aaron Clogher at 0877703630; Ann Lohan at 0877678196 or Yvonne Cunniffe at 0868773370.
The winners of the weekly progressive 25 card drive at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Mrs Marian Lynch, Michael Keenan, David Connaughton, Veronica Nestor, Ross Nestor, Michael Donnellan, Liam Fallon, Vinny Brady, Johnny Hughes, Eddie Nestor, Peter McHugh, Johnny Cormican, Tommy Cormican and Cllr Tony Ward.
