Local Notes: Outstanding Achievement, St.Patricks Day, Credit Union Donation
David, Michelle, Théa and Eli Finnerty, Lisheen, Glenamaddy at the Glenamaddy St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin
The AGM of Lecarrow Benevolent Fund takes place on Friday, March 27th at 8.30 p.m.. New members needed to continue the good work.
County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society presents a lecture on the Archaeology of Knockcroghery, Rahara and Kilmore Parishes by Dr. Daniel Curley in Cullen Hall on Thursday, March 26th at 8 p.m. All are welcome, admission free.
The annual church gate collection for the Roscommon branch of Multiple Sclerosis will take place this weekend at all churches in the parish of Knockcroghery, St. John’s, and Rahara. All donations gratefully accepted.
Mrs Laura Brennan, Kilmore, Lecarrow, has been bereaved by the death of her brother, Leo Behan, Mitchel’s Terrace, Athlone who passed away peacefully at Galway Hospital surrounded by his family on March 17th. Predeceased by his father Leo and sister Georgina. Deeply regretted by his loving wife, Karina; daughter, Sarah; sons, Leo, Neil and Thomas; mother, Vera; daughters-in-law, Kate and Kelly, Sarah’s partner, Ricky; four grandchildren, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. Leo reposed at his home until his removal to St. Peter and Paul’s Church, for his funeral Mass on Friday of March, followed by cremation. Sympathy is extended to his family.
Sympathy is extended to Elizabeth Donlon, St. John’s Lecarrow, who has been bereaved by the death of her brother-in-law, Joe Donlon, Ballyleague Lanesboro, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 12th in the wonderful care of the staff at the orthopaedic unit of Mayo University Hospital. Predeceased by his parents, Tim and Mary, and brother Timmy. Sadly missed by his wife, Maureen; sons, Enda, Niall, and Shane; daughter, Lorraine; brother, Gerry; sisters, Mary and Ann; grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, his seven stepchildren and 14 grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
A coffee morning for Women's Aid will be held in Roosky Community Centre on Easter Sunday, April 5th after 11.30 a.m. Mass. Refreshments will be served. All donations are greatly appreciated for this worthy cause.
This week's Kilglass ladies bonus ball number was 43. Winners, Kay Cox & Seamus Dooner, €50 each.
In the Kilglass Gaels Lotto held on March 21st the numbers drawn were: 6, 10, 11, 16, bonus number 20. There was no jackpot winner. There were six match 3 number winners of €34 each, John & Karen, Seamus Cox, Patrick McGuire, Finian Reynolds, Kate Bloor, Nicola Tully. Next jackpot €9,800 for four correct numbers, €13,800 for four correct numbers plus Bonus Number. Next draw takes place in the clubrooms on Saturday, March 28th.
Learn how to make your own hanging baskets, window boxes, pots and more. A workshop will run for four weeks starting on Thursday, May 7th from 1.30 p.m. - 3.30 p.m. at Roosky Community Centre. To book a place call 086 8534100.
Bingo every Saturday at 8.30 p.m. at Kilglass Gaels Centre.
Though there is a natural pride and joy throughout the whole of Ireland at Jessie Buckley’s unprecedented achievement in winning an Oscar in Hollywood recently, there is a special sense of pride in Williamstown, the native place of one of Jessie’s paternal great grandfathers, Jack Comer, who as a general practitioner, was based in Offaly. One of Jack’s daughters, Norrie, also became a doctor, and a very high profile one, specialising on disabilities. She married Patrick Buckley from the well-known Killarney hotel family. Norrie and Patrick are grandparents to Jessie. She becomes the first Irish woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a leading role, for her part in the acclaimed film “Hamnet”. Warmest Congratulations from all in Williamstown, Jessie.
Templetogher heritage area is looking its very best at present, both inside and out. The exhibition room and kitchen are looking particularly well after the ceilings and walls of both were recently painted. Thanks to the participants and supervisor on the local Rural Social Scheme for doing this job so well, in addition to several other tasks. Other projects are currently in the pipeline, both in Templetogher heritage area and elsewhere, and, with the arrival of the longer days, further outdoor developments can soon be addressed. Sympathy to the husband Bernard, son Noel, sisters, brothers, other family members, relatives and friends of the late Ailbhe/Ellen Geraghty, Dublin and formerly Kildaree; to the family, relatives and friends of the late Nonie Hegarty (nee Geraghty, Williamstown), and to John and the Brennan family, Ballyroe, on the death of John’s wife, Bernadette. Sympathy also to Anne and the Lyster family, Dublin on the death of Anne’s husband, Michael Lyster. In addition to bringing countless hours of enjoyment to the many viewers of the Sunday Game on RTÉ, he also did, just a matter of weeks ago, a very generous and positive review of Jim Fahy’s book “The Puddler Poet” in the popular, long running magazine, “Ireland’s Own”. RIP Michael.
Though the weather was anything but pleasant, with the rain falling continuously during proceedings, there was still an excellent turnout for Williamstown’s second annual St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17th. There were a huge number of floats involved, with varying and imaginative themes. There was a very large crowd of onlookers present also reviewing the proceedings. The grand marshal, Mautie Connaughton, carried out his duties with appropriate and relaxed aplomb. Saint Patrick himself was also very much to the fore also. The events of the afternoon came to a very enjoyable conclusion with an excellent music session from Jason Travers. Well done to all involved in a very successful occasion.
The community has just lost one of its much loved and most popular members with the passing of Johnny Feeney, Williamstown. For several decades, Johnny was at the centre of the commercial and community life of Williamstown and he leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship and camaraderie, not just to his immediate loved ones, but also to all of who had the privilege of knowing him. His kind and gentle nature, his constant good humour, his positive outlook, and his adherence to the values which he strongly believed in, endeared him to all. Affectionately known as “Chief”, because of his fondness in using that particular greeting when addressing so many, he has been a constant and significant presence in the community all throughout his life.
He had a strong work ethic which he applied consistently, regardless of where he was operating, whether in the bar, in the shop, on the farm, in the family Funeral Home, around the house or wherever. Due to the death of his father when Johnny was very young, he was thrust into the world of work at an early age. Despite his busy work schedule, he always found time to have a conversation with everyone he met, regardless of their age. He gave countless young people their first start in the world of employment, something which stood to all of them later on in their respective careers.
He had a deep faith which he practised regularly, in addition to living out on a daily basis his strong Christian values, with total honesty being very high on that list. His family, from his loving wife Mary all the way down to his great grandchildren, meant everything to him , a fact which came through so clearly all through his Funeral Mass, from his daughter Sandra’s beautiful eulogy, from Fr Michael Cusack’s eloquent and meaningful homily, from the symbols of his life presented at the beginning, and from the special Prayers of the Faithful read by several of his loved ones.
He was hugely interested in nature, loving flora and fauna of every kind. Nothing shows this more clearly than the incident recalled by Sandra of the time when he called them all from their beds in the small hours of the morning to hear a sound, once common but now very rare, the distinctive cry of the corncrake.
Despite his busy life with work, family etc, he always found time for several community activities. He was a valued and regular member of the Church Choir, he appeared prominently and entertainingly on stage in several variety shows, and in his later years, he was an active and highly valued member of the local Heritage Society. He never lost his love of our native language, and he conversed regularly and fluently “as Gaeilge” at every possible opportunity.
After a hectic working life, Johnny and Mary moved into semi-retirement, where they enjoyed several special years, including regular family holidays, outings with friends, frequent walks and cycles, which he and Mary loved, while Johnny also thoroughly enjoyed attending all the local football matches.
His passing leaves a massive void, not just in the lives of his immediate loved ones, but also in the lives of the countless number of us who knew and loved him. Without a doubt, he leaves behind a rich legacy of precious memories which will endure indefinitely.
Sincere sympathy to his wife, Mary; children, Yvonne, Sandra, Olivia, Edel, Karen, Jean and Martin; grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters, Teresa and Josephine, sons-in-law, Martin, Anthony, John, Leo and Eoghan, daughter-in-law, Edel, brothers-in-law Peter and Tony, sister-in-law, Celia, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, extended family members, neighbours and many friends. RIP Johnny Beannacht Dé leat, a Sheáin, a chara. Ní bheidh do leithéid ann arís. L.F.
West Midlands Credit Union, through its Community Support Programme, invited community groups to apply for funding to assist with worthwhile projects that benefit the local community. Williamstown Heritage Society is receiving a donation of €500 from this fund towards its digital map project. This gesture is greatly appreciated by all in the group and two of our members, Danny Geraghty and Oliver Lennon, gratefully accepted the donation at a function in the Ard Rí House Hotel, Tuam on Monday last.
