Local Notes: Padraig Pearses GAA Club dinner dance, the Moore News and appeal for volunteers
The winners of the 61st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) were announed last week. Therese Gunning, Legal Director at BT Ireland presents the 3rd place Junior Individual Health and Wellbeing Category Award to Athenais Selve from Colaiste Chiarain, Roscommon for the project 'Grip Strength: A good biomarker'.
The death took place on Friday, January 3rd, at the Hermitage Clinic, Dublin, of Mr Derek Mannion, Lower Ardmullen, Kiltoom. Aged 52 on October 17th last, his passing at a comparatively early age has come as a great shock to his immediate and extended family, teaching colleagues, neighbours and wide circle of friends. He had been in ill health for some time and he bore his illness with characteristic dignity and fortitude. Educated at Curraghboy National School, St Aloysius College and University College, Galway, his first teaching post was in Drogheda and he had been attached to the teaching staff of the Lucan Educate Together Centre for the past 17 years. In his teaching role he was noted for his caring and compassionate nature and his concern for the uniqueness of each child entrusted into his professional care. An avid sports enthusiast, he was in the winners’ enclosure in Gaelic games as a trainer of teams from the Lucan Centre. He also won innumerable athletic competitions in the decades past. He had a lifelong interest in all outdoor pursuits and mountaineering was yet another of his main hobbies. He also enjoyed foreign travel and reading as hobbies. He is survived by his parents, Joe and Nell; sister, Mrs Olivia Hughes, Dalkey, Dublin; nieces, Ellen and Alannah and nephew Rian. He is also survived by uncles, aunts and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on Monday, January 6th, the burial took place in Kiltoom Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam. He was assisted by Deacon William Gacquin, Curraghboy. His teaching colleagues at the Lucan Educate Together Centre formed a guard of honour at the Church of the Risen Christ on Monday morning.
Mrs Breege Nestor, Lysterfield, Curraghboy, has been bereaved by the recent death of her brother, Mr John Dolly, Kilbeg, Monivea, which took place at St Brendan's Care Home, Loughrea. Aged 82, he was a native of Kilbeg and he bore his final long illness with characteristic resilience. Of a friendly and caring disposition, the deceased was noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts in his residential catchment. He was a lorry driver and part-time farmer who always took a keen interest in all farming affairs. He had a lifelong interest in all forms of machinery and was an active member of the local heritage group in the area for a number of decades. He was predeceased four years by his wife, Deirdre and is survived by his sister, Mrs Breege Nestor and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at Skehana Church the burial took place in Doonane Cemetery.
The death took place on Wednesday, January 1st, at Roscommon Hospice of Mr Tom Galvin, Coolfree, Taughmaconnell. Aged 93 on June 4th last, he was a member of a long established Taughmaconnell farming family and he kept abreast of the changing trends in farming over the decades. He was a very competent judge of all livestock, especially cattle and sheep. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he was noted for his sense of neighbourliness in his residential catchment. He took a keen interest in current affairs and political affairs and was a lifelong supporter of the Fine Gael party. He was a devout Catholic who supported many charitable causes and bequests in the course of his long life. A Gaelic games enthusiast, he was a lifelong follower of all Padraig Pearses and Roscommon GAA teams. He also took a keen interest in the soccer scene generally and was a follower of Man United. He also supported a number of community activities in his native parish and was an active member of the FCA in Taughmaconnell in the decades past. He is survived by his wife, Frances, (nee Fitzpatrick, Assumption Road, Athlone); sons, Declan, Monksland; Padraic, Breole, Taughmaconnell; Kevin, Killeglan, Taughmaconnell; John, Castlesampson; daughters, Mrs Geraldine Young, Gorey, County Wexford and Mrs Emer Burke, Ennistymon, County Clare. A member of a family of five boys and four girls, he is also survived by one sister, Mrs Nan Fallon, Fairhill, Dysart; ten grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell, on Saturday, January 4th, the burial took place in Taughmaconnell Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell.
Arrangements are now well advanced for the holding of the Padraig Pearses GAA Club dinner dance and presentation night for adult teams in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe on this Saturday, January 18th. Tickets are available for purchase from the clubhouse as well as the club officers.
The Moore News, which is an annual Parish publication under the umbrella of Moore Community Council, is now on sale. This year the publication marks the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Community Council as well as featuring wide ranging reports on all aspects of the sporting, social and community life of the parish during 2024. The publication is on sale at Naughton's Filling Station, Thomastown; Dolan's Centra, Creagh; Salmon's store, Ballinasloe and Moran's of Shannonbridge.
The death took place on Sunday, December 22nd, at the Deewater Grange Care Home, Chester, England, of Mrs Maureen Brassil, who was the former Ms Maureen Doran, Cloonkeen, Taughmaconnell. The deceased was in her 90th year and she had been residing in recent years with her daughter, Patricia, in England. She had been in ill health a short time. She had been a joint proprietor of the Eden Rock licensed premises at Creagh, Ballinasloe, for a number of years alongside her late husband Patrick. Of a caring and affable disposition, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and she was also noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential catchments. Prior to purchasing the Eden Rock she had resided in family setting in the USA. She enjoyed gardening and reading as her main hobbies. She was predeceased a number of years by her husband, Patrick, and is survived by one son, Pat, San Francisco, USA; daughters, Mary, Dublin, and Patricia, England. A member of a farming family of five boys and five girls, she is also survived by brothers, Frank, Cloonkeen; Jimmy, Carnagh, St John's; sisters, Mrs Bridie Pender, Cappatagle, Ballinasloe; Mrs Peggy Finn, Dublin; five grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Her remains reposed at Grenham's Funeral Home, Ballinasloe, on Friday evening, January 10th, and following Mass of the Resurrection on Saturday, January 11th, at St Michael's Church, Ballinasloe, the burial took place in Taughmaconnell Cemetery.
It is anticipated that a big number of sheep farmers from Mid-South Roscommon will attend a sheep seminar hosted by Teagasc, Roscommon, on this Thursday, January 16th, at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, at 8 pm. There will be a number of speakers on the night. Damien Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, will address the gathering on the issue of preparing for the lambing season ahead. David Mannion of Kepak, Athleague, will discuss the market outlook for 2025 and Michael Conroy from Teagasc, Roscommon, will provide an update on sheep schemes.
The winners of the first progressive 25 card drive of the New Year at the St Brigid's Handball Complex, Curraghboy on Tuesday night last were Willie Gacquin, Paddy Dolan, Liam Grehan, Mrs Marian Lynch, Mrs Marian Grehan, Eamon Lahart, Seamus Mc Hugh, Mrs Anne Connell and Kieran Gavin.
Very Rev. Michael McManus, PP, Kiltoom and Cam, will hold a Holy Hour at the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on Wednesday, January 22nd, at 8 p.m.. The customary big attendance is anticipated.
Those willing to provide companionship or make friendly calls to an older person in the community are being sought as volunteers by ALONE. The commitment is one hour per week and full training and support will be provided. For more information contact Helena: Helena.madden@alone.ie/0860145829.
