Local Notes: Parade round-up, Heritage Society AGM and MND event 

Good luck to Maedhbh Hanley who captains the Dunmore Community School senior team in their All-Ireland final against St Columbas, Glenties, Donegal in Tubbercurry on Wednesday March 20th at 2 p.m.. This is a huge honour for Michael Glavey’s and Roscommon star Maedhbh and she is joined on the panel by fellow Cloonfad players, Emma Heneghan and Amy Deane. Well done to the players and management including teacher, Barbara Hannon.

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Well done to all who participated in this year’s parade. Thanks to all who prepared and exhibited floats. Hats off to the Paddy’s Tumbling from the Three Counties pub who stole the show. Thankfully the sun came out and shone on the large crowd who attended and enjoyed the occasion. Well done to all the organisers for their weeks of work.

HELENA SAVES ROSCOMMON AGAIN

Once again Helena Cummins was the star of the Roscommon ladies team who secured promotion to Division 2 by the narrowest of margins. With a few minutes to go visitors Offaly were awarded a penalty. A goal would have put Offaly ahead by two points. Helena saved the penalty and a further attempt at goal to deny the visitors. Roscommon held on to win by a single point. This is the second game in a row that star goalkeeper Helena has saved Roscommon ladies.

CLOONFAD UTD WIN

Well done to the Three Counties sponsored Cloonfad United who defeated Ballaghaderreen B by two goals to one to clinch the Division 2 Championship and set up a semi-final encounter with Cam Dysart on Easter Sunday. Goals by Darragh Flynn and Conor Ruane set up a tenth successive victory for United.

MICHAEL GLAVEYS

Well done to Michael Glavey’s senior men’s team who defeated Padraig Pearses B in Woodmount on Saturday by 1-9 to 0-5. The ladies match versus Eire Og did not go ahead on Monday last.

BALLYMOE/BALLINTUBBER

BALLYMOE FC AGM

The AGM of Ballymoe FC has been rescheduled and will now take place on Saturday, March 23rd at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse, Ballymoe. It is very important that all players and parents of underage players attend. This is your club and you should have your say in running the club.

WILLIAMSTOWN

ST PATRICK’S DAY MASS

For St. Patrick’s Day, as in previous years, there was a special Mass in the Parish Church. It was jointly organised by Glenamaddy/Williamstown Ladies Football Club, Northern Gaels GAA Club and Williamstown GAA Club. In this most meaningful ceremony, there was much participation by members of all three clubs in the various parts of the liturgy. The superb music and singing by the Parish Choir added significantly to what was a lovely occasion.

HERITAGE SOCIETY AGM

The Annual General Meeting of Williamstown heritage Society will be held in the Parish Hall on this Wednesday, March 20th at 8 p.m.. All members are asked to attend and new members are always welcome.

The Forged Gates project is now entering its closing stages. To facilitate the compilation of the listing of all of these gates and other forge-made items, it would help greatly if, before the end of April, and as far as is possible, all noted the location of the item, when approximately it may have been made, where it may have been made and the name of the blacksmith who made it.

You can check on all the society’s activities, in particular the update on the events/current activities page, on the website - www.williamstownheritage.com and also on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/heritagewilliamstown

DRINK TEA FOR MND

Williamstown GAA Club is hosting a Drink Tea for MND event in the Sports Complex on Saturday, March 30th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The event will raise very welcome funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. This is a most worthy cause and all support for the event would be most welcome. Well done to the GAA Club for taking on this initiative.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the local Intermediate footballers on their impressive start to the season with a well-deserved home victory over St. Brendan’s on Sunday. Well done to manager, Kieran Conneely, to his fellow mentors and to all the players on this promising display.

BALLINASLOE MD MEETING

The March meeting of the Ballinasloe Municipal District of Galway County Council was held in the Parish Hall, Williamstown on Wednesday last. The meeting, which was open to everyone as observers, was very well attended. In addition to the six councillors for the district, there were also a number of county council officials in attendance, as well as representatives from the media. Leo Finnegan had the honour of welcoming all to the gathering, of giving the background to the unique National Heritage Award jointly won recently by Williamstown Heritage Society and Williamstown Tidy Towns, and of highlighting the many positive elements in the local community. It was good to be able to see at first-hand how Local Government works. Well done to local Councillor Declan Geraghty, who, in his capacity as Cathaoirleach, chaired the meeting with courtesy and efficiency. The three guest speakers, John Neary, newly appointed Tourism Officer for Galway County, Gerard Costello from Community Alert and local Garda Gerry Davis all gave interesting and informative talks on their respective topics. It was good to see such a fine crowd in attendance, both from the community and from several of our neighbouring communities. The delicious food served up by Eileen Flynn to all those present added greatly to the enjoyment of the occasion. Well done to Councillor Declan Geraghty, in particular, and to all others involved in organising this important and very successful event. It’s a most welcome development when even a small section of the corridors of power moves occasionally to the heart of rural Ireland.

GURTEEN/MONASTERADEN

CO:MON COUNTDOWN MONASTERADEN

Co:Mon Countdown Monasteraden will take place on Saturday, April 6th from 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Lough Gara Lodge, Monasteraden. This is an unusual and fun event for anyone who likes word games, puzzles, scrabble, numbers, or watching the TV show Countdown on Channel 4. This is the third year running this event and it is something that gets booked months in advance by past-players. There is a limit on the number of players so booking is essential - email slugwomansos@gmail.com Cost is €15 for the whole day’s games, buffet lunch, snacks, and a chance to win prizes. See the Facebook page Co:Mon Countdown Monasteraden for more, or email for info.

MARCUS HERNON & SONS WITH DON STIFFE

Traditional musician, Marcus Hernon, along with his sons Prionsias and Breandan, will perform with Don Stiffe, folk singer/songwriter in the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen on Easter Sunday, March 31st at 8 p.m.. The concert will provide an eclectic mix of traditional music and dance coupled with the folksy country tones of Don Stiffe. Booking and enquiries to 071 9182599 or www.colemanirishmusic.com.

LATE MR JOHN BERTIE MCDONAGH

The death took place on March 15th at Sligo University Hospital of Mr John Bertie McDonagh, Cuppenagh, Cloonloo. News of his passing was received with great sadness and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was predeceased by his parents, Bernard and Brigid and his brother, Fr. Oliver. His remains reposed at his residence on Sunday and Monday evening with removal today Tuesday to St. Joseph’s Church, Cloonloo for his Funeral Mass with burial afterwards in Templeronan Cemetery. Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife, Concepta; his stepchildren, Melanie, Steven and Fintan; step grandchildren, sisters, Una, Beatrice, Attracta and Martina; brothers, Pat, Don and Kevin; nephews, nieces, extended family and many friends. May he rest in Peace.

SYMPATHY

The death took place on February 29th of Mrs Sheila Corcoran (nee Madden), Oranmore, County Galway. Sympathy to her husband, Benny; daughters, Rosemary and Ellen and their families and to all the Corcoran families in Seefin and Culfadda area. May she rest in Peace.

DIED IN MANCHESTER

The death took place on March 10th in Manchester of Mr Brendan Finn late of Dooballa. He was predeceased by his brothers, Pat and Tommy and sister, Mary Teresa Christina (Chris) McDermott. Sympathy to his wife, Maura; sons, Dermot and Patrick and brothers, Andy in NY and Leo, Mahanagh. May he rest in Peace.

CHURCH GATE COLLECTION

There will be a church gate collection this weekend for Down Syndrome, a small community group who receive no mainstream Government funding. Your support would be appreciated.

DEFIIBRILLATOR/CPR TRAINING

Defibrillator/CPR training with Suzie Johnson takes place in Gurteen Health Centre on Wednesday, March 24th and Thursday, April 25th. Class takes about two and a half hours and are certified by Irish Heart Foundation. Class covers child, child and infant CPR and AED use. If you wish to train or get re-certified please ring Mary 087-9082352.

CLOONLOO NS

Cloonloo National School enrolment evening was on March 7th but if that date and time did not suit please phone 071-919663684 to arrange another time for a visit.

COLEMAN COMMUNITY CINEMA

Coleman Community Cinema are showing ‘Tom and Jerry’ - the movie on Saturday, March 23rd at 2.30 p.m. in the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen. This is a funny adventurous film suitable for all ages. One adult per family goes free - treat bags available - further information from 071-91-82599.

ARCHIVE EVENT

There will be a free event with films shown from the Coleman archives on Wednesday, March 27 at 3 p.m. in the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen. This is an Aistear Comhaltas 2030 free event - all are welcome. further information from 071-9182599.

AISTEAR 2030 CONCERT

Concert in the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen on Saturday, March 23rd at 8 p.m. This a free event but booking is essential. Music by Ceoltoiri Coleman with special guests. A great night’s entertainment is assured -call 071-9182599 or www.colemanirishmusic.com