Local Notes: Premier tourist attraction, wedding and hospice fundraiser
Following the South Roscommon Macra charity tractor run on September 1st in Ballydangan, a total of €914.50 was raised for both Nicola Murphy and Ollie Johnson who are battling Motor Neurone Disease. Pictured are Elaine Brady, Kelsey Daly, Rachel Hastings, and John Fallon from South Roscommon Macra presenting the cheque to Tony and Chris Johnson from Taughmaconnell. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important cause.
Glendeer Pet Farm in Drum was among the top twelve County Roscommon visitor attractions in 2023. Glendeer recorded in excess of 20,000 visitors for the whole year making it the premier tourist attraction in South Roscommon. Reacting to this development, Ms Kavina O'Connell informed the Herald on Wednesday that they were "very pleased overall" with the visitor numbers last year even though the latter end of the summer was not great on the weather front. She added that Glendeer benefits from having great hotels located at their doorstep and recommend family groupings to Glendeer for a " fun family day out". They also benefit from a big number of national school tours mostly in the months of May and June. Glendeer Pet Farm was established by her parents Eamon and Phil O'Connell in 1991 and Kavina and her sister Charolette have been in a managerial role there for the past ten years approximately.
Meanwhile, Charlie Finneran, Proprietor of the Derryglad Folk Museum informed the Herald on Wednesday last that overall they recorded approximately 3,500 visitors last year. Many individuals and small groupings of tourists staying in local hotels and guesthouses visit the museum. He found that school tours were "down" last year and "coach tours are not as plentiful this year or last year". The Derryglad Folk Museum is located about three miles from Glendeer in the Brideswell-Curraghboy area. Charlie initially opened the museum 26 years ago. It now has over 8,000 individual items on display and is nationally known.
Mrs Ann Marie Moran, Ardnaglug, Ballydangan, has been bereaved by the death of her sister, Mrs Mary Devany, London. Aged 73, her sudden death has come as a shock to her family and wide circle of friends. She was an employee of Llyods Bank in London for many years and was deservedly popular with her work colleagues and the general public alike. She was predeceased by her husband, Mark, and her brother, John, and is survived by one brother, Tom, Swinford; sisters, Mrs Bridie Feerick, Sligo; Mrs Ann Marie Moran, Ardnaglug; Mrs Kathleen Stenson, Leixlip; Mrs Margaret Madden, London, and a number of other relatives.
The fundraising tea/coffee morning in aid of Roscommon-Mayo Hospice at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy on Sunday, September 29th, raised €1,042. for Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. The organisers wish to thank all those who attended or supported the fundraiser in any way.
There will be a Holy Hour with Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St Brigid's Church, Curraghboy, on this Friday, October 11th, at 7 p.m..
Ms Marie Gilligan, Santry, Dublin, whose passing took place on Wednesday, September 25th, at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, was daughter of the late Michael Gilligan, Newtown, Kiltoom and Mrs Mary Gilligan (nee Craughwell, Monksland). Aged 67 in September, she had been in ill health for some time and she bore her illness with characteristic dignity and fortitude. A general nurse by profession, she was attached to the nursing staff of the Mater Hospital, Dublin, for 25 years and, in recent years, she had been on the nursing staff of Clontarf General Hospital. In her work role she was noted for her compassionate and caring nature and her concern for the welfare and well-being of all patients entrusted into her professional care. An excellent homemaker, she was particularly skilful at knitting, sewing and embroidery work. Her main hobbies were reading, gardening and pilates. An engaging conversationalist on a one to one basis, she also enjoyed foreign holidays in the company of her nursing colleagues. She is survived by her son David, London; daughter-in-law, Nicola and grandson, Diarmuid. A member of a family of three boys and two girls, she was predeceased a number of years by her brother, Donal and is survived by brothers, Brendan, Howth; Patrick, Clonliffe Road, sister, Anne, New York; nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection in the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, on Monday, September 30th, the burial took place in Dardistown Cemetery.
The death took place on Thursday, September 19th, at a private nursing home of Mrs Breege O'Boyle, Portarlington, who was the former Ms Breege Feehily, Tanvey, Ballydangan. Aged 99 in February last, she was employed as a general nurse in Dublin for a number of years prior to marriage. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, she was noted for performing neighbourly deeds and kind acts in her residential community. She was predeceased a number of years by her husband Eamon, a native of Frenchpark, and also by her daughter Phil and is survived by her son, Eamon and daughter, Aileen. A member of a farming family of three boys and two girls, she is also survived by grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a number of other relatives. Following Mass of the Resurrection in Portarlington Church the burial took place in Portarlington.
The Roscommon Mobile Library will be at the SuperValu car park, Monksland, on Thursday, October 17th, from 1 p.m. to 3. 30 p.m.. Library membership is free.
The Moore News is scheduled once again to meet its pre-Christmas publication deadline. All individuals, community groups and organisations in the Parish of Moore and Clonfad are requested to forward their news reports, articles and photographs to the Moore Community Office, Lakeland, Ballydangan, as soon as possible. Individuals and groups may also contact 0909673538 for more information.
The marriage took place on Sunday, September 8th, at Annabrooke House Hotel, Mullingar, between Mark Kelly, eldest son of Michael and Geraldine Kelly, Kellysgrove, Ballinasloe and Paula Fallon, only daughter of Gerard and Rosaleen Fallon, Turloughmore, Taughmaconnell. The bride was given away by her father Gerard and her son Ryan. The civil ceremony was performed by registrar Ms Fiona Hope. The bestman was Alan Kelly, brother of the groom and the groomsman was Nathan Kelly, son of the groom. The bridesmaid was Amy Ward, friend of the bride. The reception was held at Annabrooke House and the honeymoon was spent in Greece. The bride is attached to the clerical staff of Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, and the groom is employed in the family business, Kelly Printing Works, Ballinasloe. The couple will reside at Glentaun, Ballinasloe.
A total of 17 signs are currently being erected by Roscommon County Council in the parish of Cam indicating the location of defibrillator units throughout the parish. The signage is being erected at the request of the Cam Defibrillator Group who are currently fundraising to fund a number of projects being undertaken by the group, including the updating of some units at specified locations. The officers and committee of the Cam Defibrillator Group are as follows: Chairperson, Kieran Walsh; Secretary, Carmel Gilligan; Treasurer, Carmel Gacquin; Training Officer, Teresa Burke and committee, Padraig Flatley, Martin Dolan, Marian Lynch and Bernadette Mee.
The weekly progressive 25 card drives at the St Brigid's Handball Complex in Curraghboy resumed on Tuesday, October 1st, for the autumn and winter months. The winners on Tuesday night were Peter McHugh, Eddie Nestor, Johnny Cormican, Liam Grehan, Willie Gacquin, Mrs Patricia Staunton, Mrs Marian Grehan, Mrs Eithne Leonard, Johnny Hughes, Liam Gately, Vinnie Brady and Donnie Brennan.
Mrs Ann Marie Moran, Ardnaglug, Ballydangan, has been bereaved by the death of her sister, Mrs Mary Devany, London. Aged 73, the deceased was a native of Swinford, County Mayo, and her sudden death has come as a shock to her family and wide circle of friends. The deceased was an employee of Llyods Bank in London for many years. She was predeceased by her husband Mark and her brother John and is survived by one brother, Tom, Swinford; sisters; Mrs Bridie Feerick, Sligo; Mrs Ann Marie Moran, Ardnaglug; Mrs Kathleen Stenson, Leixlip; Mrs Margaret Madden, London and a number of other relatives.
