Local Notes: Well done Aoife, Theo and Ryan, heritage societies talks and variety show
Congrats Ballymoe ARA: Pictured are members of Ballymoe Active Retirement Association on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the branch’s founding. Seated from left - Bridie Duffy, Bríd Keaveney, Bernadette Tully, Peggy Timothy, Margaret Coyne, Margaret Keaveney. Standing - Catherine Kearns, Eileen Brennan, Betty McCormack, Kathy Doherty, John Connor, Maura Divilly, Eileen Carroll.
A variety show in aid of the Lourdes Invalid Fund will take place in St. John’s Community Centre on Saturday, May 4th starting at 8 p.ml and featuring Vinegar Bill Group, Vincent Pierse, McDermott Ballet School, Patrick Mullooly, traditional ballad and music groups from Lipsync. Tickets available through the community and from Parish office.
St. John’s Parish Heritage group will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 7th in St. John’s Community Centre, Lecarrow at 8 p.m.. New members are always welcome.
St. John’s Heritage Group will host a very interesting feature on Rev Fr. Wallace, The famine Priest on Friday, May 17th in St. John’s Community Centre. Fr. Edward Wallace ministered at St. John’s Church, Lecarrow from 1860 to 1873 as parish priest. His remains are interred in the body of the Church. The speaker on the night will be Mr Jarlath McNamara, Ballygar who will give an account on Fr. Wallace’s life. It will be a very interesting talk, and all are welcome. Open to all. Light refreshments will be served.
The winners of the Progressive 25 Drive in Clooneycolgan on Thursday night last were as follows: 1st, Michael Donnellan; 2nd, Christy McDermott; 3rd Karl Connelly; table prize, Fr George Agger; winner of bottle of whiskey, Michael Sharkey; winner of the Winter League, Jimmy Bracken; 2nd, Mickey Beirne; 3rd, Pat Murray. The committee thanks all the patrons who supported the card games over the winter period and Ivan Connaughton for sponsoring soring the Christmas Hamper. Hopefully the group will welcome everybody back in October.
Projects currently being addressed by members include the enhancement of the exhibition room at Templetogher, the continuation of links with the various members of the diaspora, and the finalising of the Michael McGovern biography.
Discussions are on-going on the Expression of Interest which the group has forwarded to the Just Transition Fund, towards the proposed kitchen/toilet upgrade at Templetogher. The JTF Activator for Ballinasloe Municipal District, Loretta Raftery, has just been appointed, and the group has been in contact with her.
The group has also applied successfully to a group called the Hare’s Corner, one of whose members will visit and decide on the possibility of creating a small pond.
Sympathy is extended to the family, relatives and friends of the late Paddy O’Connor, Moorfield; also to the family, relatives and friends of the late Catherine McEvoy (formerly Collins, Moorfield).
Warm congratulations to boxer Aoife O’Rourke, from the neighbouring parish of Castlerea, on the most recent of her successes in an extremely impressive career, when she won the gold medal in the middleweight division at the European Championships in Belgrade. Let’s hope that this great run continues for her in the Paris Olympic Games, now coming ever closer. Well done, Aoife.
Ability West will hold a walk and talk fundraiser on Friday, May 3rd at 11 a.m.. The event will commence from the Avondale Hub, Creggs Rugby Club.
The sudden death took place on Monday, April 15th at his residence of Mr Jackie Quinn, Kilmacrickard, Glinsk. Aged 74, the deceased was an esteemed member of the local farming community. He had a keen interest in both cattle and sheep and he was a most obliging neighbour and a reliable friend to many. For many years he was a member of the Kilcolumb Cemetery maintenance committee, a task he carried out with dedication, diligence and reverence. He was an enthusiastic Galway supporter and he played Gaelic football for many years with both Glinsk and Creggs. Jackie first donned the Glinsk jersey in 1967 as a member of the minor team that qualified for the Mid-Board championship final. He won a county U-21 championship medal in 1971 and a junior medal in 1979. He won league medals in 1977 and ‘78. He was a member of the first Glinsk team to win an adult title in Galway when Glinsk defeated Dunmore in the North Board league final in 1985. He served as chairman of the club in the early eighties and he also gave his time as a selector/mentor to many teams over the years. Jackie was predeceased by his parents, Bridget and Jack, sister, Josephine, niece, Shannan and he is survived by his sister, Margaret; brother, Pat; sister-in–law, Geraldine’ brother-in-law, Denis; nieces, Elaine, Aisling, Michele and her husband Dermot; grandniece, Hannah; grandnephews, Ollie and Ronan, relatives, neighbours and friends. Following Mass of the Resurrection at St. Michael’s Church, Glinsk on Thursday, April 18th the burial took place in Kilcolumb Cemetery. The celebrant of the Mass was Fr. Donal Morris PP, Kilbegnet and Glinsk.
Creggs Rugby Development Draw will take on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th. There’s a top prize of €20,000 and tickets are 7 for €100, 3 for €50 and 1 for €20.
Cloonfad United are through to the second round of Roscommon Cup after defeating St John’s Athletic by three goals to one. The goals were scored by Conor Ruane, Darragh and Conor Flynn. Attention now turns to the big glamour game next Sunday when Westport United visit Cloonfad for the semi-final of the Connacht Junior shield.
Well done to the Michael Glavey’s LGFA team who had a comprehensive win over St Ciaran’s last Sunday. Well done to the management trio of Kurt Rheinhardt, Claire Fleming and Stephen Ronane.
Young Theo Ronane was a proud young man as he donned a Roscommon jersey in the half time games at the Roscommon versus Mayo championship match. Hopefully it's the first of many times that Theo wears the crimson and blue in the future.
Well done to Ryan Cummins who represented Connacht rugby juniors last weekend against Ulster in Derry.
The next social dance in Kilmurry Hall will take place with Glen Flynn on Sunday 5th May 2024. Doors open at 7:30p.m. with dancing from 8p.m. to 10p.m. Admission €10. All welcome for a great nights dancing.
The annual Parish Sports Day will take place in Tulsk GAA pitch on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024 starting at 2p.m. Admission €3 per child and €10 per family. All the Parish welcome.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Kathryn Cribbin and family on the passing of Kathryn's father, John Byron from Castlebar and formerly Ballina who passed away on Monday 15th April 2024. Funeral mass took place on Wednesday 17th April 2024. May he rest in peace.
Congratulations to our local Olympian Aoife O'Rourke on her great victory at the weekend which saw her win Gold Europe at the 2024 European Elite Championships. Another super achievement for Aoife and we are all so proud as we continue to watch your star rise.
Ballymoe branch of the Active Retired Association is now ten years in existence, and to celebrate the occasion, the members held a special event in Ballymoe Community Centre recently with music, singing and generous helpings of delicious food. Membership of the branch is drawn, not just from the Ballymoe area, but also from several neighbouring communities. The admirable projects undertaken, the various activities and outings organised, and the positive outlook which is ever present, all contribute to creating an excellent initiative for this important section of society. Warm congratulations to the branch on celebrating ten successful years and wishing all the members a continuation of this great success.
The Kilcroan Cemetery Committee would like to sincerely thank everyone who turned up on Sunday last to clean the cemetery, especially those who came at short notice. It is lovely to see the cemetery looking clean and tidy. The committee would ask that anyone cleaning their graves take away the wreaths or old flowers. Thanks to all for their good wishes as we carry on the great work of the last Kilcroan Cemetery Committee.
