Home thoughts: Christmas messages from the Rossie Diaspora 

The Roscommon Herald recently reached out to the Roscommon Diaspora, who are spending Christmas away from their native county.

Many of them have put down new roots in other countries but the love for their family here and their county remains undimmed.

We invited people to send festive messages to their loved ones here at home, and we were delighted with the response.

And as you can see, the Rossie footprint stretches across the four corners of the globe.

From personal messages and photographs, this special focus is a tribute to all the Roscommon people, who may be spending the Christmas season in different countries but whose thoughts of home are never too far away.

We sincerely thank everyone who go in touch and we wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

- Richard Canny, Deputy Editor

Here is Part 1 of our Christmas messages from abroad:

Jim Neary

Jim Neary left Castlerea in 1971.

He and his wife Jannee now reside in Ocean, New Jersey, USA.

Jim also has three other siblings living stateside: A brother residing in Pelham, New York; Patricia in South Carolina, and Josephine who is currently living in Florida.

He also has a brother still living in Ireland — in Grange, Co Sligo.

Jim is wishing all his family and friends a wonderful holiday.

The Grogan family

A Christmas message from the Grogans in the Philippines: "Christmas Greetings from the Philippines from Michael, Mary and Malaya Grogan. Special Greetings to everyone in Ballintubber/Ballymoe Parish, especially to Granny and Grandad, Padraic and Marie Grogan, and Malaya's favorite cousins Aoibheann Brennan and baby Páidí Hogan. 

"Wishing everyone in Roscommon a peaceful Christmas and a happy New Year."

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Malaya, who is 4-years-old,  is feeling a bit sad not to be in Roscommon the Christmas and is sending this message to his Roscommon family:

"My name is Malaya. I am 4 years old. My daddy is from Roscommon and my mummy is from the Philippines. We live in Manila. We are not able to travel back to Roscommon this Christmas because my mummy has another baby in her tummy.

This Christmas I will miss playing with my cousins in Roscommon, especially Aoibheann and baby Páidí. But mummy told me that next year once the baby is born we will be able to visit again.

"My favorite thing about Roscommon is the parks and the castles. I also like it when Grandad drives me around the farm on the ATV. I am very excited for Christmas, especially to get the gifts from Santa. I wish everyone in Roscommon a Happy Christmas. See you in 2024," - Malaya Grogan

Sinéad Ward, Donnacha and Micheál Hanily

A Christmas message from Sinéad Ward, Donnacha and Micheál Hanily:

“Greetings from New Zealand.

“After 10 years here we have not spent a Christmas in Ireland since 2012.

“My amazing granny and grandad, Michael John and Mary McDermott passed away this year.

“This Christmas, even more than others, our hearts are in Roscommon.

“Wishing all our family, neighbours, and friends in Loughglynn, Ballinagare, and Castlerea a lovely Christmas and all the very best for 2024,” from Sinéad Ward, Donnacha and Micheál Hanily.”

David Dolan and Family

David Dolan is originally from Curnalee, Curraghboy but has been living in the UK for the last 23 years.

This is a Christmas message from David and his family:

“Happy Christmas to all the Dolan clan from all in Gateshead!

“Clare, Erin, Aine and Aidan want to say happy Christmas to their grandparents Mike and Frances Dolan, aunts, uncles and cousins!”

Emma Malla (nee Mannion)

A Christmas message from Emma Malla (nee Mannion) and her family, who are in Thailand.

“Merry Christmas from Bangkok, Thailand.

“Ravi and Rian Malla are former players for St Brigid’s GAA club, and are the grandsons of Jarlath and Cathryn Mannion, Moyvannion, Kiltoom.

“Merry Christmas to all in St Brigid’s and Ballybay NS!”

Gay Collins and family

A message from proud Rossie Gay Collins in Perth, Australia:

“I left Roscommon in 1984, moved to Australia and settled in Perth. One of 11 kids born to Imelda Flanagan from Cloonyquin near Tulsk and Tom Collins from Cambo, Croghan.

“I had just finished playing for the Roscommon U-21 side that lost to Donegal in the final.

“My Dad, Tom Collins, played for Roscommon in ’45, ’46 and ’47. He was a good friend of Michael Callaghan at the Roscommon Herald back in the day.

“My brother Paul played on the winning U-21 team in ’79. My other brother Brian also played on the minor team that won Connacht in ’81, and my sister Imelda played some county football also. All mad Rossies footballers! My brother Mick Collins joined us in 2010 and still lives nearby in Perth.

“I am married to a Kerry woman, Martina O’Leary. We have four kids all living here: Jack, Luke, Owen, and Kate.

“At the moment I also have a gang of cousins out here, my brother Padraig Collins from Cambo, daughter Lisa Collins; my sister Imelda Lynch (née Collins) has two sons, from County Clare, and my other sister, Bernie Reynolds’ son James Reynolds from Ardcarne are all living in Mullaloo beside us.

“James Reynolds’ two brothers also moved here 10 years ago. Brian recently returned to live in Cootehall and David lives in Sydney.”

Marie Quinn and family

Marie Quinn wishes her mum and dad, Gerry and Freddy Quinn, and her brother Ged Quinn, a very happy Christmas — all the way from Manchester. “All our love Marie, Cora, Bobby.”

“I went to school in Ballintubber National School and the Convent of Mercy, Castlerea, from ‘81-‘85,” Marie says.

“I lived in Ballintubber where my mum was from. She was a Grogan, one of nine. Her remaining brothers, Christy and Eamon, and my mum and dad now live in Dereen, Trien, outside Ballinlough, where my dad grew up. His mother and father were Sonny the blacksmith, in Dereen, and Jenny. He’s one of five siblings.”

The Clarke family

A Christmas message from the Clarke family in Sweden: “I would like to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the Clarke and Gibbons family in Tulsk and Strokestown. From Roy, Emma, Anabelle and Alicia Clarke living in Västerås, Sweden.”

The McGuinness family

Saorla and Cillian McGuinness — who were born in Sydney and are living in Perth — are the son and daughter of Cathal McGuinness and Tara Gilboy, from Cootehall.

Tara said that Saorla and Cillian would like to send their Christmas wishes to their granny and grandads, and love and hugs to all our families in Cootehall”.

Adrian Moylan

A Christmas message from Tulsk native Adrian Moylan, who is spending Christmas in Chengdu, Sichuan Provence in China.

'Wishing everyone in Tulsk a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year. It won't be the same without being at home, but looking forward to seeing you all soon."