Local Notes: Donnellan Cup, Pride of Place and mass times
John O’Beirne, Joe Kelly and James Coffey at the Roscommon Agricultural Show launch on Thursday in Hannon's Hotel, Roscommon Town. Picture Ger O'Loughlin.
Preparations are ongoing for our Open Day at Templetogher Heritage Area on Sunday, September 7th. We had another work session at Templetogher on Thursday evening last to continue with this process, and further progress was made by a team of willing volunteers. We will continue with these get-togethers in Templetogher over the coming weeks, with the next one scheduled for this Thursday, August 14th at 6 p.m. As ever, all assistance will be most welcome. Among the more ambitious features which we will be unveiling to the public on Open Day this year are - the mechanism of the Corn Mill back in full working order, our greatly enhanced Exhibition Room and our new look, spacious kitchen. At present, work continues on these latter two developments. It is very fitting that these major improvements should be taking place at this time, as the year 2025 marks 25 years since Williamstown Heritage Society was founded. Then, once our Open Day is over, it will be All Systems Go with our ongoing preparations for the Launch of the Michael McGovern biography in Williamstown on Saturday, October 25. Interest continues to grow about the Launch in the US, and the number of those indicating their intention to travel over for the event is increasing. Practically all of the membership fees for 2025 have now been paid, and anyone else who wishes to renew or take out membership of the Heritage Society, at €20, can contact any member of the Heritage Society. For those who may not be in a position to attend meetings or become actively involved in our projects, we also can offer associate membership for the same fee. As was the case last year, we are again cooperating with our colleagues in the Pride of Place group and the Tidy Town group on a number of new projects. You can check out all the Heritage Society’s activities on our Facebook page - facebook.com/heritagewilliamstown
Another project which the Heritage Society has currently underway is the collection of Memorial Cards, which have been issued for decades to commemorate the death of a loved one. They are a huge part of our heritage, and, not surprisingly, they have changed massively in design over the years. While we all like to retain these reminders of deceased loved ones, it is also true that there are several of these cards, particularly the older black and white ones, lying about, which people might be happy to donate to us. We would like to compile albums of them for display in our Templetogher Exhibition Room. Having them available for viewing would mean that the memory of our deceased loved ones would actually be strengthened. All such cards would be welcomed by any member of the Heritage Society.
Our Pride of Place Plan for 2025 contained two main projects - the restoration of our Parish Pumps and the enhancement of the Parish Community Garden at Kilnalag. The Parish Pump project is now very well advanced and it has become a fascinating adventure, with the various pumps addressed now being very attractive features. Not alone have the immediate localities of the pumps been greatly enhanced, but also this unique aspect of our Heritage has been retained and highlighted. The development of the Parish Community Garden at Kilnalag Community Garden continues, with the present focus being on the rich history associated with this location.
Williamstown Development Company CLG (WDC) is delighted to update the community on the recent developments to the new community park. This recent development is part of the second phase, with a total cost of around €75K. On completion we will receive a grant of 50K from CLAR and Galway County Council. Phase one development including purchase of the field cost 92k of which we received a grant of 44k from Galway Rural Development Company. We now move on to the completion of the sensory garden which is the final part of the current development of the park This is a wonderful new amenity for the community.We in the WDC are delighted with the all the work that has been done to date and would like to thank everyone that helped in any way, especially the local contractors, David Burke Electrical, Thomas Collins plant and MTB Construction who have been so helpful.
Following a number of retirements during the first six months of the year, Galway Rural Development have commenced a recruitment campaign for Co Galway's Rural Social Scheme (RSS). The RSS provides supplementary income for farmers in receipt of certain social welfare payments, in return for part-time employment in their community. To qualify for the RSS, participants must be part of an active farming or fishing family and be in receipt of a means-tested payment. The RSS in the Creggs/Glinsk area currently has a variety of available positions from administration, heritage and social care roles; to tidy towns, sports’ pitches, community centres, and graveyards. Those interested are encouraged to email tus@grd.ie.
The death took place on Saturday July 26th at Galway Hospice of Mrs Teresa Maloney ( nee Quirke ) Friaryland, Creggs Co.Galway. She was predeceased by her husband Tom Pat, parents Michael and Margaret, brother Tony and daughter in law Maria. She will be greatly missed by her sons Padraig, Mickie and Tommie daughters- in- law Edel and Janet, grandchildren, Rachel, Brian, Claire, Shane, Cathal and Ryan, brother, Eamon, sister, Marie, sisters- in- law, Teresa and Nonie, nephews ,nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Her remains reposed at Moran's Funeral Home, Ballygar on Monday July 28th before removal to St. Mary's Church Kilbegnet. Following Mass of the Resurrection the burial took place in Kilbegnet Cemetery LATE MRS CELIA CONNOLLY The death has occurred of Mrs Celia Connolly ( nee Quine ) of Church Hill, Castlerea and formerly of Ardagh, Glinsk, Co.Galway. Celia is survived by her husband Harry, children, Annmarie, Gerry, Deirdre and Harriet, sons- in- law, Paul and Liam, daughter -in- law Mary, grandchildren and great grandchildren, nephews, nieces relatives and friends. The funeral Mass and burial took place in Castlerea.
Mrs Etta Kerrane, Clooncullane, Creggs was recently bereaved by the death of her sister Mrs Josie Kelly, Pound Road, Ballygar. She was predeceased by her husband Gay ( Crossewell, Creggs ) and her brother Michael. She is survived by her children, Raymond, Gearoid, Karina, and Des, daughters-in-law, Mariana, Trish and Maria, grandchildren, Zoe, Robbie, Ruth and Ciara, brother, Padraig, sister, Etta, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family members, relatives and friends. The funeral Mass and burial took place in Ballygar.
The annual Mass for deceased members of the community was celebrated in Ballinakill cemetery by Fr.Liam Kelly on Friday August 1st. Well done to caretaker Micheal Killackey and his team for having the cemetery looking immaculate. For the first time in a number of years Mass was celebrated in Kilcolumb cemetery. Here again the cemetery looked resplendent and a credit to the maintenance committee comprising of Laurence Cunningham ( Caretaker ) Aidan Reilly, Michael Connelly and John Griffin.
Galway Rural Development have confirmed that phase two of the new €4.5m Glenamaddy development has now been completed. The new state-of-the-art hub will include working spaces, extensive recreation spaces, outdoor sensory area, and community meeting facilities so that all ages, abilities, and backgrounds in Glenamaddy can find an outlet to engage in community activities. GRD have stated that they are delighted that matters are progressing seamlessly, with the project now more than half complete, and are proud to lead-out the project in partnership with the community. GRD have also thanked the Glenamaddy committee of PJ and Nigel Fahy, Mairead Hunt, Pat Geraghty, Tomas Giblin, and all the development team for their tireless work.
Michael Glaveys recent first round senior championship win against Western Gaels recently was a remarkable and historic occasion for rhe Heneghan family from Rathlena. Four Heneghan brothers played in the game. Cormac lined out in goal, Niall at midfield, Cathal at corner forward and Darragh who made a second half substitution from the bench. Well done to Niall who was player of the match and was voted on the Roscommon Herald team of the week. Congratulations to Cormac on making his senior debut, to Cathal who scored three points and to Darragh who scored the winning goal. To add to the Heneghan familes huge contribution to the win, cousin Robert had an excellent game scoring three points. Next game for the Heneghan clan and Michael Glaveys is the second round match against Elphin next Sunday in Peadar Earley memorial park at 1 p.m. and a large crowd is anticipated.
A large crowd turned out for the Walk for Sean which took place in the scenic walks recently. Well done to Sean's former classmates and friends who organised this event for the popular and much loved local man now resident in Sligo.
Best of luck to Sean O Maoilearca who is walking from Croke park to Stira park, Dunmore to raise funds for Parkinsons, Ireland. Sean is wished every success in his enterprise.
Lake O’Flynn & District Angling Association will host its main event of the year, the Donnellan Cup, on Sunday, August 17th. This event is run with the permission of the Donnellan family Ballinlough (main sponsor) and Inland Fisheries Ireland. There is an excellent prize fund of €1,200 for this event. Fishing is from 11-6 p.m.. with refreshments served afterwards in Donnellan's Ballinlough. As is the norm, this competition will attract anglers from all parts of the province and further who will battle it out with the locals to lift the prestigious Donnellan Cup. For more information contact any of the club officers – Daniel, 085 8697600; Michael, 094 9620064; Ronan, 086 889 7850.
