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Conor and Jane Gilleran pictured at the match between Roscommon and Galway in Hyde Park on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack

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Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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A recent High Court judgement will have significant i mpact for children and indeed parents of children seeking to have their child assessed with a view to determining that child’s needs. An Assessment of Need, as set out in the Disability Act 2005, is an assessment carried out by the HSE for children or young people with a disability. The assessment identifies a child’s health needs and what health services are needed to meet that child’s needs. If your child has a disability or you think they may have a disability, that child’s parent or legal guardian may apply for an Assessment of Need. Once the HSE receives the application in writing, they must start the assessment within 3 months and must finish the assessment within a further 3 months. The High Court recently ruled that a preliminary process or “standard operating procedure” (SOP) used by the HSE to assess the needs of children with suspected educational and health problems does not comply with the Disability Act. The HSE indicate that substantial work had been done to address waiting times for Assessments and Mr. Paul Reid, CEO HSE advised that the SOP was implemented to ensure children received timely assessments. However, in light of the High Court Judgement it is clear that the SOP falls short of what is required and is now simply untenable. The HSE must now urgently decide a new mechanism for assessing children in a timely manner and ensure that vulnerable children’s rights are not breached. If you applied to the HSE for your child to receive an Assessment of Needs and if you require further advice regarding your child’s rights, please contact Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors Medical Negligence Department for expert advice specific to your child’s situation. This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor. Byrne Carolan Cunningham have offices in Athlone, Moate, Lanesborough and Galway. A person should always contact their solicitor to obtain legal advice specific to their own situation. The above column contains general information and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. * In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

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e l p o e WATCHING P With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY

He hesitated…seems he was stuck between a Rock and a hard place! Wow! Did you see it? Huh? Much more than handbags, this one! Huh? Did you see the fight on the TV…on Sunday night? Was Katie on again, did she win? No! Just when the awards were being handed out, in front of a big audience, CYCLING ACCIDENT the physical stuff began… Ah! The GAA league placings were being decided…and Donegal and Armagh let off If you were involved in a cycling some steam! Yes, saw it! accident contact NOT Donegal and Armagh! This was Byrne Carolan different…this was…unusual! Cunningham Solicitors Eh…huh? Will Smith and Chris Rock! Oh! The Hollywood stars? Tell me more… During the Oscars ceremony…Rock made a joke about Will’s wife. Next thing, Will strode up on to the stage and hit Rock with his right hand! Wow! He must have been very annoyed! Yeah, he thought about it for a moment first…seems he was stuck between a Rock and a hard place! It doesn’t seem that fair… Why? Well, didn’t Will Smith train as a boxer… when he played the role of Muhammad Ali in a movie? Oh yeah! Anyways, was it staged? Don’t think so! Smith seemed genuinely upset over what Rock had said…but a lot of people feel he overreacted, that he should have taken the mic instead and made his feelings known verbally. He should have articulated his position through words…instead of just slapping the other guy?

Endangered Species The barstool boyos

Yep…and we’re still on Cloud Nine! Since the Hyde? Yes! A fine performance… Yeah, the lads were great! Thrilling football, an unbeaten campaign, and a return to Division One! Yeah…and what a crowd there was at the Hyde! Yeah, and not a ladder in sight! Maybe we need to explain the ladder reference? Explain that it’s a reference to when desperate fans had to climb ladders so they could watch football during pandemic-inspired lockdowns? Yes! We have to give historical context… for when historians are re-reading our columns in future centuries… (Editor rolls eyes, reaches for phone…)

Yep! Maybe that memo needs to go to one or two GAA teams! Ouch! Anyways, no doubt it was hyped on social media…despite all that’s going on in the world. Eh…yeah… (They pause to repeatedly watch the clip of When Will Slapped Chris) So…moving on! Indeed! So, apart from staying up all hours to watch the Oscars, how have you been since Sunday? Great! The weather’s been…amazing!

Will there be a price to pay, I wonder? Huh? For the fighting. A ban or two? Ban Will from…Tinseltown? NO! Not Will! I’m talking about the Donegal and Armagh players…that was quite a scrap at the end, you know! Which ‘GAA-speak’ category did it fall into? Huh? ‘Handbags.’ ‘A melee’. ‘Scuffles’. ‘Letting off steam’. ‘Getting to know one another’. Which one? Love it! Actually, there were a few decent swipes… Maybe, but a lot of posturing too, as usual! I mean, one or two guys went down very dramatically…they should have been… BOTH: GIVEN AN OSCAR!

What we liked…

Roscommon’s stunning first-half performance set them up for a relatively comfortable victory over Galway in front of a large crowd at Hyde Park on Sunday, a win which propelled our senior footballers back into Division One (and a league final this weekend).

Will Smith loses his cool at the Oscars

What PEOPLE are talking about…

The Ukrainian crisis; Roscommon footballers win promotion to Division One; Dublin footballers are relegated, as Monaghan make a great escape; A beautiful weather spell; Will Smith loses his cool at the Oscars, i.e. slap in mouth; President Biden’s foot-in-mouth…

What we didn’t like…

Acting superstar Will Smith’s conduct at the Oscars, where he hit comedian Chris Rock.

PIC OF THE WEEK: Five-times world dancing champion Ronan Kelly performing at the launch of the 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen last Thursday. Photo: Mick McCormack

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Roscommon GAA clubs unanimously approved the €4.1 million renovation plan for Dr. Hyde Park at the recent County Board meeting. Chairperson of the county’s infrastructure committee, Pádraig Naughton, gave a detailed presentation on the planned works which include new dressing rooms, turnstiles, exit gates, new seating in the main stand, new toilet facilities as well as a new wheelchair section and renovated dugouts and press facilities. If completed, the planned works would increase the capacity of the county ground to 25,000, which would make it eligible to host Connacht finals once again. Roscommon GAA Treasurer David O’Connor told the meeting that €1 million would come from existing funds while a loan for approximately €3 million would cover the remainder. Concluding, Chairperson Brian Carroll outlined the next steps which include approval from Connacht GAA and Croke Park. The project could then be put to tender in the hope that works could begin late this summer.

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29/03/2022 15:54

Ewe beauty! Joe’s mural draws attention to new-look Square < DAN DOONER

Visitors to the Square in Roscommon may notice a new addition to the town’s façade in the shape of an eye-catching mural on the gable wall of local business ETL. The mural, created by talented Roscommon artist Joe Caslin, was the brainchild of Roscommon Chamber of Commerce and depicts elements of the county’s crest. ETL proprietor, Rita Oates, says Joe Caslin’s recent artworks in Roscommon town are a celebration of the county. “There was the oak tree which is down near the castle and this mural has the sheep which is a symbol of new beginnings and Roscommon’s link with the land. Joe used lambs because he wanted to represent all the Roscommon people who had left and are coming home and who cherish home. The third section will feature Queen Maebh,” she said. “I love art and I have my own art here in the shop of course. This is a celebration of Roscommon art and another renowned local artist Úna Burke has kindly given us some of her pieces to display in the window here too”. Rita said it was wonderful to see successful artists returning to the county, adding that the new-look

Square was a fantastic opportunity for the town. “I really feel it’s a great opportunity with the new street works. You can see it (mural) when walking up through the town and I think the County Council has done so much to enhance the centre of the town. Roscommon has beautiful buildings including the castle, the Bank of Ireland,

the museum, Gleeson’s, and ourselves, and this is giving people a chance to see that,” she said. “The new space is giving people a chance to link up with Roscommon Castle and the park. Families can sit in the Square for food and then go down to the park and the castle and playground…it’s just opening up the whole town”.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

THIS WEEK...On The Political Beat This week, local public representatives on data centres and rising electricity costs, struggling families, funding for local swimming pools…

Data centres and electricity costs Independent TD Denis Naughten has said Irish families are paying for some of the most expensive electricity in Europe because they are

Urgent action needed on cost of living crisis

Deputy Denis Naughten

30-hour eligibility rule to access the Exceptional Needs Payment to be relaxed on a temporary basis. As it stands, anyone working more than 30 hours per week is locked out of the scheme,” she said. “People need help urgently now. They can’t keep waiting. Government must act now, not kick the can down the road until October”.

subsidising supply to data centres. Addressing the issue in the Dáil on Thursday last, Deputy Naughten claimed families are paying an average of €180 more than our European neighbours. “As inflation rises, we cannot tolerate a situation where Irish families are being forced to subsidise the cost of electricity, grid connections and back-up supplies for existing and planned data centres,” he said. Deputy Naughten called on Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue to reduce costs by stopping data centre subsidies. Responding, Minister Donohue said data centres were a real asset for Ireland, employing hundreds if not thousands of people and therefore shouldn’t been viewed in isolation. Deputy Naughten countered that unless every step possible is taken to reduce costs, “we will damage our economy to such an extent that corporate taxes will be the very least of our worries”.

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Social Protection Claire Kerrane has demanded urgent Government action to help families struggling with the cost of living crisis. Deputy Kerrane’s comments follow her party’s survey of 10,000 people affected by the spiralling cost of fuel.

Murphy welcomes funding for local swimming pools

Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane

“89 per cent of people said they are turning on their heating less often due to soaring costs. One single mother spoke of how she was sitting in a freezing cost house with a sick eight-month-old baby. This should not be happening,” she said. Deputy Kerrane urged the Government to engage with the EU Commission to remove VAT on energy bills for an initial three months and provide a cost of living payment to households earning less than €60,000. “In addition, we are calling for the existing

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has this week welcomed the announcement of €3.2 million in funding for swimming pools across the country. The funding includes approximately €50,000 for the Roscommon-east Galway area, which will see the following facilities benefitting: Abbey Health and Fitness, Coral Leisure Centre in Ballinasloe, Hodson Bay Leisure Centre, Roscommon Leisure Centre, and Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa. Senator Murphy said the funding acknowledges the importance of swimming for the nation’s health. “Swimming pools provide a vital resource for schools, clubs, and communities across the country, and it is important that this infrastructure is maintained going forward,” he said. “Sport is so important for our physical and mental well-being and swimming can be enjoyed by people of all ages and at all levels of ability”.

Invites applications for the following position:

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Based at the award-winning Access For All National Disability Centre, Ballyleague, County Roscommon The project is supported by the Department of Rural & Community Development & Pobail through the Community Services Programme. For more information go to: www.loughreeboattrips.com/JOBS Compliance with the funder’s requirements regarding eligibility of individuals to hold a CSP supported post is set out in the job descriptions for the above post which are now available on request from: accessforalljobs@gmail.com How to apply: Please submit a letter of application detailing how you meet the requirements along with your full CV clearly stating the reference number and the position you are applying for, to accessforalljobs@gmail.com or by post to the following address: FAO The Company Secretary, Lough Ree Access For All CLG, Ballyleague, Lanesborough, County Roscommon. Eircode: N39 E297

Closing date for receipt of applications is 1 pm, Friday 8th April, 2022. Lough Ree Access For All CLG is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

Racecourse expansion under starter’s orders!

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Roscommon County Council has given the go-ahead for a major expansion of Roscommon Racecourse. Roscommon Racecourse Ltd. had applied for permission to demolish two existing stables and to construct 31 new stables

Contact on 071 963 9202 NowPauline taking Enrolments for September 2022.or Contact Pauline on Phone Number 071 963 9202 or emailemail tulskchildcare@gmail.com Pauline on tulskchildcare@gmail.com . St. Fidelma’s Childcare Centre, Tulsk, Co Roscommon

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Now Pauline taking Enrolments forNumber September 2022. Contact on Phone 071 963 9202 or Breakfast Club Service – Pre-school - Sessional Breakfast Club - Full Day Care - Afterschool Service – Pre-school - Sessional development of a concrete in November. The- Full localDay Care - Afterschool email Pauline on tulskchildcare@gmail.com yard, a vets’ building with authority had sought further two sampling stables and a information regarding the Contact Pauline on Phone Number 071 963 9202 or central observation area, a development in January email Pauline on tulskchildcare@gmail.com soft matting horse trot area, before permission was Breakfast Club - Full Day Care - Afterschool Service – Pre-school - Sessional and a holding area as well as granted on Thursday of last two wash bays. The existing week (24th) subject to 13 Breakfast Club - Full Day Care - Afterschool Service – Pre-school - Sessional conditions. access road at the site will The plan will also see the also be diverted.

TII: No plans to reclassify N61 as primary route

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Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has said as such, has provided an allocation this year to Rothere are no current plans to reclassify the N61 in scommon County Council of €300,000 to identify Roscommon as a national primary route following and progress a priority section of the Preferred the decision to shelve the Ballymurray to Knock- Option for this project. croghery bypass project. “Having regard theMichelle redesignation of the N61 DIRECTORS: Seamus Conway, Orla Carty, Jenniferto Payne, Keaveney. In response to a Parliamentary Question from In- to Roscommon town, the classification of routes dependent TD Denis Naughten, the TII confirmed is reviewed periodically, to reflect changes in road that the project had not been included in the Gov- layouts, new road improvement schemes and the ernment’s National Development Plan and there- introduction of one-way systems and other traffic fore could not be accommodated on the national management measures. Submissions made by loroads programme. cal authorities and other stakeholders are considThe TII’s stated: “TII remains committed to sup- ered as part of the review of route classifications. porting, on a phased basis, the advancement of the “There are no current plans to reclassify the N61 N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery project and route”.

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DIRECTORS: Seamus Conway, Orla Carty, Jennifer Payne, Michelle Keaveney.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

Thursday Breaking news tonight…Italy won’t be in the next World Cup, not now that North Macedonia – hardly an elite football nation – have sensationally defeated them in the play-offs. Fair play to North Macedonia, but we’ll miss Italy. A World Cup without the Italians will be like Christmas without the decorations, the turkey, or The Fairytale of New York. A World Cup without Italy and Ireland? What is the world coming to (and what will those of us who’ve been known to pass through Norio’s in Roscommon do for banter?). I’ve been thrilled by this football fiesta since 1978 (the first World Cup I really engaged with). Mind you, I have a fond memory of the day of the 1974 final. Our family owned the Crew’s Inn Bar in Rooskey at the time, a pub that was frequented by tourists holidaying on boats on the River Shannon. Looking back, I honestly don’t think the fact that it was World Cup Final day registered that much with the locals. In those days, pubs were legally obliged to close for two hours on a Sunday afternoon (2 pm to 4 pm). Unaware of the tradition of the so-called ‘Holy Hour’, four big German men arrived into the Crew’s Inn off a cruiser just before 2 pm…anxious to see the World Cup final between West Germany and The Netherlands. While not exactly a soccer fan, my father granted them a ‘Lockin’ – promptly welcoming the visitors, then closing the blinds, and the door. West Germany won 2-1 and the Crew’s Inn till sang sweetly on that Sunday afternoon. The 1978 finals were held in Argentina, and are still fondly remembered for their colour, excitement and drama. I’ve enjoyed all ten World Cups since then, and await the 2022

Roscommon fans pictured at the match between Roscommon and Galway in Hyde Park on Sunday.

version – controversially being hosted by Qatar – with expectancy. Sadly, the nation of Baggio, Maldini, Rossi, Zoff, Tardelli, Pirlo and so many other compelling players, will not be gracing football’s greatest stage this time. We’ll miss the Italians.

Later on Thursday “I may seem like the perfect bachelor boy” said some guy on First Dates (Channel 4) tonight (presumably popping into the restaurant on his way to collect a Modesty Award). Actually, he was a nice chap.

Friday/Saturday In this glorious weather, a reminder to all motorists currently savouring the sunshine by slowly driving their convertibles (cars with no roof) around the place that the rest of us are unlikely to be entirely happy/ excited about their seasonal jaunts until (if) we actually own one ourselves.

Sunday After a very enjoyable afternoon at Hyde Park, I watched Allianz League Sunday, with an odd glance at the golf (Match Play Championship). Then I was torn between calling it a night or taking one more channel-hop. That’s when I realised that the 94th Academy Awards (the Oscars) was on. I stuck with it for a fairly dull hour. The setting was more intimate than usual (but a touch gaudy). Hosts Amy Schumer, Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes had a few good one-liners, but I’m no fan of the trend towards meanspirited material! There was a nice tribute to 60 years of James Bond, and a couple of decent acceptance speeches, and that was about it. While wondering about the fate of Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, and the destination of the ‘big prizes’, the morning was beckoning. I’m a big fan of great Oscars’ speeches – from witty to emotional to controversial – but shortly after 1

Pic: Mick McCormack

am, I decided that it was time for bed. I mean, it’s not as if Will Smith was going to storm the stage and land a haymaker on Chris Rock, was it?

Monday morning Apparently Will Smith stormed the stage and landed a haymaker on Chris Rock (at the Oscars). You may have heard…

Later on Monday The underage football resumed recently, and make no mistake about it, something new is afoot. They’ve moved up to U-12, our son and his friends, and suddenly the stakes appear to have been raised! Of course this transition – from kids all haphazardly chasing the ball, to a more disciplined, competitive approach – has been evolving for at least a year or so. A few months back I marvelled at how the boys were now

showing a greater appreciation of their positions on the field, how their anticipation of potential attacking threats had developed – likewise their intuition on attacking possibilities – how teamwork and tactics were now beginning to inform their thinking. Footballing intelligence is fascinating to observe. Throughout County Roscommon, coaches are doing marvellous work across the various sporting codes. For parents like me, it is quite the experience to see your own child transition from the ‘All players chase the ball’ phase to the structured, more serious, competitive, but still joyous world of U-12 football. Our son loves the GAA, and is playing soccer too. This evening, returning from soccer training with Roscommon Town FC, he casually remarked: “We’re playing offside now”. I immediately knew what this meant. A few things…that they were no longer running around like zealous ‘headless chickens’, as they did before Covid. I knew it meant there was no more ‘goal-hanging’, not now, now that offside has been introduced. Instead, it’s now moving to just the right level of seriousness. As if to drive home the point (that the U-12 level is a ‘different ball game’) our son next began to talk the tactics of the defender who is trying to set an offside trap. As he articulated his view on the emerging tactical challenges, I focussed again on what had happened, which was this: The U-12 Gaelic footballers appear to be moving into relatively serious combat, the U-12 soccer team are now playing offside, and the haphazard/headless chicken days are basically over. In a nutshell, the football’s really getting real…and our young boy is growing up!

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Ploughing makes welcome return this Sunday The Roscommon Ploughing Championship and Field Day will make a welcome return to the county this Sunday, April 3rd in Rockfield, approximately 11km outside Roscommon town on the Castlerea Road. This year’s event will be hosted by Michael and Ann Lambert and family and competitions will commence at 12 pm on the day. Due to the Covid-19

global pandemic, this popular annual event was last held in 2019, in Kilbegnet. However, due to the relaxation of the public health restrictions it has been decided that the Ploughing Championships will return in 2022, with the aim of giving the people of Roscommon an event to look forward to. Hard-working Roscommon Ploughing Association chairperson, Mary Conry Candler, says the

committee is delighted to be back in action. “The Ploughing Championships and Field Day will follow its usual format this year and will begin at 12 noon in Rockfield (F42 V383). There will be tractor, horse and vintage ploughing, and craft village and trade stands on the day. The Roscommon Hunt Society and Roscommon Vintage Club will also be taking part and there will also be the traditional

Loy ploughing competition with Gerry Browne”. This year’s main sponsor is Lambert Tractors, Rockfield, Co. Roscommon. The Roscommon Ploughing Association Committee and the Lambert family look forward to welcoming the return of the Roscommon Ploughing Championships and welcoming everybody to Rockfield this Sunday, with competitions commencing at 12 pm.

Delighted to welcome the Roscommon Ploughing Championships to the Lambert family farm in Rockfield

Councillor Marty

Roscommon Easter Parade

ENTRY FORM 2022

If you would like to take part in the Easter Parade on Sunday 17th of April 2022 please select the category that best suits your business, club or organisation Community/Voluntary (Free of charge) Commercial (€70 Entry Fee) Shop Display Name of Business/Organisation/Club: ____________________________________________ Contact Name: _____________________________ Tel. ______________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________ Float Theme/Content: _________________________________________________________ Please return completed form to Roscommon Easter Parade c/o The Red Parrot or Down The Hatch, Roscommon or email cait29@gmail.com All entry fees must be paid in advance by EFT/SEPA: ACCOUNT NAME: Easter Parade. IBAN: IE61 BOF1 9054 2484 8149 16. BIC. BOFIE2D BY CHEQUE: Roscommon Easter Parade Committee. Entries to arrive no later than Holy Thursday, 14th April. Please note a late entry fee of €80 will apply.

SOME INFO FOR PARTICIPANTS: Please note the Parade will start at 12.30pm sharp from Abbeytown and will take the following route: Abbey Street – Church Street – Main Street st te la e th For all – The Square – Castle Street Roscommon

McDermott

news on follow Easter Parade ok us on Facebo

The Committee reserves the right to accept and reject entries.

Tel. 087 3466064

Email: marty.mcdermott1@gmail.com /marty.mcdermott.184

Roscommon Town Easter Festival 2022 “My Community” Easter Saturday 16th & Easter Sunday 17th of April Y 16th APRIL 2022 A D R U T A S R E T S A E

in Market Square Live Music om 3pm to 9pm fr

ds • Matt Molloy & Frien • Vinegar Bill ds • Matt Rogers & Frien • Blacksticks • Danny Arnold ctive ommon Ukulele Colle sc Ro e Th ic or h • Ukep

th APRIL 2022 EASTER SUNDAY 17

Betty TOWN N O M M O C S O R : m 0p .3 12 11.30am: Lady

e d a r a P y a d n u S r e t s a E s 1970 - 2022.

Celebrating 50 year nted Unit, Marching Garda Band, Garda Mou s, Children’s Activities. Bands, Street Performer 2.30pm: The

Parade awards kindly sponsored by ETL

Odd Sox Band

Roscommon Town Pubs: Lots of free live music happening after the music finishes up in Market Square on Saturday night

Funded by a Roscommon Leader Partnership grant. Also funded by Roscommon County Council & the Department of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports and Media under the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme. GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY ROSCOMMON BUSINESSES The LEADER Programme 2014-2020 is finance by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and by the EU under the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Roscommon County Council | Tel. 090 6637100 | Email: info@roscommoncoco.ie | www.roscommoncoco.ie All offices of Roscommon County Council are now open to the public by prior appointment 9.30am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

Minister Catherine Martin TD at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was at King House in Boyle, Co. Roscommon to open the exclusive Hidden Gem Exhibition of renowned jewellery and gemstone designer Erwin Springbrunn recently. The pieces are on loan from his generous wife Doris Selz and her son Anjan Selz who attended the opening alongside Minister Catherine Martin, T.D, Minister Frank Feighan, T.D, Cathaoirleach Roscommon County Council Cllr Joe Murphy, dignitaries from Roscommon County Council and members and friends of the Erwin Family. A special thanks to all. King House will be open to the public from Easter through to 30th September 2022, 7 days per week June to August inclusive and closed on Monday for April, May and September. The Hidden Gem Exhibition was supported by the Roscommon County Council Creative Ireland Programme. Photo Credit: Brian Farrell

COUNTY ROSCOMMON PRIDE OF PLACE COMPETITION 2022 Roscommon County Council would like to invite communities to participate in the County Roscommon Pride of Place Competition 2022. Category winners will be nominated by Roscommon County Council to the All-Island Pride of Place Competition organised by Co-Operation Ireland. Pride of Place is about the celebration of community group’s contribution to local society and the creation of civic pride through communities working together. Roscommon County Council proposes to nominate suitable groups under one or more of the following categories. The categories for 2022 are as follows: Category

Population

Population 0 - 300

Population 300 – 1,000

Population 1,000 – 2,000

Population 2,000 – 5,000

Over 5,000

We’re here to help

ARDCARNE GARDEN CAFÉ (Boyle branch) Open 7 days

www.ardcarne.ie

Open Monday to Saturday 9-6pm Sundays and Bank Holidays 12-6pm

Great ideas and great value in our Giftware & Homeware sections Irish Striploin Steaks 2 for only €7 Irish Chicken Fillets 680Gr only €6.50 Irish 10Kg Rooster Potatoes only €5 Big Box Bold 40 Wash only €7 Nugan and Carmen Wine ranges only €8

us for our Please come and joinornings on fundraising coffee m in support Friday and Saturday tives at of our Representa Strictly 2022

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

The

Roscommon native, John Hunt, alongside his daughter Annie (both pictured) and colleague, Frank Barry, will climb Mount Brandon, the second-highest mountain in Ireland, on Wednesday next (April 6th) to raise money for the people of Ukraine.

D News page

Roscommon man’s ‘Hike for Ukraine’ Roscommon native, John Hunt, alongside his daughter, Annie and colleague, Frank Barry will climb Mount Brandon, the second-highest mountain in Ireland, on Wednesday next (April 6th) to raise money for the people of Ukraine. The online fundraiser ‘Hike for Ukraine’ in conjunction with Concern has already raised €1,200 so far. As Concern already have a team on the ground in Ukraine, the donations are going to the immediate humanitarian needs of people affected by the crisis, who are vulnerable, frightened and uncertain about what the immediate future holds. An avid hiker and having formerly worked in the Air Traffic Control centre

in Shannon Airport, John is no stranger to the dizzy height of 952 metres (3,123 feet) Mount Brandon, in Co. Kerry. Joining him on the day will be current and retired Air Traffic Controllers from Shannon including his colleague Frank Barry and John’s daughter Annie, who will be joined by her colleagues from An Garda Síochána in the Laois/Offaly Division. The hike is expected to take five to six hours and on a clear day the scenery is magnificent, with spectacular views of the Dingle Peninsula. Any donations big or small are welcome for this worthy cause on: https://fundraise.concern.net/t/hikeforukraine.

John Hunt has been busy preparing for his hike of Mount Brandon in aid of the people of Ukraine.

Quilts donated to UHG Paediatric Unit Anne Marie Horan, Chairperson of the Western Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society, recently presented 22 quilts to staff at the Paediatric Unit in University Hospital Galway.

The Western Branch, whose members are located in Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo, Westmeath and Galway, meet on the second Saturday of the month from September to May in the Galway

Bridge Centre on St. Mary’s Road. They have donated quilts to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and have been donating quilts to UHG for the past 15 years.

Scór na nÓG winners! Staff from the Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway accepting the most recent donation of quilts made by the Western Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society and the Leitir Mealláin Quilters, from left, Nancy McCormack, Senior Nurse; Lisa Porter, Play Specialist; Anne Marie Horan, Chairperson of the Western Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society; Catherine Sheridan, Clinical Skills Facilitator; and Anne Matthews, Clinical Nurse Manager 3.

Elisha Cuthbert: Filming in Roscommon was the best experience of my career!

Canadian actress, Elisha Cuthbert, was full of praise for Roscommon recently.

Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert has described filming horror movie ‘The Cellar’ in Roscommon as the “best experience in her entire career”. Cuthbert, who plays Keira Woods in the horror flick about a woman whose daughter mysteriously vanishes in the cellar of their new country house, stayed at a cottage during the peak of lockdown while filming was taking place. Speaking about her experience, Elisha said: “I got whisked away to Roscommon and they shoved me into an amazing little cottage where I quarantined by myself. It was one

of the best experiences filming in my entire career. I would go back in a second,” she said. “Roscommon really did evoke a lot of the mood that we wanted. There was something kind of whimsical and somewhat spooky in the evenings. So I think to film there is genius! “The countryside is so exquisite. The country is a character and story in itself”. The movie, directed by Brendan Muldowney and shot at locations across Roscommon, is currently showing in cinemas nationwide.

Shauna Hynes, Laurence O’Connor, William Godfrey, Cormac and Diarmuid Fleming, Roscommon Gaels, pictured with Brian Carroll, Roscommon County Board Chairperson. having won the County Scór na nÓg final in Instrumental Music (Ceol Uirlíse) in Elphin Hall recently. They will now represent the county

at the Connacht finals in Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre this Saturday, April 2nd. The adjudicators complimented their teamwork, musicianship, confidence and competence. Shauna, William, Laurence and Diarmuid are pupils of Gaelscoil de hÍde while Cormac Fleming is a first year pupil of Roscommon CBS.

Ballygar aid for Ukraine Gearóid Kelly, Ballygar, recently embarked on a mission to take essential supplies to those impacted by the war in Ukraine. Pic courtesy of Michael Nolan

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

2-hour parking spaces for Roscommon town < DAN DOONER

Roscommon County Council will take measures to implement 2-hour car parking on Main Street in Roscommon town from next week in a bid to make more on-street parking available throughout the day. Fianna Fáil councillor Marty McDermott has welcomed the move, and urged those using the spaces to be mindful of the time. “I’m delighted that there has been a breakthrough on this and from next week each space from AIB to Lanesboro Street will be marked as 2-hour parking,” he said. “I’m particularly grateful to the Council engineer and Director of Services for their interaction with me on this very important issue that I faced with businesses in Roscommon town. “It’s an issue I’ve been very passionate about since being elected as I work in retail myself and understand the concerns of customers and businesses”. Cllr. McDermott stressed that while there has been no bye-law introduced regarding the spaces, he was relying on the goodwill of motorists to abide by the time limit. “It is unfortunate that we had to go to this extreme because of those who parked on Main Street from 9-5 each day. That’s unacceptable because there is ample parking off Roscommon town with 3,000 spaces and excellent signage installed by Roscommon County Council,” he said. I do understand that people with mobility issues and the elderly find it difficult but this

newsbriefs Jennifer Stumm for Arts Centre

Violist Jennifer Stumm will perform a solo recital with narrative this Saturday (April 2nd) at 3 pm at Roscommon Arts Centre for what promises to be a delightful afternoon of music. The viola might be referred to as the ‘middle child’ of the string family, overlooked due to its more famous relatives the violin and cello. Composers throughout history have been drawn to to its unique ability to convey deep expression however, and have often written their late or even last works for the instrument. Performing songs on her 16th century viola from Bach all the way to Sting, combining a mix of talk and performance, Jennifer Stumm will tell a musical story of how imperfection can be the very thing that gives us our voice. An enthusiastic speaker and writer, Jennifer recently spoke at NASA about how the arts can help innovate towards a better world, and her viral TEDx talk about the viola and the blessings of being different. ‘An Imperfect Instrument’ was named editor’s pick of all TED talks and led to a solo debut at the Berlin Philharmonie. Jennifer has created a special solo version of An Imperfect Instrument for this Music Network tour. Tickets are €15 and are on sale now from the box office on 090-6625824 and from roscommonartscentre.ie.

Roscommon Tidy Towns AGM

Cllr. Marty McDermott (fourth from left) pictured in Roscommon town with local business people Paddy Joe Burke, Dinesh Narain, Tom Madden, Seán Mahon, Ollie McGuinness, Michael Oates, Shane Fleming and Frances Heaney.

should be a help in freeing up spaces during the day and particularly on Fridays when many elderly people come into town”. Cllr. McDermott said the time limits would also relieve pressure on street traders and businesses situated on Main Street. “Every box will be marked so as not to dis-

criminate against businesses. I would like to emphasise how lucky we are to have free parking in Roscommon town and this point has been made to me personally by visitors from other towns,” he said. “This is a great town and we are very fortunate to have free parking as an asset”.

The AGM for Roscommon Tidy Towns Association will take place on Wednesday, April 13th at 7.30 pm in The Quad Youth Centre in Roscommon town and new members are welcome to attend. Roscommon town is a Gold Medal status town in the National Tidy Towns competition. Members are currently working on projects for this year’s competition. As part of An Taisce’s Spring Clean campaign, the group is inviting people to join them on Tuesday next (5th) at the courthouse car park at 7 pm for a clean-up around the town. Gloves and Hi-Viz jackets will be provided.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

FRANK

BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique

take on life ...

Communities gather together in an emotional tribute to Conor

Our man Frank on an emotional memorial service for Conor Connelly, two years on; More on Athleague footpath (plus carnival memories); and praising Justice Minister’s move on sentencing…

It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and, in common with hundreds of others, I find myself in the little Offaly village of Ballycumber, where a memorial service is taking place for the late Conor Connelly, a man whose untimely death two years ago

shocked and stunned so many communities and sports clubs right across the whole country. March 28th, 2020, was a day a lot of us will never forget, when the news of his sudden passing began to filter through, and as Covid-19 was just beginning to take over and a full lockdown was in place, the fact that none of us could even go to his funeral was something that is still hard to come to terms with. The scene as we all lined the street of Creggs to try to pay our respects as the Connelly family left on their heartbreaking journey to Conor’s funeral will live long in our memories. And so, two years later, to finally be able to come together and give Conor the farewell he deserved was just so special. In my long time on this earth, I cannot remember or recall a

More on Athleague footpath … and carnival memories

Two weeks ago, you may recall that I wrote about the new footpath in Athleague after being contacted with some concerns by a couple of readers of this column. Recently, I got a phone call from yet another man who was in total agreement with the sentiments expressed about the unnecessary size and width of the path. He also made the point that for years, the people of Athleague had campaigned to get the bridge on the Creggs road widened. Now, without as much as a word, this footpath has narrowed it again. Anyway it seems to be almost completed now, so I suppose whether the Athleague residents like it or not, it’s here to stay. Talking of Athleague, another local came across a poster for the 1980 Carnival, which ran from April 6th to 30th, which he forwarded to me. It’s hard to realise now how big an impact the carnival had on local communities. There were eleven dances in

Athleague, and some of the biggest names in Irish music played there. Geraldine Brannigan, Roly Daniels, Gina, Dale Haze & the Champions, and the immortal Brush Shiels and Skid Row were among the eleven bands to feature that year, with older stalwarts like Maurice Mulcahy and Gene Stuart also strutting their stuff. Athleague prided itself on being the first carnival of the year, setting the standards for later carnivals like Ballygar and then Creggs. I can remember many a good night in Mae Fitz’s before heading almost straight across the road to the marquee. Many is the night that I headed straight back again to the warmth of Mae’s kitchen, but that’s a story for another time. Anyway, as this man reminded me, they were great days and nights, and whether you agree with the new path or not, I know you will agree that carnival time in Athleague was a very special time!

more emotional, touching, or fitting memorial service. There were people there from all the Gaelic football clubs he played with during his long and distinguished playing career, and his intercounty career was acknowledged by the attendance of several of his former Roscommon county colleagues. However it wasn’t just as a footballer that Conor made his mark; his involvement in all types of community activities everywhere he went was acknowledged by the presence of people of all walks of life from Creggs, Ballinlough, Dublin, Ballycumber, and many other places. Above all, he was remembered as a wonderful husband, father, brother, son, and family man. There were speeches by his wife Claire, his friend Michael Ryan, and

one of his work colleagues, whose name escapes me. All were beautiful tributes to a man who inspired and touched the lives of so many, but the delivery by his brother Darragh was one of the best I have ever heard. Every aspect of his and Conor’s lives together were touched upon, and again it will live long in the memories of those of us who were lucky enough to be there. The people of Ballycumber excelled themselves with Roscommon flags flying all around the parish, while the ceremony – with wonderful singing from Simon Casey and another singer – was just so beautiful. It made me realise just how much Covid has taken from us over the last two years. The crowd was so big that a large number of us couldn’t fit in to the

actual church, but there were several chairs left outside for us to sit on and loudspeakers meant we didn’t miss any of the proceedings in the church, where three priests concelebrated the mass. After all was over, everyone (bar Carol and I) adjourned to the local Community Centre, where the very best of food and refreshments were laid on. The many stories about Conor were, I’m reliably informed, repeated over and over until all was finished. And so, two years after the sad event, we finally got the chance to bid farewell to our clubmate and good friend Conor. Even though we all still feel the sense of loss at his passing, somehow, as I write this on Monday afternoon, I feel a bit better that we at least finally got to say a proper goodbye. May he rest in peace.

Minister Helen McEntee

Getting tough on crime For many years now, I (among many others) have been amazed, appalled and annoyed at sentences handed down by various judges in cases of domestic violence and even murder. I have often wondered how the judges arrived at their often ludicrous decisions. This week’s papers seem to suggest that Justice Minister Helen McEntee feels the same way, and is considering bringing in new powers that, among other things, will ensure that convicted murderers will serve a minimum of twenty years in jail. She is also considering major new sentencing measures for those guilty of domestic abuse and for those who groom children for crime. I, for one, applaud her for taking this stance, and hope she gets the necessary backing to implement a system where, as she says, the sentence matches the crime and where there will be a new zero tolerance national strategy on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. She also has several other welcome changes in her new

justice plan, and all I can say is well done Helen. Maybe at last we have a Justice Minister who really will make a difference!

And finally… Finally for this week…over there in West Virginia, Merrill Pittman Cooper, who had to drop out of High School in the 1930s, was presented with a diploma more than eighty years later, when he was the recipient of an honorary one last week at the age of 101. Cooper had expressed regret at never graduating, and so when his relatives contacted the school, they were only too happy to fulfil his dream, and he finally got his diploma in a ceremony attended by his family. It goes to show that one is never too old! Well done Merrill, and heartiest congratulations!

‘Till next week, bye for now

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ...

Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera

newsbriefs Ballymoe/Ballintubber ‘Walk with Charlie’

To show our support and raise much-needed funds for Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, a fundraising walk will take place from Ballymoe village to Ballintubber village on Saturday, 2nd April. This will coincide with Charlie Bird’s climb of Croagh Patrick. Registration is from 11 am in Ballymoe Community Centre with the walk starting at 12 noon sharp. Your support would be greatly appreciated. See Facebook page ‘Ballymoe/Ballintubber Walk with Charlie’ or contact Gabriel on 087 6371120 for more details.

Ballaghaderreen Swimming Pool EGM

An Extraordinary General Meeting of Ballaghaderreen Swimming Pool will take place at 8.30 pm on Monday, April 4th, in St. Nathy’s College Sports Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Darkness into Light 2022 in Ballaghaderreen

The Darkness into Light Committee are delighted to announce that the Darkness into Light Walk will return to Ballaghaderreen for 2022. After two years without this gathering, the committee are hoping this walk will be a huge success. The walk will take place on Saturday, May 7th. Online registration is now open and early bird reduced rates are available until Thursday, March 31st. Sign up today to ensure you get your iconic t-shirt in time for the event, plus be in with a chance of winning one year’s free electricity from sponsors Electric Ireland for you and a friend. The entry fee for an adult is €21, €5 for a child, €52 for a family (two adults and five children), and €16 for OAPs, students and jobseekers. There will be pre-registration days held early in April in Duffy’s SuperValu. More details to follow. For more, visit darknessintolight.ie.

Clothes collection fundraiser Ballaghaderreen Community Park are asking people to donate old clothes to raise funds for ongoing costs of the Community Park. Clothes can be left at the Community Park clubhouse from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12.30 pm. Clean reusable clothes, hats, scarves, shoes, belts, curtains etc. will be accepted. No duvets or pillows please. For more information, contact Brid on 085 8492213. Thanks for your continued support.

J.K. Rowling @jk_rowling Critiques of Western cancel culture are possibly not best made by those currently slaughtering civilians for the crime of resistance, or who jail and poison their critics. #IStandWithUkraine -Harry Potter author responds to Russian President Vladimir Putin namechecking her in the context of the cancel culture (I know, slightly bizarre)

-Everyone has a view on Will v Chris

Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera @PantiBliss If that had happened in Pantibar, Will Smith would have been removed immediately before any questions were asked. Then, after questions were asked, Chris Rock would also have been shown the door.

Keith Walsh @KeithyWalsh The queue for Dublin airport security starts in Athlone. -It’s been a tricky week for jokes, but we’ll accept this one…

Ronan Murphy @swearimnotpaul Chiedozie Ogbene bicycle kick goal. You weren’t getting that during the Trapattoni era! #IRLBEL -Ronan may be right, good old Giovanni probably didn’t encourage bicycle kicks of the type produced by Chiedozie Ogbene in Ireland’s encouraging and entertaining 2-2 draw with Belgium

Jeff Stelling

@JeffStelling Thanks to everyone for their kind words about my decision to carry on presenting @GilletteSoccerS Felt job wasn’t complete until Merse finally masters pronouncing Alain St Maximin properly!! -Jeff Stelling brings joy to millions of soccer fans by reversing his retirement plans ALASTAIR CAMPBELL @campbellclaret Very proud of myself that I have managed to get through the day without looking at the Will Smith Oscars clip. I also don’t know what Wordle is. Happily. -We can meet you halfway on this one, Alastair…we’re still not into Worlde, but we were all over Will v Chris…

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Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

Miriam’s

MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

Will, this was Jada’s fight…you were wrong to erase her right to react!

Jada Pinkett-Smith

Unless you’re living in Russia (where news suppression and censorship are taken to the extreme), you’ll know the story suddenly dominating world headlines is not the bombs being dropped by Putin on the innocent people of Ukraine. Nay, it’s the ‘F’ bomb (and the slap) dropped by Will Smith on Chris Rock! In what appears to be the biggest shock at the Oscars since 1955 when Grace Kelly pipped Judy Garland for ‘best actress,’ Smith reacted violently to Rock’s cruel comparison of wife Jada’s medical condition to that of shaven-headed fictional movie character G.I. Jane by walloping him in the face! (For the record, Smith has apologised to Rock on Instagram). Jada, who has been pretty open about her struggles with alopecia, saying how “terrifying” she has found losing her hair, first debuted her ‘shaved-head’ look – which, by the way, is absolutely stunning on her – last summer. However, it’s clear that Rock’s attempt to disparage Will’s wife by wrapping her alopecia in a cloak of fun and frivolity in a bid to get a cheap laugh didn’t sit well with Will, and that’s understandable. However, did Jada need her husband to defend her? I mean, isn’t she, like most women (myself included), capable of defending herself when some insensitive idiot expands the bounds of acceptable behaviour by making a joke at her expense? Then again, if someone made a tasteless

An insult to Ireland – or were Zelensky’s comments simply lost in translation? Regular readers will know I’m a big fan of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, even comparing him to my hero Michael Collins. However, his apparent criticism of our little island, for allegedly not doing enough to help his country’s bid to join the EU really upset me. I have enormous respect for Mr Zelensky and I think he’s doing a wonderful job. That being said, I feel that in playing down his remark that Ireland is ‘almost’ supporting Ukraine as it battles the Russian invasion, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has done us, and all those who’ve opened their homes and their hearts to those fleeing for their very lives, a grave disservice. I do understand that Mr Zelensky has more pressing issues on his mind right now. I get it. However, perhaps if he understood how despite not being able to afford to put fuel in our cars, Irish people don’t, for one second, begrudge spending ‘hundreds of millions of euro’ in our bid to provide sanctuary for his people in their hour of need, he wouldn’t be so cavalier with his comments! Instead of grovelling, Micheál Martin should have made it abundantly clear to Mr Zelensky how, as a nation appalled by Pu-

tin’s unlawful invasion of his country, we’ve abandoned our own constitutionally neutral stance and thrown every bit of support (bar lethal methods) his way. Then again, as I want to be fair, and I want to continue to believe in Mr Zelensky, because I think he’s amazing, I’d like to think that maybe the comedian-turned-statesman’s remarks were somehow lost in translation. Either that, or nobody’s fully informed him how wonderful we are!

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky,

joke about me, I’d hope he-who’s-extremely-laid-back would want to stand up for me! However, I’d be furious if he made a public spectacle of himself by reacting (as Smith did) like a male dog marking his territory, hitting another man and claiming me as his ‘woman’ in some bizarre toxic masculinity, ‘me Tarzan, you Jane’ scenario! On a personal level (and for the sake of balance and objectivity), while I empathise with Jada and believe Rock’s joke was cruel, I’m also someone who’s sick to the teeth of political correctness. I understand that as a comedian, Rock was merely doing his job, and there’s a real fear that being ‘woke’ will not just stifle comedy, but may ultimately result in the death of it. For the sake of clarity, there’s a bit of history behind this assault (inappropriate though it was). Smith and Rock have allegedly been feuding ever since the latter took a snipe at the former’s wife for boycotting the 2016 Oscars over what she views as its lack of diversity. To that end, I’m assuming Will’s anger has probably been simmering and he felt the time had now come to take action. But did that action need to be a scandalous slap, and wouldn’t a strongly worded, sarcastic statement taking a snipe at Rock have sufficed? Better still, couldn’t Smith have done his wife the courtesy of having her own say in her own way, as opposed to erasing her right to react? As this was Jada’s fight,

CHARITY BIKE RUN

Bikers for BUMBLEance

perhaps she could regain control by leaping into damage limitation mode and using her unique social position, go on Oprah and manipulate Rock’s ignorant remarks by using them against him to advocate and raise awareness for people with alopecia – should she so choose! Mind you, it’s admirable to see that despite their much publicised, turbulent, and (according to themselves) ‘unconventional’ marriage, Smith still feels protective towards the mother of his children. For that, I salute him. However (and I know opinion is divided here), I personally feel that if Will had more respect for Jada, he’d have treated her as an intelligent woman, a grown-up, and an individual in her own right, not consigned her standing to that of ‘my wife,’ or ‘my chattel’. Instead of making the issue all about him, he’d have taken his cue from her and waited to see if and how she wanted to react, and if and how she wanted to defend the ‘stain’ he clearly felt Rock had cast on her honour. Whichever way you look at this unfortunate incident, my thoughts are with the beautiful lady at the centre of this unsavoury affair... Jada Pinkett-Smith. Not only is she dealing with the emotional fallout of this outrageous ‘slap down’, but it seems that it, and her bizarre ‘open’ marriage situation (which is her own business), have provided further grist to the juicy Hollywood gossip mill.

Support your local charity ‘ride-out’ for Bumbleance this weekend! Calling all bikers! Would you like to help make a difference to sick and critically ill children and their families who often face stressful situations when getting to and from hospital appointments? Yes? Then read on. This Sunday, April 3rd, marks a charity bike ride for Bumbleance, the world’s first ambulance service designed especially for children. Kicking off at 10 am (from Casey’s Circle K, Roscommon town, F42 RY88), the ride-out will begin at midday (12 noon), with a registration fee of €20 per bike! The route will go from Roscommon to Mayo and Galway and back again. However, riders will be stopping in Roundfort in Mayo at Thomas Lyons’ Bar, for refreshments. I’ve never been on one of these runs myself, however I’m reliably informed that this establishment has “been a major support during previous runs”, so fair play to them. A shout out also goes to organiser Mr Vinny Healy, and the ‘set up’ committee, one of which is Tom Rumley. Tom, a lovely local man, would not only like to thank Rossies for their support, he’s also inviting “anyone who wishes to see the bikers and wave them off on their way”, to feel free to do so at Casey’s on Sunday morning.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

Vaccination centre closes

The final Covid-19 vaccination clinic was held at the Roscommon Vaccination Centre on Gold Links Road on Sunday last (27th), a year on from when the clinic first opened at its original location at The Abbey Hotel. In a statement to the Roscommon People, the vaccination team thanked the people of Roscommon for their support over the past Marking the final Covid-19 vaccination clinic in year. Vaccination Centre on Sunday 27 March, from “The first vaccine was Roscommon left: Siobhan Carthy, Clinical Lead with Mary Loughnane, administered from the Operational Site Manager. Roscommon Vaccination Centre – then located in to healthcare staff, to covid19. Parents of 890832 chilthe Abbey Hotel – on patients in Roscommon dren aged 5 to 11 who are March 21st 2021. Since University Hospital and due a second dose A big thank you toSEAN the people ofDOYLE Roscommon from the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme staff at Roscommonalanbeirne Vaccination Centre. will & SONS business Back row, from left: Frank Harburn, Saolta Vaccine Programme General Manager; Susan McGinty, Data Quality Lead, Roscommon/ then the vaccination team to people who are house- receive a text message inMayo Vaccination Centres; Mary Loughnane, Operational Site Manager, Roscommon Vaccination Centre, and Ursula Morgan, has administered over bound. viting them to the vaccinaDirector of Nursing, Roscommon University Hospital. Third row from left: Aimee Brady, Administration; Ashley090Byrne, Deputy |T 6627377 52,000 vaccines at clinics “Details of how to get tion centre26/10/2021 closest to their Operational Site Manager; Orla Murray, Administration, and Therese Flanagan, Covid Vaccinator. Second row from left: Claire in the vaccination centres, your Covid-19 vaccine home address or they can McGeeney, Covid Vaccinator; Siobhan Carthy, Clinical Lead, Roscommon Vaccination Centre, and David Needham, IT. Front row to residents and staff of (dose 1, dose 2 or booster) book an appointment by alan.beirne@roscommonherald.com from left: Deirdre Harrington, Covid Vaccinator; Jackie Lillis, Administration Lead Saolta Vaccination Programme; and Carol Keane, Covid Vaccinator. The final vaccination clinic took place on Sunday 27 March in the Roscommon Vaccination Centre. long-term care facilities, are available from hse.ie/ going to hse.ie/book”.

Roscommon Herald Customer Correction Proof Customer Name:

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Local students set for National Enterprise final Start Date: 15/03/2022

The Local Enterprise Office Roscommon has announced that winning teenage entrepreneurs from 26/04/2022 Convent of Mercy, Roscommon, Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown and Ro7 scommon Community College will represent Roscommon at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Final on Wednesday, May 18th at The Helix in Dublin. This year’s event marks the 20th anniversary of the Student Enterprise Programme and will be the first in-person final since 2019. The Roscommon final took place Roscommon Herald Home,Interiors,DIY virtually on March 14th with an estimated 536 students from nine schools taking part. The initiative is funded by the Government and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Eilis Mullooly, Local Enterprise Office, pictured with Convent of Mercy, Roscommon students Anna Gooney, Eva Rogers and Emma O’Farrell of Cupán Cozies, Senior Winners of the Student Offices. In the Senior Category, Emma Enterprise Programme, and teacher Edel Connolly, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon.

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newsbriefs Tea Day for Western Alzheimers this April April marks more than 20 years since Western Alzheimers first launched Tea Day, one of its primary sources of fundraising income. Covid-19 had of course derailed this event for the past two years, but this April we are back on track and are inviting you to support us to ‘Share the Care’ by hosting your very own Tea Day. Now more than ever, your support is needed, as this is our first opportunity since Covid-19 to fundraise in-person at a local level. In 2021, despite Covid-19, Western Alzheimers Roscommon delivered more than 3,000 hours of care within the homes of those living with dementia. Our dementia nurse specialist delivered 1,000 hours of support directly to family members and our Roscommon-based Volunteer Befrienders delivered more than 500 hours of engagement to persons living with dementia. We could not achieve this without the support of Tea Day. There is a growing need for dementia-specific care in the community and by hosting a Tea Day in your home, work or club, you can help support our charity. Our local daycare service Cuan Mhuire, Fourmilehouse has recommenced delivering a daycare service every Wednesday from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm and a further day is planned to commence very shortly. At Western Alzheimers we endeavour to ensure that persons living with dementia can enjoy a meaningful life as an active member of the community for as long as possible and your support is greatly appreciated by all of us working on behalf of those living with Alzheimers. Call 090-6627816 or email roscommon@ westernalzheimers.ie for your Tea Day pack today.

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O’Farrell, Eva Rogers and Anna Head of Enterprise, Local EnterGooney with Cupán Cozies from prise Office Roscommon, and Irish the Convent of Mercy, Roscomparacyclist Richael Timothy. mon will represent the county at the Louise Ward, Head of Enterprise, National Final. Local Enterprise Office RoscomSean McCormack won out in the mon thanked all the students and Intermediate category with his Catteachers throughout the county for tle Trailer Safety Bar while Roscom- their trojan work throughout the mon Community College student competition. Sophie Kilcommins’ ‘Designer “Our national finalists are excellent Denim’ won the Junior category. ambassadors for the programme In the ‘My Entrepreneurial Jourand we wish them the very best of ney’ category – open to junior and luck in the National Final 2022,” intermediate students – Grace A she said. McDermott (with Grace’s 4CBracelets) (CMYK)“Further information around the from St. Nathy’s College, BallaStudent Enterprise Programme is ghaderreen will represent Roscomavailable from www.studententermon at the National Final. prise.ie and by searching #studenSpecial guests at the Roscommon tenterprise on social media or by final included Cllr. Joe Murphy, contacting Local Enterprise Office Cathaoirleach of Roscommon Roscommon at localenterprise@ County Council, Louise Ward, roscommoncoco.ie”.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

CIARAN MULLOOLY On The Back Benches

Lessons from Carlow and Ukraine may help the return to tillage The St Patrick’s Day festival activities brought us to a friend’s home in the sunny south-east and the big parade in Waterford city this year. On the way back, a history lesson was called for as we drove through the ‘sleepy’ town of Carlow. I always feel that Carlow is very comparable in cultural terms, size and scale to the towns of Roscommon or Boyle or Castlerea. It’s not a huge population centre, for starters. It sprawls out a bit on either side with industrial estate areas and schools and colleges, and it’s surrounded by very decent farmland where you can see all mixes of agriculture, but especially the tillage farmers in action – as they were when we drove through the area on that particular day. There’s nothing like a gigantic new Massey Ferguson or a David Browne to stop you in your tracks when you’re trying to make ground on the ring road around Carlow – and it was on that busy route that the conversation in the car turned to sugar and sugar beet, of all things!

Landmark building

The front seat passenger, being a former presenter of the RTE agriculture show ‘Ear to the Ground’, was of course trying to show off his undoubted knowledge and experience of the farming game. I tried to draw the attention of my two young sons (in the back) away from their phones and tablets and onto what I perceived to be a vacant tower building in the distance with a spiral staircase on it as we drove down the Athy road and past a landmark which I believed to be the once great sugar factory. The truth is we were deep in the heart of a remarkable story that began on this very site in 1925 and ran for 80 years before coming to a sudden halt. Carlow was selected as the best county for the sugar factory in those days for the same geographical reason it could be today – because it is situated right bang in the middle of an area with soil ideally suited for the growing of sugar beet. On top of that, Carlow had (and still has) a good rail and waterway connection, so its produce could be conveniently transported around the country. Also, there was plenty of political support when the Sugar Manufacturing Company was created in 1926 by local businessman Edward Duggan, and seen immediately as a landmark moment in the industrialisation of the fledgling Irish State (a bit like their local Bord na Mona, one might argue). In 1933, the plant was nationalised by the newly-elected Fianna Fáil government who then created a State-owned sugar company with the Carlow plant as its headquarters. For decades, the sugar plant was the cornerstone of the local economy until the tragedy which was a decision by the bureaucrats in Brussels that led to the plant’s forced closure

The Sugar Manufacturing Company was created in 1926 by local businessman Edward Duggan in Athy, Carlow.

in 2005 due to the introduction of EU sugar quotas – a move that was highly controversial at the time. It was also a body blow for employment in the area. After 80 years in production, the Carlow sugar factory closed with a loss of 190 full-time jobs.

Ironic policy change

As we looked across at what is now left of the sugar factory, I couldn’t help but think about the irony of it all – the fact that a once-great industry headquarters lay idle and derelict here in the same week as our Government of 2022 had hurriedly announced that farmers will now receive €400 for every additional hectare of tillage they plant this year. This great announcement came with bells and whistles on it as part of a package worth more than €12m to support tillage farmers asking them to increase the volume of crops grown in Ireland – especially at a time when events on the world stage are making us all look over our shoulders as to where we are going to get the food on our table next year. What a very different message from 2005! Not a mention of food quotas now. The reality is that the crisis in Ukraine has already had a severe impact on Irish agriculture and supply chains, with hyper-inflation in the price of energy, animal feeds, fertiliser, fuel, silage and multiple other farm input prices – so this tillage scheme was designed in jig time to incentivise farmers to grow additional tillage crops like barley, oats and wheat as soon as they can this year. It is understood the proposed €400 a hectare hand-out may be a bit higher for certain

crops, such as maize and fodder beet, as the cost of production there is deemed to be more expensive, but the experts in the Department of Agriculture and Teagasc are saying a possible 25,000 additional hectares of these crops could be grown in 2022 – which would indeed be a massive boost for our home-grown food chains.

Green shoots or beans

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On top of that our very green government here also wants to introduce protein crop

I wonder for instance if anyone really thinks that the new grant of 400 euro a hectare will come anywhere near the cost of growing that crop as the price of fertiliser seems to have gone from around 300 euro a tonne to well over 1100 euro as we speak.

In association with: LOUGH REE ACCESS FOR ALL

supports to encourage farmers to grow the likes of peas, beans and lupins with a payment of €300 a hectare suggested – and it is even mooted that ‘combi-crops’, like a cereal/protein mix, would be included in this initiative. I listened on the radio the other day to Donegal TD and the new Minister for green beans Charlie McConalogue justifying this big change in direction. “We are living in unprecedented times” he said, “the illegal invasion in Ukraine has put our supply chains under enormous pressure and there is a need to focus our supports on the tillage sector given the narrow window we have to plant crops”. For some peculiar reason, the longer the Minister spoke, the greater the vision appeared in my brain of ‘Tom and Barbara’ in their greenhouse in the 1970s BBC comedy ‘ The Good Life’. Actors Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal brilliantly played the lead roles of the born-again greenies who said they were “becoming totally self-sufficient” in their suburban house. It was a great comedy – seriously well written – but the ‘vision’ of their new green lifestyle was not always successful – financially or otherwise – and one has to wonder if the authorities here have put appropriate pre-planning into their own brand new initiative in this area either. I wonder for instance if anyone really thinks that the new grant of 400 euro a hectare will come anywhere near the cost of growing that crop as the price of fertiliser seems to have gone from around 300 euro a tonne to well over 1100 euro as we speak. When you add the price of diesel to operate that ‘Massey’ in the field and the price of the seed you have to sow, it’s hard to see what margin, if any, would be left for the tillage farmers. Next Sunday, April 3rd, will see the return of the Roscommon Ploughing Championships and field day at Rockfield, about 11km outside of Roscommon town on the Castlerea Road. It might be as good as any place for you to ask some of the experts there what they think of the new deal for tillage farmers. This year’s hosts will be Michael & Ann Lambert and family and there’s a collection taking place in one of the marquees to support the Ukrainian refugees facility at Donamon Castle – men and women who have come here to flee war in a country described by many as the ‘bread basket of Europe’ in its day – such has been their success at exporting food to others around Europe. Maybe we should try and learn from the Ukrainians on this issue? What we all need now is a long-term vision for the successful extension of the tillage sector here – something that was badly missing in Carlow back in 2005 – and one can only hope that whoever is in charge this time in Europe will not make the same mistakes all over again.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Council may be forced to relocate Lough Funshinagh homeowners < DAN DOONER

Roscommon County Council may be forced to consider the prospect of relocating homeowners affected by flooding at Lough Funshinagh after it emerged that legal costs amounting to a quarter of million euros have been incurred fighting court actions taken by environmental group, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE). Addressing a meeting of Roscommon County Council on Monday, Chief Executive Eugene Cummins said the local authority’s efforts to keep people in their homes appeared to have failed. “They (FIE) convinced the court that water flows uphill…they convinced the judge that works were not necessary,” he said. “Even if we (Council) had won at any stage in this process, there would be appeals and that would have meant more money,” he said. “We have been trying to keep people in their homes but unfortunately we have failed”. Last week, Justice Garrett Simons was informed by lawyers representing Friends of the Irish Environment that the Council had consented to orders quashing its decision to approve emergency flood relief works. Mr. Cummins said that FIE had con-

vinced the court that flooding at the turlough was not an emergency and that had left the local authority in an “impossible situation”. “We’ve seen people leaving their homes in Ukraine, yet people wonder why I declared this an emergency. There is nothing worse than leaving your home. The Friends of the Irish Environment have been successful in preventing every action and every stance

we took,” he said. Mr. Cummins, who thanked members for their “unwavering support”, added that the homes were still at risk but the prospect of An Bórd Pleanala granting permission for a pipe to be laid in the future was slim. “It’s my feeling that An Bórd Pleanala will refuse any appeal…and FIE recognise this. I’m angry about this but I’m more hurt for the people of Lough Funshinagh,” he said.

Mr. Cummins, describing it as a “bad day for society”, said that “strangers with no connection to the area had invaded a community” and the Council was left with little option but to consider the prospect of relocating homes. The Chief Executive said all costs in relation to the matter would be made known to members as well as the people of Roscommon at a future date.

‘FIE adopted scorched-earth policy’ < DAN DOONER

Members expressed frustration and anger at Monday’s meeting of Roscommon County Council following confirmation that the local authority had been forced to step back from its efforts to complete flood relief works at Lough Funshinagh. Cllr. Laurence Fallon said he had never heard “a more depressing statement” issued by the Council. “Part of our community has no future,” he said before thanking the local authority, Chief Executive Eugene Cummins, the Office of Public Works and John Curtin for their “heroic work”. “Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) have invaded south Roscommon...they have adopted a scorchedearth policy not too dissimilar to what Putin has done in Ukraine. Everything in our turlough is dead”. Cllr. Fallon criticised what he described as “absolute silence” from the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service and proposed inviting members of the body to Lough Funshinagh. He also called on local MEPs to raise the matter in Brussels and urged the Council’s executive to write to

all Government parties about the current situation. “It is not possible for me to return to local people and tell them all hope is gone,” he said. Cllr. Tony Ward said it was “deplorable that the objectors now seem to be winning”. “I still hope the Council will continue in their fight for the people…no one wants to be relocated, the local people have been farming there for generations. Walking away now is not good enough,” he said. Cllr. Ward said Ireland hadn’t transferred its laws to the EU and questioned what would happen if the Chief Executive was unable to act during future emergencies. Cllr. John Naughten described it as a “terrible day for the county, particularly the people around Lough Funshinagh” and said it was a “disgrace” that the situation had been allowed to develop. Cllr. Donal Kilduff was visibly angry as he addressed the meeting, and was critical of the bureaucracy around such issues. “I’m devastated about this outcome…the whole situation is ridiculous. I said over a year ago that we need to look at ourselves and how we govern. We’ve tied

ourselves up in knots because we’ve created so much red tape,” he said. Cllr. Kilduff added that the law had not served the country well in this situation and expressed anger towards Friends of the Irish Environment. Cllr. Emer Kelly said: “Any group which treats communities, families and people in the manner that has been experienced by those around Lough Funshinagh are friends of no one. “They do not care about people and I would go as far as to say that they do not even care about the habitats around Lough Funshinagh that are being destroyed,” she said. Cllr. Kelly added that FIE had put the court case above the environment and said there was something wrong with the legal system if Irish and EU law could not recognise the importance of acting in favour of the people of Lough Funshinagh. There was widespread support across the Chamber on Monday for Chief Executive Eugene Cummins as well as the Council executive and OPW for their efforts to carry out works at Lough Funshinagh.

Cavetown Lake Walk in honour of Sr Mary

The family of the late Sr. Mary Carty will hold a fundraising walk around Cavetown Lake this Saturday (April 2nd) at 2 pm as part of the ‘Walk with Charlie’ event. The walk, which is approximately 6km and starts in Knockroe on the L50753 road (off N61), is in honour of Sr. Mary who lost her brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease last November. All funds raised from the walk will go directly to the Motor Neurone Association. To donate, go to www. idonate.ie/olliefeeney270 or Google Cavetown Lake Walk with Carty family. All support is greatly appreciated.

Gospel Reflection Sunday 3 April The Liturgy this Lent has shown us the God of the Exodus. He is a mighty and gracious God, Who out of faithfulness to His covenant has done “great things” for His people, as today’s Psalm puts it. But the “things of long ago,” Isaiah tells us in today’s First Reading, are nothing compared to the “something new” that He will do in the future. Today’s First Reading and Psalm look back to the marvellous deeds of the Exodus. Both see in the Exodus a pattern and prophecy of the future, when God will restore the fortunes of His people fallen in sin. The readings today look forward to a still greater Exodus, when God will gather in the exiled tribes of Israel that had been scattered to the four winds, the ends of the earth. The new Exodus that Israel waited and hoped for has come in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Like the adulterous woman in today’s Gospel, all have been spared by the Lord’s compassion. All have heard His words of forgiveness, His urging to repentance, to be sinners no more. Like Paul in today’s Epistle, Christ has taken possession of every one, claimed each as a child of our heavenly Father. In the Church, God has formed a people for Himself to announce His praise, just as Isaiah said He would. And as Isaiah promised, He has given His “chosen people” living waters to drink in the desert wastelands of the world (see John 7:37–39). But our God is ever a God of the future, not of the past. We are to live with hopeful hearts, “forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,” as Paul tells us. His salvation, Paul says, is power in the present, “the power of His resurrection”. We are to live awaiting a still greater and final Exodus, pursuing “the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling,” striving in faith to attain the last new thing God promises – “the resurrection of the dead”. – Scott Hahn Ph.D., www. salvationhistory.com (courtesy of Sacred Heart Church)

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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You don’t care about women’s sports, you’re just excusing transphobia Let’s talk about ... TRANS WOMEN IN SPORTS

(A student’s perspective)

Alannah Ita Healy When Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender woman to win the NCAA’s first division swimming competition on March 17th (just two weeks ago), her victory soon became a point of public debate about trans women in sports. Despite having been on gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy for three years – making her eligible to enter the competition per NCAA (the National Collegiate Athletics Association) policy – debate erupted over her right to compete in women’s races, with people claiming that her biological sex gave her an unfair advantage over fellow competitors. Some even went as far as to question her gender identity itself, claiming that she had

transitioned solely in order to find more success in women’s swimming. The assumption at play here, that trans women have a competitive advantage over the cis women they’re competing against, is, according to the NCAA itself, not well founded – not to mention the lack of scientific evidence conclusively linking testosterone and athletic performance in the first place. And yet, this argument is the foundation for the criticism surrounding Lia’s win. The narrative sold is that due to her being trans, Lia was able to dominate the women’s competition, and that this was unfair to the cis women she was competing against. Mention is rarely given to her performance in other events

in the competition, where she placed 5th and 8th; presumably because this doesn’t fit the narrative that any competition between a cis woman and a trans woman isn’t a fair fight. You would also think, given how much the NCAA competition has been brought up in the discourse over the past two weeks, that more attention would have been given to the twenty-seven records that were broken during the championships. After all, so much weight was given to the argument that trans women’s inclusion is unfair to cis women and we need to ‘protect women’s sports’, and yet no one was looking to celebrate women’s sporting achievements – instead doing the exact opposite. Needless to say, one thing made evident by the fact that those opposing Lia’s win opt to call her a man and invalidate her gender identity, is the underlying transphobia at play. Their problem with trans women participating in sports is rooted in an underlying belief that trans women are not women. Despite progress in more recent years, the trans community continues to face constant dis-

Lia Thomas

crimination, and the transphobic comments and discourse that followed Lia’s win revealed that her opposers regard her as a man, and presume a man would have an obvious advantage over women. This presumption of women’s physical inferiority has served to justify and excuse the unequal treatment of countless female athletes over the years, as well as explaining why women’s sport is so often

not given the same platform as men’s sport, and is extremely harmful. This is why it seems especially ironic that all those attacking Lia Thomas for her win are so eager to claim that they are doing so in the name of women’s sports; you don’t care about women’s sports, you’re making excuses for your transphobia. Women’s sports benefit the more we move in a progressive

direction, and the further we get away from the presumption that ‘male’ implies physically superior. Women’s sports benefit from the inclusion of all women. If you only ever feel compelled to start advocating for women’s sports when you’re upset that trans women are participating, then you’re not kidding anyone. The thinly veiled transphobia and misogyny rife within the discourse over Lia Thomas’s win over the past two weeks has nothing to do with supporting women’s sports, and all to do with a culture that fails to respect trans women, and upholds the belief that biological women are physically inferior to biological men. Lia Thomas’s win was a milestone achievement, and though the reaction to her win has shown we’ve a long way left to go when it comes to our attitudes around trans athletes and women athletes in general, it is still very much a watershed moment for trans people in sports, and deserved to be recognised for such.

Local businessman supports the Ukrainian relief effort

Roscommon businessman, Joe Fallon, manager of PJ Fallon & Son, has been supporting the Ukrainian relief effort recently by delivering truckloads of badly needed supplies to the Polish border. A delivery of twelve pallets of medical supplies from Homecare Medical in Ballyhaunis was delivered to Joe’s premises on the Racecourse road earlier this week following on from a delivery to Poland last week. Items can still be donated at PJ Fallon & Son (F42 K377) from 9 am to 5.30 pm daily as Joe and staff continue their efforts to help the Ukrainian people.

Students from Colàiste Mhuire, Ballygar collected and packed 200 boxes of humanitarian supplies for Ukraine. They were kindly collected by Joe Fallon at the school. They also held a non-uniform day, with the students wearing the Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow. This raised €450.

Roscommon businessman, Joe Fallon, manager of PJ Fallon & Son, has been supporting the Ukrainian relief effort recently by delivering truckloads of badly needed supplies to the Polish border.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU… To everyone who has sat in the barber’s chair – young and old – over the past 50 years A special word of thanks to those who came through the barbershop and never had a haircut… You were the ones who made it a Rambling House

What a privilege it has been for me Thank you for your kindness, warmth and custom And above all, for the wisdom I’ve received from each and every one of you

– PADDY JOE THE BARBER

Celebrating my 50th year as a barber in Roscommon Town As a thank you…

All haircuts €

PADDY JOE The Barber Church Street, Roscommon 086 811 5363

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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‘I’ve learnt all I know about life from the man in the chair’ PADDY JOE BURKE ON ENTERING HIS 50TH YEAR IN BUSINESS < PAUL HEALY

The man in the chair. The man in the chair is alive. He is dead. He is young. He is old. He is sad. He is happy. He is a millionaire and he’s not a millionaire. The man in the chair is Everyman. The chair is iconic for thousands of us – patrons at various or all times down the years – it’s a classic barber’s chair that can rotate and have its height adjusted, elevating you to a certain status in the room. He’s already greeted you, looked you in the eye…now he navigates the chair, aligns you with the mirror, applies the gown, and invariably asks how you are today. Later this year he’ll have been doing it for half a century. 50 years cutting hair, talking and listening, his Church Street salon a social hub that has brought laughter, companionship and comfort. He’s Paddy Joe, Roscommon’s fa-

mous barber – a man who has been central to life in the county town for decades. In some respects a larger than life character, he also has introverted tendencies. By now, his verbal utterances are legendary…a mixture of wisdom, wit, empathy, nostalgia, optimism…‘Paddy Joeisms’. When I called last Thursday, he closed the door to the world for an hour or so. We sat surrounded by hundreds of images squeezed into every available space on the walls of his salon – newspaper cuttings, photographs, tips on how best to live one’s life – much of the story of his own journey, of what fulfils and drives him, captured in this room. Today, as he reflects on this looming 50th anniversary, Paddy Joe is emotional, proud too, but mainly he’s humbled by the scale of the milestone. Most of all, he is thankful. “Paul,” he begins, “I feel nearly overcome with emotion…when

Paddy Joe Burke pictured with his friend Martin Mulhern (at a Roscommon Vocational School Reunion in 2001). Martin, from Fuerty, was Paddy Joe’s first ever customer, back in 1974.

I think of how privileged I have been to have met so many beautiful people here. They took me into their confidence…they shared their joy, their sadness and their happiness with me”. He pauses. “This is all about the man in the chair. I’ve learnt all I know about life from the man in the chair”. One thing he has learnt is that listening can be just as important as talking. Sometimes, the man in the chair just wants to be heard. Most parts of most days, the hair-care is conducted against a backdrop of conversation about everyday life…but then the important things in life are the bits and pieces that make up everyday life. Paddy Joe: “We’ve had some mighty fun over the years. We’ve written best man speeches, grooms’ speeches, father of the bride speeches! We’ve helped with eulogies, winning captains’ speeches… every emotion that could be shared has been shared here. I got educated about world politics and local politics. One man was a walking encyclopedia on the Middle East, which I was anxious to understand. I learnt about cattle prices, sheep prices, what lambs were making. About grants from the EU. I learnt that I needed to listen to the man in the chair, to be present for him. They are two of the greatest things you can give”. Paddy Joe Burke, who hardly anyone can believe is now aged 67, grew up in Kinnity, Fourmilehouse, one of the six children of Thomas and Jane. His father died in 1961 (aged 51) when Paddy Joe was just six years old. “Even the other day, I saw a father and his son walking into O’Connor Park (Offaly v Roscommon match) and I spoke to them…it dawned on me again that I never knew what it was like to have a dad when I was growing up. I never got to go to a game with him. I was told that my

father was mad into football…” His voice trails off. He was extremely close to his mother, whom he adored. At “10.28 on the 14th of September 1999” when he was in the middle of a haircut he got the phone call. His mother had died suddenly. He was overcome with grief. “I owe a great debt of gratitude to Mam. She was a mother and father to me. I have dyslexia…the school curriculum passed me by. I remember once – I would have been 11 or 12 at the time – I asked Mum how will I get a job when I grow up. She gave me some advice. She said to always have manners, to live my life by common sense, to always make eye contact when I meet someone, and to say hello to them and smile. My whole ethos for life is based on that”. When he started out as a barber, there was further important loving support from his mother too. Having completed an apprenticeship, he opened his own barber’s at just 17 years of age, renting Mrs. Cahill’s shop in Abbey Street (where Roscommon Credit Union is now). “The rent was six pounds a week but I was only taking in three pounds. Every week my Mam collected her widow’s pension and gave me the three pound I needed. Eventually I was able to meet the rent and began to make a few bob for myself”. A popular man called Paddy Coyle

had been running a very successful barber shop in Church Street since around 1935. Paddy died in late 1973, and Paddy Joe moved into his premises in ‘74. It was to be the making of Paddy Joe business-wise, as he ‘inherited’ Paddy Coyle’s customers. Most were local farmers. Paddy Joe, being “a farmer’s son” had an immediate affinity with them. He came to love them. Ever since 1974, his Church Street premises has bubbled with all human life. “The farmer who is at the mart and wants to pop in for a quick haircut became my typical customer” he says. As the years passed and the town developed, all types of people came in. Paddy Joe’s became a social hub. To this day, men gather there on a Monday after a big Roscommon football match. Often, they have no intention of getting an actual haircut; they are gathering so that can discuss the game, hear Paddy Joe’s view, share in the warmth of a communal experience. There has been craic…and there have also been moments when a chat in Paddy Joe’s has helped men who may be going through a tough time. “An English woman came in one day. She said ‘every time I pass this door I hear laughter…I had to come in and find out for myself!’” Women are regular callers…popping in with their sons, collecting

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

“…how privileged I have been to have met so many beautiful people here. They took me into their confidence…they shared their joy, their sadness and their happiness with me”. Paddy Joe Burke, into his 50th year in business in Roscommon town, pictured last Thursday. Photo: Mick McCormack

husbands, maybe having a word with Paddy Joe about football or other issues of the day. I ask about arguments or rows, whether the conversation amongst customers has ever boiled over. “Well I remember one particularly heated row over politics. All of a sudden the man in the chair hopped up and went out the door! I had to go out into the street after him to retrieve the gown! He’d heard enough from the fella he was arguing with… it was pure Civil War politics”. Another time, Paddy Joe had gone ‘walkabout’ – as he has a tendency to do. He might pop down the town for a coffee, happily leaving the door open (“I trust the man in the chair”). On his return, there’d be a customer or two, maybe reading the newspapers. He recalls returning to his barber’s from a ramble down town some years ago. “I looked in the door and there were four men inside, all of them singing. It would be fair to say they had drink taken. They were singing four different songs! Seamus Duke was with me. I remember Seamus saying ‘You wouldn’t get a quartet like that anywhere in the world!’” Another story that always brings a smile to Paddy Joe when he looks back on the decades comes to mind. “These two local men, who will have to remain anonymous, arrived

into town every Friday. God help them, they were cursed on the double…they were fond of money and fond of drink. They’d collect the pension in the post office and then go to the pub, where they’d order two glasses (half-pints) of Guinness, one each. “When the first man got his glass and had it paid for, he looked at the barman and asked if he could have an empty pint glass. When he received the glass he emptied the contents of his half-pint into the pint glass, draining the froth into it. The barman put the emptied half-pint glass into the sink, then asked the customer would he mind explaining. ‘No problem’ said the man. ‘It’s just in case someone comes in and wants to stand me a drink, it’ll be a pint I’m having!’” There have been other experiences too, many times when ‘the man in the chair’ opened up to Paddy Joe. “One day a man came in…I waited for him to sit into the chair, but he’d come in for a chat. I could see he was suppressing tears. I pulled down the blinds and closed the door. He talked and I listened. He left slightly the better for it…nine years later he came in with a spring in his step and asked how I was…I told him I was in the bunker that day. Then he shut the door and I talked and he listened. That’s a true barbershop story”.

Paddy Joe talks, and Paddy Joe listens. He’s had low points in his life, so he understands much about the human condition, about the challenges we can all be faced with. Having given up alcohol himself in 1988, he is familiar with drink-related issues, and able to identify with the struggles faced by people dealing with addiction. The man in the chair has helped him too, whenever Paddy Joe facilitated it. “If my own ego and pride didn’t get in the way, the man in the chair would always sort my head out”. The GAA is enormous in his life, in his barber’s. Every trophy won by Roscommon since 1972 has made its way to Paddy Joe’s, with players and management in tow. “Roscommon football keeps me awake at night. I can’t sleep before a big game. I go to all the games”. His favourite ever match was Roscommon’s 1980 All-Ireland semi-final win over Armagh. It’s his favourite because it signalled that his county was into an All-Ireland final. “I froze the moment in my mind… I thought ‘this doesn’t get any better. This is magic. We will be there on All-Ireland final day, behind the Artane Boys Band, Roscommon emerging from the tunnel’”. After that semi-final win, there

wasn’t much hair-cutting done at Paddy Joe’s for a while. “We partied for a week. We came home on Thursday. I had travelled up as part of a full car-load. The plan had been to stay Sunday night, but when Roscommon won, that plan changed. We borrowed a few bob from friends…over the following few days we let the world know that Roscommon were in the final. Pints were bought for the Dubs…we were great ambassadors!” He met Maura by chance, over a cup of coffee. She’s Maura McGettrick from Co. Sligo, and now she’s his wife. On their second date – in Strandhill – Maura asked Paddy Joe if he’s into sport. “I said I had a passing interest” he says, not being sure how best to deal with the query. As it turns out, Maura is “obsessed with sport”. Paddy Joe recalls: “I remember thinking me and this lovely lady could have a lot of happy times on the road going to ball games!” They got married in October 2016. “I was so lucky to meet her. I was blessed to meet a woman that’s as nice and as kind and who fully accepts Paddy Joe the way that I am. What a gift from God Maura is”. Since marrying Maura, he’s moved to Ballymote in Co. Sligo, making the 44-mile journey to

Roscommon for work every day. “I love the drive from Ballymote to Roscommon, across the Curlews and into Boyle. I’m more enthusiastic now than when I started, but I recognise that I’m in the twilight of my working career (pressed, he says he intends to keep going for some time yet). I love the town of Roscommon, and the county. I have a childlike love for this town. It has been exceptionally good to me. “I cannot believe that I’m into my 50th year in business. I’m blown away by the love and affection of the man in the chair, by his loyalty. How blessed I’ve been. They’ve been 50 wonderful years of enjoyment and privilege. I’ve been touched, moved and inspired by the man in the chair. I’m eternally grateful to each and every one who sat in the chair over the 50 years. Thank you very much”. He’s a touch emotional, as well one might be. I can see that the memories have flooded back…the joys, the sorrows, the fun, the camaraderie. What will be lost when he eventually hangs up his scissors, I can’t imagine, but the end of that era is a while off yet. As I depart, the chair is empty, but it will swivel again in the morning and the chatter will resume and someone will pick their Roscommon team to start in the championship. Paddy Joe will make eye contact, smile, talk…and listen.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

It’s been a GOOD week for… Roscommon senior footballers, after an impressive win over an understrength Galway before a large crowd in Dr Hyde Park secured promotion to Division One for Anthony Cunningham’s inform team Monaghan senior footballers, who scored a dramatic injury-time winner – courtesy of an inspired Jack McCarron – to avoid relegation from the Allianz National Football League Division One, and condemn the Dubs to the drop in the process Ivana Bacik, who succeeded Alan Kelly as leader of the Labour Party, a meteoric rise given that she only became a TD last year (although she has been a long-time Senator and nationally known campaigner)

gong, but who also disrupted last weekend’s Oscars by hitting comedian Chris Rock, following up with a foul-mouthed tirade from his seat…

TAKE A BREAK

President Joe Biden, who made a major gaffe by effectively calling for regime change in Russia – “Putin cannot remain in power” – a publicly aired verdict which plays into the Russian President’s hands, supporting as it does his narrative of an interfering Nato which (as Putin argues) has its sights set on Russia… Long-suffering prospective house buyers, with a report revealing that house prices are increasing by almost €100 a day, or an increase of €9000 per three-bedroomed semi-detached over the past three months Dublin footballers, with Dessie Farrell’s underperforming team dropping down into Division Two after Monaghan defeated the Blues in a thriller

Retired jockey Nina Carberry, after she won Dancing With The Stars, along with her professional dance partner Pasquale La Rocca Snooker player Robert Milkins, whose victory in the final of the Gibraltar Open represented his first ranking event title in 27 years as a professional, and came just a few weeks after he had to apologise for his behaviour on the snooker circuit in Turkey…(as we mentioned the latter in this column at the time, we’re happy to acknowledge his change in fortunes)

It’s been a BAD week for… Will Smith, who may have won the Best Actor

Pictured is composer Ronan Guilfoyle, who was recently announced as the recipient of the King House Piano Commission 2022. Pic: Shane Forsythe (museum curator)

Ivana Bacik

This wonderful photograph, taken in September 1939 in Knockcroghery village, recently featured on the very informative ‘Knockcroghery – A Village Tapestry’ Facebook page. Pictured is the late, great Jamesie Murray seated on what appears to be a new bike. He was 22-years-old when the picture was taken and would go on to lead Roscommon to victory in their first All-Ireland senior football final just four years later in September, 1943.

Composer Ronan awarded King House Piano Commission 2022 Roscommon County Council Arts Office is pleased to announce that renowned composer Ronan Guilfoyle is the second recipient of the King House Piano Commission Award. This marks the second in a series of music commissions by Roscommon County Council in celebration of the grand piano at King House. The Steinway Grand Piano was purchased by Roscommon County Council in 1998 through the Arts Council Joint Purchase Scheme. Funded by the Arts Office of Roscommon County Council together with the Arts Council of Ireland in collaboration with Boyle Arts Festival and in association with the Contemporary Music Centre, the 2022 commission has a value of €8,000. Ronan Guilfoyle is a renowned figure on the Irish jazz music scene with a growing international reputation as an accomplished performer, teacher and composer. This exciting commission, to be premiered during Boyle Arts Festival, will consider the sonic fusion of classical and jazz genres for piano (Conor Line-

han), guitar (Phil Robson), and clarinet (Matthew Berrill). Boyle Arts Festival audiences can look forward to an engaging event after the two-year absence of live music from King House due to the pandemic. Accepting the award, Ronan Guilfoyle shared his connection with Roscommon: “My wife’s family are from Strokestown in Roscommon, so I know the county well and it holds a very special place for me. I have always loved the county’s geography and been fascinated by its ancient history, especially centred around Rathcroghan, and its inspiring medieval art history”. Announcing the award, Arts Officer Rhona McGrath says she is “looking forward to working with Ronan Guilfoyle, the musicians, Boyle Arts Festival and Caroline Wynne (project manager), especially in this milestone year of the return of a fully programmed festival after the pandemic”. The premiere will be at a concert on Monday, July 18th, at King House Boyle as part of Boyle Arts Festival (July 14th to

“

The things people say…

“Did I miss anything?” – Oscars’ host Amy Schumer, returning to the stage after Will Smith landed a punch/slap on a suitably startled Chris Rock

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Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Introducing…Golf Ireland’s first female President!

Castlerea Golf Club’s Kay O’Loughlin pictured with former Golf Ireland President John White (County Armagh Golf Club). Kay succeeded Mr. White to become Golf Ireland’s first female President. Pic: Bryan Keane/INPHO

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astlerea Golf Club member Kay O’Loughlin recently succeeded outgoing President John White to become the first female President of Golf Ireland, the sport’s governing body ever since GUI and ILGU merged in 2020. Dan Dooner caught up with Kay earlier this week as she prepared for what promises to be a very busy year…

Tell us a bit about yourself… I am originally from Clifden, the heart of Connemara in Co. Galway, but I have been living in Castlerea for the past 30 year, where I worked with the HSE. My husband Eamonn is from Grange in Co. Sligo. We have five children, who are all adults now, and five grandchildren. When did your first become involved in golf and what attracted you to the sport? My husband Eamonn introduced me to golf. Having played hockey in school, the transition was relatively easy…even

though at times it was challenging and even frustrating! I got the golf bug and it was always fun. When did you become a member of Castlerea Golf Club and what roles have you held?

I became a member of Castlerea Golf Club when we moved here in the spring of 1994 and I have served on various club committees over the years. I was Lady Captain in 2006 and Club Secretary in 2011. When did you become involved as an official at national level? In September 2011 I was asked by the Secretary of the Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) Connacht District if I would be willing to coordinate a regional training programme for girls in the northwest during the winter months. I carried out this role for three years while at the same time serving on the Connacht District Committee a Handicap Advisor. This role led me to becoming Connacht Chair of Handicapping

from 2015 to 2020. I was also on the ILGU/GUI joint Connacht Course Rating Committee and the national committees of both from 2018 to 2020. In 2017, I joined the first joint GUI and ILGU World Handicapping System, which is used as our handicap system today. This committee was one of the first sub-committees of Golf Ireland. In November 2020, I was elected by Connacht clubs to the first Connacht Regional Executive Committee. I was then nominated the first female President of Golf Ireland.

ing is also very important as it helps your club to develop strong roots and allows it to pass the game on to the next generation. Golf is for everyone to enjoy. It’s a healthy pastime and can be played for life.

What are you hoping to achieve during your tenure? I hope to visit as many host clubs and affiliated clubs as possible to thank them all for the work they do for the good of golf.

How did it feel to be nominated first female President of Golf Ireland? To be named the first female President of Golf Ireland is the honour of a lifetime and one I’m extremely proud of. What message would you like to give to fellow female golfers? I would say that one can take up the game of golf no matter what stage of life they are at. Volunteer-

New Golf Ireland President Kay O’Loughlin. Pic: Bryan Keane/INPHO

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

Marese Cregg, Marese Cregg Yoga VOX POP What’s the one thing you’re glad to have back following the easing of Covid restrictions? Aside from meeting up freely with family and close friends again, I was so grateful to return to teaching in-person yoga classes. Yoga has been such a vital healing and transformational part of my life for the past 20+ years and I feel very privileged to be able to share the practice with students. During Covid I moved to online classes, but it has its limitations with regards to individual, personalised instruction and also lacks that important social aspect. At the end of the restrictions, I felt pure joy seeing familiar faces returning to their mats and meeting new students. Obviously, the pandemic isn’t quite over yet, so I’ve moved my classes to facilitate social distancing and create a space where people can feel safe to move, breathe and escape from the chaos of life for an hour. One thing you’ve learned from Covid? Covid turned everything upside down for a lot of people, including myself, and has created a lot of stress and anxiety. I had to learn to come back to my practice and breathe through the things we sometimes can’t control, knowing that nothing is permanent and everything is in a constant state of flow. I’ve also learnt that people can be very

resilient and adaptable; my most positive memories of teaching during Covid were outdoor classes at Lake O’Flynn in Ballinlough where the students practiced through all of the elements with enthusiasm. Now that we are through the worst of the pandemic these classes by the lake will resume again this year and hopefully generate the same following. I think Covid has deepened our appreciation for nature and highlighted how fortunate we are to live in the west of Ireland. Now that we can travel again, what would be your dream holiday? As a yoga teacher, I feel yoga is a journey through life and it’s very important for me to continue to develop and deepen my own practice so I can guide my students through their personal journeys. Before Covid I always took at least one annual international trip to train with more advanced teachers and learn more. My dream holiday would be to revisit the magic of Goa; yoga mornings, sunshine afternoons on the beaches, incredible food and escape from everyday life distractions! *Yoga classes with Marese Cregg take place every Monday night at the Trinity Arts Centre in Castlerea. 7 pm: Beginners’/Gentle Yoga; 8 pm: Intermediate/Dynamic Yoga. For bookings/enquiries message Marese Cregg Yoga on Facebook or WhatsApp 087-2075852.

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The Rinka Rose!

Instructor Meaghan O’Doherty pictured with happy members of RINKA at Trinity Arts Centre.

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Originally from Dublin, Meaghan O’Doherty now lives near Ballinlough, where she has fully embraced farm life with her partner David. Crowned Castlerea Rose in 2015, the 28-year-old works at St. Michael’s Special School and is also a RINKA instructor in the town and at other local venues too. She recently provided Dan Dooner with a complete RINKA rundown… Tell us a bit about RINKA? RINKA Ireland originated in Donegal town and Sarah Gillespie is the CEO. She set up RINKA due to her past experiences of how important fitness and movement is for children. Sandra Griffin is with RINKA Midlands and she is excellent too. Sarah and

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Sandra are two people I look up to and it’s great to see women running a business. I was an Irish dancer for years and so was Sarah and there is an element of dance and free movement in the classes. It’s a fitness class for kids aged three up to eleven and we are also trying to get RINKA Toddle Dance up and running too. We have also worked with first year students in secondary schools. Where do classes take place in Castlerea? Classes take place at Trinity Arts Centre and before Covid I would have been doing two classes a day Monday to Friday. We had a class for ages 3-5 early in the evenings and then class for ages 6-11 later on. So around 22 children in a class and over 100 kids a week. I also did birthday parties at the weekends too. I started in February 2019 and it took off straight away. It was something new and different in Castlerea and I wanted to cater for kids who weren’t interested in team sports or the other activities that are well represented in town. What does a typical RINKA class involve? At RINKA, we have activities around ball skills, gymnastics, and we work

on all the fundamental movements and skills. We incorporate games and activities so that all children can work on as much of these movements and skills as they can. They then find out what they like and don’t like. This then opens up pathways to other activities as they get older. The main focus is making sure a child smiles when they come to class and that they’re comfortable but that their confidence grows. Classes are a really positive setting and kids are met with a smiling, friendly instructor who’s willing to help them with being more physically active in a fun environment. It’s always about the kids and even during lockdown I made sure that I kept in contact with parents and that they were kept up to date with what was happening online. How did Covid impact RINKA? Like school, RINKA was just shut down as soon as we went into the first lockdown. The kids had their friends in school but they also had their friends in RINKA and that was a huge thing. It really affected them mentally and physically. When classes shut down we offered online classes and free workouts with Sandra and AJ from RINKA Midlands. It was great to

Children are put through their paces during a recent RINKA class in Castlerea!

be able to provide that but there wasn’t that physical presence in class. It was very hard to give guidance through a screen. When the announcement was made by then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the first thing I though about was the kids and how disappointed they’d be. As time went on, I really started to panic because the kids were missing out on physical activity and the social element. When did you resume classes and what’s the plan for 2022? I reopened in November of 2021, a year and a half since we first shut down. We had gone from one lockdown to another and I just didn’t want to be promising parents and kids a week of classes here and there. I started off with a Facebook post

announcing that I was coming back at the end of October last year and the waiting list started to get longer and longer again! Before Covid, I had classes in a number of other places such as Ballymoe, Tooreen and Ballyhaunis, and there are still kids waiting for me to come back to those areas. I’m hoping that we can get back to doing two classes in Castlerea twice a week after Easter and that maybe someone else will come on board with me so we can cover those other areas again. There’s something special about going into a class full of kids…you just bounce off their energy! Parents have told me that their kids just don’t get as excited about other activities as they do for RINKA. It’s really nice when you get to see that side of things.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

Castlerea Cycling Club < DAN DOONER

First established in March 2017, Castlerea Cycling Club has quickly grown to become one of the county’s largest cycling clubs with 45 members taking part in challenges and events throughout the year. While the club was impacted by Covid-19 restrictions in the last two years, Secretary Jono Finan says that members are slowly but surely getting back on their bikes. “We were established almost exactly five years ago and at the moment we have 45 members ranging in age from 21 to 67. Members are drawn from Castlerea and surrounding areas including Glenamaddy, Ballintubber, Ballinlough, Bally-

moe and Williamstown,” he said. “Covid definitely had an impact on the club with some members a bit nervous about meeting up in groups and taking a break during that time. People are getting back into again though and with the clocks going forward and the longer evenings coming in, it will definitely pick up as the year goes on”. The club started may have started from humble beginnings but now boasts cyclists such as Irish paralympian Richael Timothy among its membership. “I only started cycling while I was on holiday in Killarney in 2016 and really enjoyed it. When I got home I joined a club in Roscommon town but always thought that as one of the

Castlerea Cycling Club Secretary Jono Finan presents Tony Connolly, the winner of the club’s January Distance Challenge. Pic: David McDermott (CMC Photography).

biggest towns in the county, Castlerea should have its own club. I used the Strava cycling app to find out who else was cycling in the area and by the following year we had the club set up,” Jono said. The club trains all year round and while winter training is very much weather dependent, summer is

when things really take off. “We wouldn’t be out in windy or icy weather over the winter for safety reasons…but with the weather improving we should be back on the bikes regularly in the next few weeks,” Jono added. “We had to cancel a lot of events over the last two years so this year

it’s all about re-establishing the club and getting back out there. We don’t have too much planned for 2022 but our April Challenge, which puts the ladies against the men, is always very popular! For now though, it’s all about taking one day at a time and getting back out there”.

Pictured are Áine Keenan, Nuala Shaughnessy, Alan Revins, Jono Finan, and Niall Cooke, winners of Castlerea Cycling Club’s February Team Distance Challenge. Pic: David McDermott (CMC Photography)

Castlerea Cycling Club members pictured with club sponsors at the The Hub, Castlerea. Pic: David McDermott (CMC Photography)

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

is back in the saddle! There is a lot of work being done behind the scenes at Castlerea Cycling Club and Jono was quick to point out the contribution his fellow club officers, namely Chairperson Declan Lawless, Treasurer Gail Murray, and committee members Richael Timothy and Flavio Fernandes. Since its foundation, the club has also raised money for local causes including Tarmon National School, Castlerea Active Age Group, local defibrillators, Cancer Care West, Roscommon Hospice, and Jacinta’s Smile. “I am very proud of all our members. The commitment they put in to help the community and surrounding areas in wonderful. We are like one big family and it is a great club to have in the town,” Jono said. “We would also like to thank our sponsors who have been very supportive of the club so far, including RT Fitness, Benny’s Deli, Sullivan’s Brewing Company, Webb’s Butchers, Tully’s Totalhealth, Norio’s Takeaway, The Salon, Castlerea Cycles and Castlerea.ie. “If anyone would like to join us at Castlerea Cycling Club, they can do so by contacting me on 085-7577865”.

Castlerea Cycling Club’s April Challenge pits the women against the men! Pictured are Declan Lawless, Nuala Shaughnessy and Shane Donlon (sponsor) and Sinead Lally (The Salon, sponsor). Pic: David McDermott (CMC Photography)

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

A Bastion of homemade food in Castlerea

astion K2tchen opened

for takeaway service last January in Castlerea and quickly made a name for itself when it came to catering for alternative dietary requirements and locally sourced produce. Since the lifting of Covid restrictions, the eatery on St. Patrick’s Street has gone from strength to strength…

Tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Katie Drury. I’m 26-years-old and come from Ballindrimley, where I grew up on a farm in a family of eleven siblings and our very supportive parents, Ann and David. I run Bastion K2tchen in Castlerea with my sisters Josie (30) and Karen (23).

Aisling Kelly, Sarah Mac and Karen Drury at Bastion K2tchen.

When did you open Bastion K2tchen? We opened on January 7th last year. It is a franchise of our sister business in Athlone, which is run by Ann Sheehy and is open the last eight and a half years. Bastion K2tchen is run by Josie, myself, and Karen and we also have a great team in Sarah, Aisling, Ellie, Shauna and Allanah. We felt like Castlerea needed something different. It was the height of Covid so it was a bit of a crazy time to open but at the same time it was amazing because of the support we received from people in Castlerea and around Roscommon. We only opened for takeaway initially but we received great support. How has the lifting of Covid restrictions impacted the business? It’s been super-busy since and we’ve been doing events outside too away from the café. But since the restrictions were lifted we have definitely seen an improvement with more

people dropping in. People were still a bit apprehensive (when restrictions began to ease) and would stick to the takeaway service but now we definitely see more people sitting inside. It’s been a very positive thing. Even during the restrictions and following the guidelines, people actually really appreciated that we were taking their details and checking for Covid certificates. A lot of people would tell us they felt a bit safer and that was important because we do have a lot of different people coming in and so it was about making sure they were all safe. Tell us about the menu… Our whole ethos is homecooked food and as locally sourced as possible. Growing up on a farm, we were used to mam’s homecooking and we also grow a lot of the produce ourselves such as the potatoes and beets and all that kind of stuff. We’re known for our spelt bread, our hummus, pesto,

relishes, and all our fresh baked goods as well. We also do salads and wraps/sandwiches but we do a lot of different specials too. We cater for people who are vegan and gluten-free and I think that’s where we stand out a little bit in Castlerea. We suit customers who have different dietary requirements and we’ve become known for that in the past year. When it comes to coffee, we stock McCabe’s from Wicklow but we also do a number of alternatives. People can be apprehensive about beetroot coffee or Matcha tea but once they try it out they really enjoy it!

Josie Drury pictured outside Bastion K2tchen.

Katie Drury pictured at Bastion K2tchen in Castlerea.

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At Harmac we make life saving medical products. Our focus is, has been and always will be to provide world class medical products and services.

Working with Harmac you will have the opportunity to be part of our vision, ‘changing the lives of patients, employees and the communities in which we work’

Harmac's approach towards our employees is no different. With a work environment as diverse as our products and services, Harmac is dedicated to finding the right professionals who will foster the organization's continuing evolution and are willing to add their individualism into our company's culture and vision. Our vision is to build long-term partnerships by creating mutually beneficial relationships. This is true with our

We are looking people are enthusiastic, customers, suppliers andfor employees. Wewho are looking for individuals who hardworking share our values of and respect,strong accountability, integrity, innovation and teamwork. team players. As a General Operator, you will be required to perform We are currently inviting applicants for the following roles: assembly and/or packing of a range of medical products in a dynamic, Operator Team Members fast paced environment. Reporting to a Production Supervisor, Operators are required to perform assembly and / or packing of a range of medical products. The role involves working in a dynamic, fast paced environment, as part of a team to reach production targets, while complying with SOP’s, Safety and Quality requirements. Applicants must have a minimum Leaving Certificate, or 3-6 months related experience, along with a good command of the English language. Strong work ethic, and teamwork are essential attributes. Applicants should be aware that shift work may be required. To apply, interested applicants must submit a completed application form, available from reception at Harmac Medical Products, IDA Business and Technology Park, Castlerea.

Applicants must have a Leaving Certificate or 3-6 months work experience, along with a good command of spoken English.

To apply, interested applicants must submit a CV to careersie@harmac.com or a completed application form, available from reception at Harmac Medical Harmac Medical Products is an equal opportunities employer. Products, IDA Business and Technology Park, Castlerea. Quality Assurance Engineer

Be a Part of Something Greater

Reporting to the Quality Engineering Manager, the Quality Assurance Engineer will provide ongoing Quality support in an effort to maximise production quality performance, including identifying root cause, implementing corrective/preventive action on all quality issues in production. Scope of role will also include addressing any customer and internal related issues identified in the manufacturing process and validation of new

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

Brendan Egan, Manager, Castlerea Mart Business focus…

Tell us a bit about yourself…

My name is Brendan Egan and I am the manager of Castlerea Livestock Mart. I began working here in Castlerea in 1981 and became manager of the mart here in 2012. How important is the mart to Castlerea? The mart was established in 1976 to set up a facility to trade livestock here in the Castlerea area. Before that people had to travel long distances. From humble beginnings, we’ve gone from a one-ring system to three rings. We have sales on Mondays and Thursdays and in October we have sales on Saturdays as well. The mart caters for the Castlerea catchment area and that includes the Roscommon area, east Mayo, east Galway and Sligo as well. We cater for a large catchment of farmers who come and buy and sell their livestock and we also trade livestock to the four provinces of Ireland. How many people does the mart employ?

Eavan Murray, Irish Independent’s Western Correspondent VOX POP With the recent lifting of restrictions, what’s the one thing you’re glad to have back? I’m glad to have the freedom to travel and meet my friends again. I appreciate that freedom and those friendships so much more now. One thing you’ve learned from Covid? I learned that health is a gift. Those of us who enjoy good health are blessed and we should appreciate it much more. I also learned that life is very precious and that science has saved us. Now that we can travel again, what would be your dream holiday? My husband and I never got to have a proper honeymoon unfortunately. We had to cancel our wedding several times during the pandemic and then we went straight into level five lockdown immediately after we got married in December 2020. So if we could, I’d love a long weekend in New York and a few days in Las Vegas!

We employ up to 50 people here at peak times and that includes office staff, yard staff, auctioneers, and we have the canteen rented out which employs up to six people as well. Plus there are other people involved in our business who supply us with materials throughout the year. We have four very loyal, hard-working and dedicated permanent staff at the moment. In recent times, our business has changed a lot. With the outbreak of Covid-19 we went online with our business and that has added a new dimension to selling cattle. It has worked very successfully and it has enhanced our business

and we have now opened up our markets to the whole or Ireland. Customers can now access the mart through Mart Bids on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays any time they wish. What impact does the mart have on local business? Naturally it has a spin-off for the local economy because the mart brings in a lot of people to trade livestock with trailers, cars and jeeps and they bring trade to the local filling stations as well as local restaurants and shops throughout the day. It adds vibrancy to the town because on Mondays and Thursdays the car park would be full and there are a lot of people around. On the Saturdays in October a lot of people would also come here to trade their weanlings. What’s it like to work and live in Castlerea? It’s like any rural town in the west of Ireland; it has its challenges but it also has a lot to offer. We have the railway station there and so people can access the town freely. It has local facilities too including the local sports clubs like Castlerea St. Kevin’s and a vibrant soccer club (Castlerea Celtic) too and a very accessible golf course which is in use at the moment. I think anybody living in the town or the catchment area is happy with the town. It has progressed well and has some very good businesses. Harmac Medical are doing tremendous work in The Demesne and there are a lot of other good facilities and shops in the area. Castlerea contributes a lot to other towns around it as well.

Property Services Providers Licence No. 002249

TELEPHONE: 094 9620300 Email: info@castlerealivestockmart.com Web: www.castlerealivestockmart.com THURSDAY, 31ST MARCH:

SALE OF HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS MONDAY, 4TH APRIL:

BULLOCK SALE THURSDAY, 7TH APRIL:

SALE OF HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS FOR SALE ON THURSDAY, 7TH APRIL AT 11 A.M.

30 FR DAIRY COWS, 15 CALVED AND 15 SPRINGERS DUE END OF APRIL TO END OF MAY TO THE PB AA EASY CALVING STOCK BULL. HERD IS MILK RECORDED, COWS FULLY VACCINATED FOR LEPTO, BVD, IBR AND SPRINGERS DONE FOR ROTAVAC, GENUINE STOCK. COWS SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS AT THE MOMENT. FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT MART OFFICE OR 087 9242665 OWNER. FOR SALE ON THURSDAY, 7TH APRIL:

1 PBR LIMOUSIN BULL

3 YEARS OLD SIRED BY CAMEOS, GENUINE ANIMAL, OWNER CHANGING HIS FARMING SYSTEM

For Enquiries Please Contact Mart Office Or Visit Our Website For Details.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

Major new extension planned at St Michael’s School DECLAN HAWTHORNE

HAWTHORNE BROS Main Street, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

Phone: (094) 96 20579 Mobile: (086) 0614551 Email: declanhawthorne3@eircom.net • Unbeatable prices • Additional names inscribed and old memorials restored

Cllr. NIGEL

DINEEN INDEPENDENT

BALLINTOBER, CASTLEREA, CO. ROSCOMMON Phone: 086 2130723 Email: nigel.dineen@hotmail.com

St. Michael’s School is ready to commence construction on a major new extension. This will significantly improve facilities and space for students and will allow the school to improve the autism specific sensory garden and the whole playground area.

t. Michael’s School is ready to

commence construction on a major new extension. This will significantly improve facilities and space for students and will allow the school to improve the autism specific sensory garden and the whole playground area. Speaking to the Roscommon People

St. Michael’s School Castlerea Co. Roscommon 094 9620523

Students aged 4-18 with Special Educational Needs and Autism

To gether we

g row

• National Awards for technology, science, drama • Primary and Post primary curriculum • 11 Classes with 3 staff for 6 students • Nurse, housekeeper, 3 specialist subject teachers

this week, the school’s Board of Management has expressed its gratitude to Castlerea Community School for their generous contribution to this extension. The Parish committee in Castlerea have also been very supportive and the school has highlighted the exceptional cooperation of its neighbours. Management say that the completion of this major new extension will enhance the specialist facilities for sensory integration, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy already available in school. St. Michael’s caters for (Right and below) The entire school community at St. Michael’s feels very lucky to be situated in Castlerea. The town has a long history of being friendly and welcoming for students with special needs. The school day is enriched by access to local shops, facilities and workplaces.

children with special needs and autism aged 4-18. Classes typically have access to a teacher and two SNAs for six students. Additional staff include a school nurse, housekeeper and three part-time specialistsubject teachers. The primary curriculum is differentiated to meet the needs of individual students and the school is proud to be recognised for its achievements in the areas of digital technology, science and other initiatives including Special Olympics, Green Schools and art and drama. The post-primary curriculum

includes L2LPs, junior cycle and QQI level 3. The school also has a long tradition of supporting dual placement. This involves students attending their local mainstream school for a number of days each week and this maximises inclusion. The entire school community feels very lucky to be situated in Castlerea. The town has a long history of being friendly and welcoming for students with special needs. The school day is enriched by access to local shops, facilities and workplaces.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

Spring has sprung at St Anne’s NS!

First class pupils from St. Anne’s NS, Castlerea pictured outside their polytunnel.

tudents at St. Anne’s National School in Castlerea have been busy in recent weeks as work resumed on the school’s beautiful garden.

The flowerbeds have been

prepared for planting while extensive weeding has ensured the space is in tip-top shape ahead of a productive spring season.

Pic: Mick McCormack

When all the work is done, pupils have even been able to take a break in the wonderful ‘Willow Dome’. Mindfulness and well-being are very important for the entire St.

Pic: Mick McCormack

Second class pupils weed the garden at St. Anne’s NS, Castlerea.

Anne’s school community and the school boasts two play areas where hard-working students can relax, play and read books. The recent Open Day was also a huge success with students

displaying examples of their work at stations which featured Creative Arts, Lego Therapy, Aistear, Ready Set Go Maths, and Literacy Lift Off.

Pupils can avail of hot dinners each day with Glanmore Bia as well as Chromebooks which are used for debate writing, pen pal correspondence, and Google docs.

ST. ANNE’S National School CASTLEREAGH, CASTLEREA, CO. ROSCOMMON, F45 WN59 PHONE: (094) 962 0482

For further enquiries please

email: principal@stannesns.com or telephone 094 9620482

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

Kings back on court at Castlerea Hub < DAN DOONER

Basketball, like other indoor sports, was amongst the last activities to return following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions towards the end of last year. The Castlerea Kings are now back in full swing at The Hub, and they’re also back in familiar territory at the top of the LLR Area Board League after a slow start to the season. “We were allowed back training in pods of three initially and we had to sign in through Google and fill out the Covid questionnaires,” said player/coach Thomas Callaghan. “Once the vaccine was rolled out it started to get easier but we had to play without spectators for a while because the numbers allowed included referees and table officials, not just the players. “The men’s team had just three games before Christmas and the women’s team had two. We were very busy after Christmas with the games coming thick and fast. It’s been a really competitive league this year and we’re now looking forward to an exciting run-in and maintaining our position in the top four”. The women’s team, previously known as Castlerea Cosmos, returned in August of last year with young players from Castlerea Community School’s senior team coming on board. “There was a good senior team in Castlerea CS and they’re now part of the club. Some of them also play other sports like GAA and they are impressive athletes,” Thomas says. “Lisa and Aoife O’Rourke also play but they’re also busy with the boxing which is understandable. The beauty of basketball is that six or seven players can rock up for a game and put on a performance”. Despite work, study and other sporting commitments, the Kings have been successful in fulfilling fixtures since the restart, which demonstrates the level of hunger for basketball in Castlerea. Looking to the future, Thomas believes it’s important to develop the club’s underage structures. “Next year we hope to look at

underage development and entering U-16 teams. I’ve taken up a leadership role and we also have Joe Henry involved with schools basketball of course. The aim is to create a really strong club,” Thomas adds. “Hopefully with the club teams and the Community Games there will be a lot more basketball being played and plenty of new faces”.

The Castlerea women’s basketball team.

Pictured is the Castlerea Kings men’s basketball team.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

A number of courses on offer with RWN

Project Manager Nora Fahy has been with Roscommon Women’s Network since 2007.

Begin

Looking for progression routes to college, or a job in the healthcare sector? Why not get yourself a qualification that allows you to do both, with a guaranteed job waiting at the end. The Roscommon Women’s Network (RWN) Training Services, Castlerea, offers such a qualification, and is now recruiting for all courses in healthcare, computers and retail skills. Call 094-9621690, call/text 087-2718118, or email training@rwn.ie for more information. Apply online at fetchcourses.ie and search RWN to see all available courses. Roscommon Women’s Network Creative Writing Course is also open. The aim of this course is to learn simple, practical and creative writing skills that will help students identify and express feelings, as well

as organise thoughts that may sometimes be too difficult to express in conversation or in a group. It is especially beneficial to anyone in recovery from substance abuse or trauma. The eight-week, one morning per week course is open to women and men and will be delivered in RWN in Castlerea during April and May, with specific days and times to be confirmed. Participants will be supported to explore and discover their individual writing voice with others without judgment or fear, in a confidential safe space. Through the process you will become more aware of thoughts, actions and feelings. To register or find out more, please call 094-9621690, message 086-8099154, email info@rwn.ie, or send a private message to RWN on Facebook.

RWN Charity Shop All profits from the shop go directly to support and sustain our work around the County. The shop stocks good quality clothes for men, women and children and many unsold items are transformed into high quality beautiful upcycled items by our textile upcycling enterprise “CycleUp”. Visit our online shop at www.rwn.ie/store for 100% environmentally friendly gifts. A dedicated team of volunteers keep the shop open 6 days a week with support from the Tús and Castlerea Community Employment scheme. Visit and like RWN Facebook page to see some of our beautiful Spring stock

Supports and Services Some of the many supports & services available at our Drop-in / Resource Centre in Castlerea and via outreach around the county; Drop in Information Centre / Signposting & Referral Service/ Part Time courses / QQI accredited Training / Women’s groups/ Volunteering Opportunities / Support for Community Initiatives / Printing & Photocopying. Email info@rwn.ie or call 094 9621690

Training Centre

It’s time to invest in your business Call to your local Bank of Ireland branch and talk to us about a plan that works for you and your business. Let’s chat about your business. bankofireland.com/sbabr

Terms and conditions apply.

CycleUp Environmental Enterprise RWN Training Services RWN Training Services CycleUp is our Social Environmental provide a flexible

Enterprise, training women in the repair, accessible program of are training Now Recruiting for our full time reuse and upcycling of unsold textiles for all age groups

and interests, supporting individuals to develop their skills and knowledge in an inclusive friendly environment, for employment, progression to higher education or to expand your awareness. Full time accredited courses currently available are: QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support / QQI Level 4 Employment Skills / QQI Level 5 Information Processing / QQI Level 5 Retail Practices: Part time unaccredited courses currently available: Creative writing, Personal Development, Textile Upcycling, Healthy Greener You Email: training@rwn.ie

donated to our Charity shop and waste material donated from fabric companies in the region. The enterprise also provides upcycling and environmental awareness training and workshops to schools, businesses and community groups. All sale and training proceeds are reinvested in the enterprise providing flexible part-time employment opportunities for women who have completed the training. Visit the CycleUp online shop at: www.rwn.ie/store to see our range of high quality upcycled products. Email: cycleup@rwn.ie

QQI Level 5 Retail Courses QQI Level 5 Computer Courses

For more information or to book your place, Phone: 094 9621690 Text 087 2718118 For more information, phone: 094 9621690 Email: Email:training@rwn.ie info@rwn.ie or or

Callininto:to: Unit 6, The Mill, Castlerea Call UNIT 5, THE OLDOld MILL, CASTLEREA

Bank of Ireland is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People Mary Mullarkey

B.A. l LL.M Solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths

Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

T.: 094 96 25420 F.: 094 96 22561

Email: mullarkeymary@eircom.net

Waldron ANTHONY Cllr.

Play your part keep Roscommon litter free this will help greatly in promoting tourism in Co. Roscommon

Telephone: 086 786 6774 Email: anthonywaldron@mail.com

SUPPORT LOCAL – BUY LOCAL

Somers Park development set to go to tender < DAN DOONER

he planned outdoor performance and public space area in Somers Park is expected to go to e-tender in the coming days and it is hoped the new facility may even be ready in time for this year’s Castlerea Rose Festival which is set to take place from July 26th to 31st this year. The proposed new space is among a number of recent positive developments for the town including recent confirmation

of substantial funding for food incubation units for An Chistin at the Castlerea Enterprise Hub and ongoing refurbishment works at the popular outdoor swimming pool. Local councillor and businessman, Paschal Fitzmaurice, believes Castlerea will be a hive of activity this year. “Work has started on the refurbishment of the outdoor heated swimming pool and that’s something I have been working on for the last two years,” he said.

“That will be completed in June. The people of Castlerea are very proud of the pool and last year saw record crowds using it. “I am also delighted to announce that the outdoor performance space at Somers Park will go out to e-tender in the coming days. That will be a unique space and an exciting development and we are hoping it will be completed in time for the Castlerea Rose Festival so that we can run a few events there”.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice added that funding of approximately €2.9 million for the development of ten food incubation units at An Chistin would also create significant employment in the area. “It has been a long road by it’s a very significant development for Castlerea,” he said. “Like any town, we have our challenges but we are working hard with the Town Team and Enterprise Castlerea and other stakeholders to portray the town in a positive light”.

Are you interested in training as a Chef? Taking year outin before college? Are you ainterested training as a Chef? Want to improve your cooking skills? Taking a year out before college? Enrol now: Want to improve your cooking An Chistin Professional Cookery Course,skills? Castlerea

Are youFULL-TIME interested in training as a Chef? PROFESSIONAL COOKERY :

Second class pupils at St. Anne’s NS, Castlerea prepare flowerbeds for planting.

Pic: Mick McCormack

Enrol now

COURSE – QQI LEVEL An Chistin Professional Cookery Course, 5 Castlerea

Part-time Culinary Skills – QQI –level 4 5 FULL-TIME COOKERY COURSE QQI LEVEL Taking aPROFESSIONAL year out before college? Course Part-time times: Monday to Thursday to 4.30pm, Culinary Skills –9.15am QQI level 4 Friday 9.15am to 1.30pm Course times: Monday to Thursday 9.15 am to 4.30 pm, Friday 9.15 am to 1.30 pm Level 5 Level Course Duration: 48 week, Level 4 TBC 5 Course Duration: 48 week, Level 4 TBC Start date provisional: 12th September 2022

Want to improve your cooking skills? Start date provisional: 12th September 2022

This is aThis fully course freetoto participants. is afunded fully funded courseand and is is free fullfull timetime participants. Contact: Cathy or Sean Contact: Cathy or Sean - 094 9622644 094 9622644 anchistin.coordinator@gmail.com anchistin.coordinator@gmail.com www.anchistin.ie

Enrol now:

istin Professional Cookery Course, Castlerea www.anchistin.ie

PROFESSIONAL COOKERY COURSE – QQI LEVEL 5

First class students hard at work in the garden at St. Anne’s NS in Castlerea.

Pic: Mick McCormack

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People Paul McStay

DSA/ADI (UK) RSA MIAM ROSPA Approved Driving Instructor Former BSM Driving Instructor and UK advanced Met. Police Driver. GIFT VOUCHER CARDS AVAILABLE Castlerea & Roscommon

EDT Lessons Available Telephone:

094 96 20099 Mobile:

086 8936012

This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation

Arlene releases new single ‘Somebody Else’

Patrick, Emer, Eva and Katie Lavin, Cloonbonniffe pictured at the match between Roscommon and Galway in Hyde Park on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack

rom playing a

sold-out headline show in Whelan’s, Dublin last November, being named one of BBC Radio’s ATL Artists of the Week with her previous single ‘Send Me Any Sign’, to being announced as part of the line-up for the new Night & Day Festival, Ballintubber’s Arlene has now found the time to release her third single after much anticipation. ‘Somebody Else’ was produced by Stu Gray of Jealoustown Studios and mastered by Billy Farrell, and released last Friday, March 25th. The new singles features raw and edgy vocals, bright melodies and rolling pop synths. The single has already gained the attention of radio stations such as BBC ATL, iRadio, and RTÉ 2fm. Keith Cassidy of BBC Radio said: “This is the first proper pop song I’ve danced around my room to for a long time!” ‘Somebody Else’ by Arlene is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube now. You can follow Arlene on social media @arlene_music.

ROBERT FLYNN

THE SQUARE, CASTLEREA, ROSCOMMON - Tel: (094) 9620028

Spring has arrived: Buy early and don’t be disappointed. Vegetables Just arrived - Early seed potatoes, onion sets, shallots, red onions, vegetable seeds are half the price of pre-packed seeds, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, leeks, and turnips. Plants: Broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrot, lettuce, scallion plants also available.

Potatoes Early seed potatoes – Duke of York British Queens, - Homegard, – all available at Flynns Castlerea

Firearms Fully licensed firearms dealer - No longer want to license your firearm? We can store or destroy it for a small fee. Shotgun cartridges, bullets, clay pigeons, and all accessories are available.

Animals 2022 fishing season permits - large range of fishing tackle, rods, reels, spinners and spoons. Weak or orphaned lambs, you need Frisky by the bag or by the pound. Bottle tops, biestings, infra-red lamps. Wild-bird care, wide selection of peanuts, wild-bird seed, robin and songbird mix. Special offer: 25kg peanuts only €49. Bird tables and feeders in stock.

Garden Flower seeds and wild flower seeds - Hayseed acres and ½ acres, lawn seed, sulphate iron, or lawn sand for moss in lawns, all available. Summer flowering bulbs, gladiolus lily, and dahlia available.

Keycutting service available for all types of keys – cylinder, mortice, padlock, etc. Watch battery and strap replacement service also offered, as well as a photocopying service.

All at Robert Flynn, the Square, Castlerea. 094 9620028.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People

The St. Anne’s NS Girls’ Gaelic football team. Pic: Mick McCormack

Three years on from Rosalie closure, doubts remain over local mental health services < DAN DOONER

It’s almost three years to the day that the Rosalie Unit was closed in Castlerea and doubts still remain over the provision of mental health services as staff posts remain unfilled at the e-Mental Hub which opened at the site in 2020. There was much controversy in Castlerea and indeed across County Roscommon when, in April 2019, then HSE Chief Officer Tony Canavan wrote a letter to the relatives of 13 residents at the facility confirming that the unit would “cease to function as a community psychiatric unit”. This confirmation, coming almost three years after a ban on new admissions, was greeted with shock and anger by families and briefly united public representatives in a common cause. Efforts to save the Rosalie Unit and to prevent the removal of residents were ultimately in vain. Just one year later, however, the HSE announced the reopening of the facility as an online Children’s Mental Health (CAMHS) Connect

Service and a day hospital for psychiatry of Later Life (POLL). Costing an estimated €2.6 million, much fanfare greeted the official opening of the new-look facility, with then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar making a virtual address. Two years on, however, and there remains controversy over the slow rollout of services. Local Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice has said the time for excuses is over. “The Rosalie Unit was taken away and we seemed to change from a residential service to a more office-based service as the hub was opened to much fanfare from Minister Jim Daly and the Fine Gael Government at the time,” he said. “Three years on and we don’t seem to have the significant service we were promised. I’d rather look for solutions than criticise but it’s time for the people with the power and the money to show up and provide the services which were promised”. Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has continued to raise concerns over funding at the facility with five posts still vacant as recently as February.

The former Rosalie Centre, Castlerea

“The closure of the Rosalie Home in Castlerea caused a lot of hurt and anger, especially for the families concerned,” she said. “Promises were made that were broken and that’s something that won’t be forgotten. What’s most concerning now is that the HSE were clearly

willing to refurbish the Rosalie Unit and put money into it after closing it. However, the HSE hasn’t saw fit to provide funding for the staff and services at the new e-Mental Health Hub as it’s called”. The Sinn Féin TD has sought a further update on the hub and says psychiatry services are

now more important than ever. “I have repeatedly raised this issue and I am again seeking a further update – two years after it first opened – to see if it is adequately staffed. The last I heard – two months ago – was that it wasn’t and we now need to see that move along very, very quickly,” she said.

“The Psychiatry of Later Life element to the e-Mental Health Hub is absolutely critical given what was closed (the Rosalie Unit). “The e-Mental Health Hub now needs to be fully staffed, fully resourced and accessible and open to people who need it – both young and old”.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People Castlerea: Our Town, Our Future < BY ISABELLE FLANAGAN

eople often use the phrase

“absence makes the heart grow fonder”, and I couldn’t agree more. When I was twelve, I lived in Brussels for a year and a half. I never realised how much Castlerea really meant to me until I left. Castlerea is an amazing place to live, but there is definitely a lot of potential that needs to be unlocked. More power must be given to local authorities. We not only need County Councils, we also need Town Councils with real powers to make decisions. Currently there is virtually no public input into decisions that affect our lives. Instead they are made by faceless bureaucrats and rubber-stamped by powerless councillors. More investments must be made into public transport and cycle infrastructure. When it comes to public transport we need more frequent services which would allow people to travel for work without the need of a car. Adequate cycle infrastructure could transform Castlerea. Cycling is not only good for the

environment but also for our health. Cycle lanes tackle pollution, reduce traffic congestion and boost the local economy. It really is a win-win! Good quality internet connection nowadays is no longer a luxury but is essential. For people to participate in society it must be treated as essential. If everyone in Castlerea had access, more people would be able to work and study from home. The rollout of high quality broadband must be a priority. Housing is a fundamental right. Historically, Castlerea has had relatively reasonable prices and supply was not usually an issue. However, rural places like Castlerea are now being impacted by the housing crisis. We must aim for our new housing stock to be affordable and integrated. We need to move to a situation where 100 per cent of housing in Castlerea gets as close as possible to acceptable standards when it comes to insulation. I am aware this does not come cheap, however people must be given as much help as possible. In recent times, people have been notic-

ing huge hikes in energy prices. From April 15th the average electricity bill will go up by 27 per cent. We should be producing our energy locally through solar panels on roofs of houses as well on schools and other public buildings. This way we can have control over costs, whereas currently we are like a cork bobbing around the ocean. Our food should also be produced locally. Take for example Benny’s Deli in Castlerea where you can buy bread, cakes, jam, tarts, cheese, honey and many more products which are all made locally. Benny’s also stock ‘Black Donkey Beer’ which is made just out the road in Ballinlough. Another great business is Cloonconra Cheese, who produce fresh and mature farmhouse cheese from the milk of their herd of pedigree Irish moiled cows. Our money is much better spent in small local businesses as the money actually stays in our local economy instead of going to CEOs of big companies. We are lucky to have four brilliant schools in Castlerea town. I would like to see a Castlerea where all of our schools are mixed and non-

denominational. It is extremely outdated to split up children based on their gender. We live in such a diverse town, it would make much more sense for the children to learn about more than just one religion. Biodiversity loss is a major problem for Ireland. One in every five of the species assessed in Ireland is threatened with extinction. We have a great asset in The Demesne and many other walkways in Castlerea. They, along with areas owned by the council, must be rewilded. We basically need much less mowing – not every single green space needs to look prim and proper. The use of pesticides and herbicides in public green spaces must be greatly reduced and alternatives used. We also need many more public bins to reduce litter. Last but not least, anyone who has been ‘caught short’ will agree with the following observation. Public toilets are vital. People should not have to depend on private businesses to carry out the most basic human function. They should be seen as a public amenity. This certainly shouldn’t be treated as a luxury.

Isabelle Flanagan

Josephine’s

of Castlerea TELEPHONE: 094 96 20291

New arrivals for Mother of the Bride & Groom

Castlerea, Co. Roscommon T.: (094) 962 0200 • E.: tullyshotel@gmail.com

Now taking bookings for Easter weekend

Communion Dresses and accessories in stock No appointment necessary Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for more new arrivals

All functions catered for Communions, Confirmations etc

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Castlerea People Webb’s Butcher

• St. Patrick Street, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon • Tel: 094 96 20005 • Mob: 086 4094715 Now making Turkey Sausages, Burgers & Mince NEW HEALTH BREAD NOW IN STOCK • All local Produce • Supporting local farmers

St. Paul’s N.S. Castlerea

St. Paul’s School works with boys from second to sixth class. HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED STAFF. Situated in the town of Castlerea with access to local facilities such as the Demesne, Castlerea Library, playground.

LOW TEACHER-PUPIL RATIO ALLOWING FOR SPACIOUS CLASSROOMS. Sports leagues, Green School, Active Flag, Digital School of Excellence, visiting artists, quiz teams, Discovery Science Awards, Tidy School winners and much more.

Email: boysnscastlerea.ias@gmail.com or Telephone: 094 9620566

Support Workers Social Care Workers Community Facilitators Team Leaders Nurses and more…

Pre-Covid days…flashback to 2018 and the launch of Titanic The Musical by Castlerea Musical Society. Pictured were Christy Glynn, Mary Heaney, Chairperson of Castlerea Musical Society, Sinéad Tully and Niall Tully, Tully’s Total Health Pharmacy. Picture: Andrew Fox

Castlerea Musical Society ready to return to the stage! < DAN DOONER

he outbreak of Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on all local clubs and groups but none more so than drama and musical societies who, by their very nature, are required to meet in person. The Castlerea Musical Society was no exception of course as the pandemic forced the popular and successful local institution into an unwelcome two-year hiatus. Secretary Mary Heaney said members were devastated when their highly-anticipated production of The Addams Family had to be postponed four weeks out from opening night back in 2020.

“Our rehearsals were called off in 2020…we made the decision ourselves just before the Government introduced the lockdown,” Mary said. “We were due to stage The Addams Family in April 2020 and no one knew how long this dreaded virus would go on for. Initially, we postponed the production until autumn 2020 and then we had to postpone until April of last year…” Due to the rising number of cases early last year it was decided to postpone once more until 2022 but a similar postChristmas trend meant the show just couldn’t go on.

“The numbers rose again over last Christmas but we were hoping to return early this year. We decided to call a meeting of cast members just before Christmas and a lot of people thought back to the previous Christmas and the trouble we had in early 2021. Our decision was to postpone once more without putting a date on our return,” Mary said. The musical society has nothing planned for 2022 so far but it is hoped that members will return later in the year with the aim of staging the long-awaited production in early 2023. “Back in December people just felt they wouldn’t be comfortable

Manchester Mass to celebrate the lives of Castlerea couple O

n Easter Tuesday

2022, 100 years to the day when a couple from Roscommon married in a Manchester church, their grandson will say mass in the same building in celebration of their lives and for the repose of their souls. John Grogan and Mary Ann Healey, both born in the townland of Behy near Castlerea, had left their native county to start a new life in England just before the outbreak of the Irish Civil War. They were married on April 19th, 1922 in St. Chad’s Church (now known as The Oratory) on Cheetham Hill Road,

near Manchester Victoria Railway Station – an area which had been a centre for Irish settlement since the Great Famine. Later, they brought up their own family in the Yorkshire city of Bradford. Monsignor Paul Grogan, a son of their second son John, will celebrate the mass at 10 am on Easter Tuesday. Also in attendance will be Elizabeth, the widow of their eldest son Tom, together with grandchildren and great-grandchildren and relatives from Ireland. Refreshments will be served at the Irish World Heritage Centre nearby. Also nearby is The Derby

Brewery Arms, which has been open since the 19th century and was formerly known as The Knowsley. John Grogan, eldest grandson and formerly a British Labour MP for Selby and then Keighley in Yorkshire, who also served on the Northern Ireland Select Committee in Parliament, said: “I think we might finish the day drinking a pint to our grandparents’ memory. I doubt whether they would have had much money on their wedding day but I like to think they would have made a visit themselves after the vows had been made or

if rehearsals were to start in midJanuary, which was completely understandable with the number of cases,” Mary said. “Social distancing was still in place back then…I mean how could you put 30 people on stage and why would you put some people in danger?” While it might take a bit longer than first expected, Castlerea’s Musical Society will return stronger than ever, according to its secretary: “People will come back of course, and we are looking forward to that. We’re just hoping everyone will be available for our big production next year!”

John and Mary Ann Grogan pictured in the Yorkshire resort town of Scarborough in the 1950s.

perhaps beforehand to steady the nerves. “Our family’s story is like so many which

continues to bring the people of Ireland and the United Kingdom together”.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

PropertyPeople

PSRA Licence No. 004420

NEW TO THE MARKET SUPERIOR 4 B/R DETACHED RESIDENCE

Cormac 086 3519492

Cathal 086 1409158

NEW TO THE MARKET 4 B/R DETACHED RESIDENCE

22 HYDE COURT, ROSCOMMON F42 NY38 3 GREENHILLS, KNOCKCROGHERY F42 HD27 AMV: PRICE ON APPLICATION

AMV: PRICE ON APPLICATION

This exclusive detached residence is located in a prestige location in the exclusive Hyde Court development. Exceptional exterior and interior finish throughout complimented by a tarmacadam driveway and mature gardens .. just a few minutes walk from the beautiful natural setting that is Mote Park. On your doorstep is the impressive Roscommon Golf Club and close by is Dr. Hyde Park the home of local GAA, Roscommon University Hospital and Hannons hotel. Seldom do properties of this quality come on the market and viewing comes highly recommended by the auctioneers. Viewings strictly by appointment only.

This luxurious detached residence standing on a prime elevated site finished to a show-house standard throughout incorporating fitted kitchen and integrated appliances, mix of wooden floor and tiling throughout, and fully fitted and tiled bathrooms. The said property has been maintained to the highest standard by its present owners and is presented for sale in show house condition. Numerous extras include, secure entrance gate with key pad, fully fitted bespoke kitchen units with integrated appliances and granite worktop, impressive flooring includes solid oak timber plank flooring and porcelain tiles. The property is situated in a contemporary estate, and enjoys a panoramic view of the local countryside. Overall this is a select property in a highly desirable residential location, within walking distance to the Village of Knockcroghery and within easy commuting distance to Athlone and Roscommon town centres. The property is on a bus route. The auctioneer now invites immediate viewings and all offers to sell.

NEW TO THE MARKET

4 B/R DETACHED RESIDENCE

5 B/R DETACHED RESIDENCE

CLOONEENBAUN, ORAN, ROSCOMMON F42 RH92

FEIGH LISACUL, CASTLEREA, CO. ROSCOMMON F45 AX99 AMV: PRICE ON APPLICATION

This is a fantastic opportunity to purchase a 4 b/r 2 storey detached residence of approx. 1390 sq ft standing on a site area of approx. 0.6 of an acre located in the peaceful and tranquil countryside. Comprising briefly of Entrance hallway, kitchen with pantry off, living room, sitting room and on 1st floor 4 bedrooms and family bathroom Oil fired central heating throughout Externally mature gardens to front and rear The auctioneer now invites immediate viewings and all offers to sell.

This two-storey house built in 2004 of approx. 2,600 sq ft is substantially complete to a builder’s finish and presents a great opportunity for a new owner to really put their own stamp on the final finish details. The property comprises ground floor containing two large reception rooms a generous sized kitchen and large utility room with w/c. There is also a good sized bedroom with large en-suite on this floor . Upstairs accommodation comprises four bedrooms - two of which are en-suite and a bathroom. The property is situated on an elevated south-facing site of approximately 0.7 acres. There are expansive views across the countryside to the south. The site is bordered with mature trees, The town of Ballaghaderreen is approximately 10 minutes away. Ireland West Airport is a 20 minute drive. There are two National Schools within a 5 minute drive of the house located in Lisacul and Loughglynn. The auctioneer now invites immediate viewings and all offers to sell.

Stone Court Centre, The Square, Roscommon. Tel: (090) 6626579 / 6626796. Mobile: Cormac 086 3519492 or Cathal 086 1409158 Email: teamearley@remax.ie • Web: www.teamearley.ie

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

NewsPeople

Impressive 5-bedroom residence for sale in Roscommon town Oates Auctioneers are offering for sale an impressive 5 bedroom 2-storey residence located Old Circular Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon, F42 FV56. The property is situated in a highly sought after mature residential area on the doorstep of Roscommon Town. Positioned on a large corner site with impressive gardens, this residence comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, large living room, kitchen, dining room, utility with w.c. off and large attached garage. First floor consists of 5 bedrooms, 2 with built in wardrobes together with two bathrooms. This is a select

PSRA Licence No: 003201

NEW TO THE MARKET

45 Glenview, Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon, F42 HX79 Superb 4 bedroom property finished to a very high standard with no expense spared. Located in this mature residential area within walking distance to local schools, shops and all town amenities, this residence comprises entrance hallway with w.c. off, sitting room, kitchen/dining room with conservatory off and utility. First floor 4 bedrooms (master ensuite) and family bathroom. Outside wrought iron entrance gates, tarmac drive. Landscaped gardens to front and rear. Early viewing is advised

Old Circular Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon, F42 FV56

property in a highly desirable location for which the Auctioneers invite viewing and

offers. Price Region: € 390,000. BER Rating: D1. For more information,

contact Oates Auctioneers on 090-6627878, email info@oates.ie, or visit oates.ie.

Prime commercial/industrial unit for sale at RE/MAX Team Earley

For sale at RE/MAX Team Earley due to cancellation is a primely-located commercial/industrial unit of approximately 9,700

square feet, situated in Roxboro beside Roscommon town (F42 XF54). Standing on a large site area with an extensive

hardtop forecourt area, the property is located approximately 4km from Roscommon town and would suit various com-

Approximately 9,700 square feet, situated in Roxboro beside Roscommon town

mercial pursuits due to its size and location. Servicing the property are three electric roller doors, with two loading bays on the front elevation. There is also an ample supply of good quality water available from an onsite source. The BER rating for this property is E, and AMV is €250,000. The auctioneers now invite immediate viewings for immediate sale. For further details or to arrange a appointment to view, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie or log onto teamearley. ie. Contact auctioneer Cormac directly on 0863519492.

New to the market: detached residence in Fourmilehouse, Roscommon RE/MAX Team Earley are delighted to present to the market a three-bedroomed, detached residence, located at Carrowduff Lower, Fourmilehouse, County Roscommon (F42 A063). This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire this property, which is in need of complete renovation. This traditional farmhouse benefits from a very good layout and plenty of external sheds. Set in an idyllic peaceful location in Carrowduff, 15km from Roscommon, this property comes to market ready to be modernised. The BER rating for the property is G, and the AMV is €60,000. The auctioneers now invite imme-

Price Region: € 180,000

BER Rating: C2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET

45 The Spinney, Roscommon Co. Roscommon F42 ET68 Stunning 4 bedroom detached property located in this hallmark development adjacent to the Abbey hotel and all Roscommon town amenities including train station. Presented for sale in showroom condition with no expense spared, this property comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, kitchen, dining room, utility, 3 bathrooms, 4 large bedrooms (master ensuite and walk in wardrobe) with family bathroom. Outside large mature site area with excellent array of flowers and shrubs.

Price Region: € 297,000

BER Rating: C3

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET

Kileenboy, Kilteevan, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon F42 DW42

Impressive 4 bedroom bungalow presented for sale in excellent condition in this sought after residential area only 7 minutes to Roscommon Town and 20 min to Athlone town centre. Situated on a large landscaped site, this property comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, open plan kitchen/dining room, utility, 4 large bedrooms (master ensuite) and family bathroom. Stira stairs to large floored attic area. This is a quality property for which the agents invite viewings and offers.

JOINT SELLING AGENTS WITH LORETTA DOWD PROPERTIES Price Region: € 295,000 BER Rating: C1 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET

Main Street, Roosky, Co. Roscommon N41 V9R3 Superb two storey residence located on a large private site within walking distance to all town amenities including shops, pubs, church, schools etc. Finished to a high standard with large garage to side, this property comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, kitchen/ dining room, 4 large bedrooms all with built in wardrobes and family bathroom. Overall, this is a much sought after mature residence in an unrivalled location for which the Auctioneer invites viewings and offers Price Region: € 229,000 Carrowduff Lower, Fourmilehouse, County Roscommon

diate viewings for immediate sale. For further details or to arrange an appointment

to view, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email

teamearley@remax.ie or log onto teamearley.ie. Contact auctioneer Cathal directly on 086-1409158.

Church Street, Roscommon Town, CO. ROSCOMMON TEL: 090 6627878 FAX: 090 6627877 E-mail info@oates.ie Website: www.oates.ie

BER Rating: D1

The Manse, Northgate Street, Athlone, CO. WESTMEATH TEL: 090 6477500 FAX: 090 6477546 E-mail athlone@oates.ie Website: www.oates.ie

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

PropertyPeople

Roscommon property prices remain steady in Q1 Property prices in Roscommon have bucked the national trend by staying steady during the quarter, according to the latest MyHome.ie Property Report. The report for Q1 2022, in association with Davy, shows that the median asking price for a property in the county is still €150,000. However, this still means prices are up by €11,000 compared to this time last year. Meanwhile, asking prices for a three-bedroomed, semi-detached house in the county saw a huge price gain of €25,000 during the quarter to

€140,000. This still means that prices in the segment have risen by €45,000 compared to this time last year. The asking price for a four-bedroomed, semidetached house in Roscommon fell by €2,500 over the quarter to €147,500. This represents a decrease of the same amount compared to this time last year. There were 231 properties for sale in Roscommon at the end of Q1 2022 – a decrease of 10 per cent over the quarter. The average time for a property to go sale agreed in the county after be-

Auctioneers & Valuers

NO. 1 ABBEY ST., ROSCOMMON. Licence No. 001090 TEL 090 66 27003. FAX 090 66 26296 EMAIL info@pathughesauctioneers.com Web: www.pathughesauctioneers.com

#### URGENTLY REQUIRED ####

Due to continued success Hughes & Company are urgently looking for all types of property in and around Roscommon for a number of disappointed underbidders. If you are thinking of buying or selling talk to Pat, let him advise you, his advice is free.

ing placed up for sale now stands at nearly four months. Looking at the national picture, the author of the report, Conall MacCoille, Chief Economist at Davy, said that double-digit inflation was now likely to persist until at least the middle of the year: “The broad picture of the market in early 2022 remains similar to last year – impaired supply coupled with robust demand due to Ireland’s strong labour market”. He said that the inflation forecast for the nearterm would likely be beaten, given the labour market’s particularly strong performance had contributed to demand. He added that homes are being sold at 6.5 per cent above asking prices, reflecting the froth in the market. Now, one-fifth of homebuyers who secure mortgage approval are now failing to secure a property, even though the average mortgage approval for Q4 2021 was €270,000 – up 7 per cent on the year. However, he noted that there were signs for optimism in new instructions data, even though that was still running well behind pre-pandemic figures: “One chink of light is that new instructions

Development site for sale on Castle Street Pat Hughes and Company have a development site for sale at Castle Street, Roscommon. The property has huge development potential for apartments or town houses, subject to planning permission being granted. For further details, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers. com.

Land to Let 50 – 60 acres for one or 5 year lease Strokestown / Four Mile House Area Preferred. Top prices paid. Phone: 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET Circa 14 acres of land

Large site on Henry Street attracting strong interest

CLOONSELLAN, BALLYMURRAY Most of the lands are of good quality and located a short distance off the main Athlone to Roscommon Road with some out offices thereon. For further details contact the office on 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET: 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT at

CHURCH STREET, ROSCOMMON

2-bedroomed first floor apartment for sale. Accommodation consists of a Kitchen, Living Area, 2 Bedrooms and a Bathroom. The property is currently rented and generating an annual rental income of €9,600. For further details contact the office on 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

FINAL OFFERS are now been accepted on a 3-bedroom semi-detached residence at

NO. 12 OLDWOOD, ATHLONE ROAD, ROSCOMMON Accommodation consists of a Sitting Room, Kitchen Cum Dining Room, Utility, Downstairs toilet. Upstairs:- 2 Double Bedrooms with one En-Suite, Single Bedroom and Family Bathroom. For further details or to make an appointment to view contact the office on 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com

to sell of 7,500 in the first 11 weeks of 2022 are well up from 4,800 in 2021, albeit still below the 9,250 in 2019”. But he cautioned that building materials inflation at 18 per cent poses a threat to viability for many development projects and completions in 2023. Joanne Geary (Managing Director of MyHome. ie) said: “With record low supply levels and huge demand across the country, it is not surprising to see the national asking price inflation rate running so high for Q1. This is not a good sign for the market but given there are several external factors at play we may see demand tempered as the year goes on which would serve to cool the market somewhat”. She noted, however, that while stock levels were low in general, stock levels of new listings are now back at 2020 levels, which was a cause for optimism. She added that it was imperative that construction activity was uninterrupted by restrictions for the remainder of the year and beyond in order to increase supply levels. Full details of the report can be found at myhome.ie/reports.

Pat Hughes and Company have confirmed there has been a lot of interest in large site for sale at Henry Street, Roscommon town. The property has excellent road frontage and huge development potential. There was originally a number of houses on this site. This would be an ideal development site in the centre of Roscommon town, suitable for a startup or retirement homes. For further details, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@ pathughesauctioneers.com.

Pat Hughes and Company are confirming that they are at an advanced stage of negotiations on two two-bedroomed apartments for sale at No 16 Abbey Street, Roscommon. The property is laid out into two two-bedroomed apartments with a small yard to the rear. This would make an ideal investment opportunity for someone. Selling to every offer in excess of €150,000. For further details contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com.

Four-bedroomed bungalow at Tonlegee

This week, Pat Hughes and Company are confirming that they are at an advanced stage of negotiations on an attractive four-bedroomed bungalow for sale Tonlegee, Roscommon. The residence is on a fully landscaped site with a range of outoffices including a large garage, workshop, and storage sheds. The garden has been superbly laid out with raised vegetable beds and fruit trees. Accommodation consists of a living room with inset stove, dining room with inset stove, kitchen and utility, bathroom, and four bedrooms. Upstairs there is a large studio with Velux windows, and a WC with shower. For further details or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com.

S R E F F O L A FIN

For further information or to make an appointment to view any of the above contact the office on 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com

Two-bedroomed apartments on Abbey Street

Tonlegee, Roscommon

Plenty of interest in Abbey Street office Pat Hughes and Company have confirmed this week that there is a lot of interest in an office building at Abbey Street, which is ideally located close to all local amenities and within walking distance of Roscommon town centre. The building is currently laid out into an office but could easily be converted into a residential unit if required. For further details or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers. com.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

FarmingPeople Castlerea MART WATCH A large entry of stock presented for sale on Thursday last with trade and prices holding up well especially for the quality lots on offer. The heifer ring with increased numbers on offer and extra demand saw prices peak at €2,270 for a 775kg Charolais heifer with a good clearance taking place and forward short-keep stock were in strong demand. The dry cow trade remains buoyant at the moment with prices fetching up to €2,180 for the forward lots while store cows were in good demand also. The weanling trade saw the bulls peak at €3.40 a kilo and the heifer weanlings made up to €4.30 a kilo for a 300kg Charolais cross heifer that made €1,290 but the plainer weanlings tended to be a harder sell. Cows with calves at foot made up to €1,640 and springers made up to €1,520. The calf trade remained unchanged with quality a big factor. Dairy cross calves made from €3 to €65 with Angus cross and Hereford cross making from €150 to €300 and the continentals types making up to €360. Runners made from €350 to €790 for continental lots on offer. There 200 bullocks on offer at the recent bullock sale, making up to €2,000 and an average of €792 over their weight paid, prices and trade were similar to previous weeks with a good clearance taking place. Sales continue at Castlerea Mart today (Thursday, March 31st) with our weekly sale of heifers, cows, calves, runners, and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am. Sample prices for heifers: Lmx 415kgs €1570, Lm 425kgs €1140, Lm 495kgs €1580, Ch 480kgs €1470, Lm 470kgs €1360, Ch 775kgs €2270, Lm 625kgs €2050, Ch 630kgs €1830, Ch 565kgs €1780, Ch 630kgs €1750. Dry cows: Lm 810kgs €2180, BB 805kgs €2160, AA 835kgs €2160, Lmx 770kgs €2060, Fr 485kgs €670, Fr 795kgs €1690, Sax 780kgs €1860, Ch 840kgs €1990. Weanling bulls: Ch 280kgs €880, Lm 285kgs €880, Lm 270kgs €800, Lm 385kgs €1230, Ch 390kgs €1300, Ch 320kgs €1090, Lm 360kgs €1010, Ch 325kgs €1010. Weanling heifers: Ch 270kgs €970, Lm 260kgs €800, Ch 300kgs €1290, Lm 345kgs €1170, Lm 310kgs €1170, Ch 320kgs €1040, Ch 310kgs €960, Lm 345kgs €1170, Sh 330kgs €1050. Bullocks: Lm 495kgs €1570, Ch 475kgs €1500, Ch 470kgs €1450, Ch 545kgs €1710, Ch 520kgs €1560, Ch 590kgs €1740, Lm 600kgs €1750, Sim 630kgs €1640, AA 585kgs €1610, Ch 770kgs €2000, AA 660kgs €1760.

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Biggins: ‘TAMS costings are out of date’ IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Biggins has said farmers applying for TAMS Tranche 25 cannot be expected to work off costings that are 12 months out of date. “We are seeing an unprecedented rise in inflation, meaning the price of building materials such as steel and timber has soared. The current costings, which were updated as far back as March 2021, are completely out of line with the price of materials today, making it impossible for farmers to begin their projects,” he said. The Rural Development Chair said the Department’s current system of revising costs was not working and is not able to cope with the pace of changes in the price of materials. “The war in Ukraine has stretched supply chains to breaking point. Even the most

recent revision last November is hopelessly out of date, and that isn’t available to farmers applying under this Tranche,” he said. At a recent meeting with the Department of Agriculture, the Department confirmed to IFA that the revised reference costings prepared in November would be implemented for TAMS Tranche 26 which is due to open on April 9th. The IFA say recent events have overtaken that revision. “Farmers are being forced to work with reference costs which are completely out of date. It means they won’t receive a rate of grant that is reflective of the actual cost of investment incurred,” Mr. Biggins added and called on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to ensure costs are retrospectively revised ahead of the opening of Tranch 26 on April 9th.

High input costs threaten fresh milk supply – IFA IFA Liquid Milk Chairperson Keith O’Boyle has said that rapidly rising inputs costs could put the supply of milk on shop shelves next winter in real jeopardy. “Producing fresh milk for shop shelves requires farmers to milk their cows all year round at significant extra cost compared to milk which goes for manufacturing. This is now being compounded by the surge in input prices,” he said. “While the price of milk for manufacturing has been

going up, this is eating into the extra premium farmers are normally paid for producing fresh milk all year round. More and more, farmers are questioning why they are taking on the extra costs and effort needed to milk all year round. Liquid milk farmers need a bigger premium”. Mr. O’Boyle acknowledged Cabinet approval of the general scheme of a bill to establish a new office for fairness and transparency in the Agri Food Supply Chain. “This office must ensure a

fair wholesale price for private label milk. The dominance of private label milk sales in Ireland has eroded the margin paid back to farmers to such an extent that a regular and consistent supply of milk on our shop shelves cannot be guaranteed,” he added. “In the meantime, retailers must increase the retail price of milk and pass the entire differential back to the primary producer. Price won’t be as a big a concern if retailers cannot secure a sufficient supply of fresh milk this winter”.

Roscommon MART WATCH There was a large entry of excellent quality stock on offer at our cattle sale on Friday, March 25th, with a solid trade for all classes. There was a good number of customers in attendance, with online buyers also very active. Prices for bullocks ranged from an average of €2.78 per kilo up to €3.86 per kilo, and heifer numbers were small this week due to next week’s special sale, with lots making from an average of €2.50 per kilo up to €2.65 per kilo. Dry cows made from an average of €2.29 per kilo up to €2.86 per kilo. On April 1st, we will have our special sale of heifers and breeding heifers, and general sale of bullocks and dry cows. On April 8th, we will have our special sale of bullocks and general sale of dry cows and heifers. Bookings will be accepted until 5 pm on Monday, April 4th. Numbers on offer were similar to last week at our weanling sale on Tuesday March 29th, with a strong trade for all lots. Weanling heifers ranged from an average of €2.62 per kilo up to €3.44 per kilo, and weanling bulls averaged from €2.66 up to €3.50 per kilo. There was a good demand for stock both at the ringside and online. Springer heifers made from €1,000 up to €1,700, and cows with calves

at foot made from €1,800 up to €2,100. There will be no weanling sale on Tuesday next, April 5th. Our next weanling sale takes place on Tuesday, April 12th, at 4 pm. Bookings will be accepted until 5 pm on Thursday, April 7th. The numbers on offer were similar to the previous week at our sheep sale on Wednesday, March 30th, with an improvement in trade for all classes. Hoggets made up to €176, stag ewes fetched up to €200, and ewes and lambs made up to €330 for four ewes with eight lambs at foot. Our next sheep sale for lambs and cast ewes is on Wednesday, April 6th, at 11 am. Our sheep scanning service runs from 9 am to 10 am on Wednesday next. The yard opens at 8 am and all stock must be penned by 10 am. The sale can be viewed live on livestock-live.com. Sample prices for heifers: AAX 640kgs €1500, Char X 505kgs €1300, Lim X 475kgs €1260. Bullocks: Char X 765kgs €2360, Char X 760kgs €2270, Char X 700kgs €2260, Char X 740kgs €2260, Char X 690kgs €2130, Char X 670kgs €2100, AAX 780kgs €2120, Char X 595kgs, Lim X 580kgs €1840, 2 Lim X 622kgs €1810, Lim X 565kgs €1680, 2 Lim X 570kgs €1610, 3 Char X 463kgs €1560, 2 HEX 540kgs €1430,

2 Char X 412kgs €1270, 2 BBX 300kgs €900, AAX 370kgs €1020, SAX 425kgs €1060, 2 Char X 395kgs €1110. Dry cows: Lim X 830kgs €2170, Lim X 750kgs €2150, Lim X 835kgs €2120, Char 860kgs €2040, Lim X 795kgs €1900, Lim X 795kgs €1900, Lim X 700kgs €1870, Char X 755kgs €1860, HEX 765kgs €1790, AAX 755kgs €1840, Char X 735kgs €1780, Lim X 695kgs €1850. Weanling heifers: Lim X 380kgs €1250 - €3.28 per kilo, Lim 450kgs €1110 - €2.46 per kilo, Char X 370kgs €1090 €2.94 per kilo, Lim X 355kgs €1060 – €2.98 per kilo, Char X 305kgs €1050 - €3.44 per kilo, HEX 280kgs €680 - €2.42 per kilo, Lim X 230kgs €710 €3.08 per kilo, Lim X 285kgs €820 - €2.87 per kilo. Weanling bulls: Lim X 455kgs €1450 - €3.18 per kilo, Lim X 385kgs €1350 - €3.50 per kilo, Char X 420kgs €1300 - €3.09 per kilo, Char 390kgs €1290 €3.30 per kilo, Simm X 420kgs €1220 - €2.90 per kilo, Lim X 350kgs €1170 - €3.34 per kilo, AAX 390kgs €1070 - €2.74 per kilo, Char X 295kgs €840 €2.84 per kilo. Finished hoggets: 56kgs €176, 55.7kgs €172, 59.3kgs €171, 58.9kgs €170, 53kgs €169, 52kgs €167, 54kgs €166, 48kgs €161, 47.9kgs €157. Store hoggets: 43kgs €138, 41.8kgs €131, 39.8kgs €128, 36kgs €117, 36.4kgs €116.

(Proudly serving farmers for over 62 years) Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373

Friday, April 1st at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Heifers & Breeding Heifers 72 pens on offer Also Bullocks & Dry Cows ----------------------

Friday, April 8th at 11 a.m.

Late Spring Special Sale of Bullocks Also Heifers & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Monday, 4th April ----------------------

No Sale Friday, April 15th - Good Friday ----------------------

Tuesday, April 12th at 4 p.m.

Special Sale of Weanlings Also Suckler Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Thursday, 7th April ----------------------

Lambs & Cast Ewes Each Wednesday at 11 a.m. ----------------------

Sheep Scanning Service Each Wednesday -Strictly 9.am. to 10 a.m. -------------------------------------

Complete Dispersal Dairy Sale For John & Caitriona Carley Corristoona, Ballintubber, Co.Roscommon (Conducted by TAAFFE AUCTIONS) at Roscommon Mart on Saturday, April 9th at 12 Noon Entire PBNR Milking Herd (Good EBI) 90 Cows – Excellent Butterfat & Protein with good Milk Solids 19 Maiden Heifers,15 Fr Heifer Calves & 2 Purebred Lim Bulls TB Free Herd for over 30 years. Export Tested with immediate Export on sale day. Catalogues available & on Line at www.taaffeauctions.com Also A Maiden Heifer will be auctioned on the day of the sale with all proceeds donated to Roscommon/Mayo Hospice. Enquiries to Taaffe Auctions 041 9881288 ---------------------------------------

Monster Easter Farm Machinery Auction & Effects

Saturday, 16th April at 11.30 a.m. sharp Entries to Roscommon Mart up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 14th Entry fees for all items – Sale online with LSL and also at ringside Enquires to 090 6626352 Tom – 087 2602909 – John 086 3077091

ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

Email: roscommonmart@gmail.com Visit our website: www.roscommonmart.ie

Find us on facebook

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Classifieds

Everyone wants it Everyone reads it 80,000 PEOPLE READ OUR NEWSPAPER EVERY WEEK!

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

ACCOUNTS

McGOWAN ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES Catering for: • Individuals • Sole Traders, Partnerships • VAT, RCT, PAYE/PRSI, Financial Control, Completion of annual tax returns First consultation FREE, can meet clients outside office hours Provides training for start your own business and basic computers and accounting. Also training in Thesaurus accounting products

‘YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS’ Contact Nuala

090 66 25818 086 0352849 Email: mcgacco@gmail.com Web: www.mcgowanaccounting.com

CHIMNEY CLEANING

CHIROPRACTOR

ROSCOMMON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC Specialising in:

• BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • NECK PAIN • LIMB PAIN

Telephone: 086 8433433

Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon. David Connor

BSC (Hon.) Chiro. MSc. Chiropractic Association of Ireland

VHI and Laya Covered

COMPUTERS

DC Computer Services Providing IT services for Homes, Businesses & Schools. Home Callouts.

Complete Chimney Services

Chimney Cleaning

• Power brush and vacuum technology for cleaning chimneys, stoves, ranges and open fires

• Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods CCTV CAMERA INSPECTIONS • Firebacks replaced and flues repaired • Can be cleaned from the bottom up • Chimney cowls and crow guards fitted Power washing and gutter cleaning services. Telephone:

087 2798704

CONNAUGHT CHIMNEY CLEANING Chimneys Power Sweep ( no mess) - Openfire - Stoves - Ranges Chimney CCTV Inspection OIL BOILERS SERVICED Burners Repaired CARPETS CLEANING Satellite and Digital TV Installation All areas covered Mob: 086 2495851 www.connaughtchimney cleaning.com

NO FIX NO FEE

PC Maintenance – Upgrades, Repairs, Virus & Spyware removal. Network Solutions – Cabling, Hardware & Software Installation & Maintenance. Contact David Conboy Tel: 087 7496459 Email: info@dccomputerservices.ie Web: www.dccomputerservices.ie

COUNSELLING

FARMING

COUNSELLING & HYPNOTHERAPY

BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE

Are you affected by Anger Issues, Bullying, Bereavement, Confidence/self-esteem issues, OCD, Stress, Depression, Eating disorders Panic/Anxiety, Relationships, Exam pressure, Sexual Abuse Contact: Billy 094 96 59966 Mobile: 086 0675433 or visit www.billybrogan.com

COUNSELLING Are you experiencing difficulties in your life? Such as depression, anxiety, life or spiritural crisis. Are you having difficulties in relationships at work? Have you experienced sexual abuse or abuse and need counselling to help you? Please call Glynis on

085 2514394

email: downeyglynis@yahoo.co.uk

web: www.psychotherapyglynisdowney.com

CONSTRUCTION

Stephen Casey

Construction l

l General Building Extensions & Roofing l Groundworks l Renovations l Chimney CCTV Inspections l Chimney Repair - Insurance Claims

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

087 9268424 stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

DRIVING LESSONS

Paul McStay DSA/ADI (UK) RSA

MIAM ROSPA Approved Driving Instructor Former BSM Driving Instructor and UK advanced Met. Police Driver. GIFT VOUCHER CARDS AVAILABLE Castlerea & Roscommon

EDT Lessons Available Telephone:

094 96 20099

• Sprayers tested on owners premises • Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided. • Small stock of parts available and can be fitted on sprayers

GARDENING

JOE HEALY

Tree Services

• Hedge Cutting • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Fully Insured

Phone:

087 2721193 All sprayers tested in 2016/2017 are now due re-test

GARDENING SERVICES

Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069 e-mail: thomasneilan4@ gmail.com D.A.F.M. Approved

Including: • Hedge Cutting • Hedge Planting • Grass Cutting • Spraying • Strimming • Weeding • Garden Tidy-ups • Planting • Gutter Cleaning, etc. Chainsaw work also available

< FOR SALE: BB Hex LM AA SPX Bulls and Heifers. Orders now taken for calves. Call Mark: 086 1996367

Phone John on

Reg No: EI000083

087 2860428

FENCING/GATES

FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD l l

For all your fencing needs. GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail l

Tel: 087 2172281

Des Kelly Fencing Over 20 years in business All types of fencing supplied and erected Including: • Cresoted Posts • Agricultural Fencing • Site Fencing • Security Fencing • Post & Rail Fencing • Concrete Fencing • Grant Approved Fencing No job too big or too small Just give us a call on

087 2346364

FOR SALE < FOR SALE: All types of trees and hedgings, Laurel, Beech, Whitethorn, can be delivered. Tel: 087 4177148

• Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member.

Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165

www.parklawntreeservices. GATELY GARDENING

Four Roads, Co. Roscommon • Landscaping • Timber Decking • Patios • General Maintenance Contact Liam on 086 8749550 or 090 66 27496

Mobile:

086 8936012

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation

Businesses: Reach your target market! 18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY

GARDENING

PLANNINGS

CORBETT

TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING

l General Maintenance Dangerous Tree Removal l Garden Hedges & Trees reduced and shaped l Wood Chipping l Fully Insured Contact Alan on

087 6558597

www.corbetttreecareandlandscaping.com HOLISTIC COUNSELLING

Design Consultation Planning Applications New Build, Extend, Renovate Bespoke Design Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural

086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture.com

HolHolistic isic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Counselling & Are any of the following issues Psychotherapy

AreImpacti any ng yourof daily lthe ife. following issues Stress, Panic, Anxiety, Depressi on, impacting your daily OCD, Grief, life: Abuse? Stress, Panic, Anxiety, You Don’t have to deal wiOCD, th it Depression, Grief, Abuse? On your own. You don’t have to deal with Giitve yoursel onf a your gift of therapy. own Give yourself a gift of Contact: Nora therapy 0858007355Nora Contact: 085 800 7355 nj2tiernan@icloud.com nj2tiernan@icloud.com

PHYSICAL THERAPY

facebook.com/moleskinarch

To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us! The most read newspaper in Co. Roscommon! The local paper!

Roscommon Physical Therapy Clinic Movement Matters 20 years experience treating babies to adults. Everyday aches & pains to sports injuries. Physical Therapy CranioSacral Therapy Medical Dry Needling Prescription Orthotics Pilates – Small Classes

Can we help you? Call us today to enquire 090 663 0009 Like us on Facebook www.rosptc.com 1 Castleview, Roscommon F42 C902

Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Classifieds PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Amy Cousins and Leo Cox, intend to apply for permission for the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage, the installation of a sewerage treatment unit and percolation area along with connections to all site services and all other associated site works at Dooslattagh Townland, Kilglass, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Murtagh Engineering Chartered Consulting Engineers, Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon. Ph: (086) 3490965 www.mbeprojects.com

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

Acceptance of an advertisement or payment therefore is not to be taken as implying guarantee that the advertisement will be published. The right is reserved to refuse to insert any advertisement, without giving any reason; also to discontinue the publication of any advertisement previously published, without compensation for any loss or damage claimed for nonpublication. Publication of an advertisement cannot be guaranteed on a specific week or at all, whether or not a particular week has been stipulated by the advertiser, and the company will not be liable for any loss claimed by such omission, whether from all editions or any particular edition or editions of the paper. Right is reserved to alter any advertisement without liability for any compensation for such alteration. Further, the company does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement.

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Shane Kelly and Brioni Lane wish to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to renovate and extend existing dwelling, demolish existing sheds and construct garage, new wastewater treatment system and percolating area and all associated site works at Cloongowna, Bealnamulla, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission Signed: David Marshall I MRIAI architect John Madden & Associates Blackhall St, Mullingar Co. Westmeath T: +353 (0)44 9344347 F: +353 (0)44 9347868 E: info@johnmadden.ie W: www.johnmadden.ie

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I am applying for planning permission for erection of extension to existing dwelling house and for installation of new sewerage treatment plant and percolation area on site at Killiaghan and Gort, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon

Signed: Diarmuid Kilcline The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We Shane and Aisling Gormley are applying for planning permission to construct a single storey dwelling house and garage with Wastewater Treatment System and all associated site development works at Coolteige Td, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: AOL Design Ltd. Consulting Engineers C/O Albert Looby, Killeenboy, Kilteevan, Co Roscommon. Tel: (090) 66 28184 Mobile: (086) 8167365 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Tom Lennon intend to apply for planning permission to construct a new residential dwelling and Garage at, Carrickbeg, Four Roads, Co. Roscommon. The development will consist of a new single storey house to include garage, new waste water treatment system and ancillary works all on site at Carrickbeg, Four Roads, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee, (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Tom Lennon

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Darragh and Martina Hunt intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for single storey extension to rear of existing dwelling, demolition of rear extension, refurbish existing dwelling, new waste water treatment system and percolation area, associated services and site development works at Cloonlumney, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue, Roscommon. Phone: 090 6626974 Mobile: 086 8115449 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Mark Miley intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for erection of 3 bay sheep shed, associated site development works and services at Ballyglass, (Athlone North) Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon. Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue, Roscommon. Phone: 090 6626974 Mobile: 086 8115449 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

PROPERTIES TO LET/RENT/WANTED

Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

CHAZEY PROPERTIES: We require properties for waiting tenants, we advertise, conduct viewings, arrange references, read meters, set up tenancy agreements and arrange direct debit payments straight into your bank. We charge a one off fee only if we are successful in renting your property. If not no fees are payable. Tel: 086 8212732

PODIATRIST Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Sarah Fleming

CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI at

Tullys

HSE Trained and Approved l Home visits available l

For any of your foot issues call:

094 9620009

PODIATRIST

For all foot ailments

Corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, verruca, orthotics, diabetic assessments and treatment.

REFLEXOLOGY

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD

MARINA FUREY (MNRRI)

Reflexology may bring relief from conditions such as: • Allergies • Colic • Eczema • Constipation • Migraine • Back Problems • Stress • Infertility • Insomnia • Respiratory Disorders • Blood Pressure • Pain • Bowel Disorders • Joint/Muscle Problems • Thyroid Imbalance • Emotional Disorders - Fertility Reflexology - Ante Natal Reflexology - Baby Reflexology - Cancer Care Reflexology - Special Needs Reflexology Mobile Service Available Marina Furey B. Sc. (Hons)

Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon

Tel: 087 2264951

TOP QUALITY TURF 10x6 Loads of Turf, saved in good weather and stored in dry shed, will deliver. Phone:

083 0684011 WANTED:

Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn. We are safety certified and insured. Phone:

086 2437376

Find us on facebook

ROOFING

TUITION

Siobhan Murray BSc (Hons) Podiatry M.Ch.S.I.

Department of Health Approved Kearney’s Chemist Main Street, Castlerea For appointment: (094) 96 21647 / (089) 4142233 • Home visits SIOBHAN ALSO RUNS A CLINIC FROM KNOCK

• 20 years experience

PODIATRIST/ CHIROPODIST Mark Kilgallon B.Sc Podiatry (Hons) M.Ch.S.I. Department of Health Approved

EVERY FRIDAY St. Joseph’s Resource Centre, Boyle For appointment

085 1503353 086 8538404

Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com

• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services

Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar

FOOT CLINIC ROSCOMMON – MOLLOYS PHARMACY (Monday to Saturday) Also available in Boyle & Athlone -------Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain. Orthotics prescribed

By Appointment Only – Tel:

087 2982214

Phone: 091 416029 Liam or Mick 085 7619827

Affordable Roofing and Gutter Repairs, we replace and install in Roscommon area. Our Services: • Roof Repairs • Gutter Repairs • New Roofs • Flat Roofs • Gutter Exchange • Lead Valley Roof • Cleaning Gutter • Cleaning

Day 1: Financial Maths Day 2: The Line & The Circle Tuesday 19th April & Wednesday 20th April Jacksons, The Square, Roscommon

email: roofingcontractors27@gmail.com

Phone: 091 416029

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD < THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS: • Net bags of seasoned firewood only €3 per bag, buy 20 bags get 1 free • Tonne bags firewood/turf only €35 per bag. Half tonne bags of Ash/Beech only €35 per bag. All includes free delivery. Contact Tom: 086 2628439 or Tony 087 7055800

TURF AVAILABLE Bulk bags of Turf available Tel: Donal

086 2721812 (All areas)

Also loads of Peat bedding for livestock (delivered)

- Booking Deposit Required -

USEFUL SERVICES

For a cleaner, healthier home. We professionally clean; l Carpet l Upholstery l Area rugs l Leather l Tile & Grout

Contact Desi:

085 8082707 HOME MAINTENANCE < PAINTER & DECORATOR AVAILABLE: For all your painting needs, keen and competive prices. Tel: Tom on 086 0815802

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Classifieds USEFUL SERVICES Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business

CAN’T FIND ANYONE to do that small job, or you haven’t got the time ...

WE DO ANYTHING From fitting Curtain Rails to laying that footpath • Fast Reliable Service • Professional, Courteous Employees • Trustworthy

ONE CALL DOES IT ALL ! 094 9373445 087 9100477

www.oddjobsolutions.ie Established since 2005

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS: WASHING MACHINE, REPAIRS, DISHWASHER REPAIRS, OVEN AND TUMBLE DRYER REPAIRS Contact Paul on 086 0538977 087 4046478 071 9664207 www.appliance-repairs.ie

Plumbing & Maintenance • Bathroom planning and design to suit you • All aspects of plumbing and maintenance • Boiler Servicing • Heating Installation • Call for FREE QUOTATION

Contact Luke on

085 7359120 Working throughout current restrictions with full PPE equipment.

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

USEFUL SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN CABINET PAINTER AVAILABLE FOR ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PAINTING

Electrician Available Safe Electric Registered. Domestic and Industrial, All work considered. No Job too small. Phone Paul 086 2553153 or 090 666 3053 or Email p0862553153@ gmail.com.

SHANNON LODGE NURSING HOME

invites applications for Invites applications for the following position

Rooskey, Co. Roscommon

Tried & Trusted Since 1993

Phone JOHN

083 8838022 PAINTER & DECORATOR Private & Commercial Power washing 25 years experience Free Estimates Given

Phone Alan on:

090 6661635 or Mobile:

087 2683079

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & DECORATING CONTRACTOR For all your decorating needs CONTACT JOHN

086 4679798 Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed? If so ring:

EXPERIENCED STAFF NURSE &

HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT FETAC Level 5 - Care of the Elderly. Full-time

Melting Pot Involvement Centre - Peer Project Coordinator Melting Pot Involvement Centre - Peer Project coordi (Part-time 18.5 hrs per week) (part-time 18.5 hrs per week)

The Melting pot was setup in 2006 and itsinvites mission is toforprovide support applications the following position and reduce stigmatization,The by empowering people who are marginalised or experiencing social Melting pot was setup in 2006 and its mission is to provide support an exclusion within our community by offering them an opportunity to volunteer, access work Melting Pot Involvement Centre Peer Project coordinator experience or relax in a respectful environment with a “no purchase policy“ in a place knownexclusion empowering people who are marginalized or experiencing social (part-time hrs percharity week) as The Melting Pot18.5 cafe, shop and community space Castle Street, Roscommon. It offering themfor an opportunity to volunteer, access work experience or rela also provides onwasWheels the localis community. We arestigmatization, continuing TheMeals Melting pot setup in 2006 and its mission to provide support and reduce by to develop and our next project is to set up an Involvement centre. empowering who are marginalized or policy“ experiencing social withinknown our community withpeople a “no purchase in exclusion a place asby The Melting Pot cafe, cha offering them an opportunity to volunteer, access work experience or relax in a respectful environment The successful willinwork as part a team and should with candidate a “no purchase policy“ a place known as Theof Melting Pot cafe, charity shop and have community space Castle Experience Street, Roscommon. It also provides Meals on Wheels for the • Professional spaceQualifications, Castle Street, Roscommon. It also providesetc Mealsin on Wheels for the local community. We are continuing to develop and our next project is to set up an Involvement centre. (a) Personal experience mental health challenges or as a familyismember/close continuingofto develop and our next project to set up an Involvement ce The successful candidate will work into as part the of a team and should have supporter and have insight recovery process. • Professional Qualifications, Experience etc in and The successful candidate willorwork as part ofsupporter a team and should have experience of mental health challengeswith as a family member / close (b) Experience(a)ofPersonal working (paid or voluntary) individuals or families with mental and have insight into the recovery process health needs.• Professional Qualifications, Experience etc in and • Experience in Community development, Project management, facilitation.

(a) Personal experience of mental health challenges or as a famil

(b) Experience of working (paid or voluntary) with individuals or families with mental health

needs Please see www.rosleaderpartnership.ie or email recruitment@ridc.ie for full Job • Experience in Community Project management, anddevelopment, haveSpecification insight into facilitation. the recovery process

Please see www.rosleaderpartnership.ie recruitment@ridc.ie for full Job how Specification How to Apply: please submitand a letterorofemail application detailing you meet the requirements along yourafull to recruitment@ridc.ie or by post to: Roscommon How to Apply:with please submit letterCV, of application detailing how you meet the requirements along with LEADER Partnership, Unit 12 Tower B, to: Roscommon Business Park, Golf Links your full CV, to recruitment@ridc.ie or by post Roscommon LEADERWest Partnership, Unit voluntary) 12 Tower B, (b) Experience of working (paid or with individuals or fa Roscommon West Business Park, Golf Links Road, Roscommon Town F42 TD98 Road, Roscommon Town F42 TD98 needs th Closing date fordate receipt ofofapplications isTuesday 1 pm,12Tuesday Closing for receipt applications is 1 pm, April 2022 12th April 2022 Short listing will apply. may A panel may be formed formed from which future which vacancies mayfuture be filled. vacancies may be filled. Short listing will apply. A panel be from • Experience in and Community development, Project management, fac references and Garda vetting will be required. Satisfactory Satisfactory references Garda vetting will be required. Specified purpose part-time contract for 6 months Specified purpose part-time contract for 6 months. Roscommon LEADER Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer Roscommon LEADER Partnership is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Applications, including CVs can be emailed to: shannonlodgen @gmail.com Garda vetting and references will be required.

Please see www.rosleaderpartnership.ie or email recruitment@ridc.ie for

How to Apply: please submit a letter of application detailing how you mee invites applicati

SITUATIONS VACANT your full CV, to recruitment@ridc.ie or by post to: Roscommon LEADER Pa Corrib Oil Roscommon are now recruiting for the following position < CHILDMINDER REQUIRED: Kind reliable childminder required to mind two children, 2 to 3 days per week in Roscommon Town. Must have fluent english, needs own transport for school pick-ups and drop-offs. Tel: 087 9815205 < KIND RELIABLE LADY: Required to care for elderly lady, 5 days per week. Some light house work duties involved. Must have good english, Athleague / Ballygar area. Please send your CV and cover letter to: PO Box No 3016 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon

Roscommon West Business Park, Melting Golf Links Roscommon Town F42 c Pot Road, Involvement Centre - Peer Project

Deli and Catering Assistants (Fullof&applications Part Time) Closing date for receipt is 1 pm, Tuesda (part-time 18.5 hrs per week)

The Melting pot was setup in 2006 and its mission is to provide su empowering people who are marginalized or experiencing social e Short listing will apply. A panel be formed from which future vaca offering them may an opportunity to volunteer, access work experienc with a “noreferences purchase policy“ place known as The Melting Pot c Satisfactory andin aGarda vetting will be requ space Castle Street, Roscommon. It also provides Meals on Wheel Specified purpose part-time contract for 6 months continuing to develop and our next project is to set up an Involvem

The successful candidate will work as part of a team and should h

Roscommon LEADER Partnership is anExperience Equal Opportunities • Professional Qualifications, etc in

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Please see www.rosleaderpartnership.ie or email recruitment@ri

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Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

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You must call in advance to order repeat prescriptions

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Full & Mini Car Valeting (we come to you) Furniture Removal & Collection l Garden Maintenance l Painting Service Fully Registered & Insured Phone John:

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085 2113317

The local paper!

Please ring to make an appointment for the small animal clinic.

Lisagallon, Cloverhill, Roscommon Eircode: F42 K243 Tel: 0906665555 Fax: 0906627653 • Digital X-Ray Facility • In house Blood Analysis • Small Animal Ultra-Sound • Gas Anaesthetic • Veterinary Kennel’s facility •24hrs Emergency Vet on call Clinic Hours: 2pm – 7pm Mon – Friday • Saturday Clinic 10am - 3pm Office Hours: 9am – 7pm Mon - Friday PLEASE CALL TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Classifieds

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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES FEENEY Tommie

SWEENEY Michael (Todd)

Ballyglass, Ballymacurley, Co. Roscommon (26th Anniversary)

Lanesborough Road, and late of Corrigeen, Roscommon. (16th Anniversary)

EARLEY MICHAEL (MIKE) Kiltultogue, Roscommon (1st Anniversary) Who passed away on 31st March 2021

DUKE Eileen Lanesboro Street, Roscommon (6th Anniversary) Who passed away on the 1st April 2016 and her beloved husband Seamus who passed away on 22nd May 1971

BRIAN MURRAY MEMORIALS • Superior Quality Headstones • Restoration work carried out • New Inscriptions added

CONTACT HAZEL

087 6758874

Scrine, Athleague, www.brianmuraystone.com Co. Roscommon E: brianmurraystone@gmail.com In loving memory of Tommie Feeney who passed away on 31st March, 1996 R.I.P.

Who passed away on the 29th March 2006. R.I.P.

He never failed to do his best, his heart was true and tender, he worked and toiled for those he loved and left them to remember.

Sadly missed by his wife Mai and family. Anniversary Mass in Ballinaheglish Church on Sunday, 10th April at 11am.

Time passes, life goes on, but silent thoughts and memories stay.

Fondly remembered by Angela, sons Peárse, Michael and Emmet daughter Elizabeth, son-in-law Ray and grandchildren. Mass offered.

MONTH’S MIND MASS FINAN Thomas

Brenamore, Loughglynn, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon Who passed away suddenly on 23rd February 2022

The family of the late Thomas Finan wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to all those who sympathised with us and supported us on the sad loss of our beloved Thomas. Thanks to all those who sent Mass cards, floral tributes, text messages, phone calls and left messages on RIP.ie, Midwest and Shannonside Radio. Heartfelt thanks to all who attended the funeral and who travelled long distances to be with us. Thanks to our wonderful friends, relatives, extended family and neighbours who offered their assistance and support in many ways and continue to do so. Our sincere thanks to An Garda Siochana, Paramedics, Westdoc and Smyth Undertakers for their support and professional assistance. A special word of thanks to Canon Liam Devine and his concelebrant Fr. Pat O Toole for celebrating a beautiful and touching Funeral Mass. Thanks to Fr. Julian Lupot for prayers in our home. Thanks to Carmel McLoughlin for enhancing the ceremony with her beautiful music and singing. Thanks to Sharkey Funeral Directors for their professionalism and attention to detail in arranging Thomas’s funeral. A very special thanks to our relations who prepared Thomas’s final resting place. Thanks to Una Sampey and the Creaton family for providing food and refreshments on both days. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our gratitude. The Holy sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions. Thomas’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated in Loughglynn Church on Saturday, 2nd April at 12 o’clock.

MONTH’S MIND MASS

MARK Roscommon Town (25th Anniversary) Who passed away on 28th April 1997 TOGETHER AGAIN As we lovingly remember Michael on the First Anniversary of his passing. His parents, Michael and Pamela, brother Jason and sister Denise, along with his daughter Jazmin and her mum Kim, wish to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all those who sympathised, consoled and supported us on the loss of our beloved Michael. We are so grateful to our wonderful extended families, relatives, friends and neighbours who helped us in so many ways, bringing food and words of comfort to our door and continue to be there for us. We were truly touched by the outpouring of support shown to us by those leaving such thoughtful messages on the condolence page of RIP.ie, those who sent mass and sympathy cards, notes, letters, text messages and phone calls, and shared their memories. They were a great source of comfort to us all. Our sincere thanks to the ambulance service and the Gardaí for their kindness and sensitivity on the morning of Michael’s passing and to Sharon for being there and looking after us. Deepest appreciation to all those who formed Guards of Honour outside the funeral home, lined the route to the church and in the church grounds. A very special thank you to all Michael’s amazing friends who mourned him with such dignity and love. The love and support hung in the air. Many thanks to Fr. Eamon Conaty and Deacon Seamus Talbot for a beautiful and meaningful ceremony, comforting words and prayers. Our thanks to May Earley for her lovely choice of music and playing it so beautifully. Thank you to the gravediggers for preparing Michael’s final resting place next to his twin brother Mark. Our sincerest gratitude to Pat and Gillian Smyth, not only for their professionalism, kindness and care, but for going above and beyond to facilitate the online stream which enabled Michael’s brother Jason and our Australian family to follow his final journey and be with us to say our goodbyes together. It meant so much to them and our extended families, relatives and friends in Ireland, Australia, the UK and South Africa, who could not attend the funeral. To the Doctors and the staff of the Primary Care Centre Roscommon, we appreciate the help, kindness and support shown to Michael in the months before his passing. Thank you to everyone in Vita House Roscommon for the respect and empathy they gave to Michael. A special word of thanks to Dr. Fiona Sweeney and the staff at the Medical Centre, St. Coman’s Park, Roscommon for taking such good care of us over the past year. To Michael’s neighbours in Kiltultogue, thank you for always looking out for Michael and for being such good neighbours. We especially want to thank Michael’s best friend Eric for what he did for us. A true friend who was always there for Michael over the years, through good times and bad, who stood by him no matter what. We will be forever grateful to him. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation and gratitude. A mass will be offered for your intentions. Michael’s First Anniversary Mass will take place on Sunday, 3rd April at 11am in St. Brigid’s Church, Four Mile House. Forever in our hearts.

“Ag Chriost an Siol Ag Chriost an Fomhair In Iothlainn De Go Gastar Sinn”

Always loved and sadly missed by Seamus, Frank, Declan, Mairead and Deirdre, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, other family members and friends. Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 2nd April at 11am.

HYNES Peter Joseph (P.J.) Jamestown Hill, Ballyforan, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon (4th Anniversary)

Cherished and loving memories of my dear husband who passed away on the 5th April 2018 When you feel a little lonely and all you want is me, just place a hand upon your heart and you’ll know that’s where I’ll be. I know how much you’re hurting but remember me and smile, I know we are apart right now but it’s only for a while. Take comfort that I’m happy, where the sky is always blue, I’ll be waiting at the rainbow when Heaven calls for you.

Forever loved and remembered by your wife Maureen. ~~~~~~~~~~~ BROTHER We treasure the memories we have of you.

Remembered by your sisters, brother, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and their families. May P.J. Rest In Peace

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 3rd April in the Church of Christ the Good Shepard, Four Roads at 11am.

GERAGHTY Kathleen

Tobervaddy, Athleague, Co. Roscommon Who passed away 05th March 2022

We, the family of the late Kathleen Geraghty would like to extend our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to all who sympathised and supported us following our sad loss. A special thanks to everyone who sent mass cards, text messages, condolences on RIP.ie and to those who travelled long journeys and those who joined us via live stream. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Keenan, Dr. Quinn and Dr. De Brun and all the medical professionals in Portiuncula and Galway Hospital who treated and cared for Kathleen in recent years during her many admissions and hospital visits. Our profound gratitude to her many devoted carers who looked after and supported her in her home for many years and in more recent years her resident assistants Janine and Nympha who treated her with tremendous compassion and dignity. A special word of thanks to Canon Joe Delaney who visited with and administered the last rites to Kathleen on the previous day of her passing and for his special celebration of her Funeral Mass concelebrated by Fr. Christopher Nkpouwa Edebianga and Deacon Willie Gaquin. Thank you to Margaret and Sean for enhancing the liturgy with their singing and music. To Tom, Pat and Gillian Symth who looked after the funeral arrangements in a professional and caring way. Their help and support were very much appreciated. We are very grateful to the neighbours who prepared Kathleen’s final resting place with such care and attention. A very special thanks to Adrian, Tommy and Shane Keegan who did such a professional job on the lighting; the traffic management and tending to Kathleen’s Garden to make it look beautiful for her final farewell. Thank you to all our neighbours and friends who supplied food and support over the funeral days. To the management and staff of Hannon’s Hotel thank you for providing us with a beautiful meal after the funeral. Sadly missed and always remembered by her sister Veronica, relatives, neighbours and friends. Kathleen’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 3rd April at 11.30 am in the Church of the Assumption Fuerty.

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Classifieds

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES WALSH MICK (28th Anniversary) In loving memory of a dear husband, father and grandfather - Mick Walsh, Moher, Lanesboro, Co. Roscommon who died on the 30th March 1994

So many things have happened, since you were called away. So many things to share with you, had you been left to stay. Every day in some small way memories of you come my way. Though absent, you are ever near, still missed, loved and always dear.

Forever loved and missed more everyday by your loving wife Mary. -----------In God’s care you rest above, in our hearts you rest with love. Never more than a thought away, loved and remembered every day.

In loving memory of

COYLE Mary Ann Curlea Curraghboy Who passed away on the 5th of April, 2012 (10th Anniversary)

Thinking of you Nana is easy, we do it everyday, but missing you is a heartache, that never goes away.

Sadly missed by all the family. Anniversary Mass at St. Brigid’s Church, Curraghboy on Sunday, April 3rd at 10am.

Newtown, Glinsk Who passed away on 21st February 2018 (4th Anniversary)

We thought of you today with love but that was nothing new, we thought about you yesterday and the days before that too. We think of you in silence, we often speak your name, all we have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part, God has you in His keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Always remembered by your family. ----------------------------------------------

CONNELLY Miko

Newtown, Glinsk Who passed away on 30th March 2000 (22nd Anniversary)

Rest In Peace.

COYLE Annie Weekfield, Roscommon. 3rd Anniversary - 18th March.

Forever loved and missed more every day by your sons Micheal and Seamus, daughters Martina and Georgina, Declan, Marian and grandchildren.

Just a prayer from the family who loved you, just a memory fond and true, in our hearts you will live forever because we thought the world of you. ----------------------------------------------

CONNELLY

Noel

Ballinakill, Glinsk. Who passed away on 3rd of April 2015 (7th Anniversary) We hold you close within our hearts and there you shall remain. To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.

Loved and missed everyday by your sons, daughters inlaw and grandchildren. Anniversary Mass in Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Saturday, 2nd April at 7pm.

THANKSGIVINGS THE MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. N.T.

COONEY Sean Cruby Hill, Galway Road, Roscommon and Clonee, Co. Dublin (8th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Sean Cooney, who died 5th April 2014. R.I.P. Those we love don’t go away they walk beside us every day, and when old times we do recall it’s then we miss you most of all.

Always remembered by his loving family. Masses offered.

LARKIN Anthony St. John’s, Lecarrow. (12th Anniversary)

Always remembered by your family.

THANKSGIVINGS PRAYER TO ST. EXPEDITE My St. Expedite of urgent and just causes, please intercede for me with our Lord Jesus Christ, succour me in this hour of affliction and despair my St. Expedite, you who are a Holy warrior, you who are the Saint of the afflicted, you who is the Saint of the desperate, you who is the Saint of urgent causes, protect me, help me, give me strength, courage and serenity. Hear my plea. (Make request). Clearly express what you want and ask him to find a way to get it to you. My Saint Expedite, help me to prevail through these difficult hours, protect me from all those who want to harm me, respond to my plea with urgency, bring me back to that state of peace and tranquillity, my Saint Expedite, I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life and I will speak your name to all those who have faith. Now promise to give Saint Expedite a specific offering when your desire is granted. Amen. Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and make the sign of the cross. Be sure to provide the offering you promised, if Saint Expedite grants your petition. Thank you so much for everything, for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen. M.H.

CONNELLY Bridgie

In loving memory of Anthony who died on 31st March 2010 Out of our lives you may be gone, but in our hearts you will always belong.

Sadly missed by his family.

KILCLINE Michael Weekfield, Roscommon Who passed away on 30th March 2014 (8th Anniversary)

It doesn’t take a special day to bring you to our minds, for days without a thought of you are very hard to find. Those who mean the most to us are never really gone, for in our thoughts and in our hearts, their memory still lives on.

Loved and missed by your wife Catherine and children Katie, Aoife and Michael. ~~~~~~~~ Always in our hearts, forever in our thoughts and prayers.

Always remembered by his sisters, brothers and families. Mass will be celebrated in St Michael’s Church, Glinsk on Sunday 3rd April at 10am.

To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us!

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

A daily thought a silent tear, a constant wish that you were here. Although I smile and make no fuss, no one misses you more than me. And when old times I do recall, that’s when I miss you most of all.

Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by your brother John. Anniversary Mass for Michael in Kilteevan Church on Sunday, 3rd April at 10am.

CUNNIFFE Luke

10 O’Keeffe Park, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway. Who passed away on 26th March, 2021

On Luke’s first anniversary, we, the family, wish to acknowledge with sincere gratitude all those who sympathised with us and showed us kindness and support on our sad loss. Thanks to the many people who offered their condolences, sent Mass cards, floral tributes, telephoned, left messages on RIP.ie and Midwest Death Notices, sent text messages and donated to Beaumont Foundation. Thank you to the members of Glinsk GAA Club for their very moving tribute, the Guard of Honour and the many tributes paid to Luke. Thanks also to Gannon Bros. for their lovely tribute at Keelogues Crossroads. Our deepest appreciation to all who cared and supported Luke during his illness, especially his carer Agnes. Thanks to the doctors and nurses of UCHG, Bon Secours, Merlin Park and Beaumont Hospitals for the care they gave to Luke, to the ambulance and helicopter crews for their assistance, to Dr. Cunningham, Glenamaddy and his staff and to Gearoid Garvey and staff of Garvey’s Pharmacy who were always helpful. A sincere thank you to Fr. Eugene O’Boyle P.P. Glenamaddy for celebrating Luke’s Funeral Mass and attending the graveside for final prayers. Thank you to Martin, Erin and Alanna for the beautiful music and singing during the Funeral Mass. Heartfelt thanks to all the neighbours and friends who lined the roads from Creggs to Toberroe and from Toberroe to Glenamaddy and for Luke’s final journey from Glenamaddy to Ballinakill Cemetery. It was a lovely moving gesture. A special word of thanks to Dowd´s Funeral Directors for the professional and sensitive manner in which they carried out the funeral arrangements, and to the gravediggers who prepared Luke’s final resting place with such care and attention. Thanks to Brendan Nugent for the live streaming of the Funeral Mass. To the many families, friends and colleagues unable to be with us due to Covid restrictions, we thank you for your messages of support. As it would be impossible to thank everybody individually for their kindness and support, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.

Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Classifieds

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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES DONOGHUE Michéal (Mickey West)

Skyvalley, Taughmaconnell, Co. Roscommon. (1st Anniversary)

As the First Anniversary of our brother Michéal’s passing approaches, the Donoghue families would like to express our sincere gratitude and thanks to all who showed us care and support at the time of our sad loss. Thanks to all who sent cards, texts, phone calls, condolences on RIP. A special thanks to the wonderful staff of Tearmainn Bhríde Nursing Home who gave such wonderful care to our brother Michéal. To Fr. Sean Neilan and to the grave diggers, thank you. Thank you to the Funeral Director Ollie Fallon for his guidance and professionalism and attention to every detail in arranging Michéal’s final journey with such dignity. The Holy Sacrement of the Mass has been offered for your intentions. Michéal’s Anniversary Mass will be take place on Sunday, April 10th at 11am in St. Ronan’s Church, Taughmaconnell. BROTHER Those special memories we made help you to live on, even though you’re gone I will use today the first anniversary of your passing to remember what a truly wonderful brother you were.

Love from Eileen and Patrick. Your memories are so precious your presence missed so much, you will always be remembered, and loved by all of us.

Fondly remembered by your sisters Margaret, Mary, Kitty, Colette, Lucy, Claire and Annette and sister-in-law Marie Donoghue and brothers Kevin, Thomas and Eamon.

THANKSGIVINGS NOVENA TO ST. MARTHA Oh Saint Martha, I resort to thee and to thy petition and faith. I offer up to thee this light which I shall burn every Tuesday for nine Tuesdays. Comfort me in all my difficulties through the great favour thou didst enjoy when our Saviour lodged in thy house. I beseech thee to have definite pity in regards to the favour I ask. Interceed for my family that we may always be provided for in all our necessities. I ask thee St. Martha to overcome the dragon, which thou didst cast at thy feet. Say one Our Father and Three Hail Mary’s. Light a candle every Tuesday and the above prayer made know with the intention of spreading devotion to St. Martha. This Miraculous Saint grants everything before the five days are ended, no matter how difficult. M.H.

McCRANN Patricia Killerney, Roscommon (3rd Anniversary) In loving memory of Patricia who passed away on 5th April 2019

DOONEY Mary

MURRAY Séamus

Cloonlumney, Carracastle, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon (1st Anniversary) Who passed away on the 5th April 2021

Lisphelim, Knockcroghery & Galway Road, Roscommon. (34th Anniversary)

Always remembered by her family.

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

Strokestown Road, Ballyleague, Co. Roscommon (2nd Anniversary) In loving memory of Imelda who passed away on 2nd April 2020.

God called your name so softly that only you could hear and no-one heard the footsteps of Angels drawing near. The golden gates stood open, God saw you needed rest, His garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best. To have you for my mother was cause enough for pride, no-one could be your equal however much they tried. I lost a mum in a million, I loved her to the end. I lost two precious things that day, my mother and my friend.

Always loved and remembered by her daughter Sheila, son Eamonn and their families. xx Mary’s First Anniversary Mass will take place in St. James Church, Carracastle on Saturday, 9th April at 8pm.

HIGGINS Rosaleen Ballyforan, Co. Roscommon (4th Anniversary) Who passed away on the 6th April 2018

As kids, we lived together. we fought, we laughed, we cried. we did not always show the love that we both had inside. We shared our dreams and plans and some secrets too. All the memories we shared, are what bonds me now to you. We grew to find we had a love, that was very strong indeed. It’s a love shared by our family, that will never fade away. You are my brother not by choice, but by the nature of our birth. I could not have chosen a better one, you were the best on earth.

In our hearts your memory lingers, sweetly tender, fond and true, there is not a day, dear Rosaleen that we do not think of you.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by Des and family. Anniversary Mass will be held in Dysart Church on Saturday, 2nd April at 7.30pm.

. RUSHE Patrick and Mary Clooneen, Athleague (30th & 13th Anniversaries)

A silent thought a quiet prayer for special people in God’s care.

In loving memory of Séamus who passed away on 30th March 1988.

No farewell words were spoken no time to say goodbye you were gone before I knew it and only God knows why.

Remembered always by family and friends. Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Athleague on Sunday, 3rd April at 10am.

To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us! The most read newspaper in Co. Roscommon! The local paper!

Always missed and remembered by her loving daughter Florence, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. Masses offered.

COSTELLO Johnny (30th Anniversary) In loving memory of Johnny Costello, Knockroe, Castlerea and Oranmore who passed away on 31st March 1992.

Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance

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Beautiful memories that will last forever. Remembered always by your sister Geraldine. Email or call for Sample Pack

You were so very special and had the nicest ways. You did so much in life and never asked for praise. You had a smile for everyone, you had a heart of gold. You left the sweetest memories this world could every hold.

Remembered dearly by Phil and Fiona.

Will those who think of her today, a little prayer to Jesus say.

SWEENEY Imelda

Nothing can ever take away the love a heart holds dear, fond memories linger every day, remembrance keeps you near.

Never forgotten by his wife Agnes and family, Kathleen, Breege, Padraig, Martin, Sean, Una and their families.

FAMILY NOTICES • Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Remembrance Phone: (090) 66 34633 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

Scrine, Athleague, Co. Roscommon Third generation Monumental Sculptors specialising in: • New Headstones • New Inscriptions • Restoration and Cleaning of Monuments • Wall Plaques and Name Plates • Grave Maintenance Service Contact James on 087 3549574 or David on 087 6086723 E-mail: info@anthonymurrayandsons.com www.anthonymurrayandsons.com

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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GAA Results Leydon Bros London Division Two (O’Gara Cup) Clann na nGael 3-19 Kilbride 4-14 Kilmore 5-13 Fuerty 3-9 Shannon Gaels 2-11 St. Brigid’s 1-12 St. Croan’s 0-18 Castlerea St. Kevin’s 0-12 Oran 1-17 Éire Óg 1-11 Atlantis IPS Division Three (Tansey Cup) St. Barry’s 2-15 St. Michael’s 1-14 Strokestown 1-9 Ballinameen 1-5 St. Dominic’s 4-8 St. Aidan’s 2-9 Pádraig Pearses 3-11 Kilglass Gaels 1-12

Fixtures Friday, April 1st AFL Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section A At Kiltoom: St. Brigid’s v St. Faithleach’s. 8 pm At Strokestown: Strokestown v Clann na nGael. 8.15 pm Leydon Brothers London Division Two (O’Gara Cup) At Athleague: Fuerty v Kilbride. 8.15 pm AFL Division Three (Tansey Cup) (8.15 pm) At Pairc Naomh Bearra: St. Barry’s v Kilglass Gaels At Ballyforan: St. Aidan’s v Castlerea St. Kevin’s Saturday, April 2nd AFL Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section A At Knockcroghery: St. Dominic’s v Pádraig Pearses. 5 pm At Connacht GAA Centre: Western Gaels v Boyle. 5.30 pm AFL Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section B At Peadar Earley Memorial Park: Michael Glavey’s v Roscommon Gaels. 5 pm At Connacht GAA: Tulsk Lord Edwards v Elphin. 7.30 pm Leydon Brothers London Division Two (O’Gara Cup) (5 pm) At Kiltoom: St. Brigid’s v Kilmore At Johnstown: Clann na nGael v Oran At Enfield: St. Croan’s v Shannon Gaels At James Timothy Park: Éire Óg v Castlerea St. Kevin’s Atlantis IPS Division Three (Tansey Cup) At Strokestown: Strokestown v Creggs. 5 pm Sunday, April 3rd Atlantis IPS Division Three (Tansey Cup) At Davonna Park: Ballinameen v St. Dominic’s. 12 pm At Ardcarne Park: St. Michael’s v Pádraig Pearses. 1 pm AFL Division Four Section A At Mulhern Park: Fuerty v Elphin. 12 pm

Sunday showdown: Roscommon captain Laura Fleming pictured with Wexford captain Róisín Murphy at St. Brendan’s Park, Birr, Offaly ahead of Sunday’s Lidl Ladies National Football League Division Three final. See pages 58 and 59. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Rossies can go up as champions! Allianz National Football League Division Two Final: Roscommon v Galway in Croke Park on Sunday at 1.45 pm < SEAMUS DUKE

With promotion safely secured, these two old rivals clash again at headquarters on Sunday with nothing at stake except the honour of being called Division Two champions and to win silverware in Croke Park. Similar to last Sunday’s game at Dr. Hyde Park, it will be interesting to see what attitude Galway take to this match.

Their monumental championship clash with Mayo is now only three weeks away and the question is will Padraic Joyce and his management team want to show their hand ahead of that big game? If that is the case then it can be presumed that we will not be seeing Damien Comer or Shane Walsh and he will be tempted to leave Rob Finnerty and a few others on the bench too. However, Joyce might look on this clash as a perfect way to prepare for Mayo by putting out his strongest team. We will only know when we see the team line ups. From a Roscommon point of view, this is a great game to have after a very satisfactory league campaign. There has been a definite change of style for Ro-

scommon this year and their powerful running game and slick passing with the foot and hand has been very effective and a joy to watch at times. The wide open spaces of Croke Park should suit Roscommon and the likes of Richard Hughes, Ronan Daly, Cathal Heneghan, Cian McKeon, Enda Smith, Ultan Harney and Eddie Nolan should thrive in that environment. But similarly to Galway, it will be interesting to see if Anthony Cunningham and his selectors are tempted to give more game time to the likes of Keith Doyle, Shane Cunnane, Ciaran Sugrue and Dylan Ruane. If Conroy returns to the Galway team after his suspension then the Tribesmen will have to choose between him, Mat-

thew Tierney and Niall Daly at midfield. Daly had a sensational debut in Hyde Park last Sunday kicking five points from play. The midfield clash with Ultan Harney and Eddie Nolan could decide the issue. It’s a chance for Roscommon supporters to see their side playing in a final in Croke Park, and with Mayo and Kerry in the Division One final to follow, it’s a very attractive programme. There won’t be much between the teams and Galway will not want to lose to Roscommon two weeks in a row but they have much more on their minds as they look ahead to that clash with Mayo. It’s a ‘free hit’ for Roscommon and they can edge it by a point or two. Prediction: Roscommon.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Horses for Courses This weekend’s racing begins at Naas today with a national hunt card consisting of five hurdle races and a bumper starting at 1.55 pm. Tomorrow sees racing on the all-weather at Dundalk from 5.20 pm and a national hunt card at Wexford from 4.30 pm. On Saturday, the flat season continues at Leopardstown featuring two Group 3 races, the 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes and the Ballysax Stakes away at 2 pm. There are two meetings on Sunday over the sticks at Fairyhouse at 1.45 pm featuring the Awards & Gifts.ie Novice Hurdle and the Irish National Stud Novice Hurdle, both Grade 2 races and on the level at Cork, racing at 2.05 pm and featuring the Cork Listed Stakes. On Saturday TV racing features five races from Ayr including the Scottish Grand National, two Grade 2 races, the Scottish Champion Hurdle, and the Future Champions Novice Chase and three from Newbury including the NH Mares Novices Hurdle, a Grade 2 handicap.

Racing News

In the Doncaster Lincoln on Saturday, Mick Channon’s Johan made a successful debut for the yard with an impressive display in the Lincoln beating Saleymm and Rogue Bear 1¼l and ½l. A six-time winner for William Haggas, the 5-Y-O had switched yards during the off-season and won the traditional Flat season cur-

A total of 31 horses were left in Saturday’s Ayr marathon, Scottish Grand National, at Monday’s confirmation stage, with the weights now headed by Shark Hanlon’s Hewick on 11st 12lbs. The are six Irish-trained horses. Pat Fahy could saddle two runners, he has confirmed Stormy Judge and History Of Fashion for the four-miler. Emmet Mul-

Racing Review

tain-raiser ridden by Silvestre de Sousa at 28/1. In the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on Sunday, Johnny Murtagh’s wellbacked Raadobarg, 9/2f, won the €100,000 Curragh handicap also on his debut run for the yard. He beat Comfort Line 2l with Star Harbour a nose back in third. Murtagh got the horse out of Roger Varian English stable some two months ago. An international Irish win as Ado McGuinness’s A Case Of You claimed top honours in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan last weekend. The 4-Y-O was already a Group One winner, having won at ParisLongchamp in last season’s Prix de l’Abbaye. Charlie Appleby’s Man Of Promise under William Buick was odds-on favourite to complete a course and distance hattrick but never got on terms with A Case Of You, an 11/1 shot, who galloped strongly against the rail to win under Ronan Whelan.

Raadobarg and Ben Coen win the Irish Lincoln at the Curragh.

lins could run Rightplacerightime, John ‘Shark’ Hanlon has Hewick, John McConnell also has two, Go Another One and Streets Of Doyen. Only one Irish runner in the Champion Hurdle John McConnell’s Anna Bunina. The booking of Danny Mullins by Pat Fahy for Stormy Judge is noted.

General News

You cannot keep a good woman down, former jockey Nina Carberry won RTÉ’s Dancing With The Stars competition on Sunday evening. Carberry, daughter of the legendary Tommy and sister of Barry, won the Irish Grand National with Organisedconfusion in 2011 for her uncle Arthur Moore. She was a remarkably successful amateur jockey, recording 423 winners. Her professional partner was Pasquale La Rocca, who

was winning the show for a second successive season. Robbie Dunne has had his ban for bullying and harassing Bryony Frost reduced to ten months from 18 months despite the appeals panel describing his behaviour as “reprehensible and disgraceful”. Dunne’s suspension will end on October 9th this year. Enjoy D’Allen, well fancied for the Aintree Grand National, has been bought by JP McManus. The horse is trained at Charlestown Stud near Mullingar by Ciaran Murphy and was third in last year’s Irish Grand National to Freewheelin Dylan.

Point-to-Point Corner

The meeting down for decision on Saturday in the north at Moira has been cancelled. On Sunday, there are three meetings down for decision at

s t t u p t r o Sh Athlone

The Women’s Get Into Golf programme will commence on Thursday, April 28th at 7 pm. The programme caters for women new to the game and will consist of weekly coaching sessions with Club Professional Kevin Grealy. For further information, contact Imelda (087-3613961) or email i.sheeran508@gmail.com/athlonegolfclub@gmail.com. Inter-Club matches resume shortly and the Men have a bye in the first round of the Senior Cup. The Barton Shield sees Athlone face Athenry on April 28th while the Ladies are in Revive Active Fourball action on May 5th against Ballinasloe. The Men’s All-Ireland Fourball take on Portumna in the second round on May 7th. Meanwhile the Wednesday Open will commence on Wednesday, April 6th. The recent Women’s 15-hole competition was won by Helena Lennon with 34 points. Kay Delaney (31) was runner-up and Olive Dolan (31) was third. The 97 Club was won by Imelda Sheeran with 25 points. V. Connaire was victorious in the AWGS on March 24th while Mark Lennon was the winner of the Gent’s Stableford competition with 44 points.

Other Gent’s results: Gross: Thomas O’Connor (40); Cat A: Padraig O’Boyle (42); Cat B: Benny Fuery (40); Cat C: Feargal Shine (43); Cat D: Brendan Kilroy (42).

Boyle

by Tom Red

Congratulations to the team of Adam Daly, Michael Simon, Moira Egan and Liz Dwyer, who won this year’s Spring League. Runners-up were Brendan Gaffney, Pat Conroy, and Jim Callery and third place went to Vincent Egan, Kieran O’Connor and Gerry Carty. Men’s Thursday competitions will resume this evening (31st) and will continue for the next six months. There will be 18-hole Stableford competitions the next two weekends and a club fundraising competition over Easter weekend. The Ladies’ Get Into Golf programme information evening will take place on April 27th at 7.30 pm. It costs €50 per person for eight sessions. Contact Aisling on 087-2029064 for more information. The winners of the Boyle monthly draw: 1st: Liam Mullaney; 2nd: Seamus and Marie Gallagher; 3rd: Liz Dwyer.

(News from local golf clubs)

Carrick

Congratulations to Mary King’s team (474 points) on winning round five of the Spring League and to round five individual winner Monica Shannon with 23 points. Kevin Ward was best of the Gents with 25 points. All team results are posted on club website. The Masters Fundraiser returns with a first prize of €1,000 up for grabs. Simply pick your seven favourite golfers for this year’s Masters and sign up on the Carrick Golf Club website. The winner of last Thursday’s competition was Michael Duignan with 40 points. Kevin O’Rourke was runner-up with 39 and Michael Keville was third with 38. Tom Martin took the front nine with 20 points while the back nine went to Sean Martin with 22. The first away outing for the Seniors takes place on Monday next at Ballinrobe.

Castlerea

Rathcannon in Co. Limerick an entry of 149, Dromahane in Co. Cork with 153 entries and at Castletown-Geoghegan, on the Roscommon side of Mullingar, with 148 entries. All three meetings are down for a 2 pm start. In the Gain Mares Final at Ballynoe last Sunday Koyote brought up a quick two-timer for handler Terence Leonard and rider Mikey O’Connor by winning the feature. The combination thirty minutes earlier won the 5-Y-O Mares Maiden with Country Kitten. Koyote was left in the lead when Queshi Bridge came down at the last. She beat the stayingon Fiery Brown and Carrig Wells. Mikey O’Connor was winning the ‘GAIN’ final for the fourth time as a rider, including the 2011 winner, Make It Better, which he also trained.

The Men’s 18-hole Stableford was won by Cian Gilmore with 42 points and Joey O’Flanagan was second with 39 points. Cat 1: Dara Bruen (37 points); Cat 2: Anto McCormack (36); Cat 3: Michael Moran (36).

The Ladies’ 9-hole competition was won by Evelyn Curley with 20 points. Mary Kenny was runner-up with 17.

Roscommon

Albert O’Connor topped the leaderboard in the Men’s 18-hole competition on Sunday last with 40 points. Tom Grealy Jnr. was second with 38 and Richie Evans was third with 37. Mario Costello took the gross prize with 34 points. The Senior Men’s competition was won by M. Flanagan with 37 points. Other results: Cat 1: M. Sharkey (37); Cat 2: P. Finneran (35); Cat 3: S. Hayden (33); Over 80: J. Cooney (32). Sandra Crean won the Ladies’ 18-hole competition on Tuesday last with 39 points while Sandra Kelly was second, also with 39. The Ladies’ 9-hole was won by Kitty Blighe with 19 points. The Senior Ladies’ 9-hole competition was won by Martina Brennan, with Annie Gateley second, Mary Lalor third and Mary O’Gara fourth. Finally, congratulations to Kay O’Loughlin of Castlerea Golf Club who became the first female President of Golf Ireland. All at Roscommon Golf Club are delighted for Kay and look forward to seeing her at Roscommon during her term.

Connacht double for Lisacul

Lisacul National School had a wonderful day out in Salthill last Saturday when they came home with two Connacht Cumann na mBunscoil titles and with a little luck it could have been three. Grace Corrigan, sister of Connacht U-16 champion Shauna, was a very impressive winner of the Girls U-13 grade despite still being U-12. She showed great composure to beat Freya Donnellan from Galway 21-9 in the semi-final before defeating Mayo’s Ciara Hallinan 21-6 in the final. The Boys’ U-13 pair of John Reilly and Micheal Greene overcame Mayo’s Callum Durkan and Matthew Foody in their semi-final and then Galway’s Aaron O’Domhnaill and Adam Ó Triondaloid 21-12 in the final. The hard luck story of the day was probably Lisacul’s Ryan McDermott and Fionn Connolly’s loss in the U-11 doubles semi-final against eventual winners from Galway, Sam O’Donaill and Timmy Ó Cadhain. They lost 21-20 in a match they really should have won. They easily won the third place play-off and will learn from their experience. In the U-11 singles, Lisacul’s Senan Johnston had a good win over Mayo’s Christopher Sweeney in his semi-final but was beaten by a very good Mark Percy from Sligo in the final. The only non-Lisacul NS player representing Roscommon on the day was Seamie Carthy from Gaelscoil de hIde. He lost a cracker against Inis Mor’s Bertie O’Donnchadha with the Galway youngster’s power being the major difference. Roscommon pairs competed in the Junior ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ 40x20 doubles Connacht finals at the weekend but were successful in only one. The experienced Lisacul partnership of Denis Creaton and Sean Jennings were well beaten by their Galway counterparts Seamus Conneelly and Conor Noone in the Junior ‘A’ final, 21-9, 21-7. The St. Coman’s Junior ‘B’ partnership of Colm Walsh and Niall Gordon were beaten by young Galway brothers Tommy and Jack McNeela. The Roscommon lads started well winning the first 21-15, but they seemed to run out of steam afterwards losing the next 21-10 and 11-6. The lone success was the Junior ‘C’ win for the young and not-so-young pair of Sean Raftery and Tom Killion from St. Coman’s who had to fight the whole way to take a hardearned win over Mayo’s Fintan & Martin McManamon. Having lost the first 17-21, the Roscommon lads showed great determination to come back and grind out the two remaining games 21-13, 11-7.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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THE GAIN LINE

Creggs RFC Report

Creggs Development lose out to Tuam Tuam RFC 2nds 24 Creggs Development 14 (Connacht J1C Cup Semi-Final): Creggs Development brought the curtain down on their competitive season when they fell to a ten-point defeat against Tuam 2nds in the semi-final of the Connacht J1C Cup in Tuam recently.

Youth Rugby Oughterard RFC 15 Creggs RFC 20 (Connacht U-13 Cup Quarter-Final): Creggs U-13s enjoyed an impressive win away to Oughterard last Sunday to book their place in Connacht Cup semi-finals. Sam Walsh grabbed their first try on 23 minutes following a strong carry from Kian Hughes before the host levelled matters before the interval. Oughterard started the brighter of the two sides

in the second half and grabbed an early try before Walsh went over for a second time. Walsh completed his hat-trick shortly after as Harry Waldron tapped over the extras. A late Waldron penalty sealed the win for the visitors. Creggs RFC 42 Tuam RFC 14 (Connacht U-14 Plate Quarter-Final): Creggs started brightly at home to Tuam with Dan Kelly running in an early try which was converted by Kaylum Curran. There were further tries from Cian Trimble (2), Curran, Robert Bligh, and Ruairi Webb and Kaylum Curran had a 100 per cent success rate from the tee as the hosts ran out comfortable winners. This impressive group of players will now take on Westport in the semi-final next weekend. The Creggs U-14 and U-16 teams both lost out in

Athletics

All-Ireland double for Hollie Kilroe! Suck Valley AC’s Hollie Kilroe was in sensational form at the recent All-Ireland indoors at TUS Athlone, securing gold in both the 400m and 800m. A blistering race saw Hollie triumph in her first event, the 400m, on Saturday, March 19th, posting a time of 58.22. She then returned to the track the following day (Sunday, March 20th) to claim gold in the 800m, joining an exclusive club of double All-Ireland winners.

Soccer results

An aerial view of the latest development work at Creggs Rugby Club.

their respective Connacht Cup semi-final fixtures last weekend. The U-16s put in a very good performance against Sligo and led by eight points in the closing stages before going down 40-34. Meanwhile, the U-14s put in their best performance of the season only to be undone by a late converted try to lose out 14-12 in Sligo.

Elsewhere, preparations continue for the U-18s’ Connacht Cup Final at the Sportsground on Bank Holiday Monday, April 18th. There will be an end of season BBQ and medal presentation for to celebrate the Girls’ Connacht League victories in the coming weeks. Sunday will see the U-14 Boys hosting Westport in

the Connacht Plate semifinal at 12 pm. The U-18.5s are also in Plate action when they take on Corrib RFC in Creggs at 1.30 pm.

Mini Rugby

This Saturday, a Connacht U-11 Blitz will take place in Creggs from 10 am to 1 pm. The U-8s and U-9s have a Blitz in Castlebar while the U-7s and U-12s have a free weekend.

Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Second Round Ballinasloe Town B W/O Roscommon United St. John’s Athletic B W/O Roscommon United B Dunmore Town 1 Shiven Rovers 1 AET (Shiven won 5-4 on penalties) Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Third Round Boyle Celtic 8 Cam Celtic 1 Ballymoe FC 2 Skyvalley Rovers 1 Cloonfad United 1 Moore United 4 Ballinasloe Town 2 CP Ajax 0 Moylough ’79 v St. John’s Athletic, postponed. David Kelly Shield First Round Glen Celtic 0 Dysart FC 2 Ballaghaderreen FC B 5 Cloonfad United B 0 St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United v Dunmore Town B, postponed. Moore United B 0 Boyle Celtic B 1

Fixtures

Friday, April 1st

Norio’s Premier Division Boyle Celtic v Ballymoe FC. 8 pm RDFL Division One Glen Celtic v CP Ajax. 8 pm

Saturday, April 2nd

Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Third Round Castlerea Celtic v Shiven Rovers. 7 pm David Kelly Challenge Shield First Round Ballymoe FC B v Ballinagare Manor United. 7 pm RDFL Division One At Lecarrow: Skyvalley Rovers v Roscommon United. 7 pm

Sunday, April 3rd

Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Third Round (2 pm) St. John’s Athletic B v Kilkerrin United Ballinasloe Town B v Ballaghaderreen FC David Kelly Challenge Shield First Round St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United v Dunmore Town B. 11 am Norio’s Premier Division Ballinasloe Town v Moore United. 11 am St. John’s Athletic v Cloonfad United. 11 am RDFL Division One Dysart FC v Dunmore Town. 2 pm RDFL Division Two Skyvalley Rovers B v Ballaghaderreen FC B. 11 am

The Creggs U-13 team which beat Oughterard recently.

C’mon The Town

(Roscommon Town Youth Soccer) In association with the Welcome...

We welcome our new players, volunteers and sponsors for the 2022 season. We are also delighted to see familiar faces return to us. Continuity is key for our club. We look forward to the season ahead and hope everyone enjoys their experience and realises their potential. Our Community. Our Children. Our Club.

Thank you...

Sincere thanks to the following who have

come on board to sponsor us this season: John Donlon Carpet & Flooring, Castle Street Tyres, Sean Doyle Windows, McNulty’s Furniture, Blue Thunder, Raftery Cleaning Services & Solutions, Fallon Transport. Mayo-Roscommon Hospice will feature on the jerseys courtesy of a private sponsor.

Let the games begin...

Training is now in full flow. The season starts on Monday, April 4th for the boys and Sunday, April 10th for the girls.

Stay in touch... Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ ROSCOMMONTOWNYOUTHSOCCER/ Twitter https://twitter.com/RosTownYS RDYSL Facebook & Twitter (Our new website will be live soon...watch this space)

Wise words...

A mistake is an opportunity to learn.

Coach Corner... Name: Alastair Kerr e, Role: U-14 Coach ibe me: Friendly, reliabl Three words that descr organised ester United/Finn Harps Favourite team: Manch tona Favourite player: Eric Can visited: Old Trafford Best stadium you have n: Manchester United v see ve y Best game you ha gue in 1997. A 4-0 victor Porto in Champions Lea ng atmosphere! for United and an amazi Pele (he played when Best player of all time: protected by the referees) skillful players were not wshank Redemption Favourite film: The Sha (Coldplay) Favourite song: Fix You Favourite food: Mexicanle Favourite book: The Bib: Wherever my family are! Best place in the world (And Buenos Aires) most: Nelson Mandela. Person you admire the ards even though he went gu son pri He forgave his ch through so much lads needed an U-8 coa Why I got involved: My ilable! and I was the only one ava others: Life is a gift, be Advice I would give to the most of it ke ma thankful for it and

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Roscommon captain Laura Fleming pictured with Wexford captain Róisín Murphy at St. Brendan’s Park, Birr, Offaly ahead of Sunday’s Lidl Ladies National Football League Division Three final. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Model Mission: Ladies ready for final showdown Lidl Ladies National Football League Division Three final: Roscommon v Wexford in Birr on Sunday at 4 pm < SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon Ladies footballers play their biggest game in many years on Sunday when a divisional title is up for grabs, but far more importantly, promotion to Division Two awaits the winners and that would mean a big step forward for ladies football in the county were it to come about.

Roscommon manager Ollie Lennon told People Sport this week that it’s a huge opportunity for the players to not only win some silverware but to progress to a higher level, which is vital for the development of the team into the future not only in the league but at championship level too. “This is a huge game for the players and they are

really looking forward to it. Very few of them have ever played in a league final and this is where we wanted to be at the start of the season. The players are determined to produce a good performance and if we do that we won’t be far away,” he said. Lennon will have a strong panel to call on for Sunday: “Everyone is fit and well. Honor Ennis is out

Celebrating 50 years in business

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long-term but everyone else will be available and to have Lisa O’Rourke back (from her boxing exploits) and to have Jenny Higgins available (delaying her honeymoon) is great for the team and the group,” Ollie added. The Roscommon manager says that Wexford will be difficult opposition this Sunday. “We don’t know too much about them to be honest. Wexford are not a team that we would be playing that often, however we saw their game against Down on video and they won that game well so they are a good side. “But it’s great to be in the final now and it gives the players a chance to play in a big game and test themselves against a good team. If we can play to our capability we will be in with a great chance,” he concluded. Young players like Aisling Hanly, Rachel Fitz-

maurice, Roisin Wynne, Lisa O’Rourke and Megan Kelly will be vital to the cause but the experienced players like Jenny Higgins, Sinead Kenny, Laura Fleming, Caroline Conway, Niamh Feeney

and Helena Cummins will have to lead the side on Sunday. Wexford are certain to be an accomplished and skilful side but the great coaching work being done by Ollie Lennon and his

backroom team can pay off on Sunday for this improving Roscommon team and the ladies can follow the men by securing promotion by a few points. Prediction: Roscommon.

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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Hazel Kelly competes for a high ball during last Sunday’s Tesco All-Ireland Shield ‘B’ Final between Roscommon and Westmeath at Tubber, Co. Offaly. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Siafra Finneran celebrates scoring a goal for Roscommon during last Sunday’s Tesco All-Ireland Shield ‘B’ Final defeat to Westmeath at Tubber, Co. Offaly. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Camógs come up short in Shield final Tesco All-Ireland Camogie Shield ‘B’ Final Westmeath 1-15 Roscommon 3-3

Grace Jones attempts to block Áine Newman during last Sunday’s Tesco All-Ireland Shield ‘B’ Final between Roscommon and Westmeath at Tubber, Co. Offaly. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

A spirited performance from Roscommon was not enough to deny Westmeath in this entertaining final played at Tubber, County Offaly last Sunday. Anya Boyle struck a good point to give Westmeath the early lead but a minute later Ava Mulry reacted first after Siafra Finneran’s free was batted out to score a great goal for Roscommon. Westmeath levelled matters but were rocked on their heels once more when Finneran won and then rammed home a penalty at the end of the opening quarter, with Sally Bolger providing the spadework in the build-up. Westmeath continued to have the majority of the possession and chipped away at the deficit once more with two points from Grace Gallagher, bringing her tally to four, and an equal-

iser just on the short whistle by Áine Newman which left it 0-6 to 2-0 at the change of ends. Alanna Cogan put the Lakesiders back in front for the first time since Mulry’s early goal but again it didn’t last long, when the sliotar appeared to bounce cruelly off a defender’s heel back into the Westmeath net, after Sally Bolger’s initial free had been blocked. However, the Leinster team shrugged off yet another setback and kept the scoreboard ticking over. Reanna Kennedy brought the teams level for the third time with a fantastic score and this time Westmeath were finally able to kick on. A 52nd minute goal from super sub Alex Elaurza, who smashed a low, powerful effort past Fallon, sealed the victory for Westmeath as the Rossies were left to rue what might have been. Roscommon: A Fallon; R Gannon, E O’Farrell, A Hussey; M Rogers, M Lohan, E Biesty; S Bolger (1-0), E McDermott; G Jones, C McNeill, H Kelly; S Conneely, S Finneran (1-3), A Mulry (1-0). Subs: E Connaughton, K Murray, A O’Brien.

Hurlers’ league campaign ends on sour note Allianz National Hurling League Division 3A semi-final Armagh 1-22 Roscommon 0-20 < SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon hurlers’ league season ended on a sour note in the glorious sunshine at Dr. Hyde Park last Saturday when a late surge from Armagh saw them sweep past Francis O’Halloran’s side and into the Division 3A final against Tyrone. Without two of their best players, Cathal Dolan and Peter Kellehan (both injured), Roscommon seemed to be coping well in the opening half and at halftime they led by 0-13 to 0-10. But the extremely harsh sending off of Padraig Kelly (in the 22nd minute), a black card shown to goalkeeper Noel Fallon in the 39th minute and another very debatable red card shown to Darren Fallon in the 62nd minute by referee Brian Keon certainly didn’t help Roscommon’s cause. Armagh were quickest from the blocks at the start of the game and by the 6th minute they were leading by 0-5 to no score. But with Daniel Glynn excellent from frees, Roscommon were level by the 12th minute and it was nip and tuck after that. With Roscommon leading 0-9 to 0-8 in the 22nd minute the referee brandished a straight red card to Padraig Kelly after consulting with a linesman for an off the ball incident. Despite that, excellent points from Brendan Mulry, Mickey Joe Egan and Conor Cosgrove helped the

home side into a three-point lead at the interval. In the 39th minute, Roscommon goalkeeper Fallon hauled down Nathan Curry in the square and received a black card but Armagh goalkeeper Simon Doherty drove the resultant penalty over the crossbar. With the score at 0-15 apiece in the 48th minute, it was Armagh’s turn to see red as Odhran Curry was sent for an early shower and subsequent points from Glynn (2 frees) suggested that Roscommon could go on and win. But once Darren Fallon was sent off 13-man Roscommon were beginning to struggle. Fionntán Donnelly was superb for the visitors and three points from him saw The Orchard County ahead by two by the 65th minute. The visitors then set seal on their victory with a goal that was disputed by the home defenders as Shea Harvey shot to the net but there looked to have been a foul on a Roscommon player in the build up. The goal stood and Roscommon’s chance was gone. This was a very disappointing result for Roscommon who must now pick up the pieces ahead of the Nicky Rackard Cup and a clash with the same opposition in three weeks’ time. They will certainly hope to have Dolan and Kellehan back and some better luck with the officiating too. A total of 17 wides and the fact that they didn’t score from play at all in the second half were also major factors. Note: The Roscommon management team refused to speak to the media afterwards in support of the GPA dispute with the GAA.

Teams & scorers Armagh: Simon Doherty (0-1, pen); Caolan Rice, Tiarnan Nevin, Paddy Quinn; Odhran Curry, Shea Gaffney (0-1), Ciaran McKernan; Fionntán Donnelly (0-11, 9 frees), Paddy McBride (0-1); Shaun Toal (0-2), Lorcan Oliver, Dean Gaffney (0-2); Danny Magee (0-2), Nathan Curry (0-1), Shea Harvey (1-1). Subs: Paul Gaffney for Oliver (h/t), Tiarnan O’Neill for N Curry. Roscommon: Noel Fallon; Matthew Comerford, Darren Fallon, Hugh Rooney (0-1); Eoghan Costello, Padraig Kelly, Conor Coyle; Conor Cosgrave (0-2), Mikey Lohan; Eoin Kiernan, Brendan Mulry (0-1), Ben McGahon; Daniel Glynn (0-14, 2 65s, 10 frees), Mickey Joe Egan (01), Naos Connaughton (0-1). Subs: Enda Lawless for Connaughton (40), Eoin Fitzgarald for Fallon (50), Ronan Kilcline for Costello (57), Connall Kennelly for Kiernan (65). Referee: Brian Keon (Galway)

Stat Attack

Harsh: Padraig Kelly (pictured ahead of the game against Tyrone earlier this season) received a debatable red card as Roscommon’s NHL Division 3A campaign ended on a sour note with defeat to Armagh at Dr. Hyde Park last Saturday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Wides: Roscommon 17 (12 first half ) Armagh 8 (5 first half ) Red cards: Roscommon 2 (Padraig Kelly 22, Darren Fallon 62) Armagh 1 (Odhran Curry 48) Black cards: Roscommon 1 (Noel Fallon 39) Armagh 0 Yellow cards: Roscommon: 2 (Hugh Rooney, Eoin Fitzgerald) Armagh 0 Man of the Match: Fionntán Donnelly (Armagh)

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

Compiled by: Paul Healy

The GAA Studio Best Mikey Sheehy The People’s League Awards impersonation Weekend Rewind

The award goes to Jack McCarron for his outrageously audacious goal against Dublin, a lob which was reminiscent of Mikey Sheehy’s famous goal – also at the expense of the Dubs – in the 1978 All-Ireland final. Check it out on YouTube!

Team of the Weekend… It has to be Monaghan, who avoided the drop from Division One by scoring a winning free (through the inspired Jack McCarron) in the dying seconds of a seesaw encounter with the mighty Dubs. Honourable mention to Roscommon, Tyrone and Louth!

Sligo or New York? We know Anthony Cunningham didn’t intend to dismiss New York when he alluded to the Sligo form-line during his chat with the media after Sunday’s game. Sligo and New York will meet in the upcoming Connacht Championship, with Roscommon waiting for the winners. Cunningham, not entirely unreasonably, seemed to be more in a Sligo state of mind as opposed to a New York one when he spoke: “A word of caution today because Sligo put in a good display (against Leitrim) and they are scoring well…they will be difficult opponents at their own ground”. Over to New York!

This week’s ‘It didn’t look great’

Weekend Fast-forward

Blossoming

< SEAMUS DUKE’S ROSCOMMON GONGS!

Richard Hughes, Eddie Nolan, Cathal Heneghan and Cian McKeon have all been on the panel for a while but all have really come of age in this league campaign.

Best performance Versus Offaly: Having had a man sent off after only 14 minutes Roscommon seemed unperturbed and played some brilliant attacking football with Enda and Donie Smith in top form up front and Brian Stack and Richard Hughes excellent further back.

Watch out for Colin Walsh, Keith Doyle, Daire Cregg, Ben O’Carroll, Shane Cunnane, Ciaran Sugrue and Ciaran Lawless.

Find of the campaign Eoin McCormack. The St Dominic’s man has been sensational since breaking into the team in this campaign. He has hardly put a foot wrong since day one. Honourable mention too for Keith Doyle who looked impressive coming in off the bench in a number of games.

Player of the campaign Ultan Harney. The Clann na nGael man is finally showing his full range of qualities after a number of very frustrating years which were blighted by injury. An injuryfree run at midfield has seen him play some great football.

Ultan Harney

Not far behind him was his midfield partner Eddie Nolan and Enda and Donie Smith, Brian Stack, Richard Hughes and Cian McKeon.

Score of the campaign Cian McKeon goal v Galway. Playing his best game in a Roscommon jersey, the Boyle man manufactured and finished a superb goal in the Hyde Park sunshine last Sunday. The burst of pace and power, the one-two with Donie Smith and the finish were all sublime.

As regular readers of ‘GAA Studio’ will be aware, I have helpfully drawn attention to the tradition of ‘GAA pundits’ dismissing rows/fights/nasty stuff as ‘handbags’ or ‘a bit of a melee’ and I have further noted that when a dodgy incident is highlighted by the cameras said pundits will often reach for the uniquely GAA-esque ‘It didn’t look great’. (Of course I accept that many incidents in matches can be harmless enough). That said, Sunday’s rolling fight involving several players (a few subs helpfully invited themselves into the thick of it) at the end of Donegal v Armagh was tasty enough, and not really the best advertisement for the game (kids in stand, etc). It’s amusing to see many in the media reach for the ‘They’re getting to know each other ‘cos they’re meeting in the championship’ angle! Meanwhile, on Allianz League Sunday, Ciarán Whelan, left, began his analysis with “It’s not good”!

Kevin keen on Cian! On Allianz League Sunday (RTE 2) Kevin McStay, left, noted that Roscommon are “in great fettle”, adding “they’re tighter at the back, obviously” and “have a few forwards who are very, very accurate”. He had words of praise for Boyle’s Cian McKeon too: “He really came of age today… marvellous game today. That will do him the world of good”.

Future stars

Supporters at the recent Roscommon v Derry match. Pic: Mick McCormack

Beth and Alice Lindsey pictured at the recent Roscommon-Offaly Allianz Football League game in Tullamore. Pic: Mick McCormack

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

SportsPeople

‘Division One is where we want to be!’

Slick win over Galway clinches promotion and place in league final Allianz National Football League Division Two Roscommon 1-20 Galway 1-15 < SEAMUS DUKE

Action from the Allianz NFL Division Two match between Roscommon and Galway at Dr. Hyde Park last Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack

“Division One is where we want to be!” That was the verdict of a delighted Anthony Cunningham after his team finished unbeaten in their Division Two campaign and secured promotion back to the top flight. Cunningham says his team will be going all out to win this Sunday’s league final against Galway at Croke Park after last weekend’s victory over the same opposition secured promotion back to Division One. He told People Sport: “We have not discussed how we will approach the league final next Sunday (but) we will be going there to win. It is a really big game in terms of the preparations for the championship and it fits in nicely to our schedule”. Cunningham was thrilled with his team’s display in Sunday’s promotion-sealing win in Dr Hyde Park. “It was probably easier for us to get up for today’s game than Galway as they were already through. We played well in this league and we wanted a good display today. Galway have beaten us a few times in recent years and we wanted to put that right today”. Cunningham hailed the players. “The players we brought into the panel this year have really blossomed. The fact we were missing players at the start of the league meant that others got a chance. It’s all about developing a panel. Division One is where we want to be…it is great for the development of players to be playing the top teams. I’m thrilled that we will get a chance to do that now”. Another scintillating first-half performance ensured that Roscommon will play Division One football in 2023 after this final round league match played before a big crowd in glorious sunshine at Dr Hyde Park last Sunday. Leading by 1-14 to 0-6 at halftime, it was probably inevitable that the home side would ease up in the second period, which is what transpired. However, Roscommon were always able to keep their neighbours at arm’s length, at least until a welltaken Johnny Heaney goal in the 65th minute raised some concerns. But Anthony Cunningham’s men saw it out in the end and coasted to a comfortable win. With Roscommon 0-5 to 0-4 in

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

SportsPeople

Cian McKeon finds the net for Roscommon during last Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division Two match against Galway at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

front, Galway were competing well. However after Donie Smith pointed a free in the 17th minute and Galway’s Conor Sweeney was black-carded in the 20th minute, Roscommon took over and played some delightful football. Conor Cox pointed brilliantly from play and then Ciarain Murtagh landed three super points within three minutes. When Cox pointed another free in the 30th minute, it was 0-12 to 0-4. Even better was to come in the 32nd minute when Cian McKeon, playing his best ever game in a Roscommon jersey, scored a brilliant individual goal. The Boyle man powered past three Galway defenders before playing a one-two with Donie Smith and fisting to the Galway net. It was one of the best scores of the entire league

campaign and helped Roscommon into that 11-point lead at the break. While not as impressive in the second half, Roscommon stayed well ahead and by the end of the third quarter led by 1-17 to 0-10. In the 65th minute Johnny Heaney rifled the ball into the top corner after a Roscommon

defensive lapse, and when Tony Gill, Owen Gallagher and Dessie Conneely pointed deep into injury-time, the gap was down to four. Roscommon had the final say. Sub Niall Kilroy brought the crowd to their feet again with a point with the last kick of the game. Sean Kelly (red) and Conor Cox

(black) were sent to the line deep into injury-time after an off the ball clash. Promotion is a marvellous outcome for Anthony Cunningham and the squad. Several new players have put their heads up this year and some others have really blossomed. Next up is a league final at Croke Park with sil-

verware on the line, and the Connacht Championship is just around the corner. With the U-20 team from last year beginning to filter through as well, these are exciting times for Roscommon football. Referee: Derek O’Mahony (Tipperary).

Teams & scorers Roscommon: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Brian Stack, Eoin McCormack; Richard Hughes (0-1), Niall Daly, Ronan Daly; Ultan Harney, Eddie Nolan; Ciarain Murtagh (0-3), Enda Smith (0-1), Cathal Heneghan; Cian McKeon (1-2), Donie Smith (0-4, 3 frees), Conor Cox (0-8, 4 frees). Subs: Niall Kilroy (0-1) for Heneghan (53), Keith Doyle for Nolan (53), Diarmuid Murtagh for McKeon (58), Conor Hussey for N Daly (62). Galway: Conor Flaherty; Sean Fitzgerald, Kieran Molloy, Jack Glynn (0-1); Tony Gill (0-1), Sean Kelly, Cathal Sweeney (0-1); Matthew Tierney (0-1, free), Niall Daly (0-5); Finnain O Laoi, Paul Kelly, Johnny Heaney (1-0); Dylan Canney, Eoin Finnerty, Dessie Conneely (0-4, 2 frees). Subs: Dylan McHugh for O Laoi (29), Owen Gallagher (0-1) for Finnerty (31), Liam Silke (0-1) for Sweeney (h/t), James McLoughlin for P Kelly (49), Cormac McWalter for Canney (60).

Stat Attack Wides: Roscommon 5 (2, first half ); Galway 3 (1, first half ) Red cards: Roscommon 0; Galway 1 (Sean Kelly, 69) Black cards: Roscommon 1 (Conor Cox, 69); Galway 0 Yellow cards: Roscommon 3 (Ronan Daly, David Murray, Diarmuid Murtagh); Galway 2 (Sean Kelly x 2) Man of the Match: Cian McKeon (Roscommon) Attendance: 6,500 approx.

Conor Cox goes to ground during last Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division Two match between Roscommon and Galway at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Roscommon People Friday 01 April 2022

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