01 October 2021 Roscommon People

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01 October 2021

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The Saolta Hospital Group) confirmed this week that visiting restrictions have been imposed at Roscommon University Hospital this week following an outbreak of ROSCOMMON Covid-19.

Visiting is prohibited Roscommon-Galway Constituency on St. Bridget’s Ward, St. Teresa’s Ward and St. Coman’s Ward, however exceptions on compassionate grounds can be Vótáil arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward. The restrictions will be reviewed next week. statement from Saolta Real SolutionsAfor Rural Ireland

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The statement read: “Hospital appointments are going ahead. People who have outpatient or other appointments at the hospital are advised that they should still attend their appointment unless contacted by a member of staff from the hospital and advised not to attend.

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“Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, awaiting a Covid-19 test or test result or who has had a positive test within the last 14 days, should call the number on their appointment letter to rearrange their appointment”.

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02

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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I would like to cut down some trees on my lands but I am concerned that I will fall foul of the law if I do so. Please explain my rights in relation to cutting trees on my property.

Under the Forestry Act, 2014, it is illegal to uproot any tree over ten years old or to cut down any tree of any age (including trees which form part of a hedgerow), unless a notice of intention to fell or uproot trees has been lodged at the Garda Station nearest to the trees at least 21 days before felling commences.

This notice of intention must be given in writing on a form known as a Felling Notice which may be obtained from any Garda Station. Upon receipt of a completed Felling Notice, an Order prohibiting the felling of the trees is issued. This protects the trees in question while consideration is given to the issuing of a Felling Licence. The Act provides for two types of Felling Licence namely a General Felling Licence and a Limited Felling Licence.

The requirement for a Felling Licence for the uprooting or cutting down of trees does NOT apply in a number of circumstances including: • A tree in an urban area • A tree uprooted in a nursery for the purpose of transplantation.

• A tree of the willow or poplar species planted and maintained solely for fuel under a short rotation coppice.

• The tree is standing within 30 metres of any building other than a wall or temporary structure; • A tree less than five years of age that came about through natural regeneration and removed from a field as part of the normal maintenance of agricultural land (but not where the tree is standing in a hedgerow).

• Trees outside a forest – within 10 metres of a public road and which, in the opinion of the owner (being an opinion formed on reasonable grounds), is dangerous to persons using the public road on account of its age or condition.

• Trees outside a forest – the removal of which is specified in a grant of planning permission.

• Trees outside a forest – of the hawthorn or blackthorn species.

• Trees outside a forest – in a hedgerow and felled for the purposes of its trimming, provided that the tree does not exceed 20 centimetres in diameter when measured 1.3 metres from the ground.

Penalties for illegal felling can be severe, ranging from fines of up to a maximum of €200 per tree or up to six months imprisonment or both on conviction in the District Court. Conviction in the Circuit Court will result in heavier penalties.

People WATCHING With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY

Bond, the Ryder Cup...and some confusion about those two guys!

Wow! Friday evening was a disaster!

Agreed!

Those two unpredictable Irish guys... never know what to expect from them!

Mmnn...I guess...

I mean, I’d been looking forward to it SO MUCH. All week I was thinking ‘Can’t wait for it to start on Friday’...

CYCLING ACCIDENT then...anticlimax!

I know, but...

If you were involved in a cycling BUT? accident contact Well, I wouldn’t be blaming the two Byrne Carolan Irish lads... Solicitors Cunningham Ah I’m fed up with them...laughing at their own jokes, playing the ‘Irish craic’ card for American audiences...

You’re such a grump! The Americans love Lowry and McIlroy! Gentlemen... and wonderful players! Lowry might laugh and joke a bit, but that’s refreshing. They’re legends!

Lowry and McIlroy? I was talking about the 2 Johnnies...on the Late Late Show!

Oh! I didn’t see THEM! I assumed you were talking about the start of the Ryder Cup on Friday! Surely you weren’t looking forward to the 2 Johnnies appearing on the Late Late...all week?

My life’s not very exciting just now!

(They pause – very briefly – to reflect on some of the 2 Johnnies’ greatest comedy moments over the years) Which of the two do you like the most?

Huh? The two lads...have you a favourite?

I don’t rate Johnnie, and I don’t rate Johnnie either! In fact, I think Johnnie

Endangered Species The barstool boyos

is less funny than Johnnie! Still, good luck to them, they seem like lovely lads!

I’m talking about the golfers now!

Rory and Shane!

Ah they’re great...

It was a disaster for Europe – the Ryder Cup – but there were a few positives.

Mmnn...

Lowry’s reaction when he sunk that winning putt...

Yep...

And Rory’s emotional interview on Sunday! Wow! They are great guys, in fairness.

Yep! And the Ryder Cup captain – our own Padraig Harrington – he deserves our support too.

What we didn’t like...

After all the understandable hype, it was a disappointing Ryder Cup for Europe, with the Padraig Harrington-led team hammered by the USA, winners on a record scoreline of 19-9.

What PEOPLE are talking about...

Byrne Carolan Cunningham info@bccsolicitors.ie www.bccsolicitors.ie

All joking aside, it’s riveting TV! Ah yeah, even when it’s a bit of an anticlimax, it’s still special...

And that setting, wow!

Yep, stunning!

Mind you, not quite as mesmeric as the Prime Time set!

Huh? The Late Late studio set, it’s good, but it ain’t a patch on the multicolour wonder that is the ‘new’ Prime Time set!

Are you still on about the Late Late?

I meant the Ryder Cup is riveting TV! The Whistling Straits venue was awesome! That amazing background, with pleasure boats cruising on the spectacular Lake Michigan...

I’d love to go one day...

Do you want me to try and get tickets?

I met Marty Morrissey once! I could call him!

Not to the Late Late...to Lake Michigan...and Whistling Straits!

Properties for sale in Strokestown, Elphin and Ballaghaderreen featured on an RTE TV show ‘Cheap Irish Homes’ which was actually a very positive look at the excellent quality of life and value for money on offer in our beautiful county!

(See Miriam’s view, page 14).

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

SOLICITORS

(They pause briefly to check what else happened in the world while they were watching 34 hours of live sport over the weekend)

What we liked...

This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor.

Byrne Carolan Cunningham have offices in Athlone, Moate, Lanesborough and Galway.

Telephone Central Line 090 6478433

Absolutely!

Thing is, no other captain could have halted the Americans’ march this time! They’re superstars!

I agree! Harrington’s not to blame...and he will always be a national hero!

Anyways, it wasn’t a bad Late Late... did you not see the super-cool hero...

I’m sick of Ryan!

No, not Ryan! Bond, James Bond!

Daniel Craig!

Oh dear!

PIC OF THE WEEK: Tommy Cuddy, Mathew Coyne and Cian Connorton getting in some practice during the half-time break in last weekend’s Mulryan Construction IFC quarter-final between St. Faithleach’s and Fuerty, played in Strokestown. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

The Ryder Cup; GAA club championships in Roscommon; The housing crisis; The Taoiseach addresses the UN; Brexit and fears of fuel shortages in the UK; Victory for the Social Democrats in the election in Germany, with Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats struggling...

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

NATIONAL WOMEN’S ENTERPRISE DAY OPEN FOR ROSCOMMON’S ENTREPRENEURS Female entrepreneurs and budding businesswomen from across Roscommon are being encouraged to look to the future and register for this year’s National Women’s Enterprise Day after the line up for the event was announced. The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) initiative, now in its 15th year, will be hosted by founder and broadcaster Aine Kerr.

Roscommon Local Enterprise Office has selected Rita Oates Artist as their 2021 Leading Light. Rita is an inspiring entrepreneur who has used a combination of ideas, innovation and action to drive her business.

Traditionally National Women’s Enterprise Day has taken place locally with LEOs in Roscommon, Mayo and Galway collaborating in putting on events for female businesswomen across the county and those who may have a business idea they want to get off the ground. However, the event went online in 2020 due to restrictions and will take place online again this year.

The free event, titled “Build The Future”, takes place online on the 7th October and will feature some of Ireland’s best known female entrepreneurs including the likes of Aimee Connolly of Sculpted

by Aimee, Rachel Doyle of The Arboretum and Sharon Keegan of Peachy Lean, who was recently supported on Dragon’s Den UK.

The day’s programme will cover a whole host of areas on how to build the future of a business covering topics like, how to get started, internationalisation, finding new markets, trading effectively online, sustainability and innovation.

This will be coupled with breakout rooms for networking and a host of one-to-one advice clinics for any business issues.

New figures released by the Local Enterprise Offices, who are funded by the Government of Ireland and supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authorities, have shown that the amount of women engaging in entrepreneurship and business supports continues to rise.

In 2020 over 47,000 women engaged in training and upskilling with their Local Enterprise Office. This was a huge jump on 2019 as 23,466 female entrepreneurs took part in training that year. In 2020, 50% more females engaged in training and upskilling with their Local Enterprise Office than their male counterparts (30,000).

Louise Ward, Head of LEO Roscommon said; “National Women’s Enterprise Day has always been a day of celebration of the very best in female entrepreneurship and highlighting the strength of that community. This year is no different, but we are very much looking forward.

How can we help female entrepreneurs in

Roscommon sustain and develop their businesses and ideas going into the future.

“The last 18 months have created huge problems for businesses all across the county but also great opportunities and businesses have to grasp those.

NWED is going to look at all those areas where you can build your business for the future, what areas you need to look at and what supports are there to help you do that. Everyone who registers and attends on the day will not only spend it with a fantastic community of female entrepreneurs and experts from around the country, but they will learn how to build their business or business idea for the future.”

Other participants on the day include Gerry Duffy who will be conducting an energising session, Jenny Melia and Sheelagh Daly from Enterprise Ireland on Internationalisation and New Markets, Entrepreneurs Academy’s Noel Davidson on creating connections, Designer Aoife McNamara on starting a business and a host of others covering all sorts of topics from finance to trading online.

Those looking to attend National Women’s Enterprise Day can find more information and register for free at localenterprise.ie/NWED and join the conversation online using the hashtag #NWED. Pictured is Roscommon artist, Rita Oates, with a selection of her greeting cards. www.ritaoatesartist.ie

Plans unveiled for €13m sports centre in Roscommon Town Absence of athletics track raised < DAN DOONER

Plans for a new €13 million sports centre in Roscommon town were presented to members of Roscommon County Council at Monday’s monthly meeting.

Eamonn Seydak from S3 Solutions Consultancy detailed plans for the proposed multi-sport facility, which includes full-sized floodlit grass and 4G pitches, a fitness trail, tennis courts, and sports hall with multipurpose studios.

The preferred site for the new development, called the ‘iRos Centre’ is adjacent to the existing Roscommon Leisure Centre and will involve the enhancement of existing facilities.

S3 Solutions were commissioned by Roscommon Local Community

Development Committee on behalf of the local authority to carry out the strategic plan for the development.

The completed facility is expected to cost in the region of €12.8 million to develop. Roscommon County Council has received Stream 1 funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund of €136,000 to enable progress to detailed design, planning permission and preparation for tender documents.

At Monday’s meeting, however, a number of councillors voiced their concerns over the absence of an athletics track in the current plans.

Fianna Fáil councillor Orla Leyden said the new facility could be a satellite venue for Athlone IT and she couldn’t understand

the justification for not developing a running track.

Mr. Seydak said the initial survey of clubs in Roscommon showed a preference for facilities for

team sports but that the situation could be addressed further.

Independent councillor Nigel Dineen said it would be a “major loss” if the

track wasn’t part of the plans and called for the issue to be dealt with at this early stage.

Meanwhile, Independent councillor Kathleen Shan-

agher expressed her surprise that the track could have been overlooked following a consultation process which involved local athletics clubs.

Fellow Independent Laurence Fallon proposed a review of the plan in the hope of adding an athletics track. This was seconded

by Cllr. Leyden.

04

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

Mary Cox, Majella Flanagan, Tom Holian and Steve Gregory pictured rehearsing for ‘Spreading the News’ at Roscommon Arts Centre. Pic: Brian Farrell

Enda and Roscommon Drama Group ‘Playing on the Radio’ this weekend!

Pictured rehearsing for ‘Spreading the News’ at Roscommon Arts Centre. Pic: Brian Farrell

< DAN DOONER

‘Playing on the Radio’ brings together members of Roscommon Drama Group under the direction of well-known Roscommon actor, Enda Oates for a special series of staged readings and radio broadcasts from Saturday (October 2nd) to Tuesday (October 5th).

Throughout the summer months, the local drama group worked with Enda (who plays Pete in hit soap Fair City) on Zoom and in person on two new productions, JM Synge’s ‘The Tinker’s Wedding’ and Lady Gregory’s ‘Spreading the News’.

This week, Enda told Roscommon People that it was great to be back following the long Covid-19 lay-off.

“This project was envisaged by Averyl Dooher (Roscommon Arts Centre) because she wanted to produce something with the Roscommon Drama Group,” he said.

“Because of the restrictions we had to

keep putting it off because we couldn’t get into the arts centre to rehearse. The productions were created for radio but due to the lifting of restrictions can now be performed live as staged readings in front of a small audience before being broadcast to a larger audience on radio”.

Enda says this “two-pronged approach” will allow audiences to enjoy what is a unique project.

“They are two plays from the 1900s, Lady Gregory’s ‘Spreading the News’ was the very first play to be staged at the Abbey Theatre in 1904. It’s a one-act comedy.

‘The Tinker’s Wedding’ came a few years later.

“At the moment we are performing the plays with two separate casts in order to accommodate everyone,” he said.

Enda has enjoyed the journey, which began all the way back in May via Zoom.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, it was lovely to get involved. There’s some great talent in

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the group and they are a fantastic bunch to work with. They seemed pleased with it too and I think they enjoyed my company – they didn’t give out to me anyway!

“I’ve done a lot of work on radio and of course on television but it was a nice way to explore another skillset. Hopefully now our audiences at the arts centre enjoy the performances over the coming days,” he concluded.

The productions are supported by the Creative Ireland Roscommon programme.

Creative Ireland is an all-of-Government five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. Further information is available via creative.ireland.ie and ireland.ie.

Staged readings will take place nightly at 8 pm from Saturday, October 2nd, to Tuesday, October 5th. The cost is €15 and tickets are selling fast, so book early! Broadcast dates will be announced at a later date.

Aidan Flanagan and Steve Gregory pictured rehearsing for ‘Spreading the News’ at Roscommon Arts Centre. Pic: Brian Farrell

Concern over speeding in built-up areas in Roscommon Cllr. Marty McDermott (Fianna Fáil) has urged Roscommon County Council to take whatever steps are necessary to address a number of road safety concerns in heavily populated areas of Roscommon Town.

Cllr. McDermott says he has been contacted by concerned residents who have expressed fears that a fatal accident could occur at any one of a number of locations.

Specifically, he says concerns have been raised about motorists speeding in residential areas at The Walk, Lisnamult, Lough Road and Hawthorn Drive.

Cllr. McDermott, who raised this issue at a Roscommon Municipal District meeting last week, said that

while speed ramps which were recently installed in Lisnamult are very welcome, their presence has led to

some motorists diverting on to other roads in the area. “Residents say some of these vehicles are travelling too fast and it is a real worry for local families”.

Cllr. McDermott says that residents in Hawthorn Drive, The Walk and at Lough Road have also been in contact with him with regard to vehicles travelling too fast in areas where there are a lot of families residing.

The councillor is now calling for “improved signage and whatever other steps are necessary” to be urgently committed to by Roscommon County Council. He says he will continue to press for action on this issue of urgent public concern.

05

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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The pandemic exposed a decade of neglect in primary and special schools and as we move to recover from Covid19, it’s imperative we do better. Budget 2022 needs to deliver for primary education.

Irish primary class sizes remain the largest in the European Union. Too many pupils still learn in a classroom of 30 or more pupils, with one in five pupils nationally learning in such crowded environments. At the height of the pandemic, Ireland was the only EU country that had to plan for social distancing in supersized classes of thirty or more. Research shows that smaller classes enable teachers to give adequate and necessary time to each child in the classroom, which has a positive impact on learning outcomes.

Principals must be supported in their efforts to lead teaching and learning in our schools whilst they simultaneously carry out the range of administrative tasks assigned to the role. No

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They teach their class and must manage their entire school. It’s a very difficult juggling act.

During the pandemic, the government finally listened to calls from this union and provided for one day a week release from teaching duties to enable these principals to lead and manage their schools.

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As we move out of the pandemic, we need to invest in our primary schools as they play their role in the great national effort supporting their pupils, some of whom have sadly fallen behind.

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06

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor Saturday While I probably would have paid to see Michael HealyRae’s reaction to the spread, I was a little bemused by the Irish Independent’s massive expose on the wealth of the country’s TDs. Our friends in the ‘Indo’ dedicated a spectacular ten pages to their report, coverage on a scale probably not seen since the Sunday Independent LIFE magazine last featured Miriam O’Callaghan.

Basically, a team of Indo reporters spent two months (yep!) assessing the ‘assets and pension pots’ of our TDs. Their conclusion (published with great fanfare, analysis and comment) was that there are 68 millionaires in the Dáil, and that Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is the third richest ‘TD landlord’, worth an estimated €6m (trailing Michael Lowry on €7.3m).

How justifiable this exercise was is debatable. I understand that TDs need to be transparent about their interests, to avoid any conflict of interest.

I can see too why the fact that people who make housing policy are themselves also landlords is a public interest issue. Still, this hyped expose was arguably intrusive and a touch unfair. It was certainly overblown. Anyone for another Miriam special?

All weekend The Ryder Cup was entertaining both as a glitzy show and as an event adorned by frequently brilliant golf – from the Americans. As a competitive sporting battle, it left a lot to be desired, Europe never really managing to recover the ground lost during a lacklustre start on Friday.

This was a Ryder Cup which was always going to be of huge interest in these parts, with Padraig Harrington –

arguably Ireland’s greatest ever sportsperson – having the huge honour of being Europe’s Captain, and Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry both in the team.

I felt sorry for Harrington all weekend. This was not how it was meant to be. By Sunday evening, with a big defeat looming, Harrington cut a lonely figure, shell-shocked and desolate.

Social media was already on the attack, much of the comment being predictably vitriolic, ill-informed and abusive, many of the posts the creative brilliance of faceless and nameless idiots.

Some within the mainstream media may not spare Harrington either, but expect the post-mortem there to be much more considered, balanced and respectful. Mind you, it’s a moot point as to just how much influence a non-playing captain can have; at the end of the day, guys have to sink key putts and hit great shots, and the European players were consistently outplayed on that front.

Harrington may have made a selection error or two, but he was unlucky that his Ryder Cup captaincy coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic.

It meant Europe had very little on-course support, giving the Americans a distinct advantage. It is also the case that Europe just aren’t as strong as America at the moment; a few of the European players are past their best, while the Americans have a young team laden with most of the world’s finest golfing talent. Harrington did not have twelve John Rahms.

Monday Restrictions are being lifted, vaccinations are flying, there are less furrowed brows...but the road back to where we once were will be long and challenging.

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

Fuerty fans Ally Farrell, Tegan Healy and Lily Richardson pictured at their team’s IFC quarter-final against St. Faithleach’s in Strokestown. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Covid-19 has turned our world upside down, and there is no guarantee that it will be put back the way it was. Chances are, it won’t. If it isn’t (which it won’t be) it will take us time to adapt to the new-look world!

Speaking to a few local business people, I sense continued apprehension about the emerging picture. Traders are relieved and pleased to be open again, but the business environment remains very challenging. Businesses are weighed down with extra administration demands (due to the pandemic), and the growth of online shopping is also having an adverse affect for many. There is too a staff shortage which is reaching crisis proportions. SMEs that have been availing of government supports (such as the wage subsidy scheme) are deeply worried about their fate when these props are withdrawn.

I am quite sure that many, many people are still greatly challenged – not just economically, in other ways too – by the unprecedented upheaval of the last nineteen months. There is loneliness, loss, social anxiety, fear, depression and worry. It

is imperative that supports are readily available and that people recognise how important and advisable it is to seek out such supports.

Of course it’s great to see signs of a slow and welcome return to the type of life we had before.

Some cafes and restaurants have much of their atmospheric buzz back, the aroma of coffee and hot food, the soundtrack of conversation bubbling again.

Children and adults playing sport again is another example of society moving back towards the simple joys of the recent past.

For everybody, there is hope, reason to believe that we are close to the end of the pandemic, if not close to the end of its consequences. We are on the right road. Slowly but surely, the stalking shadow of the pandemic is fading.

Tuesday Having dropped a family member off for an appointment at Sligo Hospital, I have a few hours to spare. A few months ago, in the same situation, I was restricted to coffee at a fill-

ing station, Ray D’Arcy on the radio, and a nostalgic wander around Rosses Point. Now it’s different, much more like it used to be.

Mind you, there’s the strange experience of being addressed by my first name in a café I’ve never been to before. That’s because the friendly lady took my name and contact number, while almost apologetically asking for a quick glance at my Covid cert.

After that, it’s all ‘take a seat Paul’ and ‘if you need anything else, just ask, Paul’. Excellent!

Seated to my left are two elderly men who simply will not stop talking. To my right, a woman hovers close to a woman sitting on her own, until the latter woman – reading the unsubtle signals – invites the new customer to share her table. ‘I’ll be going in a few minutes’. Just then the newcomer is joined by another woman, who had been paying at the counter. ‘Sit down, this lady is going in a few minutes…I could have paid for that!’

My all-day breakfast is tasty, and great value at €8.65. A man leaving the café stops to chat to the two men on my left. He

backed a horse at 25 to 1, it came in fourth at 9 to 1, and he collected because it was an each-way bet. They chat about horses for ages, then the subject switches to current affairs. The plight of Gerry Hutch of gangland notoriety is analysed, and it’s agreed that the Spanish prisons “are a lot different to the Irish ones”. I order a new pot of tea, and begin to type this on my laptop.

I’m in no hurry. This, in all its ‘simple pleasures’ vibe, feels so much more like how we like to live.

After more chat about the horses, the man who won in the bookies leaves, delivering a parting “see you on Thursday” to the two men seated beside me. They chat contentedly for a few more minutes.

When they get up to leave, there’s a greeting for the two ladies who now have sole call on the table on my right (the first woman presumably having made her escape). There is immediate agreement between them that time is flying, the years are flying, and “we won’t find Christmas coming”.

“See you on Thursday” the men announce to one another as they exit into the sunshine.

It’s only then that I spot a sign on the wall: ‘Please respect our table allocation time of 45 minutes (due to Covid restrictions)’. I’d better free up my seat. Time is indeed flying. It waits for nobody, maybe even in Spanish prisons.

As for the men who know about horses – and life – there are a lot of lost Thursdays to make up.

Later on Tuesday

A sign on the exterior of a restaurant in Sligo catches my eye: ‘Going vegan is a missed steak’.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

Drugs worth €113,000 seized in Athlone Gardaí have seized drugs worth €113,200 in Athlone and made one arrest following a search of a residential property in the town on Tuesday night.

During the course of the search, which took place at around

8.15 pm, Gardai discovered heroin worth €79,240, cannabis worth €25,000, €6,700 worth of diazepam tablets, and cocaine worth €2,310.

The drugs will now be sent for further analysis. A male youth

was arrested at the scene and was detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Athlone Garda Station.

Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.

Naughten: One in six local kids in ‘supersized classes’

Independent TD Denis Naughten.

Independent TD Denis Naughten has said that children in classes of 30 pupils or more are facing huge educational disadvantages which pose negative, longterm consequences.

Questioning Minister for Education Norma Foley in the Dáil last week, the local TD said: “If you spread the marmalade too thin on a slice of toast, you won’t even taste it. That’s effectively what we are doing with teaching resources in supersized classes across our country.

“In these instances, both weaker and stronger pupils lose out. This causes disruption, and as a result has an impact on the whole class.

“While there has been an improvement in the pupilteacher ratio due to the investment that I, along with others, secured during the term of the last Government, we still have up to one in five classes in County Galway with 30 or more pupils and

DIAGNOSED

in County Roscommon one in six pupils are in classes of 30 or more,” he said.

Deputy Naughten claimed that currently, one in ten children leaving primary school were unable to read and write properly.

“Investment needs to be put into primary education, including the reduction in large classes, starting with younger children to ensure that every child can fully participate to the best of their ability in our society.

“No child should be in a class of more than 30 pupils and I fully support the need to reduce class sizes to achieve that core objective of ensuring that every child can read and write when they leave primary school.

“The failure to tackle supersized classes in primary schools means that many children are being subjected to a huge educational disadvantage which has negative, long-term consequences,” he concluded.

Anne’s pandemic project... writing her life story!

Roscommon native Anne Beisty (nee MacDonnell) decided to make the best use of her time during the pandemic lockdown – by writing a book about her life!

Anne, who was born and raised in Rathcroghan, had been writing her life story for a few years, but decided it was time to finish the job when the pandemic lockdown arrived last year. The book tells her life story from growing up in rural Roscommon in the 1940s and ‘50s, to living and working in different parts of the country including Cork, Connemara and North Mayo, raising her family and in later years, travelling to different parts of the world.

Anne was the youngest member of her family. Her older brother Paddy was a member of the All-Ireland winning Roscommon team of 1944. Her book offers a rich collection of personal stories that illustrate what life in rural Ireland was like over those years and how life here has been transformed over her lifetime. Anne’s main motivation for writing her story was to give her fourteen grandchildren an idea of their country’s past, and what Ireland was like when she was growing up, so that they may appreciate the many wonderful opportunities they have today.

The book, entitled ‘Anne’s Story’, is self-published with the help of Longford-based graphic design company Rusty Lemon. Anyone who wishes to order a copy can email annemacdonnell@gmail.com.

This course incorporates ART activities that center around the 5 senses and promote

Pictured is a copy of ‘Anne’s Story’, a book written and selfpublished by Roscommon native Anne MacDonnell.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ...

Paul Healy’s take on top tweets!

Rome Rory. #RyderCup2020 -The actor/presenter in support of Rory, who gave an emotional interview as Europe, captained by Padraig Harrington, lost to USA in the Ryder Cup

Gary Lineker @GaryLineker Superb performance and thoroughly meritorious victory for what is a brilliant American team. Well played. #RyderCup2020 -Gary is gracious about America’s ‘easy Ryder’ Ryle Nugent @ryle_nugent The requirement of commentators to apologies for barely audible swear words, in a live sporting contest, is nonsense.

Needs to be cleaned up by the powers that be...I get it if it’s out of context or gratuitous...but most is not...

-Former RTE Head of Sport Ryle tut-tuts at Sky’s tiresome tendency to apologise when a sportstar (or spectator) swears...

Simon Delaney @SimonDelaneyEsq Watching McIroy, listening to him, is heartbreaking. This result stings. He was great today. And he’ll be back. Roll on

The 2 Johnnies

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

TURNKEY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS/ HOUSING SCHEMES AND/OR LAND FOR THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL/AFFORDABLE HOUSING Roscommon County Council is seeking expressions of interest from Developers, Contractors and Landowners for the provision of schemes of houses and/ or land for Social/Affordable Housing purposes. The Council has many priority areas for housing developments but all proposals, irrespective of location, will be considered.

Housing schemes/lands to be considered must be close to services in a town or village, and within walking distance of shops, schools and local amenities.

Housing Design Standards should at a minimum meet the requirements and criteria set out in the Department of Housing and Planning publication, ‘Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities’ and other relevant statutory planning and construction standards including Building Regulations.

Land to be considered must, where land zoning applies, be residentially zoned.

Please visit www.etenders.gov.ie (RFT 199199) or request an information pack from the Housing Office, Aras an Chontae, Roscommon County Council or at Housing@roscommoncoco.ie for further information.

Submissions must be received not later than 4pm on Friday, 22nd October 2021.

Roscommon County Council is not obliged to purchase any housing scheme or land submitted as part of this process.

Please note that Roscommon County Council is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. If you consider that any of the Information supplied by you is either commercially sensitive or confidential in nature, this should be highlighted and the reasons for its sensitivity specified. In such cases, the relevant material will, in response to FOI requests, be examined in light of exemptions provided for the FOI Act. Dated 22nd day of September, 2021 Majella Hunt, Director of Housing

Seamus Duke @SeamusDuke I’m a lifelong United fan and after years of being patient...Ole has to go now. Today was the final straw #ManchesterUnited -Never mind The Return of Ronaldo, Seamus says he’s had enough of inconsistent United (well enough of Ole, rather)

-Yes, everyone er...loves the 2 Johnnies!

We’re just crazy about these guys...they’re unmissable...

Philip Nolan @philipnolan1 I’m off back to the #RyderCup. Can someone tell me when the Two Johnnies are done and Daniel Craig comes on?

Cheers. #LateLate -Oops...

Gareth L Powell @garethlpowell Does anyone else find it crazy that you can walk into a bookshop and be charged £7.99 for a paperback novel that took the author a year to complete, but £16.99 for a completely blank notebook?

-We’re on the same ‘page’ Gareth...

Maureen Catterson @MoCatterson @the2johnnies telling Ryan “We’re like two fella’s driving down a backroad with no tax. It’s not great, but we’re getting away it!” Gas feckers! #LateLateShow #Latelate

Padraig Harrington

Funding for local walking trails welcolmed Roscommon LEADER Partnership have welcomed the announcement from Minister Heather Humphreys of the expansion of the Walk Scheme nationally, especially the inclusion of the Lung/ Lough Gara Way in County Roscommon.

The Lung/Lough Gara Way is a long distance walking trail steeped in history and archaeology. The trail begins in the woodland adjacent to the grounds of Clonalis House in Castlerea and follows quiet local roads, bogland and farmland to link in with the Miners Way, as well as this the trail forms part of the Beara Breifne Way. This announcement will see the 38.2km of the 57km trail that traverses Co. Roscommon, and nine landowners added to the national Walk Scheme.

The Walk Scheme aims to open up our countryside to local walkers, hikers and tourists. Under the scheme, funding is provided to farmers and other landowners to maintain the trails that travel through their holdings.

Roscommon LEADER Partnership is looking forward to supporting the development and maintenance of the trail, as stated by its CEO Martina Earley.

“In rolling out the Walks Scheme, Roscommon LEADER Partnership

works closely with community groups and rural farmers and landowners. We are indebted to our farmers and other landowners throughout the county that facilitate access to these wonderful trails and who now, through this scheme, are being funded to maintain the walks to the high standard we have all come to expect”.

Local politicians have welcomed the announcement.

Minister Frank Feighan said: “I want to acknowledge the great work un-

dertaken by Roscommon Integrated Development Company and other companies nationally”.

Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan stated: “This is fantastic news for Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen. It means a national approved trail and part of the Beara Breifne Way. This announcement will make up the whole Beara Breifne Trail as it also includes the other final two sections in Cork and Cavan. It’s all part of government investment in our region under ‘Our Rural Future’.

“Firstly, farmers will re-

ceive payment for maintaining the areas through their lands. Secondly, it means more tourism for the area and more families exploring the walkways and blueways all around Roscommon. It will also support local businesses or people who have ideas for eco-tourism projects”.

Senator Eugene Murphy also welcomed the funding, commenting: “Over 38km of the Lung/Lough Gara Way is to be developed under the scheme.

This is a great boost for outdoor recreation and rural tourism in our county”.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople newsbriefs ‘Try a Dive’ with Lough Ree Sub Aqua Lough Ree Sub Aqua club are delighted to get back to training in Longford Swimming Pool beginning on Thursday night (October 14th) at 9 pm.

Anyone interested in trying a dive please contact training officer Gerry Lane or Chairman Frank Casey through the Lough Ree Sub Aqua Facebook page.

RSG Derrane courses RSG (Roscommon Support Group) Derrane is offering the following courses for 2021/22 (subject to numbers): reflexology, massage, facials, nail painting, outdoor pursuits, chair exercise, juice making, bingo, word search, card evening, music day, food-themed days, knitting, cake decorating, pyrography and candle-making.

Guest speakers will also feature throughout the year. For more information, please contact Olive or Katelyn on 090-6625852 (ext.

700).

Calling all Summer Stars 2021 participants!

If you took part in your local library’s ‘Summer Stars 2021’ event then your certificate of achievement and medal are now waiting to be collected in your local library!

Congratulations to all the 574 children who signed up for the Summer Stars 2021 national reading adventure with Roscommon libraries. The aim of this programme is to foster the enjoyment of reading in children and to help them maintain their reading levels over the summer months.

The lucky winner of the Summer Stars Bike competition was Darren Keenan, a young member of the Mobile Library.

The library wishes to acknowledge the assistance and help of Roscommon Sports Partnership in helping choose a bespoke bike ordered specifically for the young winner and the added inclusion of cycle safe lessons for Darren and his family.

Gardaí are investigating an act of criminal damage which occurred at St. Faithleach’s GAA Club in Ballyleague on Saturday night last.

GAA club condemns ‘scandalous’ act of criminal damage at grounds Gardaí are investigating an act of criminal damage which occurred at St. Faithleach’s GAA Club in Ballyleague on Saturday night last.

Extensive damage was caused to a tractor, dressing

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room and dugouts at the club grounds.

St. Faithleach’s GAA confirmed the shocking incident in a social media post on Sunday, and urged anyone with any information to contact

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club members or local Gardaí.

The Facebook post read: “Absolutely disgusted to be posting this. All the hard work that the ground staff and club members put in day in day out with very minimal budget. A

Upstyle

UPSTYLING FOR THAT SPECIAL OCCASION 8 WEEK COURSE With social gatherings starting to revert back to normal and the Christmas holiday period fast approaching many will be thinking of party outfits and how about party hair?

This course will give you the know how to wash, dry, style and upstyle for any occasion.

Learners may progress to a certified Hairdressing course which will be offered in January 2022 (pending interest).

lot of damage caused to our dressing room, tractor and dugouts.

“We would plead that anyone with any information on these scandalous acts please come forward and contact any club

HOSPITALITY SKILLS COURSE Fancy a change of career or would you like an opportunity to upskill?

BTEI Roscommon is offering you the opportunity to join one of our up and coming courses which takes place in a safe and specialised environment.

Work with an award-winning Chef who has experience working in 5 star hotels throughout the world. She has won cookery school of the year twice – in 2016 & 2018, she has featured on RTE’s ‘Nationwide’, Virgin Media’s ‘Backing up Business’, and on Ireland am, she has also just completed and published her first book.

Barista-you will be offered the opportunity to progress further and gain further certification through the World Barista Institute.

Start Date: 8/10/2021. Finish Date: 3/12/2021.

One day per week x 4 hours.

Apply to: Stephanie – 091 874585 www.fetchcourses.ie using Course Code 295195

Start Date: October 19th, 2021 Days: Tuesday(full day) & Friday (half day) Venue: An Chistin and VTOS, Castlerea Course is FREE to qualifying participants Apply to: Stephanie – 091 874585 www.fetchcourses.ie using Course Code 314646

Cookery Delivered by ward winning chef

Barista Delivered by Dublin Barista School

HACCP Manual Handling Customer Service Work Experience

European Union

European Union

Investing in your future

Investing in your future

European Social Fund

Registered Charity Number (RCN 20083427)

member or the Gardaí.

“The power of social media and the strong community of Ballyleague and surrounding areas will work together so that these thugs are apprehended for this”.

European Social Fund

Registered Charity Number (RCN 20083427)

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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D News page

Today FM appeal leads to proposal!

An Athlone man has popped the question to the one who almost got away three years after contacting Today FM’s Dermot and Dave in a bid to reconnect with the woman he had met in The Prince of Wales pub.

Chris Coleman fell for a girl called ‘Caitriona’ while on a night out with

pals in 2018, but while sparks flew there was an unfortunate breakdown in communication when the pair went to exchange numbers.

Enterprising Chris got in touch with Dermot Whelan and Dave Moore on their Today FM show and the pair were reunited just two

weeks later.

Three and half years and a global pandemic later and Chris and Caitriona joined Dermot and Dave last week to share some exciting news.

Chris popped the question just last week while the couple were out for a walk and Caitriona said yes!

Family ‘fun in the trees’ at Roscommon Arts Centre

First day of school! Hadi pictured enjoying the first day of school for new junior infants at Kilteevan National School recently.

Roscommon Arts Centre’s Lollipops Children’s Festival returns this October 10th with a fabulous family show called Treehouse. Join The Whistleberries in the treetops where a toe-tapping, tale-telling, hip-shaking hooley awaits!

Treehouse by Ceol Connected, is full of unique big band music and puppetry performances for young audiences that is sure to have everyone singing along. With mesmerising original music and songs by some of Ireland’s finest musicians and performers, you can look forward to a wonderfully interactive show that will have audiences of all ages hooked.

Ceol Connected are no strangers to

the arts centre stage having performed there a number of times with shows such as Return of Spring, The Quiet Tree and they were the talented people behind the Tradoodle Festival at the centre in 2018 and 2019.

In Treehouse, Musical Director Thomas Johnston (whistles and song) is joined by a stellar lineup of Stephen Markham (piano), Áine McGeeney (fiddle and vocals), Seán O’Meara (guitar), Colm Phelan (percussion), and Tommy Baker (puppeteer).

Treehouse is suitable for children ages 3 to 7 and their adults. Tickets are €8 each/family of four €28. On sale now from the box office on 0906625824/roscommonartscentre.ie.

Midland Polish Community to launch TV programme The Midland Polish Community is set to launch its first ever TV programme specifically dedicated Polish speaking members of modern, diversified Irish communities.

The ten-episode ‘Info Desk’ will soon stream on YouTube and aims to support Polish nationals living in Ireland, helping them to fully participate in Irish civic society.

Expert panelists will discuss topics such as the Irish healthcare system, education, taxes and much more. In the second part of each episode, viewers will hear from Poles of all backgrounds discussing their passions, hobbies and achievements.

The project is coordi-

nated by Midlands Polish Community, a non-profit organisation founded in 2018, which is involved in a number of cultural and charity events supporting both Polish and Irish communities in Midlands.

Project Info Desk is

funded by the Community Foundation for Ireland, Longford County Council, Westmeath County Council, Roscommon County Council and the Polish Embassy in Dublin.

Midlands Polish Community chairman, Slavek

Kazek, says Info Desk is “an exciting challenge, but also an opportunity for building the first Community TV station in the Midlands”.

For more information on the project visit: www.polishcommunity.ie.

Roscommon woman wins Waterford home with €23 raffle ticket!

A Roscommon woman has landed a beautiful home in Waterford worth an estimated €300,000 after purchasing a €23 raffle ticket as part of WinThisHouse.ie’s latest online draw.

Leeann Keegan is now the proud

mortgage-free owner of the stunning ‘Cove Lodge’ in Dunmore East.

WinThisHouse.ie was established by Paddy McInerney and Cove Lodge was the first property to be raffled off by the new venture.

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

FRANK

FRANK BRANDON’S

BRANDON

unique take on life ...

In praise of local Civic Amenity Centres…

Our man Frank on the importance of local Civic Amenity Centres, a successful golf fundraiser in aid of a Haitian orphanage, Rory’s Ryder Cup pain, and fine-tuning those green fingers in Glinsk…

Back in the days when I was a young fellow, there wasn’t much thought given to health and safety, protection of the environment, or anything like that. There were no such things as bin companies or waste charges, and when it came to waste disposal things were very different.

There probably wasn’t as much waste back then either as everything was built to last. Cars were built from iron and steel as opposed to present day plastic, and the few electric devices we had, such as washing machines and fridges, would hardly ever break down. No one had ever seen a dishwasher,

the telly was still unheard of, and even furniture was made in such a way that it would never fall apart.

There can be no doubt that everything in the modern world is meant to have a relatively short lifespan so that people need to be constantly replacing stuff – all, of course, at great expense to the consumer, and contributing to the success and sustainability of the various manufacturing companies.

The simple truth is that successful companies mean more jobs, which in turn means more money in the local economy, which means more people can replace their relatively new appliances and furniture, and as the wheel keeps turning, the waste problem becomes worse.

Back in the old days, the solution was very simple: If it was wooden or could be burnt, put the whole lot out the back somewhere, get yourself a drop of diesel, set a match to it, and have yourself a bonfire.

Before too long, everything would have turned into a lovely pile of ashes, and if the stuff couldn’t be burnt (things like electrical appliances, or other items made of steel or iron), all you had to do was dig a hole somewhere handy, pile every-

Michael’s golf tournament in aid of Haitian orphanage Back to Saturday morning and at nine o’clock, Richard Smyth, Stephen Smyth, my brother Duff and I found ourselves standing on the first tee at Mountbellew Golf Club, heading off to play a round on the lovely eighteen-hole course. We were there to take part in an Am-Am organised by Ballygar man, Michael Nolan, to raise funds for ‘Our Little Brothers and Sisters’ Orphanage’, an orphanage in the notoriously unstable Haiti. Haiti is a Caribbean country that seems to be constantly suffering from every kind of trauma – political instability, riots, violence, unemployment , poverty, and devastating earthquakes have all had huge impacts on the welfare of the island population – and the orphanage comes to the rescue of orphaned and abandoned children.

Almost forty teams took part in the Am-Am, and while we kept our score to ourselves, we did, at least, complete the eighteen holes. The whole thing ran like clockwork, so well done Michael, congratulations on running such a good competition for such a good cause. Keep up the good work – your commitment to the Haitian orphanage is wonderful, and so vital for the survival of the suffering children.

thing you had into it, close it back up, and problem solved.

Then everything changed. We had experts telling us about the Ozone layer and pollution, and damage to the environment, and all kinds of ‘Save the Planet’ activists started appearing everywhere. European lawmakers told us we couldn’t light fires (or even cut turf), we certainly couldn’t bury anything, and the whole world changed completely.

Whether it was for the best or not depends on who you ask, but all of a sudden, we were faced with getting black, brown, blue and green refuse sacks for our household waste and started receiving large bills from the new waste removal companies for the privilege of getting rid of all our unwanted stuff.

In fairness, we can bring old electrical items to the local Civic Amenity Centre free of charge, but we still had the problem of getting rid of the bigger items like mattresses, furniture, carpets or old bathroom suites.

That brings us up to last week, when I read in the local paper (the Roscommon People, of course) that on Wednesday, the Castlerea centre was taking a car and trailer full of all that type of stuff for a tenner. As

I was just starting to clean out an old building, it couldn’t have come at a better time. I had no trailer, but I borrowed one for the day, and on Wednesday afternoon, I hit off for Castlerea, loaded to the hilt. I had one big leather recliner couch, three armchairs, two big old mattresses, an upholstered footstool, loads of upholstered cushions, and an old sink. I reminded myself of families in old TV programmes as they moved around the Old West with all their worldly goods piled up on the cart. The only difference was that I had a car pulling my trailer instead of a trusty old horse.

We’d tied everything down as best we could, but it was still with some trepidation that I set off for Castlerea; furniture is notorious for moving around and loosening, and as a former furniture salesman and removal man, I was well aware of the dangers. On one famous occasion, I was delivering two new beds to a customer out the country, and I didn’t think it was necessary to tie them down as they were lying flat in the back of the open trailer.

Sadly, I was wrong. I hit a fairly severe bump on the road and was horrified to see the two beds fly out

Rory’s emotional as Europe well beaten

Sticking with golf: It is now Monday morning, and the much longed for Ryder Cup has been a huge anti- climax, with the United States beating Padraig Harrington’s European team by a record 19 to 9.

In truth, the writing was on the European wall as early as Friday morning. From looking forward with such great excitement for weeks leading up to Friday’s start, I barely watched any of the action, and the only real highlight was Shane Lowry’s performance in Saturday’s fourball, when his inspired round led to the capture of one of the European team’s few points.

And so, with the result pretty much known from the very first day, I have to say that I was surprised to see how much the Ryder Cup meant to Rory McIlroy, when he broke down in an interview after the match was over. His emotional interview, in which he said he loved being part of the European team, and that he had let down his teammates was just so heart-warming and in a lot of ways, very sad. He said that as an individual player, nothing ever made him emotional, no matter what he did, but being part of a team was a phenomenal experi-

of the trailer and over a roadside wall. I was even more horrified when I found them drowned in a swollen river inside the wall and I realised there and then (I’m a quick learner) that everything needs to be tied down, and that you must take it handy when pulling a loaded trailer.

So I took it very handy on my way to Castlerea, and if you were any of the hundred and twenty drivers who were caught behind me, pulling your hair out, I do apologise, but it was still better than being taken out by a flying armchair, or worse still, the whole couch! Thankfully, I got there safe and sound and with everything in place, got checked in, unloaded, and out again in jig time. As I made my way home, I was very grateful for such a service from Roscommon County Council. I think it only happens very occasionally, but it is well worth watching out for.

On Friday I repeated the dose, although this time with old electrical items to the Roscommon town Civic Amenity Centre. I have to say the service in both places was exceptional and a great help, and at a time when it’s so hard to get rid of rubbish, it is great to have such a facility on our doorstep.

ence. He also promised to try to be there again in two years’ time.

That is the beauty of sport – no matter what happens, or how bad a defeat someone suffers, they can always dust themselves down, get back on the horse, and know that another chance will come their way. Whether Rory is on the team or not, and I hope he is, twelve Europeans will get the chance to win back the cup in Rome in two years’ time, and despite the overwhelming defeat last weekend, there will be plenty of hope and excitement as the event gets closer. Please God if I’m still around, I will get to watch it all in 2023.

And finally…

Marie Barlow tells me that the Glinsk Ladies Club are holding an Outdoor Gardening class at the home of Rod Ogilvie (RSO Landscape Design) in Glinsk (F45 PY22) at 12 noon on Saturday, October 2nd. Rod will be giving demos on lawn preparation and plant propagation, so if you want to become a better gardener, go along and take part. In the not too distant future, we will see the benefits in all the gardens around the place.

Also, a reminder for anyone interested in the future of the Creggs Harvest Festival that a meeting will take place this Friday night, October 1st, in the Historical Society at 8 pm. All are invited to attend and discuss the hoped-for return of the festival, so put it in your diary and don’t forget about it!

‘Till next week, bye for now

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Advertorial

Late opening hours return at Roscommon Credit Union We are delighted to reinstate late opening hours at our Roscommon and Elphin branch offices, effective October 1st (this Friday). Currently, our Roscommon office is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Thursday. From October 1st, late opening hours return on Fridays, and members can avail of in-branch services from 10 am to 8 pm. Please note that on the first Wednesday of every month, our Roscommon office opens at the later time of 10.30 am.

Opening hours for our Elphin office are Mondays from 10 am to 4 pm, closed for lunch from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Thursday opening hours will return to 3.30 pm to 7 pm on October 7th.

Strokestown office opening hours remain unchanged, opening Thursdays 11 am to 1.30 pm, and Fridays 10 am to

4.30 pm, closed for lunch on Fridays from 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm.

Members can continue to avail of our great range of services and products in person, by phone, email or via our online and mobile banking service.

Our online and mobile banking service allows members to view

transactions, transfer funds, pay bills download e-statements, get a quick quote, and apply for a loan!

Members can register at roscommoncu.ie/Register, and can apply for a loan by phoning 090-6626657, emailing loans@ roscommoncu.ie, or visiting roscommoncu.ie/Loans.

We have also recently introduced lower standard rates for both our car and home improvement loans of €20,000 and over to meet member demand. Visit roscommoncu.ie to get a quick quote and apply online, or call us on 090-6626657.

Additionally, the new Sideby-Side Loan allows members to have two loans at the same time! There is no need to pay back an existing loan before applying for a new loan. Not all purchases are planned or anticipated, and with our Side-by-

Side Loan, members can access additional funds when they need it most!

There are many benefits to a credit union loan, including great rates, flexible repayments, free loan protection insurance, no transaction fees, and great personal service! If you are need of financial assistance, talk to us, we have a range of flexible personal loans to suit.

Not a member? Not a problem!

Join today and apply for a loan straight away. To do so, complete an online member request via our website, or talk to us on 090-6626657.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our members for their continued support and loyalty. As always, we are here to help!

Connect with Roscommon Credit Union on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for more.

What’s new at Roscommon Credit Union

2021 Ballinasloe Fair called off The 2021 Ballinasloe Fair has been called off due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It is normally held in October, and attracts thousands of people.

Ballinasloe-based Senator Aisling Dolan commented: “It is difficult to manage non-ticketed outdoor events with large crowds, and for these reasons, the fair has been cancelled this year. It is a difficult decision for locals, businesses, associations, and visitors who love the fair, however it is

also one that was made with the interests of our health and safety at the heart of it.

“In 2022, we will celebrate the 300th anniversary of this incredible international event”.

Senator Dolan added that there are a number of upcoming events in Ballinasloe, with the spooky Halloween Zombie walk at the end of October, and a Christmas Lights Festival commencing in mid-November.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

Miriam’s

MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

Why do we women feel pressured to be perfect?

According to research carried out by the Dove Self-Esteem Project, Irish ladies are amongst those who have ‘the lowest levels of self-esteem in the world’, sometimes experiencing self-doubt when it comes to how we look – and that’s terribly sad on so many levels.

Okay, we’ve all said things like ‘I hate my knees’ or ‘I really wish I hadn’t eaten that second piece of cake’ etc., and that’s fine, so long as these phrases don’t become the mainstay of our daily lives. If they do, and we become obsessed with striving to have the so-called ‘perfect body’, I’d worry that some of us may engage in unhealthy dieting, back-breaking exercise regimes, or worse, that we’d influence negative body image issues and disordered eating in any vulner-

able teenagers or children who may overhear us.

However, when the likes of supermodel and catwalk queen Linda Evangelista, a woman who, along with pals Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell allegedly ‘refused to get out of bed’ for less than $10,000 (€8,530.00), is unhappy with how she looks, is it any wonder us mere mortals are experiencing insecurities? I’m referring to last week’s much-publicised stories regarding the beautiful Linda’s claims that she has been ‘left unrecognisable after a fat-freezing procedure’ which apparently went wrong.

I’ve never undergone any cosmetic procedures – surgical or non-surgical – for the simple reason I have an autoimmune disorder which makes it

extremely risky to my health; otherwise I’d have my wrinkles filled with so much stretchy collagen, that when I die my body could be used to make knicker elastic.

Ms. Evangelista has alleged that this particular procedure had “not only destroyed my livelihood, it has sent me into a cycle of deep depression, profound sadness and the lowest depths of self-loathing”. She added: In the process, I have become a recluse”.

Reading these comments, I became pretty shocked. I also became relieved that my compromised immune system prevents me from messing with Mother Nature – despite what the battle-axe has done to me in my advancing years!

I feel terribly sorry for Ms. Evan-

Spay/neuter to prevent surge in kitten abandonment To those who believe it’s acceptable to abandon an animal in this country – and, as we’re living in Roscommon, I’m placing an emphasis on this particular county – can I alert you to the fact that, under the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2013, this is an offence which is punishable by law.

How do I know? I was one of the consultative bodies around the drafting of this Act so that we could replace the archaic Protection of Animals Act 1911, thus making the world a better place for our four-legged friends. Under this Act, all pet/ companion animals are protected…this includes cats; yet only last week, some despicable, depraved sickos decided it was okay to dump defenceless new-born kittens in several locations across this county, leaving animal welfare charities/ volunteers to, once again, pick up the pieces! How dare you!

For anyone who insists that ‘cats are wild animals’, they’re not…but let me enlighten you further and say that wild animals are also ‘protected’ by law, especially when they come

under the control of a human.

So you get it, cats/kittens are protected by law and those who put them in a box, a bucket, or a suitcase and callously dump them/jettison them from a moving vehicle into an environment where they cannot fend for themselves, are criminals committing a serious crime.

Just so you know…most animal abuse offences carry a fine of up to €5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

More serious offences carry fines of up to €250,000 and up to five years in prison.

I don’t wish to distress anyone but I have to alert readers to the fact that pet/animal abuse should be seen as a ‘red flag’ as in it’s one of the four predictors of domestic partner violence.

Put simply, any individual who commits an act of cruelty/ causes unnecessary suffering or harm to an innocent animal is more likely to harm another human being; this could sadly be a partner or a child.

While those disturbing statistics sink in, can I say that if you have a domestic cat, in order to prevent unwanted lit-

ters, please speak to your vet about spaying/neutering. If you have feral cats in your area, please contact your local TNR/SPCA charity and seek help with their extremely lowcost community-based humane trapping, spaying/neutering programmes.

I cannot stress enough that the majority of people living in this beautiful county are wonderful, caring, compassionate human beings who genuinely love and cherish their pets/ animals. I know this to be true, because I’ve met them; I’ve worked alongside them. I’ve rescued with them. I also need to stress that I know that reading about new-born kittens being dumped will provoke a deep-seated sense of upset and outrage in my lovely readers who could never, ever contemplate mistreating any animal; yet sadly folks, it’s happening; and animal charities are becoming overwhelmed, volunteers are becoming overworked and heartbroken, and someone needs to raise awareness. That’s what I’m trying to do here… thanks for caring.

gelista. I cannot imagine what led to her undergoing such a procedure, especially as, in my opinion she’s clearly been blessed with a perfect face and body. But hey, it goes to show that no matter how much we women are loved and admired and told how beautiful we are, we still regularly underestimate ourselves and we will, in some instances, go to extraordinary lengths to attain those unrealistic body images and standards we imagine we should have.

With that in mind ladies, why is it that we feel so pressured to be perfect? Why are we so terrified of growing old or of gaining a few curves?

I once had a conversation with a female friend who broke down and

confided to me that her fiancé told her he could envisage her being dead before he could envisage her being overweight. Seriously! This from a man who is himself so wellproportioned Dora couldn’t even explore him.

I asked my beautiful friend if she was really happy living in a reductive relationship with an individual who was so soulless and so toxic, his main goal in life would always be to make her feel below average.

Clearly she did…she married him; and, guess what, she asked me to be her matron of honour. She never told this creep what I’d said about him; she didn’t need to…I told him myself; along with a few more home-truths, all way too graphic to publish in a family newspaper.

Why I agree with Ming MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan

Fado, fado…I remember a time when, along with my TV programme development colleagues, I was knee-deep in pilot season trying desperately hard to think of a catchy, snappy title for a new show. However, no matter how uninventive, uninspired or drunk we got, nobody would have come up with the title ‘cheap Irish homes’; but viola, that’s what RTÉ has gone with for its new property show!

Cheesy or what?

While I know a good title will never carry a poor show, I believe perhaps RTÉ should have run this one by a few focus groups first. Therefore, when I read that local MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan had taken issue with the show’s content, saying: “There’s nothing cheap about house prices in Roscommon. They’re just normal. I don’t like this legitimisation of people being ripped off. The programme should be called Fairly Priced Irish Homes”, I found myself agreeing-ish!

(kind of)!

Given it was highly unusual for me to agree with anything Mr. Flanagan said, I did consider texting Evelyn Cusack to ask if hell had frozen over; but hey, there’s a first for everything. However, what annoyed me about this show was the use of the adjective ‘cheap’ when describing anything to do with Roscommon!

Why not say value-for-money, highly affordable or popularly-priced, instead of using a word that connotes negativity, low-grade, inferior or garish? I mean, for me, the show kind of gives viewers, and those who don’t know this beautiful county and its people, the overall impression that everything is tawdry and shoddy and worthless; when it is not!

Roscommon is friendly, it’s beautiful, it’s inclusive, it’s glorious and it’s amazeballs; and I wish people would stop labelling it as being some tin-pot, below-average location! Rant over!

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople newsbriefs Murphy calls on RTÉ to appoint Agriculture Correspondent Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has called on state broadcaster RTÉ to appoint an Agriculture Correspondent without further delay.

Senator Murphy said: “This position has been vacant since last April when Fran McNulty moved to Prime Time. Given the importance of agriculture to our economy and our communities, it is now a matter of urgency that a dedicated Agriculture Correspondent is appointed”.

Raising the issue in the Seanad, he asked that the Seanad would contact Minister Catherine Martin and Director General of RTÉ, Dee Forbes, to request that the position be filled as a matter of priority.

Services at Castlerea Community and Family Resource Centre The Family drop in-clinic continues throughout the week by phone or appointment only at Castlerea Community and Family Resource Centre. This is a space for parents who want advice or support on any issues relating to their family.

The Community drop-in clinic is open to all members of the community who need support with printing, photocopying, help filling out forms, etc.

The clothes bank has been emptied and is available once again for donations. Donations help to raise funds towards the running costs of the centre. Contact Martina on 0861711394 or Aisling on 086-4615537 for any of the above services.

A new arts and crafts class for 4 to 7-year-olds takes place every Tuesday from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm.

For information on the new four-week course, ‘PostPregnancy and Me (How to care for yourself after birth)’, contact Martina on 086-1711394.

The centre will also host an online ‘Mindful Garden’ programme for 6 to 12-year-olds from Saturday, October 16th.

An online Baby and Toddler activity group takes place every Thursday at 11 am. Contact Martina on 086-1711394 for information on any of the above events.

HSE Living Well Programme The HSE are running a health programme free of charge for people living with a long-term health condition (mental and/or physical). This programme helps people develop the skills and confidence to live a healthy and happy life.

The new dates for this programme are Thursday, the 7th of October; Wednesday, the 13th of October; Tuesday, the 19th of October, and Monday, the 1st of November.

For more information, or to book your place, please contact Olga on 086 6078950, or email olga.maguire@ mayocil.ie.

Patsy teams up with RosFM! RosFM manager, Seamus Duke, says there has been a “very positive response” to the local radio station’s new schedule of programmes, which was launched recently.

“There has been a very positive response to our new schedule. We are also delighted to welcome veteran local Irish country music singer and performer Patsy McCaul to the team and his programme ‘Mack’s Country’ can be heard every Thursday between 12 noon and 2 pm. The full schedule of programmes can be viewed on the RosFM website,” Mr. Duke said.

“Our new outside broadcasting unit is now ready for the road and we will be engaging with local communities on a weekly basis going forward.

“We would like to sincerely thank the local business community for their excellent response to our drive for sponsorship which will ensure the future of RosFM as our local community radio station”.

RosFM will be podcasting a series of profile interviews with local personalities and community leaders, which have already been broadcast on air, over the next few weeks. Details are available on the station’s website.

Meanwhile, RosFM will hold a sponsored walk in Roscommon town on Saturday, October 30th. Sponsorship cards are now available from staff members and volunteers.

Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns AGM Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns will host its AGM at 8 pm on Monday, October 11th upstairs in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen. All welcome.

Pictured at a commemorative event held in Portrunny, Knockcroghery on the 100th anniversary of the death of Luke Killian, an IRA Volunteer from the area, were (left to right): Patrick Brennan (relation of Luke Killian), Mike Kearney, Claire Kerrane TD, Chris Mac Manus MEP, and Joe Harney.

BAM Trail Walk raises over €10,000 ‘All For Aidan’ On Friday, September 17th, BAM Ireland, one of Ireland’s leading construction firms, hosted a trail walking day in the Slieve Bloom Mountains, raising over €10,000 for the ‘All for Aidan’ charity.

BAM employees from around the country took to the hills to support the care of three-year-old Roscommon boy Aidan Kenny, who was diagnosed with a rare, incurable condition called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) last year.

Aidan requires around-the-clock care since his diagnosis in 2020, and a GoFundMe Page has been set up to allow his parents Séan and Deirdre and brother Darren to spend as much time with him as possible.

In May, Aidan received the Young Engineers Award in hon-

our of his curious mind and bravery. Engineers Ireland awarded him this through the STEPS programme as an individual award, the first of its kind, making him the youngest engineer in Ireland.

BAM Director Denis McCarthy said: “It was great to see so many of our colleagues come out today to support and raise awareness for such a worthy cause. Aidan, Séan, Deirdre and Darren are handling this situation with great courage, and we are proud to be associated with people of such strength and character. We know that the funds raised will be put to good use as the Kenny family continue on their journey”.

More information on All for Aidan, including how to donate, can be found at the ‘All for Aidan’ page on GoFundMe.com.

The Kenny family pictured receiving a cheque for €10,000 from BAM Director Denis McCarthy recently.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

CIARAN MULLOOLY On The Back Benches

CAB cash should stay locally to deal with legacy of criminals The annual review of the operations of the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) made for compulsory reading recently. In that review, the senior Gardai in charge of this organisation revealed the extraordinary sort of riches and material wealth they are able to take away from individuals and gangs who are believed to have assembled dozens of lucrative operations from the proceeds of crime around the country.

This is seriously big business. The money seized is the proceeds of activities like money laundering, tax evasion and social welfare theft. And there’s much more out there. We learned from the review that CAB is actually investigating 66 targets across the Roscommon/Longford Garda division. Nationally, CAB has already lifted an array of ‘goodies’ such as flashy cars, motorbikes, vans, 4x4s and plenty of gold watches, valuable clothing and even a little airplane.

Interestingly, the report revealed that CAB has been a lot busier in Roscommon and Longford than elsewhere in the Garda divisions along the west coast. The number of criminals under investigation is a lot higher here than ‘next door’ in Sligo/Leitrim where there are just 14 targets on CAB’s radar.

There are just 5 in Mayo, 37 in Galway and 56 in Cavan/Monaghan – which is right along the border where more criminal cross-county activity might be expected. With Westmeath and Meath now having become a collective suburb of the capital city, I was not surprised that they have 85 ‘nice people’ under the CAB microscope – but one has to wonder why is Roscommon/Longford bucking that midlands and western trend?

The major money being hauled in by CAB is perhaps the statistic that jumped out most in their annual report. It got me thinking about how they run their operations and where the cash actually goes after they lift it. More than €4.2 million was gathered up for the Irish Exchequer in 2020 from the proceeds of crime. I can tell you that the Minister for Finance and his Cabinet colleagues are very happy to see it coming into the kitty.

Investigating this sort of crime is an expensive business. It takes hours and hours of Garda work in the banks and significant undercover activity to establish beyond any doubt who actually owns or bought that flash car or the Swiss gold watch. It can take many more years to get this stuff past the courts and move in and take the dough away from the gangs.

In 37 years of journalism, I have on several occasions seen first-hand the way these CAB operations are conducted. it’s probably the Garda activity in this country that comes closest to the images created on TV by high profile police stings and raids involving sophisticated squads in US, UK and other coun-

The late Veronica Guerin pictured with her husband Graham Turley and their son, Cathal.

tries. A few years ago I sat in my car in an estate and watched while ten Gardai/detectives from CAB broke into a home in the midlands – using all force necessary to gain admittance.

After about five or ten minutes of playing ‘Mr Nice’ at the front door, while people inside the door hurled abuse and told them their rights, the detectives got a sledge hammer and broke the front window of the house to speed up the search process. The shattering of the glass brought a chorus of howls and boos from the entire street, with lots of people running out in their early-morning attire. I can tell you that the treasure trove of the proceeds of crime taken out of that house was just incredible.

This is the sort of ‘super power’ and urgent remedial action that the public has cried out for over many years. CAB was set up and effectively got its teeth after the terrifying murder of Veronica Guerin. It was intended to tell the ‘big boys’ of Irish crime that they were not above the law – and it has enjoyed some memorable wins over the years.

The Guerin murder was horrific because it was so barefaced. While working on the RTE newsdesk a few years previously, I had actually discussed the possibility of such a lethal attack with the journalist herself. Veronica was a raving mad Manchester United fan. I spent half an hour discussing the trials and tribulations of Alex Ferguson’s team with her

in her front room just a few days after she’d received her first warning from the criminal fraternity – by being shot in the leg when she opened her front door.

To be truthful, I came to the opinion that Veronica believed they hadn’t the balls to go any further. Believing they would never actually try to kill her, she saw what had happened as just a shot over the bows, but within a short time the criminal gangs picked her out for assassination on the Naas road in Dublin as she returned from a court hearing (ironically).

The outcry at home and abroad led to the formation of CAB – with all its special powers.

That development was undoubtedly the very best tribute we, as a nation, could pay to the memory of this fearless journalist, and every time the present-day CAB officers break a front window or drive away with another Porsche on a trailer, I take personal satisfaction in remembering that day I spent with Guerin at her home near Dublin Airport and recall the fun we had chatting about her many trips to Old Trafford. She was a one-off.

The other big element of CAB activities that stood out of that recent review, however, was the fact that out of all the additional monies they seized, CAB also returned €5.4m to the Nigerian government, part of over $700m which was stolen by the former head of state, General Sani Abacha. This loot was obvious-

In association with: LOUGH REE ACCESS FOR ALL

ly sitting in bank accounts here and in homes around the country, and while one imagines there was a strict legal obligation to return it, I hope the cost of the police work that went into all those operations was taken away before the cheque left the country.

I believe that the cash taken by CAB from bank accounts and from under loads of dodgy mattresses around the county and the country should be funnelled back into the operation of youth facilities, community development in disadvantaged areas, and any state co-ordinated scheme that target the rehabilitation of drug offenders.

The Veronica Guerin movie played up this issue in several scenes – showing the poverty and deprivation on the ground in Dublin’s northside, where the drug dealers were making their money – while the drug lords got bigger and bigger. What would be wrong with the money that is being seized by CAB in Roscommon being reinvested in community development and youth in disadvantaged areas locally? Four or five million euro would go a long way towards dealing with a lack of funding for school classrooms, astro pitches, rehabilitation clinics for drugs and alcohol addicts, counsellors and key support staff and teachers, etc. Most of the time, the people who are behind this organised crime are using and abusing younger minds in their areas, dragging innocent people into a vicious circle. Many people strongly believe that it’s time some of that money stayed locally to help those people rebuild their lives after the big boys have moved on – or gone to jail.

District court judges in this area are very good at applying the same principle when it comes to their poor box donations – people who have broken the law are usually asked to support important projects and charities in key local areas such as youth and disability. The sooner the central Government follows the same principles, the better.

“

The report revealed that CAB has been a lot busier in Roscommon and Longford than elsewhere in the Garda divisions along the west coast

Roscommon People Friday 201 October 2021

NewsPeople

Throwback Thursday... workmen in 1957!

It’s been a BAD week for...

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who addressed the UN during a series of engagements in New York, a welcome (for him) distraction from domestic political controversies and challenges, and an overdue (for him) link-up in the flesh with leaders, diplomats and policy-influencers

Consumers in the UK, with a shortage of fuel – blamed on a lack of HGV drivers – being linked to the fall-out from the chaotic Brexit saga

The Social Democrats in Germany, main winners in the German General Election, and now engaged in coalition talks...

“

This lovely photograph dates from 1957 and shows a group of workmen who were working on an extension at the Convent of Mercy in Roscommon Town. What a great photo! Main Contractor was JJ Jennings in Dublin.

The photo includes a number of well-known locals, including Joe Leyden, who kindly submitted it to us.

Readers are invited to submit any insights regarding this photograph to paul@roscommonpeople.ie.

It’s been a GOOD week for...

The Covid-19 vaccination drive, with the HSE opening walk-in vaccination clinics across college campuses in a further push to maximise vaccination uptake amongst younger people

TAKE A BREAK

European golf, with the Europe team misfiring in the Ryder Cup, where they were demolished by the United States by a record margin (19-9) Irish women’s rugby, with defeat to Scotland (20-18) meaning Ireland have failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup, an unexpected development the seeds of which were sown by our shock defeat to Spain earlier in September

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Famous birthdays ... this week

The things people say…

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him”

Zlatan Ibrahimović (AC Milan and Swedish international footballer who has an amazing goal-scoring record and remarkable career longevity, 40 on Sunday)

Julie Andrews (Englishborn actress and singer, most famous for Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, 86 on Friday)

Gwen Stefani (Popular American singer and songwriter, 52 on Sunday)

Sting (English musician, songwriter and actor, most famous for his years with the band The Police, 70 on Saturday)

- David Brinkley For updates, check our social channels

Pictured are the boys and girls, coaches and staff who took part in the very successful summer camp, which was hosted by Ballaghaderreen FC recently. See page 25. Photos: Mick McCormack

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

A Christmas Dinner A Christmas Dinner

@ COX'S STEAKHOUSE PHONE: 0719638234

STARTERS

Homemade Winters Homemade W i n t e r s VVegetable e g e t a b l e S o uSoup p RoastR oDuck a s t D u Leg, c k L e gRed , r e d Cabbage c a b b a g e d rdrizzled i z z l e d w i twith h m a dMadeira e i r a g r a v yGravy Chicken C h i c k e& n &Smoked S m o k e d Bacon B a c o n MMushroom u s h r o o m V o l -Vol-Au-Vent Au-Vent G o l d eFried n f r i e dCod C o d Goujons G o u j o n s l eLemon m o n m a yMayonnaise onnaise Golden

WAITING STAFF REQUIRED

MAIN COURSE Surf C oCox’s x's Su r f &&TTurf urf Cooked C o o kto e d torder o o r d e r served s e r v e d w iwith t h W i lWild d A t l a nAtlantic t i c P r a w n s ,Prawns, O n i o& ns & M u s h r o o m s , p e pPeppercorn p e r c o r n s a u c e Sauce Onions Mushrooms, T r aTraditional ditional Tu r k e y &&HHam am w i t h Cranberry c r a n b e r r ySauce sauce Turkey with r e a s t oRange f f r e e r a nTurkey g e T u r k e yserved s e r v e d wwith ith sav o u r y s t u f f iStuffing n g & g l a z e d& H aGlazed m Breast ofBFree Savoury Ham Chicken S t uStuffed f f e d B Breast r e a s t oof f C hicken i e , S p i n a c h& & Cranberries, cranberries, red w i n e j uWine s Brie,b rSpinach Red Jus S aSalmon l m o n WWellington ellington S e rwith v e d w i tRoast h r o a s t Vegetables V e g e t a b l e s & c r& e a mCream s a u c e Sauce Served L eLemon mon & & R iRicotta c o t t a RRavioli avioli WithWai t Creamy h a c r e a m y Herbed h e r b e d f o rForest e s t m u s hMushrooms rooms

We require Waiting Staff preferably with 5 years + experience.

Full and part time positions available.

If you have excellent communication skills, a positive attitude and have a passion for food, we would like to invite you to join our team and enjoy the following benefits: l Flexible working hours. l Free meals, tea and coffee. l Paid lunch breaks. l In house certified training. l Competitive rates of pay.

DESSERT

Applications including CV’s can be emailed to: adrian@coxs-steakhouse.com or posted to Cox’s Steakhouse, Harbour Road, Dromod, Co. Leitrim.

References will be required.

CCox’s o x ' s TTrio r i o oof f Desserts Desserts

Freshly F r e s hBrewed l y B r e w e d TTea e a o ror C o fCoffee fee €35.00 €35.00

Enjoy your Christmas party at The Steakhouse in the picturesque village of Dromod.

To reserve your party/table, please ring 071 - 9638234. Gift vouchers available.

Dementia and hearing: listen to your mind September is World Alzheimer Month and the Roscommon People, in partnership with the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign, is featuring a series of articles on living with dementia. This week, we focus on dementia and how protecting yourself from hearing loss could reduce your risk of developing it.

Professor Suzanne Timmons, Consultant Geriatrician and Clinical Lead, HSE’s National Dementia Office

Many of us worry about developing dementia in later years. We may know someone close to us who has a type of dementia, whether that causes memory trouble, or difficulty making decisions, or understanding the world around them, or communicating with others.

The same good lifestyle habits that reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke can reduce our risk of dementia. Not smoking, or quitting smoking, is crucial. Taking steps to avoid high blood pressure and diabetes, and

regular physical exercise are essential.

A healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet with its emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables, and oily fish like salmon and mackerel, is key. Reducing alcohol levels, which can damage or kill brain cells, and keeping within the low-risk weekly guidelines of less than 11 standard drinks for women and 17 standard drinks for men, is important too. But there is one other way to reduce our dementia risk – by protecting our hearing.

Increased risk Hearing loss can be caused by different things. It can occur from birth. It can be the result of head or ear trauma. It can arise from a viral infection or as a side-effect of certain medications. It can be due to loud noise exposure, such as from power tools or music gigs. It may be due to family history.

However, the biggest risk factor is getting older. Half of people over 70 will have problems hearing. Hearing loss can cause difficulty in understanding words, especially when there is background noise or a group talking. Over time, even one-to-one conversation can be challenging. This can obviously have a major impact on how we live our lives.

In recent years, there is increasing evidence that hearing loss can also increase dementia risk. In fact, people with even mild hearing loss are almost twice as likely to develop dementia.

With severe hearing loss, the risk of dementia is five times higher.

Brain workout Hearing loss is related to shrinkage of parts of the brain that are linked with memory. Some researchers think that this may relate to the increased work for the brain in having to figure out muffled sounds and words. Others think it relates more to not hearing information properly, as hearing new information and remembering it later is an important workout for the brain.

We know that keeping socially active and learning new things keeps the brain exercised and reduces the risk of dementia, so it makes sense that withdrawing from these activities due to hearing loss could increase dementia risk. The good news is that wearing a hearing aid, if prescribed, can reduce this risk.

Wired for sound It’s important that people already diagnosed with dementia have their hearing checked at least every two years, as hearing loss added to dementia can affect the ability to stay independent. A hearing problem could be something as simple as having too much ear wax, which is very treatable.

Hearing loss can present as possible dementia when someone actually has normal brain function. They just can’t hear the questions. Anyone having a memory or brain assessment should let the tester know if they have hearing problems, so that they can make sure the room is especially quiet, and that

they can hear everything. They might also have a hearing amplifier – headphones connected to a microphone – which can help.

If prescribed a hearing aid, it is important to wear it to all clinic and hospital appointments. For a person admitted to hospital, not being able to hear what is going on makes it more likely that the person will get confused – called delirium – which can have serious health effects.

As a person’s brain becomes impaired, it can be harder to remember to wear or to turn on a hearing aid, or how to use it, and they may need support. In future we may see more ‘smart’ hearing aids which will reduce the need for fine-tuning. Chime, the national charity for deafness and hearing loss, has useful information about hearing loss and hearing aids at www.chime.ie.

Three actions Here are three ways to protect your hearing: 1. Avoid excessive noise exposure and, if not possible, wear good quality ear protection 2. Have your hearing checked immediately if you are concerned 3. Use a hearing aid if you need one Hearing loss is the most common factor that we can change when it comes to dementia, even ahead of smoking and high blood pressure. Worth keeping a listening ear!

The Dementia: Understand Together campaign is led by the HSE in partnership with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Age Friendly Ireland, Age and Opportunity, and the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre. It aims to create communities that actively embrace and include those living with dementia and their families.

For information about dementia, visit www.understandtogether.ie or contact The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Helpline for support on Freefone 1800 341 341 (Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm). For information about HSE audiology services, visit www2.hse.ie/services/audiology

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

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SHANNON LODGE NURSING HOME Rooskey Co. Roscommon

EXPERIENCED STAFF NURSES REQUIRED

CARE ASSISTANTS REQUIRED

We require day/night shift nurses with experience in a similar role.

Preferably 2 years + experience.

Full and part time positions available.

We require day/night shift experienced Health Care Assistants with Fetac Level 5 Care of the Elderly.

Applicants participating in Fetac Level 5 Care of the Elderly will also be considered.

AS PART OF THE TEAM AT SHANNON LODGE YOU CAN EXPECT THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: • Opportunities for further career development with in house certified training.

• Flexible working hours, with the option to work day shift or night shift.

• Cycle to work scheme available to all employees.

• Free meals, tea and coffee.

• Paid lunch breaks.

• Permanent full and part time positions available.

• Premium for Sundays, and bank holidays.

• Pension scheme facilitated.

We pride ourselves on our highly skilled and motivated team. We would like to invite you to join our team.

Applications including CV’s can be emailed to: shannonlodgenh@gmail.ie or posted Shannon Lodge Nursing Home, Main St, Rooskey, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Roscommon. Garda vetting and references will be required.

‘Suicide or Survive’ abseiling fundraiser Mother and daughter, Rose and Katie Phelan from Roscommon, recently took part in Momentum Support’s abseiling fundraiser for Suicide or Survive.

Momentum Support, the leading Irish-owned soft services company, was proud to take part in this initiative. Momentum Support and a group of its employees raised and donated funds totalling €7,405, as well as taking part by abseiling down 150 feet in Croke Park.

Suicide or Survive carries out vital work focused on breaking down the stigma associated with mental health issues and ensuring that those affected have access to quality recovery services that are right for the individual.

Pictured left are mother and daughter Rose Phelan (Client Services Manager, Momentum Support) and Katie Phelan (Cleaning Operative with Momentum Support) from Co. Roscommon, pictured at the Suicide or Survive Abseiling fundraiser at Croke Park recently.

20

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER Dan Dooner Cathaoirleach commends courageous Callum Clarke Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. Joe Murphy, commended the bravery of 11-year-old Tulsk boy, Callum Clarke, during Monday’s meeting of the local authority.

Callum came to the rescue recently when his grandfather, Seán Stroker, fell into Killina Lake near Tulsk while fishing.

Cllr. Murphy said the incident highlighted the need for everyone to be aware of the dangers of water and to learn water safety skills.

He said the skills that Callum had learned “saved his grandfather from a serious incident or even worse”.

CEO: Lough Funshinagh ‘a unique tragedy’ Addressing members at Monday’s meeting, Roscommon County Council Chief Executive Eugene Cummins described the flooding at Lough Funshinagh as a “unique tragedy”.

Mr. Cummins said that last Thursday’s Prime Time programme on RTÉ, in which he appeared, had set out everyone’s position and that the flooding was still an “emergency situation”.

Opening of new midlands university Local Independent councillor and member of

the AIT governing body, Kathleen Shanagher welcomed the opening of a new university for the midlands at Monday’s Council meeting.

Technological University of Shannon: Midlands Midwest officially opens this Friday, October 1st and will comprise a student population of over 14,000 and staff over 1,200 across six campuses in Athlone, Limerick, Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles.

Cllr. Shanagher paid tribute to those involved in bringing the new university to fruition.

Sod-turning for N5 project on October 18th Speaking at Monday’s Council meeting, Cathaoirleach Joe Murphy confirmed that the sod will be turned on the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue project on Monday, October 18th.

Crosby calls for CCTV at Shannon crossings Independent councillor Tom Crosby has called for proper funding to be put in place in order to install CCTV at crossings along the River Shannon in a bid to reduce rural crime.

Speaking at Monday’s Council meeting, Cllr. Crosby also urged the local authority to consider a pilot CCTV scheme for the county. His proposal was supported by Cllrs. John Naughten, Michael Mulligan and Paschal Fitzmaurice.

Fine Gael councillor John Naughten said funding for CCTV should be provided at national level while Fianna Fáil’s Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice said he hoped that “common sense would prevail” and that CCTV would be rolled out in all villages and towns.

newsbriefs Community fundraiser for Afghan Appeal in Knockcroghery

Roscommon Special Olympics ‘fought the law’… and won!

Members of the Roscommon Special Olympics team pictured following their victory over Roscommon Gardai.

On Friday evening last, Roscommon Special Olympics took on Roscommon Town Gardaí in a soccer challenge at the Roscommon Community Sports Park in Lisnamult.

At the final whistle, the score was level, taking the teams to a penalty shootout.

Roscommon Special Olympics rose to the challenge to win 5-2 on penalties. It was a fantastic display of sportsmanship from both sides with a great atmosphere, music and light refreshments for the teams afterwards. The Special Olympics team were presented with medals by Garda Superintendent Fran Nicholson.

A massive thank you goes out to everyone who participated in making this event happen. A great evening was had by all. Thanks to

Fiona Ruane and Kathleen Carr, and to all the other ladies who gave a hand in the kitchen, and to all who provided confectionery and homemade/baked goods. Thanks to Jim and Maria from Casey’s/Supermac’s/Papa John’s for the beautiful pizza, and to Damien Martin of Roscommon Sports Partnership for his support on the day. Thanks also to Patricia Morris and members of Roscommon Comhaltas for the wonderful music, and to Roscommon Community Sports Park for the use of the facilities. Thanks also to all the parents and care workers for their support, not just last Friday night but every night, and to all who attended.

Thanks also to Jacqui, Ashe (Ashe was the MC on the evening), Anne, Bob,

A community fundraiser in aid of Amnesty International’s Afghan Appeal will take place in Murray’s Bar, Knockcroghery this Saturday, October 2nd.

The event, which kicks off with poetry by Niamh Molloy at 7 pm and live music by Johnny Phelan and guests at 7.30 pm, is aimed at raising funds to assist in the humanitarian effort currently underway in Afghanistan.

‘Somewhere Someone Is…’ a performance by artist Noel Molloy will take place at 8 pm followed by poetry by Dympna Hannon at 9 pm and more music from Johnny Phelan at 9.30 pm.

The event is dedicated to the memory of enthusiastic fundraiser Deirdre (Lynch) Whelan and will take place in the courtyard at Murray’s Bar this Saturday.

Donations welcome at www.idonate.ieKnockcroghery Appeal. For more information, see www. amnesty.ie.

Mass to be celebrated at Kileenan and Ardcarne Graveyards Mass will be celebrated in Kileenan Graveyard, Knockvicar on Saturday, October 9th at 12 noon and in Ardcarne Graveyard on Sunday, 10th at 12 noon.

A collection will be held in Ardcarne Graveyard. Proceeds of this collection will go towards the cost of lighting the church and graveyard.

Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns AGM Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns will host its AGM at 8 pm on Monday, October 11th upstairs in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen. All welcome.

Waldron welcomes new signs for Ballagh/Kilrooskey Independent councillor Anthony Waldron has welcomed news that nine new signs will be erected in the Ballagh/ Kilrooskey area of Co. Roscommon shortly.

Cllr. Waldron said: “A number of concerned residents of the Ballagh/Kilrooskey environs made contact with me about the lack of proper signage at various crossroads in the locality.

“I am now pleased to announce that the matter has been addressed and nine new signs have been approved and will be in situ shortly”.

Members of the Roscommon Special Olympics team pictured following their victory over Roscommon Gardai.

Olympia, Maura, Jack and Caoimhe, our brilliant volunteers, and to all the members of Roscommon Garda Station and the referee for taking on the challenge and for making it a fun and enjoyable evening

for participants and spectators. Roscommon Special Olympics is extremely grateful for your contribution on all levels. A special mention to Garda Ronan Ó Meara and Inspector David Cryan.

Finally, thank you to the members of Roscommon Special Olympics for their dedication, hard work and inspiring attitude. Thank you to an amazing group of people; you are without doubt ‘simply the best’.

Independent councillor Anthony Waldron has welcomed approval for nine new signs for Ballagh/ Kilrooskey.

21

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

Anger at closure of Council’s local area offices < DAN DOONER

The decision to close Roscommon County Council’s local area offices in Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea and Strokestown to the public was met with widespread anger at Monday’s meeting of the local authority.

The plan was announced by the Council’s Corporate Policy Group at a meeting prior to Monday’s meeting and was met with opposition by members on all sides of the chamber.

Director of Services Shane Tiernan outlined plans for one area office in each Municipal District, highlighting a recent audit which showed a move towards online services.

Mr. Tiernan said the move was justified due to cost savings, and the audit which showed that customer interaction only accounted for 18 percent of area office workload.

Chief Executive Eugene Cummins said the decision was based on the Council’s Digital Transformation plans and being more efficient with services.

“Our Human Resources are our most valuable and expensive resource…but they have to be busy.

“As long as I am Chief Executive I will spend money as efficiently and effectively as possible

– whether it’s Lough Funshinagh or cutting a hedge,” he said.

Mr. Cummins said the current system would be enhanced and that services would be provided locally, and that he didn’t want people to think that services were being taken away.

The decision to close the offices, which have remained shut since the outbreak of Covid-19, was described as a “retrograde step” by several members, who said the connection with local communities would be lost following the closures.

Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice said it was a disappointing day for Castlerea. “Not everyone is up to grade on technology,” he said.

“The least that should happen is that all services be provided through the local libraries”.

Independent councillor Anthony Waldron and Fine Gael councillor Liam Callaghan both highlighted the closures’ negative impact on local businesses, while Fianna Fáil councillor Marty McDermott described the decision as a “major mistake”.

“The people of Roscommon will reject this… they will be outraged,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Orla Leyden said the deci-

sion was contrary to the idea of decentralisation and joined a number of members in urging the executive to reconsider.

“It’s sad that as a local authority we’re talking about centralising these services when as public representatives we are asked to consider decentralisation. We weren’t able to stop local banks from closing but we should be able to influence this,” she said.

Fellow Fianna Fáil councillor John Keogh said such closures “fly in the face” of people wanting to relocate to rural areas in Roscommon post-Covid.

Independent councillor Nigel Dineen said the closures would leave a “big vacuum” for a large part of the county and said that people wouldn’t travel 50km to access services.

Fianna Fáil councillor John Cummins, meanwhile, urged the Executive to “look at the bigger picture”.

“You can look at all the facts and figures you like… but people will be impacted by this with a huge loss of footfall to these towns,” he said.

Defending the decision, Chef Executive Eugene Cummins said it was based on “facts and figures”, and reiterated the audit’s findings that the current footfall in local area offices didn’t justify the expense.

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COME ON, DAD! At the Mulryan Construction IFC quarter-final at Nash Park, Clara Stenson was cheering for her dad’s team (Castlerea). She is pictured with Marie Stenson and Sandra Garcia. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

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Three local schools for Laya’s ‘Super Troopers’ programme Three schools from Roscommon are taking part in the Laya Super Troopers programme, a health homework programme which encourages children and families to integrate achievable yet impactful activities into their daily lives.

Students and their families from Ballintubber National School, Castleplunkett National School and Tisrara Primary School are set to benefit from the programme which is endorsed by Healthy Ireland.

Research shows that just four in ten children are getting adequate levels of physical activity per day and 5 per-

cent of children aged 9-12 are not exercising on a daily basis.

Three-quarters of parents claim they would like to see more of their child’s current homework being focused on learning about nutrition and physical and mental wellbeing.

The newest element in the established Super Troopers health homework programme has just been launched. The 28part series aims to provide families and children with fun activities and advice on how to promote a healthier lifestyle for all the family.

For more information or to register, see layasupertroopers.ie.

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22

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

FarmingPeople

Gaisce calls on the Roscommon public to ‘plant a bulb to protect our bees’

To celebrate thirty-five years of Gaisce, The President’s Award, the organisation is encouraging people in Roscommon to take up their own Gaisce challenge this autumn and plant a pollinator-friendly bulb to protect one of the most important players in the climate change battle – bees.

If planted in autumn, the bulbs will bloom in spring.

The #BulbsForBees campaign is supported by President Michael D. Higgins and the ‘All-Ireland Pollinator Plan’, who have worked with Gaisce to undertake the largest ever pollination project in Ireland. The pollinator friendly bulbs will bloom in spring, creating a variety of flowers including crocus tommasinianus barr’s

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IFA President Tim Cullinan has warned the Government that their approach to discussing the future of agriculture has to change and that “meaningless public relations tours” would not lead to progress.

“Recently, we have seen the Taoiseach, the Minister for Agriculture and the Director of Teagasc use various platforms to float ideas about what the future holds for farmers,” he said.

“The various suggestions such as herd limits, reducing suckler cows and other initiatives could have far-reaching implications for farm families. Yet we are being fed a diet of leaks, public statements, feature interviews and sermons.

Mr. Cullinan said the Government must now sit down with farmers to reach and agreement on the way forward for the sector.

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nator friendly bulb to participate in the challenge by October 21st.

You can find out how to participate in the project and how to receive a special commemorative certificate of participation from the Gaisce website.

Commenting in support of the campaign, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins said: “I thank all those who will be partaking in this special Gaisce challenge, who by doing so, make a profound statement of their real desire to protect the life we share on this planet”.

Yvonne McKenna (CEO of Gaisce) said: “We are calling on people in Roscommon to pick up a pollinator bulb and plant it in order to help safeguard the future of our vital bee population. One third of our bee species is threatened with extinction in Ireland.

This is because we have drastically reduced the number of flowers they

Photographed at the launch of Gaisce’s new #BulbsForBees campaign are Mary Neville (85) from Stoneybatter, and Caoimhe (17) from Carlow.

eat and places where they can safely nest. We’re asking everyone, from schools and local authorities, to sports clubs and shops, to come together and create an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive”.

Joe Saunders (CEO at the Irish Local Development Network) added: “We

Cullinan: ‘Megaphone approach to communicating with farmers must stop’

Dead & Worn-Out Animals

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purple, allium moly, and muscari armeniacum.

Over the next two weeks, over 50,000 pollinatorfriendly bulbs will make their way to every postprimary school in the country, as well as Gaisce Award Partners, including disability services, prisons and volunteer centres, all with the help of An Post.

Over 300,000 bulbs will also be provided through the Irish Local Development Network for distribution to the wider community and youth sector with support from the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth. These bulbs will be provided for free.

In Roscommon, community and youth groups can contact Roscommon LEADER Partnership about collecting their Gaisce bulbs while their stock lasts. Members of the public are encouraged to visit their local garden centre to pick up a polli-

IFA President Tim Cullinan

“Megaphone communications, meaningless consultation processes and PR tours of the country will not make progress.

Only farmers can deliver change and yet they are being treated like pawns in the debate,” he said.

“The key issues are the new CAP Strategic Plan; sectoral targets under the Climate Act; the Nitrates Action Programme; and the allocation of the €1.5 billion in carbon tax funds committed in the Programme for Government.

“Farmers want to engage constructively, but the goal posts keep moving. We had AgClimatise and the Agri-Food Strategy 2030. Now we are told that these will be superseded by sectoral targets.

“Farming is a business and farmers need certainty. The Government must sit down with us to negotiate a plan,” he said.

are delighted to support the #BulbsForBees campaign by using our links to community groups in every part of the country.

This is a fantastic initiative

by Gaisce to protect our bee population. We want everyone in the county to participate in their own Gaisce challenge that will protect the future for us all.

Just like the Gaisce Award itself, this doesn’t happen overnight. A bulb planted now will need care and attention before it blossoms in the spring, and that’s something wonderful – and important - for everyone to be part of”.

For more information please visit gaisce.ie/bulbsforbees.

Castlerea MART WATCH There were 750 cattle on offer at our annual show and sale of continental heifer and Belgian blue weanling show and sale.

The heifer ring with a good entry of top-quality stock met with a strong demand from farmers, agents and Northern Ireland customers resulting in a good clearance and a top price of €1,850 for a 540kgs BBx heifer.

In the weanling rings, a top price of €2,400 was achieved for the prize winning weanling heifer or €6.48 a kilo while the bull weanlings peaked @ €4 a kilo. The dry cow ring saw prices peak at €2,020 while cows with calves at foot made up to €2,340.

Cows with calves at foot made from €1,300 to €2,340 for a Ch cow and her bull calf at foot.

Springers made from €940 to €1,740 while calves/ runners made from €360 to €620 with runner making up to €740 Our annual show and sale of Continental bullocks was held on Monday last (September 20th) with a large entry of quality stock on offer. Both prices and trade have held extremely well with an excellent clearance taking place.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart today (Thursday, 30th) with our annual show of Aberdeen Angus heifers in conjunction with our usual sale. Weanling sales commence this Saturday (October 2nd).

Sample prices for heifers: Ch 385kgs €1170, Lm 405kgs €1120, Ch 385kgs €1100, Lm 455kgs €1460, BB 485kgs €1390, Ch 450kgs €1340, BB 540kgs €1850, Lm 570kgs €1720, Ch 690kgs €1690, Ch 635kgs €1670, Lm 615kgs €1630.

Dry cows: AA 900kgs €2030, Lmx 830kgs €1890, Ch 805kgs €1850, Lm 815kgs €1850, Lm 485kgs €1040, Lmx 495kgs €970, Hex 605kgs €1300, Hex 620kgs €1100.

Weanling bulls: Ch 185kgs €670, Ch 170kgs €530, Ch 285kgs €970, BBX 285kgs €920, Ch 290kgs €910, BBx 370kgs €1460, BBx 380kgs €1450, BBx365kgs €1450, BBx 440kgs €1300.

Weanling heifers: Ch 265kgs €1020, Sim 240kgs €1000, BB 275kgs €940, Ch 280kgs €870, BBx 370kgs €2400, Lm 315kgs €1590, BBx 385kgs €1410, BBx 390kgs €1360, Ch 345kgs €1040, BBx 400kgs €1600, BBx 465kgs €1310.

Bullocks: Ch 450kgs €1430, Lm 490kgs €1430, Ch 465kgs €1320, Lm 520kgs €1550, Ch 530kgs €1530, Lm 540kgs €1510, Ch 590kgs €1760, Ch 575kgs €1760, Ch 645kgs €1630, Ch 810kgs €2020, Ch 800kgs €1900, Ch 685kgs €1840.

23

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

FarmingPeople

IFA pre-Budget briefing sets out key priorities for farming IFA held its annual preBudget lobby day at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin recently where it oulined the key priorities for farming to members of Government.

Roscommon IFA County Chairperson, Jim O’Connor, met with TDs and Senators throughout the day and said there are several key measures the Government must implement in the October Budget.

“Increasing regulation, Brexit-related trade disruption, the prospect of substantial cuts in direct payments due to CAP reforms, climate action measures and rising input costs means farmers in Roscommon are in a perilous position,” he said.

“Now is the time for Government to step up and put action and money behind the rhetoric. IFA is seeking co-financing to ensure that Pillar II schemes such as Areas of Natural Constraint (ANCs); Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environmental Scheme (GLAS); Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS); Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP – suckler cows); the Sheep Welfare Scheme and Organic Farming Scheme; are properly funded. We are seeking €300 per suckler cow, €30 per ewe and €300m for ANCs. “In addition, we need a new scheme for tillage farmers to stop the exodus from this sector”.

Mr. O’Connor added that

the Government had also given a clear commitment to ring-fence €1.5 billion of carbon tax receipts for an agri-environment scheme and that IFA were still waiting for this commitment to be honoured.

IFA President Tim Cullinan, Farm Business Chair Rose Mary McDonagh and Rural Development Chair Michael Biggins led a delegation to meet with the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, to put forward IFA’s key asks.

Tim Cullinan said: “IFA has made it clear that farmers are eager to be part of the climate solution. Accelerated capital allowances and ValueAdded Tax (VAT) exemptions on the purchase of emissions-efficient investment will help farmers to

Roscommon IFA met with Independent TD Denis Naughten at IFA’s pre-Budget meeting recently.

Pictured at IFA pre-Budget lobbying recently were (Left to right): Jim O’Connor, Roscommon IFA County Chairman; Kathleen Henry, Sligo IFA County Chairperson; Deputy Marc MacSharry; Des McHugh, Leitrim IFA County Chairman; Gearoid O’Connor, Sligo IFA Rural Development Chairman and Brendan McLaughlin, Donegal IFA County Chairman.

play their role in contributing to the sector’s climate change targets.

“Renewal of the Young Trained Farmer Stamp Duty Relief post-2021 is also needed to encourage farm transfer and generational renewal”.

IFA Farm Business Committee Chair Rose Mary McDonagh said: “We need significant taxation supports, in particular through investment in emissionsefficient equipment and the removal of discrimination in our tax system for the self-employed”.

IFA Rural Development Chairman Michael Big-

gins said farm schemes must remain a central part of Government policy, particularly for the lowincome dry stock sector.

“Direct payments are a huge part of family farm incomes. Targeted schemes are increasingly important. Expenditure on TAMS is currently behind target, with approximately 60% of the revised allocation of €523 million spent to date. There needs to be increased flexibility along with the inclusion of additional qualifying investments to ensure all funding is drawn down,” he said.

Roscommon MART WATCH There was a very large entry of outstanding quality cattle on offer at our weekly Friday sale. From start to finish the trade was brisk with buyers kept busy bidding online and at the ringside. Bullocks averaged from €2.58 per kilo up to €3.12 per kilo. Heifers fetched from an average of €2.27 per kilo up to €2.69 per kilo. Dry cows made from an average of €1.99 per kilo up to €2.34 per kilo with all lots sold.

Special sale of heifers this Friday (October 1st) as well as a sale of bullocks and dry cows.

There was a big entry of excellent quality stock on offer at our show and sale of weanlings on Tuesday last with a lively trade for both bulls and heifers and plenty of buyers in attendance and on line. Weanling heifers ranged from an average of €2.90 per kilo up to €4.56 per kilo while weanling bulls €2.83 per kilo up to €4.06 per kilo.

There will be a special sale on Thursday next (October 5th) with bookings accepted up to 5 pm today (Thursday, September 30th).

There was a large entry on offer at our weekly sale for lambs and cast ewes with a similar trade to the previous week. There was a good selection of ewe lambs presented for sale with plenty of customers sourcing them- The tops of ewe lambs fetched up €148 for 54.10kgs.

Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID Tag set. Sales as usual on Wednesday next (October 6th) at 11 am.

Yard open at 8 am. All stock must be penned by 10 am. Sale can be viewed live on www.

livestock-live.com.

Sample prices for dry cows: Char 985kgs €2280, Char X 870kgs €1980, BBX 885kgs €1890, BBX 875kgs €1860, SAX 795kgs €1820, AAX 820kgs €1790, Lim X 635kgs €1340, BBX 725kgs €1700, Simm X 755kgs €1600, Lim X 750kgs €1600, Lim 640kgs €1330, Char X 560kgs €1160, Lim X 740kgs €1580.

Heifers: Lim X 630kgs €1570, HEX 690kgs €1520, BBX 615kgs €1380, Char X 530kgs €1280, HEX 400kgs €950, 2 Lim X 405kgs €990, Char X 420kgs €1050, 3 Char X 345kgs €930, 2 Char X 375kgs €960, Char X 380kgs €950, AAX 485kgs €1090, Char X 500kgs €1280, Lim X 465kgs €1230, Lim X 315kgs €840.

Bullocks: Char X 805kgs €2000, Char X 775kgs €1980, Char X 745kgs €1940, Char X 740kgs €1930, 2 Char X 777kgs €1920, 2 Char X 675kgs €1770, 4 Char X 615kgs €1770, Char X 595kgs €1760, Char X 620kgs €1750, 2 Char X 582kgs €1680, Lim X 610kgs €1700, Lim X 700kgs €1700, Lim 640kgs €1740, Lim X 590kgs €1660, 4 Char X 577kgs €1630, Lim 595kgs €1640, Lim X 515kgs €1610, Char X 550kgs €1580, Simm X 580kgs €1570, Lim X 550kgs €1550, 6 Char X 512kgs €1550, Simm X 580kgs €1570, Lim X 445kgs €1390, BAX 485kgs €1360, Char X 490kgs €1350, Simm X 470kgs €1310, Char X 490kgs €1350, AAX 535kgs €1260.

Weanling heifers: Char X 370kgs €1360 -

€3.67 per kilo, Char X 350kgs €1260 - €3.60 per kilo, Char X 285kgs €890 - €3.12 per kilo, Lim X 265kgs €920 - €3.47 per kilo, Lim X 295kgs €930 - €3.15 per kilo, Lim X 290kgs €1200 - €4.13 per kilo, BBX 265kgs €1210 €4.56 per kilo, Lim X 290kgs €1000 - €3.44 per kilo, Simm X 225kgs €710 - €3.15 per kilo, Char X 260kgs €890 - €3.42 per kilo.

Weanling bulls: Char X 490kgs €1470 - €3 per kilo, Lim X 495kgs €1440 - €2.90 per kilo, Lim X 465kgs €1420 - €3.05 per kilo, Char X 490kgs €1400 - €2.85 per kilo, Lim X 450kgs €1400 – €3.11 per kilo, Char X 395kgs €1260 - €3.18 per kilo, Char X 365kgs €1290 - €3.53 per kilo, Char X 315kgs €1280 - €4.06 per kilo, Lim X 360kgs €1310 - €3.63 per kilo, Char X 360kgs €1200 - €3.33 per kilo, Char X 320kgs €1120 - €2.94 per kilo, BBX 345kgs €1100 - €3.18 per kilo, BAX 410kgs €1070 - €2.60 per kilo, BBX 310kgs €1040 - €3.35 per kilo, AAX 395kgs €1000 - €2.53 per kilo, AAX 420kgs €1010 - €2.40 per kilo.

Finished lambs: 51.9kgs €151, 60kgs €145, 60.7kgs €140, 54.30kgs €140, 52kgs €138 49.6kgs €137, 49.2kgs €133, 48.4kgs €133, 48.3kgs €130, 47.3kgs €128.

Ewe lambs: 54.1kgs €148, 56.3kgs €148, 55.7kgs €146, 50kgs €144, 47.30kgs €143, 48.3kgs €140, 46.50kgs €136, 51.40kgs €136, 48.60kgs €133, 46kgs €126.

Store lambs: 36.6kgs €116, 41.20kgs €115, 38kgs €115, 41.kgs €113, 38.6kgs €109, 35.90kgs €108, 36.30kgs €100, 35kgs €100, 36.6kgs €94.

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

Fall Special Sale of Heifers Friday, October 1st at 11a.m.

100 pens of Heifers on offer Also Bullocks and Dry Cows ----------------------

Special Sale of Bullocks Friday, October 8th at 11 a.m.

Also Heifers and Dry Cows

Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Monday, 4th October ----------------------

Fall Special Sale of Weanlings

Tuesday, October 5th at 4 p.m.

Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 30th

Also Suckler Cows ----------------------

Lambs & Cast Ewes

Each Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Yard open at 8.30 a.m.

All stock must be penned by 10 a.m.

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

Saturday, October 2nd

Breeding Ewes & Hoggets

(2nd last sale) Sale at 11 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m.

Also West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeders Club Show & Sale Show at 12 Noon – Sale at 2 p.m.

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

Saturday, October 9th at 1 p.m.

Organic Sale – Cattle & Sheep Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 4th

ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

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

Find us on facebook

24

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

Business

Reboot: Training and networking opportunities for local businesses It has been an extraordinarily challenging eighteen months for businesses and social enterprises in Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo. As we emerge and businesses struggle to make sense of a post-Covid and Brexit environment Reboot can help.

Reboot is a South West Mayo Development Company, LEADER initiative aimed at businesses and social enterprises in Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo.

Reboot is a co-operative collaboration designed to assist the recovery of rural businesses and social enterprises in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit economic disruption.

A programme of free tailored training, skills development, expert one to ones and networking opportunities will be offered in Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo.

Reboot has identified three critical areas to assist businesses/social enterprises/community groups post covid.

These include online marketing (e-commerce and e-marketing

supports), adapting your business for future opportunities and challenges, and minimising risks and optimising health and safety Over the course of the next eighteen months, organisations can access tailored training courses, get expert advice and tips on a one to one basis, and have the opportunity to network with their peers at organised events where they can share experiences and address challenges they face.

Speaking at the launch today, Sue O’Toole (SWMDC Senior LEADER Enterprise Officer) said: “We are excited to launch Reboot to support our rural business and social enterprises in Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo. It is a great opportunity for businesses, offering free training, expert one to ones and strategic networking across key issues facing organisations after eighteen months of disruption.

Reboot aims to foster resiliency, agility, cost management, in-

TUS to open its doors this Friday (October 1st) Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest is set to officially open its doors this Friday (October 1st) and is expected to be “a new powerhouse university, driving development and investment across the Midlands and Midwest”. TUS will comprise a student population of more than 14,000 and a staff complement of approximately 1,200 people across six campuses in Athlone, Limerick (Moylish and Limerick School of Art and Design, Clare Street), Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles. According to President Professor Vincent Cunnane, TUS will be distinct in that it is rooted in its local communities and economies will bring a new beginning to the Midlands and Midwest.

“The official opening will be a pivotal and momentous occasion that celebrates and recognises the great collaborative effort that has brought us to the point of becoming a Technological University,” he stated.

“It is a tremendous achievement that will truly transform and bolster our region both from an education and economic perspective for generations to come. TUS will be distinct in its orientation towards the economic, social and cultural life of its local communities and will bring a new beginning to the Midlands and Midwest”.

Reboot is a co-operative collaboration designed to assist the recovery of rural businesses and social enterprises in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit economic disruption. It was launched recently at the McWilliam Hotel in Claremorris.

novation, health and safety and to maximise online sales/social media presence. Reboot activities are available to any busi-

ness or social enterprise based in Mayo, Roscommon or Sligo, and all the courses are free to participants”.

Follow Reboot on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date on their free training opportunities and upcom-

Three Roscommon producers shortlisted for Blas na hÉireann

The finalists for Blas na hÉireann 2021 have been announced, and the countdown is on for the awards weekend, which will take place virtually this Saturday.

Now in their 14th year, the team at Blas na hÉireann have worked harder than ever to make sure the awards went ahead, moving the blindtasting judging system from the campus in UCC to Dingle to work within Government guidelines and the constraints of social distancing. With the blueprint for this new system developed last year, the team were able to seamlessly ensure the judging was handled with the same care and attention as always – especially important in a year where we have seen a record entry level

from producers right across the island.

“We’re delighted to announce the finalists for 2021, and chuffed to see so many new products being entered into Blas na hÉireann this year. Last year was new territory for us, but the team here did tremendous work to make sure the awards went ahead, and the sense of community that we experienced over the virtual awards event was just brilliant,” says Chairperson Artie Clifford.

“We saw a large increase in entries this year and these new producers have really raised the bar across all categories and will allow us to introduce new producers to the buyers and press that we work with, which is really exciting”.

The awards will be announced over the course of the day on October 2nd, via the Blas website irishfooodawards.com and across social media channels. While the Blas family will miss welcoming everyone to Dingle, the team and the wider Blas community will gather virtually and make sure #Blas2021 trends all day!

The Blas team are also working on an exciting line up of online presentations and workshops as part of The Blas Backyard, which is supported

by Bank of Ireland and Taste4Success.

The finalists shortlisted from Roscommon across a range of different categories are Oliver Carty, Do Me A Flavour, and the Waldron Family.

ing events. To find out more information, simply log on to rebootandnetwork.ie to browse courses and book your place.

Roscommon businesses celebrated as the Energia Family Business Awards return

The resilience and adaptability of family-run businesses across Roscommon and other Connaught counties during the recent pandemic will be recognised at the upcoming Energia Family Business Awards.

The announcement of award winners, which was originally postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will take place virtually from October 18th, and celebrate ‘resilience through generations’ showcased by Irish family businesses including Calvey’s of Achill Island in Co. Mayo, and tourism experiences like Glengowla Mines and Family Farm Experience in Co. Galway.

This year’s Energia Family Business Awards features eighteen categories, each of which recognises the outstanding achievements of generations of Irish family companies across all sectors and industries.

Family-owned businesses from all six Connacht counties have been named as finalists across a range of sectors including hospitality, sustainability, tech, food and drink, manufacturing, and more. Feelystone, which is based in Co. Roscommon, won the Family Business Longevity Award. The full list of categories and finalists as well as awards sponsors can be found at familybusinessawards.ie.

Local producers are ‘Great Taste’ winners!

Two Roscommon businesses were celebrating this week as they took home a grand total of ten awards at the 2021 Great Taste Awards.

Waldron Meats of Brideswell, Co. Roscommon and Oliver Carty Meats of Monksland wowed the judges with

their range of products. Waldron’s were awarded a grand total of six ‘Great Taste Stars’ and their winning products will now display the unmistakable Black and Gold Great Taste logo.

The winning products included: Wal-

dron’s Home Cooked Rashers, Streaky Rashers, Ring on Rashers, Dry Cured Rashers, Loin of Bacon, and Rack of Bacon.

Michael Waldron commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognised for all the hard work we put into deliv-

ering our premium quality products to all our customers.

“We would like to thank all our loyal customers as without you we wouldn’t be able to continue to do what we love”.

Meanwhile, Oliver Carty Meats, sup-

pliers of SuperValu, took claimed four stars for their SuperValu Signature Taste range including Irish Hampshire Easy Carve Ham Fillet, Dry Cured Irish Hampshire Rashers, Lightly Smoked Bacon Eye Loin, and Beechwood Smoked Easy Carve Ham Fillet.

25

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

Gospel Reflection Sunday October 3 2021

Pictured are the boys and girls, coaches and staff who took part in the very successful summer camp, which was hosted by Ballaghaderreen FC recently. Photos: Mick McCormack

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a trick question.

The “lawfulness” of divorce in Israel was never an issue. Moses had long ago allowed it (see Deuteronomy 24:1–4).

But Jesus points His enemies back before Moses, to “the beginning,” interpreting the text we hear in today’s First Reading.

Divorce violates the order of creation, He says. Moses permitted it only as a concession to the people’s “hardness of heart” – their inability to live by God’s covenant Law. But Jesus comes to fulfil the Law, to reveal its true meaning and purpose, and to give people the grace to keep God’s commands.

Marriage, He reveals, is a sacrament, a divine, life-giving sign. Through the union of husband and wife, God intended to bestow His blessings on the human family – making it fruitful, multiplying it until it filled the earth (see Genesis 1:28). That’s why today’s Gospel moves so easily from a debate about marriage to Jesus’ blessing of children.

Children are blessings the Father bestows on couples who walk in His ways, as we sing in today’s Psalm.

Marriage also is a sign of God’s new covenant. As today’s Epistle hints, Jesus is the new Adam – made a little lower than the angels, born of a human family (see Romans 5:14; Psalm 8:5–7). The Church is the new Eve, the “woman” born of Christ’s pierced side as He hung in the sleep of death on the Cross (see John 19:34; Revelation 12:1–17).

Through the union of Christ and the Church as “one flesh,” God’s plan for the world is fulfilled (see Ephesians 5:21–32).

Eve was “mother of all the living” (see Genesis 3:20). And in Baptism, we are made sons and daughters of the Church, children of the Father, and heirs of the eternal glory He intended for the human family in the beginning. The challenge for us is to live as children of the kingdom, growing up ever more faithful in our love and devotion to the ways of Christ and the teachings of His Church.

-Scott Hahn PhD, salvationhistory.com (courtesy of Sacred Heart Church).

newsbriefs Over 5,000 local households to get fuel allowance Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, announced the start of the National Fuel Scheme for the 2021/2022 Season on Monday.

The Fuel Allowance, which is a means-assessed payment, will be paid for 28 weeks to an estimated 370,000 households across the country.

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy welcomed the announcement, adding that he has made representations to government regarding the potential impact of carbon tax increases.

“I have asked that the Department bear in mind the need to support households that may be adversely affected”, he said.

Senator Aisling Dolan said that a total of 5,655 households across Co. Roscommon received fuel allowance payments through the National Fuel Scheme last winter and they will automatically receive payments again this year as long as their eligibility remains the same.

26

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

PropertyPeople SALE TYPE TAGLINE

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

SEAMUS CARTHY

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

SEAMUS CARTHY SALEPRELIMINARY TYPE TAGLINE NOTICE

Weekfield, Coolshaghtena,

 Property 1 key feature 1 Roscommon, F42 X402  PropertyCo. 1 key feature 2 4 Bedroom Detached Bungalow set  Traditional Property 1 key feature 3 on a mature 0.6 Acre site, presented in excellent AMV: ¤000,000 condition and conveniently located between Roscommon Town and Ballyleague.

Offering a range SALE TYPE TAGLINE of outbuildings situated thereon, the said property offers unlimited potential and immediate enquiries are advised.

Guide Price: €175,000  Property 1 key feature 1  Property 1 key feature 2  Property 1 key feature 3

AMV: ¤000,000

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

NEW TO THE ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREETMARKET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE Apartment 6 Arch Court,  Property 3 key feature 1 Ciarans Town, St. Property 3 keyRoad, feature Roscommon 2 Roscommon, F42 VK10  PropertyCo. 3 key feature 3 Spacious 2 Bedroom Town Centre Floor AMV: First ¤000,000 Apartment convenient to all amenities in Roscommon Town.

SALE TYPE TAGLINE Guide Price: €80,000

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE 9 Oaklawn Drive, Racecourse Road,  Property 4 key feature 1  Property 4Roscommon key feature 2 Town, Co. Roscommon, F42 TD37  Property 4 key feature 3 Well Presented 3 Bedroom Semi AMV:Detached ¤000,000 Home on Corner Site, conveniently located to all amenities in Roscommon Town.

SALE TYPE TAGLINE Guide Price: €140,000

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 2 key feature 1  Property 2 key feature 2  Property 2 key feature 3

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 3 key feature 1  Property 3 key feature 2  Property 3 key feature 3

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 4 key feature 1  Property 4 key feature 2  Property 4 key feature 3

AMV: ¤000,000

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 5 key feature 1  Property 5 key feature 2  Property 5 key feature 3

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 6 key feature 1  Property 6 key feature 2  Property 6 key feature 3

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 5 key feature 1  Property 5 key feature 2  Property 5 key feature 3

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 6 key feature 1  Property 6 key feature 2  Property 6 key feature 3

AMV: ¤000,000

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

AMV: ¤000,000

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

AMV: ¤000,000

AMV: ¤000,000

AMV: ¤000,000

AMV: ¤000,000

www.reacarthy.ie

On the market with REA Seamus Carthy is a threebedroomed residence offering exceptional value, for sale via online auction on the 8th of October.

No.16 The Plains, Ballinagare, Co. Roscommon is an exceptional three-bedroomed family home ,finished to a high standard throughout with entertainment accommodation to the side and rear, including an outdoor reception room, snooker room and outdoor hot tub. Finished to a high specification internally, accommodation consists of a living room, kitchen/dining room, utility, wetroom, three bedrooms (one ensuite) and a family bathroom.

Viewing is strongly advised for this property, and immediate enquiries are advised. The property represents exceptional value, on offer with a reserve of €130,000.

REA Seamus Carthy strongly recommends all interested parties to register on the online auction platform bidnow.ie. Simply log on to bidnow.ie, carry out a property search and register your interest on the above property.

For further details, contact REA Seamus Carthy on 090-6630001 or email info@reacarthy.ie.

Final offers invited for two-bedroomed bungalow in the heart of Roscommon town On the market with REA Seamus Carthy is a most attractive, two-bedroomed, semi-detached bungalow located in Essex Grove in the heart of Roscommon town. No. 10 Essex Grove is situated in a sought after location, within walking distance to all amenities in Roscommon town.

The residence is in excellent condition throughout. Accommodation comprises a reception hallway, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. Externally, the property benefits from garden areas to the front with a concrete driveway for a single car, and a side garden leading to a private and enclosed rear garden.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase this quality, twobedroomed bungalow in a town centre location, with all conveniences at your doorstep. Immediate enquiries and viewings are now invited.

For more information, contact REA Seamus Carthy today on 090-6630001 or email info@reacarthy.ie.

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 8 key feature 1  Property 8 key feature 2  Property 8 key feature 3

AMV: ¤000,000

090 66 30001

www.reacarthy.ie

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 7 key feature 1  Property 7 key feature 2  Property 7 key feature 3

AMV: ¤000,000

SALE TYPE TAGLINE

ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 7 key feature 1  Property 7 key feature 2  Property 7 key feature 3

Upcoming online auction with REA Seamus Carthy AMV: ¤000,000

SALENEW TYPE TO TAGLINE THE MARKET

NEW TO THE ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET MARKET NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE Newtown Farragher, Four Mile House,  Property 2 key feature 1 Roscommon, F42 NN26  PropertyCo. 2 key feature 2 3Bedroom Detached Bungalow, offering first floor Property 2 key feature 3 potential subject to planning, on 0.5 Acre Site AMV: ¤000,000 and benefitting from Detached Garage to rear, convenient to Roscommon Town.

SALE TYPE TAGLINE Guide Price: €175,000

Licence No: 002782 ADDRESS LOCALITY, STREET PSRA NAME, TOWN, COUNTY, POSTCODE  Property 8 key feature 1  Property 8 key feature 2  Property 8 key feature 3

AMV: ¤000,000

090 66 30001 PSRA Licence No: 002782

Local Property Tax: REA Seamus Carthy is here to help Local Property Tax (LPT) is a self-assessed tax based on your own valuation of your property. The first LPT valuation period started on July 1st, 2013, and will end on December 31st, 2021. The LPT charge that applied to a property each year from 2013 to 2021 was based on the self-assessed valuation of that property as at May 1st, 2013. The next valuation date for LPT is November 1st 2021. This means that you need to self-assess the value of your property as at November 1st, 2021.

The valuation of your property on this date will determine the amount of LPT you pay for 2022, and for the three years from 2023 to 2025. Even if your property is eligible for an exemption, you are still required to submit your valuation to Revenue in your LPT Return and claim the exemption in the Return.

REA Seamus Carthy would be delighted to assist you in any property valuation requirements you may have, so should you have any queries regarding your LPT liability going forward, or indeed any other valuation query, please contact REA Seamus Carthy on 090-630001 or contact Seamus directly on 086-8035538. We are here to help.

27

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

PropertyPeople

PROPERTY PARTNERS

ipav

PSRA Licence No. 001481

35 CELTIC AVENUE, ROSCOMMON TOWN F42 KW29

SUPERIOR QUALITY 4 BEDROOMED RESIDENCE LOCATED AT

CLOONSHANNAGH, ROOSKEY, ROSCOMMON N41 EY11 AMV €350,00 €350,000

ALL OFFERS AFTER €180,000 TO SELL

A quality 3 bedroomed semi-detached 2 storey residence located in a highly select and mature residential development beside Roscommon town centre. The said property offers spacious living accommodation throughout comprising briefly of: Reception/Hallway, Sitting Room, Kitchen/Dining room, Utility, Bathroom and 3 no bedrooms with the benefit of a large mature site area with gardens to the front and rear. The auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and all offers after €180,000 to sell.

BER D1

EARLEY

NEW TO THE MARKET

FOR SALE A QUALITY 3 BEDROOMED SEMI-DETACHED 2 STOREY RESIDENCE OF APPROX. 1,200 sq.ft LOCATED AT

Institute of Professional Auctioneer & Valuers

This beautiful home is a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom and offers spacious and well-proportioned living accommodation comprised of an entrance hall, sitting room, living room, kitchen/dining room area, utility, W.C, two en-suite bathrooms and with the master also benefiting from a walk in wardrobe and the main bathroom. Also benefits from an insulated attic.

Certified with an impressive C3 BER Certificate, heated via oil fired central heating, solid fuel stove. The kitchen is both modern and spacious and has a beautiful conservatory lounge off This Superior Residence is on a large mature and immaculately maintained site. This home is the definition of turnkey and ready for immediate occupancy. ft

It is very rare that a home of this level comes to market in this area. Measuring in at approx 1,940 sq this home offers a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor space with the site itself measuring in at just under approx 0.5 acre.

BER C3 The Auctioneer now invites immediate viewings

FINAL OFFERS INVITED

FINAL OFFERS INVITED

A QUALITY 3 BEDROOMED SEMI-DETACHED RESIDENCE OF APPROX1,027 ft² LOCATED AT

4 BEDROOMED RESIDENCE OF APPROX.1510 ft² LOCATED AT

9 CLUAIN DARA BALLYLEAGUE LANESBOROUGH, ROSCOMMON N39 XK06 OFFERS AFTER €125,000 TO SELL

This property is presented in excellent condition throughout. Living accommodation is comprised of an entrance hall, living room, kitchen/dining room and W.C on the ground floor level. Proceeding to the first floor is a landing, main bathroom and 3 bedrooms with master being en-suite.

The property features oil fired central heating with a solid fuel feature fireplace in the living room.

Double glazed windows are fitted throughout.

To the rear is a well-maintained garden with a sunny South facing aspect. The garden features a raised patio area, spacious lawn and side access. Off street parking is available on the tarmac driveway to the front with lawn to side.

BER D1 Legal: Stephen Reel, Brian Berrills Solicitors, Dundalk Tel 042 9334219 The Auctioneer invites viewings and all offers to sell

RATHCONOR, FOUR MILE HOUSE, ROSCOMMON F42 WY04 Recently Refurbished to a High Standard

AMV €250,000

This beautiful home was recently refurbished to an incredibly high standard with tasteful, modern décor in every room. Extending to Approx.1,510 sq. ft., this property offers spacious and well-proportioned living accommodation comprised of an entrance hall, living room, open plan kitchen/dining/living area, utility, W.C., 4 bedrooms with master being en-suite and the main bathroom. Also benefits from an insulated attic.

Certified with an impressive C3 BER Certificate, heated via oil fired central heating, solid fuel stove with stunning brick feature fireplace in the kitchen/living area and a solid fuel fireplace with feature fireplace in the living room. Double glazed windows are fitted throughout.

The property sits on an excellently maintained 0.59 acre site with patio area to the rear, manicured lawns front and back and a wraparound chipping driveway providing ample private parking.

BER C3 LEGAL: Brendan Noone, Messer’s Connellan Solicitors, Longford Tel: 043 33 46440 The Auctioneer now invites viewings and all offers to sell

Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon Email: jearley@propertypartners.ie www.propertypartners.ie Tel: (090) 6626579 / 6626796 or John 086 2551380 Fax: (090) 6625405

28

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

PropertyPeople

PSRA Licence No: 003201

NEW TO THE MARKET

NEW TO THE MARKET

The Walk, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon F42 HP93 Superb 4 bed detached residence on a large landscaped site situated on the walk road within walking distance to all town amenities. This property is furnished to the highest specification with exceptional finish throughout and comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, living area, open plan kitchen dining room and large utility with w.c. off. First floor, 4 large bedrooms master ensuite and family bathroom.

Large mature grounds with wide variety of shrubs and plants together with mature hedging and trees.

Viewing strictly by prior appointment.

The Walk NEWRoscommon TO THE MARKET Co. Roscommon F42 TheHP93 Walk

Roscommon

Donamon property up for auction with Oates

Superb 4 bed detached residence on a large landscaped Co. Roscommon site situated on the walk road within walking distance to F42 HP93 all town amenities. This property is furnished to the highest specification with exceptional finish throughout and comprises entrance hallway, bed detached residence on aw.c. large sitting room, living area, open planSuperb kitchen 4dining room and large utility with off.landscaped First site situated on theand walk roadbathroom. within walking distance to floor, 4 large bedrooms master ensuite family the market with Oatesand Auctionstandard with with no expense spared. scaped grounds with wrought-iron Large mature grounds with wide On variety of shrubs plants together mature hedging all town amenities.

This property is furnished to the eers is an exceptional, two-storey Ground floor accommodation railings, stud-rail fencing, shrub andthroughout trees. residence situated in Donamon, Co.and consists of an entrance hallway, hallway, area, and a large, detached, fullyPricehighest Region: € 315,000 BER Rating: C3 with exceptional specification finish comprises entrance Roscommon (F42 WY49). sitting room, living room, a large serviced garage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Viewing strictly by prior appointment.

The residence is built on an ele- kitchen with an archway leading The auctioneers highly recom-

sitting room, living area, open plan kitchen dining room and large utility with w.c. off. First NEW TO THE MARKET vated hillside site with spectacular into the dining area, utility room mend viewing for this prime resiviews over the surrounding coun- family (with WC), and an office/play- dence. Bids start at €260,000. BER floor,€ 4315,000 large bedrooms master ensuite and bathroom.

Price Region: BER tryside. Situated just off the N60, room. On the first floor,Rating: there is a C3 rating: C3.

11 Thornfield Drive, Roscommon Town, fifteen minutes from Roscommon family bathroom and four large hedging For more information or to arrange Large mature grounds with wide variety of shrubs and plants together with mature Co. Roscommon F42 KV82 town centre, this is a rare opportuni- bedrooms (master ensuite), all with an a viewing, contact Oates Aucty to acquire a property ofNEW this cali-TO built-in wardrobes. tioneers on 090-6627878, email THE MARKET andwastrees.

Prime property incorporating bre, which built to the highest Outside features spacious land- info@oates.ie, or visit oates.ie. spacious living accommodation located within walking distance to all Viewing strictly by prior appointment.

11 Thornfield Drive town amenities.

Roscommon Town Co. Roscommon F42 KV82

This property has been tastefully maintained and comprises ground floor entrance hallway, kitchen/dining room, 3 bedrooms and bathroom.

There is an attic conversion with 2 further rooms on first floor. Outside well maintained grounds with a wide array of shrubs and flowers together with garage to side. The property benefits from oil and solid fuel central heating.

Price Region: € 315,000

Warehouse-style property wanted!

BER Rating: C3

Prime property spacious This living week, Property Partners Earley, Roscommon NEWincorporating TO THE MARKET are urgentlyto seeking accommodation located within walking distance all a warehouse-style property/ farmyard-style buildings (approximately 30,000 feet) for a client.

Price Region: POA BER Rating: E2 amenities.

11town Thornfield Drivesquare For further details or to arrange a free consultation, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This property has been tastefully maintained and comprises ground floor entrance hallway, please contact the office or auctioneer John Earley Roscommon Town NEW TO THE MARKET (FIPAV) directly. Contact Property Partners Earley, kitchen/dining room, 3 bedrooms and bathroom. ThereCo. is an attic conversion with 2 further Roscommon Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon on 0906626579.

Contact Ballycreggan, Kiltoom, Co. rooms onRoscommon first floor. Outside well maintained grounds with wide array of shrubs and auctioneer John Earley on 086F42aKV82 2551380 or email jearley@propertypartners.ie.

This week, Partners Earley have a primely-loflowers together with garage to side.

TheProperty property benefits from oil and solid fuel central Prime c. 0.5 acre building site being sold subject cated retail unit of approximately 700 square feet availto planning permission in this highly desirable able for leaseheating. (formerly travel agents ‘East West Travel’), spacious living residential area.

Prime property incorporating The site is elevated with excellent views of the located at 2 Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon (F42 surrounding countryside including an old estate KV80). accommodation located within walking distance to allBallinlough, with some magnificent beech trees.

The unit would suit various commercial pursuitsBER due to Rating: E2 Price Co. Roscommon Located just 10 minutes drive from Athlone townRegion: POA its prime size and location, and the auctioneers now invite town amenities. and comprising part folio number RN31947.

Telephone: immediate viewings and all offers to lease.

The Auctioneer now invites enquiries and offers.

Contact Property Partners Earley, Stone Court, The This property has been tastefully maintained and comprises ground floor entrance hallway, Price Region: €75,000 (086) 6089591 Square, Roscommon on 090-6626579. Contact auction-

Retail unit to lease at Stone Court

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

kitchen/dining room, 3 bedrooms andley@propertypartners.ie. bathroom. There is an attic conversion with 2 further NEW TO THE MARKET eer John Earley (FIPAV) on 086-2551380 or email jear-

c. 5 acres with stables floor. Outside well maintained grounds with a wide array of shrubs and rooms on10 first 52 Westview Cloonfad Emlagh, flowers Fuerty,together Co. Roscommon unit tobenefits lease at with garage to side.Retail The property from oil and solid fuel central via Ballyhaunis, Co. Roscommon Circa 5 acres of top quality lands with generous road frontage and site potential Mainheating.

Street, Roscommon Recently restored 4 subject to Planning Permission.

Standing on the said lands is a quality building comprising 10 stables, tack room and storage area.

This property is located on a quiet country setting circa 2 miles from the picturesque village of Castlecoote and 7 miles to Roscommon Town Centre.

Price Region: POA

PRICE REGION: €125,000

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

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

This week, Property Partners Earley have a substantial and centrally located commercial property available to lease.

Situated in a prime trading location on Main Street, Roscommon, the property offers a dual-fronted retail unit (approximately 470 square feet) on the ground floor, with approximately 730 square feet of storage space to the rear. The unit

would suit various commercial pursuits due to its size and location, and the auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and all offers to lease Contact Property Partners Earley, Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon on 090-6626579. Contact auctioneer John Earley (FIPAV) on 086-2551380 or email jearley@propertypartners.ie.

bed semi detached residence located in a prime residental area beside all Cloonfad Village amenities and services.

Accommodation: large sitting room, kitchen/dining room, 4 bedrooms, large bathroom. 50 mins Galway City, 50 mins Athlone.

Offers over

BER Rating: E2

€140,000

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

PropertyPeople Auctioneers & Valuers

NO. 1 ABBEY ST., ROSCOMMON. 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.

Phone: 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com

FINAL OFFERS

Are now being sought on circa 110-acre Farm for the Estate of Maura Murray, Deceased.

CURRAGHBOY VILLAGE

All of the lands are of top quality and have been well maintained over the years. The lands are located in a renowned farming area with the benefit of lake frontage onto Lough Funshinagh.

For further details or to make an appointment to view contact the office on 090 6627003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com Legal: Ms. Tina Dolan Solicitor, Mellotte O’Carroll Solicitors, 11 Pearse Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Ph. 090 64 92014

Top-quality Curraghboy farm with Hughes & Co This week, Pat Hughes Auctioneers are confirming that they are hopeful of concluding a sale soon for a 110-acre farm in Curraghboy.

The lands in question are of top quality, with the advantage of lake frontage onto Lough Funshinagh. The lands have been well farmed over recent years and would be of interest to local farmers or someone looking to acquire a good block of land convenient to Athlone and Roscommon.

Pat has confirmed that there is a lot of interest from investors who are buying this type of property and leasing it for a number of years, which gives them a tax-free income. This farm is capable of generating a rental income of €30,000 per year tax-free.

For more information, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 090-6627003 or email info@ pathughesauctioneers.com.

Residential farm at Killerney, Co. Roscommon On the market with Pat Hughes Auctioneers is a circa 18.5 acre residential farm at Killerney, Co. Roscommon for the representatives of the late Patrick (Gossie) McGovern.

The lands have excellent road frontage and the benefit of access to a side road, which would leave them suitable for further development subject to planning permission. The residence is a one-bedroomed bungalow with a range of outoffices, including a two-bay hay shed and three horse stables.

For further details or to arrange an appointment to view, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 0906627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers. com.

NEW TO THE MARKET - FOR SALE At ROXBORO, ROSCOMMON

circa 43 acre Residential Farm for the Reps of the late Mary (Maisie) Farrell, Deceased.

The property can be sold in one or more lots to suit. Accommodation consists of: Kitchen, Dining Room, Sitting Room, 3 Bedrooms and Bathroom downstairs, with 2 further Bedrooms upstairs. There are several out-offices including hay shed and lean-to. The land has excellent road frontage and would have development potential subject to planning permission being granted. The property is situated less than 2 miles from Roscommon Town and ½ mile off the main Lanesboro to Roscommon Road convenient to schools and all local amenities. l Lot 1 Residence on circa 34 acres l Lot 2 Circa 9 acres l Lot 3 Residence on circa 3 acres l Lot 4 Circa 31 acres Legal: Carmel Leahy, Thomas K Madden & Co. Solicitors, 1 Camlin View, Deanscurragh, Longford, (043) 334 1192 For further details and appointment to view contact 090 6627003 or email: info@pathughesauctioneers.com

NEW TO THE MARKET - FOR SALE At NO. 7 CLOONBRACKNA AVENUE, ROSCOMMON TOWN

an exceptional 4 Bedroomed bungalow standing on private mature gardens and located in one of Roscommon Towns most sought after residential areas. Accommodation consists of: 4 Bedrooms, Bathroom, separate Shower Room, Living Room, Kitchen cum Dining Room, Utility Room and Shed. The residence in located in a much sought-after location in Roscommon Town and located within walking distance of all amenities.

For further details and appointment to view contact 090 6627003 or Email: info@ pathughesauctioneers.com

New to the market: residential farm in Roxboro, Roscommon New to the market with Pat Hughes Auctioneers is this 43-acre residential farm in Roxboro, Roscommon, for the representatives of the late Mary (Maisie) Farrell.

Downstairs accommodation consists of a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, three bedrooms and bathroom, with two further bedrooms upstairs.

There are several out-offices including a hayshed and lean-to. The land has excellent road frontage and would have development potential subject to planning permission being granted.

The property is situated less than two miles from Roscommon town and half a mile off the main Lanesboro to Roscommon Road, convenient to schools and all local amenities.

There are approximately nine acres located a short distance away from the main block. All these lands are of top quality. The property can be sold in one or more lots to suit. Lot one consists if the residence on approximately thirty-four acres, lot two comprises approximately nine acres, lot three includes the residence on three acres, and lot four comprises lands of thirty-one acres.

For further details or to arrange an appointment

Site with planning permission for sale at The Walk, Roscommon This week, Pat Hughes Auctioneers are confirming that they have a site for sale at The Walk, Roscommon. The site comes with the benefit of full planning permission for a dormer bungalow.

For further details, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com.

to view, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers on 0906627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers. com.

Properties wanted

by Pat Hughes!

Due to a high number of sales in the last number of weeks, Pat Hughes Auctioneers are urgently looking for all types of properties in and around the Roscommon area.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a property, contact Pat Hughes Auctioneers for their free, confidential, professional advice.

For further details on any property on offer with Pat Hughes Auctioneers, or if you are considering selling, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com.

30

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

PROPERTY PropertyPeople

54

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021 ROSCOMMON HERALD

MICHAEL J. O’ROURKE

On the books with Michael O’Rourke!

Phone 087 2242329 Creggs, Co. Roscommon F42C985 Email: Michaeljoroarke59@gmail.com

Mobile 087 2242329 This week, auctioneer acres of good-quality Michael O’Rourke, is land for €350,000 and 18 confirming the sale Licence of two number acres003996 of similar quality for AUCTIONEER & VALUER parcels of land in follow- €230,000, both in Creggs.

Phone 087 2242329 ing strong demand: 28.6 Currently on the books, & OLD SHOP UNIT ON C.3 ACRES FOR SALE Creggs, Co. HOUSE Roscommon F42C985

Michael has lands for sale in Creggs including: 24 acres at Lisduff, six acres at Corlackin, and 11 acres at Gortnadeeve. He also

has 8 acres available at Curraghboy, Co. Roscommon. All are open to offers.

For further informa-

tion, contact Michael O’Rourke on 0906621125 or 087-2242329 or email michaelroarke@ eircom.net.

At Corgarve, Glinsk, Castlerea.

Email: Michaeljoroarke59@gmail.com Mobile: 087 2242329 Licence number 003996

Award for Cluain Fraoigh housing development

Residence contains 3 bedrooms, sitting room, living room, kitchen, Roscommon County Counrear & front hall &toilet/ shower. Shop unit has cil are delighted to have rebeen closed for a num- ceived an award under the ber of years and contains‘Housing for Families’ small original counter and projects category at the Irish shelving.

Council for Social Hous-

and as a recreational amenity.

The development includes a unique bespoke housing style with mono pitch zinc effect roofs, heat pumps, extensive glazing and open ing Allianz Biennial Com- internal roof space creating munity Housing Awards large living areas. There are Corgarve, Glinsk, Co. Galway LAND FOR SALE: LARGE DEVELOPMENT SITEfor AT CREGGS the Cluain Fraoigh develop- four dwelling types based on l 3 Bed l 1 Bath l Detached ment located in Roscommon a variation of two and threeFor Sale by Private Treaty town. bedroomed bungalow type, Two story residence containing 3 bedrooms, sitting The modern ‘A’ building L-shaped plan in a combinaroom, hallway, living room, kitchen and toilet/shower. energy rated homes were tion of detached and semiThe property has been vacant for a number of years designed by Longford- detached homes. The lifecybut it has been maintained and heated all the time. The based consultants Sweeney cle of a house and its ability shop unit has been closed for years but still contains old Architects and constructed to adapt to all stages of life counters and shelves. The 3 acres of land are to the side and rear of property. The property is located between

by FVG Construction; a influenced the design. the villages of Creggs and Glinsk circa 12 miles from Galway based building conJoe Murphy (Cathao- Pictured is the award-winning Cluain Fraoigh Housing Development.

Castlerea and circa 15 miles from Roscommon Town. The tractor.

The9 miles contemporary irleach, Roscommon County mitted to providing quality sustainable communities as munity. I wish the new tenContaining C5.64 acres from Roscommon and 23 miles property isCcirca 1 hour 45 minutesOran. from Dublin (N50).

3.3 acres at Ballymacfarrane, shared public Council), said: “I would like housing that meet the needs a core principle and sets a ants all the best in their new fromspace Athlone.design creates a unique sense of to congratulate Roscom- of households on the wait- very high standard for future homes”.

FARM FOR SALE:in- mon County Council for ing list, achieves value for housing developments to COTTAGE FOR SALE: place and community The Irish Council for Soacres at Kilmore, & Circathe 3.84 acres at Aghrane,this distinguished

by Ballygar organising achieving money and enhances the en- aspire to meet in the future. cial Housing Allianz Bien2 bed room cottage at Garraun North, Creggs suitated near the village Circa 30.6 tegration Ballygar. Good landrealm & well fenced including outbuildings of 3 horse of Creggs. public in favour of the accolade for the delivery of vironment in which they are I wish to acknowledge the nial Community Housing boxes, large shed and small hay shed. pedestrian and cyclist with a very impressive and mod- located”. hard work of the Housing Awards were held on SepSITE FOR SALE: the parking store ern housing development. I Eugene Cummins (Chief Business Unit, Department tember 23rd and showcased FARMand FORbin SALE: Large corner site in the village of Moylough in a well maintained moved to a shared car park. would also like to wish the Executive, Roscommon of Housing, Local Govern- many shortlisted innovative C24.32 acres atCycling Lisduff, Creggs. divided in 2 plots suitable for the very best of small estate. andLand pedestrian new tenants County Council), comment- ment and Heritage together and sustainable social houslocal farmer to add to existing holding. paths were provided, which luck in their new homes”. ed: “Roscommon County with Sweeney Architects ing projects for communities SALE: GarraunLAND North,FOR Creggs, Co. Roscommon can be expanded into future Conor Fallon (Acting Council are delighted to and FVG Construction Ltd across the country. RoscomLAND FOR SALE: l 2 acres l1 Bed at Bath l Overall Floor Suitated Area: 43 Detached C. 11.6 Gortnadeeve East, Creggs. on m² mainl Creggs/ neighbouring developments Senior Executive Engineer, have received this prestig- in bringing this unique mod- mon County Council are C6 acres at Kilbegnet Creggs. Good quality land on main Glenamaddy road. Good land all in one unit. and link Creggs/Glinsk up with the Housing Department), said: ious award from the Irish ern project to fruition. delighted to have received road.two Sale Type: For Sale by Private Treaty main roads either side of this “We are thrilled to be asso- Council for Social Housing “Every household should an award under the ‘HousSALE: This residence comes market in need of major LANDto FOR SALE: scheme. LAND TheseFOR paths will ciated with this project that for this outstanding devel- have access to secure, good ing for Families’ small prorenovation and offers a chance to develop a first class also benefit the community has land. attracted national atten- opment. The project raises quality housing suited to jects category for the Cluain C.8.3 acres at Rahara, Curraghboy.

Good quality land on main road.

C6 acres at Ballynacorra, Newbridge.

Good quality residence in a good location. It consists of 2 bedrooms, in the promotion of environ- tion due to its unique and in- the bar in terms of residen- their needs at an affordable Fraoigh development lokitchen, living room and toilet/shower. mentally friendly transport novative style. We are com- tial design that incorporates price in a sustainable com- cated in Roscommon town.

ROSCOMMON TOWN

UNIT 4 CHAPEL LANE ROSCOMMON TOWN.

FOR LEASE

• Spacious retail unit for lease in the heart of Roscommon Town.

• Located on Chapel Lane which is already home to The Golden Sun and adjacent to major retailers including Donnellan & Co, Tesco, Iceland, Dealz, Born and Toytown.

Call 090 662 7200 GOFF STREET, ROSCOMMON Find out more at mysherryfitz.ie

ROSCOMMON TOWN

UNIT 5 HARRISON CENTRE ROSCOMMON TOWN.

• This unit comprises of a ground floor area of 81 sq.m/ 872 sq.ft. including W.C. • Chapel Lane has great footfall from Main Street and Tesco car park.

Call P. Burke: 0906627200 or email pburke@sfpburke.ie

FOR LEASE

ROSCOMMON TOWN

ROSCOMMON RETAIL PARK OFFICE SPACE

FOR LEASE

• Modern bright spacious retail/ office unit with ground floor and first floor.

• Pivotally located within the Harrison Centre, which already includes a restaurant, clothing and fashion shops, pharmacy, coffee shop, phone repair/sales shop and public house.

• Unit comprises of a ground floor area of 70.19sq m., first floor area of 30.58sq m., • The Harrison Centre allows access from Main Street to Tesco car park.

• Pivotally located office space within the Roscommon Retail Park with easy road access.

• This office space comprises of a first floor area of 7,000 Sq. Ft. • The ground floor is occupied by Toytown and BORN, ample car parking on site.

• Easily sub-divided into smaller units to suit a variety of businesses.

• Adjacent to Tesco car park and only minutes from Main Street • Its excellent location makes it a fantastic business opportunity

Call P. Burke: 0906627200 or email pburke@sfpburke.ie

Call P. Burke: 0906627200 or email pburke@sfpburke.ie

It’s not just about property. It’s about people.

PSRA No. 001316

Three units available for lease at Centre Point Retail Park This week, Sherry Fitzgerald P. Burke have three units available for lease at Centre Point Retail Park, Circular Road, Roscommon town, Co. Roscommon.

Centre Point – located adjacent to Dunnes Stores, Tesco and Lidl – is an expedient retail hub in Roscommon town, home to a number of global, well-established shops such as Aldi, Esquire Coffee, Euro Giant, Homesavers, Sports Direct, and Omniplex Cinema. Its location is both meritorious and pivotal in terms of being within walking distance to Roscommon town centre, having its own car parking spaces (over four hundred), and access to the trainline and bus service direct to Dublin and Galway.

There are presently three remaining units.

The smallest unit (9) is approximately 648 square metres, comprising of shell and core along with rear access for delivery.

The second unit (6) is approximately 753 square metres, also comprising of shell and core along with rear access for delivery. Finally, there is the third unit (7), which is approximately 753 square metres and once more comprises of shell and core along with rear access for delivery.

All three units would offer a start-up or established business looking to relocate or open a new branch the perfect location to grow and expand. Many of the current businesses have been trading successfully for many years now.

For further details on the remaining units or to arrange a viewing, contact the agent Chloe at Sherry Fitzgerald P Burke, Goff Street, Roscommon, on 090-6627200 or email pburke@sfpburke.ie.

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

NewsPeople

Culture Night 2021: Roscommon Arts Officer Rhona McGrath pictured presenting Neil Tully with the Roscommon New Writers Award in the John McGahern Barracks, Cootehall, ahead of an evening of readings from McGahern’s work in the newly developed centre. Pic: Brian Farrell

Culture Night 2021: Roscommon Arts Officer Rhona McGrath pictured presenting Neil Tully with the Roscommon New Writers Award, with writers Louis G. Cole and Gerry Boland in the John McGahern Barracks, Cootehall, ahead of an evening of readings from McGahern’s work in the newly developed centre. Pic: Brian Farrell

No Commission of Ros na nÓg Children’s Book Festival starts Friday Investigation into Fr Niall Molloy’s death Family pledges to continue campaign < DAN DOONER

The Government has confirmed that a Commission of Investigation will not be established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Castlecoote priest, Fr. Niall Molloy, in 1985.

The cleric’s family have campaigned for a special investigation, which could compel people to give evidence, in order to discover the exact circumstances of Fr. Molloy’s death at Kilcoursey House in Clara, Co. Offaly 36 years ago.

Local Sinn Féin TDs Claire Kerrane and Martin Kenny raised the matter in the Dáil last week, urging the Government to allow the family to get some closure on the mysterious death.

Speaking in the Dáil, Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane said: “Fr. Niall Molloy was a son, a brother, an uncle, a neighbour, a friend and a parish priest to the people of Castlecoote, County Roscommon. He was held in the highest regard by those who knew him and those whom he served in his parish.

“Fr. Molloy was brutally murdered 36 years ago.

36 years later and there have been no answers and, more importantly, there has been no justice.

“This happened before I was born, but there is not one person growing up in County Roscommon who does not know about Fr. Niall Molloy.

The recent documentary shown on RTÉ has put a spotlight on the case yet again. There is no doubt in my mind that this was a cover-up. It is wrong.

“We must remember in all of this that Fr. Niall Molloy was a person. His life mattered. I plead with the Minister of State and the Government to end the injustice for this family, 36 years later. I ask them to establish a Commission of Investigation into his death to give the family the justice they deserve and those answers that they have not yet received 36 years after somebody that they loved was killed”.

Sinn Féin’s Justice spokesperson, Martin Kenny TD, said the decision not to allow a Commission of Investigation was an injustice.

“This cover-up began on the evening of July 8th, 1985, and it is continuing even now.

“The refusal of the Minister to establish a Commission of Investigation is just a further reflection of the attitude of the establishment to this entire injustice. It is a case of ‘move on, there’s nothing to see here’.

“It is a very clear example of the division be-

Roscommon Library Service wishes to announce Ros na nÓg Children’s Book Festival will commence this Friday, October 1st and will run for the duration of the month up until October 31st.

This annual Children’s Book Festival helps spread the enjoyment of books and reading among children and families, authors and illustrators, teachers and librarians all over Ireland.

Library services have been organising Children’s Book Festival events for many years,

and in many authorities it is a central focus of their annual programming calendar. Events and speakers are hosted online and in libraries across the country in October, with something scheduled for readers of all ages and interests.

This year, children will again have the opportunity to meet some of their favourite authors and take part in fun events for the whole family.

Roscommon County Library have an array of events scheduled for all ages, all online and delivered via a hybrid of videos

and Zoom workshops. Contact your local library or check out our Roscommon Library’s Facebook page for details.

Zoom events for schools need to be booked, numbers attending will be limited, and selection will be made on a random basis.

Ros Na nÓg is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, an all-of-Government five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy.

Further information from creative.ireland.ie and ireland.ie.

Call for ‘substantial’ increase for OAPs tween the treatment of the wealthy and well-connected, and the treatment of the working class.

“Fr. Molloy’s family will not stop seeking justice for the vicious killing of their uncle and brother.

This quest, although hampered by the refusal to establish an investigation, will not end here,” he said.

A 2014 report by barrister Dominic McGinn concluded that despite the many failings of the initial investigation, it did not merit being subject to a Commission of Investigation.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality James Browne said that establishing a new inquiry into the priest’s death would be “inappropriate at the current juncture”.

“The McGinn report concludes that given the passage of time, the death of many of the pertinent witnesses, and the reluctance of others to give evidence, it is unlikely that any further inquiry would have a reasonable prospect of establishing the truth,” he said.

Fr. Molloy’s nephew, Bill Maher, said he was disappointed with the Government’s refusal to grant a Commission of Investigation but has vowed to continue the campaign for justice.

“No Minister of Justice in the last 10 or 15 years has been interested in justice in this case, as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

A local Fianna Fáil councillor is calling for a “substantial increase” in the old-age pension in the forthcoming Budget.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Cllr. McDermott said that he has been approached by concerned old-age pensioners on the street – and by phone – amidst some speculation that there may be no increase in the pension, or merely one of about €5 per week.

“A €5 increase would certainly not be enough.

We need to see a substantial rise in the pension.

There hasn’t been an increase in two years. An increase is needed in order to deal with the rise in the cost of living, including with regard to electricity and other fuels”.

Cllr. McDermott said that he has lobbied Senator Eugene Murphy on the issue, asking the Oireach-

tas member to raise it with Public Expenditure and Reform Minister, Michael McGrath.

“Senator Murphy has committed to continue to lobby the Minister. Senator Murphy has confirmed to me that the fuel allowance is to be extended for a seven-month period in order to compensate for a possible carbon tax”.

Cllr. McDermott said that it is vital that the old and vulnerable are looked after in our society. He pointed out that many of these people have been through a particularly difficult time during the pandemic. Now they are faced with significant rises in the cost of living.

“We need to support them. We absolutely need to see a significant rise in the old-age pension in Budget 2022. This is one sector that must not be overlooked”.

Callaghan welcomes boost for Lung/Lough Gara Way Fine Gael councillor Liam Callaghan has welcomed the news that a 38km trail in west Roscommon has been added to the Government’s Walks Scheme (see page 8).

Cllr. Callaghan said the Lung/Lough Gara Way will offer new opportunities to businesses

and the general tourism sector in the Ballaghaderreen catchment area.

“It is great news for west Roscommon and I want to commend Minister Heather Humphreys, Roscommon LEADER, local landowners, etc. for making this trail become a reality”.

33

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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

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• 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 cowels and crow guards fitted Power washing and gutter cleaning services.

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• Open fire, stove, ranges • All flues and chimneys • Power brushed & vaccumed • No mess, no fuss • CCTV camera inspections • Detailed report and CCTV recording provided for insurance claims • Fully insured Also available for powerwashing and gutter cleaning

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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

CHIROPRACTOR

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• 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

087 2798704

DC Computer Services

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

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

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

GARDENING

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

• Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped

EDT Lessons Available

Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member.

Telephone:

094 96 20099

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Mobile:

This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

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COUNSELLING & HYPNOTHERAPY 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

https://www.psychotherapyglynisdowney.com

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For all your fencing needs.

GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail l

Tel: 087 2172281

087 2346364

JOE HEALY

087 2721193 LIFE COACH CALL FOR CONSULTATION/QUOTATION Mobile: 086 2215570 Email: info@abbeytreeservices.ie

GATELY GARDENING

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

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

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

BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE

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

Chainsaw work also available

Tree Services

FARMING

• Sprayers tested on owners premises • Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided.

• Small stock of parts available and can be fitted on sprayers All sprayers are required to be tested every 3 years according to Dept. of Agriculture regulations.

Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069 e-mail: thomasneilan4@

GARDENING

GARDENING SERVICES

Paul McStay

086 8936012

fergalkelly@live.com

Fergal 086 1016899

DRIVING LESSONS

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

l

087 6558597

www.corbetttreecareandlandscaping.com

Mindset Life Coach Online

l Personal

Development/Life Coaching l Membership Club l Workshops l Retreats CONTACT

Emer Watchorn

BSc. Arch Tech, HDip Executive & Life Coaching

087 7718842 website:

emerwatchorn lifecoach.com

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

The most read newspaper in Co. Roscommon!

PHYSICAL THERAPY

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

PLUMBING

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.

REFLEXOLOGY

REFLEXOLOGY 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

The local paper!

Tel: 087 2264951 Find us on facebook

34

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

Classifieds REFLEXOLOGY Registered Reflexologist

TERESA BURKE BNS (Hons). M.Sc (Hons) (MNRRI)

Give your mind and body a relaxing experience with a reflexology treatment.

Through massage of the feet reflexology can • Rebuild energy levels in the body • Assist in relieving stress • Encourage relaxation • Improve general well- being Reflexology is based on the principle that the foot has “reflex” points that correspond to the various structures and organs throughout the body.

Contact TERESA for appointment at 087 9001212 Brideswell, Co. Roscommon N37 EW20

PLANNINGS

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

086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture.com

facebook.com/moleskinarch ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Donal Kilduff wish to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for development at this Site, Carnagh West, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon.

The development will consist of the proposed refurbishment of and rear extension to an existing dwelling; provision of a secondary wastewater treatment system and tertiary percolation system; relocation of vehicular entrance to new location on the site boundary; changing of existing vehicular entrance to a pedestrian entrance; and all ancillary site works.

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 lanning 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 (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Signed: Donal Kilduff

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

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Colm Manning intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage/fuel store, proprietary treatment system, percolation area and associated works at Clooncoran, Ballinasloe, 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 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.

Signed: Stephen Blake, M.R.I.A.I., Registered Architect Trihill, Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.

T: 090 6624681 M: 087 635 8949 E: stephen@sbarchitect.ie

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Robert Cregg intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage/fuel store, proprietary treatment system, percolation area and associated works at Willsborough, Ballinlough, 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 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.

Signed: Stephen Blake, M.R.I.A.I., Registered Architect Trihill, Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.

T: 090 6624681 M: 087 635 8949 E: stephen@sbarchitect.ie

NOTICE TO ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We are applying on behalf of The Roscommon County Board for Planning Permission to construct the following additional Upgrade Works and to make revisions to the Upgrade Works previously granted under planning permission PD 19/359 at Dr Hyde Park:1. Construction of a covered viewing shelter for wheelchair users on the pitch side of the Dressing Rooms located to the side of the Main Stand.

2. Construction of 1 No. new Toilet Block of approximately 79 square metres to provide sanitary facilities for the Graveyard End Terrace. This toilet block will be located on the north-east corner of the Athlone Road Terrace.

3. Revisions to plans and elevations for 20 No. Turnstiles and Entrance Gates to include a new ticket booth at the Athlone Road Entrance, of which 6 No. Turnstiles will access the Town End Terrace and 14 No. Turnstiles will access the Athlone Road End Terrace, to that which differs from previously granted under PD19/359.

4. Revisions to location and type of fencing and gates surrounding the Training Pitch, to that which differs from previously granted under PD19/359.

5. Existing Golf Links Road Entrance to be relocated and set back approximately 8m. Install removable bollards at original location of gate.

6. Revisions to plans and elevations for 15 No. Turnstiles and gates at the Golf Links Road Entrance to that which differs from previously granted under PD19/359.

7. Proposed Car & Coach Parking Layout along the front of the existing Dressing Rooms located to the side of the Main Stand.

8. Propose to construct 5 No. new Turnstiles along the Athlone Road boundary to access the Graveyard End Terrace. This will involve minor alterations to the front facade to accommodate the 5 No. turnstiles and to relocate the entrance gate M3 in order to provide more direct access onto the existing emergency access route.

The above to be constructed with all associated site development works at Dr Hyde Park, Ardsallagh Beg Townland, Roscommon, 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 €20.00 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.

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We Kieran Smith and Patrice Hanlon intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for extension to side of existing dwelling at No 15 The Plains, Bellanagare, 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 “SIGNIFICANT FUTHER INFORMATION AND REVISED PLANS” We Eric and Noelle Bruton have applied to Roscommon County Council Ref No. PD.21/169 for planning permission to retain conservatory at ground level, garage and store at lower ground level and alterations to porch at ground and lower ground level to the rear of our dwelling house and all associated works, at Cartron (Hartland) TD. Kilmore, Carrick-onShannon, Co. Roscommon.

Significant “Further Information” in relation to above application has been furnished to the planning authority and is available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority Roscommon County Council during its public opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the “Further Information” may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20, not later than two weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority, no fee will be payable on a further submission or observation if it is accompanied by a copy of the acknowledgement of a previous submission/observation.

Signed: Eric and Noelle Bruton

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Eamonn Mullen, intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for (i) demolition of existing rear wing, (ii) change of elevations to facilitate reconfigured proposed plan, (iii) construction of proposed rear extension, (iv) installment of tertiary treatment system and infiltration/treatment area, and all ancillary works at Tullyroe, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: MoleskinArchitecture Mote Park, Roscommon Tel: 086 3482387 E: info@moleskinarchitecture.com 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 am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission on behalf of Yvonne Naughton and Kenneth Kenny to demolish a house at Dundonnell, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors.

Phone: (087) 2222874.

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 and that submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee 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.

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Cathal Foley intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct a new agricultural entrance onto my lands and all associated works, at Carrowmore Td., Kilmore, Carrick-on-Shannon, 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 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.

Signed: Cathal Foley

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We Rathcroghan Designs intend applying for Planning Permission on behalf of Marie T. Aslam to retain extension and changes of design to existing dwelling house, and connect to existing waste water treatment system, together with all associated site works at Scor Beg T.d., Ballinameen, 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 of €20 within a 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 Signed: Martin Dowd Rathcroghan Design, Ballyconboy Ballinagare, Co. Roscommon Tel: 086 2328484

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, PD Contractors Ltd, are applying for Planning Permission to fill the site with inert materials including soil to return the land to productive agricultural land with all associated site development works at Cornaveagh Td, Oldtown, Athlone, 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.

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.

Family Notices • Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Remembrance

Call into our office on Abbey Street, Roscommon

Phone: (090) 66 34633 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

35

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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

Orthotics prescribed

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

PROPERTIES TO LET/RENT/WANTED 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

< PRIVATE ROOM: Wanted for private practice, ideally with access to a bathroom.

Must be in a quiet building, Roscommon town/ Ballyleague area preferred.

Apply to PO Box No 2082 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon < TO LET: Ground floor apartment to let, Bawn Street, Strokestown, newly renovated. Tel: 086 8106655

TARMACADAM

Harpur Bros

By Appointment Only –

087 2982214

Tel: Catriona Byrne DIP CHFP

PODIATRIST

For all foot ailments

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

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

FOR ALL YOUR DRIVEWAY NEEDS

We can help you design your driveway from start to finish. Kerbing, drainage, tarmacadam.

Ask about Resin bond many different colours to choose from.

TUITION

Now enrolling l Face to face grinds

l Experienced Higher

Level Teacher

l Excellent results record

l Limited places available

Contact by phone/text:

Lorraine 086 3688302

EMAIL: roscommonmathsgrinds @gmail.com

Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar

< GRINDS: French and German grinds, catered for up to Leaving Certificate (Honours). Tel: 087 3515985

USEFUL SERVICES

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

Phone:

083 0684011

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.

Evo Roofers Covering Athlone, Galway and surrounding areas

Tel: Donal

086 2721812 (All areas) < THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS: • Bags of seasoned firewood only €2 per bag• Bags of turf only €2.50 per bag, buy 20 get 2 free • Tonne bags firewood/turf €35 per bay, or buy tonne firewood + tonne turf + 2 bags coal 20kg all for €80 delivered. • Stove coal 40kg bags only €14, buy 10 bags get 1 20kg bag coal free.

• 8x4 trailer load firewood only €90. All includes free delivery. Contact Tom: 086 2628439

Free Quotations provided

Leaky Roof or Gutter?

Call 085 2427727 Our Services: • New Roofing • Lead Valleys • Emergency Repairs • Attic Insulation • Fascia Soffits • Flat Roofs • Guttering/Downpipes • Chimney Repair • Ridge Pointing • Roof Cleaning

www.evoroofers.com email: evoroofing122@gmail.com

Phone: 090 6400177 HANDY MAN AVAILABLE Power Washing l Gutters Cleaned l Fitting Shower Doors l Bathroom Accessories l Tiling and Timber Flooring l Flat Pack Furniture Assembled l General Gardening Maintenance and Clean-up etc. l

NO JOB TOO SMALL

< TURF FOR SALE: In tonne bags, delivery to Roscommon town and surrounding areas. Price €50. Bag and delivery also included in price. Tel: 086 8534011

< W O O D / F I R E W O O D : High quality seasoned split hardwood timber, suitable for stoves and open-fire.

Available in 500kg bulk bag and 25kg bag. Very competitively priced and delivery can be discussed. Call 086 3312411 after 6pm. < FREE FIREWOOD: Free firewood to take away, Roscommon Town. Tel: 086 1366661 < TURF: Top quality well seasoned black hopper turf, delivered in large trailer loads. Tel: 086 3903120 or 090 6621090

USEFUL SERVICES Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed?

If so ring:

087 9657933 or 090 6626752

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED

TURF AVAILABLE

Contact Sean McDermott 085 7604342 or Owen Harpur 086 8953884 for a free quotation

Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com

• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD

Call Mike

087 2478609

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

Phone Alan on:

090 6661635 or Mobile:

087 2683079

PERMIT NO: WCP - MO - 09 - 0267 - 01

TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815 WANTED: Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn.

We are safety certified and insured.

USEFUL SERVICES

USEFUL SERVICES

Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business

Alan O’Toole

WINDOW CLEANING

Window Protection Ireland Commercial/Domestic Registered and Insured All areas covered Also protecting windows during construction see windowprotection.ie Telephone

087 9795226

LOFT LADDERS Aluminium

Supplied & Fitted From

The company that can do all them small jobs

FROM

€190 094 96 31880 087 9100477

www.oddjobsolutions.ie Established since 2005

Roof Cleaning and Resealing All types of roofs cleaned down, painted Tegral Roof paint applied All work fully guaranteed Fast and efficent

Telephone: 089 9899 912

Phone:

086 2437376

s ucks k c u tr ted tr ted Wan

Wan

DAF CF75, CF85 Tractor Units DAF DAF CF75, CF75, CF85 CF85 Tractor Tractor Units Units • Box BodyCurtainsider • Cab and Chassis •• Box BodyCurtainsider Box BodyCurtainsider •• Cab Cab and and Chassis Chassis Tipper 6 & 8 Wheelers Tipper Tipper 66 && 88 Wheelers Wheelers DAF XF 95 & 105 Tractor Units - up95 to & 2005 DAF DAF XF XF 95 & 105 105 Tractor Tractor Units Units -- up up to to 2005 2005 Volvo FL6 18, FL7, FL 220 Volvo Volvo FL6 FL6 18, 18, FL7, FL7, FL FL 220 220 Agriculture Any Body Type, Box Body, Tipper etc.

Any Body Any Body Type, Type, Box Box Body, Body, Tipper Tipper etc. etc.

Merc 814, SK 1824, ActrosMerc & bigger 814, Merc 814, SK SK 1824, 1824, Actros Actros && bigger bigger powerwashing Old MAN Trucks Old Old MAN MAN Trucks Trucks Service Old Scania and Hino Tippers Old Old Scania Scania and and Hino Hino Tippers Tippers • Slatted sheds Mitsubishi Canter 7.5 Ton upMitsubishi to 2001 Canter Mitsubishi Canter 7.5 7.5 Ton Ton up up to to 2001 2001 • Sheep shedsHilux, Dyna, Toyota Toyota Toyota Hilux, Hilux, Dyna, Dyna, • Yards Cabstar up to 2005 Nissan Nissan Nissan Cabstar Cabstar up up to to 2005 2005 Renault • Pens Trucks up to 1999Renault Renault Trucks Trucks up up to to 1999 1999 Renault Premium Renault 2013 Renault Premium Premium 6x2 6x2 up up to to 2013 Dont delay, book today 6x2 up to 2013 Lexus GS300-350 GS300-350 Lexus GS300-350 Lexus Housing fast approaching Lexus RX petrol up to 2006 Lexus Lexus RX RX petrol petrol up up to to 2006 2006 CallNissan Padraig on Micra up to 2003 Nissan Nissan Micra Micra up up to to 2003 2003 Toyota to 2005 Toyota Corolla ToyotaupYaris, Yaris, Corolla & & Avensis Avensis up up to to 2005 2005 086Yaris, 602Corolla 7509 & Avensis

P’Nuts

PROFESSIONAL trucks Wanted trucks Wanted PAINTING & ANY OLD TRUCK CONSiDeReD ANY ANY OLD OLD TRUCK TRUCK CONSiDeReD CONSiDeReD DECORATING Bought for export and Resale Bought for Bought for export export and and Resale Resale CONTRACTOR For all your decorating needs CONTACT JOHN

086 4679798

tel. 087 1922154 tel. 087 1922154

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

36

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

AtYourService BLINDS

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

DOOR AND WINDOW SERVICE

CARS

DOOR & WINDOW SERVICE

Supply and fit uPVC Doors and Windows ONLY TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS USED Composite Doors, French Doors, Patio Doors in a wide range of styles and colours Also various styles and colours of uPVC Windows

BRENDAN DOOLIN

Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.

Contact Pat Hanley on

086 6002721

to discuss your requirements

DOORS/ WINDOWS

uPVC WINDOWS, DOORS & REPAIRS

CLEANING

S tephen H oare

Repairs

Tel: 090

9673336 Mob: 086 2678350 Email:

Lowest price guaranteed

We steam clean all Domestic Roofs remove moss and can apply dye to roof tiles

QUARRY

Daily collection

Racecourse Road, Roscommon

INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE CLAIMS REPAIR LTD. CLAIMS CLAIMS REPAIR REPAIR LTD. LTD. INSURANCE CLAIMS LTD. CLAIMSREPAIR REPAIR LTD.

We SUPPLY & FIT Double & Treble Glazed Windows & Doors, Patio Doors, French Doors, Porches and Conservatories

CLAIMS REPAIR LTD.

PROPERTY CLAIMS CONSULTANTS PROPERTY PROPERTY CLAIMS CLAIMS CONSULTANTS CONSULTANTS Property Claims Consultants PROPERTY CLAIMS CONSULTANTS PROPERTY CLAIMSSERVICES CONSULTANTS LOSS ASSESSORS SERVICES LOSS LOSS ASSESSORS ASSESSORS SERVICES PROPERTY CLAIMS CONSULTANTS LOSS ASSESSORS SERVICES and Loss Assessors Services LOSS ASSESSORS SERVICES LOSS ASSESSORS SERVICES

WARD Martin Hibbitt Martin Martin Hibbitt Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA BROS Martin Hibbitt 091 380900 QUARRY 087 7371280 Martin Hibbitt

APA-PL, CIP, APA-PL, APA-PL, CIP,Hibbitt CIP, CDIP CDIP LACDIP LA LA Martin APA-PL, LA APA-PL,CIP, CIP, CDIP CDIP LA 091 380900 091 091 380900 380900 091 091380900 380900 087 7371280 087 087 7371280 7371280 0877371280 7371280 087 info@icr.ie info@icr.ie info@icr.ie info@icr.ieSUPPLIERS OF ALL TYPES OF: info@icr.ie info@icr.ie www.icr.ie www.icr.ie www.icr.ie • Stone • Sand & Gravel www.icr.iewww.icr.ie www.icr.ie

• Topsoil • Readymix • Plant Hire

Unit 12 Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Galway | Mountbellew, Co. Galway UnitUnit 12 12 Oranmore Oranmore Business Business Park, Oranmore, Galway | |Mountbellew, | Mountbellew, Co. Co. Galway Unit 12 Oranmore BusinessPark, Park,Oranmore, Oranmore,Galway Galway Mountbellew, Co.Galway Galway Unit 12 Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Galway | Co. Mountbellew, Co. Galway Unit 12 Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Galway | Mountbellew, Galway

WIDE RANGE OF COMPOSITE DOORS

Nationwide Service Stoves and Ranges Fitted All Work Guaranteed

Michael: 089 9661849

(090) 96 88830 or (090) 96 87651

INSURANCE CLAIMS

uPVC Window and Door Locksmith We are the only Licensed Window and Door Locksmith in Roscommon

Ballinasloe, Co. Galway Cleaning Sheds, Painting Roofs and Hay Barns

TEL: (090) 96 88606

SHOWROOM:

20 Years Experience Free Insurance Quotes

PAINTING CONTRACTORS

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE

DOORS/ WINDOWS

Cathal Dooley 087 6579064

PAINTING

FARMING

M: 086 3912396 Ph: 090 66 62892

Dooley Chimney Repairs • Lining

086 2203335

For appointment call me on 086 8229606

OR email your enquiry to cburkecoaching@gmail.com (FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS OR ON-LINE/TEAMS)

NO CALL OUT CHARGE

KEEN and COMPETITIVE PRICES

Chimney Problems

Keen Prices

Gmail: gerrymartin198@gmail.com

• Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning • WINDOW CLEANING • POWER WASHING Fascias & Soffits • Gutters & Down pipes • Drive ways ‘paths and patios’

For Professional For Professional Advice Contact Advice Contact: John Hibbitt:

Window and Door Replacement Double Glazing Units Replaced Maintenance Carried Out to Existing Windows and Doors

Gerry Martin:

Cleaning Services • Roscommon

- CCTV Camera Inspection

PERSONAL COACHING: * BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE & BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE! * HELP TO COPE WITH AND EMBRACE CHANGE (E.G. RETIREMENT, NEW JOB, SEPARATION, ETC)

Email: pjmhanley@gmail.com

Tel: 087 0944027

- Chimney Repairs - Soot & Smoke Problems - Demolish, Re Build & Re Flue Line - Chimney Fires - Flexible Stainless Steel Liner - Insurance Claims processed

CAREER COACHING: * CV ADVICE AND TAILORING TO JOB SPECS * COMPETENCY BASED APPLICATION FORMS (INCLUDING PUBLIC SECTOR) * INTERVIEW MASTERING (INCLUDING COMPETENCY-BASED QUESTIONS) CHANGING JOB / GET THAT PROMOTION!

REPAIRS & SERVICING ALSO CARRIED OUT

We buy any CARS, VANS, TRUCKS, JEEPS all types wanted.

End of life certs can be provided.

Also scrap metal

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

• Relining • Rebuilding • CCTV Camera Inspection

GUIDING & COACHING TOWARDS SUCCESS

Full replacement service provided and all work carried out to a high quality finish

Tel: 090 66 30521 Mobile: 086 8115928

info@athlonechimneyrepairs.ie

086 8229606

CAROLINE BURKE Career & Life Coaching

FOR KEENEST QUOTES CALL

Loss • Approved Product Advisor • Member the PSAB-GI • Certified • • Certified DipDipinDip inLoss Loss • •Approved Approved Product Product Advisor Advisor • • Member •Member Member ofofthe ofPSAB-GI theofPSAB-GI • Certified Certified Dip ininLoss Approved Product Advisor the PSAB-GI Adjusting Adjusting • Certified Dip in Loss • Approved Product Advisor • • •Member ofby thethe PSAB-GI Adjusting Adjusting • Approved Member the Insurance • Regulated byCentral the Central Insurance by Central • •Member Member ofofofthe theof Insurance Insurance Regulated •Regulated Regulated Central the •Adjusting Certified Dip in Loss •Member Product Advisor • thebyMember of the PSAB-GI • Loss Loss Assessor Services Institute Ireland Bank Ireland Assessor Services Institute of Ireland • Regulated Bank of Ireland • Member of the Insurance the Central • Loss • • Loss Assessor Assessor Services Services Institute Institute ofofofIreland Ireland Bank Bank ofofIreland ofbyIreland

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071 96 33222

E: wardbrosltd@gmail.com

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Telephone: 090 66 33026

INSULATION

www.roscommonwindows.ie

Chris’s Window Service

Bonded Bead Cavity Wall Insulation Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, SIGA Airtightness New Buildings & Retrofit Call in or contact us for free advice and quotes

Springfield, Williamstown, Co. Galway Window restrictors l Burglary repairs l Window locks l Cylinder and lock supplied l Hinge replacement l Glass replacement l Window and door seals l Window and door handles supplied and fitted l Aluminium and uPVC doors and windows repaired.

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Te l : 0 8 5 2 1 9 1 2 3 4

Ballybane Industrial Estate, Unit 2, Ballybrit Industrial H91 P5k5 BlockEstate, 12, Galway Galway

091 768 768 info@ecowise.ie

www.ecowise.ie

email: chrislocksmith.162@gmail.com

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

TRUCKS WANTED

Old 4x2, 6x4 & 8x4 Flatbeds, Tippers, Cabs & Chassis

Tel. 087 1922154

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AtYourService PROPERTY

RO S l

ROS Property Services

Extensions l Renovations l Property Maintenance

P hone : 090 66 70996 M obile : 085 2162555 RECYCLING

Castlerea Vehicle Recycling All NCT Failures Destruction Certs Issued l Sale of Second Hand Parts l Contracted to all Major Car Companies l Farm Machinery, Old Gates l Metals, Iron Baths l Old Cooking Ranges l Weighbridge on Site l

RECYCLING OF END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES

l

RECYCLING ALL TYPES OF METAL

C astlerea ELV R ecycling L td ., Cloonkeen, Castlerea Kevin & Martina Keenan Tel: 094 96 21250 Mob: 086 2522231

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE

Contact Maurice on 086 2538169 or Kenneth on 086 8044030 Gannon Environmental Services Ltd.

Tel: 090

6621220

Appointments GRETB/ Strokestown Further Education Centre

The following are required for a Local Training Initiative Course based at Strokestown, Co Roscommon

Acting Co-Ordinator/ IT Tutor (Maternity Leave) The successful candidates should have: • Excellent communication skills, enthusiasm for training, and be flexible in their approach, • A recognised qualification in their particular training discipline to at least QQI Level 6, preferable in a business-related field, and a 3rd level qualification in teaching/training e.g., JEB or equivalent.

• A high competency in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite, accounts and payroll software and computer skills including digital media; is required.

• A good understanding/knowledge of the NQFS of accreditation through QQI is essential.

• Experience in supervision of people, the co-ordination of training, and ability to work as part of a flexible team are essential.

• Occupational First-Aid is desirable.

• A knowledge and experience of genealogy and heritage is desirable.

Short listing may apply.

A panel will be put in place, from which future vacancies may be filled.

Applications clearly marked ‘Acting Co-Ordinator Vacancy’, including a letter of application and Curriculum Vitae should be sent by email to: info@roscommonroots.com.

Closing date for applications 12 noon on 15th October 2021.

VETERINARY

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Lanesboro Street, Roscommon

Tel: 090 662 6898 AFTER HOURS/24 HOUR EMERGENCY

087 2596055 You must call in advance to order repeat prescriptions

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

Required for busy office in Strokestown area.

Full-time position Computer literate essential Experience preferred Please forward CV and cover letter to: Lisardjobs@hotmail.com

Bus Escort

Required immediately for Tarmon N.S., Castlerea Part time hours (before and after school) A panel will be formed for relief work Please forward your CV to: Chairperson/Principal, Tarmon NS, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

Email: principal@tarmonns.ie Phone: 094 9621143

St. Comán’s Wood Primary School REQUIRES

Cleaners/School Support Workers

For 10 - 20 hours per week from 2p.m. to 6p.m. daily.

Hours may be flexible if a suitable candidate requires a later starting time.

Job description/salary available on request from info@comanswoodprimary.ie Expressions of interest with CV should be emailed to: info@comanswoodprimary.ie before Friday, October 8th at 3p.m.

Looking for someone creative to join our

HAIRDRESSING TEAM

The ideal candidate would have: l Minimum 5 years experience. l Experience in all aspects of hairderessing. l Excellet customer service skills.

Please contact Lorraine on:

086 3469409

Full-time BAR PERSON Required with minimum of 1 years experience for busy Pub in Roscommont Town.

Please contact: 086 2582657

SITUATIONS VACANT <CHILDMINDER:

wanted to mind two children, aged two years and 6 months in children’s home in Cootehall area. Three/ four days weekly, flexible days and times. Contact Clare on 0830120753 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.

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES MULLIN Martin

Coristoona, Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon.

Who passed away on 3rd of October 2020

CORCORAN (née Downes) Geraldine

19 Arm, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

MALONE Jimmy Cloontuskert, Lanesboro, Co. Roscommon (15th Anniversary)

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 Martin’s wife Bridie, sons Niall and Brian, his sister Lena together with their families would like to express our deep gratitude to all who sympathised and supported us on our sad loss. Those who expressed condolences through Shannonside, RIP.ie, mass cards, floral tributes, by phone and in person.

To the Paramedics and Gardai who attended to Martin at his home on the evening of his death.

Also to the local Gardai for their support during the subsequent days along with those who provided stewarding.

To Fr. Pat O`Toole who called to our home on numerous visits during Martin`s illness and especially on the evening before his death when he prayed with him and gave him the sacraments. It will always be treasured and remembered. Again thanks to Fr. Pat for celebrating his Funeral Mass together with Deacon John O’Mahony.

To Caoimhe and Daragh Newell for their music in the church and at the graveside. To the readers, church stewards and to Peggy for the altar flowers.

To our neighbours who waited on the roadside and welcomed Martin’s remains on his return to his home for Reposal. To those who stood along the route as the cortege travelled to the church and to those who stood in the church grounds and cemetery. To the people who formed Guards of Honour namely, St. Croans G.A.A. , Oran Ballintubber G.W.S. and Ballintubber Community Alert, we thank you all deeply.

To Padraig White for all your help and to our neighbours and friends who prepared Martin’s final resting place with great care and attention to detail.

To all the staff at Castle St. Surgery, the Drs and staff of Portiuncula University Hospital, Dr. G. O’Meara and staff of Roscommon University Hospital who did everything possible for Martin, he always knew he was in good care. To our neighbours and friends who provided food and support to our home especially to Kathleen, Mary and Madeline for all your help during those days.

To Niall Flanagan and James Kenny who carried out the funeral arrangements in a professional and dignified manner during difficult covid times.

Martin was blessed with daily visits and phone calls from his friends during his illness. This meant so much to him and we thank you all for your thoughtfulness.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation and gratitude.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Martin`s Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Bride’s Church, Ballintubber on Saturday, 2nd October at 8pm.

THANKSGIVINGS PRAYER FOR A SPECIAL REQUEST Pray for 3 days. Publish on the 3rd day. See what will happen on the 4th day. Oh! Dear Mother of God, Our Lady of Conception Aparecida! Oh! Saint Rita of Cassia and Saint Jude worker of miracles and helper of impossible causes pray for me. Saint Expedite, Saint of urgent causes. Saint Edwiges the Saint of the needy, you know how desperate I feel, please ask Jesus to help me. (Here mention your request). May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored and glorified for ever. Pray 1 Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be... Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. M.K. THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you this special one, (mention favour). Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer. M.C.

As we lovingly remember Geraldine on her first anniversary, her family wish to express our deepest gratitude to all those who sympathised with us on our loss during these difficult Covid times.

Our heartfelt thanks go especially to her dear friend and GP Dr. Madeleine ní Dhálaigh who was an enormous support to our Mum and Geraldine Jr during Mum’s illness. To the Roscommon Palliative Team, Mary McLoughlin and all of her friends, thank you.

To Paul and Susan Gaynor of Gaynor’s Undertakers, we cannot thank you enough for all of your professionalism, help and care of Mum on her final journey.

To Fr. John and Jackie Kenny for a beautiful and poignant Funeral Mass. To our gravediggers, especially John Regan, for the care and attention to detail of Mum’s final resting place, a very personal thanks to you.

To Hesters and their staff for the beautiful food afterwards. To all those who sent flowers, cards and expressions of support, in person, online or by phone, we sincerely thank you all.

Geraldine’s First Anniversary and her late husband Bernard’s 20th Anniversary Mass will be held on Thursday, 30th September at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

In loving memory of Jimmy, who died on 1st October 2006 To us you were someone special, someone set apart, your memory will live forever, engraved within our hearts.

Loved and remembered by all the family.

Anniversary Mass will be held on Saturday, 2nd October at 7pm in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague.

In memory of

MURRAY Noreen Lisphelim, Knockcroghery.

Who passed away on September 30th 2005.

(16th Anniversary)

MEE (nee Lynch) Teresa

6 Westlodge Park, Clonown Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Who passed away on 5th October 2020

We, the family of Teresa Mee wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to all who sympathised with us on the sad loss of our precious mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. A sincere thank you to all of those who sent Mass Cards, sympathy cards, emails, letters, text messages, expressed their condolences online and especially those who abided by Covid guidelines by not calling to the house or attending the funeral. A special thank you to neighbours, relatives and friends who lined the streets and roads along the route from Rackans to the church in Athlone and on to the graveyard at Cam. Your kind support will always be remembered by the family.

To Fr. Padraig O’Baoill, Fr. Michael McManus and Fr. John Duignan who made the funeral ceremonies so special and the singer and musician, and the other priests who visited mum over the years, we thank you especially.

To Enda McHugh, family, friend and Funeral Director, who flawlessly managed the event and the many gravediggers we are forever grateful.

To the excellent care staff of Retreat Nursing Home, Dr. Brody GP and carers mum had over the years, we are also indebted and thank you.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Teresa’s First Anniversary Mass will be offered in Ss. Peter and Paul’s Church, Athlone on Saturday, 9th October at 6.30pm.

.,

CUNNINGHAM Michael & Kathleen Fortfield, Four Mile House, Co. Roscommon (10th Anniversary and 5th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Michael who died on 4th of November 2011 and Kathleen who died on the 18th of September 2016.

You began life together with little in the eyes of the world “Five pounds and a few sheep” With faith, love, respect and appreciation you connected each day as one. Bringing each of us to birth to share in your life and values. These values the world cannot give or no money can ever buy.

For these we are eternally grateful to you.

Loved and remembered by your family and their families, by Aggie and Maise, your neighbours, relatives and many friends.

Anniversary Mass in St. Brigid’s Church, Four-Mile- House on Sunday, October 3rd at 11am

As we look back over time, we find ourselves wondering did we remember to thank you enough for all you did for us, for all the times you were by our sides to help and support us, to celebrate our successes, to understand our problems, and accept our defeats.

Or for teaching us by your example the values of hard work, good judgement, courage and integrity.

We wonder if we ever thanked you for the sacrifices to let us have the very best, and for the simple things, like laughter, smiles and times we shared.

If we have forgotten to show our gratitude enough for all the things you did, we are thanking you now and we are hoping you knew all along how much you meant to us.

Our Lady of Lourdes pray for her.

Forever remembered by Geraldine.

GERAGHTY Margaret & Sean Cloonara, Derrane, Roscommon (4th Anniversary & 11th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Margaret who died on 18th October 2017 and her husband Sean who died 21st September 2010.

Deep are the memories, precious they stay.

No passing of time, can take them away.

Loved and remembered every day by your daughter Mary.

Anniversary Mass for both Margaret and Sean will be held in Derrane Church on Saturday, 2nd October at 7pm.

Eternal peace we wish on you.

Family Notices • Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Rembrance Call into our office: Abbey Street, Roscommon

Phone: (090) 66 34633 Fax: (090) 66 34303 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

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Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES HOGAN Paul

KEANE John, Bridie and Maura

Convent Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

(21st Anniversary)

Road Walk, Roscommon Town

(John - 33rd Anniversary)

(Bridie - 2nd Anniversary)

(Maura - 37th Anniversary)

Each of us in our own way have special thoughts of you today.

Your memory we treasure with thoughts that are dear.

We think of you always, not just once a year.

You gave us years of happiness then came sorrow and tears.

You left beautiful memories we will treasure the rest of our years.

Silent thoughts, tears unseen, wishing your absence was only a dream.

So young to die so precious to lose that was God’s will we could not choose.

No longer in our lives to share but in our hearts you will always be near.

You shared our joys, our hopes and tears God bless you for those precious years.

Time does not heal the heartaches nor does it stop a tear nor take away the memories of you we loved so dear

In our thoughts you are always near still loved, still missed, still very dear

Just a prayer from those who loved you, just a memory fond and true. In our hearts you will live forever as we thought the world of you.

Sadly missed and always remembered by their loving family.

NAUGHTON Daniel (Dan)

Togher, Ballinasloe, (formerly of Dysart) Co. Roscommon.

Who passed away 2nd October 2020

On the first anniversary of Dan’s death, his wife Mary, sister Sr. Joseph (LCM), son Pádraig, daughter-in-law Avril and grandchildren Grace and Christina, wish to thank everyone who supported them throughout the last year, especially those who sent mass and sympathy cards or expressed their condolences on rip.ie.

In particular, we wish to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Marina Medical Centre, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and the Galway Clinic who cared for Dan during his illness and the entire team at the Galway Hospice who supported him and his family in the weeks prior to his death.

Our gratitude also to Fr. Francis Beirne for celebrating Dan’s life at the Funeral Mass and Liam Gately, Marion Killeen and Maura O’Brien for their beautiful singing.

Sincere thanks to Michael Dempsey for his professionalism and respect in attending to Dan’s funeral arrangements and the gravediggers who prepared his final resting place.

We were deeply moved by the many friends and neighbours who stood along the route from Dan’s residence to the church and again to Dysart Cemetery, including the Dysart Community Centre Guard of Honour, your presence was very much appreciated.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all.

The Holy Sacrifice of Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Dan is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by all his family.

First Anniversary Mass for Dan will take place in St. Patrick’s Church, Dysart on Saturday, 9th October at 7.30pm

In loving memory of Paul whom God called Home on 2nd October 2000 Deep in our hearts is a picture more precious than silver or gold, the face of our loving son whose memory will never grow old.

Sadly missed by your Mam and Dad. xx ~~~~~~~~~~ PAUL The midnight star is shining on a grave not so far away.

Here sleeps a special brother I lost 21 years ago today.

CORCORAN Marie

Always remembered by your brother Damien. ~~~~~~~~~~

(6th Anniversary)

PAUL Today, I remember and feel so sad.

A brother I miss and wish I still had.

The sorrow I feel and can never explain but the ache in my heart will always remain.

In loving memory of a dear mother and grandmother, Ballygurry, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon Who passed away on October 3rd 2015

The moment that you died our hearts were torn in two, one side filled with heartache the other died with you.

Sadly missed by your loving sister Caroline, brother-inlaw Derek, nephew Jamie and niece Keeva. xx

O’ CONNOR Jerry Ballyleague, Co. Roscommon Who passed away on 2nd October 2003 (18th Anniversary)

We often lie awake at night, when the world is fast asleep and take a walk down memory lane with tears upon our cheeks.

Remembering you is easy, we do it everyday, but missing you is the heartache that never goes away.

We hold you tightly within our hearts and there you will remain, until the joyous day arrives that we will meet again.

Sadly missed by all the family.

Anniversary Mass in St. John’s Church, Lecarrow on Sunday, 3rd October at 11.30am.

In the silence of our minds, where no one else can see, your face, your smile, your memory, is kept so tenderly.

Gone are the days we used to share, but in our hearts, you are always there.

Sadly missed by your wife May and family.

Anniversary Mass will be held in The Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Sunday 3rd October at 11am.

HOLIAN Claire Racecourse Road, Roscommon (2nd Anniversary)

In loving memory of our beloved Claire who passed away on 4th October 2019 Rest In Peace Don’t think of Claire as gone away, her journey’s just begun.

Life holds so many facets this earth is only one.

Think how she must be wishing that we could know today, how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.

And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched, for nothing loved is ever lost and Claire was loved so much.

Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance

MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed

Email or call for Sample Pack

Sadly missed and forever in our hearts, your loving mother, brothers and sisters. x

Claire Always a smile instead of a frown.

Always a hand when one was down.

Always true, thoughtful and kind.

Wonderful memories you left behind.

Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words And missed beyond measure.

Sadly missed every day.

Kathleen, Robert, Ella and Robyn xxxx

Claire A light from our life is gone, a voice we loved so still.

A place is vacant within our hearts which never can be filled.

A bouquet of beautiful memories sprayed with a million tears.

We wish that you could have stayed, if just for a few more years.

We hold you close within our hearts and there you shall remain to walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.

Miss you every day x.

Caroline, Richie, Ben, Sean and Rebecca.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 2nd October at 11am in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon.

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: anthonymurrayandsons@gmail.com

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

40

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES CORCORAN Willie & Martina

NAUGHTON Anne & Johnny

Ballygurry, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon

Taughshane, Mount Talbot (2nd and 18th Anniversary) In loving memory of our parents Anne and Johnny.

MURRAY Jarlath

KEANE Christy

Lanesboro, Co. Longford (10th Anniversary) Who died 4th October 2011

Newtown, Roscommon Who passed away on 5th October 2019 (2nd Anniversary)

MURRAY Freda (Willie’s 11th Anniversary) Who passed away on the 2nd May 2010

(Martina 3rd Anniversary) Who passed away on the 2nd October 2018.

Time may pass and fade away, but silent thoughts and memories stay.

No longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts you are always there.

Always remembered by their family.

Anniversary Mass in St. John’s Church, Lecarrow on Sunday, 3rd October at 11.30am.

CASEY Paddy & Mary Ann

Lanesboro, Co. Longford (17th Anniversary) Who died 22nd October 2003

(Anne - 2nd Anniversary) Who died on 3rd October 2019

(Johnny - 18th Anniversary) Who died on 1st December 2003

Our lives go on without you both, but nothing is the same.

Our hearts still ache with sadness, when someone speaks your names Because you were so special, no words could ever say, how much we love and miss you both, today and everyday.

Lovingly remembered by your loving daughters Jacinta and Caroline, son David, son-in-law Cathal, daughter-in-law Marie, grandchildren Connor, Dylan, Cara, Johnny and Anna.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Four Roads on Sunday, 3rd October at 11am.

CARR Thomas, Mary & Michael Mote Park, Roscommon

Happy memories of my dear Mum and Dad Paddy who died on 4th October 1988, Aged 74 (33rd Anniversary) Mary Ann (nee Fetherstone) who died on 29th May 1993, Aged 66 (28th Anniversary)

THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. M.C.

Thomas (19th Anniversary)

Mary (2nd Anniversary)

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!

FLYNN Rita Oran, Donamon, Co. Roscommon (6th Anniversary)

Michael (31st Anniversary) Words and times we can no longer share, but in our hearts you are always there.

Remembered by your loving family.

Anniversary Mass in Knockcroghery Church on Friday, 8th October at 7pm.

Who passed away on 28th September 2015

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

Always remembered by your sisters, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, extended family and friends.

Anniversary Mass in Cloverhill Church on Friday, 1st October at 7pm.

Ardara, Donegal (20th Anniversary) Who died 17th October 2001

God called your names 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.

Always remembered by Greg, Mary, Eoin and David.

Masses offered.

BANAHAN Gretta & John

Love always Patricia and John.

THANKSGIVINGS

McGILL (nee Murray) Marian

Family Notices • Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Rembrance Call into our office: Abbey Street, Roscommon

Phone: (090) 66 34633 Fax: (090) 66 34303 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

In loving memory of the late Gretta and John Banahan, Hollywell, whose anniversaries occur around this time.

Also remembering Patsy and Peggy who have also passed away.

Softly in the morning, you heard a gentle call, you took the hand God offered you and quietly left us all.

You never looked for praise, you were never one to boast, you just went on quietly working, for the ones you loved the most.

Your dreams were seldom spoken, your wants were very few, and most of the time your worries, went unspoken too.

We miss your smile, your joking ways, we miss the things you used to say and when old times we do recall, it’s then we miss you most of all.

The gates of memory will never close, we miss you more than anyone knows.

Always loved and missed by Marie, Declan, Aidan and family.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church, Kilteevan on Friday, 1st October at 7pm.

THANKSGIVINGS Your names are often mentioned, our thoughts are with you still, you have never been forgotten, and by us you never will.

Always remembered and sadly missed by John, Deirdre and grandchildren.

THANKSGIVINGS THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. F.K.

THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. M.C. THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. P.Mc.G.

THANKSGIVINGS UNFAILING PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints Oh Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the ‘Saint of Miracles’. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. E.L. GRATEFUL THANKS Grateful thanks to Our Lady, St. Anthony, Padre Pio and the Holy Souls for many favours received. E.L. THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. E.L. THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. T.M. THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. K.C. THE MIRACULOUS 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. Never known to fail. C.K.

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

Sports PEOPLE

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Eyes on the ball: Ronan Stack (St. Brigid’s) and Diarmuid McGann (Strokestown) in a race for possession during last weekend’s SFC quarter-final. See pages 45-47 for reports and reaction. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Seamus Duke’s Championship Watch Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship SemiFinals on Sunday in Athleague Four Roads v Tremane at 1 pm From the very start of this championship Four Roads and Pádraig Pearses have looked likely finalists and so far neither side have put a foot wrong.

This Sunday, Tremane will attempt to upset the applecart but in truth it would take a monumental performance from Seamus Qualter’s men to advance to the final. The experienced players in the Tremane team like Peter Kellehan, Niall Kilroy and the Brennans will have to be on the very top of their game to give them a chance here. In the quarter-final they displayed a never-say-die attitude to pip St. Dominic’s and they will need more of that on Sunday.

But it has to be said that Four Roads have cruised through this championship so far.

With players like Shane Curley, Brendan Lawlor, Conor Mulry and Cathal Dolan on board, they have the firepower to overcome their opponents on Sunday. I expect the Black and Amber to come through and qualify for yet another final.

Prediction: Four Roads

Pádraig Pearses v Athleague at 4.30 pm If you cast your mind back 12 months this was the pairing for the 2020 decider and it was Pearses that came through in the end but only after extratime. Pearses have been impressive in defence of their title so far but they should be wary of an Athleague side who brushed Oran aside in the quarterfinal and have a number of excellent performers in their ranks.

David Delaney, Alan Moore, Pat Nolan the returning Ronan O’Meara, the very impressive Ben McGahon, Niall Connolly, Gary Fallon and Robbie Fallon each have plenty of experience at this level and Athleague will revel in their role as underdogs here.

Pearses would dearly love to put two titles back to back and with Padraig Dolan, Eoghan Costello, Shane Naughton, Matthew Comerford, the prolific Daniel Glynn and Cathal Kelly on board, the team from Taughmaconnell and Moore are the deserved favourites. This could be closer than a lot of people think but Pearses look set Pictured are Gavin Callaghan (Tulsk GAA) and John Finan (Michael Glavey’s GAA) who won for another final appearance. the Toronto GAA senior men’s football championship with St. Vincent’s GAA on Sunday, Prediction: Pádraig Pearses September 19th.

Rossies representing in Toronto, Canada!

Training resumes at Frenchpark Boxing Club Frenchpark Boxing Club resumes training at the Ballinagare gym (behind the church) from Monday, October 4th.

Training will take place from 8 pm to 9.15 pm on Monday next, on Wednesday (6th) from 7 pm to 9.15 pm and on Friday (8th) from 7 pm to 9 pm.

It will continue on each of those nights every week thereafter.

Beginners’ classes will take place from 7 to 8 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. The entry fee for the season is €25 per person and a family discount is available. The cost is €2 per person per night.

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Horses for Courses Racing continues today at Bellewstown with a flat card away at 1.25 pm, and a national hunt meeting at Clonmel at 1.10 pm. Tomorrow there is a flat card at Dundalk off at 4.45 pm and first of a two-day meeting at the Gowran Park over the jumps starting at 1.30 pm on Friday and 1 pm on Saturday.

On Saturday, there is also racing at Killarney the first of another twoday national hunt meeting away at 1.25 pm on Saturday and 1.10 pm on Sunday.

Sunday also hosts the first day of a two-day flat meeting at Tipperary stalls opening for the first at 1 pm on Sunday and 2.05 pm on Monday. There is a national hunt meeting at Ballybrit on Tuesday.

This evening, 14 riders are taking part in a special race in memory of Barney Curley who was so closely associated with the Co. Meath track and the Yellow Sam sting which cleaned the bookies in 1975. Monies are being raised for Barney Curley’s charity, Direct Aid for Africa (DAFA). Frankie Dettori, Jamie Spencer and Shane Kelly, all great friends of the late Barney Curley, have secured rides in the race. Dettori partners Murtagh’s Trueba, Spencer Des Donovan’s Tipperary Moon and Kelly the Ado McGuinness-trained Alhaajeb.

Jockey Tom Queally is suspended but is travelling from England to support the race-day. Irish champion jockey Colin Keane, Wayne Lordan, Gary Carroll and Chris Hayes are joined by apprentices Adam Caffrey, Luke McAteer and Scott McCullough in what is an open handicap.

Charlie Appleby’s Adayar and Aidan O’Brien’s Snowfall have been supplemented for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at a cost of €120,000 each, a field of 16. Adayar’s stablemate Hurricane Lane, along with the Dermot Weld’s Tarnawa are also in the field.

O’Brien also has the filly Love and Broome in the Group One highlight. Alenquer from William Haggas’ yard, Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star and Roger Varian’s Teona also represent British interests while Bubble Gift, Sealiway, Baby Rider and Raabihah form the home defence. Torquator Tasso is a German hope, with Japan set to be doublehanded with the Takashi Saito-

by Tom Red

Shor t putts (News from local golf clubs)

Castlerea

Trebizond and Dylan Robinson (black and white) beat Custers Mistake (centre).

trained Chrono Genesis, the mount of Oisin Murphy, and Deep Bond for Ryuji Okubo. The supplemented horses share market lead at 5/2, 5/1 bar. Heart and head are for an Irish win with Tarnawara to lead them home.

Alenquer looks very generous at 33/1 and a good e/w or place bet.

On Saturday, ITV covers four races from Ascot, three from Newmarket including the Group 1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes for colts and one from Redcar. They are also covering two races from Longchamp on Sunday including the Prix de l’Arc at 3.05 pm.

Review of the Week

Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley were on the mark at Newmarket last Friday with Forbearance who won the Group 3 Princess Royal from Sayyida and Sea La Rosa by 2½l and 2l. On Sunday in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes for fillies, Ballydoyle’s Tenebrism won under Ryan Moore at 14/1 and Ger Lyons’ Sacred Bridge was a disappointing favourite in 8th. In the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes for colts Fozzy Stack’s Castle Star under Jamie Spencer finished best of the Irish when runner-up to the favourite Perfect Power beaten ½l.

Roscommon Review

Roscommon opened with the Boyle

Exit Poll and Sean O’Keeffe, blue, jump the last with Embittered in the Lenebane Novice Chase.

Maiden Hurdle for 4-Y-O’s and Henry de Bromhead and Dylan Robinson got punters off to a winning start with the 85/40 favourite, Trebizond. The long journey from Waterford proved worthwhile as the winner got up on the line to beat Custer’s Mistake and King Lenox a head and a neck.

In the second race, the 2m Athlone Handicap Hurdle, the John Joe Walsh trained Romella ran on under Andrew McCurtain to win by 2l and 2¼l from Go Gill Go and General Moriviere. The Try Racing For Free Mares Maiden Hurdle saw a successful gamble on the winner De Lady In Red, from 9/2 to 13/8, for the two Barrys, trainer Connell and jockey O’Neill. Following up her recent Galway bumper win she beat the favourite Humble Glory and Golden Bidar ¾l and 17l.

The 3m Roscommon On-Course Vets Handicap Hurdle, the final hurdle race on the card, went to First Touch at 16/1 with Room To Roan runner-up and Dedannan. Next up was the Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novice Chase over 2m sponsored by the EBF and Sean Mulryan’s Ballymore Properties. A disappointing small field of five turned out for this race but there was quality as Exit Poll having been joined by the fav Bold Enough, third, at the penultimate fence and Embittered, second, at the last battled back to win by a neck and 13l The penultimate race was Irish EBF Beginners chase and again a disappointing field as only four went to post. Trainer Michael Kennedy combined with Shane Fitzgerald to win with Majestic Maid from Rein Fee and You Know Me Too Well by 9l and 42l. Racing for the day and 2021 season closed with the Knockcroghery 4-Y-O only Bumper going to The Big Doyen with Ballyglass runner-up and Captain Lightfoot third. Barry O’Neill, champion point-to-point rider, completed a double riding the winner for Peter Fahey. Well done to the committee, Michael Finneran and his staff for keeping racing going on the track this year and we look forward to the 2022 season starting on the 9th of

May when, hopefully there will be much reduced, if any, at all Covid restrictions in force.

Racing News

St. Mark’s Basilica, possibly the best horse ever trained in Ballydoyle, has been retired to stud. The European champion 2-Y-O last year claimed Classic glory in the French 2000 Guineas and the French Derby before beating Mishriff in the CoralEclipse at Sandown. St. Mark’s Basilica made it four from four for the season in an epic renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

The son of Siyouni is a ready-made replacement for his recent deceased grandfather, Galileo, at Coolmore.

Three new race meetings have been added to the TG4’s extensive racing portfolio which includes coverage of two days of the Galway and six days of the Listowel Festivals. This year, TG4 have already increased their racing coverage with ten new racing programmes from Punchestown on St. Valentine’s Day to Sligo on May 2nd as part of their Spring racing series. They will now cover racing on the beach at Listowel on November 1st, Naas’s first jumping card of the season (November 6th) and the first day of Punchestown’s Winter Festival on November 13th. The programmes are hosted

by Seán Bán Breathnach, Mánus Ó Conghaile who are usually joined by racing pundits Sarah Lynam, Evelyn Ní Ghriallais and Daragh Ó Conchúir.

Point to Point News Saturday’s point-to-point racing on at Toomebridge in Co. Antrim has been cancelled due to ground conditions.

On Sunday, racing is at Castletown Geoghan outside Mullingar and 92 entries scheduled to start at 2 pm. Spectators are allowed but they have to preregister, get an access QR code and present it before entering the venue. Registration will open at 9 am on a Friday in advance of each weekend’s racing on www.p2p.ie.

All attendees, industry participants and spectators will have to register.

Castlerea bridged a 59-year gap last weekend as the Ladies brought home the Connacht Trophy for the first time since 1962 with victory over Bearna Golf Club in Galway.

2021 sees Teresa Meaney, Valerie Callaghan, Mamie Creaton, Maura Kelly, Ruth Sullivan and subs Mary Colleary and Kay Condon bringing the title across the Corrib once more.

Ruth halved her match on the 18th hole before losing on the 19th, and with Mamie’s win on the 18th and both teams tied at five matches apiece, it meant a sudden death playoff ensued.

Valerie Callaghan showed nerves of steel as the nominated player for sudden death, chipping onto the green and two-putting for a famous Castlerea victory.

Jimmy Duggan, Chairman of Golf Ireland, presented the shield to team captain Nicola on behalf of her team while the pennant was presented to Lady Captain Kathy.

The bonfires were blazing back at Castlerea Golf Club as the victorious team arrived home to a hero’s welcome and the celebrations continued long into the night.

The team wishes to acknowledge the help and advice received from Dara and Liam in the run up to the final and also the Team Manager, Maureen, for her logistic advice, and to all the ball spotters on the day.

Congratulations ladies!

Back at home, last weekend’s Men’s competition, which was kindly sponsored by Corrib Oil, was won by Gerry McLoughlin with 41 points. Tuesday’s Ladies’ competition was won by Connacht Trophy winner Mamie Creaton with 18.

Athlone

Sean Cleary won the Ray Fagan Memorial Open with 43 points while Ann Geoghegan took the gross prize with 38. Cat A: Colm Fitzgerald (40); Cat B: Kevin Sheehy (43); Cat C: Fergal Shine (43); Cat D: Patrick Kenny (42).

The AWGS was won by Pat Ryan with 35 points. Class 1: Padraig McNamara (32); Class 2: Niall Dowling (34); Class 3: PJ Martin (27).

Last Thursday’s Ladies’ 97 Club 12-hole competition was won by Noirin O’Rourke with 25 points.

Sheila Cleary was second with 23 and Sheila Geraghty was third with 23. Class E: Anne Finnegan (22 points).

Boyle

Congratulations to Jason Beirne, who capped his recent good run of form by claiming the Golfer of the Year title. The competition came down to Jason, Brendan Gaffney and Conor Hamill with Jason taking the final competition of the series, the 18-hole V Par on Sunday last.

The ‘Golfer of the Year’ had a score of +7, just beating Martin Daly’s +6.

Pat Brogan was third.

This Sunday’s Men’s competition is the first of the 18-hole Stableford qualifiers to reach the matchplay stage of the King Harmon Cup. The Men’s Thursday competitions have now concluded until next April.

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Audi Athlone extend Buccs’ sponsorship Audi Athlone recently announced that they are continuing their title sponsorship of Buccaneers Rugby for an eleventh season.

Audi Athlone’s principal dealer, Michael Moore Jnr., stated that he “was proud to continue our long sponsorship with Buccaneers. The relationship has grown into a strong partnership over 11 years”.

Having “experienced a trying 18 months due to Covid-19 which has been difficult for clubs, businesses and the wider society, Mr. Moore believed that “as the country begins to resume everyday life it will instil more confidence in our outlook for the future”.

He gave Buccaneers credit for producing talented and great players over the years with Robbie Henshaw and Jack Carty being recent examples.

“Due to their success, kids’ participation in rugby has sky-rocketed which is very evident in this club.

“This takes a lot of hard work and dedication to manage, which is clearly present here throughout every season, work that is recognised by the local community and the rest of the Irish rugby network,” he said.

Club President Eamon Collins thanked the Moore family for their generous support.

“Audi Athlone have stuck with Buc-

Creggs RFC Report Creggs heroic in Cawley Cup win!

Creggs 24 NUIG 3 (Cawley Cup): Creggs Firsts gave a heroic display of defensive rugby in their Cawley Cup fifth round tie with NUIG in Creggs last Saturday night, to earn a home semi-final against Connemara in mid-November.

Creggs broke the deadlock with a well-worked try after twenty minutes before NUIG replied with a penalty shortly after.

Despite being a man down (yellow card), Creggs added another converted try to lead 14-3 at the break.

Creggs found themselves down to 13 in the second half when the referee issued two red cards (one for a second yellow) and looked to be in big trouble with 25 minutes still left to play.

However, in one of the most heroic defensive displays ever witnessed in Creggs, the hosts held the students at bay before breaking out to add a penalty and another converted try.

Youth Rugby Corinthians 10 Creggs 22 (Connacht U-14 League): Creggs enjoyed a 22-10 win away to Corinthians Black last Sunday. The visitors absorbed

Soccer Results FAI Junior Centenary Cup Round One Dunmore Town 2 St. John’s FC 1 Moulough ’79 0 Cloonfad United 1 Boyle Celtic W/O Ballymoe FC RDFL Premier Division Kilkerrin United 1 Ballaghaderreen FC 2 RDFL Division One Roscommon United 2 Shiven Rovers 5 Dysart FC 0 Ballinasloe Town B 3 Skyvalley Rovers 4 CP Ajax 5 RDFL Division Two Ballymoe FC B 4 Moore United B 3 Skyvalley Rovers B 3 St. John’s Athletic B 0 Cam Celtic 0 Cloonfad United B 1 Ballaghaderreen FC B 3 Rahara Rovers 3 St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United 5 Roscommon United 2 Masters Shield Final Colemanstown United 2 Skyvalley Rovers 1

Fixtures

Friday, October 1st RDFL Premier Division Ballymoe FC v Cloonfad United. 8 pm RDFL Division One (8 pm) Shiven Rovers v Dunmore Town Glen Celtic v Skyvalley Rovers

Sunday, October 3rd

Pictured at Audi Athlone’s sponsorship announcement of Buccaneers RFC are (Left to right): Eamon Collins (President Buccaneers), Evan Galvin (Captain), Michael Moore (Audi Athlone) and Kolo Kiripati (Head Coach).

cs through thick and thin” for over a decade. As somewhat normality approaches, I am delighted that club rugby is being played again”.

He also acknowledged the work of Brendan Wilkins and Michael Cleary in “protecting us all around the club in dealing with Covid-19”. He wished the Buccs squads all the best, stating

that there “was a great feeling around the club” and he looked forward to a successful season.

Head Coach Kolo Kiripati and club captain Evan Galvin both thanked Audi Athlone for their continued sponsorship.

Club Secretary Michael Cleary was Master of Ceremonies and he along

with Michael Moore and Eamon Collins offered deepest sympathies to Michael Silke and family on the recent loss of his wife Teresa.

Buccaneers commence their Energia All-Ireland League campaign with a home Division 2A fixture against Cashel at Dubarry Park on Saturday, kick-off 2.30 pm.

RDFL Premier Division Boyle Celtic v Castlerea Celtic. 11 am Ballinasloe Town v Kilkerrin United. 11 am St. John’s Athletic v Moylough ’79. 2 pm Ballaghaderreen FC v Moore United. 2 pm RDFL Division One Roscommon United v Dysart FC. 11 am Ballinagare Manor United v CP Ajax. 2 pm RDFL Division Two Moore United B v Ballaghaderreen FC B. 11 am Cam Celtic v St. John’s Athletic B. 11 am Rahara Rovers v St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United. 11 am Roscommon United B v Skyvalley Rovers B. 2 pm Cloonfad United B v Boyle Celtic B. 2 pm Dunmore Town B v Ballymoe FC B. 2 pm

THE GAIN LINE some early pressure before Roger Connolly went over for a converted try before Kaylum Curran’s penalty stretched the lead to ten.

Curran was impressive throughout and his cross-field kick was collected by Mark Beisty who touched down for Creggs’ second 7-pointer.

Second-half Corinthians’ pressure paid off as they crossed over the reduce the gap to 12 points and alarm bells started to ring when the hosts took advantage of some hesitant defending to make it 17-10.

That man Curran was in to the fore in the closing stages and his late try sealed a hard-fought win.

Creggs 24 Westport 17 (Connacht U-13 League): As competitive debuts go, this encounter at the Green on Saturday last was right up there with the best of them!

Matthew Donnelly started the scoring when he burrowed his way over for a Creggs’ try which was converted by Harry Waldron.

Westport, however, weren’t just up for the day out and their flying winger received the ball, found a gap, and silenced the home support soon after.

The hosts weren’t quiet for long, however, and Jack Lally shrugged off some stubborn

Creggs U-14s enjoyed an impressive win over Corinthians last Sunday.

Westport defending to power over in the corner. The former Creggs Mini Rugby stars had made a major impression and led 12-5 at the break.

Wingers Dara Kelleher and Darragh Killeen enjoyed a bright opening to the second half, carrying the ball deep into Westport territory and this allowed Joseph McSharry to get on the scoresheet.

Then, a moment of magic from ‘Lightning’ Luke Hayes, who gathering the ball on the halfway line, stuck on the blinkers and galloped through the entire Westport team to touch down between the posts. His teammate Harry Waldron gave him a pat on the back for the easy

conversion. Creggs led 24-5 at the second water break and were cruising.

Whatever was in the Westport water bottles seemed to do the trick, however, and they came storming back into contention with two quick-fire tries.

Creggs’ lead was down to seven in the closing stages but strong tackles from Joseph McSharry and Jack Lally and some solid work at the breakdown from Cathal Mulry and Matthew Donnolly ensured they just about held out for victory.

Creggs 42 Ballinasloe 12 (Connacht Girls U-18 League): The U-18 Girls got their league campaign off to an impressive start with a 30-point

win over local rivals Ballinasloe in Division One. This was the definition of ‘a game of two halves’ as both sides went into the interval scoreless.

The second half was a much more open affair and Ballinasloe opened the scoring with a try in the corner.

Not to be outdone, Creggs came storming back and tries from Rachel Gormley (2), Jemima Adams Varling and Sarah Purcell were converted brilliantly by Eabha Dowd.

Ballinasloe responded to narrow the deficit to 28-12 before Aoibhinn Murray restored order with a fine individual try and Jemima Adams Varling

crossed over once more. Eabha Down converted to complete the scoring and cap an excellent performance from a welldrilled team.

The U-14 Girls play Claremorris Colts on Sunday in Creggs while the U-14 Boys take on Corinthians.

Creggs U-17s are due to play Ballinasloe in the league this weekend while the U-18.5s have a home fixture on Sunday.

Mini Rugby Mini Rugby continues this Saturday at 10 am for U-7s, U-8s and U-9s Boys; 10.15 am for U10s and U-11s and 10.30 am for U-12s and all girls’ age groups.

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SportsPeople

Aaron McDermott recovering after being fouled during last weekend’s Mulryan Construction IFC quarter-final at Nash Park, won by Castlerea by 2-12 to 0-13.

Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

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DAN DOONER

The semi-final pairings for this year’s Mulryan Construction Intermediate Football Championship were confirmed this week with the mouthwatering prospect of St. Faithleach’s against Castlerea St. Kevin’s, and last year’s beaten finalists St. Dominic’s facing Clann na nGael.

We’ve been speaking to the four managers...

St. Dominic’s’ manager, Tomás Gilleran, described his team’s performance in their 2-11 to 2-3 win over Kilbride last weekend as “satisfactory” – but knows they face a stiff challenge in the shape of Clann na nGael in the last four.

“Kilbride had us under pressure in the first quarter and the stats will show they had a lot of chances. It was a tricky day for football and the timing of our goals was crucial. It gave us a bit of a cushion going in at halftime and that allowed us to control it a bit more in the second half”,” he said.

“I would describe our performance as satisfactory but we need to find another gear or two. We’ve played competitive games this year against all the remaining teams in the championship and drawn against them all, including Clann. Each of the teams will feel they have a chance at this stage,” he said.

The St. Dominic’s manager was keen to move on from the heartbreak of 2020 when the Knockcroghery men lost out to Oran in the Intermediate decider, but believes the experience has benefitted his side this term.

“There are no guarantees for us… anything that was achieved last year was forgotten about on New Year’s Eve last year. We’ve gained from that

Managers plot next moves in fascinating IFC race experience and it has added some mettle for the high-pressure championship games,” he said.

“We’re under no illusions in terms of the challenge we face against Clann na nGael in the semi-final. Both teams will be eyeing this up and I’d see it as a 50-50 game. We’ll see what the next couple of weeks bring”.

Meanwhile, Clann na nGael manager, Niall Shine, was happy with his side’s convincing 4-13 to 1-11 win over Creggs, particularly with how his players responded when under pressure.

“We’re happy enough that we got the big breaks last weekend. We got two goals before half-time which turned a one-point cushion into a seven-point one,” he said.

“There were moments...Creggs hit

the crossbar in that first half and we responded and then when they got their goal in the second half we came back quickly with a goal of our own. A lot went our way”.

Clann seem to have hit form at the right time but Shine is happy enough with the ‘underdogs’ tag ahead of their showdown with St. Dominic’s.

“We have a lot of momentum behind us after the Junior Championship final,” he said. “We played Dominic’s the week after and we put a lot into that performance. It’s certainly not a case of being happy to be in a semi-final because we’d expect to be there with the panel we have.

“St. Dominic’s will be the favourites…but we’re certainly not just going there to make up the numbers,” he said.

Ciarain Murtagh in action (with Niall Keenan in pursuit) during last weekend’s Mulryan Construction IFC quarter-final between St. Faithleach’s and Fuerty, played in Strokestown. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

On the other side of the draw, St. Faithleach’s manager, Wally Burke, said his side’s 0-17 to 1-13 extra-time win over Fuerty in last Sunday’s quarter-final in Strokestown was a “battle royal”, which should galvanise them ahead of their last-four meeting with Castlerea St. Kevin’s.

“I’d say it was great entertainment if you were a neutral but not much fun if you were standing on the sideline!

“The first half was 50-50 but we probably had more control in the second half. I thought we had it won when Diarmuid put over a monster free but they came back and it was tit for tat in extra-time,” he said.

“It should give us confidence going into the semi-final because Fuerty are no pushovers by any stretch of the imagination, but semi-finals are different games because they are usually tight and cagey”.

The Ballyleague outfit will have to plan for their semi-final showdown against Castlerea St. Kevin’s without three long-term absentees in the shape of Brian Murtagh, Cian Glennon and Darragh Hussey, and Walter admits it won’t be easy.

“Castlerea are an up and coming team and they have been building nicely over the last few years. I see Fintan Kelly is back playing well too and looking fit. Fintan is a player I had when working with John Evans with the Roscommon seniors. They also had a good few involved with the Roscommon U-20s this year and lads with plenty of senior experience too,” he said.

On a positive note, key players are coming into form. “It’s good to see Diarmuid Murtagh playing well (scored 0-12 including the winner against Fuerty) and Ciaráin (Murtagh) is also doing well in a new role, playing as a conductor,” he said.

Castlerea St. Kevin’s ran out 2-12 to 0-13 winners over Éire Óg in Frenchpark last Saturday evening, and manager Jason Reilly said nothing is being taking for granted this year.

“It was a good win, we definitely learned our lesson from last year when Éire Óg gave us a good clipping. The lads have matured a lot since then and we are just taking each game as it comes,” he said.

Reilly is enjoying his first year at the

helm, having previously been involved with Castlerea junior teams.

“It’s been interesting,” he laughs.

“I’m just trying to keep the lads levelheaded and we’ll see how we get on in the next couple of weeks. Each team poses its own challenge. Looking at St. Faithleach’s, Diarmuid Murtagh was on fire last weekend so I suppose we’ll have to come up with a way of keeping him quiet”.

Reilly says it’s all about collective effort this year in Castlerea: “I’m looking at the papers every week and seeing ‘teams of the week’ but we’re telling the lads that the only place they should be looking to put their name is on the walls of the clubhouse. That’s what will be remembered in the years to come”.

IFC Semi-Final draw: St. Dominic’s v Clann na nGael; Castlerea St. Kevin’s v St. Faithleach’s on the weekend of October 9th and 10th.

SIDELINE SOUNDBITES “I would describe our performance as satisfactory but we need to find another gear or two...each of the teams will feel they have a chance at this stage” - St Dominic’s’ manager, Tomás Gilleran “It’s certainly not a case of being happy to be in a semi-final because we’d expect to be there with the panel we have” - Clann na nGael manager, Niall Shine “I’d say it was great entertainment if you were a neutral but not much fun if you were standing on the sideline!”

- St Faithleach’s manager, Wally Burke “I’m looking at the papers every week and seeing ‘teams of the week’ but we’re telling the lads that the only place they should be looking to put their name is on the walls of the clubhouse” - Castlerea St Kevin’s manager, Jason Reilly

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Pearses oust Boyle and set up semi-final derby Adam McDermott being tackled by Jarlath Lavin during last weekend’s Mulryan Construction IFC quarter-final at Nash Park, won by Castlerea by 2-12 to 0-14. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

THE PEOPLE’S MATCH CHOICE Hodson Bay Hotel Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final Pádraig Pearses 2-9 Boyle 2-5

< SEAMUS DUKE

Anyone who might have thought that Pádraig Pearses are not serious contenders for the Fahey Cup in 2021 were given another reminder that the 2019 champions are very much in the hunt as they easily dealt with the Boyle challenge in this disappointing quarter-final played in wet conditions at Dr. Hyde Park last Sunday.

Boyle led for most of the first half – thanks mainly to two opportunist goals – but once Pearses got their act together they drew level by half-time and ultimately ran out easier winners than the final four-point margin would suggest.

Pearses opened with a first-minute point from Conor Payne but on nine minutes they conceded a bizarre goal. Paul Whelan’s poor kick-out fell to Donie Smith and he returned the ball expertly to the empty net from about 25 metres.

Paul Carey (free) and Enda Smith traded points before Hubert Darcy reduced the margin to one with a good score in the 16th minute. Boyle were in for another goal two minutes later.

Daire Cregg shot for a point but the ball dropped short into the hands of Tadhg McKenna, and he made no mistake from close range.

Stung into action, Pearses responded with three points on the trot from Paul Carey (two frees), and Emmet Kelly.

Boyle replied with points from Cian McKeon and a brilliant Donie Smith score, a free from out near the sideline.

With the game deep into injury-time

at the end of the first half, Pearses scored a controversial goal. Referee Gerry Carmody blew in anticipation of a Hubert Darcy ‘mark’, which Darcy actually dropped. A couple of Boyle defenders stopped but Darcy recovered possession and passed to Davy Murray who planted the ball in the Boyle net.

The Boyle men protested but the goal stood and at the break it was all square: Boyle 2-3 Pearses 1-6.

Pearses dominated the second half with Niall Daly, Davy Murray, Niall Carty, Ronan Daly and Hubert Darcy all playing really well and generally controlling possession.

In the 32nd minute Darcy pointed from play and a minute later Pearses had their second goal on the board when Niall Carty did the spadework and Lorcan Daly shot past Robert Kearney.

Pearses were now in control and from there to the end of the match

Teams & scorers Pádraig Pearses: Paul Whelan; Mark Richardson, Anthony Butler, Gavin Downey; Shane Carty, Ronan Daly, David Murray (1-0); Niall Daly, Conor Daly; Lorcan Daly (1-0), Niall Carty (0-1), Conor Payne (0-1); Emmet Kelly (0-1), Hubert Darcy (0-2), Paul Carey (0-4, 4 frees). Subs: Jack Tumulty for Kelly (37), Conor Lohan for S Carty (41), Daniel Farrell for Richardson (49).

Boyle: Robert Kearney; Sean Purcell, Conor Flanagan, Killian Cox; Evan McGrath, Tadhg McKenna (1-0), Luke Glennon; Enda Smith (0-1), Kieran Cox; Cathal Feely, Daire Cregg, Cian McKeon (0-1); Jack Moran, Donie Smith (1-3, 2 frees, 1 ’45), Mark O’Connor. Subs: Oisin Cregg for Feely (48), Tadhg Lowe for O’Connor (53), Colin O’Sullivan (55).

Referee: Gerry Carmody.

Man of the Match: Davy Murray (Pádraig Pearses)

there was only going to be one winner. Donie Smith pointed a ’45 in the 42nd minute but Carey matched that effort with a pointed free five minutes from time, and in the final few minutes Donie Smith and Niall Daly were on target as the game petered out tamely.

Boyle were very disappointing on the day and only Donie Smith, Se-

HOW IT’S GOING… SFC Quarter-Finals Clann na nGael 0-25 Michael Glavey’s 2-3 Pádraig Pearses 2-9 Boyle 2-5 Roscommon Gaels 2-5 Oran 1-7 St Brigid’s 1-16 Strokestown 1-11 IFC Quarter-Finals Castlerea St Kevin’s 2-12 Éire Óg 0-13 Clann na nGael 4-13 Creggs 1-11 St Faithleach’s 0-17 Fuerty 1-13 St Dominic’s 2-11 Kilbride 2-3 IFC Relegation Play-off Shannon Gaels 3-20 Ballinameen 0-12 Junior B FC (Group A) St Aidan’s 1-11 Tulsk Lord Edwards 0-10 Fuerty w/o v Kilbride

anie Purcell, Evan McGrath and sub Oisin Cregg really stood out for Cian Smith’s side.

Now Pearses prepare to face St. Brigid’s in what will be a cracking semi-final. Who would rule Pat Flanagan’s men out? They are certainly coming into the right form at just the right time.

GAA fixtures Friday, October 1st Junior B FC (Group D) At Strokestown: Strokestown v Kilmore. 8 pm At Woodmount: Pádraig Pearses v Éire Óg. 8 pm Saturday, October 2nd Junior FC Relegation Final At Davonna Park: Boyle v Elphin. 5 pm Junior B FC (Group A) At Knockcroghery: St Dominic’s v St Aidan’s.

5.30 pm At Tulsk: Tulsk Lord Edwards v Kilbride. 5.30 pm Junior B FC (Group B) At Croghan: Shannon Gaels v Oran. 5.30 pm At O’Rourke Park: Castlerea St Kevin’s v Clann na nGael. 5.30 pm Junior B FC (Group C) At Kilglass: Kilglass Gaels v St Brigid’s. 5.30 pm At Ardcarne Park: St Michael’s v Roscommon Gaels. 5.30 pm Sunday, October 3rd Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals At Athleague: Four Roads v Tremane. 1 pm At Athleague: Pádraig Pearses v Athleague.

4.30 pm

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Healy makes decisive Mark as Gaels end Oran run

Brian Derwin in action for St. Brigid’s against Strokestown in the Hodson Bay Hotel Roscommon SFC game in Ballyforan last weekend. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

THE PEOPLE’S FEATURED MATCH

Hodson Bay Hotel Roscommon SFC Quarter-Final Roscommon Gaels 2-5 Oran 1-7

< SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon Gaels may not win any prizes for the most attractive brand of football played in this year’s senior football championship, but they are getting the job done – and now Decie Hoare’s men are into the semi-finals following their one-point win against neighbours Oran in what was a very tense but poor quality clash at Dr. Hyde Park.

The Gaels battled hard all over

the field with limited enough possession but they were also helped to their win by a very wasteful Oran side who shot 14 wides over the course of the game, some from very scoreable positions too.

In the final analysis the most experienced Roscommon Gaels players stood up to be counted with Mark Healy, David O’Gara, John McManus, Richard Hughes and Kieran Kilcline all outstanding throughout.

Oran, on the other hand, never quite got going. Their muchvaunted attack, which had been so lethal in this year’s championship, didn’t get much time and space on the ball –and when they did, their shot selection and decision-making was often quite poor.

The game was played in breezy but dry conditions but the foot-

ball was of poor enough quality, with scores very hard to come by.

Kieran Kilcline opened the scoring with a Gaels’ free in the first minute. In the 6th minute, Oran got through the Gaels’ defence when Ciaran Lawless found Jack Casey in space and the corner-back finished smartly for a super goal. Oran weren’t to score again for almost 20 minutes as the town side battened down the hatches.

Richard Hughes pointed for the Gaels in the 8th minute and it was almost ten minutes before we had another score as the play was compressed into the middle third of the field. In the 16th minute, Matthew Whyte pulled on a low ball which cannoned off one of his defenders and Mark Healy was on hand to poke the ball into the Oran net. Five minutes later the Gaels had another goal on the board when Mark Healy won a great ball close to the end-line and his cross was converted by Brian Kelly. They were now five points to the good (2-2 to 1-0).

Oran did have a mini-purple patch before half-time with three points without reply from James Fitzpatrick (2) and Charlie Carthy. After Brian Kelly pointed a free for the Gaels in injury-time, the sides went in at the break with Roscommon Gaels ahead by three points, 2-3 to 1-3.

Unfortunately, the standard did not improve on the resumption.

Remarkably, the Gaels could only manage two further points.

It was still sufficient to get them over the line.

Cathal Kenny reduced the margin to two inside the first minute but it was to be 12 more minutes before we saw another score, the Oran wides tally now growing.

Darragh Walsh kicked a super score in the 42nd minute but the Gaels were always able to conjure a reply and a minute later Kieran Kilcline fisted a point over after a great run.

In the 44th minute, Darragh Walsh pointed a 30-metre free, and going into the final quarter there was just a point between the teams. With ten minutes to go Connie Regan levelled the

scores with a point from play, but man of the match Mark Healy had the final say in the 56th minute when he swung over a superb point from the right wing. It proved to be the winning score.

This is a game that Oran left behind them, something that will hurt after their otherwise excellent campaign. As for the Gaels,

it was a win born out of determination, hard work and intelligent use of limited possession. However, they will need a lot more if they are to trouble Clann na nGael in the semi-finals. That, however, is for another day. Local derbies are for winning and it’s to the Gaels that the local bragging rights go on this occasion.

Teams & scorers Roscommon Gaels: Daire McCormack; Joey O’Malley, Danny Mahon, Ryan Horan; John McManus, David O’Gara, Richard Hughes (0-1); Kieran Kilcline (0-2, 1 free), Cathal Dineen; Brian O’Malley, James O’Gara, Orin Walsh; William O’Doherty, Mark Healy (1-1), Brian Kelly (1-1, 1 free). Subs: Shane Purcell for O’Doherty (38), Ronan Gleeson for B O’Malley (39), Paul Gleeson for J O’Gara (44), Richard Walsh for O Walsh (59).

Oran: Matthew Whyte; Jack Casey (1-0), Thomas Featherston, Kevin Concannon; Eoghan Grady, Colin Walsh, Cathal Kenny (0-1); Connie Regan (0-1), Gearoid Keenan; Ciaran Lawless, Darragh Walsh (0-2, 1 free), Kieran Whyte; Charlie Carthy (0-1), Paul Kenny, James Fitzpatrick (0-2, 1 mark). Subs: Jack Earley for Carthy and Mike Dwyer for Concannon (h/t), Cormac Regan for Grady (34), James Regan for C Regan (57), Mark Gunning for C Kenny (61).

Referee: Shane Curley.

Man of the Match: Mark Healy (Roscommon Gaels)

<< Weekend Rewind

Roscommon People Friday 01 October 2021

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GAA Studio

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Weekend Fast-forward

THE KNOW-ALL

PUNDIT...

That’s the last time I’m going to a game with you!

Why? You’re too loud at a match! Shouting out to yer man and asking if he was in town last night and if there was any craic!

Yeah, but I’m friendly with the guy...

Yeah, but he was refereeing at the time!

Fair enough!

Thing is, you have too much to say at matches!

Ah nobody passes any heed on me...and anyways, anything I shout from the stand is always...co...

Codology?

No...constructive!

So that rant at the manager in the dugout during the quarter-final, that was constructive, was it?

Well, I was TRYING to help...

You told him your granny would make better switches!

My granny knew her football!

Anyways, I’ve no time for know-alls in the stand!

Okay, we’ll go to the terraces next time! By the way, if he had made the changes I was suggesting, he’d be better off now!

Blah, blah, blah!

Oh, and by the way, the referee must have been out the night before the match, he missed a definite penalty! Those lads should have had a penalty!

Now you sound like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, complaining about not getting penalties!

Oh don’t start me on him! I’ll tell you where he’s going wrong. What he needs to do is....

Hey, that has to be a free! Fuerty’s Oisin Lyons is grounded during last weekend’s Mulryan Construction IFC quarter-final between St. Faithleach’s and Fuerty, played in Strokestown. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Clann’s 25-point plan! < PAUL HEALY

Clann na nGael’s amazing 25-point plan – unveiled in public at Hyde Park on Saturday – is a formidable manifesto that all opposition parties are still trying to come to terms with this week.

Clann blitzed Michael Glavey’s with an explosive display of pointtaking, Liam Kerins’ men soaring to new heights during an already impressive campaign.

Clann’s remarkable display was the highlight of last weekend’s Roscommon SFC quarter-finals. The championship is a story made up of different chapters, each with their own dynamic. There was a story everywhere last

weekend, even if it was Clann’s class that was the stand-out blockbuster.

St. Brigid’s, entirely predictably, have positioned themselves precisely where they wanted to be...in the last four, with more in their tank. They accounted for a determined and gallant Strokestown.

Doubts about Boyle have persisted throughout the campaign, which is not to say they haven’t added much to the competition. They have. But Pearses had some momentum going into last weekend’s north-south showdown, and it was no surprise that they prevailed, winners by four points after trailing by four. A serious team.

Roscommon Gaels have been like

soldiers tiptoeing across a minefield...they are cautious, careful, disciplined...but ever-fearful that the journey will inevitably come to a premature end. Oran, brimful of confidence and quality – and in the dreaded role of favourites – were always going to put it up to the more seasoned Gaels. It was time for the Gaels to really stand up and be counted. They prevailed, by a point.

We selected Pearses v Boyle as our ‘Match Choice’ last weekend, and Roscommon Gaels v Oran as our Featured Match. See Seamus Duke’s reports from the press box.

It was Clann’s show of attacking power that really electrified these quarter-finals, however. Majestic in

defence and midfield against a bewildered Glavey’s, Clann then maximised all the superb play further back by kicking that remarkable 25 points in attack. They had 0-16 on the board by half-time. By full-time, it was a formidable statement of intent written in blue and yellow.

Strokestown put in a fine effort against the defending champions, the underdogs level with St. Brigid’s going into the last quarter. Strokestown ultimately ran out of steam and the Kiltoom club finished much the stronger, winning by five points.

The semi-finals will now see St. Brigid’s taking on Padraig Pearses and Clann na nGael playing Roscommon Gaels.

Changing times: Can we get dressing rooms open, please? < SEAMUS DUKE

Shane Keenan in action for Castlerea against Éire Òg in last weekend’s Mulryan Construction IFC quarter-final at Nash Park, won by Castlerea by 2-12 to 0-14. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

The situation whereby GAA club players are togging out in their cars and in stands is something that needs to be looked into. Last Sunday for instance, the Boyle v Pádraig Pearses game in Hyde Park was played in heavy rain showers and players of both sides had to tog out at either end of the stand. So much for privacy!

After the game I saw several players on both sides soaked to the skin and covered in mud

sitting into their cars and facing a drive of 30 or 40 minutes’ duration to their homes before they could have a shower.

With most of the Covid-19 restrictions set to be removed by October 22nd, surely the teams could have been allowed to use the four dressing rooms in Hyde Park in safety? I’m sure this unsatisfactory situation is also raising eyebrows by now at venues all over the country.

What’s bizarre about this situation is the fact that inter-county teams

are currently allowed to use dressing rooms while club players aren’t. I’d love someone to explain that one to me.

This is not Roscommon GAA’s fault. They are only doing as instructed

by HQ, but it’s simply not acceptable for players to be treated in this manner. With the weather set to worsen as we move later on into the year, surely it would be reasonable to permit club players to return –safely – to the dressing rooms. * St. Faithleach’s

manager, Walter Burke, told People Sport: “I can’t see the dressing rooms being open for the semi-final. Strokestown (for St. Faithleach’s’ IFC quarter-final last Sunday) was fine, but both teams togged out in the stand with the supporters, which defeats the purpose of staying in your bubble.

“Everyone’s doing their best of course (under the current rules). It is handy at training because the lads come togged and you’re quicker out onto the pitch”.

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