04 March 2022 Roscommon People

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04 March 2022

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02

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople With over 30 years’ experience, Aengus Oates Financial Services provides expert financial advice and bespoke financial solutions to our highly valued clients

Aengus Oates Financial Services Plan your future today

Tel. (090) 6627878. Mobile (086) 2573358

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For a confidential chat, ring Aengus on (086) 2573358

AT H L O N E Ι M O AT E L A N E S B O R O U G H Ι G A LWAY In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate DOLORES*GACQUIN – SOLICITOR fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of Tel: 090 6478433 • info@bccsolicitors.ie any award or settlement

090 647 8433

www.bccsolicitors.ie Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011

I understand that there is a law giving homeowners the right to defend themselves against intruders. Please explain how this affects ordinary homeowners.

The Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Act 2011 (the Act) came into effect on 13th January 2012.

This Act allows homeowners to use reasonable force to defend themselves against intruders. The law also extends these protections to the curtilage of the dwelling i.e. the area immediately surrounding or adjacent to the dwelling which is used in conjunction with the dwelling, other than any part of that area that is a public place.

The Act provides that it shall not be an offence for a person who is a lawful occupant of a dwelling, to use force against another person where he believes the other person has entered or is entering the dwelling as a trespasser for the purpose of committing a criminal act. The Act also provides that a person attacked in the home is not required to retreat.

The force used may only be such as is reasonable in the circumstances: (i) to protect himself or another person present in the dwelling from injury or assault, (ii) to protect his property from appropriation, destruction or damage, or (iii) to prevent the commission of a crime or to assist a lawful arrest.

The Act does not define reasonable force but The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence has indicated that it meant “that which is necessary and proportionate in the circumstances to the task of protection”.

The Act further provides that a person who uses such reasonable force cannot be sued for damages for any injury, loss or damage and will not be guilty of an offence. Under the Act, householders are entitled to use such force as they believe is reasonable for their protection. The use of force shall not exclude the use of force causing death but this is not a licence for unwarranted violence as the force used must be reasonable and justified.

e l p o e WATCHING P With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY

Mayo, Bielsa, the Rossies, and the tragic events of the week that can’t be ignored…

More humour, he said…

Huh? The Editor. Wants us to up our game, be more open about our lives…be funnier!

Even funnier?

Yep! Anyways, it’s not exactly a week for humour…

I know, I know…and I think even the Editor would understand that.

CYCLING ACCIDENT

(They pause to reflect on the tragedy of the

past week) If you were involved in a cycling accident contact

Why? Byrne Carolan Huh? Cunningham Solicitors Why is it necessary…well, it’s certainly not necessary…why does it have to happen?

War? Yep…and particularly in this case. Putin has no case…

He thinks he has, but nothing can justify this appalling aggression…

Agreed!

They are heroic…

Huh? The people of Ukraine. Their resistance has been extraordinary, their courage too…

Agreed…

And our hearts go out to the displaced too, to those who have left or are trying to leave their homeland…they are in all our thoughts and prayers.

(They pause to tentatively switch subjects) So, I believe you finally got back to a GAA game…after lockdown…

Yep! Your fear of storms miraculously gone…

Mmnn…

So you ventured out?

Yep! To Newry, obviously…

Endangered Species The barstool boyos

The Editor!

What’s wrong with him…are you getting ANYWHERE with our contract talks?

Don’t tell me you’ve pushed him too far!

Oh it’s nothing to do with us…that’s not why he’s in bad humour…

Go on…

It’s all because of the crazy guy…he’s gone!

WHO? He’s left the building! El… ELVIS? NO! El Loco! The crazy one! Marcelo Bielsa is gone from Leeds, and the Editor and his deluded Leeds friends are all in mourning!

(They pause to check if any of Bielsa’s trademark ‘bucket seats’ are for sale online…)

NO! Huh? I went to the Hyde…on Sunday.

Your FIRST big GAA game in months… and it was to see MAYO? Yeah…well, you could call it a spying mission!

(Editor: There is no suggestion that Roscommon GAA would ever spy on Mayo GAA, or vice versa; as ever, the ‘boyos’ are acting with abandon) (They pause to enjoy some pancakes and delight in a beautiful March day) He’s not in great humour himself anyway, a fine one to be telling us to ‘up the humour levels’…

Huh?

So, how were Mayo…in the flesh?

Good! And their supporters took over the town…with some help from the Armagh folks! They were all very welcome!

It was a great occasion for the town, and a welcome boost for businesses…

Indeed!

And Roscommon had a great win in Newry…

I know! Roll on Derry at the Hyde…we’ll be there!

Well, you will be if there’s no storm to scare you off!

(They pause…once again dragged down by the awfulness of events in Ukraine) The tanks roll.

The shelling ignites the skies…

The flames rise…

The hearts sink.

They are heroic.

Both: They are in our thoughts and prayers.

What PEOPLE are talking about

This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor.

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

A person should always contact their solicitor to obtain legal advice specific to their own situation. The above column contains general information and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. * In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement

Byrne Carolan Cunningham SOLICITORS

Telephone Central Line 090 6478433 info@bccsolicitors.ie www.bccsolicitors.ie

PIC OF THE WEEK: Conor Gilleran is enjoying supporting Roscommon footballers this spring (pictured at Roscommon v Clare recently). Photo: Mick McCormack

What we liked…

The remarkable resistance and courage of the Ukrainian people, and the show of solidarity by countries across the world.

What we didn’t like…

Even though there had been a growing sense of resignation that it was on the cards, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine still stunned the world when it became a reality last week.

Russia’s shocking invasion of Ukraine has dominated the news agenda worldwide…in ‘other news’, mandatory mask-wearing ceased on Monday; Mary Lou McDonald and Micheál Martin clashed in the Dáil; David McCullagh roasted the Russian Ambassador; Ireland defeated Italy in a Six Nations encounter which was somewhat tainted by the latter being unluckily reduced to 13 players early on (12 later); Leeds United sacked Marcelo Bielsa; Liverpool won the Carabao Cup, with goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher (from Cork) scoring the winning penalty in an epic shootout…

03

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople Body found in search for missing Castlerea man Gardaí have confirmed that the search for a man who went missing in Castlerea last month has been stood down following the discovery of a body in the area yesterday morning (Wednesday).

51-year-old Donal Peyton had been reported missing in Castlerea on Monday, February 14th February.

An Garda Síochána thanked the media and members of the public for their assistance.

Ballymurray NS boost welcomed Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has welcomed the news that approval has been given to proceed with construction at Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Seosamh in Ballymurray, Co. Roscommon, calling it a great day for the Ballymurray school.

Work can now commence on the construction of an extension, adding a classroom and ensuite to the school.

Castle St., Roscommon. Tel.: (090) 66 26041.

Email: info@skincarehairspa.ie • Web: www.skincarehairspa.com

Table quiz in aid of Elphin Parade A table quiz is set to take place in An Bothar Rua, Elphin, in aid of the town’s St Patrick’s Day Parade. The quiz begins at 9.30 pm on Saturday, March 5th.

The cost of entry is €10 per person. There are lots of great spot prizes available to win on the night, as well as a first prize of €500. All are welcome to attend, so come along to show your support – and for a chance to win!

Timothy’s

Caroline Mitchell is coming to the Salon on Tuesday, 15th March

Caroline Mitchell, Registered Nurse, who is widely renowned as Ireland’s best Aesthetic Nurse Injector.

Some of her treatments include but are not limited to: Hyaluronic Fillers, Various PRP Treatments, Anti-Wrinkle Injections, Medical Skin Peels, Advanced Clinical Facials and Medical Microneedling.

FOR APPOINTMENT PHONE 090 66 26041

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

‘The whole county has been bypassed’ Council confirms TII decision to shelve plans for N61 project < DAN DOONER

Political People: Page 21 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have shelved plans for a new 14-kilometre stretch of road as part of the N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery Bypass project in what has been described as a major blow to the economic development of south Roscommon.

The €80 million development, which had been going through pre-planning stages for the last five years, could now be deferred until after 2030.

Roscommon County Council Director of Services, Shane Tiernan, confirmed the “disappointing news” to members at Monday’s monthly meeting of the local authority.

Mr. Tiernan said the N61 project was considered a major scheme by TII, which last year said it would only proceed with major road projects listed in the Government’s National Development Plan (NDP).

He added that the revised NDP, which was published last October, did not specifically mention the N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery project.

At the end of last year, Roscommon County Council made a formal request to TII to proceed with the design and environmental evaluation stage of the proposed bypass.

However, TII has said that due to funding constraints and the identification of priority schemes, they are now not in a position to give approval for the South

Roscommon project.

Mr. Tiernan said that on the basis of the TII’s priorities, it is not considered likely that any major roads funding will be allocated to the project before 2026 and most likely prior to 2030.

The preferred route corridor for the bypass had been chosen and would see the current N61 diverted before the railway crossing at Ballymurray before crossing the existing road between Finneran’s pub and the Kilteevan turn

off just outside Knockcroghery. The chosen route would proceed south through Corbooley towards Nolan’s Cross beyond Lecarrow village.

Councillors expressed their disappointment with the announcement at Monday’s meeting with Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Murphy describing it as “very disappointing news”.

Cllr. Tony Ward said plans had been put in place and lot of money spent on the project before adding that ongoing

safety issues on the N61 had yet to be addressed.

“If this project is stopped or paused, they should look at a brand new road,” he said.

“The safety issues are still there and those need to be addressed urgently”.

Cllr. John Naughten said it was “very disappointing” that Roscommon County Council hadn’t received support and investment to complete what is a “very necessary upgrade of the

N61” and he echoed calls for construction of a new road.

Cllr. John Keogh said the process of getting the N61 upgraded must be a priority for the Council or there would be major economic implications for the county.

“It is not acceptable to have safety issues drag on until there are fatalities,” he added.

Cllr. Donal Kilduff was scathing in his assessment of the decision, describing it as “horrendous”, and said that while we are pursuing a low-carbon and green future, unsafe carriages and roads should not be ignored.

The Independent councillor said vehicles would still need to use roads such as the N61 and proposed the Council send a letter to TII urging it to reconsider its decision.

Cllr. Orla Leyden proposed writing a letter to Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and accused the Government of impeding Roscommon’s economic development.

“It feels like the county itself has been bypassed,” she said.

Cllr. Emer Kelly said that safety issues were an ongoing concern on the N61 but that there seemed to be reluctance on TII’s part to address these concerns.

“Residents are contacting public representatives regularly, seeking solutions to the safety issues, and it’s frustrating for both them and us to be returning with the same news again and again,” she said.

PSRA NO: 004422

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

It’s back! Roscommon Drama Coman Keaveny Festival opens this Friday is special guest Adjudicator, Geoff O’Keeffe.

The Roscommon Drama Festival will open in the Arts Centre, Roscommon this Friday, March 4th and run until Saturday 12th.

Mr. Coman Keaveny, Chairman of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland, will perform the official opening of the festival on Friday night.

The committee guarantees nine wonderful nights of entertainment as groups from all over Ireland perform to earn

the opportunity of getting to the All-Irelands later in the year.

The adjudicator is the well-known theatre director, actor and adjudicator, Geoff O’Keeffe.

Booking at Roscommon Arts Centre (tel: 090-662 5824).

Tickets cost €15/13 while a five-night ticket costs €60 and a season ticket costs €95. Online booking: www.roscommonartscentre.ie.

The upcoming Roscommon Drama Festival will be officially opened by Coman Keaveny, Chairman of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI), on Friday night.

Coman’s involvement in drama begun at a very young age, fostered by his late mother Margaret Keaveny (RIP), who was a native of Roscommon and always kept her loyalty to the primrose and blue.

The appetite for drama further developed over the years when Coman became a very active member within the Glenamaddy Drama movement.

He now holds the honour of being Chairperson of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland, and is honoured to be invited to officially open the Roscommon Drama Festival.

Pictured is Coman Keaveny, Chairman of Amateur Drama Council of Ireland, who will be officially opening the Roscommon Drama Festival on Friday.

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor Thursday “Terrible what’s happening in Ukraine” a work colleague said.

I nodded, thinking this was a reference to the ongoing speculation, the war talk, the admittedly ominous political poker, Russian roulette which is even more sinister than usual…because its outcome has been callously predetermined.

It was an hour or so later when I checked in on a news website. Putin had invaded Ukraine overnight. The sense of shock was enormous.

The fear of what could happen, suddenly and starkly replaced by the reality of what is…and the terror of what might be.

Later on Thursday “Sorry, we’re not currently taking cash” read the sign at the counter in Jurys Inn on Galway’s Quay Street.

What would our ancestors have said? If they were around now, their heads would be frazzled. Imagine telling them that we began paying for drinking water in bars many years ago, and that it’s getting to the stage where we won’t be able to hand over hard-earned cash to anyone.

Never mind if you had to try and explain to the men of a century or so ago what a Baby Guinness is…

But I digress. We spent a lovely couple of days in Galway, the city that never disappoints. It was great to go back into the past…

The staff in the very centrally located Jurys Inn were very friendly.

Arriving on Thursday evening, we savoured that special atmosphere of the Quay Street/Shop Street area.

It really was like life BC – before Covid. Most of the restaurants were full, while ‘hens’ and ‘stags’ zigzagged in between Galway’s familiar cosmopolitan cast. Freed of the trauma of lockdown, smiles had replaced tired frowns.

Later, it was heartwarming to see crowds back in bars, and great live music too. The past had returned.

Perhaps aptly, the band in The Quays Bar & Restaurant belted out a great rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’…‘Won’t you help to sing/These songs of freedom?’

A man who looked a bit like Elvis

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

(if Elvis was in his 60s) and walked a bit like John Wayne strode up through the centre of the bar, like he had an appointment with the sheriff.

He observed the band, did a slow u-turn, all swagger and magnetic sideburns. A few minutes later he swaggered back past us, drink in hand, and leant against a rail listening and watching the band intently, like an ageing Elvis wandering down that boulevard of broken dreams in his mind. I couldn’t work out whether rock ‘n’ roll gave him the best or the worst years of his life. Hopefully the former.

Friday A sad feature of the weekend was the regular sight of rough sleepers/ homeless people, the dreams they once had now confined to dank doorways. I gave a few bob to a man wrapped tightly inside a couple of blankets. “God bless you” he replied. The homeless man’s weary eyes followed me with a gratitude that was humbling and almost disconcerting to see.

Dinner in Venice Restaurant (Abbeygate Street Lower) was beautiful, as was the buzz, the absence of social distancing. A delicious meal.

In a bar later, more music and people watching. A barely middleaged bald man wearing a long black overcoat approached the counter. He was clearly ‘going well’. I have to confess he resembled a taller version of Phil Mitchell of Eastenders. Midst the delightful din of resurgent revelry, he ordered a pint from a charming barman, before heading towards the gents, yet to savour a sip.

Ten minutes or so later, the man returned, briefly scanning the sea of bodies and glasses, before appearing to question his own thought process and moving in to order a ‘new’ pint.

He appeared unaware that he had bought a still untouched Guinness earlier. Embracing my inner ‘Good Samaritan’ (or foolishness?)

I walked past five or six customers and surprised Man in Long Black Overcoat with his abandoned/forgotten pint. He seemed bewildered.

Meanwhile, the band played The Wild Rover.

On account of my surprise delivery, Man in Long Black Overcoat tiptoed

The Latin Quarter, Galway

closer to us and began discussing the meaning of life with me. Served me right. In truth, his was a sad story, his past a troubled one. I’m a good listener. I offered what I considered were words of solace and hope. He talked of darkness, which gave me the opportunity to suggest that darkness is always followed by light! But he retorted, calmly, that one can learn from darkness too. The darkness he told me about, truth be told, was indeed quite dark. There were demons in his past, and now he was looking for redemption.

A short conversation was all I was comfortable with. I had offered him an ear, and now I wished him well. A few minutes later, he was circling the band, and deep in conversation with a patient security man. This time, he brought his pint with him.

Saturday We didn’t move the car all weekend.

In Eason’s on Friday, I thought about buying Gabriel Byrne’s acclaimed biography, but passed on it because I have a mountain of books to get

through. Next day in Dubray Books, I succumbed, influenced by the fact that it was much cheaper in their store.

I handed over €10.99, telling the cashier that the same book was €14 in the Eason store across the street.

“Good! That’s a round to us” the man quipped, smiling.

After an unexpected afternoon fright – the prices in Brown Thomas – I took a walk around Shop Street, before meeting up with Fiona and our children. It’s always hard to leave Galway.

We took a spin to Salthill and Barna, before leaving the zigzagging stags and hens, the redemption seekers and the dreamers, and all the beauty and buzz of the great City of the Tribes.

Sunday Of course there are a few sentences which one doesn’t expect to utter too often in one’s life. For me, they obviously include: “Oh, I really miss Jedward”.

“Hey, what was that very interesting point the radio DJ just made in between playing The Pretenders and Lady Gaga?”

“I wonder where can I order a copy of Danny Healy-Rae’s greatest ever speeches?”

To this list – until today – I’d have happily added: “I can’t wait for the Carabao Cup Final”. To most soccer fans, it will always be known as the English League Cup, the poor relation of the (now also poor) FA Cup. It rarely registers with me these days, hence it was with a distinct lack of enthusiasm that I checked in on Chelsea v Liverpool in this year’s League Cup decider. To my surprise, I was hooked from the beginning.

While destined to end scoreless, this was actually a thriller, with three disallowed goals, superb saves, some ferocious tackling, tremendous pace and tempo throughout, and, in the stands, a ‘Lockdown is history, we’re loving this’ flavoured atmosphere that was a joy to witness.

While basically neutral, once it went to penalties I was drawn to the fate of the coolest Corkonian on the planet, with Caoimhín Kelleher in goal for Liverpool.

(As an aside, the not infrequent histrionics of their manager, the undoubtedly charismatic Jürgen Klopp, are really beginning to frustrate me).

Kelleher didn’t save any of the penalties he faced in an enthralling shootout, but had already starred during that frantic normal time phase. Then, at 10-10, it fell to the respective goalkeepers to actually take penalties. Kelleher fired in a beauty, while his Chelsea counterpart blazed over. Game over, cue social media and instadium acclaim of the very likeable Cork man. And later, I was so impressed to see that someone in The Guardian went Googling for fadas before referencing the hero of the day.

Monday/Tuesday The courage of the people of Ukraine is astonishing. Your heart would break for them. They are in our thoughts and prayers. One hopes that the trajectory of this unfolding catastrophe can somehow be reversed.

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

Local Garda beaten and doused in petrol during Cavan incident < DAN DOONER

A member of An Garda Síochána from County Roscommon was threatened with a suspected firearm and beaten before being doused in petrol during an incident in Co. Cavan in the early hours of Monday morning.

The uniformed Garda, a well-known footballer in his late 20s, was set upon after he went to investigate a suspicious vehicle while on patrol near Loughan House Open Prison in the Blacklion area.

The Garda contacted colleagues seeking assistance but was disorientated and unable to explain the exact circumstances of the incident.

Gardaí from the North Western Region Headquarters Control Room identified the member’s location through the Garda Automatic Vehicle and Personnel Location System. He was discovered by members of the regional armed support at around 2 am in a disorien-

tated state while his official marked patrol vehicle was also present nearby.

It is believed he had been lying at the scene for up to half an hour before colleagues arrived.

Gardaí confirmed that there was a strong smell of a flammable accelerant in the air and that the member’s uniform had been saturated with an accelerant and he had signs of physical injuries. He was taken to Sligo University Hospital where he was treated for concussion before being released.

An incident room was established at Cavan Garda Station and the Garda and his family are being provided with support services.

Speaking on Monday morning, Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern of the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division said: “This is a very serious and concerning attack on an unarmed member of An Garda Síochána going about their normal duties keeping people safe.

“Thankfully the incident has not resulted in a fatality or other serious injury.

The exact motive for this attack is yet to be determined but it is extremely concerning that a member of An Garda Síochána appears to have been targeted and doused in some form of accelerant.

“I am appealing for any person with any information on this attack to contact investigating Gardaí”.

Gardaí would like to speak to any person driving on the N16 Cavan, passing Loughan House Prison, or the R206 and R207 at their junction with the N16, between 7 pm Sunday, February 27th and 3 am, Monday, 28th, and in particular any person with video footage (dashcam or other format).

An Garda Síochána are appealing for any person with any information to contact Cavan Garda Station at 049-4368800, the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800-666111 or any Garda Station.

Pictured is Roscommon PostPrimary Education graduate Sarah McCormack, who recently received Hibernia College’s overall Student of the Year Award after graduating at the top of her class.

Keeping warm in the clubhouse before the game! Valerie, Liam and Andrew Callaghan with Emily Byrnes in Castlebar supporting Creggs in Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Grief can be unpredictable.

When someone dies, the grief that follows can be difficult and feel overwhelming. Some feelings of grief come and go while others can persist.

Everyone’s experience is different. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

Talking about your loss with the people around you can help. Reach out to someone you trust.

We’re here too if you need extra help or support. · Visit hse.ie/grief or bereaved.ie · Call our Bereavement Support Line on freephone 1800 80 70 77 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm). · Or speak to your GP.

Top award for Sarah…

A Roscommon Post-Primary Education graduate Sarah McCormack had extra cause for celebration after achieving ‘top of her class’ status at the annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony, which was held at Dublin’s Conven-

tion Centre recently.

In addition to receiving her Masters qualification, Sarah was honoured with the overall Student of the Year Award, which is presented by the college to the student in each cohort with the highest grade across

the programme.

A teacher at Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, Sarah was amongst 900 graduates from all twenty-six counties to graduate with primary or post-primary teaching qualifications from Hibernia College.

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

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

CLÁR Programme 2022 CLÁR Programme 2022

The Department of Rural and Community Development announced details of the CLÁR programme for 2022 The on 24th February 2022.

CLÁR provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects inforrural Department of Rural and Community Development announced details of the CLÁR programme 2022areas on that have suffered significant levelsfunding of population decline.

There isprojects a national allocation €7million 24th February 2022.

CLÁR provides for small scale infrastructural in rural areas that of have suffered significant of population There isvia a national allocation of €7million 2022 under 3of measures to for 2022 underlevels 3 measures to decline. be operated Local Authorities and thefor Department Rural and be operated via Local Authorities and the Department of Rural and Community Development for a range of Community Development for a range of School and Community projects.

School and Community projects.

CLÁR Programme 2022

Measure 1:1: Developing Developing Community Facilities Measure Community Facilities & Amenities& Amenities The Department of Rural and Community Development announced details of the CLÁR programme for 2022 on Measure 2:2: Mobility, Mobility, Cancer Care and Community FirstTransport Responders Transport Measure Cancer Care and Community First Responders 24th February 2022. CLÁR provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered Measure Islands’ Measure 3:3: ‘Our‘Our Islands’significant levels of population decline. There is a national allocation of €7million for 2022 under 3 measures to

Browse the full collection of Healthy Ireland at Your Library books by calling into Roscommon, Boyle or Castlerea Libraries There are 145 books in the collection and it consists of these categories: Healthy Eating, Physical Activity, Wellbeing and Mental Health, Parenting, Positive Aging, Tobacco, Alcohol, Dementia, Bereavement, LGBTQI+ and there’s also sections for Children and Young Adults.

You will also find Health & Fitness eBooks and eAudiobooks on BorrowBox.

be operated via Local Authorities and the Department of Rural and Community Development for a range of

School and Community projects.

Up to 15 applications in total will be invited from relevant Local Authorities in respect of Measure 1.

Up toThe 15 maximum applications in total will be invited fromproject relevant Local and Authorities in respect of Measure 1. level of fundingMeasure for any1:individual is €50,000 grant-funding is at a rate of 90% of total Developing Community Facilities & Amenities The maximum level of funding for any2:individual project is Community €50,000 First andResponders grant-funding project costs.

Measure Mobility, Cancer Care and Transport is at a rate of 90%

of total project costs.

Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’

Applications are being accepted directly by the Department in respect of Measures 2 and 3 via email to Up to 15 applications in total will be invited from relevant Local Authorities in respect of Measure 1.

CLAR@drcd.gov.ie.

Full details of the Measure and 3 for Schemes and application forms available on The maximum level of2funding any individual project isof €50,000 and are grant-funding at a rate of 90% Applications are being accepted directly by the Department in respect Measures 2 and 3is via email toof total project costs. www.roscommoncoco.ie

CLAR@drcd.gov.ie. Full details of the Measure 2 and 3 Schemes and application forms are available on Applications are being accepted directly by the Department in respect of Measures 2 and 3 via email to www.roscommoncoco.ie In order to facilitate schools/communities in preparing an application, full details of the Measure 1 Scheme and CLAR@drcd.gov.ie. Full details of the Measure 2 and 3 Schemes and application forms are available on

application forms are availablewww.roscommoncoco.ie on www.roscommoncoco.ie

In order to facilitate schools/communities in preparing an application, detailsfullofdetails the Measure 1 1 Scheme and In order to facilitate schools/communities in preparing anfull application, of the Measure application forms are on www.roscommoncoco.ie Scheme and application forms are available onavailable www.roscommoncoco.ie Closing date for receipt of fully completed Application Forms for Measure 1 is 5pm on Thursday, 14th April 2022 Closing date for receipt of fullydate completed Application Forms for Measure is Measure 1 is Closing for receipt of fully completed Application Forms1for 5pmApril on Thursday, 5pm on Thursday, 14th 2022 14th April 2022 Applications must be saved as a Microsoft Word format and submitted by email only to Applications must be saved as a Microsoft Word format and submitted by email only to Applications must be saved as khegarty@roscommoncoco.ie a Microsoft Word format and submitted by email only to khegarty@roscommoncoco.ie

khegarty@roscommoncoco.ie Late submissions will be considered.

Latenot submissions will not be considered.

Late submissions will not be considered.

Majella Hunt

Majella Hunt Director of Services Director of Services Community & Enterprise Community & Enterprise Roscommon County Council Roscommon County Council

Majella Hunt Director of Services Community & Enterprise Roscommon County Council

Download the app or visit: roscommon.borrowbox.com Library membership is free.

Join online at: www.librariesireland.ie/join #TakeACloserLook #HealthyIrelandAtYourLibrary #NationalNoSmokingDay Roscommon County Council Libraries Ireland

Community Volunteers Programme, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and by Roscommon County Council To find out more visit https://volunteerroscommon.ie/ roscommon-community-volunteers/?fbclid=IwAR141Te_ bE9lRcqMfitvBtt1Xgp-3_UaVzOePHONomYHcdM0ucVmi38mug

09

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

Klassic Cleaners

Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ...

Paul Healy’s take on top tweets!

Yaroslava Antipina @strategywoman 6:49 pm in #Kyiv. Two minutes ago there was a huge explosion on the Left Bank of the capital. We were shocked. We live nearby…if we survive this night, tomorrow we’ll go to the West Ukraine to my mom. My fingers are trembling.

-Seven days on, hundreds of thousands of tweets later…and how many lost lives?

john creedon @johncreedon

Church Street, Roscommon.

Tel: 090 6625995

Those who sup with oligarchs, and the power hungry as they buy up property, football clubs, public beauty spots and so on might consider the Buddhist maxim ‘You can’t hang out with the crows at night and soar with the eagles in the morning’ #StandWithUkriane #Ukraine #Oligarchs -The popular radio and tv presenter has his say on the week’s dominant story

Time to Spring Clean!

Dry Cleaning:

• Ironing/pressing service 8 shirts for €10 (prepaid) Single Bedset €6.50 (4pc) (prepaid) FULL LAUNDRY SERVICE, including; Blankets, Duvets, Throws, Team Kits, etc.

Marcelo Bielsa

Leanne Prescott @_lfcleanne That cup belongs to Kelleher.

Has been phenomenal every game, superb tonight. A real talent.

-Republic of Ireland international, goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher, starred as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup on Sunday David J. Lowe @SonicAngel2010

John Creedon

I have never seen our fanbase so united over Bielsa, can’t find one person who thinks him leaving now is for the best! #Bielsa #LUFC

Dinner4U from The Melting Pot! You can enjoy a freshly prepared hot dinner delivered to your door by the staff at The Melting Pot, Roscommon at a cost of just €7 per meal.

Dinners are delivered daily from Monday to Friday with weekly menus available in advance. Gift vouchers are available and offer the ideal opportunity to surprise a family member or friend with the delicious meal of the day.

For further information, or to place an order, please contact Monica on 083-8072959. An eircode is required for all deliveries.

Suits, pants, coats,

jumpers, shirts, casual/formal dresses, etc.

ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS • CURTAINS A SPECIALITY

-Meanwhile, Leeds United fans were trying to come to terms with the abrupt ending of the colourful Marcelo Bielsa era (delivered by their own board, who sacked the club’s muchrevered manager) baggiesguy @baggiesguy Farce. Italy double punished as a result of a ridiculous sending off. Down to 13 men. A bad day for Rugby Union rules #farce #IREvITA

Opening hours: 9.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Saturday Find us on Facebook

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

-Ireland’s Six Nations win over Italy had elements of…farce (Italy being reduced to 13 men in anomalous circumstances)

Dinner4U A freshy prepared hot dinner delivered to your door by staff from The Melting Pot Dinners delivered daily Monday to Friday Cost per meal is €7 Weekly menus available in advance Pictured is Melting Pot chef Philip, serving up another delicious meal.

Below is a sample of dinners from our menu Roast Sirloin of Beef mixed veg and creamed potato

OUR CHEF: PHILIP

Loin of Bacon with cabbage and parsley sauce Grilled Darne of Salmon with lemon sauce, mixed vegetables and creamed potato Roast Stuffed Supreme of Chicken with leek & smoked bacon sauce _________________________________________________________________ Gift Vouchers available. An ideal opportunity to surprise a family member/friend with our dinner of the day.

For further information or to place an order please contact Monica on 083 8072959 Eir Code details required for all deliveries

Drivers Kevin and Mattie deliver freshly prepared dinners to your door by staff from The Melting Pot.

The Melting Pot CRO 5403 Registered Charity No 20100124

10

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

The

G

D News page

‘Showcase’ award for Roscommon designer

Roscommon designer Una Burke was announced as the Design & Crafts Council Ireland Award winner at Showcase 2022, Ireland’s Creative Expo, which took place at the RDS in Dublin this past week.

Una also demonstrated her work at the expo’s Makers’ Studio, which as a first for the event this year.

The annual show has established itself as a mustsee trade event, attracting buyers from Ireland and overseas, including UK, USA, Mainland Europe and Asia, all keen to see the latest designs from Ireland’s top brands and craft producers.

Showcase is an international launch pad for the 318 Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople who will be unveiling their new season collections across fashion, jewellery, home and giftware during the four-day event.

A particular emphasis is placed on new products to market, providing retailers with opportunities to discover and stock up on the latest design-led products, many of which are unique to the show.

Mary Palmer, Chair of Showcase, said: “Show- Roscommon designer Una Burke was announced as the Design & Crafts Council Ireland Award at Showcase 2022, Ireland’s Creative Expo which took place at the RDS in Dublin this past case marks one of the most important events in winner week. the design and crafts sector’s calendar. For many, this is their first trade show of the year, a chance to launch their new collections and secure orders for the year ahead. Attracting buyers from Ireland and around the world, Showcase’s strength lies in its unique identity and high quality display of Irish design and crafts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in Showcase 2022, you are helping to support and grow our sector”.

Exhibitors selected for the Showcase Best Product Awards 2022 were chosen by judges including Brian McGee, DCCI. The judges nominated the ‘Best Product’ in each of their categories and each category produced a Best Product Award and Highly Commended awards. The overall Best Product Award at Showcase 2022 was chosen by the Showcase judging panel.

The Overall Winner of the Showcase Best Product Award was Molloy and Sons.

Des Bishop at the Arts Centre this St Patrick’s Night!

Two years later than originally planned, comedian Des Bishop’s returns to Roscommon Arts Centre with his lat-

est show Mia Mamma on St. Patrick’s night, Thursday, March 17th at 8 pm. The show is about motherhood and sac-

rifice, anxiety and grief, the mistakes you make as a mother and a son and the hard road to forgiveness. In a tribute to his late mother who passed away in March 2019, Des puts a comic spin on loss, grief and the chaos that surrounds it.

Native New Yorker, Des moved from Queens to Ireland in his mid-teens in 1990. He first came to prominence with his extraordinary TV series The Des Bishop Work Experience (2004), where he lived on minimum wage in a series of different jobs in Ireland. Mixing this documentary footage with stand-up, the series

propelled Des into national stardom. In 2006, he created Joy In The Hood, where he taught stand-up comedy in disadvantaged areas in four major Irish cities.

Des also decided to learn Irish from scratch and perform a 60 minute standup comedy routine in the Irish language. Over the course of 12 months, he lived with a family in the West Of Ireland honing his craft and in March 2008, the first episode of In The Name Of The Fada was broadcast.

Des has appeared on many live stand up shows including Edinburgh Comedy Festival Live (BBC),

Live at the Comedy Store (Comedy Central) and he was also the star of HBO’s ‘A Comic’s Climb’. The openness and honesty of his presenting style combined with his restless imagination and perceptive comic observations make Des Bishop a must-see for fans of unique, insightful and provocative comedy.

Described as “Funny, erudite and effortlessly delivered” (The Scotsman, UK), catch one of Ireland’s best comedians at Roscommon Arts Centre on Thursday, March 17th.

Tickets are €26, on sale now from box office on 090-6625824/www.roscommonartscentre.ie.

On your marks for Roscommon Community Challenge 2022!

Roscommon Community Challenge takes place this Friday (March 4th), starting from Roscommon Community Sports Park at 8 pm sharp.

This is community event is for everyone including walkers, runners, joggers, individuals, teams and families, as well as all those looking to set a time for 2022 or improve on their previous times.

This is also a social event and refreshments will be served in the new state-of-the-art sports park clubhouse afterwards.

Following a difficult two years of Covid-19 restrictions, organisers and participants are now looking forward in anticipation to a great night this Friday. As in previous years, the challenge has proven extremely popular and those signed up for training since January have made great progress.

This year’s event wouldn’t have been possible without the encouragement and professionalism of Roscommon Sports Partnership and organisers are extremely grateful to coordinator Noel Feeley and his staff David Brady, Daire Feeley, and Michaela Fallon for all their support. Thanks also to Roscommon Harriers for their help with timings on the night.

The beneficiaries of this event are Roscommon Special Olympics and Roscommon Community Sports Park. The Special Olympics members are incredibly grateful to the Community Sports Park, Roscommon Leisure Centre, and Roscommon Leisure Zone for the use of their facilities.

Like all groups, it has been extremely difficult to fundraise over the last two years so this event is especially important and will enable the continued provision of events for these wonderful athletes.

Due to the constraints associated with Covid-19, there will be no registration on the night and participants are encouraged to register online in advance using the following link: https:// www.eventbrite.ie/e/roscommon-communitychallenge-2022-tickets-228914297827.

Cup for the Match!

Annette and PJ Cregg, Frenchpark, pictured at the recent Roscommon v Clare Allianz National Football League game at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Plan for your Pension Know Your Rights - Leaving your job Free Information Session

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, South Connacht Citizens make work pay and how do I protect my future pension? The Information Service has continued to deliver crucial informafirst information evening will look at ways you can maximise tion, advice and advocacy services to the public. However your family and household income through a combination due to public health considerations, in-person services have of work and Social Welfare entitlements for people on low Throughout the pandemic, South Connacht Citizens Information has PAYE tax been limited.

Sincepandemic, the 1stCovid19 November year,Information Roscommon at how Service to reduce your Throughout the Covid19 South Connachtlast Citizens Service has incomes. We will also lookth Citizens Centre hasadvice resumed its drop-in maximising yourservices Tax Creditsto and Cutpublic.

Off, and applying for continued toinformation, deliver crucial information, advicebyand advocacy the continued toInformation deliver crucial and advocacy servicesservices to the public. at its offices, located at considerations, West Business Park,services Golfhave Links Road, additional tax reliefs, including tax refunds”.

However due to public health in-person been limited.

Since However due to public health considerations, in-person haveinbeen limited.

Since Roscommon.

He went onservices to say: “People part time work, low pay or last year, Roscommon Citizens Information Centre has resumed its drop-in the 1st November st We continue to provide a freelast andyear, confidential information,Citizens people who have been made redundant, it is vital that you the 1 November Roscommon Information Centre has resumed its drop-in services atand its offices, locatedservice at West Business Park,onGolf Linkssuch Road, Roscommon. advice advocacy to public areas as Social have the information to make informed decisions on how you services at its offices, located atadvice West Business Park, Golf Links Road, Roscommon.

Welfare entitlements, Family Matters, Housing, We continue to provide a freeHealth, and confidential information, and advocacy servicecan to work, maximise your income or on how to work and reMoney and Tax, Employment Rights, Income Supports and tain your job seekers payment and undertake part time work”. public on areas such as Social Welfare entitlements, Health, Family Matters, Housing, muchWe more.

Margaret Lynch, advice Information Roscommon CICto continue to provide a free and confidential information, andOfficer advocacy service Money and Tax, Employment Rights, Income Supports and much more.

In 2021, Roscommon CIS in conjunction with Roscommon said: “Our second information event on the 15th March will public on areas such as SocialofWelfare entitlements, Health, Family Matters, Housing, LEADER Partnership delivered a Roscommon number free on-line In 2021, Roscommon CIS in conjunction with LEADER Partnership deliveredbe a about Planning for your Pension. I can’t stress strongly information events toTax, the public a range enough how important is for people who are in their 30s, Money and Employment Rights, Income and muchitmore. number of free on-line information events on to the public onof a topics range of including topics includingSupports Wills Wills and Inheritance, Fair Deal, Pensions, transferring the 40s, 50s and 60s to come to this event. You still have time and Inheritance, Fair Deal, Pensions, transferring the Family Farm and Budgeting. These Family Farm andRoscommon Budgeting. These events were very successto make changes to your social welfare contribution history In 2021, CIS inus,conjunction with Roscommon LEADER Partnership delivered a events were very successful and participants whenrestrictions Covid 19 restrictions ful and participants asked us, whenasked Covid-19 are are which may lead to you to having a much greater pension on removed, could we host face-to-face information events? number on-line information events to the public on a range of topics including Wills removed, could of we free host face-to-face information events? retirement”.

On the Daniel Information Officer Roscommon CIC nd 2nd February, Roscommon LEADER Partnership Roscommon LEADER (RLP) and Roscommon Citizens On theand 2 February, Inheritance, Fair Partnership Deal, Pensions, transferring the McDonald, Family Farm and Budgeting. These (RLP) and Roscommon Citizens Information Service (CIS) further added: “I would also hope to see people at this event Information Service (CIS) held a consultation event for current employees and Ex-employees held events a consultation forsuccessful current employees and Exwho are retiredCovid and over years of age. We wereevent very and participants asked us,now when 1966restrictions aresee it so of Bord Na Mona.

RLP and CISconsultation, are delighted to announce employees of From Bordthat Naconsultation, Mona. From that RLP two free much in our job where older people may have applied for a removed, could webe host face-to-face information events? publicCIS information events, which will held intwo Ballyleague Community Hall. Both events and are delighted to announce free public information Social Welfare payment or scheme in the past and had being are open to all in the community two topics willCommunity be: events, which will be heldand inthe Ballyleague Hall. refused that scheme or payment. Social Welfare schemes such February, Partnership (RLP) and Roscommon Citizens theare2nd BothOn events open to all in theRoscommon community and LEADER the two topas the Household Benefits package, Carers Allowance and Tax ics will be: for the over 65s constantly change, you may qualify now for Information Service (CIS) held a consultation event for current employees and Ex-employees these payments, come along and we can meet and talk with Date Event Title Time of Bord Na Mona.

From RLP you andtoCIS to from announce twoWelfare free see are how delighted you can benefit recent Social Tuesday Making Work Pay that consultation, 7.00pm and Tax changes”.

2022 8th March public information events, which will be held in Both Ballyleague Community Hall. Both events information events are free and start at 7 pm, in BalTuesday Plan for your Pension 7.00pm lyleague Community are open to all in the community and the two topics will be: Hall, Ballyleague, Roscommon, Eircode 15th March 2022 N39 AP21. To ensure you have a seat we advise you attend for Richard Regan, Development Manager Roscommon CIC, registration at 6.45 pm. If you would like more information said: offered a Manager range ofRoscommon information topics, twoa range ofabout the two events please contact Fiona on 0818-076360 or Richard“When Regan, Development CIC, said, “Whenthe offered most popular topics chosen by the community are, how do I email Fiona.kilmartin@citinfo.ie. information topics, the two most popular topics chosen by the community are, how do I

11

How much notice should I give when I leave a job?

Generally, your contract will state the amount of notice you need to give when you are leaving a job.

If it does not, then you must give at least one week’s notice.

Tuesday 15 March 2022 Start Time: 7pm What about my annual leave?

Your employer must pay you for any days you have not taken.

Venue: Ballyleague Community Hall, Ballyleague, Co. Does my employer have to give me a reference?

No, not legally – unless it is specifically stated in your Roscommon, N39 AP21 contract (but most contracts of employment do not

Topics Covered:

include the right to a reference when you leave).

However, if your employer does give references for some employees then they should do it for all employees, without discrimination.

My reference was unfair and I didn’t get the job because of this.

If you believe your reference was unfair and caused you loss, you may be able to sue your former employer for negligence. However, you must be able to prove that the reference caused you a loss – for example, that your job offer was withdrawn as a result.

 State Pensions  Carers Allowance and Contributory and NonFor more information contact: Roscommon Citizens Information Centre Pensions.

Contributory.

– 0818 07 6360 Boyle Citizens Information Centre - 0818 07 6330 Read more  Secondary Benefits –about leaving your job on  What is my Contribution citizensinformation.ie https://bit.ly/3gujgTP or call us on 0818 07 4000 Household Benefits, (Monday toFuel Friday, 9.00 am to 8.00 pm) History and how do I protect Date Event Title Time make work pay and how do I protect my future pension? The first information evening will Tuesday Making Work Pay 7.00pm Allowance, Living Alone look at ways you can maximise your family and household income through a combination of it?

2022 for people on low incomes. We will also look at how to Plan for your Pension work and8SocialMarch Welfare entitlements reduce your PAYE tax by maximising your Tax Credits and Cut Off, and applying for Tuesday Plan for your Pension 7.00pm Increase, Free Travel &  taxNew Benefit Payment for the additional tax reliefs, including refunds”. He went on to say “People in part time work, Free Information Session 15 March 2022 low pay or people who have been made redundant, it is vital that you have the information 15 March 2022 to make informed decisions on how you can work,65s. maximise your income or on how to work Telephone Tuesday Allowance. over Start Time: 7pm and retain your job seekers payment and undertake part time work”.

Richard Regan, Development Manager Roscommon CIC, said, “When offered a rangeVenue: of Ballyleague Community Hall, Ballyleague, Co.  Tax and theRoscommon, Over 65s Savings and Means Testing N39 AP21 information  topics, the two most popular topics chosen by the community are, how do I make work pay and how do I protect my future pension? The first information evening will  Housing Grants for Older Topics Covered: look at ways youof canPensions. maximise your family and household income through a combination of work and Social Welfare entitlements for people on low incomes. We will alsoPeople look at how to  State Pensions  Working in Retirement. reduce your PAYE tax by maximising your Tax Credits and Cut Off, and applying for th

th

th

Contributory and Non-

 Carers Allowance and

additional tax reliefs, including tax refunds”. He went on to say “People in part time work, Pensions.

Contributory.  Secondary Benefits – low pay or people who have been made redundant, it is vital that you have the information  What is my Contribution Household Benefits, Fuel History and how do I protect to make informed decisions on how you can work, maximise your income or on how to work Allowance, Living Alone and retainTo your job seekers and undertake events, part time work”. register forpayment the information please contactit?Roscommon CIC on 0818 07 6360

or email

Increase, Free Travel &  New Benefit Payment for the Telephone Allowance. fiona.kilmartin@citinfo.ie over 65s.  Tax and the Over 65s  Savings and Means Testing  Housing Grants for Older of Pensions.

People  Working in Retirement.

Roscommon LEADER Partnership and South Connacht Citizens Information Service are delighted to host two public information sessions on your rights and entitlements. These To register for the information events, please contact Roscommon CIC To register for the information events, please contact Roscommon CIC on 0818 07 6360 on 0818 07 6360sessions or email: fiona.kilmartin@citinfo.ie information are open to people who are working for,oror have previously fiona.kilmartin@citinfo.ie emailwho fiona.kilmartin@citinfo.ie worked for Bord na Mona, individuals, families and Roscommon community.

These events are free and LEADER Partnership and South Connacht Citizens Information Service are delighted to host two public information sessions on your rights and entitlements. These information packs will be available on the night. information sessions are open to people who are working for, or who have previously worked for Bord na Mona, individuals, families and community. These events are free and information packs will be available on the night.

Roscommon Leader Partnership Company is delivering the SICAP programme on behalf of Roscommon Local Community Development Committee, which is a committee of Roscommon County Council. The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020

12

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

FRANK

FRANK BRANDON’S

BRANDON

unique take on life ...

Sporting crowds show great solidarity with brave Ukrainians Our man Frank on national anthems and national pride…not quite shedding light on the weekend’s rugby fare…loving Johnny Logan… and ‘Lovely jubbly’ for an opportunist UK company!

It’s Sunday afternoon, and as I flit from channel to channel

on the telly, it makes me glad to see the big shows of solidarity for the people of Ukraine at the rugby international in the Aviva Stadium, and also at the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

All over the papers and other media outlets, there are many stories of unbelievable acts of heroism by all sections of the Ukrainian people. Their defiance in the face of overwhelming odds against the forces of the Russian army is just so inspiring and uplifting.

Now I am no political analyst, but I can’t help but wonder – with all the condemnation of Putin’s actions from

Johnny Logan

Johnny: Still big in Turkey, not so in Ireland…

On the road this morning I heard a beautiful old Irish song – ‘Long lie the Rivers’ – sung by Johnny Logan. As I listened to his wonderful voice, I wondered (not for the first time) why he has never really been accepted by the Irish people.

Having two Eurovision winners to his name (the classic songs ‘Hold Me Now’ and ‘What’s Another Year’), as well as writing another winner for Linda Martin (‘Why Me’), it should’ve ensured that he would never be out of work in Ireland. Yet I can hardly ever remember seeing an ad anywhere locally for a Johnny Logan appearance.

So many of the old-timers like Johnny McEvoy, Roly Daniels, Red Hurley, and Foster & Allen are all still making waves on the Irish entertainment scene, or at least they will again now that the pandemic is fading away. However, you never see Johnny Logan appearing in The Well in Moate, the Shearwater, the McWilliam Park, or at any such entertainment venues.

I don’t know the answer, but I do know that as I listened to Long Lie the Rivers, I realised that he had, and probably still has, one of the purist voices to come out of Ireland in my time. Why he’s never worked that much at home beats me, but I do know he has had enormous success in Europe, and over in Turkey. It’s a mystery to me!

the western world – why are the Ukrainians left to do battle pretty much on their own?

Surely Putin should have been met with not only financial sanctions, but also with a massive military presence?

However, all is not lost, and the bravery and sheer commitment to their country by these people while under siege may well prove more than the invading Russians were expecting.

As I saw and heard about the heroic actions of so many, it made me think back to our own history, and the heroic actions of the men and women in the 1916 Easter Rising.

And as I thought about the Pearses and the Clarkes and the McDonaghs, the national anthems were ringing out over

the Aviva Stadium. Not for the first time, I began thinking of the appalling decision by the IRFU to agree to do away with

I’m in the dark about lack of light at rugby final More than 40 years ago, a newly-formed Creggs Rugby team travelled to Castlebar for our first ever cup match against the host club.

The game took place opposite the old airport on a pitch that could charitably be called ‘a bit rough’. Low-flying planes coming into land were in danger of being hit by high-flying rugby balls, and the ESB wires crossing the middle of the field were also capable of diverting any kicks that were unfortunate enough to hit them.

In the meantime, Castlebar have moved a few miles out of town to a new site on the Ballinrobe road, and it was here that the hierarchy of the Connacht branch decided our postponed league final against Connemara should be played. A huge crowd descended on the local club, and to be fair, considering the rain we’ve had for the last number of weeks, the pitch was in good order. The stewards too did their best to get people parked in fairly good order.

However, for years now everyone has known that the lights on the pitch are substandard, and all the supporters I spoke to from both clubs were in agreement that the most important junior rugby match of the season should never have been played there.

There were numerous dark areas on the field, and in truth it was almost impossible to follow any of the action once play was on the far side of the field.

I am aware that the lights were the same for both sets of players – who incidentally served up a wonderful game of rugby – and it is not an excuse for us losing a very close contest.

However, surely players’ safety must come first, and also, there should be some consideration for paying spectators.

This is not in any way a criticism of Castlebar RFC, who are a strong and progressive club. It is however a criticism of the powers that be who allowed the big

game to go ahead under very mediocre lights. It’s possible that the lights meet whatever standards the IRFU lay down, but if they do, then it’s time to upgrade the minimum requirements.

Bin that rule!

Talking of the rugby hierarchy, the World Rugby bosses who came up with the ludicrous ruling that ruined the Ireland match against Italy should all be forced to resign (maybe they could take over in Connacht), and that asinine rule must immediately be dispensed with. The Italians ended up with thirteen players for most of the game, even though only one player got sent off (too complex to explain).

As you know by now, I like rugby – although I am not very fond of the bigwigs who seem to have very little regard for or appreciation of the grassroots. So, I follow the Irish lads as much as I can. However, I have to say that I found their celebrations after scoring against the unfortunate Italians a little bit embarrassing.

We would have expected to beat a 15-man Italian team by 30 or 40 points, so why we needed high-fives and air punches when we scored against thirteen men (and eventually twelve) beats me. In fairness to the old head Peter O’Mahony, when he scored try number four he was almost embarrassed by the fuss and kept his own reaction to a minimum.

In two weeks’ time, if we score any try against the old enemy (England), by all means do the high-fives, fist pumping and anything else ye want. But it was hardly necessary against the brave – but totally outclassed – Italians.

our national anthem at all our away games.

I have nothing against Phil Coulter and his music – in fact his Ireland’s Call is a decent enough song. However, it is not our national anthem and is a very poor substitute for the real thing. As someone who has been lucky enough to be at games against all our opponents in the Six Nations, I can tell you that when our opponents belt out their own anthems with pride and emotion, the hair literally stands on your head. As I say, I have nothing against Ireland’s Call, but it simply shouldn’t be representing us as our national anthem.

And finally …

Finally for this week, across the water the Queen is getting ready to celebrate her platinum jubilee.

Celebrations will take place in the UK with a four-day Bank Holiday from Thursday, June 2nd, until Sunday, June 5th. In the royal world, seventy years of service to the UK people is unprecedented and it will surely be a great weekend.

The Brits are great for celebrating royal events by producing souvenir mugs and things like that. And so recently, an order for tea cups, mugs, and plates was placed with a Chinese factory by an English wholesaler to commemorate the jubilee. Almost 11,000 pieces had been produced when a major spelling mistake was discovered – the lovely dishware pieces were to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubbly!

As followers of ‘Only Fools and Horses’ will know, “Lovely jubbly” was one of Del Boy’s favourite expressions. A company called Wholesale Clearance snapped the whole lot up for £32,400 and expects to make a fortune out of the unwitting typing error. It’s safe to say that they will eventually become collectors’ items.

If Del Boy was still going strong, I’m sure he’d be rubbing his hands and saying “Lovely jubbly” as he raked in the cash from the sales of the misspelt souvenir items!

Run Run ate three large guinea pigs as he escaped, and poor Ms. Soleto had to pay their owners for the dead pigs. The last we heard, Run Run was still on the run, and so far, he has outfoxed all his pursuers!

‘Till next week, bye for now

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

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Miriam’s

MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

I’m sick of joyless snowflakes floating on a cloud of victimhood!

Let’s hear it for the sad, the outraged, the easily irritated, and the politically correct snowflakes with the over-inflated sense of sanctimoniousness who complained to Ofcom about Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’s endof-the-show segment, which saw the Geordie duo perform as drag queens Lady Antoinette and Miss Donna Lee. If that’s you, my advice would be to sashay away from this column now, and retreat to your safe space!

In what was the pair’s first show in front of a live audience in two years (due to Covid restrictions), the presenters were seen gliding and twerking around the stage to the delight of an enthusiastic audience, as well as (I’d imagine) most viewers, myself included.

However, given the tone of the

complaints allegedly logged at the UK’s broadcasting regulator, with many labelling the segment as ‘degrading’, ‘disgusting’ and treating women as ‘a parody or fetish’, I’m worried there’s a lot more fragile snowflakes floating around on a cloud of victimhood than I had originally feared.

Thanks to the talents of the fabulous RuPaul, drag is enjoying an unprecedented level of mainstream success and well done to these gifted artistes. We’ve been in lockdown for so long, relying mainly on TV as our only form of entertainment, so to that end, my advice to the permanently intolerant who love to complain is to either switch the channel or suck it up and have a laugh.

By the way, let’s hear it for Ant and Dec’s (Lady Antoinette’s and

Volodymyr Zelensky has real moxie!

He’s gone from being a comedian, a Dancing with the Stars’ champ, and the voice of Ukraine’s version of Paddington Bear to the dashingly brave national war hero, defending his people against the might of the grossly distorted and power-hungry despot, Vladimir Putin.

Yes, there’s no denying that Ukraine’s beloved president Volodymyr Zelensky Volodymyr Zelensky has (despite being massively underestimated by many) shown he’s made of sterner stuff – and he’s got something that’s evident in a time of extreme crisis, something which many politicians (our own included) don’t have – it’s called moxie!

This amazing man – who reminds me of our own Michael Collins – has, in a time of unspeakable adversity where his life is at risk, struck the right chord with his people, and refusing an offer to evacuate and save his own skin, has stayed put, declaring “the fight is here”. He took up arms, and fearlessly facing into hell alongside his people, Zelensky flipped that narcissistic and contemptuous prat Putin the finger, telling the powerhungry maniac he would “see our faces and not our backs!”

Respect!

While our Government sends happy thoughts (pathetic) and the rest of the EU sends funds for weapons, the thing is that empathy, sympathy, and throwing money at what is, let’s face it, the 21st century genocide of our fellow human beings, will not help mothers shielding their children or fathers fighting for their futures.

While I do understand that we (as in the EU and Ireland as a member state) need to be cautious, perhaps we could do more than just faff about engaging in guarded deliberations, providing visas, and banning Russian aircraft from our airspace?

Donna Lee’s) make-up artist, because the sheer artistry behind the lads’ transformation from Geordie boys-next-door to (forgive me) what I’d imagine the members of girl band Little Mix might look like in twenty years’ time, was amazing!

Can I say that drag, while it’s about entertainment, is not specifically about being camp and over the top.

Drag is also about blood, sweat, toil, tears and personal stories – all of which are turned into a quickwitted, clever and often scathing art-form by these talented performers. Drag is a lesson in embracing all that you are, and all that you can be. However, I do (begrudgingly) respect the views of those suffused with a sense of snowflakery and understand their constant need to whinge and whine!

Ant and Dec as ‘Lady Antoinette and Miss Donna Lee’

Mindless thuggery and patriotic heroism are not the same

I’d like to say a huge thank you to the County Roscommon reader (name and address withheld on request) who took the time to write to this newspaper last week and make a lovely comment regarding my ‘musings’ concerning the Necrology Wall at Glasnevin Cemetery.

Firstly, your very kind words, coming during what has been an extremely heartbreaking week for me, were much welcomed and appreciated. Thank you!

However, with regard to your ‘confusion’ concerning my reasoning that I find it a disgrace that the Necrology Wall was vandalised, despite me having an issue with it…let me explain.

I had absolutely no issue with the erection of the wall itself, and had it solely contained the names of our fallen heroes, I’d have been a regular visitor. You got all of that. However, the very fact that the names of thugs, oppressors, and murderers were afforded top billing with the innocents they horrifically abused, brutalised, executed, and evicted from their homes was the thing that made me nauseous. You get that.

I understand that my comment labelling those who willfully defaced and smashed the wall as being ‘vandals’ – when in your opinion, these individuals not only

committed ‘a heroic act’, their handiwork was such that it prompted you to (in your words) ‘take off my hat to them’ – is causing you a degree of ‘confusion’.

You then make a comparison with the ‘occupation’ of the GPO on Easter Monday 1916, wondering if perhaps that too may be wrongly construed as an act of violence. Have I got that right?

Let me tell you, as a proud Irish woman and fierce advocate of my hero Michael Collins, I view the occupation of the GPO on that fateful Monday in 1916 by volunteers as one of pure heroism, of valour, and of indefatigable bravery. Had I been around back then, I too would have stood side by side with those champions, those titans, those ordinary people who fought so hard for our freedom. Those volunteers served our nation and our State, and there’s a remarkable difference between fighting and laying down your life for your country’s freedom, and grabbing a pot of paint and hurling it at a wall, in swinging an implement and smashing a lump of granite…don’t you think? No? Mindless thuggery and patriotic heroism are not the same. I will always glorify our 1916 volunteers and those who fought and died to resist our oppressors, but I’ll never support, honour, or acknowledge

a group of cowardly, petty lowlife louts who’re so pathetic they wouldn’t be good enough to lick the boots of The Big Fella and his ‘squad’.

If these yobbos had a smidgen of the gallantry, the backbone and cunning of Big Mick and his 12 Apostles, or any of our hero volunteers, they’d have lobbied or peacefully protested to have a proper and fitting Necrology Wall instead of acting like moronic cretins using paint as a weapon!

As a nation, we owe our lives to those who sacrificed theirs in such a public and noble manner. Let me say, there’s nothing noble, brave, nor is there any hat-raisingworthiness about sneaking around under cover of darkness to commit a crime. In fact, I’d call it gutless, and as we say in North Dublin (where Glasnevin cemetery is located), I’m scarlet for them.

Having said all of that reader, I totally agree with your point about our ‘powers that be becoming a slavish entity’, and yes, it does seem as though they’re ‘ashamed of their past’. I can’t be certain, but I doubt it very much if (in the context of the 1916 Rising), any of them would be willing to take up arms or even lay down their lives in order to enforce a claim on our country, or to right a horrific wrong done to us.

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

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€1m in Towns and Villages funding Roscommon Herald for Roscommon Local public representatives have welcomed almost €1 million in Towns & Villages funding announced by Minister Heather Humphreys last week, which is aimed at combatting dereliction in rural Ireland.

Monksland has been awarded €500,000 for the development of the Central Park project; S DOYLE Cloonfad will receive €249,975 for five proposals, including the creation of a digital hub; Roscommon town has received €100,100 to build on the ‘Global Rossie’ initiative, and Ballintubber will benefit from 2060848 €99,990 for the development of a community park and recreational amenity.

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy welcomed the funding this week.

“I commend Roscommon County Council and the Ballintubber community for their excellent preparatory work and I was delighted when I received word from Minister Heather Humphreys’ Department last & SONS week about this project,” he said.

Senator Murphy added: “In my opinion, my constant meetings with Ministers are having positive results for the county”.

Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan said the projects would give a much-needed boost to local communities.

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

“These are excellent projects bringing total Government investment of €950,000 into Roscommon. Well done to our community groups working with Roscommon County Council who have submitted strong applications for rural development.

“This is part of the ‘Our Rural Alan beirne Future’ strategy to promote our towns as fantastic places to live 090- 6627377 and work and encourage community groups and businesses to regenerate areas around our alan.beirne@roscommonherald.com towns and villages”.

Local Independent councillor Anthony Waldron also said he was delighted with the recent funding announcement.

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€1 million in Towns and Villages funding announced by Minister Heather Humphreys.

If you would like to improve your personal relationships, increase your confidence, build up your self-esteem and meet your goals, then Roscommon Women’s Network’s STEPS course could be for you!

STEPS runs for two mornings each week over a four-week period beginning in April with dates to be confirmed. Places are expected to fill up quickly so

newsbriefs Boyle Camera Club meeting

Celebrate International Women’s Day with RWN Roscommon Women’s Network invite you to gather with us to celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 with a little light lunch, meditation and interesting local guest speakers on Tuesday, March 8th from 12.30 pm to 2 pm at The Angling Centre, Athleague (F42K685). No admission charge. Please RSVP to 094-9621690, text 086-8099154 or email info@rwn.ie.

Fundraiser for Roscommon Cancer Support Dec’s Bar is back with their Annual Fundraising Raffle and Auction Night in aid of Roscommon Cancer Support. The event starts from 7 pm at Dec’s Bar, Castleplunkett on Saturday, March 19th.

Great prizes to be won on the night, with entertainment from Celtic Crú. All support welcome. If people would like to donate items for our auction, please contact Martin Conboy on 086-8192511.

Colour:

Take ‘STEPS’ with local Women’s Network Home,Interiors,DIY 4C (CMYK)

Roscommon Herald

Boyle Camera Club will be holding their first in-house club meeting on Tuesday, 8th of March at St. Joseph’s Resource Centre, Boyle. Door opens at 7.45 pm. We are looking forward to seeing our friends again. New members are welcome to come along.

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We will be at SelfBuild Live Dublin 2022.

To avail of FREE tickets, simply visit our Facebook page for the link.

The event takes place 11-13 March 2022 at City West Conference Centre Dublin, and with 65+ talks and 200+ exhibitors on hand to give you advice, it is the must visit home event of 2022.

please call 094-9621690, text 086-8099154 or email info@rwn.ie to avoid disappointment.

The course itself is free of charge to anyone in receipt of a social welfare payment, however we do require a small once-off contribution of €10 per participant to secure your place and cover materials and refreshments.

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

CIARAN MULLOOLY On The Back Benches

When Ukraine defeated Russia in Ballyleague It was Sunday night, October 9th, 2016 – and over 40 thirsty and weather-beaten hardy anglers had gathered in a huddle for a celebratory drink in the lounge of the Yacht Bar in Lanesborough – after three days of fairly frantic and exhausting activity on boats out on Lough Ree. The occasion was the staging of the 9th World Predator Boat Fishing with Lures Championships – contested by 17 countries from around the world. Anglers from the across the globe had arrived in the midlands and the west on the previous Wednesday.

The Ballyleague/Lanesborough area was the chosen hub of the event after beating off stiff opposition from two international and two regional venues, and, thanks to financial and logistical support from Roscommon and Longford County Councils and Failte Ireland, the area had enjoyed a week like no other, with world class anglers from 17 nations pottering round the community, dipping in and out of the water and the local pubs and bringing a unique taste of their own native culture to the locals.

The championships were very serious business. Each day, 34 boats launched from the Ballyleague Marina to fish a 3km section of the Shannon. Teams consisted of four anglers fishing in pairs from the two boats for pike and perch, using artificial lures. To put it mildly, the competition was stiff.

The official event commenced with two days of practice on the lake and that evening the local community joined in with the traditional opening ceremony, when teams paraded through the streets in the company of the Garda band, local school students, and the Castlerea Festival street theatre group – the latter with giant-sized floats which brought a particularly special Mardi Graslike feel to the Shannonside town.

Fishing for honour The Ukrainian team was one of the last competitors to arrive. Iurii Orlow & Konstantyn Shvabi, who fished as a pair, were already recognised achievers on the international angling stage and their skills were shown very clearly over the week on Lough Ree (which fished much harder than usual in very flat calm conditions). In fact, Team Ukraine produced 45 fish for 167,284 points over the key championship days and were up there in the top three all the way to the finishing day.

The Russian team, meanwhile, had actually arrived in Ballyleague exactly one month before the championships began. In early September they drove into town in two shiny, powerful 4x4 vehicles with their two even more impressive speedboats on tow on

seriously upset.

Staying well away from the Russians, the visiting Ukrainian team concentrated on the angling task in hand and continued to fish very well. The Russian team, in contrast, was having an absolute stinker. All the fish they caught and released during early September (on their first trip) were now unwilling to come back out of the lake to meet up with them (maybe the fish knew more than us!)

When the boats came out of the water for the final time at Ballyleague marina on the Sunday evening, the Ukrainians had passed out Romania and beaten off Belarus, Hungary and Lithuania to win the gold medal.

Champions of world The winning Ukrainian team, celebrating their big success in 2016. Photo: Andrew Fox

the trailers behind. They too clearly meant business.

Instead of waiting for the traditional lastminute recce around Lough Ree with the other competitors in October, they had chosen to instead spend a full two weeks here in September. They proceeded to practically scour the entire lake day after day in search of pike and perch, familiarising themselves with the contours and topography of the lake. They rented a local house in the centre of the town, parked up the trailers behind it every night, and enjoyed some of the local hospitality.

When you think about the resources at their disposal, it was really extraordinary. They had driven over 4000 kilometres, did the recce over two weeks, then parked up the jeeps and the boats and flew home to Russia before flying back on October 4th for the official start of the competition. Clearly money was not an issue.

Modest approach The Ukrainians, in contrast, just made the one visit to Ireland. They also had a pair of boats at their disposal (about €10,000 cheaper than the Russian models) but their public profile was much lower than that of their neighbours. They were also clearly upset about other events that had occurred in their homeland. In a number of casual exchanges, they made it clear to the locals they would not be communicating or mixing with the Russian team at any point if they could avoid doing so.

As one of the organisers of the World Championships at the time, I have to admit I had no clue what the problem was. Like most of the western world, we were blissfully unaware of the fact that there had been a serious invasion of Ukrainian territory in the Crimea region in the 20 months leading up to the championships. None of us really had a bull’s notion why the visiting Ukrainians were so upset.

Events of 2014

The Russian team pictured outside the Lough Ree angling office in 2016. Photo courtesy of Ciaran Mullooly

The facts are that in February and March 2014, Russia invaded and subsequently annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. On 27 February, 2014 Russian special forces stormed the parliament building of the Supreme Council of Crimea and the building of the Council of Ministers in Simferopol. Russian flags were raised over these buildings, and barricades were erected outside them. In the months and years since, over 10,000 people have lost the lives in that conflict. Here we were, a voluntary little fishing committee in the heart of Ireland totally ignorant of these facts and wondering why our visitors from Ukraine were so very

In association with: LOUGH REE ACCESS FOR ALL

By the time the official medal ceremony was held that evening, the Russians were gone out of town. That did not stop the Ukrainians from boisterously celebrating their World Championships title. A couple of hours later we all were back in the ‘Yacht Bar’ in Lanesborough – enjoying their moment of glory. It was during this couple of hours that the visiting Ukrainians let their hair down for the first time and spoke openly about the invasion of their country, the death of their friends and relatives, the war they had to endure, the failure of the western world to pay a blind bit of notice, and the fact that we in the west had all been deceived by what they claimed was a rigged referendum in Crimea just 24 months previously (one that claimed to show that the people of Crimea wanted to go back into the Russian Federation).

At the height of the celebrations I distinctly remember talking to one of our new world champions about the staging of the event the following year – due to take place in, of all places, Russia. “We will DEFINITELY not be going” he pronounced very clearly, also using one or two words not fit for a family audience. “They have taken part of our country and we will not forget that. We will get it back”.

As the celebrations went on into the early morning, the Ukrainians unfolded their national flag and sang their traditional songs – and a number of anti-Russian messages too. They were at pains to explain what had happened to anyone who would listen. They explained how proud they were to have beaten the Russians in the world championships, but above all they told us time and time again there was unfinished business in their homeland.

Last week that ‘unfinished business’ took another turn for the worst. This tragic story has more to run.

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NewsPeople

THIS WEEK...On The Political Beat This week, local public representatives discuss the Government’s new Waiting List Action Plan for the Health Service, the rising cost of fuel for motorists, and the need for a shared rural network to improve mobile phone coverage...

Murphy welcomes Waiting List plan Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has welcomed the Government’s “ambitious” plan to reduce hospital waiting lists.

Senator Murphy said the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, announced last week by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, was “badly needed” and he hoped funding committed in the Budget would make a real difference.

“Areas such as hip replacements, knee replacements, plastic surgery – among other important areas – would be targeted,” Senator Murphy said.

“45 actions are to be introduced in this plan to reduce waiting lists. The plan should be given a chance to succeed”.

Kerrane: Plan is a short-term wish list!

Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane, however, has described the Waiting List Action Plan as a “short-term wish list” and said the Government

The Independent TD added that the rising price of Marked Gas Oil, or green diesel, would also have major repercussions for agricultural contractors and said that unless proactive measures are taken people might be “pushed beyond the brink”.

“does not have the appetite or vision to fix our broken health service”.

Deputy Kerrane was speaking as Sinn Féin announced its motion to reduce waiting lists and provide health graduates with a job guarantee.

“In my constituency alone there are more than 1,250 people on hospital waiting lists. This is totally unacceptable and ordinary people are paying the price for this Government’s failure on health,” she said.

“No waiting list plan is credible without a workforce strategy which deals with two-tier pay, excessive hours, unsafe staffing levels, and outstanding agreements which have not been implemented.

“Sinn Féin would invest in more training places and give health graduates a job guarantee. We would also put in place new structures for good management of the health service which can be held to account for waiting lists”.

Naughten calls for ‘shared rural network’

Fitz: ‘Action required on rising fuel prices’ Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has called for a relaxation of excise duty levels on petrol and diesel to ease the burden of rising prices on motorists.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said that according to recent figures published by the AA, the price of petrol before taxes stood at 79.37c per litre.

“As it stands, taxes represent at least 50 per cent of the retail price of diesel or petrol…Excise equated to almost 63c and VAT 33c. This was calculated when the average price of a barrel of oil was $95,” he said.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said the current situation in

Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice.

the Ukraine would have a further knock-on effect on fuel prices.

“At a time when the cost of living was already a significant concern in Ireland, the further impacts of the conflict in Ukraine will only deepen the financial struggles people will face here,” he said before calling on the Government to take action.

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Independent TD Denis Naughten said the Government’s recently published ‘Harnessing Digital’ plan wasn’t very ambitious, and called for the development of a shared rural network to improve mobile phone coverage in rural areas.

“This shared rural network could provide the critical 4G and 5G coverage that would enhance the operation of our rural economy, support key activities such as farming, medical services, older people’s schemes in rural areas, and SME business operations, and ensure people could remain connected when travelling around the country, working in rural Ireland or living in our rural areas,” he said.

“I am talking about establishing a shared rural network with all the operators on it. This would be complementary to the National Broadband Plan. There are similar models already operating in other markets, such as the UK and Germany.

“In fact, such a shared rural network is currently being built out in Northern Ireland. The estimated cost of doing that in Ireland is between €30 million and €50 million. That is small money and it would also slash the cost of the provision of an emergency and Garda communications network which must now be re-tendered and a new network built”.

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

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

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Council members call for Russian diplomatic ties to be severed < DAN DOONER

Monday’s monthly meeting of Roscommon County Council opened with an impassioned speech by Cllr. John Keogh accusing Russia of war crimes in Ukraine and urging both the EU and NATO to press harder with sanctions.

“We should not allow the impact that a falling out with Russia would have on our economy to dictate the actions that we take. We need to show that we have leadership here,” he said.

Cllr. Keogh called on the Irish Government to immediately summon Irish citizens back from Russia and then cut diplomatic ties with Russia. He also called for the expulsion of Russian Ambassador Yury Filatov “for what was a blatant attempt to lie to the Irish citizens”.

“If we don’t stand up for what is right and proper in this day then who knows what the future will have for us down the road…

Ireland has led from the front on

many social issues over the years.

Now it is time again for Ireland, as a neutral country, to lead by example,” Cllr. Keogh said, before calling for solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

There was widespread support for Cllr. Keogh’s motion to send a Council resolution to the Government calling for Irish citizens in Russia to be brought home if they so wish and for diplomatic ties to be cut between the two countries.

Cllr. Tom Crosby described Vladimir Putin as a “dictator” and “a complete and utter madman”, who had no regard for human life, and said the EU was set up to prevent war.

Cllr. Orla Leyden said Putin was a “tyrannical leader” and did not carry out the invasion of Ukraine in the name of the Russian people.

“In Roscommon, there are a lot of people living here (who are) from Russia and a lot of people from Ukraine, and Putin doesn’t do this in their name,” she said.

“We have to be mindful that

Letters to the Editor

we live in a diverse community with people who are hurting and that we all stand in solidarity for peace”.

Quoting musician Jimi Hendrix, Cllr. Leyden added: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace”.

Cllr. Tony Ward said everyone was for peace but that it had to be a “level playing field” and denounced the Russian invasion as “bully boy tactics and murder”.

“While I welcome the sanctions against Russia, I think we are five or six weeks too late,” he said.

Cllr. Laurence Fallon commended the Ukrainian people for protecting themselves “against all the odds” and criticised Ambassador Filatov’s recent interview on Irish television. He added that sanctions were working and that there would be further pressure on Putin.

Cllr. Michael Mulligan also condemned Russia’s actions and said nobody wanted war.

“Everyone is afraid in the long-

term about this threat from Putin that he would bring in nuclear (weapons)…they’re afraid of their lives that someone – whether it’s Russia, China or the US – is going to start pressing these nuclear buttons – and if they do, there’ll be no more meetings here in Roscommon,” he said.

Cllrs. Liam Callaghan, Valerie Byrne and Donal Kilduff also supported the motion with Cllr.

Kilduff commending the Ukrainian leadership and stating that The West should have taken action sooner. He added that he believed Putin’s actions would see regime changes in both Russia and Belarus.

Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice said that what was happening in Ukraine was terrorism.

“We give out about our politicians and democracy in a country like Ireland but we have a very open democracy…unfortunately they don’t in Belarus and Russia.

Hopefully the people there can rise up against the likes of Putin”.

Send your letters to: Abbey Street, Roscommon Town.

Fax: (090) 66 34303 or email: news@roscommonpeople.ie

Will our leaders ‘sing with us’?

Dear Editor,

Declan Coyne’s article (Roscommon People, Friday, February 11th issue) was a moving read. In his piece, the well-known singer invites the political elite and their wealthy friends in high places to climb down from their dizzy heights and ‘sing with us’ – the common people.

These strange times with the pandemic plague hiding in the long grass – but refusing to leave – from which we have learned lessons, should our leaders step out from their carpeted Dublin glasshouses and leave behind them – (to quote Declan Coyne) “their political mockery” we would welcome them into our choir and endeavour to change their tune. No doubt, they will be out of tune, but we will teach them a lesson – ours.

Local man Declan is a well-known folk singer, who for many years has entertained throughout the country.

A profile writer also, his contributions to the Roscommon Champion during your own time as Editor were highly regarded. Should he consider doing a further column for the Roscommon People his return to your pages would encourage us to sing again. Now, in louder voices, with the Dublin Choir in the background – Singing in the Rain.

Yours sincerely, T.C. (Full name and address with Editor)

Reader’s praise for RUH Medical Assessment Unit Dear Editor, I had reason to attend the Medical Assessment Unit in Roscommon University Hospital with a relative recently.

From the time we arrived at reception, he was treated with courtesy. The unit is spotlessly clean and very well equipped. The staff were very friendly, helpful, and most efficient. He had blood tests, an X-ray, and even a CT scan, and was seen by two doctors, one of them a consultant, while there.

It is a wonderful service that I feel not enough of the public are aware of and to which they can be referred by their GP. As well as being convenient, this service if used would free up hospital Accident and Emergency Departments, whose staff could concentrate on dealing with accidents and emergencies.

Thank you and well done to everyone at Roscommon Medical Assessment Unit.

Yours sincerely, Name and address with Editor

Fórsa meeting for school secretaries on new proposals Fórsa trade union will host an information meeting for school secretaries at the Creggan Court Hotel in Athlone from 7 pm to 8.30 pm next Tuesday (March 8th) ahead of a ballot of its school secretary members on a set of

proposals designed to regularise their employment terms and conditions.

The draft proposals, which follow the union’s lengthy campaign for pay equality for school secretaries, were finalised last week at

the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

The proposals include a new pay scale aligned with civil service Grade III clerical officer, an agreed method of assimilation into the new pay scale, alternative

arrangements to the current practice of signing on for social protection payments during school holidays, a centralised payroll system and standardised arrangements for maternity leave, sick leave and annual leave.

Cllr. John Keogh

McDermott welcomes parking move Fianna Fáil councillor Marty McDermott said he was pleased with the Council’s response to concerns regarding all-day parking on Main Street in Roscommon town.

Cllr. McDermott welcomed confirmation from the local authority that spaces will be marked clearly to indicate a maximum two-hour stay in line with current signage in the town.

“I’m very pleased with the response I received recently. This had to be addressed because it was simply unacceptable that some people were taking advantage of the spaces from 9 am to 5 pm each day,” he said.

“It’s important to remember that this is not a by-law however and it won’t be policed so it’s up to people to take responsibility for parking”.

Cllr. McDermott added that free parking in Roscommon was of huge benefit to local businesses and said there was ample off-street car parking available.

Caravan stolen in Ballyleague Roscommon Gardaí are continuing to investigate the theft of a caravan from the Ballyleague area on Monday night last.

The caravan was taken from a farmyard outside Ballyleague on the Roscommon road before it was seen travelling through Lecarrow towards Athlone just after midnight. It was last seen on the M6 heading in the Dublin direction.

Owner, David Harrison, posted a picture of the caravan on social media on Tuesday and is offering a €2,000 reward for its return.

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople Supporting Creggs in cup final in Castlebar…

Creggs supporters Billy Brandon and Anthony Cahill pictured in the clubhouse in Castlebar prior to Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Anthony Duignan, Ger Dowd and Owen Cahill were in Castlebar supporting Creggs in Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

newsbriefs

Friends and mums of players on the opposing teams…

Maureen Heffernan (Connemara) and Kate Brandon (Creggs) enjoying the banter at Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final.

Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Familiar faces in the crowd…supporting Creggs in Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final.

Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

STAIRLIFTS Western Mobility – one of the leading suppliers of stairlifts, straight and curved in the West of Ireland

Roscommon Parkinson’s information meeting A Roscommon Parkinson’s Association meeting will take place at Hannon’s Hotel on Wednesday, March 9th at 7.30 pm.

People living with Parkinson’s Disease and their carers are invited to attend. In attendance on the night will be Paddy Browne, advanced nurse specialist, Galway Parkinson’s Committee.

Roscommon SPCA Church gate collections The Roscommon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Roscommon SPCA) is holding Church gate collections this Saturday and Sunday, March 5th and 6th outside Drum and Carraghroe churches. All support would be greatly appreciated.

Domestic Through Floor Lifts

Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club AGM Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club held their AGM on Saturday night last (February 26th). John Lyons, Mountpleasant, a founder member and chairperson of the club since its inception, stepped down from the position and was proposed and elected as honorary president.

The new chairperson John O’Connor, in a short address, stated that he was honoured to be elected and he welcomed any new members who wished to join.

The club has many plans for the year ahead and hope to organise a Car and Tractor Run for a local charity in the coming year. The following officer board was elected for 2022 – Chairperson: John O’Connor, Tully, Fourmilehouse; Secretary: John Farrell, Mountpleasant, Strokestown; Treasurer: Bernie Kearney, Clashaganny, Tulsk; PRO: Henry Owens, Lismehy, Strokestown.

Anyone interested in joining the Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club should contact any member of the above named officer board.

A vote of sympathy was passed with the family of Michael McGreevy, formerly of Ballyglass, a loyal club member who passed away recently.

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

Are memes the new political cartoon?

How we discuss serious issues online Let’s talk about ...

MEMES AS POLITICAL CARTOONS (A student’s perspective)

Alannah Ita Healy Internet memes started off as simple, formulaic jokes; a two-liner superimposed on an image of a grumpy cat, an angry baby, a high-school nerd etc. There was a premise and a formula followed with each one, and they had about as much underlying meaning behind them as the jokes you find in a Christmas cracker.

Nowadays however, with the internet having become an immovable facet in our daily lives, the formulaic two-liner memes of the early 2010’s are an almost unrecognisable origin to the modern meme. Not only are memes much less formulaic now, ranging between being an image, a running linguistic joke, a TikTok trend etc, but the topics they delve into have also evolved significantly. People make memes about everything from television shows to societal issues, from pop culture to mental health struggles – and in many ways, this evolution

isn’t entirely surprising.

Especially with the impact of the pandemic and the subsequent increase in time spent online, more and more of our discussions and debates are taking place on the internet. And since meme culture has cemented itself as a popular form of communicating information – be that in a light-hearted or genuine (albeit often satirical) way – the use of memes to comment on more serious topics is an understandable development.

In many ways, memes no longer function just as jokes, but can also be used to provide subtle commentary on a subject, much in the same way political cartoons have done for centuries. We’ve seen this a lot in the past few years, with memes about Covid, Trump, the cost of living etc. populating online spaces, but perhaps some of the most striking recent examples of memes function-

ing as political commentary have come out of the Ukrainian twitter account.

Mere hours before the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on Thursday last, the official Ukrainian twitter account posted a caricature of an oversized Adolf Hitler smiling down proudly at Vladimir Putin, with his hand placed on Putin’s cheek. Given the international focus on both countries at the moment, the image quickly garnered a lot of attention, and many people expressed their confusion as to why Ukraine was posting with such a seemingly sarcastic tone. A few hours later, Ukraine clarified with a response to the tweet, saying, “This is not a meme, this is our and your reality right now”.

While Thursday’s image was quite akin to a traditional political cartoon, this is far from the only time Ukraine’s twitter has posted about the situation using the meme format. Last month, they posted a Lisa Simpson meme that read, “Stop saying ‘Ukraine crisis’. There is no crisis. There is bad neighbour”, and as recently as this Tuesday, they posted a meme comparing Putin unfavourably to Volodymyr Zelensky.

What the Ukrainian twitter account seems to have recognised is that the accessibility of memes lends an opportunity to reach the masses. It’s worth noting that people’s surprise

Memes no longer function just as jokes, but can also be used to provide subtle commentary on a subject, much in the same way political cartoons have done for centuries.

over Ukraine posting satirical memes has boosted their online engagement, pushing even more people to follow their account, which also posts a steady stream of information about the ongoing crisis.

So, not only is the underlying messages in the memes they post getting across, but more and more people are being directed towards their account and the other, more serioustoned things they’re posting.

Of course the internet is the internet, and while Ukraine’s official twitter is a good example of memes being used to provide political commentary with a clear message behind it, there have also been a lot of memes about the crisis that were in incredibly poor

taste. Of course, it’s difficult to not become a bit disillusioned with the reality of things when there is a constant negative news cycle being bombarded at you from your phone screen. However, the past couple of days have not been without their fair share of memes circulating that only served to trivialise the ongoing crisis, as has been seen with other crises before it. There is a thin line between satire and invalidating a serious issue, and depending on what side of the internet you’re on, you can come across either one.

It’s easy to understand why memes aren’t taken as seriously as the likes of political cartoons and other forms of satirical comment. The most

popular examples over the years have usually been quite trivial and sarcastic in nature, and even the word ‘meme’ reads as sort of silly. At the same time though, it’s undeniable that the culture around memes and what we discuss through memes has evolved way beyond its roots as simple jokes. Whether or not you think a degree of sincerity is lost when serious issues are depicted in memes, there’s an argument to be made that even if that is so, they are capable of being powerful tools in the big discussions that happen online. Hopefully, the ones with a grounded point behind them are the ones that continue to make waves.

Strong turnout at Christmas Lights AGM The Roscommon Christmas Lights Committee AGM attracted a strong turnout at Gleeson’s Townhouse recently.

Speaking at the AGM, Declan Molloy, Chairperson of the Roscommon Christmas Lights Committee, welcomed those in attendance and thanked all volunteers for their support over the past two “particularly challenging years”.

“We really appreciate the effort you have put in, and it makes an enormous difference to our town,” he said.

Mr. Molloy also expressed his thanks to the public for all the donations they had made, to those that supported the church gate collection, to the stalwart businesses that come up trumps every year with donations, and to the local media – the Roscommon

People, Roscommon Herald and Shannonside FM. He continued: “I want to thank the Bank of Ireland for allowing us use of the area where our crib and the crochet Christmas tree were on display. I’d also like to thank the Gardaí, who escorted Santa to the housing estates around the town. I want to offer a very special thanks to all the volunteers that turn out every year to make running repairs, as well as putting up and taking down lights and organising street collections.

I’d also like to express gratitude to the teleporter drivers”.

Mr. Molloy appealed to anyone not currently involved but interested in volunteering or contributing in any way to the erection of the 2022

Christmas lights to contact any committee member, stating that they would be very pleased to hear from them.

“The Christmas lights may seem like a small thing, but particularly over the last two years when Covid restrictions dampened so many of our usual festive celebrations, having the Christmas lights in place around Roscommon town was especially important. They are cheerful and uplifting, and show the strength of community spirit and involvement around our town,” he said.

The committee members elected for 2022 are Declan Molloy (Chairperson), Gary Finneran (Vice Chairperson), David Kearney (Secretary), Liam Stephens (Treasurer), and Eamonn Gleeson (PRO).

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

POLITICAL PEOPLE

Long road ahead: Plug pulled on bypass of Ballymurray-Knockcroghery Questions arise about spend to date, political clout < PAUL HEALY

You read it here first – in your locally-owned Roscommon People – and now it’s been confirmed.

The multi-million euro Ballymurray-Knockcroghery Bypass project is off the table, an €80m infrastructural loss to our county.

Well, to be fair to the eloquent and gentlemanly Director of Services Shane Tiernan – who confirmed the bleak outlook for local bypasswatchers at Monday’s Council meeting – it’s not officially off the table.

But it’s certainly not on it either.

First things first…there’s no money for the bypass now, no €80m, no inclusion of it in the National Development Plan.

Mr. Tiernan, who with Council Chief Executive Eugene Cummins must have had to exercise great patience in recent talks with the TII, held out a bit of hope for some movement on this post-2025. But, he speculated, more likely it would be post-2030. And that’s far from certain either.

The very definite sense is that this bypass may not happen at all – hence references to it being shelved/abandoned. That’s what we told readers in our exclusive story (Roscommon People 18 February 2022).

I’m a long time around the block, and reading between the lines, I can confidently state that this project is completely parked, with no realistic expectation that it will be resurrected

Director of Services Shane Tiernan… confirmed the news.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan…can expect correspondence from dismayed councillors

until well into the mid-2030s, at the earliest. Citing budgetary constraints, the powers that be have dropped this one.

In place of that mooted €80m or so, sits a paltry €300,000, crumbs from the coffers. This funding is available for upgrading works on the N61, but even

“

Speaking of consultants, one might ask precisely how much has already been spent on this now parked project?

then, consultants will need to be…er… consulted, as to what tiny piece of the road can be addressed with that relatively meagre spend.

Speaking of consultants, one might ask precisely how much has already been spent on this now parked project?

Not surprisingly, councillors expressed anger at the news (TDs and Senators must still be taking it in, they’ve been very quiet so far).

Mr. Tiernan told Monday’s meeting that the bypass cannot proceed at the moment, and the Council would have to look to do short-term improvements (with that €300k). The executive had, he said, made a very strong case to the TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland), but to no avail. The chosen preferred route corridor will “remain live” Mr. Tiernan said, holding out hope for a new day.

Frustrated councillors called for a new road, a complete upgrade of the existing road, and for various letters to be dispatched to the TII, and indeed to the senior decision-makers in Cabinet, Taoiseach included (no quaking in shoes anticipated on receipt of same).

Which brings us to our Oireachtas members, particularly those connected with the Government parties. Will they have anything to say on this/have they any influence with the ‘decision-makers in Cabinet’? *As when I broke the story on the shelving of the bypass, I wish to ‘declare an interest’ to the extent that I am a resident of the area in question.

Calls for more flexibility around meetings Monday’s meeting of Roscommon County Council heard calls from a number of members regarding increased flexibility around meetings of the local authority.

Cllr. John Keogh said that more flexibility was needed when it came to meeting times while Cllr. Orla Leyden said women were being excluded from local politics due to the inflexibility with regards to childcare.

Cllr. Emer Kelly told the meeting that a number of other local authorities were mixing online with in-person meetings.

It was confirmed that the Council were currently exploring the option of mixing remote and in-person meetings but that extra facilities would be required.

Clever or not?

On Question Time (BBC 1, Thursdays), Minister James Cleverly had just said that he’s the Minister for “Europe and North America”. He was chuffed to get it in, while still trying to portray himself as being modest, and not mentioning (as the second string never do), that he’s a Minister of State.

Anyways, the affable Mr. Cleverly er, cleverly got away with the opportunist self-promotion. A couple of minutes later, he thought he’d try to squeeze a further quick mention of his various titles into the debate.

Assumes serious expression. Speaks: “As well as being Minister for Europe and North America” – pauses for gravitasrelated effect – “I’m also the Minister for Space”.

Host Fiona Bruce (as audience titters): “What, ALL OF IT?”

Reunited: Vincent and ‘Ming’…

He hasn’t gone away, you know: Vincent Browne, now very comfortable on what – perfectly reasonably – usehe to call the ‘Twitter machi d issued this tweet, this wene’, ‘Simon Coveney has spe ek: lated that 20,000 Ukraincurefugees might come to ian Ireland, which is fine. But wh nothing like this was offerey to Syrian refugees? Wo d skin colour have somethinguld to do with it?’

The replies included a tothe-point one from one Vincent’s regular TV gue of MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagsts, an: ‘It would’.

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

PART 3: Hughes’ staff – ‘Shop Boys’ and ‘Shop Girls’ IN TIMES GONE BY… CASTLECOOTE MEMORIES A three-part series by TONY CONBOY Boyle-based author and historian Tony Conboy has penned an affectionate series of articles on memories of his youth in his native Castlecoote. The articles revolve around the local shop – Hughes’ – and to a lesser extent the adjoining Thatch Bar. A slice of social history, this fascinating series ends this week

L

ike all such establishments, there was a considerable turnover of staff. This was part of the process with shops and bars throughout the country. The ‘shop boy’ (girls – and there were many – were rarely referenced as ‘shop girls’) was a regular migrant member for an area. Hughes’ shop had employees who were nearly always from a distance away and we got to know them very well. Most of them came from Galway county. I have talked to a number of them in the leadup to this essay and they invariably had very good memories of the happy times they spent working in Hughes’ where they were treated well.

Jimmy Coyne – ‘Shop Boy’ Jimmy Coyne, who was a pivotal contact, came there from County Galway in 1953 and stayed for a five-year stint.

I had met up with him a number of times in later years as he now lives in Sligo. When I phoned him near Christmas 2020 we talked for nearly an hour as we rolled back the decades. Jimmy had a clear and detailed memory of that period of his life. Though he had to work long hours at low pay (as was the case everywhere) he held his employers in very high regard.

He was just fourteen when he decided to leave school and his father asked a teacher of his in Portumna if he might get him into a business premises there.

The teacher enquired but there was no position just then and asked Jimmy and his father if he would go to Castlecoote in Roscommon instead. His mother asked if it was a Catholic house. The teacher was David Frawley, a member of the Frawley family from Fuerty. A week or so later Mattie Hughes collected his new ‘shop boy’ and brought him the considerable distance then to

An aerial photograph of Hughes’ Shop & Thatch Bar at Castlecoote.

Six customers: Pakie Murray, Pat Conboy, Johnny Tarpey (musician), Jimmy Warde, Peter ‘Pigeon’ Kelly, and front (kneeling), Joe Reddington (musician and footballer).

Castlecoote. Arriving late at his new home he relished his cup of Bournvita and started the first chapter of a life away from home, his mother having been assured that Hughes’ was a good Catholic house. The following Sunday Nellie Hughes gave him her bicycle and two shillings to go to the film matinee in Roscommon town.

‘Shop Boys’ like Jimmy traversed the country and were part of the communities in which they then lived.

They stayed in the premises and this room and board was the near total payment for their work.

Soon after he arrived, a colleague, Miss Larkin, took him on her bicycle up to Galvins’ where, as she said: “There are boys there your own age to mix with”. Jimmy himself became a very popular young man in the area.

Fuerty was an active GAA club, football mostly, but also junior hurling which suited him more. Coming from Galway he was a valued member of the Fuerty junior hurling team.

It was a period of mass emigration and eventually in ’59 Jimmy joined some of his Castlecoote friends, Mulherns and Galvins, and took the boat to England. He got a job ‘on the buses’ in Birmingham. His first period in England was short and he returned to a post in Tullamore, arranged by Carmel Hughes. He returned to England a few years later but was enticed home to a position with the emerging supermarket group Spar in 1968. This was to be his life from then and he eventually settled in Sligo town. Jimmy ended his contribution to me by commending the positive start he got in Hughes’ which motivated him for a long life in business subsequently.

In referencing emigration of the 1950s, nearly every house had members who emigrated. Some Galvins went to Manchester, Wards to Not-

A copy of a page from the ‘Shop Book’ at Hughes’.

Some shop girls from Hughes’ on a local bog with neighbouring friends. Pictured are Mike Ryan, Lizzie Cunniffe (Creggs), Rena Colligy (Laurencetown, Ballinasloe), Mrs. Maureen Ryan and John Ryan.

tingham, Conboys to London, and Neilans to New Jersey. As a boy I was present at an ‘Emigration Wake’ when, in the late ‘50s, the greater part of the McGuire family, including parents, left the village for Melbourne, Australia.

Anne Cunniffe-Lavin I contacted Anne (from Creggauns, near Creggs) in Manchester where she had married Martin Lavin from Sligo and spent most of her life there. Anne was the senior one of the three Cunniffe sisters who worked in Hughes’ over a period. After Anne was Lizzie and then Sally. Anne’s time in Hughes’ overlapped with that of Jimmy Coyne.

She too had good memories of ‘The Thatch Bar’ and the clientele who were customers there, including my own father. She had some ‘snaps’ from that time of both employees and customers.

Getting a picture taken then was a bit of an event but Anne still had them after sixty years. She has not forgotten her home place and (before Covid) visited regularly. Sally worked in Castlecoote from ’68 to ’70, Lizzie was there from ’59 to ‘62. Lizzie and Sally now live in County Galway.

The really busy times in ‘The Thatch Bar’ included the Friday evening when the lads from Farrell’s Mill, armed with their week’s pay, crowded into the bar to slake their thirst. St. Stephen’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day were special days. St. Stephen’s had its local and visiting ‘Wren Boys’ and also the locals home from many locations in England.

Occasionally there might be tune from Joe Reddington or Johnny Tarpey. A local play group with John Dunne and Leo Featherstone performing in the Hibernian Hall on the New Road would also be reflected in ‘The Thatch’. So too would visiting play groups from Dublin, known as ‘Fit Ups’. Around

Pictured are Lizzie Cunniffe and Rena Colligy.

The three Cunniffe sisters.

the 1960s it was the annual dance Carnival across the bridge that brought the extra crowd.

Bridie Gannon was the bookkeeper from Abbeyknockmoy in County Galway. She too emigrated to England. I assume that she had a regular and clear input to the Conboy ‘shop book’.

Myra Kelly was also from near Creggs and shared her memories of Hughes’, which overlaid those of Anne. She met and married Mickie McCormack of Fuerty.

Josie Kelly, also from Creggauns near Creggs, married Tom Joe Dillon of Fuerty. Her sister Mary and brother Kevin were prominent Irish dance teachers and great friends of my sister Francey. Josie shared her time there with Maura Ward from around Kilbegnet.

Another lady to get married from Hughes’ was Myra Dempsey who married Jack Farrell who was a member of the local Farrell’s mill family.

They went on to continue in that business in Mountbellew.

In the early 1950s the personnel included Madeline Larkin who was the apple of many a local man’s eye then.

She came from Kiltormer and was in Hughes’ circa 1953.

Around that time, in ‘The Thatch’ also, was Phil Regan from Athleague.

She too went to England.

There was also a young lady named Reenie Calligy from Laurencetown near Ballinasloe in the early ‘60s and we see her in pictures with Lizzie Cunniffe.

Apart from Jimmy the only other male shop boys were Jim or Tim Murray who Jimmy Coyne associates with a Jew’s Harp and a Tim Finnerty from earlier.

Those involved with the farming side of things was Paddy Dowd, then Jim Meally. Mickie Ward remembers

handing up the thatch to Jim when roof repairs ensued. Mike Gately was another farm-hand and he too emigrated to England. He was from Castlestrange.

His sister Marie was the housekeeper in the house.

Jim Neilan, who lived across the field from the bar, was an ever-present in that vicinity for years. He tramped the worn grass path to Hughes’ house for his breakfast and did whatever odd jobs needed to be done. One of them was in collecting the empty bottles and washing them as Hughes’, like many bars, ‘bottled’ their own labelled stout.

Jimmy Coyne was the main bottler, helped by Jim. Jim Neilan regularly insisted on being a ‘quality control taster’ for the stout being bottled. Now health and safety was well in the future in terms of hygiene and cleanliness but it seemed that people adapted to the conditions and created their own resistance to these threats of the time. Jim Neilan lived and died in the lodge gatehouse at the entrance to Castlecoote House. He is buried to the right of the main gate in Fuerty and is buried with his Neilan connections.

Acknowledgements I wish to thank all those who responded to my queries and helped me relay, hopefully a subjective, if incomplete, account of the Hughes’ shop and bar in the 1950s and early ‘60s.

I thank Anne Hughes Cunningham, Michelle Hughes-Walshe and Mamie Delaney, all members of the extended Hughes family. My thanks also to James Moran for all his assistance.

I thank Anne and Lizzie Cunniffe for evocative pictures from that time. I also thank John Kerrigan for the important local picture of ‘The Thatch Pub’ and PJ Naughton for the aerial picture from 1974.

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

NewsPeople

John, Senan and Mary Murtagh, Ballinameen, pictured at the recent Roscommon v Clare Allianz Football League game in Dr Hyde Park. Photo: Mick McCormack

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Famous birthdays ... this week

Tyler, the Creator (American rapper, celebrates 31st on Sunday)

Catherine O’Hara (Canadian actress and comedian, will be 68 on Friday)

“

Madison Beer (American singer, turns 23 on Saturday)

Camilla Cabello (CubanAmerican singersongwriter, turns 25 on Thursday)

For updates, check our social channels

TAKE A BREAK

Tony McManus, Fr. John McManus, P.P., and Michael Fahey at the recent Roscommon v Clare Allianz Football League game. Photo: Mick McCormack

It’s been a GOOD week for…

One’s faith in humanity, with the Ukrainian people showing indescribably inspirational courage in their defiance of invaders Russia, this remarkable resistance backed up by a unified show of support by the nations of the world, with many ordinary people offering practical aid in the face of an evolving humanitarian crisis The morale of a pandemic-weary people, with all remaining restrictions lifted last Monday, most notably the requirement to wear face coverings, a milestone which most people see as a positive development in our ongoing Covid-19 journey Caoimhín Kelleher and Liverpool FC, with the Cork-born goalkeeper further enhancing his reputation by starring during normal time and extra-time in the Carabao Cup Final (against Chelsea) before then entering Roy of the Rovers territory by scoring the winning penalty in a thrilling, marathon shootout Promotion-chasing Roscommon senior footballers, who produced their best performance of the Allianz Football League campaign (to date), hitting 1-18 in a comprehensive away win over Down, details of which are in our sports section

The 2 Johnnies

It’s been a BAD week for…

Infrastructure Ireland) has confirmed to the executive that there are no plans in the foreseeable future to cough up the €80m or so required for a project which had been painstakingly advancing since 2016

The world, with Russia and its arrogant, dangerous leader launching a shocking invasion of neighbours Ukraine, a declaration of war which threatens the stability of Ukraine, the West and the wider world

Leeds United fans (this writer included), with misery upon misery, as the legendary(!) club which has electrified the Premier League over the past 18 months firstly maintained their dire form of recent weeks (latest: Leeds 0 Spurs 4) before then sacking their great eccentric manager Marcelo Bielsa…before then replacing him with an unknown

Advocates of the need for BallymurrayKnockcroghery to be bypassed (on the N61), with Roscommon County Council Director of Services Shane Tiernan confirming the recent Roscommon People exclusive on Monday, when he intimated to dismayed county councillors that the TII (Transport

The 2 Johnnies, the rarely funny but mildly charming ‘boys next door’/self-styled comedians/podcasting messers, this being the case because of a furore about some of the content of their new 2FM show, material which was described as ‘sexist’ and demeaning of women (the 2 Johnnies have apologised)

The things people say…

“…if we come under attack, if we face an attempt to take away our country, our freedom, our lives and the lives of our children, we will defend ourselves.

When you attack us, you will see our faces.

Not our backs, but our faces” -President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky

Eoin Fallon, Laura Feeney and Annalise Fallon in The Claypipe, Knockcroghery recently. Photo: Mick McCormack

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

PropertyPeople

Sale closed this week at RE/MAX Team Earley This week, RE/MAX Team Earley are pleased to advise that they have closed the sale of a detached, four-bedroomed, dormer bungalow of approximately 2,000 square feet, located at Coonlara South, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway.

This property was presented for sale in fantastic condition throughout and offers an abundance of well-proportioned liv-

ing space. Externally, the property sits on a generous site a of 0.75 of an acre. The auctioneers are now looking for similar properties in all areas for cash buyers.

For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie or log

onto teamearley.ie. Contact auctioneer Cormac directly on 0863519492.

New to the market with RE/ MAX Team Earley is this primely-located retail unit of approximately 700 square feet (former travel agents – ‘East West Travel’) located at 2 Stonecourt, The Square, Roscommon town centre (F42 KV80).

Offering vacant possession, 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.

The rent price is €195 per week.

For more, contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie,

or log onto teamearley.ie. Contact auctioneer Cormac directly on 086-3519492 or auctioneer Cathal on 086-1409158.

Retail unit to lease at Stonecourt Centre

PSRA NO: 004422

PSRA NO: 004422

PROPERTY SALES LETTINGS VALUATIONS Athleague, Co. Roscommon - F42 TW70 Tel 090 6663700 Mob 086 8985013 www.connaughtonauctioneers.ie

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Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

PropertyPeople

Cormac 086 3519492

PSRA Licence No. 004420

Cathal 086 1409158

NEW TO THE MARKET A SUPERIOR DETACHED RESIDENCE STANDING ON APPROX 2.2 ACRES

GOLF LINKS ROAD, ROSCOMMON TOWN F42 EH26 AMV: P.O.A. Zoned Residential-Holding Prime Development potential at this Location A most impressive 4 B/R detached residence situated in one of Roscommon’s most sought after residential locations adjacent to Roscommon Golf Club and Dr. Hyde Park.

This quality property stands on a wonderfully mature and private site area of approx. 2.22 acres zoned residential which is landscaped to a superior level.

Boasting spacious living accommodation throughout, this quality property must be viewed to be fully appreciated.

Comprising briefly of reception hallway, living room, dining room, sitting room, kitchen, utility and garage and wc. downstairs and on first floor there are 4 large double bedrooms and family bathroom.

The auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and offers to sell.

Contact the office for more information on 0906626579

FINAL OFFERS INVITED 4 B/R BUNGALOW RESIDENCE

MOUNT PLEASANT, STROKESTOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON F42 WR63 OFFERS AFTER TO €240,000 TO SELL

A beautiful 4 bed Bungalow on the outskirts of Strokestown. Set on a mature site area of 0.86 of an acre, this home is in turnkey condition.

The accommodation comprises briefly of four large double bedrooms, a lovely modern kitchen/diner, sitting room and an ample utility.

Located 15km from Roscommon and 4km from Strokestown on the Four Mile House Road. This home is both private and quiet as well as being within touching distance of both towns.

BER D1 The Auctioneer now invites Viewings by appointment only.

LANDS TO LET

WANTED WANTED WANTED

LANDS IN ALL AREAS FOR LONG OR SHORT TERM LETTING FOR DISAPPOINTED UNDERBIDDERS CONTACT THE OFFICE

41 ACRES APPROX AT BOHOROE LECARROW AND CARTRON ELPHIN FROM NOW UNTIL THE 1ST DECEMBER CONTACT OUR OFFICE

Stone Court Centre, The Square, Roscommon. Tel: (090) 6626579 / 6626796.

Mobile: Cormac 086 3519492 or Cathal 086 1409158 Email: teamearley@remax.ie • Web: www.teamearley.ie

26

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

FarmingPeople Property Services Providers Licence No. 002249

TELEPHONE: 094 9620300 Email: info@castlerealivestockmart.com Web: www.castlerealivestockmart.com THURSDAY 3RD MARCH:

SALE OF BULLOCKS, HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS THURSDAY 10TH MARCH:

SALE OF BULLOCKS, HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS ALSO IN ASSOCIATION WITH ABBEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE IRISH CERTIFIED ANGUS, A CALF COMPETITION FOR AA CALVES UNDER 42 DAYS OF AGE WILL BE HELD. PRIZES FOR BOTH BULLS AND HEIFERS ON THE DAY. THURSDAY 17TH MARCH:

Students to host Angus Calf Competition Winners of the Certified Irish Angus school competition, David Duggan, Gavin O’Connor, Liam Killoran and Colin McGrath of Abbey Community College, Boyle will be holding an Angus suck calf show, which will take place in Castlerea Mart on Thursday, March 10th.

All farmers with Aberdeen Angus bull and heifer calves under 42 days are

MONDAY 21ST MARCH

BULLOCK SALE RESUMES ON MONDAYS THURSDAY 24TH MARCH:

SALE OF HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS For Enquiries Please Contact Mart Office Or Visit Our Website For Details.

Contact

JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact

TOM ROGERS

TEL: (090) 96 88606 (090) 96 88830 (090) 96 87651

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon Tel. (071) 96 34783 and (071) 96 33344

Lowest price GUARANTEED

Your LOCAL Collector Guaranteed lowest price

Daily collection

Learn to drive with

ROSCOMMON DRIVING SCHOOL 087 2295551 KEEP YOUR FARM SAFE

Winners of the Certified Irish Angus school competition, David Duggan, Gavin O’Connor, Liam Killoran and Colin McGrath of Abbey Community College, Boyle will be holding an Angus suck calf show, which will take place in Castlerea Mart on Thursday, March 10th.

Emergency aid will continue unless farmers receive fair share of retail price – ICSA

NO SALE (PATRICKS DAY)

Dead & Worn-Out Animals

invited to attend. There will be prizes for 1st and 2nd for both bulls and heifers. 1st prize will be a €75 voucher kindly sponsored

by Aurivo. A €40 voucher has been supplied by Corrib Oil for the 2nd prize bull and heifer calves.

Judging by Certified Irish Angus representatives will take place from 9 am to 10 am with presentation of prizes before the main sale starts. Get your calves in!

ICSA President Dermot Kelleher

ICSA President Dermot Kelleher has said the payment of a significant aid subsidy to pig farmers is another example of the Government having to provide financial support to farmers due to a failure to ensure producers get a fair share of final retail price.

“It has been apparent for a long time that processors and retailers are making massive profits at the expense of low-income farmers. This is why ICSA has continuously argued for mechanisms to be put in place that would allow for greater transparency along the entirety of food chain.

Excess profiteering must be exposed, and farmers must

Beef farmers need €6/kg to offset spiralling input costs – ICSA ICSA Beef chairperson, Edmund Graham, has said beef will have to reach €6/ kg if cattle farmers are to have any hope of coping with huge increases in input costs.

“A small percentage of farmers are achieving €5+/kg when bonuses are added in, but when costs are spiralling out of control it’s just not enough and we need to see base prices rise significantly,” he said.

“Until recently €5/kg would have been viewed by farmers as the minimum price needed to make

ends meet. Indeed, this is what Teagasc were saying as far back as last autumn. But that was then.

With costs getting so out of control it is wishful thinking that €5/kg would cover our production costs now.

Fertiliser prices have gone through the roof, and feed prices – which have already reached record highs – look set to rise even further”.

Mr. Graham said Teagasc now estimate that inflated feed and fertiliser costs are adding around 65c/kg to the cost of producing beef.

get a fair share of the retail price,” Mr. Kelleher said.

“This will only be achieved with establishment of a regulator with sufficient powers to compel major players to co-operate. We can have stakeholder meeting after stakeholder meeting about this, but the reality is that without the ability to compel processors and retailers to be more transparent about their margins it will not happen”.

Mr. Kelleher said the “penny must drop” that farmers cannot be paid unsuitably low prices that do not cover cost of production.

“It is incumbent on our own Government - and for all EU member states - to legislate

“But it’s not just feed and fertiliser prices that have gone up, inflation is hitting all our costs and it is wiping out any potential to break even at current prices,” Mr. Graham added.

“The war in Ukraine is likely to exacerbate input cost inflation significantly.

The immediate impact will be to drive wheat prices sky high, and this will have a knock-on effect on all feeds. Ukraine is also a significant exporter of fertiliser, and all of this means that producing beef at €5/ kg will not be viable”.

properly for fairness for the primary producer. This is now more urgent than ever given the way input costs have risen so steeply in recent months. If this issue is not tackled, and farmers do not get enough out of the marketplace, the spectre of continued rounds of emergency aid for farmers will have no end,” he said.

Mr. Kelleher said he hoped that the bureaucracy around the emergency aid being given to pig farmers will be kept to a minimum.

“It is important that lessons are learned from the excess conditionality placed on beef farmers through the emergency aid BEAM Scheme,” he concluded.

Castlerea MART WATCH Despite the recent inclement weather, there was a good turnout of stock at our weekly sale on Thursday last. The bullock ring, with increased Northern activity this week, reported an excellent trade with bullocks making up to €1,370 over their weight. The lighter store bullocks were in strong demand also with an excellent clearance taking place.

The heifer ring enjoyed excellent prices while the weanling rings reported a good trade also. The dry cow trade saw prices peak at €2.71 a kilo for the forward cows while store cows were also in demand this week.

The calf trade remand unchanged while breeding stock saw cows with calves at foot reach €1,760 and springers peaked at €1,940.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart roday (Thursday, March 3rd) with our weekly sale of bullocks, heifers, cows, calves, runners, and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am with three rings in operation.

Sample prices for bullocks: Chx 475kgs €1460, AA 480kgs €1360, Ch 430kgs €1280, Ch 535kgs €1550, Lm 525kgs €1540, Ch 560kgs €1650, Sim 645kgs €1770, Ch 605kgs €1710, AA 635kgs €1690, Lm 750kgs €2120, Ch 710kgs €2000, AA 760kgs €1940.

Heifers: Lm 410kgs €1370, Sim 415kgs €1160, Lm 335kgs €1050, Lm 455kgs €1480, Lm 495kgs €1350, Ch 475kgs €1330, Lm 705kgs €1870, Sim 615kgs €1670, AA 625kgs €1630, Ch 520kgs €1580, Lm 560kgs €1580.

Dry cows: Ch 900kgs €2240, Lm 725kgs €1970, Ch 745kgs €1850, Ch 805kgs €1790, Fr 475kgs €640, Sim 495kgs €930, Jex 420kgs €530.

Calves: AA bull €390, AA hfr €300, AA bull €190, BBx bull €340, Hex bull €220, Hex hfr €190, Fr bull €15, Fr bull €40.

Weanling bulls: Lm 285kgs €950, Lm 285kgs €940, Ch 290kgs €890, Ch 430kgs €1240, Lm 385kgs €1100, Ch 320kgs €990, Ch 315kgs €950, Lm 310kgs €880.

Weanling heifers: BBx 230kgs €960, Ch 295kgs €900, Lm 260kgs €860, Lm 230kgs €710, Lm 250kgs €840, Ch 255kgs €870, Lm 375kgs €1160, Lm 315kgs €920.

27

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

FarmingPeople

Time to think about becoming an organic farmer! < ENDA O’HART (DRYSTOCK ADVISOR, TEAGASC CASTLEREA)

With the recent reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), many farmers are wondering if organics are an option for them.

There is no doubt that it doesn’t suit everyone, but there are many farmers that it will suit. There is a big push within the EU and the Department of Agriculture to increase the area of land that is farmed organically. The EU has a target that aims to have 25 per cent of its land area farmed organically by 2030, and the Department of Agriculture target is to increase our organic area from 2 per cent to 7.5 per cent by 2027.

There are many reasons why a farmer might decide to become an organic farmer – for example, deciding to reduce stocking rate, additional farm payments, interested in the whole ethos around organic and so on – and without doubt it is a very sustainable way to produce food, which is really important given the challenges around our deteriorating environment and the way we have produced food in the past.

If you are a livestock farmer, there are a few questions you may need to consider before joining. Is your stocking rate below 2 LU/ha? Can your winter housing be modified to include a bedding lying area? Can you see yourself

operating without fertilisers or sprays? If you feel you can answer yes to these questions, then you should explore the possibility further. Talk to your local advisor, attend local organic farm walks and talk to local organic farmers in your area, all of which are great sources of information.

There are also a couple of other key points to consider when making your decision. Stock do need to have access to a solid bedded lying area at all times over the winter housing period. It takes two years to convert your farm to organic, so therefore it is not until you start your third year that you can sell any produce as organic.

Animals must be fed with 100 per cent organic feed at all times.

Once in organics, you must only buy in organic stock with one exception and that being replacement breeding stock up to a limit.

Veterinary treatments are allowed as per your herd/flock health plan drawn up by your vet, and withdrawal periods for veterinary products are extended.

The closing date for applying for OFS is the 8th of April 2022. Before you apply, you must submit an organic conversion plan and associated forms to one of the two certification bodies, namely Irish Organic Association and Organic Trust, so make contact and start this process. OFS payment rates for farmed area of >3ha up to 70ha in conversion is €220/ha

Pictured is Enda O’Hart (drystock adviser, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon).

and €170/ha for farmed area with full organic status. OFS payment rates for farmed area of >70ha in conversion is €60/ha and €30/ha for farmed area with full organic status.

A webinar will be held on Zoom on Monday, March 7th at 8 pm on the New Organic Farming Scheme 2022. In this webinar, local advisor Enda O’Hart and Teagasc specialist Joe Kelleher will outline the steps you need to take to become an organic farmer and what incentives are available to you. You can register to view the webinar at bit.ly/ RNLDzoom.

Enda O’Hart, Soils and Environment Advisor, Teagasc, Castlerea

Joe Kelleher, Teagasc Organic Specialist

IFA addresses Joint Oireachtas Committee on TB eradication IFA Animal Health Chairman TJ Maher appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine last Friday to raise key issues on the Eradication of Bovine TB. “The eradication of TB within the shortest feasible timeframes must be the objective. As farmers, we have had to endure the burden of TB controls, associated costs and income loss for too long. However, achieving this must not be based on the simplistic approach of tightening controls on farms and increasing the cost burden on farmers,” he said.

“The most effective tool we have at our disposal to reduce the levels

of TB and ultimately achieve eradication is the Wildlife Control Programme. This programme has been severely hampered in the past due to the lack of resources provided for it,” TJ Maher added.

The Animal Health Chairman said it was critical that additional funding of €1 million provided in the Budget was fully utilised to address staffing shortages in the Wildlife Control Programme.

He added that a group to address issues with deer needs to be convened as a matter of urgency.

“Achieving eradication of TB will take time and throughout this process as farmers we will continue to

experience controls on our farms and animal losses all of which add to the financial burden.

“The compensation schemes must be enhanced to ensure all losses are fully and fairly compensated for, this includes animal values, income loss and additional costs associated with the prohibition on the sale of animals,” the IFA Animal Health chairman said.

“We can never again have a situation where famers are blacklisted through herd categorisation for TB. Outbreaks are events that occur outside the control of farmers, the approach of ranking herds based on previous TB history and publicisng

this has no role in eradication of the disease and merely serves to add to the burden of the programme on farms,” he added.

Irish farmers contribute in excess of €55 million annually to the TB programme. Annual testing costs and disease levies cost farmers over €35 million each year with an additional annual labour contribution of over €20 million facilitating the testing an associated obligations in the programme.

According to IFA, maintaining access to export markets and the value-added chain for produce is only possible due to the facilitation of the TB programme.

weanlings fetched from an average of €2.79 per kilo up to €4.15 per kilo.

There was high percentage clearance rate in both rings with plenty of customers actively sourcing stock.

There will be no weanling sale next Tuesday, March 8th. We will have a special sale of weanlings on Tuesday, March 15th, at 4 pm and general sale of suckler cows. Bookings accepted up to 5 pm on Thursday, March 10th.

There was an improvement in trade for hoggets this week at our sheep sale on Wednesday, March 2nd, with larger numbers on offer. Hoggets made up to €160, stag ewes fetched up to €196, and ewes and lambs made up to €305 for one ewe with two lambs at foot. Cast ewes made from €50 to €196 per lot, ewes with two lambs at foot made up to €305, and ewes with one lamb at foot made up to €280 The next sheep sale for lambs and cast ewes is on Wednesday, March 9th at 11 am. Our sheep scanning service continues on Wednesday next from 9 am to 10 am. The yard opens at 8 am and all stock must be penned by

Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373 Friday, March 4th at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Heifers 53 pens of Heifers on offer Also Bullocks & Dry Cows ----------------------

Friday, March 11th at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Bullocks Also Heifers & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Monday, 7th March

Roscommon MART WATCH We had good numbers again this week at our sale on Friday, February 25th, with an electric trade for all classes. Bullocks averaged €2.78 per kilo up to a max of €3.30 per kilo, and heifer numbers were small due to next week’s special sale. Prices ranged from an average of €2.69 per kilo up to €2.98 per kilo. There was a full clearance of dry cows, with lots averaging from €2.36 per kilo up to €3.07 per kilo. There was a large number of customers in attendance with online bidders also active.

On Friday, March 4th, at 11 am, we will have our spring sale of heifers with fifty pens on offer as well as our general sale of bullocks and dry cows. On Friday, March 11th, we will have our special sale of bullocks and general sale of heifers and dry cows.

Bookings will be accepted until 5 pm on Monday, March 7th.

There were good numbers on offer at our weanling sale on Tuesday, March 1st, with a great trade for both bulls and heifers. Prices for bulls ranged from an average of €2.76 per kilo up to €3.47 per kilo, and heifer

(Proudly serving farmers for over 62 years)

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

10 am. The sale can be viewed live on livestock-live.com. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID tag set.

Sample prices for heifers: Char X 640kgs €1910, Lim X 665kgs €1770, HEX 670kgs €1700, Char X 555kgs €1590, Char X 540kgs €1430, Char X 500kgs €1400, Char X 545kgs €1360, Char X 500kgs €1290.

Bullocks: AAX 882kgs €2440, AAX 825kgs €2400, Char X 775kgs €2390, Lim X 775kgs €2360, Char X 780kgs €2350, Char X 745kgs €2340, AAX 675kgs €2000, Lim X 605kgs €2000, 2 Char X 577.5kgs €1870, 3 Char X 590kgs €1880, Lim X 570kgs €1700, 2 Lim X 680kgs €1850, Char X 580kgs €1850, AUX 575kgs €1650, 2 Lim X 472kgs €1360.

Dry cows: Lim X 865kgs €2400, Lim X 865kgs €2400, Lim X 790kgs €2230, Lim X 695kgs €2140, Char X 720kgs €2140, BBX 625kgs €1400, Lim X 700kgs €1950, Lim X 675kgs €1610, Char X 725kgs €1600, Lim X 725kgs €1800, Lim 755kgs €1840, HEX 750kgs €1640.

Weanling heifers: BBX 420kgs €1680

- €4 per kilo, BBX 470kgs €1660 - €3.53 per kilo, Lim X 390kgs €1620 - €4.15 per kilo, Char X 430kgs €1480 - €3.44 per kilo, BBX 375kgs €1400 - €3.73 per kilo, 2 Char X 375kgs €1020 - €2.72 per kilo, Lim X 315kgs €1040 - €3.30 per kilo, AAX 425kgs €1140 - €2.68 per kilo, 3 Char X 305kgs €940 - €3.08 per kilo, Lim 305kgs €960 - €3.14 per kilo.

Weanling bulls: Char X 590kgs €1640 - €2.77 per kilo, BBX 485kgs €1580 - €3.25 per kilo, Lim X 520kgs €1550 - €2.98 per kilo, BBX 515kgs €1550 - €3.01 per kilo, Char X 395kgs €1280 - €3.24 per kilo, Lim X 440kgs €1500 - €3.40 per kilo, BAX 415kgs €1300 - €3.13 per kilo, Lim X 390kgs €1180 - €3.02 per kilo, Char X 300kgs €1030 - €3.43 per kilo, Char X 305kgs €1060 - €3.47 per kilo, Lim X 365kgs €1100 - €3.01 per kilo, Lim X 310kgs €940 - €3.03 per kilo.

Finished hoggets: 63kgs €160, 57.2kgs €160, 57.6kgs €159, 54kgs €159, 50kgs €156, 53.7kgs €155, 50.9kgs €154, 47kgs €148, 47.5kgs €144.

Store hoggets: 39.4kgs €120, 38kgs €119, 37.8kgs €112, 38kgs €110.

Tuesday, March 15th at 4 p.m.

Special Sale of Weanlings Also Suckler Cows Bookings accepted up until 5 p.m. on Thursday, 10th March ----------------------

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

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

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

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

Saturday, March 5th at 12 Noon-

Organic Sale – Cattle & Sheep

ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

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

Find us on facebook

28

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Classifieds

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

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

ACCOUNTS

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

Also training in Thesaurus accounting products

‘YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS’ Contact Nuala

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

CHIMNEY CLEANING

CHIROPRACTOR

ROSCOMMON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC Specialising in:

• BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • NECK PAIN • LIMB PAIN

Telephone: 086 8433433

Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon.

David Connor

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

VHI and Laya Covered

COMPUTERS

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

Complete Chimney Services

Chimney Cleaning

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

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

Telephone:

087 2798704

NO FIX NO FEE

PC Maintenance – Upgrades, Repairs, Virus & Spyware removal.

Network Solutions – Cabling, Hardware & Software Installation & Maintenance.

Contact David Conboy Tel: 087 7496459 Email: info@dccomputerservices.ie Web: www.dccomputerservices.ie

COUNSELLING & 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

web: www.psychotherapyglynisdowney.com

CONSTRUCTION

Stephen Casey

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

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

COUNSELLING

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

087 9268424 stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

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

The most read newspaper in Co. Roscommon!

DRIVING LESSONS

Paul McStay DSA/ADI (UK) RSA

MIAM ROSPA Approved Driving Instructor Former BSM Driving Instructor and UK advanced Met. Police Driver.

GIFT VOUCHER CARDS AVAILABLE Castlerea & Roscommon

EDT Lessons Available Telephone:

094 96 20099 Mobile:

086 8936012

This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation

FARMING < SILAGE FOR SALE: Silage for sale in Ballinlough area. Tel: 086 0278089

BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE • 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 tested in 2016/2017 are now due re-test Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069 e-mail: thomasneilan4@ gmail.com D.A.F.M. Approved Reg No: EI000083

FENCING/GATES

FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD l l

For all your fencing needs.

GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail l

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

The local paper!

Tel: 087 2172281

FENCING/GATES

GARDENING

JOE HEALY

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

087 2346364

FOR SALE < FOR SALE: 3 piece suite for sale, in good condition.

Tel: 086 2200520 < FOR SALE: All types of trees and hedgings, can be delivered. Tel: 087 4177148

Tree Services

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

Phone:

087 2721193 GATELY GARDENING

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

CORBETT

GARDENING

GARDENING SERVICES Including: • Hedge Cutting • Hedge Planting • Grass Cutting • Spraying • Strimming • Weeding • Garden Tidy-ups • Planting • Gutter Cleaning, etc.

Chainsaw work also available

Phone John on

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

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www.parklawntreeservices.

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Physical Therapy CranioSacral Therapy Medical Dry Needling Prescription Orthotics Pilates – Small Classes

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PLANNINGS

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

086 3482387 HolHolistic isic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member.

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TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING

087 2860428

• Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Counselling & Are any of the following issues Psychotherapy

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

29

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Classifieds PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I Denis Mannion am applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the following: 1) Demolish derelict barn.

2) Construct an extension to side and rear of existing house along with upgrading septic tank with new proprietary treatment system and percolation area and carryout all ancillary site development works at Milltown, Castleplunket, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

F45 X990

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

Signed:

Unit 5, Ballypheason House, Circular Road Roscommon, F42 C982.

Ph: 090 6634365 Mob: 087 8228529 E: james@jlce.ie & aaron@jlce.ie Web: www.jlce.ie Architectural Designs – Consulting Engineers

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Kevin and Yvonne McManamon, are applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the following: 1) Demolish existing dwelling house.

2) Permission to construct new replacement house and domestic garage.

3) Permission to upgrade existing treatment system with new proprietary treatment system and percolation area.

4) Relocation of site entrance, along with boundary treatments, and all associated ancillary site development works at Aghmagree, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon, F42 AH99

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

Signed:

Unit 5, Ballypheason House, Circular Road Roscommon, F42 C982.

Ph: 0906634365 Mob: 0878228529 E: james@jlce.ie & elaine@jlce.ie Web:www.jlce.ie Architectural Designs – Consulting Engineers

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

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I John O’ Grady am applying for planning permission to construct an agricultural storage shed and all associated site development works at Aghalustia Td, Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon.

Signed: John O’ Grady That 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 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 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of the receipt by the authority of the application, and such submission 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 the application.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL CCA Motors Ltd intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for change of use of existing garage premises to HCV and NCT Test Centre, refurbish and extend existing garage premises to side, retention of store and paint shop and demolition of same to facilitate the change of use of existing premises associated services and site development works at Cloonybeirne and Ardsallagh, Roscommon, 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 FURTHER INFORMATION Eircom Limited (t/a eir) application for permission at the eir Exchange, Alderford Townland, Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon (Planning Reference Number; 21/140).

Significant Further Information in relation to the 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 during its public opening hours. 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. There will be no fee payable on a further submission/ observation if it is accompanied by a copy of the acknowledgement of a previous submission/observation.

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We are applying for planning permission for installation of new sewerage treatment plant and percolation area to service existing dwelling house at Runnabackan, Ballinaheglish.

Signed: Niall and Brenda Kearney.

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We are applying for planning permission for erection of dwelling house, domestic store and garage, with sewerage treatment plant and percolation area and ancillary site development works at Newtown, Strokestown.

Signed: Evan Gilleran and Charlotte Hughes.

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I am applying for the construction of car port accommodation to rear of premises and for the erection of solar panels on the roofs of the car port and of the existing premises at Gleeson’s Townhouse and Restaurant, Market Square, Roscommon.

The works are in relation to A Protected Structure under Article 18 (3)(d) of Planning and Development Regulations ( 2001) with Reference 31817012, and are located within an ACA

Signed: Cait Gleeson.

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

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Rose Ann Brogan intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct extension to side of existing dwelling to include bedroom and dressing area, associated services and site development works at Laragh and Ross, Ballintober, 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 FURTHER INFORMATION Eircom Limited (t/a eir) application for permission at Cloonfad East, Cloonfad, Co. Roscommon (Planning Reference Number 21/378).

Significant Further Information in relation to the 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 during its public opening hours. 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. There will be no fee payable on a further submission/ observation if it is accompanied by a copy of the acknowledgement of a previous submission/observation.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Martina Horan, intend to apply for Retention Permission for development at this site: Boghtaduff Td., Brusna, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

The development consists of: To retain, the dwelling attic conversion, the domestic garage & general purpose shed and the second entrance, together with 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 planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Martina Horan

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We Shuttington Holdings ULC intend to apply for planning permission for retention of development and permission for development at Ballyboughan and Carrownabrickna, Racecourse Road, Co. Roscommon.

The development will consist of the retention of existing office/store room (gross floor area for retention 11 sq.m) and permission for (i) change of use of existing convenience shop to include part offlicence use, (gross floor area for off-licence use 20 sq.m), (ii) alterations to eastern and northern elevations of building to include changes to existing window & door openings, (iii) minor internal alterations and all associated site works.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Signed: APS Consulting & Engineering Limited. www.apsconsulting.ie

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Michael and Eilis Tormey are applying to Roscommon County Council for the following: 1. Planning Permission to construct side extension onto existing dwelling house 2. Permission to retain as constructed house and all site ancillary development works at Deerpark td, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. F52 FK85

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

Signed:

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, APC Architects and Engineers, intend to apply on behalf of Dermot Hughes Cars Limited for permission for development at this site: Athlone Rd, Ardsallagh More, Roscommon.

The development will consist of: Extension to existing car service area and to carry out 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 planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed:

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

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

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085 1503353 086 8538404

Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com

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ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We Brendan and Dolores Waldron, intend to apply for planning permission for a domestic garage and ancillary site development works at Eskerbane, Brideswell, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

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

Signed: Brendan and Dolores Waldron

PODIATRIST Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Unit 5, Ballypheason House, Circular Road Roscommon, F42 C982.

Ph: 090 6634365 Mob: 087 8228529 E: james@jlce.ie & aaron@jlce.ie Web: www.jlce.ie Architectural Designs – Consulting Engineers

PODIATRIST

Sarah Fleming

CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI at

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For Bookings Contact: College Road,

For Bookings Contact: Mountbellew,

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(087) 707 5803 (Saturday & evening appointments available)

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(Saturday & evening appointments available) Treanrevagh, Mountbellew, Co. Galway H53 D7W8 Open under Goverment + HSE Guidelines

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

FOOT CLINIC ROSCOMMON – MOLLOYS PHARMACY HSE Trained and Approved l Home visits available l

For any of your foot issues call:

094 9620009

(Monday to Saturday) Also available in Boyle & Athlone -------Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain.

Orthotics prescribed

By Appointment Only –

087 2982214

Tel: Catriona Byrne DIP CHFP

30

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Classifieds 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

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

Tel: 087 2264951 Find us on facebook

ROOFING

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

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD

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

Phone:

083 0684011

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

TURF AVAILABLE Bulk bags of Turf available Tel: Donal

086 2721812 (All areas)

Also loads of Peat bedding for livestock (delivered)

WANTED: Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn.

We are safety certified and insured.

Phone:

086 2437376

USEFUL SERVICES Phone: 091 416029 Liam or Mick 085 7619827

Affordable Roofing and Gutter Repairs, we replace and install in Roscommon area.

Our Services: • Roof Repairs • Gutter Repairs • New Roofs • Flat Roofs • Gutter Exchange • Lead Valley Roof • Cleaning Gutter • Cleaning

email: roofingcontractors27@gmail.com

Phone: 091 416029

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

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

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

USEFUL SERVICES

USEFUL SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business PAINTER CAN’T FIND AVAILABLE ANYONE to do that small job, or you haven’t got the time ...

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

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094 9373445 087 9100477

www.oddjobsolutions.ie Established since 2005

MG Services • Tiling (Wall and Floor) • Timber Floors • Timber Fencing, Decking • Garden Maintenance • Power Washing AND ALL OTHER JOBS CONSIDERED

Telephone:

087 2478609

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

Contact Luke on

085 7359120 Working throughout current restrictions with full PPE equipment.

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED

Electrician Available Safe Electric Registered.

Domestic and Industrial, All work considered.

No Job too small.

Phone Paul 086 2553153 or 090 666 3053 or Email p0862553153@ gmail.com.

DOWLING Late of Carnagh, Kiltoom, Athlone.

Treasured memories of our parents and sister.

FOR ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PAINTING

Tried & Trusted Since 1993

Phone JOHN

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

Phone Alan on:

090 6661635

Frank who passed away on 25th January 1991

Teresa (nee Dowd) who passed away on the 9th October 2016

Loving thoughts of times together, memories that will last forever.

Sadly missed along life’s way, quietly remembered everyday.

Lovingly remembered by all your family.

Anniversary Mass in St. John’s Church on Tuesday, 8th March at 7pm.

Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance

MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed

(8th Anniversary) In loving memory of Claire, Lisgobbin, Roscommon who passed away on 4th March 2014.

Softly the leaves of memory fall, gently we gather and treasure them all.

Lovingly remembered by her husband Sean, daughters Lorraine and Alma, sons John and Gary, granddaughter Laura, John’s partner Jannette, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, March 6th at 11.30am in Strokestown Parish Church.

087 2683079

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & DECORATING CONTRACTOR

BRENNAN Claire

And our sister Teresa who passed away on the 23rd February 1984

or Mobile:

Email or call for Sample Pack

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

For all your decorating needs CONTACT JOHN

086 4679798

CONNAUGHTON Josie Main Street, Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

On what should be your 75th Birthday – 3rd of March 2022

Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed?

If so ring:

COME TO ME

087 9657933 or 090 66 33084

PERMIT NO: WCP - MO - 09 - 0267 - 01

TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES

Alan O’Toole

WINDOW CLEANING

Window Protection Ireland Commercial/Domestic Registered and Insured All areas covered Also protecting windows during construction see windowprotection.ie GUTTER CLEANING ALSO AVAILABLE Telephone

087 9795226

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

God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be: So he put His arms around you. and whispered, “Come to me”.

With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

Deeply loved, sadly missed and always remembered

by Martin, Paul, Neil, Aoife, Mervyn, Ivan, grandchildren and extended family.

31

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Classifieds

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

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES GROGAN Ger-Michael Who passed away on the 10th March 2002 R.I.P. (20th Anniversary)

MANNION James (Jimmy) Grove House, Kiltoom, Athlone (2nd Anniversary) In loving memory of Jimmy Mannion who passed away on March 9th, 2020

MAHON Gerry The Walk, Roscommon Whose second anniversary occurs on March 5th, 2022

NEILAN Paddy Lough Ree Park, Ballyleague and Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon

HEGARTY Johnnie Glinsk, Castlerea, Co. Galway (6th Anniversary) In loving memory of Johnnie who passed away on the 1st March 2016 R.I.P.

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 Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts.

Sadly missed by his parents, brother, sister, sister-in law, nephews, niece, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.

Anniversary Mass will be held in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Tuesday, 8th March at 11am.

GANNON Stephen Carnagh, Kiltoom Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

(11th Anniversary)

Sadly missed along life’s way quietly remembered every day.

No longer in our life to share but in our hearts, he’s always there

Forever loved and sadly missed by the Mannion family and friends.

Anniversary Mass will be held in The Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom on Sunday, March 20th at 11.30am.

MULLEN Mary In loving memory of Stephen who died 7th March 2011

Castlestrange, Fuerty, Co. Roscommon.

(23rd Anniversary)

No longer in our lives to share but in our hearts, you are always there.

Anniversary Mass for Stephen and deceased family members of the Gannon family will be held on Friday, 25th March at 7pm in St. John’s Church, Lecarrow.

CONNAUGHTON Thomas Sandfield, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon (7th Anniversary) In loving memory of Thomas who passed away on the 13th February 2015

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

Forever in our hearts, sadly missed by his brothers, sisters, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery on Saturday, 5th March at 7pm.

We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain, to walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again.

So Rest In Peace dear loved one and thanks for all you’ve done, we pray that God has given you, the crown you’ve truly won.

Loved and remembered always by your wife Moira, children, grandchildren and extended family.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon at 11am on Saturday, 5th March 2022.

R.I.P. Remembering your smile, always in our hearts.

CARR Michael Caldra, Strokestown, (21st Anniversary)

Just a prayer from those who loved you, just a memory fond and true.

In our hearts you will live forever, because we thought the world of you.

We have loved her in life let us not forget her in death.

Sadly missed by her husband Frank, Rebecca, Kieran, Fiona and families.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 12th March at 11am.

Though his smile is gone forever, and his hand we cannot touch, we still have so many memories, of the one we loved so much.

His memory is our keepsake, with which we’ll never part, God has him in His keeping, We have him in our hearts.

Loved and very sadly missed by his wife Bernadette, sons Darren, Patrick and Michael, daughters Michelle and Sarah, daughters-inlaw, grandchildren, brother, sisters and families.

Anniversary Mass in Ballyleague Church on Sunday, March 6th at 11am.

CONNOLLY Phillip Gone are the days we used to share but in our hearts you are always there.

The gates of memory will never close, we miss you more than anyone knows.

With tender love and deep regret, we who love you will never forget.

Always loved, Genevieve, Emma, Ruth, Michael, Fergal and James.

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. . A.D.

In loving memory of Paddy, who passed away on the 6th of March 2020 (2nd Anniversary)

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

Barnacullen, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon (5th Anniversary)

McMANUS John and Nancy Time and years slip gently by but love and memories never die.

As each day dawns I think of you as each night falls I pray for you.

And throughout my life no matter where in my heart you are always there.

Loved, remembered and sadly missed by your wife Kathleen.

Our hearts are full of memories, with pride we speak your name.

Though life goes on without you it will never be the same.

Those special days will not return when we were all together.

But the love you placed within our hearts will stay with us forever.

Remembered with love by all your family.

Anniversary Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Glinsk on Sunday, 6th March at 10am.

THANKSGIVINGS

In loving memory of Phillip who passed away on the 9th March 2017 A thousand times we think of you, a thousand times we cry.

If love could have kept you here with us. you never would have died.

Your smile is a memory no one can steal, your death is a pain no one can heal.

Loved and missed every day Dad and Mam. Anniversary Mass in Rahara Church on Sunday, 13th March at 10am.

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. . C.K. THE MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it).

Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen.

Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. P.P

Late of Elphin Street, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (23rd and 7th Anniversaries)

Always remembered and sadly missed by their loving family.

Anniversary Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown on Saturday, 5th March at 1pm.

NEARY Willie & Una Grange, Four Mile House.

(27th Anniversary) (4th Anniversary) In loving memory of our dear parents Una who died on 6th March, 2018 and Willie who died on 15th June 1995

We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain.

To walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again.

So Rest in Peace dear loved ones, and thanks for all you’ve done.

May God grant you the place, you have truly won.

Always remembered and sadly missed by their loving family.

Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Brigid’s Church, Four Mile House on Friday, 22nd April at 8pm.

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

32

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

AtYourService BLINDS

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

CARS

FARMING

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE

BRENDAN DOOLIN

TEL: (090) 96 88606

Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.

(090) 96 88830 or (090) 96 87651

Tel: 090 66 30521 Mobile: 086 8115928

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

- Chimney Repairs - Soot & Smoke Problems - Demolish, Re Build & Re Flue Line - Chimney Fires - Flexible Stainless Steel Liner - Insurance Claims processed

- CCTV Camera Inspection For Professional For Professional Advice Contact Advice Contact: John Hibbitt: Tel: 090

9673336 2678350

Mob: 086 Email:

Lowest price guaranteed

We buy any CARS, VANS, TRUCKS, JEEPS all types wanted.

End of life certs can be provided.

Also scrap metal

Daily collection

INSURANCE CLAIMS

S tephen H oare

Martin Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA Mountbellew, Co. Mountbellew, Co. Galway Mountbellew, Co.Galway Galway

info@mhla.ie 091 380900 | 0879818153 9818153Co. Galway info@mhla.ie Mountbellew, 091 || 087 info@mhla.ie 091 380900 380900 087 9818153

Cleaning Services • Roscommon • Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning • WINDOW CLEANING • POWER WASHING Fascias & Soffits • Gutters & Down pipes • Drive ways ‘paths and patios’

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Castlerea ELV Recycling Ltd., Cloonkeen, Castlerea Kevin & Martina Keenan Tel: 094 96 21250 Mob: 086 2522231 QUARRY

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

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33

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Classifieds

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

AtYourService

Appointments

LIFE COACH

086 8229606

FALLON TRANSPORT LTD.

MILK HAULAGE

CAROLINE BURKE Career & Life Coaching

FARM COLLECTION

GUIDING & COACHING TOWARDS SUCCESS 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!

PERSONAL COACHING: * BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE & BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE! * HELP TO COPE WITH AND EMBRACE CHANGE (E.G. RETIREMENT, NEW JOB, SEPARATION, ETC)

For appointment call me on 086 8229606

OR email your enquiry to cburkecoaching@gmail.com (FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS OR ON-LINE/TEAMS)

HYPNOTHERAPY & MIND COACHING

Online Services offered for healing the mind, body and soul.

Hypnotherapy & Mind Coaching: -Confidence -Covid 19 Stress Buster -Inner Child Work -Past Life Regression -Phobias -Smoking Cessation -Sports Performance -Weight Loss Distant Healing Sessions: -Bio-Energy -I. E.T. Healing -Spiritual Healing -House Clearing/Blessings Esoteric Aura Readings

Ray Path Healing Workshop - working with the Archangels to cleanse, clear all the lower bodies of mental, and emotional karmic patterns, strengthens the aura, enhances a better relationship with your soul, promoting clear guidance, intuitive abilities, learn how to consciously co-create more positivity into your life. (Upcoming workshop Saturday the 2nd of April 2022 online).

Contact Chris on 089-6057885.

Email: info@mindbodysoul.ie Web: www.mindbodysoul.ie

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 non-publication. 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.

SELLING A USED CAR? Don’t let your advert get lost in the Web!

Young Tiling & Flooring are currently seeking Full and Part-Time, Permanent

Tiling and Flooring Contractors

To join our Expanding Team Specialising in Industrial Flooring. l Experience essential l Full drivers licence required l Must be capable of working to a high standard l Great rates of pay dependent on individual experience/qualifications l Monday to Friday, with overtime available on weekends l Required for immediate start to work on various nationwide contracts

SHANNON LODGE NURSING HOME Rooskey, Co. Roscommon

EXPERIENCED STAFF NURSE Part-time (Night duty)

EXPERIENCED COOK Morning shift 7.00 am - 2.30 pm Afternoon shift 11.30 am - 6.30 pm

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

Full-time

Part-Time Office Admininstrator (20 hours per week) Would you like to join an Award Winning Business that supply and fit an Industry Leading product for quality, service and security.

Job Description: l General reception and administrative duties to include typing quotes, filing, invoicing, pricing and processing of jobs and service cards. l Answering phone calls and emails. l Be familiar with Micro Soft Office and Sage Accounting Systems. l Deal with customer queries in a professional and courteous manner. l Work independently or as part of a team. l Ability to resolve issues effectively as they arise in what is a busy role.

Have at least 2 years office experience.

Salary: Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Closing date: Friday, 11th March 2022.

Applicants are invited to send their CV’s to:

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

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB? To have your advert seen by over

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

< CHILDMINDER REQUIRED: Experienced, kind and reliable lady required to help with 3 children aged 4, 2 and 3 months old on a part time basis. Cootehall. Contact no. 085 1635009 < STAFF REQUIRED: Full and part-time staff required for retail outlet in Roscommon Town.

Please apply to: PO Box No. 3014 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon. < BAR STAFF REQUIRED: JC Doorly, The Corner House, Roscommon. Bar staff required, weekends only. No experience necessary. email CV to - doorly196@gmail. com

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SITUATIONS VACANT

Applications to: info@youngtilingandflooring.ie Mobile: 087 356 9042

You have a better chance of selling a reasonably priced used car within your own county!

An advert in the Roscommon People will be seen by over

80,000 LOCAL people every week!

Due to continued expansion Fallon Transport Ltd. requires HGV Drivers both full and part-time.

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80,000 people every week advertise with us!

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

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The local paper!

34

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Classifieds

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

Appointments

! g n i t i u r c e R e r We A Your Home, Your Care, Your Choice

RHS Home Care is Ireland’s only community owned co-operative. We are Irish owned and have been caring for clients in the community for over 22 years. We employ over 500 staff locally in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. All retained income is reinvested in our organisation for continuous improvement which is overseen by our committed voluntary Board of Management who are members of your community. We operate a unique model that differs from other home care providers.

We have achieved the first Quality Mark in Ireland specific for home care standards in the community Health Assured and also hold ISO certification 90001. We are an approved provider for HSE care delivery. We believe that caring is a very special talent and we are looking for the right individuals to join our team. Due to our continued growth and expansion we are currently recruiting the following roles;

DO YOU HAVE...

Care Staff

We urgently need care in all areas of the West of Ireland, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, and Athlone. Staff must have achieved the full QQI Level 5 award and or have completed the rates payPerson. during the week & staff premium rates mandatory moduleCompetitive Care Skills and Care of theof Older We welcome nursing and social care staff that have completed applicable modules.

A flexible working schedule that matches your availability.

for Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Career – We focus our attention Area Supervisors inprogression the Galway/Mayo/Roscommon area on motivating and developing so you can excel 3-5 years’ experience in managing people. Full award QQI / Nursing Health qualification training. through training and development, andCare on-the-job l A minimum of QQI/ and must be passionate about supporting people to live in their homes for Uniform and full PPE provided. as long as safely possible.

FETAC Level 5 in Care A great support team in your area to help you, and you will have access to a lead supervisor.

Skills & Care of the Care Scheduling Teams On-call Support – 24/7 support from our on-call team.

Position is in Roscommon office the role is to scheduling care calls to clients in the West of Older Person?

Cycle to excellent work initiative.

Ireland, strong administration, computer, communication skills and office experience 3-5 years essential.Employee Experience in aHealth busy office environment, industry related experience, QQIon procedures for you & spouse/partner and Cash Plan Scheme (money back Level 5 in Health Care full award/nursing, social care degree would be an advantage. l A kind and empathetic children) Accounts Team Employee discounts including tyre/car service, mobile phone & pharmacy discounts nature?

Full and part time positions in Roscommon. Must have accounts payroll experience, timesheet RHS skills Home CareExperience Cooperative management, computer and excel. an advantage.

Not for Profit est.

1996 l Excellent Care Manager

communication and5 years people management experience, HR experience, good work ethic’s, work on their own initiative, critical thinking solving problems must be passionate about client care. interpersonal skills?

All applications to be emailed to jobs@rhshomecare.ie and the closing date is 17th August 2018.

A genuine interest in making a positive difference to people’s lives and supporting them to remain at home? l

www.rhshomecare.ie Your Home, Your Care, Your Choice Providing Quality, Affordable, Community Driven Home Care in the West, Midlands & Border Counties for over 20 years

RHS Homecare’s Head Office: 1st Floor, Roscommon Primary Care Centre, Golf Links Road, Roscommon Phone: 090 66 25988 Email: jobs@rhshomecare.ie

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Appointments

NUA CAREERS ROSCOMMON

NUA CAREERS ROSCOMMON

ASSISTANT SUPPORT WORKERS AND SOCIAL CARE WORKERS We are seeking applications for Assistant Support Workers and Social Care Workers in County Roscommon.

BENEFITS ASSISTANT SUPPORT WORKERS AND EMPLOYEE SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

The roles will suit candidates with previous experience in Social Care, who will join our team in the delivery of support services to people with We are seeking applications for Assistant Support intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, mental Workersneeds, and Social Care Workers County Roscommon. health autism, sensoryin and communication needs and acquired brain injuries.

The roles will suit candidates with previous experience in Social Care, who will join our team ESSENTIAL CRITERIA in the delivery of support services to people with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, mental Assistant Support Workers: •health FETAC Level 5 or working towards a Degree in a needs, autism, sensory and communication related needs and discipline acquired brain injuries.

Social Care Workers: CRITERIA •ESSENTIAL Level 7 or 8 Degree in Social Care or Healthcare

Assistant Support Workers: KEY COMPETENCIES •

FETAC Level 5 or working towards a Degree in a

related discipline Excellence in: • Verbal and Written Communication •Social Report & Roster Management CareWriting Workers: •• Interpersonal Skills in Social Care or Healthcare Level 7 or 8 Degree • Organisational and Planning Skills • Dignity and Respect COMPETENCIES •KEY Confidentiality and Adaptability Excellence in: • Verbal and Written Communication • Report Writing & Roster Management • Interpersonal Skills • Organisational and Planning Skills

> Company Pension > Paid Maternity / Paternity Leave > Education Assistance & Continuous

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Professional Development

EmployeePension Assistance Programme (EAP) >> Company

> Life Assurance / Death-in-Service Benefit

> Paid Maternity / Paternity Leave

> Education Assistance & Continuous Professional Development

GET IN TOUCH

> Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Recruitment are working 24/7 to process >The Life Assurance /Team Death-in-Service Benefit

applicants as quickly as possible. We are also facilitating interviews on weekends and outside of regular office hours. If you would like to become part of our team, get in touch with us today.

GET IN TOUCH

How to apply: Please email our Recruitment Team with your CV and cover letter, or simply apply The Recruitment Team are working 24/7 to process directly through our website careers page.

applicants as quickly as possible. We are also facilitating interviews on weekends and outside of Email: recruitment@nuahealthcare.ie regular office hours. If you would like to become Website: nuahealthcare.ie/careers part of our team, get in touch with us today.

How to apply: Please email our Recruitment Team www.nuahealthcare.ie with your CV and cover letter, or simply apply directly through our website careers page.

Email: recruitment@nuahealthcare.ie

35

36

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Sports PEOPLE

All-Ireland title for Convent Camógs!

The Convent of Mercy camogie team made their own bit of history in Moneygall yesterday when they were crowned Tesco All-Ireland Post-Primary Senior ‘D’ champions for the first time following a 3-6 to 1-8 victory over St. Aloysius, Carrigtwohill.

The Convent got off to a quick start with Ava Mulry raising a green flag early on but the Cork side responded and led 1-3 to 1-2 by the 24th minute.

The Roscommon girls showed great character however and hit

back with two points to lead by a single score at half-time (1-4 to 1-3).

Second-half goals from Niamh Fitzgerald and Síofra Hession made sure of the win but it came on the back of a solid defensive effort, with Orla Connolly and Ciara Carr particularly prominent.

Fitzgerald was named as Player of the Match as joint captains, Ellen Cafferkey and Ali Campbell, lifted the trophy and secured this talented group’s place in the history books.

Strandja gold for Aoife O’Rourke!

Castlerea boxer, Aoife O’Rourke, secured a gold medal last Saturday at the 73rd AIBA Strandja International Boxing Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. O’Rourke won her 75kg final by unanimous decision, even forcing a standing count in an

Buoyed hurlers set for Armagh trip

dominant victory over Panama’s Atheyna Bylon.

The Roscommon girl had secured her place in Saturday’s final after defeating Russian fighter, Anastasia Shamonova in their semi-final bout on Friday last.

The 24-year-old had won bronze in the same tournament last year and her latest success follows her qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She had previously been crowned European Champion in 2019.

Allianz NHL Division 3A: Armagh v Roscommon in Armagh on Sunday at 2 pm < SEAMUS DUKE

Having dispatched Warwickshire with a clinical second-half display in Kiltoom last Sunday, the Roscommon hurlers travel to Armagh in the knowledge that a win would put them in a great position in the Division 3A table with a round left to play.

Roscommon manager Francis

O’Halloran says that after two good wins the team is taking shape and he is looking forward to the challenge of playing Armagh.

“We played well in the second half against Warwickshire and the lads are putting in a great effort in training. This will be a tough match. Armagh are a good side and at home they will be

hard to beat but we will travel in confidence,” he said.

Last Sunday in Kiltoom, Roscommon found the going tough in the opening half but led by 0-9 to 0-4 at half-time.

Second-half goals from Brendan Mulry (2) Conor Cosgrove and Cathal Dolan (who scored 1-8) saw the Rossies win comfortably in the end by 4-20 to 0-6.

Ladies can set up promotion play-off

Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3 (Round 3): Roscommon v Sligo on Sunday at Enfield at 2 pm < SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon’s Ladies footballers know that a win against old rivals Sligo will put them back in a great position to challenge for promotion when the sides clash at the home ground of St. Croan’s in Enfield on Sunday.

Division Three has proven to be very competitive this season for the Rossies who have drawn

two games and won the other two by a solitary point.

Roscommon have met Sligo more often than any other opposition in recent years and the Yeats County prevailed by two points when the sides last met in the championship last summer.

Roscommon manager Ollie Lennon has been trying various combinations in the league as

he attempts to get a settled starting fifteen, and the signs in the two league games so far have been good.

Sligo do not look as strong as they were in 2021 with a number of players unavailable. This is a game Roscommon should win to set up a promotion playoff.

Prediction: Roscommon.

PSRA NO: 004422

37

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

SportsPeople

Short putts Athlone

Kevin’s ‘Better the Score’ competition continues until March 16th and is played over 15 holes with 32 points needed to qualify for the grand final on St. Patrick’s Day. The Captains’ Drive In will take place on Sunday, March 13th with a Scramble on the day followed by a meal in the clubhouse.

The club’s annual table quiz will take place in the clubhouse next Wednesday evening at 8.30 pm. It is open to all and a good night is guaranteed. A table of four costs €40 and there will be plenty of spot prizes on the night.

Meanwhile, Paddy Egan won the Gents’ 12-hole Stableford last weekend with 28 points.

Other results: Cat A: Padraig O’Boyle (27); Cat B: Michael Lennon (27); Cat C: Michael J Ryan (26); Cat D: Kenny Noonan (27).

(News from local golf clubs)

Carrick

The second round of the Flynn’s sponsored Spring League commenced on Monday of this week (28th) and will continue until Sunday, March 6th.

Roscommon There was a good turnout for Drive-In 2022 for President Charlie, Captain Kieran and Lady Captain Ruth at the clubhouse last Sunday. The course was in great condition despite all the rain recently and club officers are wished the very best of luck for the year ahead.

The club offers sincere thanks to Gleeson’s Restaurant and Rooms for sponsoring the Scramble. The front nine winners were Mary Lalor, Nuala Costello, and Tom Costello with 28.4 nett and the back nine

was won by Francis Ferguson, Nathan O’Connor, and Michael O’Connor with 29.2 nett.

The Ladies’ Winter League final will be between Team 11 (Anne Quirke, Bernie Browne and Martina Brennan) and Team 16 (Sandra Crean, Noreen O’Grady and Myra Walsh).

The next fun 9-hole threeperson Scramble is due to take place on Friday, March 18th.

The only condition for this event is that there must be at least one gent and one lady on each team.

‘Get into Golf’ for Ladies resumes later this month with an introduction and registration evening at the club on Monday, March 21st at 6 pm.

The programme includes group lessons with a professional and only costs €65. This is a great opportunity to see if golf is the game for you!

For further information, please contact Mary O’Connor on 086-0818626.

Roscommon Golf Club Drive In 2022 Officers: Captain Kieran Madden, Lady Captain Ruth Kilduff, and President Charlie Farrell.

Pictured are the winners of Roscommon Golf Club’s 9-hole Scramble on Sunday last (Back row L-r): Lady Captain Ruth Kilduff, Captain Kieran Madden. Front row (L-r): President Charlie Farrell, Francis Ferguson, Michael O’Connor, Nathan O’ Connor, Eamonn Glesson (sponsor), Nuala Costello, Mary Lalor and Tom Costello.

Horses for Courses

McNeill’s Foodstore sponsored new jerseys for the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon camogie team ahead of their All-Ireland Colleges final against St. Aloysius’ Secondary School, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork yesterday (Wednesday) (See page 36). Pictured (Back row, left to right): Alanna Corcoran, Ellen Cafferkey, Claire McNeill, Liam McNeill, Orla Connolly, Niamh Fitzgerald, Anna Campbell and Katie Lohan. Front row: Éabha Killeen, Taylor Kelly, Kate O’Brien and Laoise Mahon.

Racing in Ireland today takes place at Powerstown Park in Clonmel at 2.20 pm with the weekend racing starting tomorrow on the all-weather at Dundalk away at 4.55 pm.

Saturday sees racing at Proudstown Park outside Navan starting at 1.40 pm. The feature race is The Flyingbolt Novice Chase, a Grade 3 race.

There are two meetings on Sunday, the first of a two-day meeting at Leopardstown at 1.55 pm, and at Wexford off at 2.10 pm. Leopardstown race again on Monday at 2 pm.

At Leopardstown on Sunday the feature race is the Grade B TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase and on Monday the Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle, with the Micheal O’Murchadha Handicap Hurdle the centrepiece of the Wexford card.

There is cross channel racing on TV on Saturday. ITV features four races from Kelso, including the Grade 2 race Premier Novices Hurdle, three from Doncaster, and two from Newbury including the Grade 3 Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase.

Review of the Week

Prize winners at the recent November’s Day competition hosted by Ballinlough Gun Club (Pictured left to right): Ed Finch, Joe Foley, Noel Flanagan, Anthony Baggott MC, Brian Finan, and Ronan Baggott.

Captain Guinness won the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase at Naas justifying Henry de Bromhead’s decision to miss Cheltenham. The son of Arakan, under Rachael Blackmore, won the Grade 3 race from the Willie Mullins-trained pair Blackbow and Cash Back. The trainer and jockey completed a double with Gabbys Cross, winning the 2m4½f Grade B handicap chase despite almost bolting going to the start.

Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now, Mark Walsh, denied Gordon Elliott’s Escaria Ten, Jack Kennedy,

in a thrilling finish to take the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase by a nose. The favourite, WP Mullins’ Burrows Saint, was a well beaten third, 42l further back. The race is a Grand National trial and the first two home are now joint ante-post favourites for the big one at Aintree.

Cheltenham Update Willie Mullins’Allegorie De Vassy will miss Cheltenham where she is as low as 3/1 for the Parnell Properties Mares Novice Hurdle. The 5-Y-O has suffered a setback and will miss the rest of the season.

Mullins is still strongly represented in the race with Brandy Love, who finished runner-up to Allegorie De Vassy at Fairyhouse, 5-2 favourite in the ante post market. He also has Dinoblue, 3/1, and Grangee 6/1.

Paul Nicholls’ Frodon is a surprise entry in the 82 entries in Ultma Handicap Chase on the Tuesday. The triple Grade 1 winner, including the 2019 Ryanair, is normally ridden by Byrony Frost and is not in the Gold Cup. The winner of Ascot’s Grade 2 on Saturday, Kim Baily’s Reynoldstown Chase is the ante post favourite.

The horse, who loves the track, has won four, finished runner-up and down the field once in six runs around the Prestbury Park course.

Elliott nominates Death Duty, in this race, as his best handicapped horse at the meeting.

Elliott’s Teahupoo, is a notable absentee from the Coral Cup on the Wednesday was as short as 10-1 for the race, will probably run in the Unibet Champion Hurdle instead after stylishly claiming the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Just under a fortnight to go to the Cheltenham roar and we will have a look at the first two days in next week’s column including the

by Tom Red

Champion Hurdle and the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The going at the moment is soft, good to soft in places.

Racing News Tiger Roll was officially scratched from the Grand National on Tuesday. A total of 14 horses were removed from the £1 million spectacular, including fellow Irish-trained entrants Eklat de Rire, Off You Go, The Big Dog, Assemble, Mister Fogpatches, Eurobot and Brace Yourself, leaving.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country race at the festival is now his target.

The 12-Y-O has missed only one of the last 8 years at the Festival, 2016, and winning five times. He has won three of the last four runnings of the Festival Glenfarclas finishing second in 2020 to Easyland.

Point-to-Point Corner Racing on Saturday takes place at Tyrella in Co. Down looking out over the Irish Sea with a 1 pm start and 92 entries.

There are three meetings down for decision in the south on Sunday. At Borris House on the Carlow/Kilkenny border south of Goresbridge with 133 entries, at Ballycahane near Patrickswell in Limerick, with 125 entries, and at Castlelands, Lismore in Waterford with 133 entries. All meetings start at 1 pm, except Castlelands which begins at 1.30 pm.

Colin Bowe’s winner of the 4-YO maiden at Comea a fortnight ago, Willmount, sold for £340,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham February Sales last week. The runner-up Shannon Royale went for £300,000. Goes to show there is still big money out there for our successful point to pointers.

38

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

Creggs edged out in thriller SportsPeople

Connacht J1A League Final Connemara RFC 18 Creggs RFC 15

Creggs’ brave bid to win the Connacht

League Final just fell short in challenging, extremely windy conditions – and very poor light – in Castlebar on Saturday evening.

After a thrilling encounter, Creggs

were left feeling short-changed, having dominated long periods of the game.

Morever, there was consternation in the Creggs camp, where the view was that Connemara (while penalised six

times) were offside on many more occasions, but without being punished.

It was a superb game, and Creggs are hurting this week, having been narrowly ahead entering the final

Action from Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final in which Connemara defeated Creggs on an 18-15 scoreline. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Aodha Hession puts in for the scrum during Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final in which Connemara defeated Creggs on an 18-15 scoreline. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

five minutes. That said, all credit to Connemara for having the composure to strike with key late scores, and for withstanding a tremendous Creggs onslaught in the dying minutes.

In a high quality contest, Connemara attacked from the kick-off before Creggs won an early scrum. Then, after a long Creggs clearance, Connemara counter-attacked at pace, gaining huge ground. The ball was switched through slick hands from left to right, and just two minutes had elapsed when Marty Conneely gratefully dived over.

With the conversion missed, it was almost 40 minutes before the next score, Creggs levelling after their own impressive passing movement. After a number of attacking phases close to the Connemara line – and some excellent handling – Eoghan Coyle crashed over, Shane Purcell adding the conversion. Creggs were very much back in contention.

In the 52nd minute, Connemara regained the lead with a terrific longrange penalty, albeit in front of the posts.

Shane Purcell’s 69th minute penalty restored Creggs’ lead, 10-8 ahead with just over ten minutes remaining. On 75 minutes, Connemara went ahead by one, with Continued on page 39 –>

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Night with former Manchester United legends Tom Callaghan has his eye on the ball! Action from Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final in which Connemara defeated Creggs on an 18-15 scoreline. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Continued from page 38 –> another fine penalty, setting up the tense finale that had always been anticipated.

A poor kick for touch gave Creggs a strong lineout position, but disastrously, Connemara turned possession over, and devoured ground. It was a killer blow.

From the ensuing phases of sustained possession, they crossed after an incisive kick and run by scorer TJ Barry, going 18-10 ahead (the conversion was extremely controversial). 79 minutes gone.

Creggs, staring at defeat now, restarted, winning a penalty and finding touch. An exemplary lineout sowed the seeds for a series of phases, and after some lovely handling, Creggs crossed for a second try, Michael Dunne touching down.

Creggs threw the kitchen sink and more besides at a backpeddling Connemara in a frantic finale. Despite a heroic last foray or two by Creggs, a very relieved Connemara held on – but it was mighty close.

Creggs: S Dowd, K Gavin, E Coyle, M Purcell, R Dowd, S Purcell, A Hession, T Fleming, M Buckley, A Leech, B Donohoe, T Farrell, T Callaghan, J Brandon, B Diffley. Subs used: D Arnold for T Callaghan, P Lohan for A Hession, R Cahill for T Farrell, S Og Higgins for T Fleming, T Fleming for A Leech, CJ Corcoran for S Og Higgins, M Dunne for K Gavin, C Rohan for B Diffley.

The ever-reliable Shane Purcell is successful with this conversion during Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Your chance to win two tickets to see May and Irwin at Theatre Royal…

It’s the ultimate night for football fans of all ages! Sit back, relax and join former Republic of Ireland legend Denis Irwin and ex-defender David May as they give a rare insight and share stories from their illustrious careers with Manchester United. The event will be held in the Theatre Royal in Castlebar on Friday, 18th of March 2022.

The Roscommon People has two tickets to give away as a prize!

The evening will be packed with laughter and entertainment. Stories from inside the dressing room during the Alex Ferguson era. What it was like to play alongside Cantona, Keane, Beckham and Scholes….and of course, how it really felt to make history winning the iconic treble.

Relive stories from the Premier League years, including that historic night in Barcelona in 1999, Fergie’s infamous hairdryer, Denis’ time with the ROI team and much, much more.

The evening will include a Meet & Greet with Live Q&A from both host and audience. All ages are welcome and we are hoping to give local aspiring sportsmen and women the chance to meet and hear from not only one of Ireland’s most successful athletes, but two legends of the Premier League era.

Monies raised on the evening will be donated to local sports teams.

COMPETITION! To be in with a chance to win two tickets for a night with the former Manchester United stars, just answer this question and send your entry to: Manchester United competition, The Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon

The Creggs players line up for the pre-match photo prior to contesting Saturday’s Connacht J1A League Final in Castlebar. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Q: In what year did Manchester United win the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup?

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Roscommon AC compete at Connacht Indoors

Roscommon Athletics Club’s Hazel Kelly secured bronze in both the U-17 800m and 1,500m events at the Connacht Indoor Championships at TUS Athlone recently.

Roscommon Athletics Club recently took part in at the Connacht Indoor Championships in TUS Athlone, with some athletes competing for the first time.

The younger athletes took centre stage on the Saturday with Muireann Mulry taking bronze in the 600m while also competing in the U-12 60m Sprint and Hurdles events.

Laura Burke showed great promise in both the U-13 60m Sprint and Hurdles events as did Sarah Kelly, who competed in the 60m Sprint and 600m.

Saoirse McNamara displayed her skills in the 60m Sprint and in the U-13 High Jump. All four girls then showed their team spirit by gelling together to run

a flawless 4x 200m relay, finishing just outside the medals.

Sunday the club’s older athletes in action, most of whom were also making their debuts in the competition. Hugh O’Connor never put a foot wrong to post a time of 8.6 seconds in the U-16 60m Sprint. Etain Fallon finished strongly in the U-14 1,000m Walk while Ronan Hoey gave his impressed in both the U-16 Long Jump and 800m events. The club’s most experienced athlete, Hazel Kelly, demonstrated her stamina and determination by unleashing her strong finishing kick to claim bronze medals in both the U-17 800m and 1,500m events.

All athletes gained in-

Roscommon Athletics Club’s Muireann Mulry claimed bronze in the 600m event at the Connacht Indoor Championships at TUS Athlone recently.

valuable experience while Muireann Mulry and Hazel Kelly will now proceed

to represent Roscommon Athletics Club at All-Ireland level in March.

Local athletes book All-Ireland spots Athletes from four clubs in Roscommon – Roscommon AC, Reeside AC, Suck Valley AC, and Castlerea Crusaders – recently took part in the Connacht Indoor Championships at TUS Athlone with seven clinching qualification for the All-Irelands later this month.

Hollie Kilroe took home three gold medals in 400m, 800m and 200m, Colm Fitzgerald claimed gold in 60m and 60m Hurdles, Eamonn Coyle took golf in 800m and silver in the 1,500m, and Emily Clyne also won golf in the High Jump.

Meanwhile, there were two bronze medals for Hazel Kelly in the 800m and 1,500m, bronze for Muireann Mulry in 600m and bronze for Emily Gately in 60m Hurdles.

Handball

Roscommon Handball’s shining star, Fiona Tully, added yet another title to her vast collection when she picked up her third 40x20 World Collegiate title in Missouri, USA last weekend.

Basketball

Kings in contention for Top 4

Castlerea Kings remain in contention for a top four finish following their impressive 81-62 win over Longford at The Hub last Saturday night.

An incredible shooting performance from playercoach Tomas Callaghan helped to inspire the Kings as he shot an amazing total of eight three-pointers and 29 points overall with Joseph Henry also returning to form with 29 points of his own.

David Quinn was also on top form and there were solid displays from Joe Fleming and the ageless Daniel Doherty as well as good performances off the bench from Totti Kersulis and Jack Woods. The younger players also came to fore including Mike Callaghan and Frank Hester.

The Kings are now well placed for a top four finish especially as the inspirational Seanie McDermott returns to the fold for the next home game in a few weeks’ time. The team travels to Donegal this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the ladies received a walkover from Drumlish on Friday last but play them away this Friday evening. The club congratulates Aoife and Lisa O’Rourke on their recent achievements in the boxing ring.

Roscommon Town registration night will host a Roscommon Town Youth Soccer Club U-7s from girls and s boy for t nigh registration 3rd) ch Mar y, rsda (Thu up to U-18s this evening ity mun Com mon com Ros at pm from 6 to 7.30 lt. amu Lisn Sports Park clubhouse in on are as Registration fees for the 2022 seas players two for 0 follows: €80 per player, €15 . ome welc All ers. play e thre and €210 for

Soccer results

Congratulations to Eamonn Coyle, Reeside AC, Knockcroghery on winning the Roscommon Juvenile Athlete Award for 2021. Eamonn set a new Connacht record in the 1,500m last year.

Fiona Tully completes World Collegiate hat-trick!

Roscommon Handball’s shining star, Fiona Tully, added yet another title to her vast collection when she picked up her third 40x20 World Collegiate title in Missouri, USA last weekend.

Now representing NUIG having previously worn DCU colours, Fiona was the hot favourite for the title after her Irish ThirdLevel success three weeks ago in Belfast.

Easy victories over Paige Taylor and Claire Hagstrom of the US led to a semi-final win over old rival Aoife Holden (DCU).

Fiona blitzed the Kilkenny girl 21-3, 21-5 to set

up a final against Tyrone’s Mairead Fox (University of Ulster). The decider followed in much the same vein as her previous matches as Fiona romped to a 21-7, 21-5 victory.

It didn’t end there for Fiona as she teamed up with Inis Mor’s Aisling Mullin to win the Doubles title also. Having beaten Della Croce and Ava Camacho (UA) 21-13, 21-1 in the semi-finals, the NUIG pair had a very dominant victory over DCU’s Aoife Holden and Katie Barrett in the final, winning 21-6, 21-0 to confirm Fiona’s fourth Doubles title.

Fiona warmed up for the

Collegiates by taking part in the Pro Stop 48 event in Houston, Texas the week before. This was the latest stop on the American professional circuit and Fiona showcased her exceptional ability by taking on and beating two top Americans, Mikaila Esser and Aimee Tuohy, before being defeated by Cork’s Catriona Casey in the final. Outside of Casey, Fiona is as good as any player in the world on current form and hopefully with even better preparation she can soon start making inroads on the Leesider’s position as world number one.

TP Brennan Connacht Cup (Last 16) Salthill Devon 4 Ballymoe FC 1 Boyle Celtic 1 Athenry FC 2 Ballinasloe Town 2 Dynamo Blues 0 Norio’s Premier Division Moore United 1 Ballaghaderreen FC 2 Cloonfad United 0 Castlerea Celtic 1 St. John’s Athletic 1 Kilkerrin United 0 Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup (First Round) Ballymoe FC B 3 Ballaghaderreen FC B 3 AET (Ballaghaderreen FC B won 7-6 on penalties) Moore United B 0 Glen Celtic 2 Cloonfad United B v Boyle Celtic B, postponed.

Cam Celtic v Dunmore Town B, postponed.

CP Ajax 3 Ballinagare Manor United 1 St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United 2 Shiven Rovers 6 Roscommon United 2 Dysart FC 1 St. John’s Athletic B 3 Skyvalley Rovers B 1 Rahara Rovers 1 Dunmore Town 3

Fixtures Friday, March 4th RDFL Division One (8 pm) Shiven Rovers v CP Ajax Skyvalley Rovers v Dysart FC Glen Celtic v Dunmore Town

Saturday, March 5th Norio’s Premier Division Castlerea Celtic v Moylough ’79. 7.30 pm RDFL Division Two Moore United B v Roscommon United B. 7.30 pm

Sunday, March 6th FAI Centenary Junior Cup (Sixth Round) Pike Rovers v Ballinasloe Town. 2 pm Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup (First Round) (2 pm) Cloonfad United B v Boyle Celtic B Cam Celtic v Dunmore Town B Norio’s Premier Division Kilkerrin United v Boyle Celtic. 11 am RDFL Division Two St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United v Rahara Rovers. 2 pm

<< Weekend Rewind

Roscommon People Friday 04 March 2022

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Compiled by: Paul Healy

The

GAA Studio

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Weekend Fast-forward

Compliment-free zone (almost!)

“A plucky bunch” – Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper’s well-meaning but rather underwhelming assessment of never-say-die Mayo (as uttered on ‘Allianz League Sunday’ on Sunday night).

Our Team of the weekend…

Apologies (or is it not a compliment?) to our Dublin-supporting friends (‘avoids eye contact with Dan Dooner in People office’) but once again our award goes to Dubs-slayers, this time it’s Kildare (who it must be said celebrated very enthusiastically).

Former Minister for Finance and ex-EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy

From Finance to the dugout…

Was that former Minister for Finance and ex-EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy we saw grinning very happily in the Kildare dugout as the Lilywhites celebrated a famous win over Dublin? Indeed it was! McCreevy is a passionate Kildare GAA fan.

Point of the weekend…

Paddy Durkan’s slick score on the run in the closing seconds of Mayo v Armagh at the Hyde came after Aidan O’Shea fielded beside the Mayo posts, before beginning a magnificent, pacy lengthof-the-pitch move…a superb score which underlined how formidable this team is.

‘Gooch’ happy with Hyde!

“Hyde Park was in great condition” – Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper’s verdict on our hallowed Roscommon turf, the Kerry legend making the comment in his role as a pundit on ‘Allianz League Sunday’. He was speaking during a discussion on Mayo v Armagh, a game that was hosted at the Hyde on Sunday.

Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper

Pádraig Pearses, minus their county stars, competed in the round robin six-team senior men’s competition, known as the Dermot Earley Cup, as part of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé.

Pearses take part in Comórtas Páidi Ó Sé Pádraig Pearses, minus their county stars, competed in the round robin six-team senior men’s competition, known as the Dermot Earley Cup, as part of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé, the famed adult men’s and ladies club tournament which took place all over the Dingle Peninsula last weekend.

Over 500 visiting and local club players and management

from 20 clubs across 14 counties played in a four-competition tournament at junior and senior grade with Kerry sweeping the men’s contests.

The Roscommon club faced stiff opposition in the competition and found it difficult to adjust to the difficult weather conditions, and they lost to Kerry’s Listry, managed by former Kerry star Marc Ó Sé,

in the first round by 4-10 to 0-2.

They didn’t fare much better in the second round against St. Kieran’s of Limerick, losing 4-4 to 1-1. Cork’s Carbery Rangers lost the final to Pádraig Pearses’ first-round opposition Listry by 0-7 to 0-3.

Comórtas Chairman Pádraig Óg Ó Sé said: “We are delighted to have a Roscommon club playing in the Der-

mot Earley Cup, named after one of Roscommon’s famous sons. We wish the Pádraig Pearses club well in the season ahead. They are a credit to Roscommon GAA in the way they conducted themselves.

They enjoyed themselves by night and had a never-say-die attitude on the field of play in very tough weather conditions”.

Youngsters lose out to Donegal Roscommon U-20s footballers were unlucky to lose out to Donegal on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-11 in an entertaining Leo Murray Cup clash at O’Rourke Park in Castlerea last Saturday afternoon.

Roscommon were competitive all the way through but trailed 0-6 to 0-4 at the break, having played with the wind in the opening half.

Two goals from Donegal full-forward

Healy (Noelle, that is) hails Rossies…

Pundit Noelle Healy (winner of four All Stars with Dublin) on Roscommon: “I was really impressed with their forward play (v Down)… they look really fit, their conditioning for this time of the year is phenomenal…they’re still playing defensively, they’re still getting numbers back, but they’re managing to kind of combine that really nicely with breaking forward… they’re mixing it up really nicely”.

Noelle went on to name-check Eddie Nolan, Conor Cox and Enda Smith, before concluding: “I honestly was really really impressed with them…they’re playing with such energy, they have so many options…it’s really exciting to watch…the way they’re going at the moment I think they’ll be a really exciting prospect come the Connacht Championship”.

Bobby McGettigan decided the outcome in the end. Daire Cregg, Adam McDermott, Cathal Feely, Conor Lohan and Oisin Cregg played well for Roscommon, who now face Derry this weekend.

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All eyes are now on Derry after Mourne men mastered 3 big match musings…

1 Midfield

marvels

Eddie Nolan and Ultan Harney were majestic at midfield for Roscommon on Saturday. Nolan’s fielding and distribution was sensational, while Harney worked brilliantly as a link between defence and attack. Keith Doyle was also impressive in the short time he was on the field.

2 Panel push!

The returning Pearses and Faithleach’s lads are obviously strengthening the panel. Meanwhile, injuries are clearing up. Conor Hussey is ready to return, Conor Daly is back training, while Davy Murray will be back in about two weeks, according to Anthony Cunningham.

3 Fans on the

march!

Despite the poor weather and the huge increases in the price of fuel in recent weeks, there was a huge Roscommon crowd in Newry on Saturday night. Out of the estimated attendance of around 3,000, at least half were Roscommon followers.

They gave their team excellent vocal support.

Ultan Harney…was outstanding for Roscommon, as was his midfield colleague Eddie Nolan. Photo: Mick McCormack

Allianz Football League Division 2 Roscommon 1-18 Down 0-10 < SEAMUS DUKE

Manager Anthony Cunningham is aiming for a minimum of two wins from the team’s remaining three league games as Roscommon’s impressive promotion drive continues.

Cunningham wasn’t calling on hyperbole when he described the upcoming game against league leaders Derry as “a huge test”. He knows it’s a crucial fixture, one which could have a big bearing on the promotion race.

The Roscommon manager was understandably pleased with his team’s comfortable win over Down in Newry last Saturday.

“We played some great football. We produced some good moves and a lot of our players were very good. Colm (Lavin) was excellent and he made a few good saves…overall it was a good effort from all the lads and a great bounce back after the draw (against Clare) last weekend”.

Cunningham also hailed his midfielders. “The experience that Eddie (Nolan) has had over the past few years is really coming to the fore right now and it is fantastic to see Ultan (Harney) getting a run without any injuries. He is a fine footballer and both of them compliment each other well.

“We are in a good position now but we still have a lot of work to do. We have to win at least two out of our last three matches (to be promoted) so we have to continue to work hard. Derry next will be a huge test but we will prepare hard for that now” he concluded.

It may have been the longest journey on their league itinerary, but Roscommon footballers chose this sojourn to Newry last Saturday night to produce their best performance of the campaign. Their win puts them in a super position with three rounds of games left.

On a blustery but dry night, Continued from page 42 >

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Teams & scorers Roscommon: Colm Lavin; Richard Hughes (01), Brian Stack, Eoin McCormack; Ronan Daly, Niall Daly, Niall Kilroy; Ultan Harney (0-1), Eddie Nolan (0-1); Cathal Heneghan (0-1), Enda Smith (1-1, 1-0 pen), Ciarain Murtagh (0-1); Cian McKeon (0-2), Donie Smith (0-4, 2 frees), Conor Cox (0-5, 2 frees, 1 mark). Subs: Dylan Ruane for Kilroy (45), Diarmuid Murtagh for D Smith (57), Ciaran Sugrue (0-1) for Heneghan (57), Keith Doyle for C Murtagh (59), Daire Keenan for Harney (64).

Down: Gary McMahon; Peter Fegan, Finn McElroy, Gerard Collins; Darren O’Hagan, Niall McParland, Pierce Laverty; Anthony Doherty, Odhran Murdock; Conor Poland, Liam Kerr (0-1), Caolan Mooney (0-1); Andrew Gilmore (0-2, 1 free), Pat Havern (0-4, 1 free), Kevin McKernan. Subs: Daniel Guinness for Laverty (h/t), Ceilum Doherty for Mooney (45), Tiarnan Rushe (0-1) for McKernan (45), Cory Quinn (0-1) for Gilmore (54), Ruairí McCormack for O’Hagan (57).

Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).

Stat Attack Wides: Roscommon 11 (6, first half ); Down 4 (2, first half ) Red cards: 0 Black cards: 0 Yellow cards: Roscommon 0; Down 2 (Tiernan Rushe, Liam Kerr) Man of the Match: Eddie Nolan Attendance: Approx. 3,000

Conor Cox…was outstanding for Roscommon in their excellent win over Down on Saturday. Photo: Mick McCormack

Continued from page 42 > Anthony Cunningham’s men set about their task with a huge work rate and intensity and some of their attacking football, especially in the opening half, was a treat to behold. The big crowd of travelling Rossies roared their approval accordingly.

Donie and Enda Smith, Conor Cox, Cian McKeon, Brian Stack, Richard Hughes and Ciarain Murtagh were all outstanding, but the platform for Roscommon’s comprehensive win was built at midfield where Ultan Harney and Eddie Nolan were superb all through. They are forging a very effective partnership in the engine room which has often been a problem area for Roscommon in recent years.

Down, still minus the Kilcoo players, started well enough, with two early points. But once Roscommon got going, the home side were overwhelmed. In the 4th minute Cathal Heneghan was fouled on his way to goal and Enda Smith planted the subsequent spot-kick in the bottom corner.

Roscommon went on to play some wonderful football for the rest of the half, with Harney and Nolan majestic in midfield.

Conor Cox (4, 3 frees) and

Donie Smith (2, 1 free) tacked on great points for Roscommon, who could have scored two more goals, but Ciarain Murtagh was wide in the 17th minute and Eddie Nolan blazed over in the 21st minute. Still, two superb points from Cian McKeon and a pointed free from Donie Smith saw Roscommon go in at the break with a handsome 1-10 to 0-5 lead.

The scoring rate slowed down in the second half but Roscommon were always in control and it will please the team management that no less than ten different players got on the scoresheet on the night.

With the points already in the bag Anthony Cunningham used the second half to look at a number of his players off the bench, and the contribution of Keith Doyle caught the eye, with some clever play and good use of possession.

It was an excellent display from Roscommon who now will face a huge game against high-flying Derry at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday week. However, it must be said that Down were very disappointing on the day and their status as a footballing power has sadly disappeared in recent years.

Large Hyde crowd for heavyweight encounter < SEAMUS DUKE

Enda Smith…slotted early penalty home to give Roscommon a dream start. Photo: Mick McCormack

A crowd of around 12,000 people attended Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday last to witness the Allianz Football League Division One match between Mayo and Armagh and they were given a glimpse of the intensity and standards required to perform at the higher reaches of the top division.

It was a superb contest between two very good teams. Mayo supporters outnumbered their Armagh counterparts by at least five to one and they created a fantastic atmosphere despite seeing their side concede a goal after just 12 seconds and trail for most of the match.

However, as the game came towards the final few minutes, Mayo inched closer and as they levelled and kicked two winning points their marvellous supporters roared their approval.

Make no mistake, Mayo have certainly not gone away and will have a major say in the destination of the Sam Maguire in 2022. For watching Roscommon neutrals, it was a contest of a much higher standard than anything we have seen in Division Two thus far and a reminder of what’s needed to survive in Division One. *Well done to everyone involved with the Dr. Hyde Park pitch. It looked fantastic last Sunday and the visitors from Armagh and Mayo were hugely complimentary about the quality of the surface.

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