08 January 2021 Roscommon People

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08 January 2021

The Local Paper

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Covid: Vaccine roll-out begins!

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There was some positive news midst the Covid gloom this week with the roll-out of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine commencing at Roscommon Hospital yesterday (Wednesday).

Dr. Gerry O’Mara, Consultant Physician at Roscommon University Hospital, was the first staff BSc member in the hospital to receive the vaccine. Dr. (Hons) O’Mara received the Chartered Physiotherapist Roscommon-Galway Constituency vaccine from his nursing Galway Road, colleague, Siobhan Carty, Roscommon Clinical Nurse Manager 1 and Peer Vaccinator.

086 3758169 / The vaccine was the Vótáil first to be administered 090 662 6023 in County Roscommon. paul@advancedphysiowest.ie Over the coming weeks www.advancedphysiowest.ie the vaccination programme will be extended Real Solutions for Rural Ireland

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Eugene

Dr. O’Mara receiving the vaccine from his nursing colleague, Siobhan Carty, Clinical Nurse Manager 1 and Peer Vaccinator, at Roscommon University Hospital on Wednesday.

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Eugene Murphy No 2: Orla Leyden

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rious complications it can cause. I have worked in RUH for over 18 years and across the health service we have seen the devastating effect of this infection on our patients and their families”.

Mary Garvey, Hospital Manager at Roscommon University Hospital, said: “Everyone in RUH is delighted to see the commencement of this vaccination programme. Our plan this week is to vaccinate as much of our staff as we can. After a really difficult year we are delighted that this vital vaccination programme has begun here in Roscommon University Hospital and we look forward to its further roll-out across the wider community”.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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Congratulations to Sheila Murtagh, Ballinameen, Co. Roscommon and Enda Tiernan, Cloone, Co. Leitrim who were married in St. Attracta’s Church, Ballinameen, Co. Roscommon on December 30th and celebrated their reception at the Abbey Hotel. Photograph courtesy of Ivan Keaney Photos, Carrick-on-Shannon

e l p o e WATCHING P With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY

It’s no pun for sub-editors as Donie steps down…

Well, my friend…did you have a nice Christmas?

A lovely one!

At least the turkey and ham was an old reliable in this most unusual of Christmasses…

That’s a mouthful…

Yeah, but turkey and ham is traditional, you’ve got to love it…

No, I don’t mean turkey is a mouthful, I mean ‘Christmasses’…THAT’S a mouthful…

Oh right…

Anyways, please don’t mention turkey, we’ve only just had the last of the sandwiches!

Christmas was so quiet. Let’s just say I wasn’t in the pub with my arms around a fella I hadn’t met in five years, talking sentimental ould stuff about our school days and singing The Fairytale of New York!

Yeah…that was the previous Christmas!

Exactly!

Hey, your kids are younger than mine… did Santa come?

Yeah, of course…

How did that go?

Just great! An hour searching for batteries. Two hours trying to set up passwords/assemble toys. Later, an hour charging items, cursing the WiFi and putting empty boxes and packaging away.

Ah, that’s the great thing about Christmas Day…so relaxing!

Yeah…right!

I mean, I enjoyed just chatting to my wife and children, catching up, no pressures, everyone at home…didn’t you guys get a chance to just lounge around and…eh… chill?

Oh yeah, at one point all of us were seated in our living room…

Lovely! Ideal for communication!

Yeah…three of us on our smartphones,

Endangered Species The barstool boyos

one on a laptop, others with headphones!

(They pause, because pauses are a feature of Zoom calls) Sport brightened our lives over this difficult Christmas…

Absolutely!

One story dominated the week before Christmas…

Yeah.

It’s actually boring now, for many of us.

Mmmn, boring, but serious.

I mean, you couldn’t turn the telly or radio on without it dominating…

Yeah.

Where will it end? Will it EVER end?

Mmnn…

The numbers just keeping rising.

I know, I know.

What is it now? Six? I mean, does anyone outside of Dublin care?

Huh? Dublin’s six-in-a-row before Christmas…boring!

I thought you were talking about the Covid numbers!

Nah… Anyways, I think you have to admire that Dublin team. They’re sensational.

Ah yeah, true…I’ll withdraw my ‘boring’ jibe. THEY’RE not boring, but the fact that they win every year IS kind of boring…

Well at least the Rossies are in the money!

Huh? The Win a Home in London Draw raised over €900,000 for Roscommon football.

Yeah, brilliant!

And I see where Donie Shine has retired…

Ah, he was a good one.

A lot of defenders will be happy he’s gone…

A few people will be sad too. Like newspaper sub-editors!

Huh? ‘Donie Shines again’. ‘Rossies Shine as Donie stars’. ‘Donie to Shine this summer?’

I get it!

(They pause to reflect on some of Donie’s outstanding performances over the years).

Hey, do you think the Editor will keep us going?

Wha’?

Well, with the pubs not being open, I thought he might retire us…

Oh, no way! He told me himself!

Great! Why? Because we’re brilliant?

We always meet the deadline? We’re lovable? Entertaining? Irreplaceable?

Eh..no…because he needs us to fill up some space!

Both: HAPPY NEW YEAR, STAY SAFE!

What we liked…

Congratulations to Club Rossie, Roscommon County Board and all who supported the Win A Home in London Draw… over €900k was raised for Roscommon GAA!

What we didn’t like…

It’s the story that won’t go away (for now at least): The Covid crisis is growing alarmingly, with the virus out of control and rampant across the country.

But vaccinations are on the way, and we can stay safe if we follow the guidelines and stay at home.

John Francis Haugh from Ballinameen, Boyle, Co. Roscommon recently graduated with a Masters of Business in Advanced Business Practice (Hons) from Athlone Institute of Technology. A son of John Snr. and Kathleen Haugh, John is pictured outside the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon following the virtual ceremony in early December. Picture courtesy of John Haugh Snr.

PIC OF THE WEEK: Hugh Lynn took this great photo of two swans taking a New Year stroll by WALKING ON a frozen Loughglynn Lake last Monday!

What PEOPLE are talking about The rapidly deteriorating Covid crisis.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

NewsPeople

Roscommon Castle lights up!

Roscommon Castle was lit up on New Year’s Eve as part of a live event on the Roscommon Bound Facebook page, which is aimed at bringing the Roscommon diaspora closer to home.

Roscommon Bound is a Roscommon County Council initiative and the New Year’s Eve event was funded under the Town and Villages Renewal Scheme and supported by Roscommon Town Team.

A big thank you to Breata Coyle of the Regeneration Unit in Roscommon County Council and local postman Johnny O’Keeffe for these wonderful images.

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As in some other towns and villages around the country, it was felt it would give people a bit of a lift to see the lights on during these dark nights and challenging times.

The volunteers were due to be out this weekend, and will be pleased to hear they have the option of a lie-in instead!

In a statement, Roscommon Christmas Lights Committee said: “Thanks to all the members of the public, the businesses, Roscommon County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development for supporting the Christmas lights appeal this year.

“Keep safe and have a happy and healthy New Year”.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

NewsPeople ‘Address student nurses and midwives’ pay’ Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has called on the Government to once and for all address the issue of pay and allowances for student nurses and midwives.

Speaking earlier this week, Deputy Kerrane said: “A refusal to put in place fair pay and allowances for student nurses and midwives has been a clear failure by this Government. This issue is about fairness and respect.

“We need to send out a clear message to graduate nurses and midwives that while we understand and seek to maintain the education element of their training we equally acknowledge the work that they do.

“Sinn Féin supports the INMO’s call for fair pay for 4th year graduates and allowances for all 1st, 2nd and 3rd years.

“By delivering on this we send out a positive message to student nurses and midwives that we value them and the work that they do and we want them to eventually work full-time in Irish health care settings.

“The Minister set up a review which he promised would be completed by the end of December. We need to see real movement on this issue and the Government need to understand this issue will not go away”.

Legendary Gaelic footballers share their stories in new book A new book by Roscommon (Kilteevan) native Tom Curley is set to delight GAA fans around the country.

Entitled ‘Our Field of Dreams’, this fascinating book features a host of legendary Gaelic football greats from across the 32 counties, stretching back over the decades.

Overseas clubs and associations from the UK and as far away as South East Asia, Canada and Boston have generously highlighted their varied activities and progress in their adopted lands. Ladies Gaelic football – the LGFA – and its origins and development is also covered, with a number of former stars featured, while a legendary referee offers an insight into his involvement. Roscommon football greats also feature prominently through the pages.

In a book which is laced with a rich mix of drama, passion, humour and indeed a touch of sadness, alongside archival material, other memorabilia and photographs, these icons of the sport tell their individual stories of the myriad ways Gaelic football has shaped their lives.

Skilfully co-ordinated by Roscommon native and Galway resident Tom Curley, the book will be available early in the New Year, and will be stocked in SuperValu stores and in selected bookshops.

An official launch, deferred due to pandemic restrictions, will take place at the earliest opportunity in 2021 when restrictions are eased.

For further details, email legendarygaelicfootballers@gmail.com, or contact 087 6739799.

Great Rossies… in their own words Gay Sheerin ‘The journey is someone else’s now. I go to all the games and see things a little differently. The lads are after what I was after and they will chase the star the way I did… Gaelic football is my lifeblood. I will cherish all my times playing with Roscommon’

Tony Whyte ‘My inter-county senior career with Roscommon commenced in 1957, a few months after playing the Connacht championship against Galway, and finished in 1969. In the intervening years, we had a fair share of success and, indeed, many disappointments.

My first memory is of being selected in the National League to play Galway in Salthill’

Tony ‘Horse’ Regan ‘…to have played (at UCG) with the calibre of players like Martin Carney, John Tobin, Gay Mitchell, Brendan Colleran, Martin McCarrick and Gay McManus was an honour I will always treasure’

Seamus Hayden ‘I have fantastic memories of my years playing with Kilteevan. I have good memories of our successes with Roscommon Gaels, but my memories of Kilteevan, my own place, are the happiest even though our successes were few. There is no feeling better than working and striving for success with your own people’

A terrific publication which will delight GAA fans < PAUL HEALY

I must commend Tom Curley and his wife Margaret on a most impressive publishing achievement.

Kilteevan native Tom (now resident in Galway) is passionate about Gaelic football, and also passionate about writing (amongst other interests).

Tom, whom I’ve known for many, many years, usually pops into our office for a chat when he’s visiting in Roscommon. I was intrigued, perhaps

two years ago, to hear of his ambitious plans to compile the experiences of Gaelic football legends into a book. I was even more intrigued when I learnt that Tom and his wife Margaret had got this formidable project over the line despite the persistent tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

When the book arrived in the post before Christmas, I was wowed by the variety of content, the fantastic line-up of contributors/interviewees, and the evocative photographs which lead us

back to fondly remembered days.

‘Our Field of Dreams’ is a magnificent book, over 170 pages of Gaelic football memories in the words of legendary footballers.

Unsurprisingly, Tom has featured a number of Roscommon greats, four in all. They are Seamus Hayden, Gay Sheerin, Tony Regan and Tony Whyte (see extracts).

This attractive, very informative, entertaining and nostalgic book – featuring GAA greats over many

decades – is effectively a ‘love letter’ to the GAA, with ladies football, GAA overseas, etc. also covered.

Covid-19 has prevented a conventional throw-in for this book, but it will be available in SuperValu stores, selected book shops, by contacting the author, and at a launch, to be held at some point in the New Year.

‘Our Field of Dreams’ is a terrific and very welcome publication and is recommended reading.

Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ...

Paul Healy’s take on top tweets!

Brian O’Driscoll @BrianODriscoll Jeez it’s a mess out there atm. So thankful for this newborn diverting my stress levels elsewhere! Hope everyone is doing ok. Hang in there.

– The rugby legend addresses the nation Colette Browne @colettebrowne Does the country really need operation transformation during a strict level 5 lockdown?! I, for one, will be consuming only wine and chocolate.

– Desperate times call for…

Brian O’Driscoll

Marian Keyes @MarianKeyes Big day tomorrow! DOUBLE

bins!!!!!!!!!!!! (‘Bin night’ is the only thing in my calendar until Saturday.)

– The bins. Always the bins. Bane of our lives…(and Donald Trump wants his exclamation marks back) Rylan Clark-Neal @Rylan Surely now is the time we all need a bit of Celebrity Big Brother – The logical, sensible, focus-onpandemic side of my head says ‘no!’ (while I roll my eyes) – but the dumbed-down and ‘we need a distraction, ‘I’m A Celebrity’ is over’ side of my head says, well…maybe…

Off The Ball @offtheball Do we have a #PremierLeague title race on our hands?

– Yeah, if Liverpool keep messing up…

Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan @lukeming

Can we have “a new variant” of governance please. #coronavirus – Ming’s not happy with the Coalition…

Gavan Reilly @gavreilly The general gist from Government Buildings this evening is: welcome to April 2020.

– April? April? The rising media star is probably right…

Howard Simpson @howard086 RTE are getting more pathetic by the day. Such stupid questions.

Click and collect was like the pub with the pizza and Mark asked the Minister what relevance had stopping that to clusters. When Covid is over RTE presenters should move in to Drama.

– It’s official…local man Howard’s had enough of Prime Time!

Marian Keyes

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

NewsPeople

St Angela’s College goes virtual for Open Day In a time when virtual events are becoming the norm, we have learned to make the best of what is available and that’s no different for students considering their CAO options for September 2021. Typically, by now Colleges and Universities have welcomed students and parents/guardians to their open days and other information events where they can engage with staff and learn more about college choices ahead of their CAO application.

These events are hugely important as not only an information gathering exercise but by speaking to a College representative, students get a perspective not always portrayed in a prospectus or on web pages.

So, in the absence of traditional events, St. Angela’s College invite CAO 2021 applicants to join their Virtual Open Day on Friday, 15th January 2021, from 12-4 pm. “With the success

of our Live Q&A Session in October, we want to use our online platform again and we continue to recognise the importance of reaching out to prospective students as they consider their options for 2021” explains Seán Kelly, Student Recruitment Officer, St. Angela’s College. “We hope that students come prepared with questions as they would at a real event and that when they leave, they’re satisfied with the information they received and feeling positive about their course preferences”.

College students and staff will be available to answer questions ranging from course content, admissions, optional pathways, placements, college fees, student services and generally what it’s like to be a student at St. Angela’s.

Responses will remain on the website throughout the event so students are encouraged to scan through

all the helpful content available. Live talks on each course will also be available on the day. CAO 2021 courses include: General Nursing; Intellectual Disability Nursing; Home Economics and Biology (Teacher Education); Home Economics and Religious Education (Teacher Education); Home Economics and Irish (Teacher Education); Nutrition, Food and Business Management; and Home Economics.

All courses are accredited

by NUI Galway, offering practical placements which equip students with the knowledge and skills that contributes to the extremely high employability of graduates.

For more information including a link to register for the Virtual Open Day, visit the college website www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie or scan the QR Code in this week’s advertisement (below).

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

Before Christmas

Every day…

This particular Christmas Week feels strange, as we knew it would. In the few days before Christmas Day, there is at least some respite from the Covid-19 sponsored gloom. Roscommon town looks wonderful, and there is some semblance of a Christmas atmosphere.

The weather, for the most part, is beautiful.

Cafés are alive again. People to and fro, and hurried seasonal greetings flow from behind the now familiar face coverings and the tired eyes of a jaded people.

We finished our last newspaper of this wretched year on the Monday night. A year of mostly grim news. But the people of our county have shown great resilience. Cast into this crisis, we have embraced the spirit of Meitheal. Covid has tormented us, but also revealed our hidden strengths, resilience and generosity of spirit.

As we wrap up in the office on the Tuesday, there is a growing sense of foreboding.

Quite suddenly (it seems) the situation with Covid is deteriorating again. Reports of the discovery of a new strain of the virus are disheartening, alarming even. It’s like we’re successfully battling against a formidable enemy only to find them calling in reinforcements at the last moment.

That’s the thing…we’re being pounded by Covid again just when we thought we could see the finishing line. A big breakthrough on the vaccine front had rightly lifted the spirit of the nation. But there will be more pain before this ultimate gain. More resilience called for.

Just how did the Twitter trolls get by before the Internet was invented? Was there some ghastly underground club they belonged to? Did they meet up occasionally, in some suitably desolate wasteland, the sky dark, the wind howling, the cowardly future trolls comparing venomous notes before spewing their bile at the moon?

Last Saturday

‘Does your dog bite?’ The late, great Peter Sellers in his role as Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther, as recalled by Paul Healy in his column.

Christmas won’t be cancelled, but it will be shortened. More misery for the hospitality industry, now a prisoner of this virus… our hotels, restaurants and cafes subjected to a horrible stop-start-stop again existence.

Meanwhile, the pubs lie silent. There will be no joyous gatherings, no embraces, no stories, just nothing. Worse is the plight facing many elderly, ill and vulnerable people.

Thankfully, religious services are permitted.

This is a welcome development. But it will be the strangest Christmas Week in memory.

It seems that everybody just wants 2020 to slink off. The sadness and hurt and carnage will remain, but at least the dawn of a new year ought to offer some psychological lift to the nation.

around on Christmas Eve, and those who (somehow) have time to relax/walk their dogs.

At least I assume that it’s their own dog these very well organised people are walking…as I join the throng of cars on Circular Road. This gives me yet another opportunity to remind readers of that great scene in The Pink Panther, when Inspector Clouseau (played by Peter Sellers) addresses a man with a dog.

“Does your dog bite?”

“No”.

Clouseau stoops down to pat the dog and is duly bitten.

“I thought you said your dog does not bite?” says an angry and ruffled Clouseau.

“That is not my dog”.

Meanwhile, back in Roscommon on Christmas Eve, I admire the people who are so stress-free/ organised that they can walk the dog…as the rest of us rush around!

Still, all the last-minute rushing and shopping is something most of us actually like, as it’s all part of the tradition of Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve

Over the Christmas…

It seems that there are indeed two types of people in the world. Those of us who rush

The process of getting older continues apace.

Over the Christmas, I enjoyed a TV documentary

Monday, 21 December

on Johnny Cash and read a fine biography of the brilliant actor (and renowned ‘hellraiser’) Peter O’Toole. I even watched and enjoyed a show celebrating the Christmas shows (in the very, very distant past) of Andy Williams! The Odd Couple (Matthau and Lemmon) was on on Sunday, and I would happily have stayed with it. I am not suggesting that one has to be getting on in years to appreciate stars of past eras, but still…anyways, all it proves is that class really is permanent.

Cash, O’Toole and Williams. Not a firm of solicitors…three great, timeless artists!

Into the New Year As mooted in that sobering fews days around Christmas, Level 5 is back, and all of a sudden we’re into a desperate phase of this long battle.

The shadow of Covid that’s long been stalking us all has now dramatically quickened its stride. Confirmed daily cases are running into the thousands, and pressure on our hospitals is growing. This is a very, very tough time for everyone.

We need to be more vigilant than ever. It’s a very rocky start to a New Year. However, the strong beacon of hope continues to shine, midst the darkness; that’s the progress on the vaccine front.

First, I heard that the great Donie Shine (of Clann and Roscommon renown) is hanging up his boots and bidding farewell (as a player at least) to the GAA pitches he graced with such distinction.

Later on Saturday I became aware of a stunning man of the match display by Jack Carty as Connacht shocked Leinster in the Pro14.

Coincidental, almost poignant, I thought, as it dawned on me that two young South Roscommon men were, between them, giving sports’ fans quite an emotional day.

It was only on Sunday that I realised that Donie and Jack are related, as brother-inlaws!

Carty’s display was sensational, and had Connacht fans elated. As for Donie, he was a fabulous footballer and a marvellous servant to Clann and Roscommon. Thank you Donie for all the great memories, the epic points, the commanding displays, the glory you brought, and most of all, for the joy you gave.

Last Sunday Thank God (and Sky Sports/BBC) for the soccer. Leeds continue to play highly attractive football, scoring some sensational goals, but socially distancing a bit too much when the opposition attack.

The Premier League title race is wide open, for now at least. Those who don’t believe in Ole (I’m far from convinced that he’s the right man for the job) are intrigued to see Manchester United’s impressive rise up the table. A number of other clubs are in contention too. We will have a better perspective on it in a month or so.

The town this week Roscommon town is eerily quiet once again.

Shades of Lockdown One. I’m sure it’s the same countywide. Most shops are closed.

It’s a sad sight. There are lots of people out walking, with dogs, presumably their own.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

NewsPeople

Waldron

My New Year/Lockdown Resolutions…

ANTHONY Cllr.

Feeling vulnerable and alone, need some help? – the Waldron team are only a phone call away, don’t hesitate to call ...

With Nollaig na mBán taking place yesterday (Wednesday), the Roscommon People decided to ask three local women about their New Year/Lockdown resolutions for 2021…

086 7866774 Always ready to help!

We will survive this too shall pass!

Lauren Naughton, Physio First, Roscommon town

Please have your Eircode to hand I was ready to open my new business, Physio First on Main Street, Roscommon (between Permanent TSB and Kodak Express) by the second week of March, but due to lockdown Roscommon-Galway Constituency decided to wait until the middle of June.

My experience of the first lockdown was a real mixed bag.

The first month was fairly positive but I struggled for motivaStay safe and keep your distance – tion through April and May. That dark place I found myself in was caused by being out of a routine, getting up late and spendVótáil please follow all HSE Guidelines ing too much time doing things like watching TV. This time, I’m getting up when my alarm goes off and I’m allocating an hour a day for professional development. I’m also putting some time aside for exercise or movement each day and that could even be a 30-minute walk.

Real Solutions for Rural Ireland During the first lockdown I was recording kettlebell exercises for social media to keep myself accountable. Now that I’m “I am committed to helping to improve the quality of life for open in Roscommon it’s easier to maintain motivation. people in rural Ireland which has

Happy New Year to one and all

Eugene

Feel free to contact me if you Murphy have any concerns

Eugene Murphy No 2: Orla Leyden

Jessamine O’Connor, writer, poet and editor I found the first lockdown creatively draining! I wrote very little, but did spend a lot of time building dens in the garden with my daughter and exploring the local area on foot or by bike! I kept thinking it wouldn’t last and I had to make the most of the precious slow time.

This time round however I need to be more ruthless (and it’s winter). I’m finishing a degree in Writing and Literature at IT Sligo, so somehow must make myself focus.

I’ve also got a new book to promote and am now the Ireland editor for a Scottish small press, Drunk Muse Publications, plus I am also working on a new book, so there’s a lot to do. Just hoping to keep on top of it!

My top tip is never ever turning on the ‘social’ (media) until the proper writing is at least half done, if at all. That’s going to be my New Year’s resolution for 2021!

Sharon Mannion, comedian and actress My five-year-old got a keyboard for Christmas and I’ve become a bit obsessed with it (it’s almost like Santa brought it for me rather than him!). I went for piano lessons a few years ago but got frustrated by the pace of learning. I’ve no interest in my ‘posture’ or the ‘placement of my fingers’, it’s straight to YouTube videos that will turn me into the next Elton John within a week, thank you very much.

I am actively not doing Dry January this year. It just seems like imposing an extra Lent on yourself for no good reason. This year of all years, what with a pandemic, homeschooling, no socialising, no live entertainment, nothing on the telly...I forget where I was going with this...Pass me the gin!

My final resolution for this lockdown is to wear trousers that aren’t elasticated. I was going to say do more yoga but I gave up yesterday, two days into a 30-day challenge, so I’m aiming a bit lower now.

Last year I rotated the same four items of clothing throughout the course of ten months. This year, I’m determined to make even a small bit more of an effort…I might even wear jeans.

Senator

Eugene Murphy

largely been left behind- we need to build a future where people can live, work and enjoy the many benefits of rural living”

An Ireland Stay Home, Stay Safe for all Constituency Offices:

Elphin Street, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

Market Square,

Ballinasloe,

Roscommon Town Co. Galway Call me Co. Roscommon  087 435 3834  071 963 3000  090 662 5722 anytime ...  eugene.murphy@oireachtas.ie MOBILE: Working with your local Fianna Fáil team: Cllr Michael Connolly, Cllr John Cummins, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, Cllr John Keogh, 087 1668775 Cllr Orla Leyden, Cllr Marty McDermott, Cllr Joe Murphy

Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice.

Vulnerable people need vaccine clarity – Fitz Vulnerable and elderly people living in communities need clarity regarding when they will be able to access the Covid-19 vaccine, Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has said.

Speaking earlier this week, Deputy Fitzmaurice said: “First of all, I believe the vaccination programme needs to be expediated. I agree that schools should remain closed until at least the end of the month to reduce the likelihood of a further spread.

“It is ironic however that the UK, which decided to leave the European Union, has more vaccinations administered to its citizens than the entire bloc of countries it is leaving.

“While there is a natural emphasis of rolling out the vaccine in nursing homes at present, other elderly or vulnerable people who are living out in the community may be keen to get the vaccine – but they are being left in the dark.

“These are people who may be depending on carers or family members to offer them support so they can remain living at home. They must also be afforded the opportunity to avail of the vaccine at the earliest possible convenience”.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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Cllr. Liam Callaghan Follow the Covid19 guidelines and stay safe

P: 086 3325839

Councillor JOE MURPHY Telephone:

0861052197 Stick with current restrictions - we will see an end to this.

Stay safe everyone.

Cllr. Laurence FALLON

CATHAOIRLEACH, ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Happy New Year to one and all.

Stick with guidelines in current circumstances and stay safe.

Ballagh, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon.

Tel. 090 6488232 M: 086 8575512 cllrlfallon@roscommoncoco.ie

Shop local, support local, stay local, stay safe!

Wishing WORKING everyone a HARD very happy FOR and safe New Year YOU

CLAIRE

Gardaí dampen speculation over local shebeens < DAN DOONER

The discovery of a number of so-called ‘shebeens’ nationally has led to widespread speculation and unconfirmed reports that similar premises are in operation in Co. Roscommon and East Galway.

However, Gardaí say there have been no reported discoveries of shebeens in this area.

There has been speculation that a recent spike in the county’s Covid-19 cases was directly or indirectly linked to illegal gatherings at shebeens.

This followed the discovery of a number of shebeens (nationally) over the Christmas period and the search of a premises in Westport last Sunday evening, during which a number of people were found to be consuming alcohol and in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.

Responding to enquiries from the Roscommon People this week, An Garda Síochána has confirmed that there have so far been no reported discoveries of shebeens in the county but have urged people in Roscommon to continue to abide by current Covid-19 guidelines.

241 confirmed Covid cases in Roscommon in past week < DAN DOONER

Confirmation of 241 new cases of Covid-19 in County Roscommon in the past week represents a massive increase in the spread of the virus here.

Roscommon recorded 25 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday (Wednesday), bringing the county’s 14-day incidence rate to 480.3 following 29 confirmed cases on Tuesday and 24 on Monday.

In the fourteen days leading up to January 5th, there were 310 cases in the county. The county’s 14-day incidence rate of 480.3 is the fourth lowest in the country.

The past week has however seen a huge increase, with 63 new cases con-

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194 5254 Tel. 094 9861688 Bridge St, Ballinasloe. Tel. 090 9644901  : claire.kerrane@oireachtas.ie claire.kerrane@oireachtas.ie Email:

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firmed last Friday, 68 on Saturday, 32 on Sunday, 24 on Monday, 29 on Tuesday and 25 on Wednesday.

Yesterday, there were 7,836 new cases nationally and sadly, 17 deaths, as the Government confirmed plans to keep schools closed until the end of January and cease all non-essential construction from close of business on Friday.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan, said the country is in a serious phase of this Covid-19 surge.

“It has never been more important throughout our experience of this pandemic, to stay home and only meet people outside of your household for essential purposes,” he said.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tony Holohan

Feighan: ‘Limit social contacts now’ The Minister for State at the Department of Health and local Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan has called on residents in north Roscommon and the rest of his constituency to “do all they possibly can” to limit their movements and stop the spread of Covid-19.

The Fine Gael TD said: “The amount of positive case numbers we are seeing across the country is alarming. This rise in confirmed Covid-19 cases is leading to an increase in hospitalisations and ICU and our health system is under the most severe pressure.

“I spoke with the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar about the developing situation over the weekend and he advised me that whilst he acknowledges the worrying situation our health system is now in, we are better prepared now than we were in March to face the challenge as we have about a thousand

more beds, 6,000 more staff, and greater ICU capacity.

“However, we really need help from the public to slow the rate of infection which will enable us to vaccinate the most at risk in our society.

“This nationwide rise in Covid-19 cases is also evident across the Sligo-Leitrim constituency and we all now need to take urgent action to save others from catching this virus. We need to act as though you are infectious. Stay at home. Work from home, and if you are an employer, ask your employees to work at home”.

Minister Feighan concluded: “The vaccines are here, they are starting to be rolled out and brighter days are ahead of us in 2021, we just need to all come together once more to do our best to try and halt the current spread of Covid-19. We have done it twice before and we can do it again”.

Dr. Breda Smyth, Director of Public Health in the West, has urged the people of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon to stay home unless absolutely necessary and double down in their efforts to follow the HSE’s public health advice to help reduce the rapid spread of Covid-19 across our community.

Addressing rising Covid-19 cases earlier this week, Dr. Smyth said: “This rapid rise in infections is having a very serious impact on the number of people hospitalised and the number of patients requiring critical care in our ICUs. “We must do all we can to protect our hospital

services so they are available to provide critical and emergency care to our communities when they need it. We have seen a doubling of the number of patients in hospital since last week and this is extremely concerning for us.

“Community transmission is extremely high. We must act as if every person we meet is an infection risk. Everything we touch outside our home is an infection risk. We must stay home as much as possible. We all need to think about the impact that being diagnosed with Covid-19 would have on those close to us”.

‘Stay home to protect ourselves and loved ones’

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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Roscommon enters third Level 5 lockdown ‘There is light at the end of the tunnel’ < DAN DOONER

Roscommon businesses are once again coming to terms with Level 5 lockdown as the Government confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that schools will remain closed until the end of January and all nonessential construction will cease from 6 pm on Friday.

While schools remain closed, Leaving Certificate students will be permitted to attend classes three days a week. Meanwhile, all ‘click and collect’ services must cease immediately, further hampering local businesses.

Vice-President of Roscommon Chamber, Vincent Collins, was critical of the Government’s handling of the crisis.

“It’s been a bit of a disaster and the reason (for repeated lockdowns), in my opinion, is that our health service cannot cope. Even before Covid-19 it wasn’t able to cope.

“The Government has not

been leading from the front and there has been far too much chopping and changing in recent months. There should be a proper plan in place by now to deal with this,” he said.

Mr. Collins, who owns Service Matters in Roscommon town, added that he didn’t blame younger people for recent outbreaks and said restrictions have been too strict for many.

“To think that you can’t go and sit in a restaurant at a safe distance…I have land near Sliabh Bán and the Gardaí have been up advising people if they’re over their 5km. It’s hard on people when they can’t even get out and exercise,” he said.

Mr. Collins said that his own business had been badly hit by the pandemic.

“Most of the places we sell and lease our products to are closed…it’s like the weather, you can say what you want about this virus but it won’t make any difference.

“I’m fed up listening to the news, I just switch on some music now. The big question is how come our health

service has not improved in the last six months?”

Strokestown Town Team Chairperson, Shane Lynskey, says there could be light at the end of the tunnel with the local roll-out of the Covid vaccine in coming weeks.

“People are getting on with it,” he said. “Our supermarkets and local services, such as the post office, remain open. Restaurants and pubs have had to close, but what choice do they have?

“It’s been a long spell but we’ve been through this before and there is light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine being rolled out.

People just need to keep to the rules for a while longer,” he said.

Mr. Lynskey said that the Christmas period had showcased the resilience of local communities. “There was a great voluntary effort here over Christmas with the work the Christmas Lights committee did. We’re also lucky that we have Strokestown Demesne here which is a great facility for exercise for people living close by,” he said.

Roscommon and hopefully throughout Ireland,” she said.

Cllr. Byrne said she hoped the Covid-19 situation would improve in coming months on account of the vaccine roll-out and the continued efforts of people across the county.

“Let’s hope that things change. Our lights are a symbol of hope and they will be a much-needed boost for morale in the coming weeks,” she concluded.

Vice-President of Roscommon Chamber, Vincent Collins.

The situation is already looking brighter in Elphin, where the special events committee has decided to keep the town’s Christmas lights shining until the end of January.

Local councillor Valerie Byrne has called on other towns

and villages to follow suit.

“The pubs, restaurants and retailers are closed so the idea of leaving our Christmas lights on is to give people’s spirits a lift. I’ve been in contact with councillors in other areas and I’m sure other towns will follow across

“

“It’s been a bit of a disaster and the reason (for repeated lockdowns), in my opinion, is that our health service cannot cope. Even before Covid-19 it wasn’t able to cope.”

Vaccinations to begin RUH outpatient at local nursing homes clinics deferred < DAN DOONER

Covid-19 vaccinations are set to begin in nursing homes across Co. Roscommon on Monday, January 20th continuing until the end of the month.

The will be administered on the following dates: Wednesday, January 20th: Fearna Manor Nursing Home, Castlerea and Plunkett Community Nursing Unit; Thursday, January 21st: Costello’s Vale View Nursing Home, Ballyleague and Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon; Friday, January 22nd: Tearmain Bhride Nursing Home, Brideswell; Monday, January 25th: Oakwood Nursing Home, Roscommon and Aras Mathair Pol Community Nursing Unit, Castlerea; Tuesday, January 26th: Oakwood Private Nursing Home, Ballaghaderreen and St. Eithne’s Rest Care Centre, Tulsk; Wednesday, January 27th: Shannon Lodge Nursing Home, Rooskey and Abbey Haven Care Centre and Nursing Home; Thursday, January 28th: Sonas Nursing Home, Cloverhill and Drumderrig

Dr. O’Mara receiving the vaccine from his nursing colleague, Siobhan Carty, Clinical Nurse Manager 1 and Peer Vaccinator, at Roscommon University Hospital on Wednesday.

Nursing Home; Friday, January 29th: Innis Ree Lodge Nursing Home.

Vaccinations began in Roscommon Hospital and at Portiuncula Hospital on Wednesday.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated

this week that 135,000 people would be vaccinated with two doses of the Covid vaccine by the end of next month and said that 35,000 doses will be administered to frontline workers and those most at risk this week.

Roscommon University Hospital (RUH) is reverting to virtual outpatient clinics for the next two weeks and all non-urgent elective procedures at the hospital have been deferred. Patients are being notified directly.

Endoscopy services at the hospital will continue as scheduled and patients should attend their appointments unless they have any symptoms of Covid-19 or are close contacts of people with Covid-19.

Commenting, Mary Garvey, Hospital Manager at RUH said: “We regret the impact that these deferrals will have on our patients but it is a really important part of maintaining critical services.

“We are notifying patients directly if their appointment or procedure is being deferred. We ask patients who are attending the hospital for a procedure to continue to follow all the public health guidance including wearing a facemask. We also remind patients to attend the hospital alone, unless the support of another person is essential.

“If patients develop any symptoms of Covid-19 prior to their appoint-

ment such as a cough, temperature, shortness of breath, loss or change to their sense of smell or taste, please telephone the hospital in advance for advice, using the contact details in the appointment letter.

“The Injury Unit remains open from 8 am to 8 pm, 365 days per year to treat a range of injuries in adults and children over the age of five which are non-life or non-limb threatening. The unit is located within the Urgent Care Centre at the hospital and is staffed by doctors, advanced nurse practitioners, and nurses.

“Visiting restrictions remain in place at the hospital. Members of the public should not visit the hospital except on compassionate grounds and these visits should be arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward.

“In relation to the Covid-19 vaccination programme, we anticipate that the roll-out of the vaccines to frontline workers in the hospital will commence this week. This is a very positive step and we will work hard to get all staff vaccinated as quickly as possible”.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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Conexão Brasileira BRAZILIAN connection with Catia Da Nova

Welcome 2021…

We are leaving the year 2020 behind us, and it will certainly be a year marked on the calendar forever.

It was a year where we stopped being individuals and began to think togetherness,

a year where our sanity came to the fore, a year when we were unable to be close to our loved ones. Grandparents had to isolate themselves, frontline workers did their best in their professional area and we cannot fail to mention several other areas of society that have worked harder than ever in the face of a pandemic.

Several sectors will remain on the tightrope, such as pubs, bars and restaurants.

Indeed, all areas of hospitality are feeling the pain. As is the entertainment industry, with theatres nationwide in darkness for some time now, and music venues idle with the deafening sound of silence.

What to expect in 2021? The continuation of much of the same, with the likelihood of further restrictions and lockdowns? Let’s hope not!

Vaccinations are already underway, a very contentious topic at the moment. They

certainly offer hope for many. But there are also doubts among many who are waiting for more concrete data.

What I think and hope is that this new year will be a year of embracing change. Maybe even a new cultural and social renaissance in all aspects.

Bem-vindo 2021…

Estamos deixando o ano de 2020 para trás, certamente será um ano marcado para sempre no calendário.

Um ano em que não somos mais nossos e pensamos juntos. Foi um ano em que a nossa sanidade veio à tona. Sem poder estar perto de entes queridos. Se for preciso se isolar, os trabalhadores da linha de frente farão o melhor na sua área profissional e não podemos deixar de citar vários outros

departamentos que trabalham muito.

Vários setores permanecerão na corda bamba, como pubs, bares e restaurantes.

Cada área hospitaleira está sofrendo. Outra área que não podemos deixar de citar e escurecer os teatros, show, lugar de música que praticamente desde o início da pandemia estava praticamente às escuras.

O que esperar em 2021… a continuação de um ano, talvez com muitas expectativas ou não. Não sabemos como isso será tratado.

As vacinas já estão em andamento; um tópico muito cauteloso no momento. Certamente espero para muitos. Mas também as dúvidas de muitos e a espera de dados mais concretos.

O que penso e espero que este novo ano seja um ano de resistência de tudo. Quem sabe ate de um novo renascimento cultural, social em todos os aspectos.

Ivan e Luciana Capano: Italiano e Brasileira nos moraos na Irlanda a dois anos.

Nossas perspectivas para 2021…

Não é fácil fazer uma ou mais previsões sobre nossas perspectivas para 2021, que acreditamos estarem alinhadas com as perspectivas comuns.

Não é fácil porque o futuro é cada vez mais incerto, ainda existe muito medo entre as pessoas, é só olhar em volta quando vamos ao supermercado. Apesar de tudo, gostamos de pensar que 2021 será o ano da viragem, será o ano em que terminará a pandemia e finalmente poderemos tirar as máscaras e respirar o ar à vontade.

Será também um ano de renascimento e esperança do ponto de vista humano e também de recomeço da economia, na esperança de que os governos possam ajudar as empresas que flutuam na superfície e as famílias obrigadas a salvar como fizeram depois da guerra. Também será o ano da conscientização: haverá muitas vacinas e isso deve nos dar esperanças do melhor, o medo do vírus vai desaparecer e tudo ficará como antes.

Ivan e Luciana Capano: le nostre prospettive per il 2021.

Atila Tavares: Atila mora em Roscommon pelos ultimos 18 anos.

Minhas esperanças para 2021…

Minha visão sobre 2020 foi um ano muito dificil para a area hospitaleira, eu sendo Chefe de Cozinha do Regan’s gastro pub vi de perto a dificuldade e o jeito estranho de trabalhar tendo que se acustumar com mascaras em um lugar fechado, tambem tendo que trabalhado somente a metade do ano assisti de perto as dificuldade dos empresarios em ter que manter seus estabelicimentos abertos e seus funcionarios.

Para 2021 espero que com a vacina ja sendo aplicada podemos retornar a um normal diferente, so assim governo podera retornar o abertura total da hospitality no pais.

Atila Tavares: a resident of Roscommon who has been living here for eighteen years.

My hopes for 2021…

In my experience, 2020 was an exceedingly difficult year for hospitality. Being head chef at Regan’s Gastro Pub, I saw the difficulties and the strange way of working up close to others, having to get used to masks in a close space, and also only working for half of the year. I saw first-hand the difficulties of entrepreneurs in trying to keep their businesses open and hold onto their employees.

For 2021, I hope that, with the vaccine already being applied, we can return to a different normal, so that the government can return to the total opening of the hospitality industry in the country.

Non è facile fare una o più previsioni sulle nostre prospettive per il 2021, che crediamo siano allineate con le prospettive comuni.

Non è facile perchè il futuro è sempre più incerto, c’è ancora molta paura tra la gente, basta guardarsi intorno quando andiamo al supermercato. Nonostante tutto, ci piace pensare che il 2021 sarà l’anno della svolta, sarà l’anno in cui finirà la pandemia e finalmente potremo toglierci le mascherine e respirare l’aria liberamente.

Sarà anche un anno di rinascita e speranza dal punto di vista umano e anche di ripartenza per l’economia, sperando che i governi possano aiutare le aziende che stanno galleggiando in superficie e le famiglie costrette a risparmiare come si faceva nel dopoguerra. Sarà anche l’anno della consapevolezza: ci saranno tanti vaccini e questo deve farci sperare per il meglio, la paura del virus sparirà e tornerà tutto come prima.

Ivan and Luciana Capano

Ivan and Luciana Capano: an Italian man and Brazilian woman who have lived in Ireland for the last two years.

Our prospects for 2021…

It is not easy to make any predictions on our prospects for 2021, which we believe are aligned with common prospects.

It is not easy because the future is increasingly uncertain; there is still a lot of fear among people – just look around when you go to the supermarket. Despite everything, we like to think that 2021 will be a turning point, the year in which the pandemic will end and we will finally be able to take off our masks and breathe

Jose Lino, mora em Roscommon Town.

Minhas esperanças para 2021…

Moro na Irlanda há 14 anos, mas 2020 foi o ano mais difícil para todos nós.

O que espero para 2021 e poder viver normalmente novamente. Se a vacina for um sucesso.

Para nós que temos o coração em dois países diferentes. Pensamos

muito nos familiares. A segurança da viagem aérea é muito necessária.

Isso é seguro novamente com a vacina.

Espero que meus familiares possam me visitar no ano que vem. Certamente será mais seguro.

Jose Lino

the air freely. It will also be a year of rebirth and hope from a human standpoint, and also a restart for the economy, trusting that governments can help companies that are floating on the surface and families forced to save, just as they did in the post-war period.

It will also be the year of awareness; there will be many vaccines and this must give us hope for the best. The fear of the virus will disappear and everything will be as before.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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Micheál safe for now from this motley crew…. < PAUL HEALY

Raquel Mendes

Raquel Mendes: Raquel mora em Roscommon há 13 anos.

Raquel é proprietária da loja Brasileira na Castle Street em Roscommon Town.

Minhas esperanças para 2021…

Espero para 2021, muita prosperidade para a cidade. Eu realmente gosto de viver aqui e ser capaz de criar meus dois filhos adolescentes nesta cultura. Não é fácil ser adolescente com a pandemia.

Vejo o quanto a cidade está crescendo com o novo comércio e ainda tem que

crescer. Hoje temos lojas de alimentos em vários países. Eu me preocupo com o Brexit e a continuação da pandemia, mas seguimos em frente. Espero que a pandemia e o acordo não tenham muito impacto sobre o produto para o consumidor.

Raquel Mendes: owner of The Brazilian Shop in Castle Street, Roscommon, Raquel has been living in Roscommon for thirteen years.

My hopes for 2021…

In 2021, I hope for a lot of prosperity in the town. I really enjoy living here and being able to raise my two teenage children in this culture. It is not easy being adolescent during the pandemic.

I can also see how much the town is growing with new trade, and it still has more to grow. Today we have food

stores with owners from several countries. I worry about Brexit and the continuation of the pandemic, but we have to move on.

I hope that the pandemic and the Brexit agreement will not have much impact on the price or availability of products to our consumers.

Jose Lino: a resident of Roscommon Town who has been living in Ireland for fourteen years.

My hopes for 2021 …

I have lived in Ireland for fourteen years, but 2020 was the most difficult year for all of us. What I hope for 2021 is to be able to live normally again – if the vaccine is a success!

For us, our hearts are in two different countries; we think a lot

about family members at home. Air travel safety is very necessary, and that will only be safe again with the vaccine.

I hope that members of my family will be able to visit me next year, when it will surely be safer.

The disenchanted within the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party are spending at least part of lockdown sharpening their knives and dreaming of a coup against their leader, Micheál Martin (right).

As rebel armies go, it is hardly the most intimidating. Laughably, they claim their campaign for SAM – Step aside Micheál – is purely motivated by concern over Government policy, the direction FF is going in, and…blah, blah, blah.

It appears that they actually expect us to keep straight (covered) faces as they tut and tut and argue – mostly in veiled manner since the election, more directly over the past few weeks – for change at the top.

What unites them – of course – is the fact that they were overlooked for ministries, and/or are not in Micheál’s inner circle. Of course Barry Cowen was briefly Minister for Agriculture, but that ended abruptly (and boy is he

still hurting). Jim O’Callaghan meanwhile, was offered a Minister of State role, but he put the nation first (ahem!) and turned it down in favour of spending more time with his ego.

The rebels include the great Willie O’Dea, which suggests to me that I should rest my case.

Not forgetting Marc MacSharry, who kept a straight face on

Virgin Media’s Tonight Show as he presented himself as some fascinating combination of opposition TD/Fianna Fáil parliamentary party member/ Independent MacSharry Party Leader.

Whatever eventually brings Micheál Martin down – in a few years – it’s unlikely to be this embittered motley crew!

Not so shy Shane settling not so old scores…

With breathtakingly indecent haste, our old friend Shane Ross – not much more than a wet week out of office – only went and published a ‘tell-all’ book, covering his period as a government minister.

I won’t be reading it. Ross is a talented columnist (Sunday Independent), but I refuse to read his book because of the naked opportunism involved!

Ross lost his seat in the last election and clearly has no intention of ever running for the Dáil again. He was a controversial minister, not without some achievements in the role. But he

Shane Ross

was addicted to publicity and excelled in trying to have it both ways, i.e. be a minister (and therefore loyal to Government) while also playing a populist card – and indeed continuing, from time to time, to write in a

national newspaper.

It’s a bit unseemly of Shane to have, on foot of being turfed out by the public, so quickly and smugly produced a book on his experience of being in Cabinet.

Last weekend, he was

Spare a thought!

You’d have to pity the poor politicians all the same…(well, those of a certain traditional style).

They can’t kiss babies, on account of the social distancing rules. They can’t shake hands with that timehonoured relentlessness, again, due to Covid. I hasten to add I am only referring to certain politicians, not all.

They can’t turn up at every small or large gathering – soundbites at the ready – because there are no small or large gatherings.

They can’t pop into the local pub and hold court, with the option of a strategic bit of buying-of-drinks (yeah, I know that had nearly died out!).

They can’t really hop on a plane to attend a conference on…say… climate change and the need to curb CO2 emissions.

Maybe worst of all, they can’t really attend funerals, certainly not to the extent and in the manner of the past.

Also on hold just now is the option

firing on all cylinders in the Sunday Independent, taking pot-shots at Leo Varadkar (his boss less than a year ago) and others.

Of course Shane is entitled to his opinion – and he’s a good writer – but the haste with which he has run from the Cabinet rooms to share his tales/opinions on colleagues/settle scores leaves a bit of a sour taste.

He has damaged his credibility at least a little…but I’m sure he’s entertaining enough at a dinner party.

– PH

of an ‘In touch with man and woman in the street’ chat at the back of the Church. And God knows when they’ll be able to stand outside GAA grounds with leaflets, a big smile and a chance to exhibit that unique skill of knowing everyone’s first name.

Tough times for ‘Traditional Politician’. Whoever you may be (even if you’re a relieved cute baby), please spare a thought for our more traditional politicians!

– PH

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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FRANK

FRANK BRANDON’S

BRANDON

unique take on life ...

A bizarre Christmas – and my experience of having a Covid test Our columnist writes about his experience of self-isolating, in praise of Marcus Rashford, enjoying the festive sport…and receiving an unwelcome ‘present’ It’s a beautiful frosty Monday morn-

ing as I write, and in a couple of days’ time Christmas 2020 will be a thing of the past. The curtain will be drawn on what was a bizarre, unusual, and very surreal festive period, but one that was also, surprisingly, reasonably enjoyable.

This year, there can be no doubt that Covid-19 cast a huge shadow over the whole world, and out here in Creggs we were affected just like everyone

else. On December 23rd, just as I was about to head up to Mikeen’s to close his pub for the third time, myself and Carol got the ‘great’ news that we had been close contacts with someone who had tested positive for Covid, and that we had to self-isolate for ten days and get ourselves tested. And so, instead of going to Mikeen’s to have a few pre-Christmas drinks, we were in isolation.

After a very low-key Christmas Day, we found ourselves heading off to Castlerea on St. Stephen’s morning to join loads more people, take our place in the queue, and get ourselves tested. Thankfully, a day and a half later both of us got the news that we were negative, but of course we still had to self-isolate, and only got back to the outside world yesterday (Sunday afternoon).

Marcus Rashford.

Marcus, a great role model

One of the supposed benefits of being in isolation is the fact that you get to see more television than normal.

After a lifetime of socialising on New Year’s Eve, I was almost looking forward to seeing the RTE offering, having never been available to watch it before. But, having suffered twenty minutes of absolute rubbish, I have made up my mind to go out every New Year’s Eve from now on (Covid allowing) for as long as I am able so that I will never be at home to see the RTE annual extravaganza.

However, one programme I did see was an amazingly uplifting documentary about Manchester United footballer, Marcus Rashford. If ever there was a player who lived up to his status as a hero and role model to thousands of young children all around the world, it is the young Manchester-born footballer, who has never forgotten his

humble beginnings and who single-handedly forced the UK Government to change its policy regarding the provision of school lunches to hundreds of thousands of deprived UK children.

The documentary followed his journey round the UK calling to disadvantaged areas, meeting with teachers, care workers, children, and their parents. His total commitment to the cause was so apparent, as was his complete lack of any type of self-importance, despite his status as one of the best footballers in the Premier League. The way he interacted with everyone was totally inspiring.

By now, you all know that I regard most Premier League footballers as overpaid, spoilt brats, and the recent total disregard of Covid rules by players from Spurs, West Ham, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace (among others), with their social media images of ill-judged

gatherings and house parties, only serves to highlight their complete lack of respect for ordinary folk and confirms that a lot of them think they are superior to the rest of us.

And so it was a delight to see the example being set by Rashford; a measure of his standing in the UK is the fact that the Prime Minister himself rings him on a regular basis.

But, as a long-time supporter of Man. United, I am also delighted to see that despite all this new attention he is still banging in the goals, and has contributed quite a bit to us, having a fruitful Christmas footballing period.

So well done Marcus, keep up the good work – you are a credit to your mother and your upbringing. Yet again, you’ve shown us all that no matter what you may become, you should never forget where you came from, and you should never turn your back on your roots.

I have to say that the whole experience at the testing centre in the Fire Station building was more than acceptable, with everyone being friendly, professional and thoroughly organised. Having been told that I would find the whole thing quite distasteful and even distressing, I found I had no problem at all, and have to admit I was pleasantly surprised with it all.

Sport a great escape from pandemic blues As restrictions get tougher and tougher, it seems that more and more people are ignoring the HSE advice. Apparently house parties and shebeens are springing up everywhere, and as a result we are seeing thousands of cases of Covid every day. As for us sports lovers, who are doing our best to follow the rules, sport on telly has been a great escape from the stress and strain of trying not to contract the virus.

Accordingly, the fantastic victory by Connacht over Leinster on Saturday in Dublin was great to see, and the commitment and effort displayed by the entire Connacht team, along with the subs used, was just wonderful.

To beat Leinster in their own backyard for the first time in years was real reward for a superb performance.

The two half backs, Monivea’s Caolan Blade and Athlone’s Jack Carty, showed real class, and Carty in particular could well get back into the international reckoning. The big challenge for Connacht is to reproduce that form next Saturday when Munster comes to the Sportsground. In the meantime, let’s all savour a win that will be talked about for many years to come.

And finally…

Finally for this week, at a time of such joy and goodwill, I would like to thank the kind person who left a lovely gift hanging on my front gate this morning – a black rubbish bag full of ashes, potato peels, bottle tops and Whiskas catfood cartons, among other such delights. The bag was carefully attached to the gate spikes, and as the person didn’t leave a gift tag I would just like to express my heartfelt thanks to them for such a fabulous way to start the New Year.

‘Till next week, bye for now

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

The

D News page

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Christmas lights brighten up health worker’s commute! < • DAN DOONER A winter scene: Taking a walk near Roscommon town recently. Picture: Mick McCormack

Ultra Cyclists raise €20k for Roscommon Hospice Board members of Mayo-Roscommon Hospice and members of Mayo Ultra Cyclists were pictured at the site of the Roscommon Hospice for the presentation of a cheque for €20,312, which was raised by Mayo Ultra Cyclists af-

ter the group cycled 26 counties in six days last August. The group raised the same amount for three other charities and funds raised for Mayo-Roscommon Hospice will go specifically towards the construction of Roscommon Hospice.

The Christmas spirit was still very much alive and well in Knockcroghery earlier this week when homeowners Tony and Marie McGee received a very special message in the post box. Marie explains: “The letter was from a lady who lives in Roscommon but works as a healthcare worker in Ballinasloe. She wanted to thank us for our Christmas lights display which has cheered her up on her way to work over the last few weeks.

“I was feeling a bit miserable at the start of the New Year so she really cheered me up with her lovely letter too!”

The McGees’ Christmas lights are a welcome addition to the village of Knockcroghery each year. They really complement the other lights in the town including the Let Love Shine A Light Tree and the crib located on the green as well as lights and decorations on local businesses and private homes.

The lights were certainly appreciated by many drivers and pedestrians – this writer included – over what was a difficult Christmas period!

Pictured are (front row, left to right): Mike Smith, Chairman, Mayo-Roscommon Hospice Foundation; Joanne Grehan, board member, Mayo-Roscommon Hospice; Martina Jennings, CEO, Mayo-Roscommon Hospice Foundation; Ronan Bourke, Mayo Ultra Cyclists; Alan Heaney, Mayo Ultra Cyclists (holding cheque). Back (l-r): Angelina Nugent, Mayo-Roscommon Hospice, and Vinnie Gavin, Mayo Ultra Cyclists.

Ballinasloe student nurse set for Glór Tíre!

Many thanks to Pam Stocker for sending us this picture. Pam says: “Please find attached a wonderful photo of my neighbours Pawel and Iwana’s take on the spirit of Christmas. It took Pawel hours as he completed both sides and all the wheels too. It has cheered us up no end here in Rathcave, Tulsk!”

Ballinasloe student nurse, Emma Donohue, is set for an appearance on Glór Tíre on TG4 as the search begins for the next big country music star.

Emma will be mentored by Mike Denver as she battles it out with five other hopefuls on the talent show over the next twelve weeks.

Emma’s musical influences include Philomena Begley, Billy Jo Spears, Trudi Lalor, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.

Glór Tíre is presented by Aoife Ni Thuairisg and Seamús Ó Scanláin, with help from judges John Creedon, Caitríona Ní Shúilleabháin and Jó Ní Chéide. It is broadcast every Tuesday night at 9.30 pm.

Viewers decide who will stay each week, and can vote by downloading the Glór Tíre app in the app store or on Google Playstore.

Emma Donohue

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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Miriam’s

MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

Cancel culture mutes free speech – and can ruin reputations Those of us preparing for what was the most boring Christmas of our lives may have been too engrossed in our country’s shocking and worrying coronavirus stats to realise that Minister for Justice Helen McEntee launched the findings from the ‘public consultation on Hate Speech and Hate Crime’ on December 17th.

Now I’m wondering which members of the public or sections of society were ‘consulted’, because I certainly wasn’t one of them and nobody I know was either. Therefore, I’m hoping that the results represent a broad spectrum of taxpayers/society as opposed to snowflakes – sorry individuals, who systemically call out and publicly smear right-thinking people for – God forbid – having and

expressing an opinion, i.e. the poor sods like you and me who fail to toe the ‘cancel-culture’ generation’s line!

Now I’m not talking about incidences containing and inciting antiLGBTQI+, racism, gender-based abuse/violence, victim blaming or discrimination of any form – I would not tolerate that. It’s hurtful, it’s derogatory and I’d be the first to call someone out on it. However, as this new Bill (due in the spring and updated with more ‘modern legislation’) will repeal the existing Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989, it’s my concern as a journalist that our freedom of speech will not just become stifled, it’ll be muted altogether.

Here’s an example of why I’m

concerned. If I’m disagreeable to hubby, he just accepts it because he respects that I have a different opinion. However, what if, under this new legislation, I’m disagreeable to an individual who doesn’t like what I’ve said or who opposes my opinion – will I then be hauled before a judge and thrown in prison? Furthermore, will/can this new legislation be used by angry zealots as a tactic to undermine an individual’s security regarding their own points of view?

What do I mean by that? Well (as another example), will an individual that makes a comment that they perceived to be hilarious, yet harmless, effectively lose their job because some joyless creature decides they won’t ignore it but instead, they’ll

How many sleeps until normality?

While it may appear that we’re facing into a bleak winter, with cases of coronavirus growing exponentially (and I for one fear we’ve not yet reached the peak of this pandemic, but hey, I’m a worrier), there is a sliver of hope on the horizon by way of the vaccine roll-out.

Just as well, because this virus has hit our country particularly hard. Indeed, the speed with which the situation has deteriorated is staggering. Daily

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.

figures have extended into their thousands, with reports stating (at the time of writing) that Ireland had reached over 100,000 cases.

And while many are criticising the government for what has become an explosive situation (and they do appear to be way out of their depth), I personally believe that the rise in cases is due to those irresponsible, selfish prats who threw/attended lockdown parties which,

without doubt, made for superspreader environments.

Now, listening to news reports, it does appear that rather than expecting this upsurge, our government may have been caught unaware. I don’t know about you readers, but it does seem to me that every time one of our wellpaid public representatives opens their mouth on national TV, instead of offering firm leadership and solutions, they’re just randomly throwing out lines from ‘Outbreak’ and ‘Contagion’.

It’s worrying that the need for hospital beds is rising by the day, while the supply of our frontline staff goes down. An example of this is the worsening situation at Cork University Hospital, which has been forced to close a ward due to having a staggering one hundred nurses ‘out of work for Covid-19-related reasons’.

However, all is not lost. There’s still hope. The results of the Christmas lockdown should begin to kick in this week, and the figures should begin to come down. And, as the country’s on course to receive ‘forty thousand vaccines a week from Pfizer’ between now and February, I hope Health Minister Stephen Donnelly’s Department adds the daily vaccination stats onto the reported daily Covid figures so we all know how many sleeps we have left until we return to normality.

ring up the poor sod’s employer and make a scene?

Look folks, in my view, causing irreparable reputational damage appears to be the modus operandi of today’s ‘cancel culture’ mob. I mean, if it weren’t, they’d simply just make the person who unwittingly caused their perceived offence aware of their feelings. As in, the radiographer who blamed my body-shape and vegan diet for my osteoporosis diagnosis – I confronted them face to face, and at no time did I ever consider complaining to their boss. But hey, the cancel-culture whingers believe it’s far better to launch a weapons-grade, public attack on people – one that’s guaranteed to ruin their lives.

These are people who clearly have

no interest in carrying out a meaningful discussion around offensive remarks, because hey, why allow common sense to get in the way of a knee-jerk reaction guaranteed to shut down a conversation completely?

For the record readers, while I will always be respectful of others’ feelings, I will continue to speak my mind. So should you! Why? Because we’re human beings, not robots, and not drudges! We’re all entitled to our opinions and personally, I find it extremely disturbing and unhealthy when a rabble of agitators and scandalmongers force us to continuously self-censor, rather than risk reprisals for fear of committing the crime of thinking and speaking freely.

Looking forward to life after lockdown If coronavirus has taught us anything it’s been the importance of our families, our living spaces, our outdoor spaces, and our appreciation of the everyday things like social interaction and human contact. I mean digital interaction is fine, but it’s absolutely no substitute for the real thing.

While I admit that I’m not a hugger (OCD issues), I’m actually looking forward to being able to shake someone’s hand again.

Mind you, coronavirus and the lockdown-out-of-lockdown-into-lockdown situation has, surprisingly, made many of our friends and family members understand our decision to move away from the magic spell cast by the bright-lights, bigcity vibe and relocate to County Roscommon.

Yep, the “what were you thinking…were

you having an out- of-body episode?” barbs have been replaced by “OMG you’re so lucky you’re living in a cottage in a field in the middle of nowhere”. For the record, we’re not in the middle of nowhere, but to my fellow Dubliners/now wannabe ex-urbanites, who dwell in overpriced, over-populated big cities, Roscommon is, quite simply, as remote as you can get!

Well readers, at least we don’t have to suffer a crop of overcrowded local house parties, nor do we have to worry about the horrendous effects of those riots – sorry ‘peaceful protests’ – that many of my close friends and relations who live in Dublin have had to endure over the past week.

Happy New Year, roll on 2021!

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

15

NewsPeople newsbriefs

War of Independence in Roscommon 100 years ago New Year 1921

Tommy celebrates 101st birthday!

Tommy Gallagher recently celebrated his 101st birthday at his home in Lisacul. He is pictured with Cllr. Anthony Waldron, on the occasion of the councillor’s visit during December.

Cllr. Waldron is delighted to report that Tommy is “in fine fettle”.

“He proudly showed me the commemorative coin he had just received to mark his 101st, along with a congratulatory letter signed by the President as part of his Centenarian Bounty.

“He tells me a new coin is designed for each subsequent birthday and he is looking forward to gathering a few of them”.

Funding for St Nathy’s welcomed

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has welcomed the news that St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, has been approved funding for additional facilities.

“This allocation will allow for the provision of a construction studies room. I hope this is initiated as soon as possible to the benefit of St. Nathy’s students and the school community,” he said.

Public urged to check on those living alone

The public have been urged to check the elderly and those who live alone as temperatures continue to plummet across County Roscommon.

Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns took to social media this week after it emerged that a person had slipped on ice outside a property in the town and lay unattended to for over an hour before help could be called.

A post on the group’s Facebook page read: ‘Ballaghaderreen Fire Service recently attended an incident where a person had slipped on ice at the rear of a house. That person lay unattended for over an hour before help could be called.

‘Please check on people who live alone, particularly the elderly and those with less agility.

Remember also to wear a mask’.

Super Draw in aid of refurbishment of St Ronan’s Hall

St. Ronan’s Hall in Keadue is a community centre which is used by many groups. The hall was built in 1940 and now needs major refurbishment.

Phase 1 of the work is almost complete but as no income can be generated at present due to Covid-19 restrictions the only means of fundraising is a Super Draw which is to take place in the New Year to raise matching funds, which comes to €44,000.

1st prize in the Super Draw is €1,000, and there will also be many other valuable prizes.

Tickets are on sale in local businesses and from committee members and online at go.rallyup. com/keadue.

New Year 1921 was marked by sporadic assaults on Crown forces in different parts of the county.

In the first week of January, there were assaults at Strokestown, where one RIC member was fatally wounded, and Tarmonbarry, where an hour-long exchange of gunfire failed to inflict any casualties on either side. In Elphin, IRA members entered the town and shot and wounded two policemen. At Rooskey, an attack had to be called off when one of the attacking party was unexpectedly arrested.

In the same week, volunteers from the third battalion, south Roscommon, embarked on a daring voyage across the Shannon in two rowboats to launch an ambush on the RIC at Lanesborough.

The attack had to be abandoned when the police didn’t venture out of their barracks, as it was a treacherous night of wind and rain. There were other efforts by the IRA to engage the Crown forces in battle, but they weren’t successful.

At Clooncraff, Kilteevin, a number of volunteers from the third and fourth battalions, south Roscommon, waited for three consecutive nights to intercept crown forces, only to be disappointed, with no patrols showing up. Similar ambushes for Knockcroghery, Castlerea, Frenchpark and Donamon all had to be abandoned due to circumstances beyond the volunteers’ control.

Later in the month, there was an attack on a police patrol in the Crossna district of north Roscommon and the courthouse in Ballyfarnon was burned out as a protest to the justice being administered there.

The shooting of Patrick Durr The nightly Black and Tan raids which were a common feature in the last months of 1920 continued in 1921. The New Year was just six days old when tragedy struck again in the west of the county.

On January 6th, a rural farmhouse, Tom Leonard’s of Kennyborough, Ballintobber, was the target for a night-time terror raid by the deadly force. On the night of the raid, two volunteers were on the run, and staying in Leonards’ house. Previous to this, Patrick Durr and William Cunnane had been sleeping in haystacks and outhouses, but due to the severe night-time January temperatures, they had decided to take shelter in a warmer abode. They were welcome to stay in the Leonard residence with the other members of the Leonard family, including Tom Leonard, a son of the owner, who was also on the run and risked staying at home that night. The three volunteers were members of Ballintubber Company, 2nd Battalion (Oran) South Roscommon Brigade IRA. Leonard’s home in Kennyborough was situated in a remote location some distance from the main road, and was considered a safe house for volunteers to take shelter in. The household was in bed on that cold frosty night, when at 3 am, the place was surrounded by masked members of the Black and Tans.

When the men on the run were alerted to the raiders outside, an attempt was made by them to get out of the house through a back window, but they were ordered back by an armed Black and Tan, who was standing outside holding a torch.

After hearing the loud knocking, Mrs. Leonard arose from a settle bed and

opened the door. She was confronted by the masked raiders, who barged in, rounding up all the occupants of the house and taking them into the kitchen.

They informed the three volunteers that they were to be arrested. Tom Leonard used the excuse that he wanted to retrieve his shoes from the bedroom. He was allowed into the room unguarded, and noting that there was no Tan outside the window (they had all entered the kitchen by then), he made his escape through the window.

William Cunnane, who was in the kitchen, suspected that Leonard had got away and made a dash through the front door. Both men quickly disappeared in the darkness of the night and fled through the fields, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the house.

The Tans, furious at the fact that two of the fugitives had escaped, seized Patrick Durr and dragged him outside the door where they shot him three times. He died instantly. Patrick Durr’s body was removed to his parents’ house in Tubberkeagh and waked there. He was buried a few days later in Ballintubber cemetery.

He was just 23-years old.

The raid on Leonard’s house and the shooting of Patrick Durr was carried out by a specialist unit of the Black and Tans, RIC and British army based in Castlerea, of which there was mention in earlier articles. This unit was to create havoc in the first and second battalion regions, with the terror raiding and summary execution of volunteers.

Their activity was to peak later during the spring and summer of 1921, and there will be more details in later articles about this unit and their victims. In the first week of January, British forces came out onto the streets of Castlerea and commenced looting shops and firing their weapons indiscriminately – luckily no civilians were hit.

On January 26th, an important meeting of the South Roscommon Brigade officers was held in the Loughglynn area of Castlerea. A few days after the meeting, some members of the brigade staff were in a safe house preparing plans for the campaign when a vigilant look-out reported enemy movements; the place was being encircled by crown forces. The men at the meeting had to disperse quickly before the net closed around them. Some of the brigade staff members were fired at as they made their escape from the tightening ring of steel, but luckily, they all made it out before the troops eventually closed in.

When the crown forces came to the farmhouse where the staff meeting had taken place they immediately laid siege, burning and smashing everything there, including the dwelling house and haystacks.

Some very active volunteer officers of the Roscommon IRA were at the meeting and had they been captured it would have dealt a severe blow to the war on crown forces in the county. (More next month).

An Staraí Áitiúil

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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ICMSA calls for year-end bonus

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Viewing from 5pm - 7pm. Sale at 7pm MONDAY EVENING 11TH JANUARY DRY COWS Cows in calves/in-calf cows, Weanling, Bullocks and Heifers and Special Entry of 7 Limousine in-calf cows 4th calvers and 10 Limousine Semential Cross Cows in-calf to Pure Bred Charolais Bull Bull also for sale and 12 Springer Cows, third calvers, in-calf to Limousin 5 Star Bull Sale at 6pm. Viewing from 5pm to 6pm Usual Sheep Sale at 7.30pm Bookings taken by phone online only - mart bids to register

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Pat stays in ICMSA hot seat At their recent virtual National Council AGM, Pat McCormack was confirmed uncontested as ICMSA President for a second three-year term.

Sitting Deputy President, Lorcan McCabe, was likewise selected to serve a second three-year term in that position following an election with Des Morrison.

Mr. Morrison will continue as Chairperson of the Livestock Committee, as will Denis Drennan as Chairperson of the Farm and Rural Affairs Committee and Shane O’Loughlin as Chairperson of the Farm Business Committee. Kieran O’Brien (Meath) and DJ Keohane from Cork were selected to serve on the Executive Committee.

Horticulture sector faces crisis – Fitz Issues surrounding the supply of peat to the horticulture sector means the industry is facing a crisis, Michael Fitzmaurice TD has warned.

This is an issue that has developed in recent months, and it looks set to get worse if remedial action isn’t taken soon, he added.

He said: “The mushroom industry, nurseries and others involved in the horticulture sector depend on peat.

“It is unbelievable that Bord na Mona is exporting peat out of the country and north of the border, when businesses in the south are crying out for it. Without peat, businesses in the sector cannot begin planting.

“People will be wondering why they cannot get plants grown in Ireland for their garden next year. This will inevitably lead to the importation of plants, which also increases the risk of importing diseases to native plants. Furthermore, thousands of jobs within the horticulture industry are at risk.

“This Government needs to wake up and recognise that this sector will fall deeper into a crisis if action isn’t taken soon,” he concluded.

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Having reviewed both market returns throughout 2020 and the corresponding milk price paid to farmers, the chairperson of ICMSA’s Dairy Committee said that while the association conceded that Irish milk processors had faced a highly challenging year in terms of Covid uncertainties, very significant returns had nevertheless been achieved and Co-op boards should now recognise that reality by paying a year-end bonus to their supplier-members.

The Dairy Committee Chairperson, Ger Quain, said that the payment was completely justified, both as a proportionate share of Co-op profits, and in recognition of the huge contribution made by farmers in maintaining an ongoing supply of nutritious food products to

the public throughout the most intense periods of the pandemic.

Mr. Quain said that dairy markets had showed considerable improvements post-lockdown in April, and clear evidence of this could be seen from the Ornua returns and other dairy market indicators, including farm gate price paid to farmers. He pointed out that the objections made by ICMSA at the time when the March and April milk price cuts were premature, had been completely vindicated. But he also noted that the price cuts could be attributed to justified concerns about the incredible disruption caused by Covid-19 and the anticipated fall in demand, and therefore could reasonably be interpreted as a pre-emptive shortterm measure to protect

the business.

Mr. Quain felt the same caution was still being applied in the latter part of 2020, as the possibility of a No Deal Brexit hung over the industry, keeping milk prices at the lower end of expectations.

We are now in a position, according to Mr. Quain, to confirm a reasonable continuation of our British business, and it seemed very fair to ask the Co-op boards, meeting shortly to set December prices, to include a market based top-up payment for all milk supplied in 2020.

Mr. Quain said that no one could seriously dispute that market returns were better than anticipated, and that fact should now be recognised in the form of a Year-End Bonus to be paid to Co-op milk suppliers.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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(Proudly serving farmers for over 61 years) Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373

Covid 19 Level 5 – Mart Restrictions All sales shall be ONLINE ONLY on our LSL App Buyers must register to view stock prior to sale. Sellers must drop off their livestock and leave. Animals will be sold subject and Sellers will be informed of their prices by telephone.

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Lambs & Cast Ewes Wednesday, January 13th at 11 a.m.

Yard opens at 8 a.m.

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General Sale for Bullocks, Heifers & Dry Cows Friday, January 15th at 11 a.m.

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True Grit! < DAN DOONER

A local resident has described the Tarmonbarry to Rooskey road as “treacherous” and said he has approached Roscommon County Council with a view to organising a group of volunteers to grit it during the winter months.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Seán Browne said that the recent drop in temperatures has left the road in a dangerous condition.

He explained: “I am aware of several skids

on this road, including one which caused serious damage to the vehicle involved. Last year, about this time, I myself had a skid in Newtown. I was travelling quite slowly at the time, no more than 35 to 40mph. Fortunately, I suffered only minor personal injuries, plus shock of course.

“This is an extremely bendy road and portions of it are particularly treacherous in frost. It is also a very busy road”.

Claiming that there is “no provision” for gritting the road and no appropri-

ate warning signage, Mr. Browne said that this is “a disgrace and a scandal”.

Mr. Browne added that he had made contact with local councillor Tom Crosby with a view to taking a ‘meitheal’ approach – calling in locals – to grit the road with materials supplied by Roscommon County Council.

However, Mr. Browne claims that the local authority itself won’t provide locals with the gritting material. The group has since acquired gritting material from another source.

Cllr. Crosby has said that

Opening Sale of Weanlings & Suckler Cows

Friday, January 22nd at 11 a.m.

Also Bullocks & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 14th -------------

New Year Special Sale of Bullocks Friday, January 29th at 11 a.m.

Also Heifers & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 21st Congratulations to Shane, Ella and Matthew (Tisrara NS, Four Roads) who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday, December 12th in St. Patrick’s Church in Dysart.

Pictured with the students are Fr. Francis Beirne and teacher Ms. Serena Curley.

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Confusion over N5 bypass funding – Murphy Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has said the contract on the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue bypass has not yet been signed and that some confusion had arisen in relation to funding of €30 million announced by the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in recent weeks.

Senator Murphy said that the TII budget of €30m, which was recently announced, was in relation to improvement and maintenance works on the three national primary routes – the N4, N5 and N6 – and was not related to the N5 bypass.

“Some confusion seems to have arisen in relation to this TII funding of €30 million and it seems that assumptions were made that it relates to the N5 bypass when in fact it does not. This is not the goahead for the N5 bypass – no contracts have yet been signed in relation to the N5. This funding is for improvement and maintenance works on the three national primary routes and while that may include some maintenance works on the N5, it does not relate to the N5 bypass.

“I have been working on this issue for some time and I would hope that we will see N5 bypass contracts signed early in 2021. The overall project for the N5 bypass is in the region of €200 million and it seems that some people made assumptions and confusion arose when the TII funding of €30m was announced so I believe it’s important to clarify the matter,” concluded Senator Murphy.

would seem Roscommon County Council are reluctant to grant them permission. I can understand this reluctance because it could leave both parties exposed in the event of an accident.

“There is a huge burden on Roscommon County Council with over 3,800 miles of road in the county. You would genuinely need around 100 gritters out on the road each night.

“While we all want our local roads gritted, it would be virtually impossible to do every road,” he concluded.

Sunday 10 January 2021

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while he understands Mr. Browne’s frustrations, it would be almost impossible for the local authority to grit every road.

“The road between Rooskey and Tarmonbarry has been the subject of a number of accidents over the years. We (councillors) were told at a meeting last year that for practical reasons, priority is given to primary roads and that there is a budget provided for that,” he said.

Cllr. Crosby added: “A local committee has kindly offered to take on the job of gritting the road but it

SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION

Tuesday, January 19th at 4 p.m.

Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 14th ----------------------

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

Locals offer to take meitheal approach to ‘treacherous’ road

Youth council to push for more amenities in 2021 < DAN DOONER

The need to provide more amenities for young people will be the key priority for Roscommon Comhairle na nÓg in 2021 following a ballot of the organisation’s membership at its recent AGM. Comhairle na nÓg are child and youth councils within the country’s 31 local authorities. They are designed to enable young people to have their voices heard on services, policies and issues that affect them, in their local area and at national level.

Over eighty delegates from secondary schools across the county participated in workshops on issues affecting young people in Co. Roscommon during the recent online AGM. Guest speakers included Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr.

Laurence Fallon; Minister of State Frank Feighan; Alex’s Adventure Managing Director, Nicole Ryan; Roscommon Jigsaw Youth and Community Engagement Work, Yvonne Lowry.

Comhairle na nÓg Chairperson, Caoimhe Leonard, said: “After reviewing the information we received from a

number of workshops throughout the event, we found there was a strong feeling at the meeting that young people need more amenities. This will therefore form the basis of Comhairle’s work in 2021”.

Both Cllr. Laurence Fallon and Minister of State for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan, commended the work of Comhairle na nÓg and urged young people to remain actively engaged in community and civic life in Roscommon.

There were also guest presentations from Yvonne Lowry of Jigsaw Roscommon and Nicole Ryan, whose brother, Alex, passed away in 2016 after taking a large dose of a synthetic drug.

Nicole won the 2018 Munster Humanitarian of the Year award for her work in creating awareness around the dangers of drugs.

Comhairle na nÓg thanked all post-primary schools in Roscommon for their continued engagement with the organisation as well as Roscommon County Council, Youth Work Ireland Midlands and the steering committee for its ongoing support and guidance.

Today the child born on Christmas is revealed to be the long-awaited king of the Jews.

As the priests and scribes interpret the prophecies in today’s Gospel, He is the ruler expected from the line of King David, whose greatness is to reach to the ends of the earth (see Micah 5:1–3; 2 Samuel 5:2).

Jesus is found with His mother, as David’s son, Solomon, was enthroned alongside his Queen Mother (see 1 Kings 2:19). And the magi come to pay Him tribute, as once kings and queens came to Solomon (see 1 Kings 10:2,25).

His coming evokes promises that extend back to Israel’s beginnings.

Centuries before, an evil king seeking to destroy Moses and the Israelites had summoned Balaam, who came from the East with two servants. But Balaam refused to curse Israel, and instead prophesied that a star and royal staff would arise out of Israel and be exalted above all the nations (see Numbers 22:21; 23:7; 24:7, 17).

This is the star the three magi follow. And like Balaam, they too refuse to be tangled in an evil king’s scheme. Their pilgrimage is a sign – that the prophesies in today’s First Reading and Psalm are being fulfilled. They come from afar, guided by God’s light, bearing the wealth of nations, to praise Israel’s God. We celebrate today our own entrance into the family of God, and the fulfilment of God’s plan that all nations be united with Israel as co-heirs to His Fatherly blessings, as Paul reveals in today’s Epistle.

We too must be guided by the root of David, the bright morning star (see Revelation 22:16), and the light of the world (see Isaiah 42:6; John 8:12).

As the magi adored Him in the manger, let us renew our vow to serve Him, placing our gifts – our intentions and talents – on the altar in this Eucharist. We must offer to Him our very lives in thanksgiving. No lesser gift will suffice for this new-born King.

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

Businesses: Reach your target market!

18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY

18

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

NewsPeople

Securing your home Safety advice from your local Community Gardaí Your home is only as secure as its weakest point of entry. That’s why controlling access to your home starts with locking windows and doors, ensuring that they are as secure as possible.

You should consider that your doors and windows meet Irish and EU burglar resistant security standards.

Take a good look at your windows from the outside, and remove potential access aides such as bins and ladders that could be used to reach windows.

Store keys and valuable items should be left out of sight from windows and letterboxes, and you should ensure you lock away outdoor valuables.

When leaving your house, lock doors, windows, side gates and outbuildings – even if you are only going out for a short time. Use timer switches to turn on lights and do not forget to set your intruder alarm.

If you are leaving your house unoccupied for long periods of time, do not disclose too much

PropertyPeople

Skrine, Rahara

Final offers invited for bungalow in Skrine Connaughton Auctioneers are now calling for final offers on a four-bedroomed bungalow in Skrine, Rahara. Approximately 7km from the village of Athleague is this detached bungalow, located on a large site of circa 0.61 acres.

Located in a scenic area on a quiet country cul-de-sac road, this residence is in need of some modernisation internally but represents excellent value in today’s market. The accommodation is spacious, with a floor area of circa 1,345 square feet, and has all services connected.

The original cottage was built in the 1950s, but has been modernised and extended. The property offers originality and charm to the prospective buyer, with an array of outbuildings on site, including six stables, which are near completion.

The entrance porch leads into the large living room, which boasts an open fireplace with a feature wooden mantle and information about your plans on social media or otherwise. You would be surprised how easily information can fall into the wrong hands.

Ask a trusted individual to conduct frequent checks at your property and possibly collect any post – otherwise you could arrange a ‘mail minder’ service with An Post.

Inform your local Garda Station about

your premises being vacant so that they can pay passing attention on their patrols. Contact your local Garda Station should you see or hear of any suspicious activity occurring in your area.

Gardaí would encourage communities to join their local text alert system. Text Alert is an invaluable Crime Prevention tool that is used in communities

surround, tiled flooring and high ceilings. There are three bedrooms off, two carpeted and one with wooden flooring.

The kitchen/dining room is located to the rear of the property, under the extension, and is a large room with tiled flooring, kitchen units and ample light. The utility room is to the right, and the fourth bedroom and main bathroom with bath, sink and toilet, is located to the left.

Services include mains water, septic tank, electricity and oil-fired central heating.

Seldom does a property like this arrive on the market, offering fantastic potential and value for money. Final offers by 12 pm on Friday, January 8th.

For further information, contact the office on 090 6663700 or email info@connaughtonauctioneers.ie Evening, weekend and bank holiday viewings are available by prior arrangement.

across the country.

Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances of Covid-19, we are unable to hold crime prevention meetings, however, if you would like further advice on any of the points raised, do not hesitate to contact your local Community Garda. * Roscommon Garda Station (090 663 8300), and Castlerea Garda Station (094 962 1630).

Shauna graduates from Trinity Pictured is Shauna O’Neill, daughter of James and Margaret O’Neill, Cloontuskert, Lanesboro, Co. Roscommon, who graduated recently with a B.A. (Mod.) in Nanoscience, Physics and Chemistry of Advanced Materials from Trinity College Dublin.

Shauna was awarded the Intel Women in Technology scholarship during her studies at Trinity College. She was the overall runner-up in the BT Young Scientist Competition in 2013.

Having been awarded the Intel Best Project award in the Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences category in the 2013 BT Young Scientist, Shauna went forward to represent Ireland at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, held in Phoenix, Arizona, the world’s largest international precollege science competition.

Shauna is a former student of Meánscoil Muire gan Smál, Roscommon, and Cloontuskert N.S. Shauna is now studying for a Masters degree at NUI Galway.

No. 6, Bealach Na Ceartan, Williamstown

Final offers invited for Williamstown house Connaughton Auctioneers are now calling for final offers on this very spacious, four-bedroomed, two-storey residence on the fringe of Williamstown.

No. 6, Bealach Na Ceartan is built to a very high standard. Features are many in this exceptional home, such as solar panels on the roof for consistent hot water, zoned central heating with heat recovery system, ‘Beam’ central vacuum system,

beautiful cobblelocking on the front drive and a large enclosed garden to rear.

The property is located in a much sought after area, convenient to Tuam, Ballyhaunis, Castlerea and Roscommon.

Final offers by 2 pm this Friday, January 8th.

For further information or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 090 6663700.

19

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

PropertyPeople

PROPERTY PARTNERS

ipav

Institute of Professional Auctioneer & Valuers

PSRA Licence No. 001481

FINAL OFFERS INVITED

EARLEY

NEW TO THE MARKET

A MOST ATTRACTIVE WATERSIDE RESIDENTIAL HOLDING OF LANDS CONTAINING APPROX. 45.3 ACRES LOCATED AT

A MOST ATTRACTIVE 4 B/R BUNGALOW RESIDENCE LOCATED AT

KILMORE AVENUE, LECARROW, ATHLONE, CO. ROSCOMMON.

3 HAWTHORNE DRIVE, ATHLONE ROAD, ROSCOMMON TOWN F42 TX82 Price Guide: €200,000.

with valuable and extensive frontage onto the River Shannon (Can be sold in one or more lots should market interest dictate)

Price Guide: €595,000 the entire.

A prime waterside residential holding of lands with extensive frontage onto the famous River Shannon.

The said property is located in a most select and scenic setting on which stands a quality 4 B/R modern bungalow residence together with a 2 B/R cottage in need of modernisation set to the side.

The said property can be sold in one or more lots should market interest dictate and is set out as follows: Lot 1: The Entire.

Lot 2: Modern 4 B/R bungalow residence standing on approx. 0.8 of an acre.

Lot 3: Approx. 44.5 acres of lands on which stands a 2 B/R cottage, out buildings and together with extensive water frontage.

Lot 4: 2 B/R cottage of say 0.5 of an acre.

Lot 5: Lands only containing approx. 44 acres in one or more lots should market interest dictate.

The auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and final offers to sell. BER: D2.

A primely located bungalow residence of approx. 1,360 sq.ft standing on a beautifully mature site area situated in a most select residential development on the edge of Roscommon Town. The said property offers spacious living accommodation throughout and would make an ideal family residence. This is a must view property and the auctioneers now invite immediate enquiries and all offers to sell. BER: D1.

LANDS TO LET Approx. 17 acres of lands located at Ardsallagh Beg, Roscommon Town from the 1st March to the 1st November 2021 for grazing, meadow/silage purposes. For further details, apply to the office.

Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon Email: jearley@propertypartners.ie www.propertypartners.ie Tel: (090) 6626579 / 6626796 Fax: (090) 6625405 For out of office enquiries, please contact John on 086 2551380 or David on 086 8952283.

When it comes to selling property, there’s no substitute for experience This week, Property Partners Earley, Roscommon are seeking houses in all areas of Roscommon for cash clients and disappointed underbidders. Houses in the general Roscommon Town, Knockcroghery and Lecarrow areas are of particular interest, with a number of properties having been sold there in the past few weeks.

Property Partners have been sell-

ing property for generations and offer a nationwide network of offices, offering exceptional local knowledge. With an extensive computerised database of active buyers, Property Partners Earley are best placed to advise on all your property matters.

They offer a professional marketing plan designed to deliver their goal of selling your home for the

highest price possible. We have now launched our 360-degree virtual tour service at no extra cost and have sold a number of properties to overseas clients who are unable to travel due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Your property will be listed on all major websites to include propertypartners.ie, daft.ie and myhome. ie. With over 3,000 unique hits on

the Property Partners website each day alone, you property will be marketed to the forefront. Local knowledge, nationwide.

For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact either John Earley (FIPAV) or David Diffley (MIPAV) of Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090 66 26579 or email jearley@ propertypartners.ie.

Farms wanted!

This week, Property Partners Earley, Roscommon are advising that following a number of recent sales of farms in the region over the past number of weeks, that they now require farms in all areas for cash clients and disappointed underbidders.

John Earley commented: “Following on from a number of successful farm sales in the area over the past number of weeks, we now require farmlands of all sizes acres in all areas. We offer a comprehensive sales service with a one of the largest databases of customers in the region. Should you wish to place your property on the market, we offer a free consultation service and we welcome all enquiries”.

To avail of a free consultation, please contact one of the professional team at Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090 66 26579, email jearley@propertypartners.ie, or log on to propertypartners.ie.

Earley’s close the sale of prime Rahara residence This week, David Diffley (MIPAV, TRV) of Property Partners Earley is pleased to advise that he closed the sale of a primely located, three-bedroomed bungalow residence, located at Lisdaulin, Rahara in Knockcroghery, for a “very satisfactory” price.

David described the property as “an attractive, three-bedroomed, countryside bungalow residence, located in a select residential district. The said property offers spacious living accommodation throughout and stands on a large, mature site area of approximately 0.61 of an acre. Solicitors with carriage of sale were Roddy McCrann, Messers TV McCrann & Son Solicitors, Roscommon town.

David further commented: “We have experienced a very busy selling period with quality properties attracting strong interest in all areas. Due to demand, we are now seeking properties in all areas for disappointed underbidders and cash buyers. We welcome all submissions and offer a free appraisal service”.

For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact David Diffley (MIPAV, TRV) at Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090 6626579, email ddiffley@propertypartners.ie or log on to propertypartners.ie.

Lisdaulin, Rahara in Knockcroghery

Looking to sell?

We have buyers!

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• Lettings & Rentals • Property Management – We will manage all aspects of your rental property • Valuations – FREE pre-sale valuation No Sale – No Charge Web: www.kleavyauctioneer.com Tel. 071 96 34737

20

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

Business

Business reacts to latest Covid restriction measures Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has said that exhaustive efforts must be made by everyone to ensure that the latest wave of Covid restrictions are effective in addressing the health crisis facing the country and that this is the last lockdown.

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “The business community supports the Government’s call for a collective effort in suppressing the rising number of Covid cases and will play its part in this endeavour. This includes facilitating the need for

non-essential workers to work from home.

“The speed by which vaccines are rolled out will be central to efforts to tackle the health crisis. Once again, Ibec is calling on Government to urgently and collectively work with

business to expedite the widespread roll-out of Covid vaccines and promote a greater role for speedier and cost-effective Antigen testing.

“The exceptional performance of the overall economy over the past twelve months, as reflected

in Exchequer Figures released this week, highlights that Government has the necessary resources to support those sectors which are continuing to bear the heaviest burden of the ongoing restrictions”, he concluded.

Payment break extensions needed – Kerrane Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway Claire Kerrane has called on the Minister for Finance to engage with lenders in order to provide payment break extensions without additional interest for borrowers impacted by the latest round of Covid-19 restrictions.

On December 2nd, the European regulator announced that it was reactivating its guidelines for Covid-19 payment breaks in response to the second wave of the virus.

This allows the Government and Irish banks to provide for a threemonth extension to payment breaks for those borrowers that needed it during the second and third waves of the virus.

Speaking on this issue, Deputy Kerrane said: “The third surge of the coronavirus poses a grave threat to the health and security of our society.

Just like the second wave, this latest surge has resulted in job losses, continued unemployment or financial insecurity for many mortgage borrowers and businesses.

“When this pandemic began, the European Banking Authority issued guidelines that allowed Government and lenders to provide for payment breaks for borrowers who were impacted by the virus. Due to Government inaction, Irish borrowers were only able to avail of six-month payment breaks, while borrowers in Germany, Italy and Spain were able to avail of breaks of between nine and twelve months. Worse still, these banks charged borrowers additional interest during their payment breaks, increasing their outstanding debt by thousands of euro.

“By the end of November, over 9,000 mortgage holders and SMEs whose payment breaks had ended were unable to return to normal repayments. We know that banks and lenders have failed to offer many of these borrowers sustainable solutions in these difficult times.

“On December 2nd the EBA announced that it was reactivating its payment break guidelines. This was an opportunity to provide real relief

Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/ Galway Claire Kerrane

for thousands of borrowers who have now faced two rounds of restrictions since November. Despite calling on the Government and banks to seize this opportunity, they failed to do so.

“As we face another prolonged period of public health restrictions, I am again calling on the Government to do the right thing and secure a payment break extension without additional interest for those borrowers who need it”, concluded Deputy Kerrane.

‘Increase in job postings in Budding entrepreneurs Roscommon’ urged to apply for Student FRS Recruitment recorded a 115% increase in the number of job postings offered in Roscommon during 2020, the largest county increase in the country.

FRS are also forecasting a 25% increase in job postings nationwide over the coming year.

Although FRS Recruitment recorded a 36% drop in job postings nationally over the last twelve months due to the impact of the pandemic, there were significant regional variations. Roscommon was one of twelve counties in the Republic of Ireland to record an increase in the number of opportunities advertised. The largest percentage increases were in Roscommon (up 115.4%), Wexford (up 36.1%) and Kildare (up 26.9%). The greatest decrease came in Westmeath (down 34.3%), followed by Leitrim (down 33.3%) and Dublin (28.3%).

FRS is predicting that 2021 will be a year of two halves in recruitment, but that

the overall market should see a strong improvement over the course of the year.

The year will start slowly, but the roll-out of the vaccine will bring confidence back to the market and create a strong pipeline of employment opportunities as businesses seek extra resources in the second half of the year.

Demand for healthcare workers is likely to see overseas-based candidates come back into consideration, and there will be a continued demand for skilled IT personnel. Other sectors likely to experience a strong increase in demand include roles in construction and life science as well as for temporary commercial and industrial personnel.

FRS Recruitment is one of the leading recruitment businesses operating in Ireland. They have ten offices nationwide, with locations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Offaly, Cavan and Roscommon.

Enterprise Programme

Young entrepreneurs in counties Galway and Roscommon should apply for this year’s Student Enterprise Programme, which is good experience for getting started in the world of business, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Aisling Dolan said: “I am pleased that the Local Enterprise Office’s Student Enterprise Programme will take place this year, and I would encourage all budding second-level entrepreneurs in counties Galway and Roscommon to take part in the competition”.

Students will compete across three categories – junior, intermediate and senior – and judging takes place virtually via electronic submissions. Each student enterprise is challenged with creating, setting up and running their own business, which must show sales of their service or product.

Senator Dolan said: “I worked previously in Health Innovation Hub Ireland and we did some activities with secondary schools, and there is such talent and creativity amongst our students.

“It’s important to keep that sense of trying out new ideas and problem solving as they pursue their careers. We have had so many global and local challenges over the past year, and it’s a great way to ask young people to come up with solutions that can help make life better and easier for people”.

The programme will also include two additional categories that students can enter. These are the ‘Most Creative Business Idea’ video competition for the Senior category and the ‘My Entrepreneurial Journey’ category for the Junior and Intermediate categories.

See www.studententerprise.ie for more.

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Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

Classifieds

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

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

ACCOUNTS McGOWAN ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES Catering for: • Individuals • Sole Traders, Partnerships & Companies • 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

PODIATRIST Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Sarah Darcy

CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI 5 days a week at

Tullys

PODIATRIST

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

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

085 1503353 086 8538404

Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com

• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services

Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar

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

CAR FOR SALE HSE Trained and Approved l >1000 hours in Merlin Park l Home visits available For appointment call: l

094 9620009

< FOR SALE: 161 Skoda Octavia Active, 1.6 TDi, 110HP, Black Metallic, excellent condition with 1 careful owner from new, NCT February 2022, 51,260miles/82,500km, price €11,500. Phone: 087 1371523

Department of Health Approved

Kearney’s Chemist Main Street, Castlerea

For appointment: (094) 96 21647 / (089) 4142233 • Home visits • 20 years experience

CONSTRUCTION Stephen Casey

Construction Complete Chimney Services

Chimney Cleaning

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

l

l General Building Extensions & Roofing l Groundworks l Renovations

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

087 9268424 stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

CCTV CAMERA INSPECTIONS • Firebacks replaced and flues repaired • Can be cleaned from the bottom up • Chimney cowels and crow guards fitted Power washing and gutter cleaning services.

Telephone:

087 2798704

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

CHIMNEY SWEEP • Open fire, stove, ranges • All flues and chimneys • Power brushed & vaccumed • No mess, no fuss • CCTV camera inspections • Detailed report and CCTV recording provided for insurance claims • Fully insured Also available for powerwashing and gutter cleaning fergalkelly@live.com

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

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

The local paper!

OUR DEADLINE IS STRICTLY 2PM ON TUESDAY We cannot guarantee publication after this time

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

NO FIX NO FEE

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

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

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

• Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods

Fergal 086 1016899

PODIATRIST

For all foot ailments Siobhan Murray BSc (Hons) Podiatry M.Ch.S.I.

CHIMNEY CLEANING

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

COUNSELLING

COUNSELLING Are you experiencing difficulties in your life?

Such as depression, anxiety, life or spiritural crisis.

Are you having difficulties in relationships at work? Have you experienced sexual abuse or abuse and need counselling to help you?

Please call Glynis on

085 2514394

email: downeyglynis@yahoo.co.uk

https://www.psychotherapyglynisdowney.com

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

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 < ABATTOIR SERVICE AVAILABLE: Cattle, lambs and pigs. Ready for freezing. Home Cured and Honey Dry cured traditional bacon (not pumped with water) now available. Tel: Webb’s Butcher’s, 094 96 20005 or 086 4094715

FOR SALE < FOR SALE: Pedigree non-registered Springer Spaniel pups, black and white, 8 weeks old. Deposit required €250 each. Tel: 086 0564167

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

087 2860428 GATELY GARDENING

FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD

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

l l

l

Tel: 087 2172281

Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165

www.parklawntreeservices.

CORBETT

TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING

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

l

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

For all your fencing needs.

GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail

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

< FOR SALE: Top quality Silage Bales for sale in Kilrooskey area.

Tel: 087 1397245

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

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

< FOR SALE: Square bales of hay for sale. Tel: 087 2392729

FENCING/GATES

Des Kelly Fencing

GARDENING

JOE HEALY

087 6558597

www.corbetttreecareandlandscaping.com

WALTER BEGLEY

Gardening, Maintenance & Painting Roscommon Town • Indoor & Outdoor Painting • Winter Garden Clean-Up • Power Washing Driveways - Paths • Prepare Lawns for Spring • Hedge Trimming • Planting • Grass Cutting • General Maintenance

Contact Walter on 087 9519873

Tree Services

Submit your Classified online

Phone:

Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@rosommonpeople.ie

087 2721193

or alternatively call 090 66 34633

22

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

Classifieds PHYSICAL THERAPY

Roscommon Physical Therapy Clinic Movement Matters 20 years experience treating babies to adults.

Everyday aches & pains to sports injuries.

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

Can we help you?

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

PAINTING & DECORATING

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

086 4679798 PAINTER & DECORATOR Private & Commercial Power washing 25 years experience Free Estimates Given

Phone Alan on:

090 6661635 or Mobile:

087 2683079 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

< TO RENT: Room to rent in Roscommon, suit working girl. Tel: 086 8630303

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

PLANNINGS

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

086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture.com

facebook.com/moleskinarch ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Anthony and Sinead Blackweir intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission to construct a dwellinghouse, waste water treatment system and soil polishing filter and associated siteworks at Corraree and Ballygatta, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Anthony and Sinead Blackweir.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Michael Keaveney intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the alterations to existing dwelling house including: A: Demolition of Existing Single Storey Extension & Shed/Store attached to rear of Dwelling, B: Proposed Two Storey Extension to Rear of Dwelling, C: Proposed Single Storey Extension to Side of Dwelling, D: Proposed Single Storey Porch Extension to Front of Dwelling, E: Upgrading Existing Septic Tank to Proprietary Treatment system and percolation area and associated works at Knockdangan, Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

This planning application may be inspected or purchased 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 receipt by the authority of the application by the planning authority.

Signed: Stephen Blake, M.R.I.A.I., Registered Architect Trihill, Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 090 6624681 / 087 635 8949 / sblake2006@gmail.com

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Francis Finneran am applying to Roscommon Council for planning permission to construct extension to the rear of existing dwelling house and all ancillary site development works at Coolfree Taughmaconnel, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon.

H53 E060

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

Signed: James Lohan Consulting Engineer Ltd, 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 Architects – Consulting Engineers

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Alan and Nicola Devine are applying to Roscommon Council for retention permission for alterations to front façade at premises known as “Nallys”, Main Street, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon F45VX63

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

Signed: James Lohan Consulting Engineer Ltd, 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 Architects – Consulting Engineers

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Damien Garvey intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage/fuel store, proprietary treatment system, percolation area and associated works at Willsgrove, Ballintober, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

This planning application may be inspected or purchased 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 receipt by the authority of the application by the planning authority.

Signed: Stephen Blake, M.R.I.A.I., Registered Architect Trihill, Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 090 6624681 / 087 635 8949 / sblake2006@gmail.com

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL – Further Information Eircom Ltd (t/a eir) has applied to the above named planning authority for permission to erect a 20m high telecommunications monopole carrying antennas and link dishes together with associated equipment and security fence at Cloonfad East, Cloonfad, Co. Roscommon (Planning Reference: PD/20/83).

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 2 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.

REFLEXOLOGY

TERESA BURKE BNS (Hons). M.Sc (Hons) (MNRRI)

Certified Reflexologist Give your mind and body a relaxing experience with a reflexology treatment.

Through massage of the feet reflexology can • rebuild energy levels in the body • assist in relieving stress • encourage relaxation • improve general well- being Reflexology is based on the principle that the foot has “reflex” points that correspond to the various structures and organs throughout the body.

Contact TERESA for appointment at

087 9001212

Teresa Burke Brideswell, Co. Roscommon N37 EW 20

USEFUL SERVICES

Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business

OIL BOILER SERVICE

ONLY €80 Includes new nozzle, Efficiency report, Printout, etc ....

094 96 31880 087 9100477

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED PERMIT NO: NW CPO - 09 - 03267 - 03

TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815 Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed?

If so ring: 087 9657933 or 090 6626752

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

USEFUL SERVICES

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD

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.

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.

PEAT BEDDING

TURF AVAILABLE Tel: Donal

086 2721812 (All areas)

TAXIS AND HACKNEYS

JOHN BEATTIE

< TURF FOR SALE: In tonne bags, delivery to Roscommon town and surrounding areas. Price €50. Bag and delivery also included in price. Tel: 086 8534011

< THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS: • Bags of seasoned firewood only €2 per bag• Bags of turf only €2.50 per bag, buy 20 get 2 free • Tonne bags firewood/turf €35 per bay, or buy tonne firewood + tonne turf + 2 bags coal 20kg all for €80 delivered. • Stove coal 40kg bags only €14, buy 10 bags get 1 20kg bag coal free.

• 8x4 trailer load firewood only €90. All includes free delivery. Contact Tom: 086 2628439 < TOP QUALITY TURF: 10x6 Loads of Turf, saved in good weather and stored in dry shed, will deliver. Phone: 083 0684011 WANTED: Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn. We are safety certified and insured. Phone:

086 2437376

SITUATIONS VACANT < CHILDMINDER REQUIRED: 1pm - 5.30pm Monday to Friday, school pick-ups required, so driving licence is a must. Phone: 087 1861127

086 2670670

< CHILDMINDER REQUIRED: To mind 2 children aged 5 and 4, in childminder’s home, 1 day a week, will require school runs in Athleague. Contact 087 7452038

BUS HIRE FOR ALL OCCASIONS

< FEMALE CARER REQUIRED: For weekend care of elderly lady in her own home in Roscommon town. Please contact 087 3979650 in confidence, by text or call. Many thanks.

Cab and Bus Hire Roscommon

Family Notices • Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Remembrance

Call into our office on Abbey Street, Roscommon

Phone: (090) 66 34633 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

23

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

AtYourService CHIMNEY REPAIRS

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

WINDOWS/DOORS

Chimney Problems

Dooley Chimney Repairs • Lining

We SUPPLY & FIT Double & Treble Glazed Windows & Doors, Patio Doors, French Doors, Porches and Conservatories WIDE RANGE OF COMPOSITE DOORS

• Relining • Rebuilding • CCTV Camera Inspection

uPVC Window and Door Locksmith We are the only Licensed Window and Door Locksmith in Roscommon

20 Years Experience Free Insurance Quotes

Telephone: 090 66 33026

Cathal Dooley 087 6579064 Nationwide Service Stoves and Ranges Fitted All Work Guaranteed

www.roscommonwindows.ie

WINDOW AND DOOR REPAIRS

Window and Door Repairs - Chimney Repairs - Soot & Smoke Problems - Demolish, Re Build & Re Flue Line - Chimney Fires - Flexible Stainless Steel Liner - Insurance Claims processed

- CCTV Camera Inspection

CAROLINE BURKE COACHING PHONE: 086 8229606

SHOWROOM:

Racecourse Road, Roscommon

• Door Handles • Door Locks • Letterboxes • Window Hinges • Patio Door Repairs • Misted and Double Glazed Units • Reseal Windows and Doors

Contact David Martin on 087 9959417 LOCKSMITH

Chris’s Locksmith Service

For Professional For Professional Advice Contact Advice Contact: John Hibbitt:

l

Tel: 090

9673336 Mob: 086 2678350 Email: info@athlonechimneyrepairs.ie

Springfield, Williamstown, Co. Galway Window restrictors l Burglary repairs l Window locks l Cylinder replacement l Hinge replacement l Glass replacement l Lock replacement l Window and door seals l Window and door handles supplied and fitted l Aluminium and uPVC doors and windows repaired.

Te l : 0 8 5 2 1 9 1 2 3 4

BLINDS

email: chrislocksmith.162@gmail.com

VETERINARY

CAREER COACHING: * CV ADVICE AND TAILORING TO JOB SPECS * COMPETENCY BASED APPLICATION FORMS (inc. public sector) * INTERVIEW MASTERING (inc. competency-based) PERSONAL COACHING: * BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE & BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE! * HELP TO COPE WITH AND EMBRACE CHANGE (e.g. retirement, new job, separation etc) * FIND YOURSELF STUCK IN A RUT? - (take back control and explore options!)

EDUCATION COACHING: * HELP YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE/MAKE A BETTER MORE INFORMED DECISION THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

For appointment call me on 086 8229606 OR email your enquiry to carolinebburke@gmail.com

CLEANING

S tephen H oare

Cleaning Services • Roscommon • Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning • WINDOW CLEANING • POWER WASHING Fascias & Soffits • Gutters & Down pipes • Drive ways ‘paths and patios’ KEEN and COMPETITIVE PRICES

M: 086 3912396 Ph: 090 66 62892 INSURANCE CLAIMS

ALL CREATURES VETERINARY LANESBORO STREET, ROSCOMMON Tel: 090 662 6898 AFTER HOURS/24 HOUR EMERGENCY

087 2596055

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING DURING THESE DIFFICULT WEEKS YOU MUST CALL IN ADVANCE TO ORDER REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS Ring us from your car when you arrive for collection of your order/appointment.

We ask that all payments be made by card if possible and encourage payment over the phone when ordering medication/food.

While on the premises we ask all customers to observe the 2m rule at all times.

WINDOW AND DOOR SERVICE

DOOR & WINDOW SERVICE

Supply and fit uPVC Doors and Windows ONLY TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS USED Composite Doors, French Doors, Patio Doors in a wide range of styles and colours Also various styles and colours of uPVC Windows

Full replacement service provided and all work carried out to a high quality finish

REPAIRS & SERVICING ALSO CARRIED OUT Contact Pat Hanley on

086 6002721

to discuss your requirements

Email: pjmhanley@gmail.com

08383

SELLING A USED CAR?

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED BRENDAN DOOLIN

Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.

Tel: 090 66 30521 Mobile: 086 8115928

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE

Contact Maurice on 086 2538169 or Kenneth on 086 8044030 Gannon Environmental Services Ltd.

Tel: 090

INSTALLATION

6621220

RECYCLING

Castlerea Vehicle Recycling

Bonded Bead Cavity Wall Insulation Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, SIGA Airtightness New Buildings & Retrofit Call in or contact us for free advice and quotes

Ballybane Industrial Estate, Unit 2, Ballybrit Industrial H91 P5k5 BlockEstate, 12, Galway Galway

091 768 768 info@ecowise.ie

www.ecowise.ie

All NCT Failures l Destruction Certs Issued l Sale of Second Hand Parts l Contracted to all Major Car Companies l Farm Machinery, Old Gates l Metals, Iron Baths l Old Cooking Ranges l Weighbridge on Site l

RECYCLING OF END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES

Loss Assessor/Claims Management

Martin Hibbitt CDIP LA, APA-PL

Certified Dip in Loss Adjusting Approved Product Adviser Member of the PSAG-GI Member of the Insurance Institute of Ireland

M: 087 9818153 E: info@icr.ie

T: 091 380900 W: www.icr.ie

Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

FARMING

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE

Don’t let your advert get lost in the Web!

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!

TEL: (090) 96 88606 (090) 96 88830 or (090) 96 87651 Lowest price guaranteed

RECYCLING ALL TYPES OF METAL

C astlerea ELV Recycling Ltd ., Cloonkeen, Castlerea Kevin & Martina Keenan Tel: 094 96 21250 Mob: 086 2522231

Daily collection

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

Telephone: 090 66 34633 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

24

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

Classifieds

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

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES LYONS Joe and Mary Milltown, Castleplunkett (22nd and 10th Anniversaries)

We can not halt the hand of time or live again the past.

Within our hearts are memories that will forever last.

Remembered always by their family.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 9th January at 9.30am in Donamon Castle.

Notice re.

Memoriams and Anniversaries If you wish to place acknowledgements, memoriam notices, birthday and anniversary remembrances, please email them to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or call us on

086 8054227 or by post, along with your name and contact details, to

Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon Don’t worry if you do not have a credit card. We value your business over the years and will make arrangements for payment at a later stage.

The local paper!

McDERMOTT Mairead

MULLOOLY James

Tarmonbarry & Strokestown.

(1st Anniversary) Who died on 12th January 2020

Carrowmore, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon (2nd Anniversary)

MITCHELL Seamus (Seamie) Willsbrook, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon (2nd Anniversary) In loving memory of Seamie who died on the 5th January 2019.

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 They say there is a reason, they say that time will heal. but neither time or reason, will change the way we feel.

For no one knows the heartache that lies behind our smiles.

No one knows how many times we have broken down and cried.

We want to tell you something so there won’t be any doubt, you’re so wonderful to think of but so hard to be without In our hearts your memory lingers, sweetly tender, fond and true.

There is not a day dear Mairead, that we do not think of you

Lovingly remembered and sorely missed by Paul, Ali, Mam, Dad, Sharon, Sandra, Tracey, Noel, Ronan and Barry, extended family, relations and many friends.

Anniversary Mass will take place on Saturday, January 9th in Strokestown Parish Church at 12 noon behind closed doors. Link to Mass will be available on ‘Strokestown Parish’ Facebook page.

DORAN Eithna Acres House, Roscommon (1st Anniversary) In loving memory of our dear mother Eithna whose anniversary occurred on 4th January 2021

Graveside Accessories

In loving memory of James who passed away on January 13th 2019.

Distance makes us far apart and darkens our today.

We have to keep remembering you’re just a thought away.

When the world is too confusing and times are hard to bear we pull your precious meaning your bright spirit, from the air.

If we sometimes drift into a lonely state of mind we gather up the memories of days we left behind.

And though you’re not beside us we have your memory in our hearts and draw upon the warmth and love that still lives though we’re apart.

And with these fond reflections of the times when you were near we sense a little bit of what it’s like to have you here.

Very much loved and missed every day by Joanne, Jack and Billy.

The perfect compliment to your loved one’s resting place Your life touched so many others, and will be remembered forever more, to leave the world a better place than it has been before.

Loved and missed everyday Anne and family.

FALLON Patrick (Paddy) Culleen, Knockcroghery, Roscommon Who died 11th January 2013 (8th Anniversary)

Time and years slip gently by, but love and memories never die.

In our hearts you will always stay, forever and ever, every day.

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

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church, Kilteevan on Sunday, January 10th at 10am. In line with current guidelines, Mass will be celebrated in private.

Loved and sadly missed by his wife Betty and family.

REILLY Michael

Due to Convid-19 restrictions Paddy’s Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in private on Friday, 8th January 2021.

Creevy, Roscommon (17th Anniversary)

KELLY Kathleen Borefield, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (6th Anniversary) Who passed away on 6th January 2015

Many memories keep you near, as time unfolds another year.

Out of our lives you may have gone, but in our hearts you will always be near.

She lived, loved, laughed and left us. Missed with grief beyond all tears.

Denise, Rachel, David and family.

In loving memory of Michael who died on 3rd January 2004 As each day dawns we think of you as each night falls we pray for you.

And throughout our lives no matter where in our hearts you are always there.

Lovingly remembered by his wife Eilish and family.

A loving thought A quiet prayer Please God keep her in Your care.

Lovingly remembered by Annette, Mary, Joseph, Ben and their families.

Granite Vases and Lanterns available in various colours and sizes

For more information contact Sandra: 083 1589243 MONTH’S MIND MASS HANLEY (nee Tolan) Kathleen

Kilnasella, Curraghroe, Co. Roscommon.

Who died 5th December 2020

We, the heartbroken family of the late Kathleen Hanley would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support we received at the time of her death and in the weeks since her passing.

Sincere thanks to those who offered condolences, sent expressions of sympathy, telephoned, sent mass cards and sympathy cards, text messages and posted messages of sympathy on RIP.ie.

We thank people who left food and gifts to the house.

We thank all those who stood out along the route to pay their respects as Kathleen made her final journey to the church and graveyard.

Thanks to the grave diggers who prepared Kathleen’s final resting place.

Thanks also to Tom Crosby, Funeral Director who carried out the funeral arrangements in such a caring, dignified and professional manner.

To Fr. Larry Behan, Luke Madden, sacristan, thank you.

Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Colm Farrell and Jean Fallon, Costello’s Nursing Home for the care and attention you gave to mother over the years.

Also to Teresa Costello for the beautiful singing.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere gratitude and appreciation for your support.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.

Month’s Mind Mass will be online on Kilgefin.com on Thursday, 7th January at 10am.

OUR DEADLINE IS STRICTLY 2PM ON TUESDAY We cannot guarantee publication after this time

25

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

Classifieds

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

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES THANKSGIVINGS PRAYER FOR A SPECIAL REQUEST Pray for 3 days. Publish on the 3rd day. See what will happen on the 4th day. Oh! Dear Mother of God, Our Lady of Conception Aparecida! Oh! Saint Rita of Cassia and Saint Jude worker of miracles and helper of impossible causes pray for me. Saint Expedite, Saint of urgent causes. Saint Edwiges the Saint of the needy, you know how desperate I feel, please ask Jesus to help me. (Here mention your request). May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored and glorified for ever. Pray 1 Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be... Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. M.K.

Ros Memorials Headstone, Memorial & Gravestone Specialists

KNOCKCROGHERY, CO. ROSCOMMON

PAT QUIGLEY: 087 7799076 PAUL O’CONNOR: 086 6052649

• Headstones • Kerbed Memorials • Grave Site Care • Headstone Cleaning • Monument Levelling • Gravestone Repair

GILLERAN Luke and Kathleen Hillside House, The Walk, Roscommon Whose anniversaries occur around this time of year.

We hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain.

To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.

Loved and always remembered by Thomas, Thelma, Roscommon, Peter (deceased) Caroline and Josephine (away) and daughter Anne Harrington, grandchildren Ruhiri and Aine.

Great grandchild Eva, (16 Plunkett Ave, Ballygar, Co. Galway) and their many friends.

HANLEY Sally Ann (4th Anniversary)

FITZPATRICK Margaret (Mai) Cappagh, Curraghroe.

Co. Roscommon.

(3rd Anniversary)

HANLEY Teresa

FARRELL Matthew (Mattie) & Mary

Doughill, Curraghroe, Co. Roscommon

Clooneyourish, Athleague (15th and 10th Anniversaries) In loving memory of Mattie, who died on 30th December 2005 and Mary, who died on 13th January 2011

In loving memory of a dear mother, who died 7th January 2005 R.I.P. Many a lovely moment Many a silent tear But always treasured memories Of a mother we loved so dear.

Always remembered and so sadly missed by her daughter Bridie, Eddie, Emer and James. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your name is often mentioned Our thoughts are with you still You have never been forgotten And by us you never will.

Many a lovely moment, many a silent tear, but always treasured memories of parents we loved so dear.

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

Always remembered by Seamus, Kieran, Marie and Sean, relatives and friends.

Masses will be offered.

FALLON Patrick Joseph (PJ) Gardenfort, Dysart, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon (6th Anniversary)

FARRELL Marie Clooncagh, Strokestown.

(1st Anniversary)

Always remembered by Henry, Julia, Sean and Molly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who died on 13th January 2017

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

Gone from our hearth But forever in our hearts.

Always in the thoughts of Pat, Andrew and Matthew.

Masses offered.

KELLY John J. Mount Talbot.

20th Anniversary on 2nd January 2021

Rooskey

Mobile: 087 2365453 Landline: 071 9638739 email: jrrogers40@hotmail.com Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance

MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed

Email or call for Sample Pack

In God’s care you rest above, In our hearts you rest with love, Quietly today your memory we treasure, Missing you always, forgetting you never.

Remembered with love

by Kay, Maura, Nuala and extended families.

Masses offered.

Rogers Funeral Directors (Covering Rooskey and surrounding areas)

In loving memory of a dear mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Mai, who died on the 13th January 2018

Just two miles or so from where you were born, we laid you to rest on a January morn.

Our hearts were broken barely knowing what we would do, but your love and good memories helped each of us through.

Always in our thoughts and prayers from John’s wife Eileen and family Yvonne, Sinead, Brian and Clodagh. His sons-in-law, grandchildren, sister, brother, sisters-in-law, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Anniversary Mass will be offered for John in Tisrara Church, Four Roads, during the week of January 10th to 17th, in keeping with Government guidelines.

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. G.H. THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving to the Sacred Heart for favours received. B.N.M.

No matter how life changes No matter what we do A special place within our hearts Is always kept for you.

Always remembered by Vincent, Marie, Philip and Alex. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ We hold you close within our hearts And there you shall remain To walk with us throughout our lives Until we meet again.

Always remembered by Luke, Teresa, Kenneth, Kellie, Michelle and Luke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Silent memories keep you near As time unfolds another year Out of our lives you may have gone But in our hearts you still live on.

Your name is often mentioned our thoughts are with you still you have never been forgotten and by us you never will.

Your loving wife Pauline x ~~~~~~~~~~~ DAD Many a lovely moment many a silent tear but always treasured memories of a father we loved so dear.

Your loving children Shane, Dean and Mary xxx Anniversary Mass online in St. Joseph’s Church, Ballyforan on Saturday, 9th January at 7pm.

In loving memory of Marie who died on the 6th January 2020 Along the road of suffering you found a little lane.

That took you up to Heaven and ended all your pain.

You may be out of sight we may be worlds apart, but you are always in our prayers and forever in our hearts.

Sadly missed and always remembered by her loving family and friends.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 10th January 2021 at 11.30am in Strokestown.

Always remembered by Frank.

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

The most read newspaper in county roscommon!

The local paper!

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

26

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

Classifieds

SportsPeople

To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633

APPOINTMENTS

Horses for Courses

PUBLIC NOTICE THE DISTRICT COURT LICENSING ACT (IRELAND) 1874, Section 9 and 10 INTOXICATING LIQUOR ACT 2008, Sections 6, 7 and 8

CONSTRUCTION PLANTNeeds FITTER Solving Undercarriage We keep machine downtime to a minimum by carrying the largest stock of undercarriage parts in Ireland. We are the exclusive dealer Be a key member of our Kobelco team providing after Berco (Italy) andKobelco a range ofexcavator other OEM range. manufacturers. sales for support for the We are the exclusive dealer for Republic of Ireland and Northern IreOur success is based on the quality of the parts land.

and the service we provide.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This role is a front-line position movBe abetween key member our Tracks team sales and of undering ourofhead office in supporting Four Mile the House cuscarriagelocations parts to our broad base the of customers tomer throughout country.throughout Ireland.

It involves all aspects of supporting the product range (mini – heavy line excavators) from pre-delivery to after POSITION: sales support.

SALES ENGINEER

ROLE: LearnYou all will about so that can SUPPORT: be undercarriage provided withparts a service van,you phone advise customerstools. on their stay on track. and diagnostic Youbest will options receivetoongoing training and support.

Armed with this knowledge the role involves dealing with customer enquiries, identifying parts and solving their EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS: We are looking for a qualiundercarriage fied fitter with needs. considerable experience of working with excavators. This person should have a proven track record You will be working in the Tracks team that consists of demonstrating their ability to meet the varying demands ofother this office role. and workshop members. You will liaise with

other members to organise jobs and deliveries.

SALARY: Negotiable

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

SEND / CONTACT: This is aCV starting position. Experience of plant machinery Niall McSharry TRACK,necesand parts is anMcSharry, advantage though not absolutely Four Mile sary. On the job training will beHouse, provided. Good commuCo. Roscommon nication skills including computer skills are required. The Tel: + 353 90 6629500 role has varied demands so the ability to cope with these Email: niall@mcsharrybros.com

demands including planning,I organising and working www.mcsharrytrack.com www.mcsharrybros.com independently and as part of a team are essential.

RENUMERATION: Negotiable

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE FOR A NEW WINE RETAILER’S OFF- LICENCE District Court Area of Athlone

District No. 9

COLLINS NISSAN LIMITED - Applicant TAKE NOTICE that Collins Nissan Limited of Hudson Bay Filling Station, Barrybeg, Athlone, County Roscommon having its registered offices at Roscommon Road, Athlone, County Roscommon intends to apply to the Court sitting at Athlone on the 27th day of January 2021 Roscommon at 10.30 a.m. for a certificate to hold a WINE RETAILERS OFF-LICENCE in respect of the premises situate at Hudson Bay Filling Station, Barrybeg, Athlone, County Roscommon, the court area and district aforesaid.

Dated this 28th day of December 2020 Signed....................................................

Callan Tansey

Solicitors for Applicant

To: An Garda Siochana

Barrack Street Athlone

County Westmeath To: The Superintendent

Athlone Garda Station

Barrack Street Athlone

County Westmeath To: The Chief Fire Officer

Fire Services

Roscommon County Council

Aras an Chontae Roscommon

County Roscommon

To: The District Court Clerk

The Courthouse

Pearse Street Athlone

County Westmeath

SEND CV / CONTACT:

Niall McSharry, McSharry Bros, Old Brick Site, Fourmilehouse, Co. Roscommon Finest Quality Foods Lanesboro, Co. Longford Tel: + 353 90 6629500 We now have a vacancy for DELIVERY DRIVER Email: niall@mcsharrybros.com

Experience would be an advantage Must have full clean licence Please contact Jonathan on: 043 33 43060 Or email: jonathan@dolanfoods.ie

Qualified Electrician required also Apprentice Electrician (1st, 2nd or 3rd year) Required for Roscommon/Athlone /Galway area.

Please send CV to: PO Box No 2046 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB? To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us!

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

The local paper!

TELEPHONE: 090 66 34633 EMAIL: advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie OUR DEADLINE IS STRICTLY 2PM ON TUESDAY We cannot guarantee publication after this time

There is racing in Ireland this week starting at Clonmel today at 12.50 pm, subject to an 8 am inspection. Tomorrow, racing is on the flat on the all-weather at Dundalk away at 4.30 pm. Racing returns to Fairyhouse on Saturday 12.10 pm. Sunday racing is at the punter’s graveyard, Naas, and features the Lalor’s Of Naas Grade 1 Novice Hurdle starting at 1 pm.

The big meeting across the channel is at Chepstow where the Welsh Grand National and the Grade 1 Coral Juvenile Hurdle. There are no Irish challengers in the Grand National, but Gordon Elliott has two entered in the hurdle, Duffle Coat and Quilixios but as present government restrictions stand they are unlikely to travel.

Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival belonged to Willie Mullins as he had 13 winners across the four day. Starting on St Stephen’s Day Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy won two of the opening three races with Wide Receiver in the Thornton’s Recycling Maiden Hurdle and in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle with Zanahiyr. Then the Willie Mullins also machine kicked in with a brace of winners with David Mullins ridden Dysart Diamond in the Novice Handicap Hurdle and the Bryan Cooper ridden Franco De Port in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice chase. Paul Townend was in Limerick to ride Asterion Forlonge in the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase but the odds-on favourite fell. Mullins did win the race with Colreevy ridden by nephew Danny completing a training double with earlier winner Shadow Rider ridden by Mark Walsh.

On Sunday, Townend rode at the Foxrock venue where he completed a Grade 1 double for the Clonsutton trainer with favourites Chacun Pour Soi and Appreciate It. The pair made it three with Castlebawn West in the Grade B handicap chase. Gordon Elliott, at home cocooning with the virus, won the bumper with Ballycairn and Jamie Codd. Limerick was cancelled and refixed for Wednesday. The two Grade 1, the Christmas Hurdle was won by Gavin Cromwell and Jonathan Moore with Flooring Porter with Darragh O’Keeffe winning his first Grade 1 chase on A Plus Tard for Henry de Bromhead.

On Monday, Townend completed a treble on Gaillard Du Mesnil, Dandy Mag and The Big Getaway for the champion trainer. Son Patrick rode the bumper winner Ramillies to make it a four-timer.

In Limerick Jody McGarvey on Ciel De Niege was a long odds-on, 1/8, winner of the opener making it five for the day.

Four more winners followed on the final day of Leopardstown for Mullins as Townend rode a treble on Stattler in the maiden hurdle, Concertista in the Grade 3 EBF Mares Hurdle and Monkfish in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase.

Son Patrick completed a Grade 1 double and four-timer on Sharjah in the Matheson Hurdle.

In Limerick, the winner of the Novice Handicap Chase, the Norman Lee trained Johnny’s Girl, was bred by Michael Finneran in Athleague landing a touch from 25s to 11/1.

On Sunday in Fairyhouse, Mullins won the bumper on his debut for Sean, from Oran, and Bernadine Mulryan with the well-bred Whatdeawant, and could go straight to Prestbury Park in March or for a winner’s race.

Racing News

Dot Love is handing over the licence to long-time assistant Ciaran Murphy in the new year. Murphy has been involved for over 20 years in operation based at Charlestown Stud outside Mullingar. He rode winners for the yard in point to points

by Tom Red

and on the track before concentrating on the assistant trainer’s position a few years back. Dot bowed out with a bang last weekend as two of her last three runners were led into the winner’s enclosure.

Betty Zane won the bumper in Cork on Saturday at 25/1 ridden by Aaron Murphy, brother of Ciaran, and on Sunday at Fairyhouse Flindt at 16/1 under Sarah Kavanagh won the appropriately named Happy Retirement Dot Love Ladies Handicap Hurdle. Her final runner Gotthenod pulled up. Her finest hour was at Fairyhouse in 2013 when she trained the winner of the Irish Grand National, Liberty Counsel.

Jockey Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden announced his retirement after Punchestown on New Year’s Eve. His biggest win was on Numbersixvalverde for Martin Brassil when he won the 2006 Aintree Grand National. His nickname followed on his father’s, also Niall, which was ‘Boots’. His brother Tom, a flat jockey, is also known as ‘Socks’.

Aidan O’Brien has announced the retirement of the super mare Magical. The daughter of Galileo won seven Group 1 races, including back-to-back victories in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. She won three Group 1 races as a 5-Y-O her last run being third in the Hong Kong Cup. She was second three times to Enable in her career, most memorably in an epic Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in 2018.

Might Bite who was trained by Nicky Henderson to win the 2017 King George VI Chase and the RSA Chase earlier that year holding on by a nose from stablemate Whisper. In 2018, he was second in the Blue Riband at Cheltenham to Native River before winning the Grade 1 Betaway Bowl Chase at Aintree. He was ridden in most of his races by Nico de Boinville Hollie Doyle capped a remarkable 2020 by finishing third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year poll on Sunday the 20th of December and two days later rode her 150th winner of the year on Ellmarie Holden’s Irish challenger Darwell Lion.

She later made it 151 on the David Flood, with strong Strokestown connections, trained Kendergarten and to top 2020 she and Tom Marquand announced their engagement over the festive period.

Henry de Bromhead’s Monalee is likely to miss the rest of the season. He was fourth in last year’s Gold Cup and third to Presenting Percy in Tramore in November.

Travel restrictions ruled out participation in the King George VI at Kempton and he was aimed at Tramore on New Year’s Day before he met with a setback.

With the Irish government extending its travel ban on Britain until December 31st no horses travelled between the countries over Christmas. When will we see another Irish winner in Britain or visa versa.

Randox has extended its sponsorship of the Aintree Grand National meeting from 2022-2026 to follow on when its initial five-year contract ends next April.

Randox is the headline sponsor of the festival and sponsors the three races over the Grand National fences at the meeting the Randox Foxhunters Chase, the Randox Topham Chase and the Randox Grand National.

Point to Point Corner

Jack Frost put paid to the opening fixture of the season at Ballindenisk last Sunday and it has been refixed for Saturday next with 106 entries. There are two meetings on Sunday with 69 entries at Aghabulloge in Co Cork and 107 at Tinahely in Co Wicklow. All three meetings are scheduled to start at 12.30 pm and racing will take place behind closed doors.

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

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‘One of our greatest ever’ Thanks for the memories, big guy!

See PAGE 31

A striking photograph of Donie Shine in one of his many starring performances for Roscommon. Picture: Andrew Fox

Former Roscommon senior footballer Donie Shine has decided to bring the curtain down on his playing career. On Saturday, Donie’s club Clann na nGael announced his decision to retire via their social media platforms.

“Clann na nGael would like to advise that our senior player Donal Shine has decided to bring an end to his playing career due to ongoing injury concerns.

Donie has enjoyed a glittering playing career for both club and county. He was instru-

Shane calls time after 18 years! < SEAMUS DUKE

Shane Curley, one of Roscommon’s most prominent and skillful hurlers of the modern era, has told the Roscommon senior management team that he is calling time on his 18-year county career.

The primary school teacher has been a regular on the Roscommon team since 2003 and says that now is a good time to bring down the curtain on his involvement in inter-county hurling.

“I had a great run and I enjoyed every minute of it. I started in 2003 when I came on as a sub against Antrim in Belfast when Brian McDonnell was the manager and I never looked back after that. I always loved playing for Roscommon” Shane told People Sport on Wednesday.

“I was privileged to play with some fantastic players for Roscommon over the years like Liam Murray, the late Mickey Cunniffe and Colm Kelly, to mention just a few”.

Unusually, Shane missed out on both Roscommon’s victories in the Nicky Rackard Cup – in 2007 and 2015. “I was playing club hurling in Galway on ’07 and then in ’15 I tore my cruciate and was out injured for that win but I was lucky enough to win two National League medals (2011 and 2017) along the way”.

Shane, who has won no less than 11 Roscommon SHC medals with Four Roads, says that he is very optimistic about the future of hurling in the county.

“Johnny Keane has done a great job since he came in as senior manager and he has very good people with him. Lots of young players will get their chance and that’s always a positive thing. The management team there at the moment are very enthusiastic and ambitious which is very positive going forward”.

Shane says that he is looking forward to playing with his beloved Four Roads club for a while yet. “I think it was the right time to stop playing for the county but I will be hoping to play with the club for another while” he concluded.

mental in the Roscommon minors claiming the All-Ireland title in 2006.

“Donie also won two Connacht senior titles and will always be remembered for his man of the match performance in the 2010 final against Sligo.

Over the years, Donie had some memorable performances in the Clann jersey, culminating with captaining the club to our 21st county title in 2018.

“Donie was one of the greatest ever players to wear the Clann colours and everyone in Clann na nGael wishes him the very best in the future”.

Brian Carroll, Chairperson of the Roscommon GAA County Board, paid tribute to Donie Shine, saying: “Donie was a great servant to our county and his club Clann na nGael. In 2006 Donie won the hearts of

every Roscommon person as he and the mighty minor team brought us all on a journey of joy and celebration that none of us will ever forget.

“Donie made 72 appearances for Roscommon, scoring a brilliant 4-243 along the journey and none of us will ever forget the magical 10 points Donie scored against Sligo in the 2010 Connacht Final win in Castlebar.

“Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and that time has come for Donie. On behalf of every Roscommon person everywhere I want to thank Donie for his dedication and commitment and for giving us all so many great memories along the way. I wish Donie and his wife Deirdre and family the very best of luck and good health in the future”.

Roscommon’s Shane Curley pictured in action against Robert Curley of Warwickshire in the National Hurling League last January. Pic: Mick McCormack

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Durney happy to play waiting game Manager confident All-Ireland semi-final will be played < SEAMUS DUKE

One week into the New Year, and 12 days after the decidedly unusual experience of playing a provincial final on St. Stephen’s Day (and in gale-force conditions at that) Roscommon football is in a positive place after a great Connacht minor title triumph and a successful Club Rossie-hosted ‘Win a Home in London’ draw. This all follows on the back of a welcome return to Division One by our senior footballers and confirmation of Anthony Cunningham’s tenure as manager continuing until the end of the 2022 season at least.

Needless to say, when Roscommon minor manager Emmet Durney spoke to the Roscommon People

moments after his team’s Connacht final triumph on St. Stephen’s Day, he was delighted – if also soaked and freezing!

Durney hailed his players’ secondhalf performance as “incredible”.

“That was an incredible secondhalf display from our lads. They showed their resilience. Their heart and determination was fantastic. It was an impossible night (for football) but the lads never let that get in their way”.

Reflecting on the extraordinarily bad weather which made this hastily arranged fixture even more problematic, Durney said: “It was a very daunting prospect for young lads to have to come out and face into that gale in the second half. But they showed their mettle and they

showed all the work we have done over the past year. There is a maturity about this team that you rarely see in lads this age and that came to the fore in the second half. We got the goal at the vital time and we hung on well in the end”.

In keeping with the bizarre nature of 2020, that was the third attempt to play the Connacht Minor Championship.

Emmet Durney reflects: “It was all worthwhile (the wait). I said to the lads there that in years to come this will go down in history. The team who won a Connacht title on St. Stephen’s Day will always be remembered. In fairness they had the guts and determination to go out and do it”.

The Clann na nGael clubman paid

tribute to the entire Roscommon panel for their hard work.

“I had to go through the terrible task of telling nine lads on our panel that they couldn’t come to this match here today. It is especially hard on them after we winning the title but there is nothing we can do about that. Covid is Covid and that’s the way it has to be”.

So how will the team prepare for a possible All-Ireland semi-final, a fixture which might be months’ away?

“We haven’t really thought about it, but I believe that it will be played.

There is a desire in the association to play the competition. But it’s the same (the uncertainty) as it has been since January of last year and we will hold a watching brief”.

Roscommon ‘storm’

Roscommon minor manager Emmet Durney

Walsh goal crucial as Rossies prevail in bizarre final

Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Football Final Roscommon 1-5 Sligo 1-2 < SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon produced an inspirational second-half display to win the Connacht minor football title in a match that was played in some of the worst weather conditions imaginable at the

Darren Gately on the ball for Roscommon. Photograph: Bernie O’Farrell

Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence on St. Stephen’s Day. The gale-force winds fanned the icy torrential rain which swept down the field. Under normal circumstances the game would not have gone ahead, but with the Covid-19-related ban on inter-county travel coming into force the following day, both teams and the Connacht Council wanted to play the match. Huge credit is due to the players on both sides who did their best in

Roscommon management team, delighted with their win.

near-impossible conditions.

In the semi-final against Galway, Roscommon had shown incredible intensity, energy and a massive work ethic throughout. In this final, it was really only in the second half, when facing the storm-like conditions, that Roscommon’s neversay-die attitude came to the surface. Once again they stifled the opposition and denied them scoring opportunities. Roscommon also grabbed an all-important goal and a point after the

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to Connacht title win

Jubilant Roscommon players celebrate their recent Connacht Minor Final success. Photograph: Bernie O’Farrell

break, the key scores in what had to be one of the most bizarre finals that anyone present had ever attended.

Roscommon played with the aid of the gale-force conditions in the opening half and it was immediately apparent that any kind of good football would be virtually impossible in the circumstances.

Emmet Durney’s team missed a great goal chance in the 5th minute. Oisin Cregg passed to Conor Hand, who pulled first-time on the ball only for his effort to go wide. A minute later Oisin Cregg pointed from 45 metres to get Roscommon up and running on the scoreboard.

Sligo fought hard to deny Roscommon space and it was the 17th minute before the Rossies scored again, Eoin Colleran pointing a 20-metre free. Three min-

utes later the outstanding Conor Hand scored from play and the same player pointed deep into injurytime to leave Roscommon 0-4 to 0-0 in front at the break.

Given the severity of the weather, a four-point lead did not look nearly enough of a cushion for Roscommon. But from the resumption it was a different Roscommon team we saw.

They hunted in packs and Sligo were given no space at all.

It was a full 15 minutes before we saw another score and, somewhat remarkably, it was Roscommon who got it. The ball was worked cleverly through the hands and after a series of short passes Conor Hand set Shane Walsh away and he fired low into the net. A goal against the storm was vital, and so it proved. After the final water break Hand got

in close to pop over another Roscommon point and now they were eight ahead (1-5 to 0-0) with less than ten minutes to play.

Sligo did improve towards the end of the game. Canice Mulligan fired over their first point of the game in the 55th minute and the same player was on target again two minutes later. In the 59th minute a free from Dylan Walsh from 50 metres flew all the way into the Roscommon net – and now there was only three points between the teams.

Roscommon’s defence held firm and they deservedly took the title, the win based on that brilliant second-half display.

Best for Roscommon were Caelim Keogh, Colm Neary and Alan McManus in defence, Oisin Cregg and Jamesie Greene at midfield, and up front Conor Hand was again outstanding. But it was a match in which every Roscommon player had to dig in and help the cause on an incredibly difficult day on which to play Gaelic football. It will, you suspect, be a quiz question in years to come…(e.g. what team won a provincial title on St Stephen’s Day?).

It was a fantastic day for Emmet Durney, his management team and the players – and a big boost for Roscommon underage football.

Conor Hand gets in a successful tackle.

Teams & scorers Roscommon: David Farrell; Michael Sugrue, Caelim Keogh, Luke Walsh; Colm Neary, Alan McManus, Eoin Ward; Oisin Cregg (0-1), Jamesie Greene; Shane Walsh (10), Ryan Conlon, Conor Hand (0-3); Aaron Shannon, Eoin Colleran (0-1, free), Darren Gately.

Subs: Thomas Lennon for Shannon (h/t), Bobby Nugent for Gately (40), Dylan Coleman for Hand (55), John Shine for Keogh (57), Darragh O’Beirne for Ward (63).

Stat attack ; Wides: Roscommon 5 (4, first half) Sligo 6 (4, first half)

Sligo: Jack Lundy; Luke Casserly, Ronan Kelly, James Kiernan; Ross Chambers, Ciaran O’Reilly, Mark Hegarty; Daire O’Boyle, Brian Byrne; Dara Foy, Luke Marren, Canice Mulligan (0-2); Dylan Walsh (1-0, free), Cian Oates, Adam Gallagher.

Subs: Simon McKeon for Kiernan (42), Brian Duffy for Oates (46), Conor Mitchell for Byrne (50).

Red cards: 0 Black cards: 0 Yellow cards: Roscommon 2 (Oisin Cregg, Jamesie Greene)

Sligo: 0

common) Man of the Match: Conor Hand (Ros

Eoin Colleran looks for a free man to pass to. Photograph: Bernie O’Farrell

Referee: Patrick Guckian (Leitrim).

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Shor t putts (News from local golf clubs)

Athlone The winner of the AWGS Christmas Hamper was N. Dowling with 23 points while P. Carolan was second with 22 and P. McNamara was third, also with 22.

Class 1 was won by D. O’Donoghue with 21 points, J. Burns was second with 19; Class 2 went to E. Kelly with 19 points, T. Dolan was second, also with 19; Class 3 was won by T. Carmody with 21 points and PJ Martin was second with 20; Class 4 (Vets) was won by M. Ward with 19 points while T. Shaw was second with 18.

The Men’s weekend singles Stableford 12-hole was won by F. Donnelly with 28 points. Class A: T. Gilhooly (27); Class B: C. Donnelly (27); Class C: C. Cummins (27); Class D: B. Nolan (27).

In view of the recent regulations from Golf Ireland regarding Covid-19, restrictions on all tee times are now in place. The restaurant is now closed for food until January 12th at the earliest, but Piotr is offering takeaway food.

Carrick-onShannon Carrick-on-Shannon Golf Club wishes all members, staff, sponsors, and visitors the very best for 2021.

While it was a difficult year for everyone, the club had a number of great moments to look back in 2020, including: the first day back in action on May 18th; Carrick’s first venture into the senior cup; the performance of the Jimmy Bruen team; Tuesday evenings with Ladies’ Get Into Golf; Club Classic; Officers’ weekend and Charlie’s outdoor dining in October.

The club greatly appreciates all your support in 2020 and is looking forward to emerging from the shadow of Covid-19 in 2021.

The club is closed for now but John, Gabrielle and Phil are looking forward to welcoming you back in the very near future.

Meanwhile, the Men’s AGM took place over Zoom on Monday, December 21st.

The following officers were elected for 2021: Captain: John Coffey; Vice-Captain/ Secretary: Owen Gibney; Competitions Secretary: Paul Kelleher; Handicap Secretary: David McDermott; Committee members: Oliver Curran, Damien Duignan, Joe Bruen, Kevin McDermott, Sean Martin, Gordon Kavanagh, Jamie Mulligan and Alan Ffrench.

All the winners pictured with their signed jerseys (and organisers): Prionsias Killion, Adam Beckett, Kieran Farrell, Cian Mulry, Siofra Hession, Finn Killion, Cathal Nerney and David Waldron.

Young hurlers show great talent in Skills Challenge Jerseys presented prior to Christmas

Photographs: Michelle Hughes Walsh Congratulations to all winners in the 2020 Coiste Iomána Hurling Skills Challenge.

The winners received their prizes at the Roscommon GAA offices shortly before Christmas.

The competition was introduced when the coronavirus put a halt to all hurling activities. The county's juvenile hurling board, Coiste Iomana, came up with a hurling Skills Challenge which kept young hurlers in the county active, healthy and happy from March 30th up to April 26th, getting them out in the fresh air whilst practising their hurling skills.

Officers Kieran Farrell (Chairperson), David Waldron (Vice-Chairperson), with the support of GPO Proinsias Killion and Games Manager Willie Hegarty, co-ordinated this wonderful initiative. All players who entered received a sliotar.

The winners were as follows: Cathal Nerney (Roscommon Gaels) won the U8/U-10 category, and received a Kilkenny

jersey signed by TJ Reid; Adam Beckett (Athleague/Tremane) won the U-12/U-14 category and received a Wexford jersey signed by Lee Chin; Finn Killion (Roscommon Gaels) won the U-16/U-18 category, and received a Galway jersey signed by Joe Canning. The best overall winner was Cian Mulry (Roscommon Gaels) who received a Limerick jersey signed by Cian Lynch, and the best online entry was that of Siofra Hession who received a Kilkenny jersey signed by TJ Reid.

Between Monday, March 30th, and Sunday, April 26th, a new hurling Skills Challenge was provided to hurling clubs around the county. One of the highlights of the competition was an entry by Siofra winner Cathal Nerney (Roscommon Gaels) won a Kilkenny jersey signed by TJ Reid, Hession. Siofra was one of the few girls to U-8/U-10 and is pictured with David Waldron and Kieran Farrell. enter the hurling competition. She really put it up to the lads and her video went viral, receiving thousands of views.

Thanks to everyone who entered. There were some brilliant hurling skills on show.

It was a great success overall.

Cian Mulry, best overall winner, pictured with David Waldron and Kieran Farrell.

U-16/U-18 winner Finn Killion (Roscommon Gaels) won a Galway jersey signed by Joe Canning, and is pictured with David Waldron and Kieran Farrell.

Siofra Hession, who won best online entry and received a Kilkenny jersey signed by TJ Reid, pictured with David Waldron and Kieran Farrell.

U-12/U-14 winner Adam Beckett (Athleague/Tremane), won a Wexford jersey signed by Lee Chin, and is pictured with David Waldron and Kieran Farrell.

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GAA raises over €900,000 as Mary wins a home in London! < DAN DOONER

Mary Dinnegan from Ballymahon in Co. Longford was the big winner in the Club Rossie ‘Win A Home In London’ Draw, which raised a whopping €906,500 for Roscommon GAA. The Longford woman won top prize, a Ballymore apartment in London City Island worth £695,000.

The draw, which was first launched in December 2019, was held on Wednesday, 30th of December 2020 and independently observed by PricewaterhouseCoopers and broadcast live on Facebook.

Brian Carroll, Chairperson of Roscommon GAA said: “Congratulations to Mary Dinnegan on winning this year’s incredible top prize of a luxury home in London. Thank you, and all our entrants, for supporting Roscommon GAA. “This is a fantastic result for Roscommon GAA. Delivering over €906,000 profit to Roscommon GAA in the middle of a global pandemic is a massive credit to our Club Rossie team. Our previous house draw in 2018 which netted over €943k put our finances in a robust position. This draw is another boost to our balance sheet and will support the development the Dermot Earley Centre of Participation and upgrade of Dr. Hyde Park.

Roscommon footballers Laura Fleming and Tadhg O’Rourke pictured at London City Island for the 2019 launch of the Roscommon GAA ‘Win a Home in London’ draw.

“On behalf of everyone at Roscommon GAA, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported this fundraiser. I would also would like to thank our fundraising team, Club Rossie, for their stellar work. I’d also like to acknowledge the unre-

lenting support of Sean Mulryan and the Ballymore team, without whom none of this would have been possible”.

A gross €2,161,500 was raised, with the following costs: Discounted purchase of apartment: €635,000; Marketing investment: €246,000; Charity partner contributions: €45,000; Online payment costs: €39,000; Cash prizes for draw: €20,000; GB refunds: €270,000.

Following this investment, Roscommon GAA retain a profit of €906,500.

The charity partner contributions include a €35,000 donation to the London Irish Centre in Camden and a €10,000 to the Mayo-Roscommon Hospice.

Ahead of the draw, Club Rossie apologised to entrants from Great Britain who had to be excluded from the draw following direction from the UK Gambling Commission. Full refunds will be provided to those entrants.

A statement from the organisers also thanked CEO Seán Mulryan and the Ballymore Group for their support over many years.

There was also praise for the voluntary Club Rossie team, which has raised €3.5 million over the past seven years including €943,000 in the 2018 Win A House In Dublin Draw.

Win A Home In London Draw winners

1st prize (Apartment in London City Island): Mary Dinnegan, Longford 2nd prize (€5,000 cash): Rachael Dooley, Dublin 3rd prize (€1,000 cash): Paul Young, Kilkenny (21458) 4th prize (€1,000 cash): Sandra Claxton, Mayo 5th prize (€1,000 cash): David Gannon, Roscommon 6th prize (€1,000 cash): Hugh Cunniffe, Roscommon 7th prize (€1,000 cash): Aidan O’Neill, Dublin 8th prize (€500 cash): Deirdre O’Shaughnessy, Roscommon 9th prize (€500 cash): Gerry Joyce, Galway 10th prize (€500 cash): Tom Brady, Roscommon

Fond memories of a shining star < SEAMUS DUKE

The first time I met Donie Shine was at a Roscommon GAA outing in Glasson Golf Club. He was about fifteen or sixteen years of age and was there as a guest of his dad, Donie Senior (RIP), who was the Captain of the golf society that year.

Of course young Donie was a marvellous golfer (single-figure handicap) – he hit the ball the proverbial mile!

Even at that stage, he was a very impressive young man, and lovely to chat to. All the reports coming out from Clann na nGael at the time indicated that he was an outstanding footballer too.

When it came to 2006, Fergal O’Donnell and his selectors made young Donie one of the mainstays of the county minor team. He was still only seventeen years old and had another year to go at minor level. But he had everything needed to be a top class footballer. He was a class free-taker, had a great football brain, and was a natural leader. The rest, as they say, is history.

Playing with Roscommon over the years, there were many highlights for Donie, but two will remain with me. One was in the last ten minutes of the 2006 All-Ireland minor final replay. Roscommon were dominating the game, but not on the scoreboard. However, Donie Shine took the game by the scruff of the neck and ensured that he drove Roscommon on to a sensational victory.

The other memory is of the Connacht SFC final in 2010, when Roscommon shocked Sligo to win the title. Donie’s free-taking display that day was sensational. He kicked no less than ten points, with some fantastic long-range scores amongst them. A real leader coming up trumps once again on the big day. Without him, Roscommon would never have won that title.

He was a superb score-getter and a great free-taker. Every time Donie played for Roscommon, you could chalk down 0-8 or 0-10. In fact, I was always of the opinion that Donie didn’t play for Roscommon seniors nearly as often as he should

Donie Shine pictured taking the winning free in the 2010 Connacht Final. Picture: Andrew Fox.

have. In latter years, there was a perception that he wasn’t fast enough for the modern game, but he was a great leader and inspired others around him. He certainly would have been in my team.

Of course he was also an inspirational club player, and was one of those who

led Clann na nGael to their recapturing the Fahey Cup in 2015, after a 19-year gap. He scored the vital goal in the final as Clann edged out Padraig Pearses by a point.

He was one of the main men again in 2018 when Clann defeated St. Brigid’s in

the decider. This time, Donie scored 1-7 in the final.

In the past twenty years or so, Donie Shine’s contribution to Roscommon football is up there with any player we have seen over that period. He is a lovely man, and I know that his legendary dad,

who was a great friend of mine, was very proud of him – even if he didn’t perhaps say it out straight too often!

Best wishes to Donie on your retirement, and on behalf of all Roscommon GAA followers, I say thanks for the memories, big guy!

Roscommon People Friday 08 January 2021

32

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