12 May 2023 Roscommon People

Out & About SEE INSIDE

FALSE START: Racecourse rejects €200m broadcast deal

< PAUL HEALY

Roscommon Racecourse is one of five racetracks nationwide which have rejected a Horse Racing Ireland-negotiated €200m broadcasting deal in a dispute over distribution of media rights funding.

The five-year deal on exclusive broadcasting rights to all 26 racecourses across Ireland was due to be signed on Tuesday of this week, but five venues – including Roscommon, Kilbeggan and Sligo – refused to sign. It means that races from the five tracks may not be broadcast on Racing TV from 2024 on.

Now United Irish Racecourses (UIR) – which comprises of Roscommon, Kilbeggan, Limerick, Thurles and Sligo racecourses – is calling on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to intervene in the row.

Roscommon Racecourse and the other four members of UIR say they would have been victims of “inequitable” distribution of media rights funding.

Roscommon-Galway Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice was due to raise the stand-off at an Oireachtas committee meeting last night (Wednesday). Full story on page 3.

WE DID IT! Roscommon players celebrate at the final whistle of last Sunday’s All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr after defeating Laois on a score of 1-14 to 1-5. See pages 34 & 35. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Planning Permission

I would like to build an extension to my house but I am unsure if I need to apply for planning permission. I understand some extensions may not require planning permission provided they are under a particular size, is this correct? Are there any other restrictions?

Whether the proposed extension to your property requires planning permission or not will depend on a number of factors. Generally, small domestic extensions will not require planning permission if it does not exceed 40 square metres in size. However, any previous extension must also be considered so that the combined area of all extensions may not exceed 40 square metres.

For terraced or semi-detached houses, the floor area of any extension above ground level may not exceed 12 square metres. Also, the extension may not exceed the height of the house and the extension may not reduce the area of private open space to less than 25 square metres.

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It is strongly advisable to speak with your architect or engineer regarding your specific plans prior to commencing works. Your Local Authority can take action if a development does not have the required permission, or where terms of permission have not been met. The Local Authority may require you to take whatever steps they deem necessary in order to regularise the development.

WATCHING People

With PAUL HEALY

Roscommon’s week of glory, Dónal Óg … and King Charles’ dance moves!

It was wonderful!

Huh!

How they danced… their faces full of joy… sheer emotion!

Sorry?

After the formalities at the weekend, they danced the night away! ALL NIGHT LONG!

Oh, I guess you’re referring to the Roscommon camogie team. So they should! They’d just won an All-Ireland crown!

Speaking of crowns, I was actually referring to King Charles III and Queen Camilla! They were strutting their stuff at the Coronation concert on Sunday night, bopping away to Lionel Richie as he sang ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Easy’… Oh, I missed that! I had enough of the coronation by Saturday afternoon!

Both: Congrats to the Roscommon ladies on their All-Ireland win!

(They pause to check if the sun is shining, or if it’s raining; it’s doing both)

What a week it’s been for young Rossies!

Fantastic! An All-Ireland camogie win, St Dominic’s on the double in Scór, another gold for Aoife, our U-20 hurlers gave it their all in the final…

Yeah, and various students from around the county earned national recognition in areas of culture, fashion, and enterprise!

Congratulations to all!

Endangered Species Thebarstoolboyos

(They pause to reflect on a great week for Roscommon’s young ambassadors)

Did you watch that drama on RTE on Sunday night?

Of course… unmissable!

It was fairly explosive!

Yeah, strong stuff!

Brilliant acting!

Well, not sure if that’s fair… Fair? It’s VERY fair! And a great script!

Please! Are you suggesting Dónal Óg’s

Sunday Game outburst was premeditated? Dónal Óg Cusack’s hurling rant? I was talking about RTE’s brilliant Kin series!

(They pause to finalise plans for their Eurovision Party this weekend)

Take That!

Huh?

He danced to Take That as well… King Charles!

Really?

Yes!

Wow, who’d have thought Charles is such a mover!

Well, he’s no Michael Flatley, but not bad for a king!

(They pause to assess the Premier League relegation battle, and decide to avoid the Editor for the foreseeable future)

He should have his own TV show… Dónal Óg?

No! King Charles… now that he’s so in touch with the people… and modern culture!

We’re hardly going to see The King Charles chat show! Mind you, the way you’ve been raving about him, he could appear on one of those dancing reality shows… with some other monarchs/heads of state. I’ve got it!

Huh?

KING CHARLES: DANCING WITH THE TSARS!

It’s been a GOOD week for… ☺

The Roscommon minor camogie team, who were crowned All-Ireland B champions after a superb win in the final against Laois

St Dominic’s GAA Club, with the club’s Novelty Act stars and Solo Singer Gemma Casey winning All-Ireland Scór na nÓg titles (see report and photos in this issue)

Roscommon Community College students Joshua McCormack and Evan McNeill, who won the top prize in the senior category at last week’s Student Enterprise Programme (SEP) Awards in Croke Park (see report in this issue)

Castlerea boxer Aoife O’Rourke, this after she won a gold medal at the weekend at the Usti nad Labem Grand Prix in the Czech Republic

Bruce Springsteen fans in Ireland, with the legendary ‘Boss’ playing three concerts here

It’s been a BAD week for… ☹

Roscommon Races (well, a disappointing one), with the first meeting of the season sadly falling victim to heavy rainfall (hopefully sunnier days ahead this season for the hard-working management and committee)

Wild Youth, with Ireland’s Eurovision entry failing to qualify for this weekend’s final in Liverpool

PIC OF THE WEEK: The joy of sport… Cloonfad United’s Robert Heneghan celebrates scoring the opening goal of last weekend’s Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup semi-final against Castlerea Celtic. The game, played in Glenamaddy, was won by Castlerea Celtic on a 4-2 scoreline. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Abbeytown

Roscommon one of five racetracks to reject €200m broadcasting deal

Roscommon Racecourse is one of five racetracks nationwide which have rejected a Horse Racing Ireland-negotiated €200m media rights deal in a dispute over what they claim would be inequitable distribution of funding.

United Irish Racecourses (UIR) – which comprises of Roscommon, Kilbeggan, Limerick, Thurles and Sligo racecourses – is refusing to sign up to the deal and has asked Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to intervene in the row. It means that races from the five tracks may not be broadcast on Racing TV from 2024 on. At the heart of the dispute is the issue of a new fiveyear deal on broadcasting of racing from Irish racecourses, and the question of how funding would be distributed to the racetracks involved.

At a recent meeting of the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), 21 of its 26

members voted in favour of an agreement on broadcasting of races in Ireland from 2024 to 2029.

The deal – worth an estimated €200m – was negotiated by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) with broadcaster Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and Sports Information Services (SIS), and was expected to be signed on Tuesday of this week. It would have granted RMG/SIS exclusive broadcasting rights to 26

racecourses across Ireland.

However, Roscommon Racecourse and the four other members of the United Irish Racecourses (UIR) have rejected the deal, claiming they would be victims of “inequitable” distribution of media rights funding.

Roscommon and its partner racecourses say HRIowned racecourses look set to earn ‘seven figures’ from the deal, with HRI expected to benefit directly to the

tune of €7 million.

UIR said that trust between its members and HRI has “broken down” in light of HRI’s “failure to make good on an undertaking in 2016 to facilitate an independent review of the allocation of media rights monies, and to ensure that all monies derived from that deal would go towards current or capital expenditure”.

UIR added: “To date they (HRI) have failed, and

or refused to commence this process. Seven years ago, UIR signed the media rights agreement with RMG/SIS by virtue of this undertaking, and because it trusted HRI to deliver on its promise”.

Secretary of UIR, Paddy Dunican (Managing Director of Kilbeggan Racecourse) has now written to the Minister for Agriculture to request his intervention to address their concerns, so that small racecourses will “receive the maximum market value for their media rights”.

In a statement to the Roscommon People on Wednesday, Mr. Dunican said: “UIR racecourses have decided to withdraw from a media rights agreement that simply does not represent the interests of the membership. Our concerns at the inequitable distribution of funding under these deals have not been addressed… UIR wants what is best for racing

and race-goers: parity of treatment, exposure of the sport, and enhanced attendances. To that end, HRI has an additional

onus on it to derive the best possible deal, while transparently delivering value to all courses in a fair and equitable way”.

< PAUL HEALY

Roscommon/Kilteevan Community Games Chess Team Selection

Roscommon/Kilteevan Community

Games Chess Team selection will take place on Friday, May 12th, from 4 pm to 5 pm in the Community Sports Park in Lisnamult. Trials will be held on the day. Categories are U11 (born after July 31st 2012), U13 (born after July 31st 2010), and U16 teams (born after July 31st 2007), so anyone who is interested in playing should attend.

For more information, please contact Alastair Kerr on 086 0812475.

Two hospitalised in separate road accidents

Two people were hospitalised arising from separate road traffic accidents which both occurred on the main RoscommonKnockcroghery road in recent days.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of an accident which occurred on the N61 at Ballymurray on the main Roscommon-Knockcroghery road at around 12 noon on Sunday.

A woman in her 50s was hospitalised after the collision between a car and a tractor. The woman was taken to University Hospital Galway. Her injuries are not life-threatening. No other injuries were reported.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene and significant traffic delays ensued. Investigations are ongoing.

On Tuesday afternoon, a second collision took place on the same stretch of road, involving a bus and a second vehicle.

Roscommon Gardaí and the Fire Service attended the scene. The driver of one vehicle was taken to hospital with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Garda enquiries are continuing.

HAC concern over Rehab Unit delay

Progress on new unit at Sacred Heart Hospital welcomed

Roscommon Hospital Action has welcomed news of plans to proceed with construction of a 50-bed nursing unit at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon.

Cllr. Valerie Byrne said the nursing unit, kitchen and catering facilities as

well as extra car parking is a milestone that has been long awaited.

“While two wards – Our Lady’s and St Joseph’s – have to be demolished, I look forward to a modern and compliant facility for the people of County Roscommon” she said. “This facility is so important for this and future generations”.

Cllr. Byrne also endorsed a recent call by Deputy Denis Naughten for the inclusion of the surgery ward at Roscommon University Hospital in Govern-

ment plans for 1,500 new beds across the country.

“Unused space at existing facilities must be the first place the Government looks to in which to include new surgical beds” she stated.

“Roscommon has the space, and with more staff could quickly offer surgical procedures to people that are waiting long periods to access them. However, the recruitment of staff for any new surgical beds is the biggest obstacle to this project”.

On the issue of the Rehab Unit planned for Roscommon Hospital – for which €7.5m was sanctioned back in 2015 – the HAC say they have continuously, including in the last four weeks, directly pressed the HSE for updates.

“We have received no reply. Concerns in relation to the slow progress of this project have already been highlighted and yet the HSE and the Estates wing of the organisation continue to prolong the process and frustrate everyone” Cllr. Byrne stated.

Emily Feeley, Claire Brennan, Laoise Mahon, Janet Sunil, Emma Crean and Orla Cox from the Convent of Mercy (Roscommon) Leaving Cert Class of 2022 pictured in UCD recently after receiving their Entrance Scholarships. The awards recognise academic achievement and are presented to students who achieve in excess of 560 points in the Leaving Certificate examination.

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PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

A column by Roscommon People editor paul@roscommonpeople.ie

THURSDAY Exclusive!

Observing the demeanour of the two middle-aged ladies when they entered the office today, I feared the worst. My instincts were right. Sure enough, after some small talk about the weather and Bruce Springsteen, they both firmly (but politely) ruled themselves out of the running to host the Late Late Show, citing busy schedules and exciting new projects. “The timing is wrong” one of them added slightly sniffily, as she picked up a copy of the Roscommon People.

The bleak encounter perfectly matched the sense of growing gloom.

Earlier, a well-known Roscommon man from Ballaghaderreen had emailed a press release to our newsroom, withdrawing his name from the race. His statement was solemn, although we think he was signing off with a joke at the end: “Also, I couldn’t bear the prospect of possibly having to host Mayo as All-Ireland winners on what would be one of my first shows, in July”.

Alarmed at the pattern of withdrawals, I went for a walk, needing to clear my head. An elderly man out cycling slowed his bike to a halt. He looked bashful, almost guilty. “Paul, it will save me phoning you. I’ll give you an exclusive, and you can tweet it. This morning, I have informed RTE that while it was an honour to be linked with the Late Late Show vacancy, I will not be allowing my name to go forward”.

As we chatted, a passing motorist lowered the car window and shouted: “In case ye are chatting about me being on the shortlist to replace Ryan Tubridy, I’m very flattered but…”

We missed the rest, but we knew…

It fell silent between me and the elderly man on the bike. I looked at him, and he looked at me, both of us consumed by this crisis, yet powerless.

Bidding him farewell, I went to walk on. Sensing my concern, upset even, he tried to quash the perceptible tension with a final flurry of words.

“I’d be available to be King of

England this weekend though, but I was born a commoner… is that still a drawback?”

FRIDAY

Concert success

Tonight’s Solstice Choir concert in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon was a big success. Ten years have passed since this great voluntary community group was formed. They’ve entertained thousands of people, and raised huge sums of money for local causes.

Meanwhile, Geraldine Grealy, PRO of the Sacred Heart Church Fundraising Committee, informs me that the total raised so far (for restoration works) is just over €51,000. Well done to the committee and to all who have supported this project to date.

SATURDAY Alien to me…

Relegation-threatened Leeds United were spirited in defeat to Premier League leaders Manchester City today. As Leeds fans (me included)

come to terms with the arrival of the divisive Sam Allardyce as manager, the last thing we need now is talk of judgemental aliens arriving too… But, browsing the comments on the BBC website, I note that someone unkindly posted: ‘If an alien had just landed on Earth and watched this game, without knowing anything about these two sides, he would think that this was a cup tie between a Premier League side playing its ‘back-ups’ and a non-league side’.

In response, I make the point that if an alien had just landed today, the chances of them starting their earthly experience by checking in on Sky Sports’ live coverage of Manchester City v Leeds would be extremely slim. Furthermore, the alien would be unlikely to know the distinction between the Premier League and the non-league backwaters.

I guess I’m just a little sensitive on this issue at the moment..

SUNDAY

Kin and king…

The curtains in our living room are drawn. The dog snoozes in solidarity

with the significance of the moment. A sense of anticipation grows. The weekend’s big TV event is imminent. Not the Coronation across the water… it’s the final episode of series 2 of the hit RTE crime drama, Kin.

I haven’t been watching, but am assured that Kin is brilliant. As family members prepare for the big finale, I disappear to claim the other television.

While dipping into The Sunday Game (where passionate hurling pundit Dónal Óg Cusack was on the warpath), some channel-hopping brings me to BBC’s coverage of the Coronation concert at Windsor Castle… just in time to see King Charles III passing the ‘good sport test’ by bopping along to Lionel Richie.

“One has to do these things” the king was presumably thinking, as he traded the slight embarrassment of publicly dancing to pop icons with the reality that he is finally on the throne (i.e. it’s worth it).

Royals are traditionally reserved in public, but modern society demands that they curb their aloofness and show a more human side.

Relieved that Lionel finally got

to the end of ‘All Night Long’, King Charles took his seat again, only to see Gary Barlow and Take That emerge on to the stage for a reunion finale…

MONDAY Glory days…

Communities around County Roscommon are basking in the afterglow of a few days of great success for competitors in various ‘fields of endeavour’.

On Saturday, St Dominic’s GAA Club claimed two national Scór titles, while our U-20 hurlers gave it everything in defeat to Derry in the All-Ireland final. There was All-Ireland glory for the Roscommon minor camogie team on Sunday.

Roscommon Community College students Joshua McCormack and Evan McNeill scooped the top prize in the senior category at the Student Enterprise Awards in Croke Park. Students from St Nathy’s College in Ballaghaderreen also won a top award.

Meanwhile, three creative pupils from Elphin Community College won a ‘golden ticket’ to represent Ireland at the Junk Kouture World Final later this year. See coverage throughout this issue. Congratulations to all concerned!

TUESDAY European drama

In tonight’s European semi-finals, Ireland’s Wild Youth exited (the Eurovision), while Manchester City are very much still in (the Champions League) after an exciting 1-1 draw away to Real Madrid.

After a madcap night in Liverpool, the nicer people on Twitter came out to play, one joking that Wild Youth now go into a group with “Carlow, Laois and Roscommon” and others saying the Eurovision final will be shown live on GAAGO!

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Council announces details of Greener Spaces competition

Details of this year’s ‘Greener Spaces’ competition have been announced by Roscommon County Council.

The competition, which is open for community groups and primary schools to enter, highlights efforts being made in enhancing and maintaining their outdoor spaces throughout the county. Further details and application forms can be found at roscommoncoco.ie.

Roscommon County Council’s Environment Department are trying to identify the ‘Greenest’ spaces, with prizes on offer for overall winners, runners-up and special awards. The

closing date for receipt of entries is no later than 4 pm on Wednesday, May 31st

Environmental Education and Awareness Officer, Jonathan Jones is encouraging community groups and primary schools to enter the competition “which recognises the efforts being made to enhance outdoor spaces within Roscommon”.

He said: “This is the perfect time for community groups and primary schools to show their ‘green’ spaces at their best. The competition is consistent with Roscommon County Council’s objectives in creating a cleaner,

greener environment among the communities it serves”.

This year judges will be awarding marks for overall appearance, litter control, sustainability initiatives, efforts to enhance biodiversity, enhancement of habitats and natural amenities, as well as proactive actions for the facilitation of pollinators.

“For green spaces to flourish as pollinators, they need to be able to provide food in the form of flowers, shelter for nesting and safety from chemicals”, concluded Mr. Jones.

For further information, visit pollinators.ie.

Rain stops Races, Thursday date set

The first scheduled Roscommon Race meeting of the season was cancelled early on Monday due to overnight rain and that afternoon’s forecast. Horse Racing Ireland has announced that the meeting will now take place on Thursday afternoon, June 1. The cancellation was confirmed following a 7.30 am inspection of the course.

A flat fixture was set to herald the commencement of racing this year at the popular track. However, heavy rainfall in the

€700k in funding for schools

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has welcomed funding of €700,000 for primary and special schools in Roscommon as part of a €29 million allocation nationwide, announced recently by Minister Norma Foley.

Welcoming the announcement, Senator Murphy said: “This fund-

ing provides flexibility to address issues at local school level and may be used for the improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds

and the purchase of IT-related equipment.

“Early payment of these grants will provide schools across Roscommon with a good lead-in period to plan and undertake works that will support the operation of the school going into the 2023/24 school year”.

area on Sunday night had signalled that the meeting could be in jeopardy. Following Monday morning’s inspection, the cancellation was confirmed by Lorcan Wyer, IRHB Clerk of the Course.

In a statement, the Clerk said: “Following 10mm of rain overnight, Roscommon is waterlogged in places at present. With the forecast being for further rain this afternoon, unfortunately the fixture schedule for this afternoon has been cancelled”.

Fionnuala O’Connell, Michael Carr and Dean Carr pictured at the Roscommon County Ploughing Championships which took place in Hollywell, Derrane recently. Pic: Kieran Croghan

Abbey Hotel sponsorship

Congratulations to Peter Gillen (Castleknock, Dublin), winner of third prize at last Saturday’s Ballymurray National School Golf Classic fundraiser, sponsored by the Abbey Hotel. Peter is pictured here with his son Conor and Geraldine Grealy, Marketing and Public Relations Manager at the Abbey Hotel.

Bealtaine Festival events at library

Westmeath Independent columnist, Jean Farrell, will visit Roscommon Library on Wednesday, May 17th from 3 pm to 4 pm. Jean’s writing is enjoyed by her regular readers. Come along to hear Jean read from her columns and sing well-known songs. This event is free, however booking is required. To book, phone 090-6637277 or email library@ roscommoncoco.ie. Drop into Roscommon Library any Friday morning during May, from 11 am to 12.30 pm, and learn how to use the library’s free online resources. Apps available are BorrowBox for eBooks and eAudiobooks, Libby for eMagazines and much more. No booking required.

Coffee morning for Hospice in Gleeson’s

A coffee morning will be held in Gleeson’s Restaurant, Roscommon on Friday, June 2nd at 10 am in conjunction with National Sunflower Days for Hospice. All are welcome. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Special Healing Mass

A Special Healing Mass will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy, Athlone on Friday, 19th of May at 8 pm. The celebrant will be Fr. Jamie Twohig. Confessions will be available from 7 pm and the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 7.30 pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Individual Blessings for Healing will take place after Mass. All are most welcome. Eircode is N37W704. Contact 086 4054489 for more information.

Day trip to Lough

Derg in September

The Legion of Mary are organising a day trip to Lough Derg on Saturday, 23rd of September 2023. Departure from Sacred Heart Church carpark in Roscommon at 6.30 am on the day. For bookings, please contact Teresa on 087 1206343 or Noreen on 086 3529916/090 66 25209.

Fr Vincent Twomey is guest speaker at Literary Dinner

St. Patrick’s Team is hosting a Literary Dinner in Gleeson’s, Roscommon on Friday, 12th of May at 7 pm (for 7.30 pm). Guest speaker is Fr. Vincent Twomey, SVD, Professor Emeritus of Moral Theology. He will speak on ‘Pope Benedict XV1: The Man behind the Mitre’. A four-course Dinner will be served, costing €33. To book, contact Tom Flanagan on 087 2421070.

Solstice Choir in Cootehall Church this Friday night

Roscommon Solstice Choir will be performing in St Michael’s Church, Cootehall, on this Friday, May 12th, at 8 pm. Ardcarne Youth/Children’s Choir will also be performing on what promises to be a very enjoyable night. Tickets cost €10 each and can be obtained from any committee members of Ardcarne Childcare Services CLG and the John McGahern Barracks Museum. A limited number of tickets can be purchased at the door on the night. All are welcome and all support appreciated.

Rosary Rally this Saturday afternoon

A Rosary Rally in commemoration of Our Lady’s Apparitions at Fatima will be held on Saturday, 13th of May at The Square, Roscommon from 4 pm. All are welcome.

Joshua and Evan take top prize at National Enterprise Awards

Two students representing Roscommon Community College emerged with the top prize at last week’s Student Enterprise Programme (SEP) Awards in Croke Park. In all, students from the county were successful in four different national categories.

Joshua McCormack and Evan McNeill from Roscommon Community College were inspired from seeing people climbing into wheelie bins to try and compact their rubbish manually and created the ‘McCompactor’ to solve the issue.

McCompactors is a device that enables users to easily compact rubbish in standard wheelie bins. Joshua and Evan took first place in the Senior Category of the Local Enterprise Office-run programme. The steel fabricated device will work on all standard household wheelie bins and they have sold over 100 to date through their social media channels. As well as winning the overall award, both students also captured the Senior, Social Media and Intellectual Property categories.

Other winners representing Roscommon were ‘Chopping Away’ from St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, who won the Intellectual property award in the Intermediate Category, represented by Olivia, Rachel and Dean Beirne.

In the Junior Category, the winners were Grasper from Drumshanbo Vocational School in Leitrim. Created by students Freya Whitney, Alexandra O’Looney and Amy Keaveney, their hand-held farm safety tool assists farmers with the opening of slurry tank covers.

The event was hosted by RTÉ’s Rick O’Shea who was joined during the ceremony by Neale Richmond, T.D., Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business as they announced the winners across the three main categories on the day.

A total of 82 finalists were showcased ahead of the announcement of the various winners.

The Local Enterprise Office initiative, supported by Enterprise Ireland and local authorities, commenced last September in secondary schools across the country with close to 25,000 students taking part.

The initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, has seen over 350,000 take part in the programme since it began 21 years ago.

Pictured are Neale Richmond, T.D., Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business, Dean, Olivia and Rachel Beirne from Chopping Away (Intermediate IP Award winners), John Magee, Chair of Network of Local Enterprise Offices, and Caroline Kelly, Intellectual Property Office of Ireland.

Pictured are Neale Richmond, T.D., Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business, Joshua McCormack and Evan McNeill from McCompactors (Senior IP Award winners), John Magee, Chair of Network of Local Enterprise Offices, and Caroline Kelly, Intellectual Property Office of Ireland.

Pictured are John Magee, Chair of Network of Local Enterprise Offices, Neale Richmond, T.D., Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business, Joshua McCormack and Evan McNeill from McCompactors (Senior Category winners), and Louise Ward, Head of Enterprise in Local Enterprise Office, Roscommon.

Pictured are Evan McNeill and Joshua McCormack from McCompactors (Senior Category winners).

Gospel Reflection

Sunday, May 14

Jesus will not leave us alone. He won’t make us children of God in Baptism only to leave us “orphans,” He assures us in today’s Gospel (see Romans 8:14 – 17).

He asks the Father to give us His Spirit, to dwell with us and keep us united in the life He shares with the Father. We see the promised gift of His Spirit being conferred in today’s First Reading.

The scene from Acts apparently depicts a primitive Confirmation rite. Philip, one of the first deacons (see Acts 6:5), proclaims the Gospel in the non-Jewish city of Samaria. The Samaritans accept the Word of God (see Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13) and are baptised. It remains for the Apostles to send their representatives, Peter and John, to pray and lay hands on the newly baptised – that they might receive the Holy Spirit. This is the origin of our Sacrament of Confirmation (see Acts 19:5 – 6), by which the grace of Baptism is completed and believers are sealed with the Spirit promised by the Lord. We remain in this grace so long as we love Christ and keep His commandments. And, strengthened in the Spirit whom Jesus said would be our Advocate, we are called to bear witness to our salvation – to the tremendous deeds that God has done for us in the name of His Son.

In today’s Psalm, we celebrate our liberation. As He changed the sea into dry land to free the captive Israelites, Christ suffered that He might lead us to God, as we hear in today’s Epistle. This is the reason for our hope – the hope that sustains us in the face of a world that cannot accept His truth, the hope that sustains us when we are maligned and defamed for His name’s sake.

Put to death in the flesh, He was brought to life in the Spirit, Paul tells us today. And as He himself promises: “Because I live, you will live”.

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

Three Elphin students secureJunk Kouture ‘Golden Ticket’

< DAN DOONER

Three students from Elphin Community College were among ten winners of a golden ticket to represent Ireland at the Junk Kouture World Final which takes place later this year.

Vanessa Kielty, Martha Nugent and Mary McNulty’s creation STEMinist was among the successful entries at the Dublin Finals in the 3Arena on Thursday night last.

The three students also appeared on a special segment of the Late Late Show last Friday evening.

STEMinist was created to encourage more girls to become involved in STEM subjects. The design was made from old electrical wiring and a copper water cylinder, nuts and bolts, rusted corrugated iron, a high-vis jacket, disused landscape netting, tool mats, gears and plastic.

Their entry was chosen alongside nine other winners by judges Louis Walsh, Keilidh Cashell, Tara Kumar and Stephen McLaughlin.

The girls will now travel to the 2023 Junk Kouture World Final in Ovo Arena Wembley in London on October 12th to battle it out with 50 other teams from cities such as London, Paris, and Milan in order to become World Designer of the Year.

Last Thursday’s Dublin City Final at the 3Arena can be viewed at 7 pm on May 18th on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player.

Pictured is an aerial view of Ogulla Shrine, Tulsk, with the recently painted chapel roof. This most recent refurbishment of the complex and chapel, which once stood in Knock for the 1979 papal visit, is a Tulsk History Society initiative in cooperation with the Ogulla Shrine committee. It is hoped funding will be resourced to complete the project and return Ogulla to its former glory.

Tulsk History Society news

After a successful and well attended AGM on Tuesday, April 25th, the following officers were elected to the Tulsk History Society executive: John Higgins was re-elected as chairperson, Marese Feeney was elected as secretary, Mike Lennon was elected as assistant secretary/fundraising officer, Noel Sheerin was elected as treasurer, Jody Moylan was re-elected as PRO, and Eileen Beirne was elected as archivist. THS looks forward to a fruitful year ahead, and have many projects and activities in the pipeline, including the launching of the new website, which promises to be a comprehensive resource. The Ogulla refurbishment project continues, but ultimately is subject to funding. THS hope to raise more funds to complete the project. The Tulsk History Society Outing is set for the 17th of June to Arigna Mines and King House in Boyle. You can book your place on the trip by contacting John on 086 323 2321.

While some meetings will continue via Zoom (utilised primarily for non-resident members), there will also be meetings in person in the year ahead. These will be advertised as the dates approach. The society look forward to working with the parish schools this year and, as always, the THS publications continue to be a big source of the society’s output. The latest edition of the paper bulletin The Tulsk Morning Howl has just been distributed locally and is available to pick up for free. For more, you can contact the society on historytulsk@ gmail.com.

Vanessa Kielty models the design STEMinist which she designed with fellow students Martha Nugent and Mary McNulty from Elphin Community College. Pic: Brian McEvoy

FRANK BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique take on life ...

A ‘deer’ lesson… why readers might be advised to check car insurance cover

Our man Frank on how a reader’s recent experience suggests people should check their car insurance cover; Roscommon’s growing rugby influence… and a riveting finale to crime drama, Kin

In 2022, an MIBI survey revealed that one out of every twelve drivers in Ireland had no insurance, with the outrageous number of 188,000 uninsured drivers leaving us in second place in Europe, with only Greece having a slightly higher percentage of noncompliant motorists.

For the rest of us, who comply with the rules and always have proper cover, as a rule there are three different insurance options – third party, third party fire and theft, and fully comprehensive. I won’t try to explain the differences between the three options, but as comprehensive should cover every type of claim that might arise, including the cost

of repairing a driver’s own car, it is pretty much accepted that people with more expensive cars will choose that particular option.

Nowadays, there are also addons that we can have, and for relatively small extra premiums, things like bonus protection and car replacement can also be incorporated in your policy. Now if you pay for car replacement cover, which means that you would have the use of a car if your own vehicle is getting fixed after an accident, you would expect that that would be exactly – as the popular advertising slogan goes – what it says on the tin. But that, if the experience of one of my readers is to go by, is where you would be wrong.

About three weeks ago, this lady was driving on the main Galway to Roscommon road when all of a sudden a large deer jumped out from behind the ditch and landed on the bonnet of her car. In the heel of the hunt, it caused almost €10,000 worth of damage to her vehicle. All the usual protocols were followed, and eventually she was told to leave her car in for repairs to a garage the insurance company had nominated, and further advised that it should be ready in approximately three months.

That was all fine, but then my reader enquired about her

replacement car, expecting to be provided with one for the entire duration. She is a working mother of three young children, commuting to work every day on a journey that takes approximately an hour each way, and by any criteria, needs the use of a car. With three young children and the requirements of baby seats and such stuff, she had a people carrier-type vehicle, and assumed that she would be given something similar to keep her going until the three months had elapsed. Instead, she was offered a Toy-

Roscommon a rugby stronghold in the west!

As you know by now, out here in Creggs we have a very strong sporting heritage, with rugby and the GAA particularly well established in the area, and so the recent superb rugby win by Connacht over Ulster up in the fortress that is the old Ravenhill was greatly welcomed by everyone in this neck of the woods.

The professional rugby era means that teams are now made up of players of different nationalities, but going through the Connacht team that lined out on last Friday evening, one thing was very obvious –Roscommon is the new rugby stronghold in the west of Ireland.

Of the fifteen players that started the game, Mayo had one, Galway had two, and Roscommon had three.

Once again I find myself wondering how

Denis Buckley never got a full (senior) Irish cap. For years now he has mixed it with the best props in the business, always holding his own, and again on Friday night the Connacht front row (of which Denis is a vital member) absolutely destroyed the Ulster scrum.

Jack Carty and Niall Murray were the other Rossie starters. On the occasion of such a famous win, how good it was to see the Roscommon players very much to the fore. With another younger Murray, Darragh, ready to make his mark on the Connacht team, it looks as if the primrose and blue will be the dominant colours in Connacht rugby for some time to come! Well done lads – by the time this comes out ye will be in Cape Town for the semifinal, so good luck to ye all!

ota Yaris, which while a decent enough car, was obviously too small. But it didn’t make much difference anyway, as she could only keep it for a week. After that, despite her replacement car cover, she was on her own, and it was up to herself to solve her car (or lack of car) problem herself.

In the end the woman had to go and buy another car, but as she said to me, if she hadn’t been able to afford one (as so many wouldn’t) she could’ve been facing the possibility of losing her job. Car rental was another

option of course, but it seems any type of car can cost up to €400 a week.

Insurance companies make obscene profits, so why can’t some of them give the cover they say they will? Of course we are always told to read the small print on our policies, but it’s usually written in language ordinary folk won’t understand!

I rang my insurance company, AXA, and asked them what their attitude was. They told me that in the event of an accident and my car being off the road for repairs, they would supply

a replacement for the entire duration, which is exactly as it should be. The lady I spoke to also confirmed that some companies only give a car for a week, so if you think you have paid extra for that specific cover, give your insurance company or broker a ring and find out for yourself. My reader didn’t, and she paid a big price!

Talking of deer, I have to admit that while I have a soft spot for these very graceful animals, the truth is that they are involved in lots of car accidents.

In the spot where my reader had her collision, there have been at least four other incidents involving deer in recent weeks, and thousands of euro in damage has been caused. Years ago, a friend of mine told me that a deer will never turn back once they decide to make a move, and will go straight through (or into) whatever is in the way, cars and people included.

It seems that local councils have agreements with animal disposal firms to pick up the dead carcasses, so maybe they should erect warning signs in places where accidents are occurring. Anyway, my advice is: drive carefully, keep your eyes open, and check that your insurance cover is as good as it should be!

And finally…

I have to admit that Sunday night’s series finale of Kin was absolutely riveting viewing, and I can’t wait for the next instalment, which will presumably come our way at some time in the autumn.

However, as the past proud owner of two black Passats (a ‘07 and a ‘08), I was shocked to see that they seem to be the cars favoured by most of the hitmen when setting out to commit gangland murder. I am not certain what makes them the most popular method of transport in these instances, but I feel sure it must be to do with their sturdiness and reliability.

Thankfully I have moved up a few years to a 131 one, so hopefully I will not be a suspect in the event of any local gangland murder!

Darragh Murray

Waldron campaigning for ‘Historical Way’ to be developed in county

Expresses reservations about any rezoning of Edenville House

< PAUL HEALY

A second Roscommon Municipal District county councillor has gone public on the issue of the fate of the landmark Edenville House/Black’s House in Roscommon town.

In March this year, Cllr. Orla Leyden voiced strong opposition to any move by Roscommon County Council to have the property rezoned for social housing purposes.

Now Cllr. Anthony Waldron, while indicating he has yet to reach a definitive view on the zoning issue, has expressed reservations about the mooted future use of the property for housing.

Cllr. Waldron says Roscommon’s heritage and historical assets ought to be developed from a tourism perspective.

“While I appreciate the need for more social housing, I’m inclined to think that there must be alternative sites (that could be developed)”.

Cllr. Waldron said he has already engaged with locals in the Lisnamult area and will continue to discuss the issue with interested parties.

The next chapter for Edenville House in Lisnamult, Roscommon is under the spotlight this year amidst speculation that the Council is eager to rezone the site.

Edenville House is a protected structure which dates from 1702, when it was built as a Cavalry Barracks. It is a heritage site with recognised important historical significance.

According to Cllr. Orla Leyden, Roscommon County Council recently asked Roscommon Municipal District councillors to consider a change of zoning from Community and Education to Housing so that an approved body can develop

housing in Edenville House and on the general site, through a material contravention of the Town Plan.

Roscommon Town Team has been quick to point out that the group has spent a number of years working on plans to develop the community and educational potential of the property. A working group submitted a proposal to Roscommon County Council in 2022, outlining their vision for the site, which includes a regional centre of excellence for the circular economy, sustainable development, local heritage, and crafts.

Roscommon Town Team said: “This building and grounds are a huge asset to Roscommon town and the proposal by the Edenville working group offers a future that incorporates a much-needed community space for locals”.

In March of this year, Cllr. Leyden came out strongly against any

Breakfast 7.30am – 11.30

rezoning. She described Edenville House as “a rich cultural and heritage asset” and said the existing proposal by Roscommon Town Team that it be developed as a visitor attraction is a much better idea than the rezoning suggestion.

Cllr. Leyden said she will categorically oppose any proposal to remove the current zoning status, adding that housing needs to be developed on lands zoned for housing.

Speaking to the Roscommon People on Tuesday, Cllr. Anthony Waldron said that County Roscommon needs special attention and funding in order to further develop its tourism potential by way of showcasing our heritage/history attractions.

Cllr. Waldron said he had recently raised that need with Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, adding that his views had been positively received.

Learn how to upcycle with RWN

Directly referring to Edenville House, Cllr. Waldron said “any property of this nature in our county must have its tourism/ community potential fully explored (before contemplating rezoning)”.

HISTORICAL WAY

Cllr. Waldron said that he will be making the case (with the various agencies) for a ‘Historical Way’ to be developed in County Roscommon, which would link the various attractions here. He cited the fact that there are many castles, historical buildings, walkways, and other amenities in Roscommon which, with proper planning and funding, could attract huge visitor numbers in the future.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson said Roscommon County Council has no comment on the matter.

Interested in learning how to upcycle textiles? Then Roscommon Women’s Network have a training course just for you! Discover how to identify which fabrics are suitable for upcycling, learn how to deconstruct a garment, pick up new cutting and pattern-making skills, as well as basic machine sewing techniques – all while learning about the effects of textile waste on the environment.

Training runs in Boyle for eight weeks from Friday, May 19th, in the Boyle Family Resource Centre from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Contact Martina at mhourigan@rwn.ie, call 094 9621690, or text 0863478881 for further information.

THE BRIDGE CLUB

St Coman’s Bridge Club: President’s Prize (Ann Shine) – 1st: Gertie Spillane and Geraldine Relihan; 2nd: Mary Naughton and Kitty Gately; Gross: Celia Ansboro and Kitty Dowd; 3rd: Rita Roughneen and Josephine Devaney. 1st Session: Mary Lennon and Theresa McDermott. 2nd Session: Maria Hickey and Peggie Kelly.

Ballymurray Bridge Club: President’s Prize (Jane Hunt) – 1st: Evelyn Curley and Judy Adamson; 2nd: Honor Lynn and Geraldine Relihan; Gross: Michael Dolan and Kevin Coyle; 3rd: Ivan Moran and Kevin Moran. 1st Session: Helen Earley and Martina Hanley. 2nd Session: Valerie and Pat Finneran. End of Season competition – 1st: Evelyn Curley and Judy Adamson; 2nd: Mary Naughton and Kitty Gately; Gross: George Bannon and John O’Gara; 3rd: Pat Lyons and Jill Farrell.

Kilbride Bridge Club: End of Season competition – 1st: Phil Murray O’Brien and Bernie Fallon; 2nd: Brid Gillooly and Frances Keane; 3rd: Martina Fallon and Pauline Donohoe.

Recent results

Roscommon Bridge Club: President’s Prize (Olive Fahy) – 1st: Larry Shine and Larry Curley; 2nd: Tresina Smyth and Tommie Murphy; Gross: Mary and Terry O’Keeffe; 3rd: Margaret Egan and Judy Adamson. 1st Session: Ann Kilduff and Celia Ansboro; 2nd Session: Chris and John McGrath. End of Season – 1st: Joan Donnellan and June Halliday; 2nd: Mary McDermott and Kitty Blighe; Gross: Marie McSharry and Ann Flynn. End of Season competition – 1st: Joan Donnellan and June Halliday; 2nd: Mary McDermott and Kitty Blighe; Gross: Marie McSharry and Ann Flynn; 3rd: Valerie and Pat Finneran.

Happy ‘71 Bridge Club: President’s Prize (Mary O’Keeffe)

– 1st: June Halliday and Tommie Murphy; 2nd: Chris and John McGrath; Gross: Tresina Smyth and Larry Shine; 3rd: Phyllis

O’Shaughnessy and Terry O’Keeffe. 1st Session: Mary McDermott and Ann Kilduff; 2nd Session: Judy Adamson and Olive Fahy. End of Season competition: 1st: Larry Curley and Terry O’Keeffe; 2nd: Mary and Vincent Brennan; Gross: Olive Fahy and Judy Adamson; 3rd: Mary McDermott and Ann Kilduff. Kilbride Bridge Club: 1st: Frances Keane and Brid Gillooly; 2nd: Eileen Dowling and Moira Farrell; 3rd: Bridie and Tom Moran.

Previous results

Roscommon Bridge Club: 1st: Larry Shine and Larry Curley; 2nd: Kitty Dowd and Phyllis O’Shaughnessy; Gross: Phil and Seamus Cooney.

Happy ‘71 Bridge Club: 1st: Tresina Smyth and Larry Shine; 2nd: Kitty Dowd and Celia Ansboro; Gross: Sandra Kelly and Kathleen Kelly.

St. Coman’s Bridge Club: 1st: Nuala Costello and Chris McGrath; 2nd: Pat Pierse and Agnes Murray; Gross: Kitty Dowd and Celia Ansboro.

Kilbride Bridge Club: March 29th: 1st: Pauline Leonard and Mary Kelly; 2nd: Annette Gaffney and Eileen Dowling. April 5th:

1st: Phil Murray O’Brien and Bernie Fallon; 2nd: Anne Moloney and Sheila Macken; 3rd: Moira Farrell and Eileen Dowling.

Cllr. Anthony Waldron pictured outside Edenville House in Lisnamult. Pic: Kieran Croghan

Miriam’s MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

The WHO might be done with Covid, but I’m still keeping my distance!

Despite the fact someone died of Covid every three minutes last week (and bearing in mind these statistics only take into account cases that are actually reported), the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Covid-19 ‘is no longer a global public health emergency’. Phew!

Yes folks, according to our country’s epidemiological report, in week 16, which took into account dates between April 16th and April 22nd 2023, there were ‘614 new confirmed Covid-19 cases reported on CIDR’. In case anyone’s interested, CIDR is the national surveillance system used as the definitive source for validating data on Covid cases.

In addition, as of April 19th, face masks have no longer been a requirement in hospitals, or in other healthcare settings, with online portals for booking PCR tests, or for ordering antigen tests now closed.

While this is of course comforting news, and while the world has more or less given us permission to cast aside public health regulations and guidelines, I for one refuse to allow apathy rear its ugly head; preferring instead to continue to employ what hubby calls my ‘ultra-obsessive measures’.

To tell you the truth readers, I become absolutely horrified when I see strangers clustering close to each other in supermarket queues, in pubs, and

in restaurants, etc. In fact, despite being vaccinated and double-boosted, and despite the number of people catching Covid being on that downward spiral, I still stand two metres away from strangers, and my hand sanitiser still accompanies me everywhere. I even still carry a mask in my handbag, with spares in my car!

When, on the odd occasion, I get to

eat out (and because I don’t believe the most deadly and economically devastating virus in modern history is really over), I find myself sizing up the table proximity, fretting if I’m seated near a large group of strangers!

Mind you, I’m not alone in my concerns; only last weekend while doing the weekly food shop, I noticed several people wearing masks. I also noticed

how the HSE has been advertising the availability of what they’re calling the Spring Covid-booster vaccine programme for those aged 70 and older, and for those with a compromised immune system. If any readers fall into those categories, it might be worth having a chat with your family doctor or your local participating pharmacy.

Thanks to science and our healthcare

Why is the uptake of paternity leave so low in this country?

Paternity benefit was introduced in this country in 2016 (and not before time I say)! However, as I was getting ready for work last week, according to a debate I dipped in and out of, which was happening in the background on my TV, it seems that less than half of dads entitled to paternity benefit didn’t avail of it.

Apparently, these statistics relate to the years between 2016-2019, but it got me wondering why this is the case? I mean, isn’t it very important that both parents invest time in their family’s life?

When I had my girls, the duration of maternity leave a working mother was entitled to take was just six weeks. As my first-born was actually six weeks’ premature, I didn’t even manage to get my entitlement, for the simple reason motherhood and earning a living didn’t exactly go hand in hand with the government of that time. But that was then and this is now, and thankfully things have changed.

As an employee, women who become pregnant have a right to take 26 weeks’ maternity leave with an additional (up to) 16 weeks’ if they choose. They can take this time off whether they work full-time, part-time or casual. In addition, with the introduction of paternity benefit, new parents (other than the baby’s mother) are entitled to take a period of leave from their employment (self-employment included) within six months of the birth (or the adoption) of their child for two weeks… so why aren’t more parents availing of it?

I know that when I was a new mother, I’d not just have wanted my husband/partner to take the two weeks off work (if it was available), I’d have insisted on it for the simple reason giving birth can prove to be overwhelming, painful, exhausting and hormonal. Therefore, in recognition of these challenges, I believe it’s not just extremely important, it’s absolutely crucial that all dads/partners avail of this leave so they can actually get to ‘parent’… as

opposed to what a certain father recently told me he was doing!

He was, by his own admission, ‘allowing’ his baby’s mother to ‘go out with the girls’ while he ‘babysat for her for the night’. What a hero… not! I immediately put this dad straight, informing him that he was not actually ‘babysitting’ his ‘own child’, rather he was participating in the infant’s upbringing, as in he was ‘parenting’, and the sooner he took this role seriously the more his new family would benefit. The baby’s mother messaged me the next day to thank me. Because I live in the real world, I do know that both parents taking this leave can be financially challenging for many families. However, as a mother who didn’t get to avail of either an extended maternity leave, or of my children’s father having paternity leave, I feel having that help in the early days would prove vitally important for many reasons; the main one being, it can bolster the wellbeing of the exhausted new mother.

professionals whose expertise and dedication helped us tackle this virus, and indeed to the public response in general – the dangerously deluded deniers aside – we’ve managed to find effective solutions to fight (not beat) this battle with Covid.

We must never forget, nor should we downplay, the impact this pandemic has had on society, and in particular on grieving families who’ve lost loved ones – because to them, the consequences have been crushing. We must also never forget that, as of the end of April, according to statista. com (a Health, Pharma and Medtech site), there have been over 764 million cases of Covid-19 worldwide. Therefore, as this dangerous virus has struck every single country across the world (and call me pedantic) I believe I’m perfectly right to be concerned that there still is, and there still will be for the foreseeable future, a sustained and abiding transmission occurring across all aspects of our society.

As contracting Covid is likely to cause illness and sadly, for some even death, it’s my humble opinion that for years to come, we should all be very careful not to become complacent. I will also add (for the sake of balance) that the fact we’re no longer dealing with a ‘pandemic’ situation is certainly encouraging – just don’t cough, sneeze or breathe near me anytime soon! Thanks.

Small gesture that can make a large impact…well done, Minister O’Gorman

Staying in ‘new baby’ mode: by sheer coincidence to the debate on the ‘low’ paternity leave uptake, a new pilot scheme providing expectant parents with a ‘Little Baby Bundle’ was launched by the Department of Children earlier this week.

This initiative (the first of its kind in this country) will see participating parents receiving a range of useful items, the value of which is said to be approximately €300. Now isn’t that a nice gesture by our government!

From what I can gather, parents can expect to find dribblers (or bibs for those in the posh seats), a play mat, a thermometer, babygrows, a baby sling, and reusable nappies, etc. (er, I know it’s not environmentally friendly, but no way does a new mother have time to wash dirty nappies!). Well done to Minister Roderic O’Gorman on this progressive and welcome initiative – it’d almost make me wish I was starting out again… not!

Roscommon Easter Parade prize presentations…

The presentation of prizes to winners in the 2023 Roscommon Easter Parade took place in Down The Hatch recently. Roscommon Agricultural Show were winners in the ‘Best Community’ category. Pictured (back row, left to right): Patricia Mullaney (Easter Parade committee), Christy Tully (Roscommon Show), Damien Hannon (accepting on behalf of Roscommon Agricultural Show), JJ Cattigan (secretary of Easter Parade committee), Michael Oates of ETL Roscommon (sponsors of all prizes). Front row, left to right: James Gleeson (Roscommon Show), Rita Oates of ETL Roscommon (sponsors of all prizes), and Gerry Flanagan (Roscommon Show).

The presentation of prizes to winners in the 2023 Roscommon Easter Parade took place recently. Convent of Mercy, Roscommon (teams) were winners in the ‘Best Proud Rossie’ category. Pictured left to right: Larry Brennan (chairperson, Roscommon Easter Parade committee), Rochelle Mullaney (Easter Parade committee), Clara Tully, Sarah Reilly and Alanna McCormack of Convent of Mercy, JJ Cattigan (secretary, Roscommon Parade committee), and Michael Oates of ETL Roscommon (sponsors of all prizes).

The presentation of prizes to winners in the 2023 Roscommon Easter Parade took place in Down The Hatch recently. GD Services were winners in the ‘Best Commercial’ category. Picture shows Patricia Mullaney (Easter Parade committee) accepting the award on behalf of GD Services, from Larry Brennan (chairperson, Roscommon Easter Parade committee). Also pictured are Michael and Rita Oates of ETL Roscommon, sponsors of all prizes for 2023 Roscommon Easter Parade.

Roscommon Macra na Feirme were winners in Roscommon Easter Parade’s ‘Most Environmentally Aware’ category. Pictured at the recent presentation of prizes in Down The Hatch were Patricia Mullaney (Easter Parade committee), Michael Oates of ETL Roscommon (sponsors of all prizes), Padraig Beattie (Roscommon Macra na Feirme), Rita Oates of ETL Roscommon (sponsors of all prizes), and Liam Finneran (Easter Parade committee).

Finn Electrical were winners in Roscommon Easter Parade’s ‘Best Window Display’ category. Pictured at the recent presentation of prizes in Down The Hatch were (back row, left to right): Michael Oates of ETL Roscommon (sponsors of all prizes), Deirdre Doyle (Finn Electrical), Mary Finn (Finn Electrical), Rita Oates of ETL Roscommon (sponsors of all prizes). Front row, left to right: Larry Brennan (chairperson of Roscommon Easter Parade committee), Patricia Mullaney (Easter Parade committee), and JJ Cattigan (secretary of Easter Parade committee).

Housing crisis: dwelling on the challenge of finding accommodation in Galway

Let’s talk about

HOUSE

(A student’s perspective)

Alannah Ita Healy

Last Sunday, after settling myself in on the 15.05 train from Galway, I realised (far too late of course) that I’d made the fatal mistake of letting IrishRail.ie auto-select my seat.

I’d been assigned a spot without a table, which usually would make very little difference to me, but of course it happens the one day I plan to use my laptop on the train. Most of the time, I just spend my travel time catching up on the latest Discover Weekly playlist Spotify’s put together, but on this journey, I’d hoped to set myself up with the laptop for an hour so I could comfortably attend to the seemingly fruitless task of house-hunting for a new place in Galway… has anyone noticed there might be a shortage of affordable housing at the moment(!)?

Unaffordability isn’t even the only major hurdle – the general property shortage is up there too. Type ‘Galway City Centre’ into one of the country’s biggest rental accommodation sites, Rent.ie, and you’ll be met with the so-dire-itfeels-inconceivable reality that only six properties in the entire city are available (or so it is at the time of writing at least, maybe dozens will be added by the time this comes to print and pigs will fly and it’ll all be grand). I’d expected to find the housing situation significantly worse than the last time I was on the task two years ago, the anecdotal accounts from friends who’ve struggled for places recently being evidence enough, but the first-hand experience certainly brought the reality crashing home.

Something that’s become readily apparent in the short time I’ve been on the accommodation hunt is just how small the window of opportunity is for the properties that are there. The naïve relief I felt at coming across a suitable place in budget on day two of my search, for exam-

ple, was quickly squashed when I refreshed a few minutes later and found that the listing, which had only been up a few hours when I spotted it, had disappeared entirely from the site, presumably gone to someone quicker on the draw.

And however increasingly limited the options are, it also isn’t helped by the occasional shady listing that pops up every now and then and throws you off. The other day, I came across an ad for a property that looked too good to be true, and noticing the watermark for a letting agent in the corner of the pictures that was mentioned nowhere in the description, thought it best to email the agent directly to ask about it instead of contacting the person on the ad. Sure enough, they got back to me to let me know that they hadn’t posted it, that the pictures were for a property outside of Galway they’d had on their site a while ago, and the ad was, as suspected, a scam.

But even if you do manage to filter out all the scams and find a real listing, replies to enquiries are far from guaranteed. I guess it makes sense – I can imagine that given the slim pickings, everyone who posts a property is immediately met with

Last collection date for Jumble Sale in Kilteevan

A ‘Covid Clear-out Jumble Sale’ will take place in Kilteevan Community Centre on Saturday, 20th of May 2023.

The final collection date is Thursday, 11th of May from 8-9 pm. Donations can be dropped off at the venue so there is still time to sort and gather up your items.

If you are unable to drop them to the hall, please get in touch by emailing pro@kilteevancommunity.ie or by text on 087 6333700 and arrangements can be made to collect them directly from you.

The only requirement is that the donated items are working and in good condition for resale.

The items which can be accepted include:

- Household items: Kitchen equipment, pictures, furniture, etc.

- Garden items: Furniture, plants, garden tools, etc.

- Books, CDs, DVDs, Video Games, etc.

- Electronics: Radios, alarm clocks, IT equipment, Gaming Consoles.

- Exercise & Leisure equipment (gym, camping, etc.)

- General kids’ toys (indoor and outdoor).

- Fashion items: Bags and belts, etc.

Please note that clothes, shoes, bedding, etc. cannot be accepted.

All funds raised will go towards the upkeep and running of the Kilteevan Community Centre. Your usual support is appreciated and we thank everyone who has already donated items.

a sea of responses. The ratio of landlords to hopeful tenants is immeasurably skewed – something a lot of landlords are well aware of, judging by the amount that’s being charged for some places. Of course you expect higher prices during a housing crisis, but some of the rates you come across are honestly mindboggling, with certain people just blatantly taking advantage of the bleak situation to charge truly unreasonable prices, simply because they can.

I remember the first place I had in Galway, a shoebox of a room in an estate a few minutes from the Square, and how at the time, its size sometimes made me worry I was being overcharged at (just over) €400 per month. But just the other day, a similar room in the same estate came up on a Facebook house-hunting group, this time going for just shy of €700. If that didn’t exemplify to me just how much Galway housing has changed in the short time I’ve been living here, I don’t know what would.

Ironically, as I sat on the Sunday train, tipping away on my laptop, I was reminded of the situation I was in just before I managed to nab that

shoebox room. Having not been able to find September accommodation, I commuted for the first month of college with Bus4U (a service I highly recommend over the train if travelling between Roscommon and Galway by the way – the fares are cheap, the drivers are friendly, and the journey’s often faster considering the wait you usually have in Athlone when travelling by rail).

To make use of the three hours spent commuting daily, I would try and get my college work done during the journey, with my laptop balanced on my legs just as I found myself doing last Sunday. And though I was relieved when I finally secured a place, the commute was actually grand for a while – plus, while I note rent, groceries, bills, and just about everything has gone up since I started living in Galway, my Bus4U tickets are probably my only weekly expense that hasn’t seen a hike. So if my accommodation search continues to be as lacklustre as it has so far, at least I know what my fallback will be.

That said, if anyone does know of a place, do give me a shout…

Kilteevan hosts a study visit to Cloonlarge Bog Loop

On Friday, May 12th, at 11 am, a study visit to Cloonlarge Bog Loop will take place, starting from Kilteevan Community Centre.

This visit is being organised by the Connecting Communities with Peatlands project and Kilteevan Tidy Towns and is open to all members of the public who are interested in learning more about this unique community-led peatland project.

Participants will be guided along the trails of the bog loop and learn how the community came to be involved in its creation. The visit will also provide an opportunity to meet like-minded people and inspire participants to get involved with communityled or supported peatland projects.

This event is part of the larger initiative of the Connecting Communities with Peatlands project, which aims to build the capacity of communities in the Midlands to get involved with peatland projects. Connecting Communities with Peatlands is funded by the National Just Transition Fund and is led by the Community Wetlands Forum and Irish Rural Link.

The project has supported 28 communities in the Midlands through training, workshops, and networking events. The project also aims to raise awareness of the success community involvement

has in long-term peatland conservation and restoration. All participants are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather, as the study visit will take place rain or shine. The visit is expected to last approximately three hours and will be followed by refreshments in the community centre after the walk.

Kilteevan Tidy Towns is excited to welcome members of the public to this event and hopes that it will inspire participants to reconnect with the bog in a new way. Eileen Fahey, chairperson of Kilteevan Tidy Towns, has noticed the increase in local people walking and cycling the trail in recent years. The group work tirelessly to maintain the trail and more recently opened the Lilliput Way, a magical fairy trail that leads to an impressive sculpture of Gulliver from Jonathan Swift’s novel, Gulliver’s Travels.

“Many people from Roscommon are surprised to find this gem on their doorstep”, commented Eileen. “It is most gratifying to see people using and enjoying the Cloonlarge Loop”.

For more information or to register for the study visit, please contact Aoife Kirk, project coordinator of Connecting Communities with Peatlands, at aoife@irishrurallink.ie.

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The Residents Association of Cloonbrackna Estates recently held a Social Night in Doorly’s Corner House, Roscommon. Pictured were Christy Allen and Mike Mullen.

The Residents Association of Cloonbrackna Estates recently held a Social Night in Doorly’s Corner House, Roscommon. Pictured were Patsy and Clive Raftery.

The Residents Association of Cloonbrackna Estates recently held a Social Night in Doorly’s Corner House, Roscommon. Pictured were Colette and James Gleeson.

The Residents Association of Cloonbrackna Estates recently held a Social Night in Doorly’s Corner House, Roscommon. Pictured were ‘Buggie’ Healy, Sandra Kenny and PJ Raftery.

The Residents Association of Cloonbrackna Estates recently held a Social Night in Doorly’s Corner House, Roscommon.

Pictured were Bill Cunningham (Secretary) and James Gleeson (Chairperson).

Pictured at Helen Kelly’s recent ‘Going Away’ party in JJ’s, Roscommon were Helen Buckley, Sorina Nutu and Eva Beirne.

Pictured at Helen Kelly’s recent ‘Going Away’ party in JJ’s, Roscommon were Linda Gill and Rosemarie Hanley.

Pictured at Helen Kelly’s recent ‘Going Away’ party in JJ’s, Roscommon were Helen Kelly, Caroline Boyd and Martina McGrath.

Pictured at Helen Kelly’s recent ‘Going Away’ party in JJ’s, Roscommon were Bríd McGough and Christine Farrell.

Pictured at Helen Kelly’s recent ‘Going Away’ party in JJ’s, Roscommon were Eibhlin Shiel, Annette Kennedy and Anne Doorley.

Two All-Ireland Scór titles for St Dominic’s

St Dominic’s GAA Club took two All-Ireland Scór na nÓg titles home from the national finals in Killarney on Saturday afternoon.

The club’s Novelty Act stars and Solo Singer Gemma Casey were given a hero’s welcome on Sunday when they returned to Knockcroghery with the titles they won representing Roscommon and Connacht.

The Novelty Act team included Jane Casey, Euan Hanley, Joe McDermott, Amy Murray, Ben O’Connor, Chloe O’Connor, Hannah O’Connor and Amy Reynolds.

St Dominic’s are no strangers to Scór na nÓg success and have claimed a number of titles at both juvenile and adult level over the years.

The All-Ireland winners were presented with their medals by GAA President Larry McCarthy with proud St Dominic’s official and National Scór chairperson, Thomas Murray, also present.

Murray girls savour double success

< DAN DOONER

The Murray family from Kilcash, near Knockcroghery in Co. Roscommon, had double reason to celebrate after Hannah (17), Lilly (16) and Amy (13) brought home All- Ireland camogie and Scór na nÓg medals last weekend.

Amy was first up, winning an All-Ireland Scór medal with the St Dominic’s Novelty Act group in Killarney on Saturday before her older sisters clinched an All-Ireland B camogie title with Roscommon in Birr on Sunday.

Speaking to the Roscommon People this week, mum Anne Marie said there was great excitement in the house last weekend.

“It was a great experience and a different level of excitement in Killarney,” she said of Amy’s appearance in the Scór finals in Killarney.

“Scór really brings the club together and it was very special for St Dominic’s. The welcome home we received in Knockcroghery on Sunday was like nothing we have experienced before – even in the rain!”

Anne Marie paid tribute to the work of Scór mentors Aileen O’Connor and Anita Hanley and the entire St Dominic’s’ Novelty Act team.

Ann Marie’s husband, Liam, was a key member of the victorious Roscommon Nickey Rackard Cup team of 2007 and since then his daughters Hannah and Lilly have gone on to enjoy national success.

Sunday was their second All-Ireland title in recent months, having been part of the Convent of Mercy team that won the Schools’ B title in March.

The couple’s two younger children, Rosie (9) and Tim (7), have no shortage of role models to look up to. “We’re

proud,” Anne Marie

very

concluded.

Murray sisters Amy (13), Hannah (17) and Lilly (16) from Kilcash enjoyed a very successful weekend, bringing home All-Ireland medals in Scór na nÓg and camogie.

The Naomh Dominic group, representing Roscommon and Connacht, of Sinéad Ní Chathasaigh, Euan Ó hÁinle, Seosamh Mac Diarmada, Éimí Ní Mhuireadaigh, Bearnárd Ó Conchobhair, Chloe Ní Chonchobhair, Hannah Ní Chonchobhair and Éimí Ní Raghnaill pictured with Uachtarán Chumann Lúthcleas Gael Larry McCarthy and Cathaoirleach, Choiste Náisiúnta Scór Tomás Ó Muirí after winning the Nuachleas competition during the 2023 Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Gemma Ní Chathasaigh of Naomh Dominic, representing Roscommon and Connacht, pictured with Uachtarán Chumann Lúthcleas Gael Larry McCarthy, left, and Cathaoirleach, Choiste Náisiúnta Scór Tomás Ó Muirí (a member of St Dominic’s) after winning the Amhránaíocht Aonair competition during the 2023 Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Finals at the Gleneagle INEC Arena in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

The St Dominic’s All-Ireland Scór na nÓg winners Gemma Casey (Solo Singing) and Jane Casey, Hannah O’Connor, Ben O’Connor, Chloe O’Connor, Joe McDermott, Euan Hanley, Amy Murray and Amy Reynolds (Novelty Act) were given a warm welcome back in Knockcroghery on Sunday evening. Pic courtesy of Project Knockcroghery

Entertainment, Culture & Arts

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Magical night with Solstice Choir

CONCERT WAS IN AID OF CHURCH PROJECT

Last Friday night the Sacred Heart Church was the venue for a magical night of musical entertainment provided by the wonderful Roscommon Solstice Choir.

The Solstice Choir, under the guidance of Choir Directors Eimear and Andrew Reynolds, performed to a large crowd, with the event a fundraising boost for the essential repairs planned for the landmark church.

On behalf of the Sacred Heart Church Fundraising Committee, Geraldine Grealy (PRO) thanked everyone who supported this fundraising event.

“A special word of thanks to all the volunteers and ticket sellers, to Eimear and An

Niamh Kavanagh to perform with The Illegals at Arts Centre

Roscommon Arts Centre will present Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh, along with the band The Illegals, on Saturday, June 10th, at 8 pm. Ireland’s only Double Tribute to the iconic music of Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, this is the first performance for The Illegals at Roscommon Arts Centre and they are delighted to bring their ever-popular, classic-rock revue to the stage. In the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest, Niamh wowed audiences with a powerful rendition of ‘In Your Eyes’ and achieved a resounding victory for Ireland. The Illegals are a band of experienced musicians performing mostly in theatres and rock venues throughout the country, putting on a formidable show and giving thousands of fans an experience they won’t forget. Every year, they delve deeper into Eagles and Fleetwood Mac ‘back-catalogues’ to keep their dynamic live show fresh but familiar to packed venues throughout Ireland. Songs like ‘Take It Easy’, ‘Dreams’, ‘Life In The Fast Lane’, ‘Don’t Stop’, ‘One Of These Nights’, ‘Gold Dust Woman’, ‘Desperado’, ‘The Chain’ and ‘Hotel California’ – and many others: all in celebration of two of the greatest rock bands of all time. Led by Niamh with her mesmerising voice, The Illegals will take you on a journey for three hours of soulful harmonies, exciting riffs, blistering guitars and unforgettable songs. The best of two legendary bands in one night? It’s almost too good to be true. Tickets are €25 and are available now from box office on 09066 25824 and from roscommonartscentre.ie.

drew Reynolds (Choir Directors) and their magnificent singers who raised the roof on the night, to the members of the Roscommon Traditional Musicians group and friends, to Brendan Nugent for providing the enhanced acoustics and audio visual display, to Fr Kevin, PP, for his beautiful singing performance, to MC Eugene Murphy, to the local media for their generous coverage of the event, and finally to the Abbey Hotel and Gleeson’s for sponsoring the food and refreshments after the concert in the Parochial House”.

As of midweek, €51,454 has been raised for this fundraising project. Readers can follow Sacred Heart Church on Facebook and Twitter for updates. The first phase of the commencement of repairs on the church will begin in June.

Athank you from Glenamaddy

Players

Now that the dust has settled on the fantastic All Ireland (Confined) Drama Finals in Glenamaddy, local group Glenamaddy Players wish to thank everyone for their support as they look forward to a well deserved break.

Their production of the award-winning play, Proof (by David Auburn) narrowly missed out on winning the All Ireland Confined Drama Finals, finishing a very commendable second overall. In addition, Anna Flaherty won Best Actress with her superb portrayal of Catherine. Several further nominations were received, including Best Producer (Coman Keaveny), Best Actor (Cian Boyle, for his portrayal of Hal),

Best Supporting Actress (Niamh O’Flanagan, for her portrayal of Clare), and Best Presentation and Best Lighting (Declan Walsh).

The group are very thankful for all the support they received on the circuit and at the recent All Ireland finals.

Members of the Committee pictured at the Solstice Choir Fundraising Concert in aid of the Sacred Heart Church Restoration Fund.

Cian Mulry pictured at the Solstice Choir Fundraising Concert in aid of the Sacred Heart Church Restoration Fund.

IFA: Include all applicants in Liming programme

IFA Rural Development Chair Michael Biggins has called on Minister McConalogue to ensure that all farmers who applied for the new lining programme are accepted into the scheme in full.

His comments follow Department of Agriculture figures released recently which show huge interest among farmers in the new National Liming Programme, with 4.5 million tonnes sought by 41,000 farmers.

“There’s huge focus on farmers regarding the climate challenge. However, what isn’t acknowledged is the significant ambition among farmers to improve on-farm efficiencies and their environmental foot-print. There’s huge demand for the National Liming Programme because farmers want to improve their soil fertility and thereby reduce chemical fertiliser usage,” he said.

“Earlier in the year, we had 46,000 applicants for 30,000 ACRES places. Minister McConalogue found a way to get all 46,000 ACRES applicants into the scheme. He now needs to do the same for Tranche 2 of ACRES later in the year, but more immediately for farmers who applied to the National Liming Programme”.

ICSA welcomes genotyping of calves

ICSA has welcomed moves by the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to initiate a five-year programme for genotyping the national herd.

Following a stakeholder meeting in Dublin this week, ICSA Suckler Chair Jimmy Cosgrave said: “This is a hugely important step and one that should prove very beneficial for farmers in deciding which animals to buy for further feeding”.

It is understood that the Department of Agriculture will seek public funding to kick-

start the programme, with the aim of having it up and running in 2024, and in place for a five-year period. After the first year, a cost sharing model is envisaged.

ICSA has proposed tagging calves at birth for genotyping rather than for BVD testing and stressed the need for an ambitious vision to marry all the benefits of this programme in the marketing of beef.

Mr Cosgrave concluded: “In particular we could very quickly use this in our suckler premium brand to deliver DNA verified suckler beef”.

‘Capacity there for stronger beef prices’ – Golden

IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said the stagnant beef prices are not reflecting the costs on farms producing cattle from sheds.

Mr Golden said the most expensive cattle are those produced by winter finishers. Prices have moved up just 24c/kg since the beginning of the year.

“This is against a background of steady and consistent beef price increases in our key market - the UK - where prices have increased by over 50c/kg over the same pe-

riod,” he said. Demand for beef is strong in the UK market, with spend up 9 per cent on beef in the past three months and volumes down only marginally by 1.7 per cent.

The IFA Livestock Chairman said it is anticipated this demand will increase over the coming weeks. With supplies of finished cattle tightening, price increases must be on the table.

Meanwhile, Bord Bia has predicted supplies to be back this year by 50,000 to 60,000 cattle, with all of this reduction due in the first six months of the year. Up to the end of April, supplies only reduced by 30,000, which points to a significant tightening in numbers of finished cattle for the next two to three months.

“This positive supply/demand balance in the coming weeks and months must return higher beef prices to farmers,” Mr Golden concluded.

Dairy Chair: Retail wars ‘threat’ to farmers

IFA Dairy Chair Stephen Arthur said there is only one loser when supermarkets engage in price wars and that is the farmer.

The latest announcement of a reduction in the retail price of butter follows a cut in the retail price of milk announced recently.

“We have seen supermarkets use dairy products as loss leaders in the past. Our input costs remain historically high, so our farms cannot withstand such cuts. We are squeezed from both sides as we are consumers too. We need a fair margin,” he said.

“It is evident that the supermarkets are cutting food prices to attract customers. This could quickly escalate into a price war where only the farmers will pay the price,” he said.

“Our margins are being eroded at an alarming rate and these announcements by retailers are further damaging morale”.

FarmingPeople

MICHAEL CUDDY & CO

Chartered Accountants & Statutory Audit Firm

1 Fry Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Telephone: 090 64 94311

Email: info@mcuddy.com Web: www.mcuddy.com

Our reputation has been built on client satisfaction

(Proudly serving farmers for over 63 years)

Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373

Friday 12th May @ 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Heifers

Also, Dry Cows & Bullocks

Followed by Irish Simmental SocietySimmental X Breeding Heifer Sale

Friday 19th May @ 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Bullocks

Also, Dry Cows & Heifers

Bookings accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday 15th May

Tuesday 23rd May at 4pm

Sale of Weanlings

Bookings accepted until 5 p.m. on Thursday 18th May

Lambs & Cast Ewes

Each Wednesday @ 11 a.m.

Stock must be penned by 9.30 a.m. – Gates close at 10 a.m.

Saturday 13th May @ 12 Noon: ORGANIC SALE

Bookings now being accepted

Saturday 20th May:

Irish Limousin Society SHOW and SALE

ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

Email: roscommonmart@gmail.com

Visit our website: www.roscommonmart.ie Find us on facebook

Property Services Providers Licence No. 002249

TELEPHONE: 094 9620300

Email: info@castlerealivestockmart.com

Web: www.castlerealivestockmart.com

THURSDAY WEEKLY:

SALE OF BULLOCKS, HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS

FOR ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT MART OFFICE OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

Macra: Retail forum missing agricultural input

National Macra President John Keane has said the retail forum, convened on Wednesday (yesterday) by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is sorely missing input from the agricultural sector.

The forum, which was established in June 2014, aims to enable discussion around the key issues pertaining to the retail sector.

Speaking yesterday (Wednesday), John Keane

expressed his shock that producers were omitted from the forum.

“I am astonished that in a body comprised of 35 members that there is not one representative of the primary food producers in Ireland,” he said.

“It is incredulous that any progress could be made on the cost of food to the consumer without consulting the producers of this food, it is only through engagement with the food

sector that changes can be made”.

Mr Keane said he has written to Minister Neale Richmond asking why the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was not invited to take part in the forum.

Part of the letter read: “It seems to Macra, remiss not to include the Department with direct responsibility for food production in Ireland in attending and contributing to this meeting”.

a bilateral meeting held during the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate Summit in Washington DC.

The Roscommon Macra na Feirme committee recently presented a cheque for €1,500 to Sunflower Rooms, Knockcroghery, proceeds from the sale of Roscommon Macra’s charity calendars earlier this year.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for research and innovation Martin Heydon this week joineded the New Zealand Minister for Agriculture, Damien O’Connor to launch the second Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Call on agriculture and climate change. The two Ministers made the announcement following

PropertyPeople FarmingPeople

Roscommon MART WATCH

There was a good entry of stock on offer at last Friday’s special bullock sale with a very strong trade for all classes. We had over 200 bullocks on offer and they fetched an average of €3.05 per kilo up to €3.85 per kilo.

There was also a good entry of dry cows and they made an average of €2.50 per kilo up to €2.78 per kilo. There was a good attendance of customers at the ringside with online bidders also active.

There was an good entry of top-quality weanlings with over 200 on offer at our sale held on Tuesday evening last with a strong trade for both bulls and heifers.

Bull weanlings fetched from an average of €3 per kilo up to €4.28 per kilo, while heifer weanlings made from an average of €3.18 per kilo up to €4.13. There was a very good attendance of customers ringside with online buyers also active.

We had a similar number of sheep on offer at our weekly sale of lambs and cast ewes. Prices for spring lambs made up to €179 and finished hoggets peaked at €178. The tops for stag ewes fetched €195.

Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID Tag set. Next sale of lambs and cast ewes is Wednesday, May 17th at 11 am. Yard opens at 8 am. All stock must be penned by 10 am. Sale can be viewed live on www.livestock-live.com.

Sample prices for dry cows: Lim X 650kgs €1,870, Char X 790kgs €2,110, Lim X 915kgs €2,620, Lim X 870kgs €2,420, Lim X 820kgs €2,220, Lim X 735kgs €2,060, Lim X 700kgs

€2,000, Char X 645kgs €1,740, AAX 525kgs €1,460.

Bullocks: Char X 395kgs €1,520, Lim X 655kgs €2,300, Lim X 725kgs €2,400, Lim X 385kgs €1,350, Char X 505kgs

€1,700, Lim X 455kgs €1,620, Char X 500kgs €1,820, Char X 580kgs €1,840, Lim X 550kgs €1,830, Lim X 600kgs €1,830, Char X 540kgs €1,950, Lim X 555kgs €1,820, Char X 640kgs €2,120, Char X 410kgs €1,510, Lim X 610kgs €2,050, Char X

425kgs €1,480, AAX 570kgs €1,880,

Athleague land sells at online auction

Connaughton Auctioneers sold a 11.12 acres at Kilmore, Athleague by online auction last Thursday, May 4th, on the LSL Platform (Livestock Live).

This prime parcel of lands is located approximately 1.5 miles from Athleague village on the Rahara/Athlone Road. The online auction opened at €60,000 and sold under the hammer for €121,000 achieving nearly €11,000 an acre.

Auctioneer Ivan Connaughton commented:

“We were delighted to be selected as agents for this sale. We are actively looking for similar properties in the general Athleague areas for awaiting clients and disappointed underbidders. This online auction was our second of 2023 with more to come over the summer months”.

For further information, contact the office on 090-6663700 or email info@connaughtonauctioneers.ie.

‘Sale of the Week’ at RE/MAX Team Earley

Keith McLoughlin of RE/MAX Team Earley is delighted to present to the market a primely located commercial unit of approximately 700 square feet, located in the busy Stonecourt development on the Roscommon Town Square, and benefiting from ample free car parking facilities at the rear and on the Square itself.

The unit would suit various commercial pursuits due to its size and location and the auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and all enquiries for sale. The tenant will be respon-

sible for all out goings, ie managements fees, ESB and public liability insurance. All offers after €50,000 will be considered. The BER rating for is F, and the auctioneer highly recommends viewing of this ready to go property.

For further details or to arrange an appointment to view, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon on 0906626579, email teamearley@remax.ie, or log onto teamearley.ie, or contact auctioneer or Keith on 086-0848590.

New to the market: Superior detached residence in Tarmonbarry

Keith McLoughlin of RE/MAX

€164, 54kgs €160.

Castlerea MART WATCH

There were 700 animals on offer on Thursday last with store cattle a lively trade with very strong farmer activity this week as we entered the first week of May.

The weanling rings witnessed some very strong prices with weanling heifers topping out at €4.87 a kilo while the bulls peaked at €4.77 a kilo. Cows with calves at foot made up to €3,290 while the dry cows peaked at €2,530. Bullocks topped out at €2,220 while heifers peaked at €2,090. The calf ring with good numbers on offer witnessed a good clearance.

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

Sample prices for bullocks: Ch 485kgs €1730, Ch 475kgs €1650, Ch 535kgs €1880, Lm 505kgs €1470, BBx 590kgs €2220, Ch 595kgs €1810, Ch 615kgs €1880, Lm 610kgs €1830, Hex 635kgs €1780.

Heifers: Lm 425kgs €1450, Ch 350kgs €1400, Lm 330kgs €1350, AA 405kgs €1250, AA 415kgs €1250, Ch 475kgs €1580, Lm 480kgs €1560, Ch 655kgs €2090, Lm 535kgs €1950, AA 645kgs €1930, Ch 615kgs €1880.

Dry cows: Lm 880kgs €2530, AA 760kgs €2080, Lm 725kgs €2040, Lm 635kgs €1790, Fr 495kgs €870, Fr 485kgs €970.

Weanling bulls: Ch 295kgs €1410, Ch 280kgs

€1120, Ch 255kgs €1020, Lm 350kgs €1220, Ch 380kgs €1300, Ch 430kgs €1450, Ch 380kgs €1630, Lm 355kgs €1360, Lm 390kgs €1730.

Weanling heifers: Lmx 275kgs €1340, Ch 295kgs

€1250, Ch 295kgs €1150, AA 285kgs €1040, Lm 210kgs €840, AA 230kgs €760, BBx 295kgs €1040, Lm 285kgs €1100.

Team Earley is delighted to present to the market this stunning four-bedroomed property, sitting on a large site of approximately 1.11 acres, located at Celtic View , Ballytoohey, Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon (N39VW92, on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Tarmonbarry.

The property was constructed in late 2001 and has been excellently maintained by the original owner ever since. Evidence of this is instantly seen when you visit the property and are immediately met with beautiful black gates and a decorative stone driveway.

Accommodation briefly comprises of four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen/dining room, sitting room and entrance hallway.

The kitchen is of the highest standard, with vibrant colours balanced with a beautiful quartz worktop and a peninsula island. Other features in the kitchen include tiled splashback, eye level single ovens side by side, and pendant lighting over the island. The dining area includes a stanley stove with a back boiler, surrounded by a beam and marble fireplace.

The sitting room also offers a marble fireplace with an insert fireplace, and the room benefits from a bay window which offers plenty of natural light. The solid oak timber floors and coving also continue the theme of quality throughout the house.

The four double bedrooms are spacious and well maintained, and the master bedroom benefits from an ensuite that was updated in 2022 to include walk in shower, heated towel rail and tiled floor to ceiling.

The nine-foot ceilings throughout add to the spacious feel of the home, which is heated with oil central

heating. The BER rating for this property is C3.

Outside, you have a beautiful mature lawn to the front and a large garden to the rear, which also includes a patio area for entertaining. The property also benefits from a 40ft x 20ft Steeltech shed, which has power, and another shed that has water and power. There is also a storage

shed and container for any additional storage needs.

Tarmonbarry Village is located on the main River Shannon and borders Co Longford and Roscommon. Tarmonbarry is a very picturesque village and is renowned for its excellent angling opportunities and award-winning restaurants.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase a quality home in Tarm-

onbarry, so the auctioneer highly recommends viewing of this ready to go property.

For further details or to arrange an appointment to view, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt Roscommon on 090-6626579, email teamearley@ remax.ie or log onto teamearley.ie, or contact auctioneer or Keith on 086-0848590.

NEW TO THE MARKET FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY OR AUCTION LATER

PRIME ROADSIDE ROSCOMMON LANDS OF APPROX 78 ACRES LOCATED BESIDE ATHLEAGUE VILLAGE TOGETHER WITH 3 NO. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES (PER INSTRUCTIONS OF THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE ESTATE OF KATHLEEN GERAGHTY DECEASED)

LOT 1:

65.34 ACRES APPROX OF PRIME ROADSIDE HOLDING OF LANDS TOGETHER WITH A 4 ROOMED TWO STOREY DWELLING IN NEED OF MODERNISATION LOCATED ON THE ATHLONE SIDE OF ATHEAGUE VILLAGE, CO. ROSCOMMON F42 DY76

COMPRISED IN FOLIOS RN17454 & RN18733 (LANDS AND RESIDENCE CAN BE SOLD INDEPENDENTLY SHOULD MARKET INTEREST DICTATE)

LOT 2:

12.72 ACRES APPROX OF PRIME ROADSIDE LANDS LOCATED OUTSIDE ATHLEAGUE VILLAGE CO. ROSCOMMON

COMMANDING FRONTAGE ON TO THE RIVER SUCK

COMPRISED IN FOLIO RN9273F

LOT 3:

4 B/R BUNGALOW STYLE RESIDENCE WITH GARAGE SET TO SIDE LOCATED AT TOBERAVADDY, ATHLEAGUE, CO. ROSCOMMON F42 HN24

TOGETHER WITH A 4 ROOMED COTTAGE STYLE DERELICT RESIDENCE SET TO REAR

AMV: €250,000

SITE AREA 2.3 ACRES APPROX Enquiry Invited

NEW TO THE MARKET CELTIC VIEW, BALLYTOOHEY, TARMONBARRY, CO. ROSCOMMON N39 VW92

SUPERIOR 4 BEDROOMED BUNGALOW RESIDENCE

AMV: €299,500

APPROX 5.8 ACRES OF LANDS WITH MOBILE HOME STANDING THEREON LOCATED AT

BALLYMURRAY,

WITH ALL SERVICES ON SITE

OPTION TO PURCHASE APPROX 4.4 ACRES OF RIVERSIDE LANDS ADJACENT

3 B/R DETACHED BUGALOW RESIDENCE

LEGAL: CALLAN TANSEY SOLICITORS TELEPHONE 071 96 62019

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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

ALCOHOLICS

ANONYMOUS

< ALCOHOLICS ANONY -

MOUS: Roscommon Town Group, Castle Street, Roscommon. Eir Code: F42 RP21 (1st Floor). Meetings: Tuesday 8pm to 9pm, Wednesday 1pm to 2pm, Thursday 8pm to 9pm, Friday 8pm to 9pm, Saturday 8pm to 9pm, Sunday 12 noon to 1.pm.

CHIMNEY CLEANING

Complete Chimney Services

Chimney Cleaning

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

• Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods

CCTV CAMERA INSPECTIONS

• Firebacks replaced and flues repaired

• Can be cleaned from the bottom up

• Chimney cowls and crow guards fitted Power washing and gutter cleaning services.

Telephone: 087 2798704

CHIMNEY CLEANING

CONNAUGHT

CHIMNEY CLEANING

Chimneys Power Sweep ( no mess)

- Openfire - Stoves - Ranges

Chimney CCTV Inspection

OIL BOILERS SERVICED

Burners Repaired

CARPETS CLEANING

Satellite and Digital TV Installation

All areas covered Mob: 086 2495851

www.connaughtchimney cleaning.com

Creighton

Chimney Cleaning

Fireplaces, Stoves, Ranges etc.

Modern Rotary Chimney Cleaning equipment used from the bottom up. Much cleaner than brushes, CCTV check if required.

Areas covered: Castlerea, Strokestown, Elphin, Castleplunkett, Tulsk, Lanesboro, Roscommon Town, Killashee, Carrickon-Shannon, Scramogue, Rooskey, Kenagh, Tarmonbarry, Ballymahon and all surrounding areas. No climbing on roofs, tiles or slates, no mess, no fuss.

Fully Registered.

Call Dave on 085 8888833

CHIROPRACTOR

Kathleen’s Mobile Footcare

Professional and friendly footcare in the comfort of your own home.

Kathleen Wynne MCFHP, MAFHP Foot Care Practitioner 086 3562718

kathleenwynne63@gmail.com www.kathleensmobilefootcare.ie

COUNSELLING

COUNSELLING & HYPNOTHERAPY

Are you affected byAnger 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

FARMING

BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE

• Sprayers tested on owners premises

• Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided.

• Small stock of parts available and can be fitted on sprayers

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

Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069

e-mail: thomasneilan4@ gmail.com

D.A.F.M. Approved Reg No: EI000083

FENCING/GATES

GARDENING

GARDENING

GARDENING SERVICES

Including: • Hedge Cutting

• Hedge Planting • Grass

Cutting • Spraying

• Strimming • Weeding

• Garden Tidy-ups

• Planting • Gutter Cleaning, etc.

Chainsaw work also available

GATELY GARDENING

Four Roads, Co. Roscommon

• Landscaping

• Timber Decking

• Patios

• General Maintenance

Contact Liam on 086 8749550 or 090 66 27496

Phone John on 087 2860428

Stephen Casey Construction

l General Building

l Extensions & Roofing

l Groundworks

l Renovations

l Chimney CCTV Inspections

l Chimney Repair

- Insurance Claims

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon 087 9268424

stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

• Wood Chipping

PLANNINGS GARDENING

Mop & Mow

Ballaghaderreen Garden & Property Services

l Grasscutting

l Strimming/ Brushcutting

l Hedge cutting

l Weeding/spraying

l Light chainsaw work

l Cleaning

l Pressure washing

Husband

Email: mopandmow@ icloud.com

Telephone: 085 868 4169

GF Ground Works

l Landscaping

l Paving & Kerbing

l Foundations Footpaths

l Drainage & Septic tanks

l Driveways

Telephone Ger: 086 8745180

PLANNINGS

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

FURTHER INFORMATION

APPLICANT: Eamon Harney

PLANNING REFERENCE

NUMBER: 22/526

LOCATION: Rooskagh

Townland, Bellanamullia, (Bealnamulla), Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

THE DEVELOPMENT

APPLIED FOR CONSISTED

OF: Permission for development consisting of the extraction of sand, stone and gravel (site area 6.938 hectares) The development will involve the extraction of sand, stone and gravel over an extraction area of 4.90 hectares (volume to be extracted = 466,766m3 approximately) over a 10 year period, screening/ processing of stone, sand and gravel from the site using mobile plant, construction of offices (33m2), welfare facilities (9m2), well, water settlement pond (area 2,020 m2), weighbridge, wheel wash, entrance, set down area, carparking, truck parking, refuelling pad, petrol oil interceptor, fencing, landscaping/ screening, signage, lighting, wastewater storage, tank for site offices, and all other ancillary works. (The land will be restored to agricultural lands on the completion of the extraction of sand, stone and gravel) (An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) has been submitted with the planning application)

Significant Further Information in relation to this 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 not later than 5 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation.

Signed: Collins Boyd Engineering Ltd., Engineers & Architects, Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon. Ph (090)6634421 Email: info@collinsboydeng.com

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Cornaveagh, Oldtown, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

I hereby apply to the above authority on behalf of John Kenny for planning permission to construct extension to existing slatted shed to accommodate loose housing area and feed passage and to construct manure pit to include concrete aprons and all associated works at the above location.

The 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 authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Ruane Survey, Design and Planning Ltd. Phone: (087) 8188596. www.oliverruane.com

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, John and Geraldine Cullen, intend to apply for permission.

For development at this site: Derrycoagh, Kingsland, Boyle, Co Roscommon. The development will consist of:

1) Demolition of Existing Cottage.

2) Construction of Replacement Dwelling with Effluent Treatment System & Associated Site Works.

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

Signed: John and Geraldine Cullen.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We , Roscommon Building Company

LTD are applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct Two No dwelling houses, along with connection to existing services and all site ancillary development works at sites No 16 Site 16, Glenview, Galway Road, Roscommon, Co.

Roscommon

PLANNINGS PLANNINGS PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, John Conneely, intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for 1.) retention permission to retain an existing agricultural shed and concrete yard and 2.) for planning permission to construct an agricultural storage shed, all as per drawing documents submitted together with all ancillary site works and services.

At: Betal, Ballinlough, Co Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the 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: John Conneely

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

< ROOM TO LET in Dysart area. May suit person working in Ballinasloe/Roscommon/Athlone area. Tel. 086 3657479.

< PROPERTY TO LET in Roscommon town. References required. Tel. 086 807 2250.

< TWO DOUBLE ROOMS to rent in Roscommon town. House is fully furnished and ready to rent. Please contact 087 9016261.

PRIVATE 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I am applying on behalf of Roscommon Golf Club for planning permission for the demolition of existing derelict dwelling house, and for development of practice area, together with perimeter fencing about the area on Golf Club grounds at Ballymartin More, Golf Links Road, Roscommon.

Signed: Kate Walshe, Hon. Secretary, Roscommon Golf Club.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the 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: Kate Walshe.

THANKSGIVINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We Brendan and Caoimhe

Keyes intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct 5 Bay slatted shed with creep, silage slab, Dung sted and cattle pen with crush together with associated site works at Knock Td., 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 the 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 Roscommon County Council of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Brendan & Caoimhe Keyes.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

O Divine Jesus, who said, “Ask and you shall receive”, I kneel at your feet.From whom shall I ask if not from you, whose heart is the source of all blessings. With a lively faith in you, I come to ask… (Share your petitions silently with the Sacred Heart) I admit am most unworthy of your favours, Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite heart. Look with pity on me, I beg you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my weakness a motive for granting my request. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me. K.D.

UNFAILING NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY

Oh Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the ‘Saint of Miracles’. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Publication promised for a great favour received. K.D.

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

(Never know to fail) O, most beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruit of the Vine, splendorous of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O, Star of the Sea, help me and show herein you are my mother. O, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power, O, show me here you are my mother. O, Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. Amen. K.D.

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.

L.F.

086 3482387

info@moleskinarchitecture.com

Contact David who is a Chartered Engineer in regard to applying for your planning application. For further details, please contact any time after 6pm week days or any time on Saturdays on: 083 095

Signed:

Architectural Designs – Consulting Engineers, Unit 5, Ballypheason House, Circular Road, Roscommon, F42 C982.

Ph: 0906634365 Mob: 0878228529

E: james@jlce.ie & aaron@jlce.ie Web:www.jlce.ie The 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 authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

for rent in Roscommon town centre. Suit professional or retired couple. Apply to Box no. 3074.

UNFAILING NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY

Oh Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the ‘Saint of Miracles’. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Publication promised for a great favour received.

M.C.

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours.

This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted.

G.C.

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

O, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, Fruit of the Vine, splendorous of Heaven.Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O, Star of the Sea, help me and show herein you are my mother. O, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power, O, show me here you are my mother.

O, Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Sweet Mother, I place this cause in your hands. Amen. M.C.

Tullys

CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry

Sarah will be in Tullys Totalhealth Pharmacy, Castlerea on Monday and Friday and Boyle

Pharmacy on Tuesdays.

For any of your foot issues call: 094 9620009

PODIATRIST

For all foot ailments

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

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

Department of Health Approved Kearney’s Chemist Main Street, Castlerea

For appointment: Phone: (089) 4142233

• Home visits

SIOBHAN ALSO RUNS A CLINIC FROM KNOCK

• 20

www.westsidegardening.ie

GARDENING: Lawns mowed and seeded, Leylandi and Laurel Hedge Cut and Shaped, Tree Felling, Fencing, Posts and Panels, Decorative Stone, Bark Mulch, Power Washing and Waste Removal.

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

LYONS

Maisie

Runnamoat, Ballinaheglish, Roscommon

In loving memory of Maisie Lyons who passed away peacefully on 31st March, 2023.

We, Maisie’s daughters Breda, Mary, Ann and Kathy; her sons-in-law Pat Joe, Sean, Paddy and Mike; her eighteen grandchildren, their husbands, wives and partners and her twenty-five great grandchildren would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all those who supported us in our recent loss.

We acknowledge with thanks all those who attended Maisie’s removal, her Funeral Mass, those who watched the Mass online and sent mass cards, letters of sympathy, messages of condolence by text, phone and via RIP.ie

We are extremely grateful to our neighbours, friends and relatives who called to our home with food and refreshments and joined us in a guard of honour as Maisie left Runnamoat for one last time, we will always remember your kindness. Many thanks to our wonderful gravediggers who prepared Maisie’s final resting place.

A special word of thanks to Fr. Pravin for his kindness to the family over the difficult days and for the many very welcomed visits to Maisie. Also for the beautiful Funeral Mass, we will never forget it. Thanks so much to all who participated so reverently in the ceremony, to all the readers, the McCormack sisters and Choir for the beautiful music, the Sacristan and all who prepared the Church.

To Smyth’s Funeral Home and especially John Smyth, we wish to acknowledge the great help and assistance afforded to us over the days of the Funeral the support, kindness and professionalism was second to none.

Thanks to Geraldine and Sean Kenny, Rockfield for providing lovely refreshments on the evening of the removal and to Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon for providing a beautiful meal after the Funeral. We don’t have the words to express fully the gratitude that we have for Terri and the staff (past and present) of Sonas Nursing Home Cloverhill and GP Dr. Brendan Crosbie. A massive thank you for the care, attention and love bestowed on Maisie over the four years she was resident with you.

It is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our gratitude. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Maisie’s Months Mind Mass and 100th Birthday Remembrance will be celebrated on Sunday 14th May, 2023 at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballinaheglish.

BARRY

David and Breda

Abbeytown, Roscommon

COMISKEY Mary

The Walk, Roscommon In loving memory of Mary who passed away peacefully on 14th May 2017 (6th Anniversary)

BEIRNE Annie

Ballyglass, Ballymacurley, Co Roscommon

Who died on Monday, 3rd April, 2023

Annie’s husband, Michael, and her family wish to thank most sincerely all those who offered sympathy and support throughout Annie’s illness and since her passing.

Remembering you, Mary, with love and a prayer that you are happy in God’s care, safe in His love and freed from your pain in His Eternal home. Amen.

Loved and missed always by Mam (Maura) Peter, David Paul, John, Emma, Paddy and Rory.

Anniversary Mass for Mary will be held in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 13th May at 10am.

We are sincerely grateful and thankful for the wonderful support given to Annie by her many close friends, extended family, Eucharistic Ministers and extraordinary neighbours who visited Annie in her home, in hospital and offered their best wishes and encouragement to her throughout her illness. Your kindness and friendship were a wonderful support to us all.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all the friends, relatives and neighbours who attended her removal and those who came to her home and provided refreshments. We are most grateful to those who travelled long distances to attend the Mass and Burial, made contact by phone, sent messages, mass cards, made donations to the Roscommon Palliative Care Support Unit and neighbours who bade farewell to Annie on route to the Church.

We would like to thank the Doctors and Nurses of the Oncology Unit at U.C.H.G., Roscommon University Hospital and The Galway Clinic. Also, we would like to thank Doctor Michael Henry and his team at the Kelly Henry Medical Centre. A special thanks to David Hynes Pharmacy and his team for their wonderful support. We will be forever indebted to the Doctors and Nurses of Roscommon Palliative Care Support Unit where the nurses cared for Annie with such kindness, compassion and dignity during her final days. The support that we, her family, received during these days was exceptional which we are forever grateful. In addition, we would like to extend our gratitude to the Public Health Nurse, Palliative Care Nurses and Home Support Carers who cared for Annie in her home.

You were always there with a willing hand to listen, advise and understand. Your pleasures were small, and wants were few, if your family were happy, so were you.

Sadly missed by husband Christy and family. Masses have been offered.

A special word of thanks to the gravediggers who showed a huge community spirit in preparing Annie’s final resting place to such perfection. Thanks to Smyth’s Funeral Directors for their professionalism and support in arranging Annie’s funeral. Sincere thanks to our Priest Fr. Pravin Dhason, for his home visits, his frequent visits to the Palliative Care Unit and for celebrating such a beautiful Funeral Mass on Holy week. It would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation and gratitude. The Holy of Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Annie’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated at 7.00 pm on Friday, May 12th In St Patrick’s Church, Ballinaheglish.

(35th Anniversary) (27th Anniversary)

In loving memory of our dear Mum and Dad, Breda and David, David who passed away on the 10th April 1988 and Breda who passed away on 19th May 1996 Lord grant them eternal rest. Loved and sadly missed by your family.

Classifieds

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES

TARPEY Mary Sandfield, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon

Who passed away on 10th May, 2022

R.I.P. (1st Anniversary)

WHYTE BRENNAN Mairéad

Clooncraff, Ballymurray, Co. Roscommon

In memory of Mairéad who passed away on 15th May, 2022 (1st Anniversary)

RUSHE Maureen (née Mullen)

Clooneen, Athleague, Co. Roscommon. (4th Anniversary)

Who sadly passed away on 15th May 2019.

EDWARDS Kathleen

KENNY Brian

As we remember Mary on the first anniversary of her death, her husband Sean and family wish to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to all who have extended sympathy, support, and friendship during this past year.

Thank you to everyone who sent kind words by phone, card, text and RIP.ie. We wish to thank everyone who attended our home, the Funeral Home, and the Funeral Mass and Burial. We wish to thank the attending emergency team, and the nursing and medical team at University Hospital Galway.

Sincere thanks to Pat Smyth and Smyth’s Funeral Home for the professionalism and invaluable support shown to us at all times; and to the Gravediggers who prepared Mary’s final resting place with care and respect.

A special thank you to Fr. Ali Joe for his kindness, support and understanding with all funeral preparations; and to Aileen O’Connor for the beautiful music and singing as we honoured Mary’s life. Thank you to Hannon’s Hotel for the food and refreshments provided for Mary’s Funeral and again for her Month’s Mind Mass.

Finally, we especially wish to thank our kind family, friends and neighbours who offered, and continue to offer, the much needed practical and emotional support, and kindness and understanding. Your support has been invaluable. It is impossible to thank everyone individually, so to anyone not mentioned, but who’s support has been invaluable, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our sincere thanks and gratitude.

Mary, your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

1st Anniversary Mass for Mary will be in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery, on Saturday 13th May at 7pm

DONNELLY

Brian

Funshinagh, Four Roads, Co. Roscommon.

Who died on 11th May 2014 (9th Anniversary)

MARTIN Jimmy

Ballagh, Kilrooskey, Co. Roscommon

Who passed away May 19th 2021 (2nd Anniversary)

No verse, no flowers, no tears can say how much you are loved and missed every day. You always had a smile to share. A laugh, a joke and time to care. Your wonderful nature, warm and true, these are the memories we have of you.

Always remembered, loved and missed by your husband Shane; son Darragh and the Brennan family.

No matter how life changes, no matter what we do. A special place within our hearts is always kept for you. You left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, and although we cannot see you, you are always by our side.

Sadly missed by parents Luke and Bridget; brothers and sisers Luke, Cathy, Patricia, Liam, Breda and Michael; nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and her extended family.

Anniversary Mass for Mairéad on Friday 19th of May at 7pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Kilteevan, Roscommon.

CONNOLLY Veronica

The Acre, Cloonakilleg, Mount Talbot. Who passed away on the 12th May 2004 (19th Anniversary)

Goodbyes are not forever Goodbyes are not the end They simply mean we will miss you, until we meet again.

CORCORAN

Gerry

Donamon, Co. Roscommon (3rd Anniversary)

In loving memory of Gerry, who passed away on the 13th May 2020.

��Always in Our Hearts�� “We lost a loved one with a heart of gold. How much we miss you can never be told. You shared our troubles and helped us along, if we follow your footsteps we will never go wrong. What you suffered you told but few. You did not deserve what you went through.

Tired and weary you made no fuss, but tried so hard to stay with us. We prayed for a miracle, all in vain, that God would make you well again. But God knew best, we had to part. It eased your pain, but broke our hearts. We cannot bring the old days back when we were all together. The family chain is broken now, but memories live forever. Until we meet again.”

Always remembered each day and loved always by her husband Ferdie, son Gérard, daughters Sandra and Deirdre, sons-in-law Jason & Chris; and all her close and extended family and friends.

Mass will be held on Saturday 20th May at 7pm in St. Patrick’s Church Athleague.

Cloonruff, Ballymoe, Co. Galway

Who passed away on 20th May 2021 (2nd Anniversary)

Fourmilehouse, Co. Roscommon

Who passed away on 9th May, 2019 (4th Anniversary)

Memories are precious they don’t fade away, we remember you always not just today. Although we sadly miss you, we know we are not alone.

For you are watching over us from a place you now call Home.

Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Mam, Dad, James, Paul and Granny. Anniversary Mass has been offered.

along life’s way. Quietly remembered everyday.

No longer in our lives to share

But in our hearts you’re always there.

Sadly missed by his wife Eileen & family.

Anniversary Mass in St Mary’s Church Ballagh on Saturday, May 13th at 8 pm.

At peace with her loving husband Tommy and son Tomás.

Forever missed by her daughters Sarah and Brigid and the Cooper and Connolly families.

A smile for all, a heart of gold one of the best this world could hold. Never selfish, always kind these are the memories you left behind.

Remembered with love by all your family.

Anniversary mass will take place in St. Patrick’s Church, Cloverhill on Saturday, 20th May at 7pm.

McPHILLIPS Michael (8th Anniversary)

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal but love leaves a memory that no one can steal.

Sadly missed by all his family and friends.

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

God looked around his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the Earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful he always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering he knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on Earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So he closed your weary Eyelids and whispered “Peace be Thine”. It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you the day God called you home

Always loved and sadly missed by your daughters Mary and Anne, sons Tommy, John (Jack), EJ, Anthony and Larry, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Anniversary mass will be held in St Brides Church, Ballintubber on Saturday, 20 May 2023 at 8:00 pm.

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

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

Lovingly remembered by his brothers Joe and Sean, sisters Sandra and Maudie. Masses offered.

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EmployAbility Roscommon is: with a disability, health condition, illness or injury to find suitable work and reach potential, and to encourage and support businesses to recruit people with a disability illness or injury.

qualification or significant prior employment services experience (Essential) working with and supporting people who have experienced mental health issues or Diploma in Supported Employment, Social Studies, Adult Guidance or studies (Desirable)

CV and cover letter to:

BRENNAN (née Ò Hara)

Tracey

Grange, Four Mile House, Co. Roscommon

31st October 1985 – 10th May 2019 (4th Anniversary)

MONAGHAN

Carmel and

Paddy Cargins,

Tulsk (10th and 27th Anniversaries)

Community Healthcare West

Are recruiting for a Full Time Fixed Term (until 31st Dec 2023) post of

Even

But you’re forever in my heart

Until we meet again.

Loved always by Mom and Dad.

Four leaf clovers are a thing of luck

Four chambers of a heart

Four seasons compile a year

Four years apart.

The salt is gone from our tears

They fall now like the rain

Blooming beautiful flowers

Instead of heart-breaking pain.

The Summer is coming now

Missing you Michael, Emma, Laura and Tommie.

A picture of you I carry in my heart I close my eyes to see it

When the nights get cold.

Thinking of you, Amanda, Alvin, Grace, and Chloe.

I sat with my anger long enough, until she told me her real name was grief. – C.S Lewis Mass will be offered for Tracey in St. Bridget’s Church, Fourmilehouse, Co. Roscommon 14th of May at 11am

Time cannot steal the treasures that we carry in our hearts. Nor ever dim the shining thoughts our cherished past imparts For the memories of the ones we loved still cast a gentle glow, To grace our days and light our paths, wherever we may go.

Lovingly remembered by all their family.

Anniversary Mass takes place on Sunday, 14th May at 11.30am in the Church of St. Eithne and Fidelma, Tulsk.

RIDLEY (Nee Egan)

Winnifred Srah, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon. Who passed away on the 17th May 2020.

(3rd Anniversary)

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Specialist

The purpose of this job is to provide a recovery focused supported employment service to people linked with secondary care adult mental health services, using an Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, emphasising paid employment based on individuals’ interests, experience, skills and strengths.

The Employment Specialist will be part of the Community Mental Health Team and work directly with businesses and employers in Co. Roscommon to secure employment opportunities and provide ongoing support to both employers and individuals to retain employment.

The Mission of EmployAbility Roscommon is:

GILLOOLY Paul

Culleen, Kilteevan, Roscommon (13th Anniversary occurs on 9th May)

To support jobseekers with a disability, health condition, illness or injury to find suitable work and reach their employment potential, and to encourage and support businesses to recruit people with a disability, health condition, illness or injury.

Relevant third level qualification or significant prior employment services experience (Essential) Experience of working with and supporting people who have experienced mental health issues (Essential). Degree or Diploma in Supported Employment, Social Studies, Adult Guidance or Business related studies (Desirable).

To apply: Please send your CV and cover letter to:

EmployAbility Roscommon Roscommon West Business Park, 1st Floor, Tower Block A, Golf Links Road, Roscommon F42 TD98

Or by email to: info@rosemp.ie

Job description is available from: info@rosemp.ie — Tel: 0906628608. Mobile: 087 3745307

Loved and missed each day of our lives. Until we meet again. “Love is all”. Mom, Dad and sisters.

RYAN JIM

Creevy, Roscommon (19th Anniversary)

Closing date for applications: 5.00 p.m., Friday 19th May, 2023.

EMPLOYABILITY ROSCOMMON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER EmployAbility Roscommon is funded by: IPS Programme is funded by:

We thought of you today, but that was nothing new, we thought about you yesterday and days before that too. We think of you in silence, we often speak your name. Now all we have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part.

God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts. Sadly missed and remembered by her husband John and family Kristen, Paul, Sara, Julia, grandchildren and great grandchildren and extended family.

Masses offered.

In loving memory of Jim who died on 14th May 2004

date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 26th of November 2021.

You always had a smile to share, a laugh, a joke and time to care. A wonderful nature, warm and true, those are the memories we have of you.

Forever in our thoughts and prayers, sadly missed by your neighbours and friends.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Monday 15th May at 11am.

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

< CHILDMINDER REQUIRED to mind 2 children of school going age, Monday to Friday, in childminder’s home if possible. Will consider in children’s own home if necessary. Person must be able to drive as pick ups from school in Athleague will be required. Please call 0871353641.

SHANNON LODGE NURSING HOME

A panel may be formed as a result of this interview process. EmployAbility Roscommon is an Equal Opportunities Employer County Roscommon Supported Employment Service CLG. Registered in Ireland No.360833 CHV19160

< PART-TIME BAR STAFF required for Doorly’s Bar, Roscommon town. Must be available for weekend work. Experience desirable. Apply with C.V. by hand or email: doorly196@gmail.com

< CARER REQUIRED to mind elderly lady in her own home. South Roscommon. Tel. 087 680 7727.

Thelocalpaper!

Rooskey, Co. Roscommon

We require the following staff:

EXPERIENCED STAFF NURSE and a PART-TIME

NIGHT CARER

• Premium for Sundays and Bank Holidays.

• Free meals, tea and coffee.

• Paid lunchbreaks.

• Pension Scheme facilitated.

• Cycle to work scheme available Applications, including CVs can be emailed to: shannonlodgenh@gmail.com Garda vetting and references will be required.

LOOKING FOR PART-TIME CHILDMINDER

Mornings/ evenings in Rooskey/ Tarmonbarry area for drop off for 2.5 yr old and collection from creche for 3-4 days per week for approx. 1 hour in Morning; 1.5 hours in late Afternoon/Eve to facilitate travel to work. Can be flexible for right person. References required.

Please reply to PO Box 3075, c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon

Sports PEOPLE

GAA Results

Minors in semi showdown with Mayo

DUIGNAN: ‘WE’RE A MATCH FOR ANYONE!’

Electric Ireland Connacht MFC (U-17) (Round 4)

Roscommon 0-17 Sligo 0-8

< SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon’s minor footballers have earned another crack at Mayo (on weekend of May 19th) thanks to last Friday’s excellent 0-17 to 0-8 win over Sligo at Markievicz Park, a victory made all the more impressive by the fact they played most of the second half a man down following Niall Heneghan’s red card.

Speaking at the full-time whistle last Friday night, manager James Duignan said his side’s performance showed they can mix it with the best Connacht has to offer.

“We knew that was coming. We can play at a high intensity. I’m just delighted for the players. The Mayo game didn’t go well for them. They bounced back against Galway and we bounced back further against Leitrim. They’re a good side, they work really hard, they are very honest. When we do things right, we’re a match for anyone,” he said.

The Roscommon manager said Niall Heneghan’s sending off would be appealed before looking ahead to another crunch match in the form of a semi-final against Mayo.

“It’s great to get the break. Playing four weeks in a row has been awful taxing on the players…really tough. But we’ll take the weekend off and regroup on Tuesday. Mayo are a serious side that gave us a good hammering first day out. We made a decision that night that we wanted one more chance at one of the big teams, and we have that now,” he concluded.

Roscommon were totally on top in the first half last Friday, and really opened up after the sides shared four points in the first ten minutes. Ryan Hanley, Eoghan Carthy, John McGuinness, Sean McDonnell and Niall Heneghan were outstanding as the visitors swept into a 0-11 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Heneghan saw red with Roscommon leading 0-13 to 0-6 in the second half, but Duignan’s charges continued to drive forward and kicked some superb points to seal the win with Sean McDonnell particularly prominent from the placed ball.

While Roscommon will appeal the sending off of Niall Heneghan, the team can now prepare for another

clash with a Mayo side who defeated them very easily when the sides met in the opening round at Dr Hyde Park. But Roscommon are definitely improving and will travel to Castlebar on the weekend of May 19th with confidence after this excellent display.

Roscommon: Aaron Cox; Colin Murray, Nikita Berzins, Ryan Hanley; Conor Morris, Ruadhan Henry, Eoghan Carthy; David Higgins, Lee Taylor; Jamie Betts (0-1), John McGuinness (0-3), Sean McDonnell (0-6, 5 frees); John Curran (0-2), Niall Heneghan (0-2), Eoghan Murray (0-2). Subs: Ruairi Kilcline for Betts (43), Cathal McKeon (0-1) for Morris (47), Rory Coyle for Curran (54), Eoin Collins for Murray (56).

Sligo: James Cronin; Clyde Regan, Eamon Keane, Dara Moyston (0-2); Liam Higgins, Oran Harte, James Lavin; Conor Walsh (0-1), Eoin Tuffy; Eamon O’Mahony, Jim Molloy (0-1), Cian Gallagher; Cian Carty (0-2, 1 free), Michael Carroll (0-1, free), Aaron Lang (0-1). Subs: Conor McDonagh for Mollloy (35), Cillian Duggan for O’Mahony (40), Darragh Mastin for Higgins (41), Paul Flynn for Lang (48), Josh McHigh for Lavin (56).

Referee: John Glavey (Mayo)

Park: Elphin v St Faithleach’s

At Mulhern Park: Fuerty v Roscommon Gaels

Leydon Bros London Division Two O’Gara Cup (8 pm)

At Kiltoom: St Brigid’s v Michael Glavey’s

At Strokestown: Strokestown v Éire Óg

At Enfield: St Croan’s v Kilmore

At Croghan: Shannon Gaels v Castlerea St Kevin’s

At Johnstown: Clann na nGael v Creggs

At Kilbride: Kilbride v Pádraig Pearses

Atlantis IPS Division Three Tansey Cup

At Ballyforan: St Aidan’s v Ballinameen

At Kilteevan: St Joseph’s v Western Gaels

At Ardcarne Park: St Michael’s v St Barry’s

At Kilglass: Kilglass Gaels v St Ronan’s

Saturday, May 13th

5th & Mad - East Side, New York Division One O’Rourke Cup

At Tulsk: Tulsk Lord Edwards v Boyle. 5.30 pm

At Woodmount: Pádraig Pearses v Clann na nGael

At Kiltoom: St Brigid’s v Western Gaels. 7 pm  Atlantis IPS Division Three Tansey Cup (7 pm)

At Knockcroghery: St Dominic’s v Strokestown

At Rockfield: Oran v Castlerea St Kevin’s

Cora Systems Division Five (Section A)

At James Timothy Park: Éire Óg v Kilglass Gaels. 5 pm

Cora Systems Division Five (Section B)

At Kilbride GAA Park: Kilbride v St Aidan’s. 6.30 pm Sunday, May 14th

Cora Systems Division Five (Section A)

At Pairc Naomh Bearra: St Barry’s v St Michael’s. 11.30 am

At Kilronan Park: St Ronan’s v Shannon Gaels. 1 pm

Junior Hurling Championship

At TBC: Athleague v Roscommon Gaels. 11.30 am

At TBC: Four Roads v Oran. 1 pm Junior Hurling Championship

CHAMPIONS! Roscommon captain Mairead Lohan and her teammates celebrate with the trophy after being crowned All-Ireland Minor B Camogie champions last Sunday after victory over Laois. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Roscommon meeting rescheduled for June

Horses for Courses

Roscommon, following a 7.30 am inspection by Clerk of the Course Lorcan Wyer, abandoned its first meeting of the year at Lenabane due to waterlogging of the course last Monday.

Horse Racing Ireland has rescheduled the meeting for Thursday afternoon, June 1st with a new programme of races to be announced.

In England, the national hunt card at Newton Abbot followed suit after an inspection on Monday for similar reasons. Lingfield’s turf meeting, including the Derby Trial, on Saturday has been switched to the all-weather track due to waterlogging on the turf track.

Weekend action…

Racing this week starts today in Co Tipperary with national hunt meeting, at Clonmel first race at 5.20 pm.

On Friday, racing is over the jumps at Kilbeggan off at 5 pm. Racing takes place in Navan on Saturday with a flat card starting at 1.45 pm.

On Sunday, the three-day Killarney Festival starts with a national hunt card and a 1.55 pm start. Racing continues in the southern venue on Monday with another jumping card at 4.55 pm and finishes on Tuesday with a flat card.

Athlone

On the box

Lots of racing coverage on TV this week with ITV and Virgin Media 1 starting today (Thursday) with five races from Chester and one on the allweather from Southwell. Tomorrow sees five more races from Chester and one from Ascot.

On Saturday, there are four races from Lingfield, three from Ascot and one race on the flat from Haydock.

On Sunday there is coverage of all seven races from Hamilton.

This week the focus across channel in on the Chester May Racing Festival which started yesterday with a win for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore in the Cheshire Oaks with Savethelastdance who easily beat There’s The Door and Ermesinde by 22l and 3¼l.

Dettori continued on his successful world retirement tour when the Gosden trained Arrest beat Adelaide Road denying O’Brien and Moore a double in the Chester Vase.

Today features Group 3 Ormonde Stakes and the Listed Boodles Dee Stakes and tomorrow sees the feature of the meeting, The Chester Cup, and the Group 2 Huxley Stakes.

by Tom Red

Guineas Meeting

Frankie Dettori continued his successful world retirement tour when he added the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday to his Italian win in Rome last week aboard Chaldean for Andrew Balding.

Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin was a disappointing favourite in 12th place of the 14 runners.

In Sunday’s 1000 Guinea, Dettori finished 8th on Lezoo for Ralph Beckett as Mawj trained by Saeed Bin Suroor under Oisin Murphy beat Dermot Weld’s Tahyria ridden by Chris Hayes. Racing News

Kilbeggan, Limerick, Roscommon, Sligo, and Thurles, voted against the five-year deal being offered by Sports Information Services and Racecourse Media Group. The five tracks which rejected the €47 million-a-year media rights deal are writing to Charlie McConalogue, the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, asking him to ensure small racecourses receive a fairer share of the pie. It is now likely that racing from the five tracks could return to Sky Sports Racing in 2024 if a separate new deal with Arena Racing Company (Arc) is negotiated.

Competition Corner

Anne Gormley, Elphin, Mick McGarry, Roscommon, Marie Keane, Ballymurray, and Aidan Kelly, Roscommon have all won tickets for Kilbeggan on Friday next, May 12th Don’t forget to collect your tickets in the office.

To win tickets for Roscommon on May 22nd, all we want to know is to which date has last last Monday’s (May 8th) abandoned Roscommon

meeting been rescheduled for?

Answers please on a postcard to The Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon or by email to tomred17@gmail.com by 5 pm on Wednesday 17th May and don’t forget to include your name, address, and a contact phone number with all competition entries. Tickets will have to be collected in the office in Abbey Street, Roscommon. Also note that the tickets for the abandoned meeting will be usable on May 22nd.

SPORTS DESK With Dan Dooner

Congratulations to Ann Geoghegan who won the Spring 12-hole competition with 49 points and also to Michael and Maureen Cuddy who won the Mixed Foursomes with 40 nett on April 28th

The PGA Tankard competition was won by Kathleen McDonnell on Tuesday, May 2nd with 41 points while Margaret Byrne (17 points) won the 9-hole competition, Catherine Fitzgerald and Lizzie O’Sullivan (72 nett) claimed the Foursomes, and Olive Dolan won the 97 Club with 28 points.

Finally, we wish the Minor Cup team and managers the very best of luck as they take on Portumna this Sunday.

Boyle

Well done to Jonathan Egan who won this year’s Voucher competition for a ‘free sub’ with a nett score of 63. Lee McKillen also had a nett 63, and just lost out on countback. Charlie O’Donnell claimed the gross and Michael Reid was third.

Michael McHale, Lochlainn Conboy and Jason Beirne were the winners of the Bank Holiday Rumble with 87 points. Michael McHale also won the recent 9-hole competition with 19 points.

Hard luck to Shane O’Dowd’s Pierce Purcell team who suffered an away defeat to Strokestown last week. Next up are Aisling Gaughran’s Challenge Cup team, who also take on Strokestown this Friday.

Also in action soon are teams in the second round of the 9-hole clubs competition and our Seniors in the Fred Perry Cup.

Carrick

Congratulations to Sinead Weir on her win in the PGA Tankard Competition with a score of 71 nett. Well done also to Captains Alan Ffrench and Dylan Beirne and teams on their wins over Roscommon in the Fred Daly Trophy and Strandhill in the

(News from local golf clubs)

Short putts

Junior Cup respectively.

In the Damian Murphy Memorial Cup, Sinead Weir won the Ladies’ section with 37 points while Anthony Noone was the Gents’ winner with 46.

The Friday Blues competition was won by David McDermott with an excellent score of 37 points while the Cryan’s Hotel competition was won by Dylan Beirne, also with 37.

Results from last Thursday’s Seniors’ competition: Overall winner Dermot McNamara (40); Cat 1 John O’Mahony (39); Cat 2 Leo Cavanagh (40); Cat 3 Eamonn Costello (38); Front 9 Sean McMonagle (21); Back 9 Donal Collins (21).

Castlerea

Results of Micheal Conneely Memorial Cup competition: 1st Padraig McInerney (39); 2nd Cian Gilmore (38); Cat 1 Jimmy Joyce (32); Cat 2 Miles Hawkshaw (36); Cat 3 Eugene O’Connell (37).

Roscommon

Noel Sharkey was the winner of the Men’s 18-hole competition last Sunday with 44 points. Other results: Cat 1 Padraic Cuddy (35); Cat 2 Shane Killeen (37); Cat 3 Tom Gilleran (36); Gross Alan Craven (30).

The Ladies’ competition was won by Kate Walshe (36) with Ruth Lennon (35) second, and Carmel Walker (33) third. Jackie Maxwell won the 9-hole competition with 18 points.

Senior Men’s results: Winner S Benedetti (35), Cat 1 N Sharkey (34), Cat 2 N Connolly (33), Cat 3 O Hannon (33), Cat 4 M Henry (30).

Senior Ladies’ results: 1st U Gleeson, 2nd A Browne, 3rd N O’Grady, 4th G Hoban.

The Ladies Gala Day will take place this Friday (12th) and the 18-hole competition is kindly sponsored by Kathleen Kearney-Kelly and Alan Kelly. Lots of prizes on the day. Visitors €15 and members €8. Book on BRS system or on www.roscommongolfclub.ie

Aoife wins gold in Czech Republic

Castlerea boxer Aoife O’Rourke claimed another gold medal last weekend. She had been competing at the Usti nad Laben Grand Prix in the Czech Republic last week and had successfully come through her semi-final bout against her opponent from Norway on Saturday afternoon. She was then scheduled to take on Elzbieta Wojcik from Poland on Sunday afternoon in the final but her opponent withdrew from the competition on Sunday morning.

Wocjik’s withdrawal meant that Aoife added yet another gold medal to her already impressive collection. €17k

raised at Ballymurray Golf Classic

Last Saturday’s Golf Classic at Roscommon Golf Club has so far raised a whopping €17,640 for Ballymurray National School’s Sensory Playground development.

Richie Evans, speaking on behalf of organisers Ballymurray NS Parents’ Association, thanked Roscommon Golf Club, sponsors and participants as well as staff, teachers and parents at Ballymurray National School for their support.

The winning team with 98 points was Aengus Oates, Enda Daly, Ian Delaney, and David Kearney. The winners received a Four-Ball in the K Club courtesy of Profile Systems.

Lough Key Classic this Sunday

The award winning cycling sportive - the Lough Key Classic - run by local cycling club Curlieu Wheelers, returns to Boyle this weekend with two distances on offer.

Commencing at 9 am on Sunday (14th), riders on the 120k route will depart from the Sports Complex before taking on a challenging route pedaling through counties Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim.

At 9.30 am, the 70k riders will also depart from the Sports Complex (Eircode F52 HK46) on an equally challenging journey. Both distances will have a mid-way stop for refreshments in King House.

The entry for both events is great value for money priced at €25 for Cycling Ireland mem-

bers. For non-Cycling Ireland licence holders there is an additional charge of €20. Entry includes a food stop mid-way, a hot meal at the end of both cycles and the top quality marshalling and hospitality that the event has become famous for.

Online entry is now open, and with this event attracting close on 200 cyclists in previous years, numbers will be limited. The event is open to all cyclists over the age of 18. A small number of entries will be accepted on the morning of the event, but the organisers would appreciate if intending participants registered online in advance so they can ascertain numbers for catering etc.

The Lough Key Classic was the winner of Connacht Cycling Leisure Event of the Year in 2022. You can enter online at eventmaster.ie.

Runners race under the spire on the back straight at Lenabane, Roscommon.

Pictured at Roscommon Golf Club last Saturday were Ballymurray NS Golf Classic winners with 98 points: Aengus Oates, Enda Daly, Ian Delaney, and David Kearney receiving their prize, a Four-Ball in the K Club courtesy of Profile Systems, from Ballymurray NS Principal Tom Gately (centre).

Rossies reeled in by dogged Derry

All-Ireland U-20 ‘B’ Hurling Championship Final Derry 3-17 Roscommon 2-14

There was yet more All-Ireland heartbreak for the county’s young hurlers last Saturday as the U-20s were reeled in by Derry during the closing stages of this decider at Croke Park. It had all looked so promising for two thirds of the match for Michael

Fallon’s side as they played their way into a 1-9 to 1-8 half-time lead following a nervy start.

Roscommon’s first goal came from Liam Coyle on twelve minutes and that led to a purple patch before the interval which saw them overturn an earlier deficit.

Paddy Fallon (0-9, 7 frees) was in impressive form for Roscommon while Derry’s eventual comeback was led by the imperious Ruairi Ó

Mianáin, who hit 1-5 in a man of the match display. With under 20 minutes remaining, however, it looked as though Roscommon might finish the job and claim the Richie McElligott Cup but the Ulstermen were relentless, and inspirational points from Ó Mianáin and a rather fortunate goal from Keelan Doherty were key as Derry wrestled back control. There was still time for a late con-

solation goal from Seán Canning, but it was too little, too late for Roscommon’s gallant young hurlers.

Roscommon: J Ryan; T Fleming, J Dillon, T Tiernan; T Morris, M Lohan, M Hussey; K Ryan, R Conlon (0-1); C Mulry, F Killion, C Dowd (0-2); L Coyle (1-1), P Fallon (0-9, 7 frees), S Canning (1-1). Subs used: B Kelly for Hussey (17 mins), DJ Hession for Mulry (half-time), A Hoare for Ryan (58 mins), C Kavanagh for Dowd (58 mins),

Moore can complete famous double!

on Sunday

Newly crowned Norio’s Premier Division champions Moore

United will be hoping to add to their silverware haul this Sunday when they meet former RDFL kingpins Castlerea Celtic in the Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Final in Lecarrow.

Moore have been in impressive form of late, defeating last year’s Premier Division champions Boyle Celtic in both league and cup competitions.

Castlerea Celtic were 4-2 win-

ners over eight-man Cloonfad United in their semi-final tie last weekend and have plenty of experience of the big occasions.

Prediction: Moore United

K Mannion for Tiarnan (59 mins). Derry: C McElhinney; J McAllister, M McEldowney, A Duffin; N McGonagle, J Friel (0-5, 3 frees, 2 ‘65s), C O’Kane; R Ó Mianáin (1-5), E Boylan; J Cassidy (0-2), S Melaugh (1-0), O McElhinney; R Henry (0-3), E Cassidy (0-1), K Doherty (1-1). Subs used: C Murtagh for McElhinney (37 mins), R McNamee for Melaugh (60 mins), C Bradley for Henry (60 mins).

Referee: N Malone (Clare)

Hanly’s a hat-trick hero!

Ladies face Leitrim

in Sunday’s Connacht final

Aisling Hanly bagged a hat-trick as the Roscommon Ladies footballers brushed Sligo aside on a scoreline of 3-13 to 0-7 in the Connacht Intermediate Football Championship in Curry last Saturday.

Roscommon led by a whopping 1-10 to 0-1 at half-time and the one-way traffic continued after the break as Ollie Lennon’s side claimed their first competitive win of the season.

Roscommon now meet Leitrim in Sunday’s provincial final in Kiltoom at 1 pm.

Aisling Hanly (file pic) helped herself to three goals as Roscommon ran out easy winners against Sligo last Saturday in Curry. They now face Leitrim in the provincial final this Sunday in Kiltoom.

Cup

Connacht U-17 Cup: Buccaneers 27 Corinthians 15. Buccaneers U-17s continued the youth teams’ winning streak following U-15s and U-16s success when they captured the Bank of Ireland Connacht U-17 Cup at the Sportsground last weekend. In a tight affair, Buccaneers left it to the last ten minutes to pull away from Corinthians and win 27-15.

U-14s win the Plate

Connacht U-14 Plate Final: Buccaneers 31 GBOC 10. Buccaneers enjoyed a clearcut 31-10 victory over amalgamation side Galway Bay/Oughterard/Connemara in the Connacht U-14 Plate final contested at the Castle Grounds, Monivea, on Friday evening. The young Buccs outscored their opponents by five tries to two.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Buccaneers U-17s player, Joshua McCormack, who along with Evan McNeill, won a number of All-Ireland Student Enterprise Awards recently. Check out Mc Compactor for more details.

Congratulations to Cam Celtic who won the first ever RDFL Women’s League on Saturday night after beating Kilkerrin United 2-1 in a play-off at Lecarrow.

Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Final: Castlerea Celtic v Moore United in Lecarrow at 2 pm

Roscommon’s Ben Kelly attempts to dispossess Ryan Henry of Derry during last Saturday’s All-Ireland U-20 B Hurling Championship Final at Croke Park. Pic: INPHO/Evan Treacy

Electrifying Roscommon claim camogie All-Ireland

‘Our best performance of the year!’

Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final

Roscommon 1-14 Laois 1-5

< SEAMUS DUKE

Joint manager Colm Kelly hailed Roscommon’s display in last Sunday’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final as their “best performance of the year” after the ladies won the national silverware in style.

Roscommon’s minor camogie team won a thoroughly deserved AllIreland title after a superb display in front of a big crowd at St Brendan’s Park in Birr last Sunday.

Colm Kelly and Sean O’Brien’s team were on the front foot from the early stages and never looked like they would be beaten. Their defence was magnificent, the fact that Laois only got their first score from play in the 55th minute being evidence of that.

Kelly told People Sport: “It was a mighty display from the girls today. Laois hardly scored from play at all and that was down to our team display. It was our best performance all year”.

Up front, Roscommon were really sharp from play and frees, taking their scores well. There were stars in primrose and blue all over the field, with Siofra Hession simply sensational. The Roscommon Gaels player won an ocean of possession, brought her teammates into the game, and was deadly accurate from

both frees and general play. The ‘Player of the Match’ award was an easy one to decide on given her brilliance on the day.

While the early exchanges were close, a more clinical Roscommon led by three points to no score after 15 minutes, with scores from Siofra Hession and Ava Mulry (frees) and Hannah Murray. Laois were struggling – particularly up front –however some excellent long-range free-taking from Eimear Hassett kept them in the contest.

The crucial goal that Roscommon deserved came in the 27th minute. Hazel Kelly did the spadework with a brilliant solo run before releasing Ava Mulry at just the right time, the corner-forward blasting the ball into the roof of the net. That score helped Roscommon into a 1-4 to 0-4 lead at the break.

It was in the third quarter that Roscommon really turned the screw. Siofra Hession was unmarkable, scoring seven second-half points from a variety of different angles as Roscommon extended their lead to 1-12 to 0-4.

That first score from play for Laois (in the 55th minute) came when Aoife Daly got in for a consolation goal, Roscommon by then coasting to victory.

It was a superb day for Roscommon camogie. Shauna McDermott,

Ruth Gannon and Aideen O’Brien from Roscommon attempt to get the ball from Laois’ Lucy Conroy during last Sunday’s AllIreland Minor B Camogie Final at St. Brendan’s Park, Birr, Co. Offaly. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Roscommon’s Hazel Kelly takes a shot during last Sunday’s All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final at St. Brendan’s Park, Birr, Co. Offaly. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Laois’ Susie Delaney and Shauna McDermott from Roscommon in action during last Sunday’s All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final at St. Brendan’s Park, Birr, Co. Offaly. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

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Mairead Lohan, Kaitlin Egan, Hazel Kelly, Ava Mulry and the irrepressible Hession all stood out in this final.

Joint managers Colm Kelly and Sean O’Brien were understandably thrilled following the final whistle, O’Brien agreeing with his colleague’s assessment that Roscommon had, with impressive timing, produced a big performance on the big stage.

“We had our homework done. We were ready for this day. We prepared diligently for it. We knew what Laois would bring here today and the girls were ready for it and they

peaked today. In the third quarter we got the scores on the board that we needed”.

Kelly concluded: “It’s great for Roscommon camogie… these girls have brought it on to another level”.

Teams & scorers

Roscommon: Andrea Fallon; Ruth Gannon, Shauna McDermott, Anna Hussey; Grace Geraghty, Mairead Lohan, Aideen O’Brien; Kaitlin Egan, Erin Nic Dhiarmada; Siofra Hession (0-8, 4 frees, 1 ’65), Hazel Kelly (0-2), Lily Murray; Ava Mulry (1-3, 2 frees), Hannah Murray (0-1), Saoirse Gacquin. Subs: Tara O’Brien for Gacquin (30), Zara Fallon for

Murray (58), Charlotte Blackweir for Hussey (61).

Laois: Mia Henderson; Amy Lacey, Annabelle Ryan, Aoibheann Dalton; Aoife Gee, Katelyn Shore, Ava Guilfoyle; Caoimhe Cuddy, Lucy Conroy; Catherine Kirby, Aoife Daly (1-0), Eimear Hassett (0-4, all frees); Susie Delaney, Tara Lowry, Kaylee O’Keeffe. Subs: Kaylah O’Meara for Delaney (29), Leah Rice for Kirby (41), Eva Carroll for Lowry (50), Aoife Cuddy (0-1) for C Cuddy (53), Cesira Healy for Lacey (53).

Referee: Eamon Cassidy (Derry). Player of the Match Siofra Hession (Roscommon)

The Roscommon minor camogie players celebrate with the trophy after being crowned All-Ireland Minor B Camogie champions last Sunday. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Roscommon’s Siofra Hession is presented with the Player of the Match award by Connacht chairperson Brian Molloy after Roscommon’s victory over Laois in the All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr, Co. Offaly last Sunday. Pic: ©INPHO/ Laszlo Geczo

Roscommon captain Mairead Lohan is presented with the trophy by Connacht chairperson Brian Molloy after Roscommon’s victory over Laois in the All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr, Co. Offaly last Sunday. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Roscommon’s Saoirse Gacquin eludes Caoimhe Cuddy of Laois during the All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final last Sunday. Pic: ©INPHO/ Laszlo Geczo