15 April 2022 Roscommon People

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15 April 2022

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A man in his 20s who was arrested

by Gardaí in Sligo following two murders in the town was still in Garda custody last night (Wednesday).

Gardaí say they are keeping an “open mind” after the bodies of County Roscommon native Aidan Moffitt (42) and Michael Snee (58) were found in their own homes earlier this week.

Addressing members of the media yesterday morning (Wednesday), Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken confirmed that members had attended Mr. Snee’s private residence at around 10.30 pm on Tuesday where his body was discovered.

“Michael had been subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries,” he said.

“Previously, on Monday, April 11th, at approximately 8.30 pm, Gardaí from Sligo Garda Station attended at a private residence at Cartron Heights, Sligo, following a call from the public.

“There, Gardaí discovered the body of Aidan Moffitt. Aidan had also been the subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries.

“Michael and Aidan were well known and respected in this community. They were assaulted and murdered in their own homes. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time and indeed

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their friends and the wider community in Sligo”.

Supt. Glacken told the press conference that Gardaí were currently conducting two separate murder investigations into the deaths of Mr. Snee and Mr. Moffitt.

Supt. Glacken said that a man in his early 20s had been arrested shortly after 1.30 am on Wednesday morning.

“This male remains in custody, detained under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984, and I cannot make any further comment on this part of the investigation”.

Double Serum He thanked the public for their continued cooperation and assisEye Collection tance and said it was “heartening Gift Set to see such cross-community support”.

“We are actively investigating as to whether there is any hate-related motive to these murders”.

Gardaí are investigating whether the men had met their attacker online and have appealed to members of the public who have been subject to any unwanted approaches or may have been attacked, to contactCYCLING Sligo CastleACCIDENT Street, Roscommon.

Garda Station.

Tel. (090) 66 34147 Full reports on page 8.

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02

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

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I hope to buy some agricultural land in the coming months. I would like some advice on the likely taxes I may have to pay. I understand that I will have to pay stamp duty? Are there any other taxes I should be aware of e.g. Capital Gains Tax, Capital Acquisitions Tax? The rate of stamp duty payable on agricultural land or commercial property has increased in recent years. If you purchase agricultural land or other commercial property then stamp duty at a rate of 7.5% of the land value currently applies.

E.g. if you purchase land for €200,000 then stamp duty of €15,000 is payable. Interest and penalties will also be payable if the stamp duty is not paid within the requisite time period.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax payable on the profit made on the disposal of investment property i.e. the sale of any property other than your principal private residence. The rate of CGT is currently 33%. This tax will not affect the purchaser of property. It is a matter for the seller only.

e l p o e WATCHING P With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY

‘Watt’ a fiasco! Why it’s finally time we combined for a political run!

That’s it! The decision’s made!

Huh? I’m going for it! I’m going to run!

Will you join me?

YES! Absolutely! Finally…something we can agree on! Have you a route worked out?

Huh? CYCLING ACCIDENT Mote Park? Down by the castle? The roundabouts?

If you were involved in a cycling WHAT? contact Thisaccident running you’re going to start…

I’mByrne all forCarolan it! We both need to be more Cunningham fitness-aware!Solicitors Let’s do it!

WHAT? You said you’re going to run – and that you want me to join you! Everybody’s doing it! Or cycling!

NO! I’m going to run for POLITICAL OFFICE! Oh not that old chestnut again!

Yes…and this time I’m serious!

Why? What’s pushed you over the edge?

Has there been an increase in politicians’ expenses? More perks? Is the Editor starting a ‘Politician of the Week’ award? TELL ME! Oh don’t be so…I dunno…superficial!

Politics is about service…and I want to serve!

(They pause to let 15 runners and 10 cyclists and two men and three dogs pass) So…will you join me?

Why the sudden renewal in interest?

It’s just…EVERYTHING! There’s so much that’s wrong! Rising prices!

A housing crisis! That mess over whether or not Tony Holohan takes up a new position at Trinity College!

Not sure that saga was of Tony’s making…

Endangered Species The barstool boyos

No, that’s my point! I don’t think it was handled well by the politicians, or their advisers! Incidentally, I find it hard to have faith in any politician who still pronounces his name as ‘Tony Hool-a-han’ when it’s actually more like Whole-a-han!

Good point! Anyways, what went wrong with Tony and the move to Trinity?

Oh just the usual…bit of secrecy, lack of communication, too many people involved, all just a mess!

Mmnn…what about Watt?

What?

No, Watt!

What?

No, Watt!

Eh…WHAT?

(Editor reaches for Joe Brolly’s number, scratches forehead, rolls eyes) SO, WHAT? NO! WATT! Robert WATT, that extremely highly paid public servant… didn’t he sign off on Tony’s move to Trinity?

Oh yeah, apparently! But look, I’m sure it all made sense on certain levels, it was just badly handled! Which is why I feel the time has come for me to enter politics!

You think you can make a difference?

I KNOW I can!

You think there are too many layers, excessive bureaucracy, too many advisers, conflicts of interest, an over-dependence on reports…

Exactly! You obviously recall our previous discussions!

And you want me to be your Director of Elections, your sole adviser, your confidante! Mmnn…maybe…

Yes! Well, you and my ‘kitchen cabinet’…

WATT? I mean WHAT? Obviously I’d need a team of trusted advisers…and a working committee, and a liaison officer, and a media team, and a PA, and some speech writers…

Would you like me to chauffeur you?

Thank you, that’s very generous!

I was being sarcastic! Anyways, what’s your undoubtedly exhilarating campaign slogan?

Easy! SOS! Streamline our system!

STREAMLINE????

Yes, I’m all about streamlining! We need to cut out all the middlemen and middlewomen…all of my advisers agree!

WATT?!

What we liked…

Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is only payable upon receipt of a gift or inheritance. In the event that you purchase land at full market value then no Capital Acquisitions Tax will be payable. If however, land or other property is transferred from one party to another for substantially less than its market value Revenue may treat this transaction as a gift, and CAT may be due. E.g.

If you purchase land from a family member for €50,000 and the known market value of the property is €150,000 then Revenue will look upon this transaction as containing a gift from one relative to another of €100,000. The rate of CAT is currently 33%.

A stunning final round of 64 by Rory McIlroy in the Masters, which secured second place behind winner Scottie Scheffler, with Shane Lowry also finishing strongly to claim joint third.

What we didn’t like…

The ‘Tony Holohan for Trinity’ saga which was poorly handled by the Government, raising familiar questions about lack of transparency.

This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor.

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

What PEOPLE are talking about

Ukraine; Sligo murders; The now cancelled appointment of outgoing Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan to a new role at Trinity College; The Masters golf; A thriller between Manchester City and Liverpool; Dublin Airport queues continue; The Grand National…

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

Byrne Carolan Cunningham SOLICITORS

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

PIC OF THE WEEK: These budding soccer stars got some practise in on the margins of last weekend’s Norio’s Premier Division Boyle Celtic v Moore United game! Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

People are talking about the queues at Dublin Airport.

03

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

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Local politicians weigh in on Ryan’s proposed turf ban 81829 Londis Timothys Press Ad 260mm x 155mm V2.indd 1

Turf war: see page 21

newsbriefs

11/04/2022 17:18

Fundraising concert for Ozanam Day Centre A fundraising concert in aid of the Ozanam Day Centre in Ballaghaderreen will take place in St. Nathy’s Cathedral on Friday, April 29th at 7.30 pm. Tickets are €10 (Family: €20).

Community Health Day in Ballygar Solas Family Resource Centre, Ballygar Outreach Office is hosting a Community Health Day on Friday, 22nd of April (11 am to 4 pm) in the Mattie McDonagh Centre.

There will be a number of agencies including Croi, Pieta House, Galway Sports Partnership, Healthy Ireland, Alzheimer’s Association, COPE Galway and many more present to provide information on the services and supports they offer. This is an open public event, where the local community can avail of the opportunity to access information on a broad spectrum of health and wellbeing issues. A raffle will be held on the day with hampers from Ballygar Pharmacy and Bees Knees Health Store.

We wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge support from Galway Rural Development and SICAP.

< DAN DOONER

Local public representatives have weighed in on the Minister for the Environment’s plans to ban the sale of sod peat from September of this year.

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy claims that everything will be done to ensure that those who use solid fuel would not be left behind while Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has accused the Government of wanting to criminalise those who sell turf.

Speaking this week, Senator Murphy said he had been approached by a number of people who are fearful that no turf will be available to them after September.

“There is no doubt that there is an all-out campaign to reduce use of fossil fuels, but I want to assure those who rely on turf – and there are many in this part of the country – that they will not be left without turf,” he said.

“Remember, if you have a piece of bog and it is not under SAC (Special Area of Conservation) status, there is no restriction on you cutting turf. I also am confident that if a family member cuts turf for another family member

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Child seriously injured after being hit by bus in Ballinasloe as a necessity, they will not prevented from doing so”.

Reacting to recent comments made by Minister Eamon Ryan, Senator Murphy admitted that there was unease among rural TDs and said that it was “madness” to put pressure on those who need turf during the current fuel crisis.

“It may be true to say that only 5 per cent nationally use turf but that can be up to 50 per cent in counties like Roscommon and Galway,” he said.

Meanwhile, Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice accused

the Government of wanting to criminalise “generous neighbours”.

“Are we really going down the road where if a person with an elderly neighbour supplies them with a load of turf for free or at cost that they could be done for distributing turf? Are we really going to label generous neighbours the same way we do drug dealers – possession with intent to supply?”

Deputy Fitzmaurice added that Minister Ryan’s approach to the situation was “nothing short of lunacy” and called on rural TDs

to stand up against “the continued assault on rural Ireland”.

“Minister Ryan’s insinuation in his response to Deputy (Brendan) Griffin that people selling and buying turf is in some way responsible for contributing to the deaths of 1,300 and the reduced quality of life of another 16,200 people, last year, is misinformed at best and misleading at worst!

“The time is coming very rapidly for the Government to put Minister Ryan back in his box before he rings the deathknell of rural Ireland, once and for all,” Fitzmaurice concluded.

A young girl was seriously injured after she was hit by a bus in Ballinasloe on Friday afternoon last. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene at Dunlo Quay, near the L4602, where the collision, involving a minibus and the pedestrian, occurred at around 12.10 pm. The girl was later taken to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe with serious injuries. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballinasloe Garda Station on 090-9631890, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111 or any Garda station.

Auction in aid of Fr Pat’s missionary work

An auction will take place in Coffey’s Lounge this Easter Sunday in order to raise funds for Fr. Pat Brennan’s continued missionary work in Brazil. There will be lambs, bales, vouchers and many other lots up for grabs. If you wish to donate something, please contact Kevin (0871903062) or Liam (086-8094679). Your support is greatly appreciated.

04

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

Easter Parades in Roscommon and Strokestown make welcome return Communities in Roscommon and Strokestown are looking forward to the welcome return of their annual Easter parades this weekend, with the county

town expanding their long-established event into a two-day festival.

The 50th Roscommon Town Easter Festival which take place over

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Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday (April 16th and 17th).

The festival boasts a superb line-up of Roscommon musicians, who will perform at the newly completed Square from 3 pm to 9 pm on Easter Saturday.

Matt Molloy & Friends are headlining the show at 8 pm, and other bands and musicians taking the stage include Ukephoric, The Blacksticks, Danny Arnold, Matt Rogers & Friends, and Vinegar Bill.

Then, on Easter Sunday, there is live music from Lady Betty from 11.30 am ahead of the 50th Roscommon Town Easter Parade which starts at 12.30 pm sharp.

The committee announced that the theme of this year’s parade will be ‘My Community’ as they felt what we have all gone through over the last two years has highlighted how our communities and welcoming people into our communities has never been as important.

As a result, the committee is waiving the fee for any volunteer or community

Pictured at the Roscommon Easter Parade launch in Down the Hatch were Patricia Mullaney, Larry Brennan, Sergeant Ronan O’Meara, Cllr. Joe Murphy (Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council), Garda Inspector David Cryan, JJ Cattigan and Caitlin McConn. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

group to enter the parade.

With 2022 marking the centenary celebrations for the establishment of An Garda Síochána, the Roscommon Town Easter Parade will be led by members of the force.

As in previous years, the committee is inviting community and voluntary groups and businesses to enter floats in the parade.

There are awards on the day for: Best Overall, Best Community/Voluntary, Best Business, Most Environmentally Aware, and

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finally a prize for the Best Window Display.

The Roscommon Easter Festival committee has confirmed that it is still accepting entries into this Sunday’s parade and has called on local businesses and groups to participate.

Strokestown Parade The Strokestown Easter Parade will commence at 3 pm on Easter Sunday and is once again being organised by the hard-working Strokestown Community

Development Association.

The Castlerea Brass & Reed Band as well as pipe bands from Mayo and Monaghan will be there on the day.

The parade will commence from Circular Road (opposite the Garda Station) before proceeding via Elphin Street, the roundabout, Bridge Street and then onto the Longford Road. It will then make its way back along Bridge Street before finishing at Church Street.

The reviewing stand will

be located at the roundabout and prizes will be awarded to participants and floats in the following categories: Voluntary, Vintage, Youth, Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial.

There will also be prizes up for grabs for Best Dressed Window for Easter.

Entries for Sunday’s parade will be accepted until this afternoon (Thursday, April 14th).

See all details on pages 23-35.

05

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

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Now taking bookings for Easter weekend Flashback from our files: 2018 Roscommon Easter Parade. Photo: Andrew Fox

Ballaghaderreen hosts Roscommon County Fleadh this Easter “The 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil will be three Fleadhs in one on account of the 2020 and 2021 events being cancelled,” Neil said.

“There will be music sessions in the bars around the town as well as live outdoor performances and busking too. There will be plenty of events for people of all ages in Ballaghaderreen this Easter Bank Holiday weekend”.

The Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil 2022 runs from Friday, April 15th, until Bank Holiday Monday, April 18th (…and probably until Tuesday, April 19th!). For all enquiries, phone 094-9860144. You can also follow the event on Facebook at Roscommon Fleadh 2022.

Easter Commemoration in Loughglynn on Sunday The County Roscommon IRA Commemoration Committee will hold their annual Easter Commemoration in Loughglynn. The ceremony will be held at the graves of Michael Carty, Eugene Kelly and brothers Seamus and Patrick Mulrennan in Cuiltyboe Cemetery on Easter Sunday (April 17th).

A parade will form up at the Cathleen ní Houlihan War of Independence monument in the village at 3.30 pm and march to the cemetery. The parade will be led by a colour party and the Raheen Pipe Band.

At the graveside, wreath-laying will take place, the Roscommon Roll of Honour will be called out, the 1916 Proclamation will be read and an oration will be delivered.

Wreathes will be laid at the Re-

publican memorial at Shankill, Elphin, at 12.30 pm on Easter Sunday afternoon. The commit-

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Gaels’ car wash fundraiser is this weekend

Roscommon Gaels GAA Club will be running a Monster Car Wash charity and club fundraiser on this Friday and Saturday, April 15th and 16th at the Hyde Centre, Athlone Road, Roscommon. Of the proceeds raised, 20 per cent will be donated to the Ukraine Appeal for refugees, located at Cuisle Centre, Donamon.

The Monster Car Wash will be managed on the days by the senior and underage hurling and football sides of the club. There are plans to have a number of car washing stations, with many hands on deck with sponges to make your car shine! The car wash will be part of a couple of events taking place in the club over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Roscommon Gaels will also have a number of underage boys and girls marching in the Easter Parade on Easter Sunday, so it’s set to be a busy weekend for everyone!

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Ballaghaderreen will come alive once again this Easter Bank Holiday weekend with craic agus ceoil as the town hosts the 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh.

Ballaghaderreen last hosted the County Fleadh in 2019 prior to the outbreak of Covid-19. That event was a tremendous success and plans were well underway for the 2020 edition before the music was cruelly silenced by the pandemic. Nobody could have imagined then that it would be Easter 2022 before Ballaghaderreen would see another County Fleadh.

Organiser and local publican, Neil Sheridan, says this year’s festival of music will aim to make up for lost time.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

Thursday The Masters, which started today, is golf’s most celebrated tournament… immortalised for its capacity to combine drama and entertainment, steeped in tradition, a stage on which glory and heartbreak lurk…waiting for their moment, for destiny’s call. The course in Augusta is stunningly beautiful, but its bite awaits. The greatest golfers in the world must approach this marriage of beauty and history with respect, or all hell might break loose!

For sports’ enthusiasts, the Masters provides gripping TV viewing every year…as we watch multimillionaires trying desperately to get the tiny ball into the elusive hole, while confronted by uniquely challenging slopes, water hazards, towering trees, fast and often treacherous greens – not to mention how the weight of Augusta National’s fabled place in sporting history can ransack their otherwise composed thought processes.

With golf actually in decline worldwide, the media and the golfing world remain grateful for the extraordinary Tiger Woods, who has yet again confounded expectations with his latest return from adversity. Now 46, Woods has recovered from a near-fatal car crash which necessitated three months in hospital and further multiple surgeries on a body already creaking from previous back operations.

Today, the incredibly resilient and hypnotically compelling Woods is back, shooting a one under par 71 at the Masters, his return a thrilling sub-plot to what promises to be another memorable weekend at Augusta.

Friday Scam corner: I am grateful to ‘Mussa’, who has been in touch (by email, if you must know) with a proposal in relation to what to do about funds lying in the bank account of a now deceased person. Mussa doesn’t waste time; he got straight down to business, confirming there’s 18m US dollars (give or take) involved here.

While deeply touched by the invitation to roll in dosh, I noted Mussa is proposing that “this will be disbursed or shared between both of us in these percentages, 55% for me and 45% for you”.

Mistake, Mussa! No deal, Mussa! When I commit to something I commit 100%, and therefore expect to be treated equally, as in 50-50. 45% of 18 million US dollars

Sunday

Lyana Madden (centre) pictured getting well stocked up with literature when she visited the Tourism Trade Fair in King House with her brother Bearach and sister Bonnie. Pic: Brian Farrell

may be nice, but Mussa really could have gone that extra 5%.

Suitably miffed, I didn’t reply, and any readers who are ‘fortunate’ enough to be chosen to be ‘Bullsh*t beneficiaries’ should also never reply!

Saturday Rod Stewart was wrong…the first cut isn’t the deepest. When it comes to mowing the grass for the first time in the year, even I know that you should cut high with the first cut.

Today, it looked like I might pay a price for not yet signing up to the Lawnmower Preparation Charter, which is to say that one should (apparently) always prepare your dormant lawnmower for the renewal of activities.

Served me right then when I withdrew the mower from its slumber to discover the battery was more splutter-y than smooth.

In fact, it just wouldn’t start. Thankfully, there was no need to resort to Basil Fawlty’s treatment of his car when he lost patience with it and began to administer some

In the end, Tiger couldn’t sustain his remarkable start at the Masters (see ‘Thursday’), but the fact that he made the cut and competed well over four days – despite the enormous physical toll on him – was still remarkable, and the ovation he received on the 18th today was really special. Welcome back, Tiger.

Tonight’s final round was a touch anticlimatic because Scottie Scheffler was such a composed front-runner, but the performance of Rory McIlroy still electrified Augusta National. Devastating off the tee, putting clinically, and with his pitching/chipping touched by genius, McIllroy saved the best until last, producing a magical birdie on the 18th. His ball never touched the fairway (or rough) on that hole…tee to bunker, second shot to another bunker, then a chip that sizzled on to the green and magically curved in an arc that captivated the watching millions before disappearing into the hole – and folklore.

Rory’s sensational 64 placed him second behind Scheffler, who deservedly won the ‘green jacket’. Shane Lowry finished joint third and gave every indication that he will figure at the business end of the year’s three remaining majors.

‘punishment’ with the branch of a tree. I, in contrast, was able to jump-start the mower (pause for pat on back).

A few minutes later, on this beautiful day, I was immersed in the ‘first cut of the season’.

It was actually lovely to be back. Mowing away on a nice day is enjoyable; it gives you time to think (or listen to music/podcasts).

Today, I think. And of course it dawns on me, especially with it being spring – the sense of new beginnings, the robins appearing on branches – that this is my first afternoon doing a bit in the garden since my mother passed. Time to think, indeed. The robins stay just long enough to be noticed, then quietly slip away. The sun shines. It’s peaceful and calm during the first cut of the year.

Monday

Saturday

You have to hand it to the quirky team on the Channel 4 News…

As Boris Johnson ducks and weaves (again) after being fined by the police over lockdown parties, presenter Matt Frei asked a Tory MP this evening: “Does the Prime Minister owe Vladimir Putin a debt of gratitude for saving his political career?” (The bemused MP didn’t think so).

To any of my middle-aged (or slightly older) peers who think that time is moving slowly, I have devastating ‘evidence’ to the contrary: Brooklyn Beckham got married today. Yep, it stopped me in my tracks too! The son of ‘Posh & Becks’ married actress Nicola Peltz (Becks & Peltz).

We finally watched the third series of Ricky Gervais’ comedy-drama ‘After Life’ (I was a bit disappointed, but still enjoyed it). It’s uneven, lacking in credibility at times, but still frequently touching, and often very funny. As ever with Gervais, some of the humour can be quite dark, crude too.

What a body of work the man has built up…The Office, Extras, Life’s Too Short, Derek, and now After Life. I look forward to his next creation!

Tuesday

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

Te celebrate the long awaited return of the Roscommon County Fleadh to Ballaghaderreen, Duffy’s SuperValu are running some extra special offers for the weekend of the Fleadh running from Friday 15th to Monday 18th April.

Even if you don’t avail of the offers, take a spin to Ballaghaderreen.

There is music all over town - you’ll not be disappointed!

The above offers only at Duffy’s SuperValu, Ballaghaderreen and only during the Fleadh - Friday 15th - Monday 18th April!

As well as music in every pub in the town there will be a Ceili on Friday, open air music in the Square on Saturday and Sunday, a stage at SuperValu all weekend and competitions in St. Nathy’s on Monday. All Buskers welcome!

For more info contact Roscommon Fleadh 2022 on Facebook or Tel: 094 9860144

Best of luck to Rooskies Cafe now open beside the Post Office!

07

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

Man (20s) arrested after two men murdered in Sligo Gardaí investigating possible hate-related motive to murders < DAN DOONER

A man in his 20s is being detained following the discovery of two bodies with “serious physical injuries” in Sligo in recent days.

Gardaí say they are keeping an “open mind” after the bodies of County Roscommon native Aidan Moffitt (42) and Michael Snee (58) were found in their own homes on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

Addressing members of the media yesterday morning (Wednesday), Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken confirmed that members had attended Mr. Snee’s private residence at around 10.30 pm on Tuesday where his body was discovered.

“Michael had been subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries,” he said.

“Previously, on Monday, April 11th, at approximately 8.30 pm, Gardaí from Sligo Garda Station attended at a private residence at Cartron Heights, Sligo, following a call from the public.

“There, Gardaí discovered the body of Aidan Moffitt. Aidan had also been the subject of a serious physical assault and had suffered significant injuries.

“Michael and Aidan were well known and respected in this community. They were assaulted and murdered in their own homes. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families at this time and indeed their friends and the wider community in Sligo”.

Supt. Glacken told the press conference that Gardaí were currently conducting two separate murder investigations into the deaths of Mr. Snee and Mr. Moffitt.

“Family Liaison Officers have been provided to both

Michael and Aidan’s families and An Garda Síochána continue to provide ongoing support to the families,” he said.

Both crime scenes have been sealed off and postmortems

were carried out by the State Pathologist at University Hospital Sligo.

Supt. Glacken said that a man in his early 20s had been arrested shortly after 1.30

Michael Snee, R.I.P.

Aidan Moffitt, R.I.P.

am on Wednesday morning.

“This male remains in custody, detained under Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984, and I cannot make any further comment on this part of the investigation”.

He thanked the public for their continued cooperation and assistance and said it was “heartening to see such cross-community support”.

“We are actively investigating as to whether there is any haterelated motive to these murders.

An Garda Síochána will endeavour to seek out all the available evidence, and ultimately it will be for a Court to decide on the motivation behind these appalling crimes,” he added.

Gardaí are investigating whether the men had met their attacker online and have appealed to members of the public who have been subject to any unwanted approaches or may have been attacked, to contact Sligo Garda Station.

“Meeting people online is a normal activity. Meeting people online should be a safe activity but as with any online activity

everybody should be aware of personal safety advice, which we have provided on the Garda website,” he said.

“I have a dedicated diversity team here, we need to hear from you, we are here to listen to you and we are here to support you. An Garda Síochána has an online facility to report hate crimes on the Garda website.

“I continue to appeal to anyone with any information on these crimes to contact us at Sligo Garda station. No matter how insignificant you think it may be, we need to hear from you.

“Please contact us at Sligo Garda Station at the dedicated Incident Room phone number 071-9157088, the Garda Confidential Line phone number 1800-666111, or any Garda Station.

“I would like to reassure the public that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.

“Finally, our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s and Aidan’s families at this time”.

Roscommon native ‘respected Taoiseach, businessman and genuine guy’ Tánaiste

< DAN DOONER

Gardaí believe murdered Roscommon businessman, Aidan Moffitt, was the victim of a hate crime and may have arranged to meet his killer on Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Moffitt (42) was originally from Lisacul in Roscommon, but had lived in Sligo for a number of years. He was a respected local businessman who ran an auctioneering business and provided advice on mortgages and loans.

He was also a popular Fine Gael activist and had previously campaigned with Boyle native and Minister of State, Frank Feighan.

Gardaí were called to Mr. Moffitt’s house at Cartron Heights in

Sligo at around 8.30 pm on Monday night where his body had been discovered. There were significant injuries to his head and torso.

The body was removed from the house on Tuesday and brought to University Hospital Sligo where a postmortem took place, conducted

by State Pathologist Sally Anne Collis.

In a statement this week, SligoLeitrim TD Frank Feighan said Mr. Moffitt was an active member of Fine Gael and a “really good, genuine guy”, who loved the horses and GAA and was extremely popular in political and sporting circles.

“He was very loyal, very hardworking and he had a successful

auctioneering and financial services business which he had built up over the past few years,” he said.

“He was a friend, absolutely a friend and I knew his family well from when he lived in west Roscommon”. Deputy Feighan said Mr. Moffitt was a great supporter of his in the last General Election and all party candidates in all elections in the constituency through the years.

“He was from a place called Lisacul, just outside Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon and was living in Sligo for the past 12 or 13 years, working for Bank of Ireland in the first place,” he added.

Minister Feighan said that people were shocked by the level of

violence involved in the attack and that the community was trying to come to terms with what happened.

The Garda Press Office stated: “Investigating Gardaí are appealing to any person who was in Cartron Heights or the general Cartron area on the afternoon of Monday, April 11th up to 8.30 pm and who saw anything which drew their attention, to contact investigating Gardaí.

“Investigating Gardaí can be contacted at a dedicated phone number at the incident room in Sligo Garda Station at 0719157088, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666111 or any Garda station”.

Gardaí investigate whether men met attacker online < DAN DOONER

Gardaí are investigating whether the murder of well-known businessman and Fine Gael activist, Aidan Moffitt, may have been a hate crime and have warned people to be extra cautious when meeting people online.

A Garda statement on Tuesday night confirmed that they are investigating whether

Mr. Moffitt met his killer online as it is believed there was no sign of forced entry into his home in Cartron Heights in Sligo.

Mr. Moffitt’s body was discovered on Monday and he had sustained major injuries to his head and torso.

Gardaí have advised people to ‘get a face picture of the person you intend to meet’ and ‘be very cautious of a person who doesn’t share a recent face picture with

you, particularly if you have shared yours’.

Members of the public have also been advised to request social media handles, to meet in public places and to share their location with friends or family.

Extra care should also be taken around offers of food and drink with the statement advising ‘Unless you’ve seen them prepare it, it’s best not to accept to avoid being spiked’.

express shock over Sligo murders < DAN DOONER

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar have both expressed their sympathies to the family and friends of Sligo murder victims Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee this week.

The Taoiseach said he was “deeply concerned” following the violent deaths and urged anyone with information to contact the Gardaí.

An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has also expressed his shock following the two murders which have occurred in Sligo in recent days.

Speaking to RTÉ News on Wednesday morning, Mr. Varadkar confirmed he had spoken to Fine Gael members based in Sligo following the horrific murder of Roscommon man Aidan Moffitt.

The 42-year-old had served as the Fine Gael branch secretary and branch chairperson and had campaigned alongside Minister of State Frank Feighan in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency.

The body of Michael Snee (58) was discovered at an apartment in Sligo on Tuesday night, and Gardaí have arrested a man in his 20s on suspicion of murder.

Mr. Varadkar said: “I just really wanted to say that I’ve been speaking to some of our members in Sligo, and I just really wanted to say how shocked and how worried I am by the two murders that appeared to have occurred in Sligo over the last couple of days”.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

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Claire Kerrane TD & Cllr. Michael Mulligan HONOUR IRELAND’S PATRIOT DEAD Wear a Easter Lily and attend your local commemoration

‘Patriot Tom McDonagh’ lost his life during ambush at Teevnacreeva, County Roscommon Midway between Frenchpark and Ballaghaderreen lies the village of Teevnacreeva. About 300 yards southwest is the beautiful little church of Tibohine, and almost in the very heart of the village stands the business premises of Messrs. M. Cooney & Sons.

Teevnacreeva is, perhaps, the Roscommon townland best known in Co. Sligo, for it was there on a dry September morning in 1920 that Captain Tom McDonagh of the South Sligo Brigade IRA lost his life in one of the many dramatic episodes in the war for Irish freedom.

That the Teevnacreeva ambush ever occurred was due to a mere accident; that it did not entirely succeed was due to certain circumstances over which the Volunteers had no control, but that it resulted in the deaths of two RIC policemen and one Republican Officer was a denouement altogether unforeseen by the Volunteers.

Commandants Jim Hunt and Michael Marren met in Ballaghaderreen for a chat and a drink about the last week of August 1920 and accidentally learned that some Ballaghaderreen publicans were prosecuted for breaches of the licensing laws and would be before

Frenchpark court on September 1st. This meant that a number of Ballaghaderreen policemen would also travel to Frenchpark on the court day. Here was an easy way of getting badlyneeded rifles and ammunition.

They would muster about 25 volunteers, supply them with shotguns (they had but two rifles), revolvers and grenades, come to Teevnacreeva, lie in wait for the police – possibly ten or twelve fully armed men – and at a given signal (the blowing of a whistle by Hunt) all would jump from cover to the road. It was assumed that the very sight of this formidable body of men, apparently equipped for fight, would cause consternation among the police, who in all probability would surrender immediately without offering the slightest resistance.

Everyone left the meeting convinced of the likely outcome: a bloodless capture of arms and ammunition.

By 7 am in the morning they had taken up position.

Commandant Jim Hunt was stationed behind the ditch on the north side of the road, the main body of the volunteers directly opposite on the south side, with one man armed with a shotgun some 50 yards

Tom McDonagh, RIP

the Frenchpark side of the main body.

The ambushers waited patiently whiling away the time with anecdotes of other and more dangerous adventures. At long last, after what appeared to be interminable hours of waiting, Joe Finnegan cycles in from his outpost. It is 10 am. In a moment Finnegan has reached Hunt’s position. He dismounts and reports, in tones clearly audible to the main body: Five

armed police approaching in single file, about 50 yards separating the first three, two cycling together, 100 yards to the rear. This situation is wholly unexpected and entirely unprovided for. The ambushers cover but 50 yards of the road while the police are spaced over about 200 yards.

Tom McDonagh, now on his way back from Tibohine church, hears the sound of rifle and shotgun fire and speeds

on. A local man at the door of his house shouts at him to take cover, but, brave soldier that he is, he dismisses the warning and hastens to the help of his comrades, who he now thinks are in grave danger. He is armed with a fully loaded revolver.

He jumps from his bike, shoots one of the hidden policemen and advances towards the other.

Hunt clearly sees him manoeuvring for position. Both men are aiming at each other. McDonagh falls dead. But his foe has had enough of battle and beats a hasty retreat towards Ballaghaderreen. The ambush is over.

Some 20 minutes after the ambushers had left the scene, Black and Tan lorries from Ballaghaderreen arrived. McDonagh’s body was thrown into one lorry and shown all the marks of disrespect which only the ingenuity of a depraved force could devise. The corpse was dragged from door to door in Ballaghaderreen until eventually, Tommie’s grandmother and fiancée arrived and begged for its release. This request was granted, obviously because of the salutary fear now felt by the Black and Tans and their advisers.

The corpse was reverentially brought to Cloonloo Hall,

where many volunteers and friends of the dead soldier came to pay their respects.

Later, the funeral to Teampoll Ronain cemetery was of magnificent dimensions and a striking tribute to one who, while alive, had proved himself an ardent patriot and fearless fighter, and who, in the opinion of his commanding officer, would have achieved in a short time – had God spared him – a name worthy of being numbered alongside that of Collins, Brugha, Treacy, and Mac Eoin as one of the greatest fighterpatriots of this generation.

“

Everyone left the meeting convinced of the likely outcome: a bloodless capture of arms and ammunition

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

The

G

D News page

Roscommon students’ success at IFEX Belfast Culinary arts students at TUS Athlone have swept the board at this year’s IFEX competition in Belfast for their edible art sculptures, crafted entirely from chocolate!

Chelsea Devine, a third-year student from Elphin, Co. Roscommon, was awarded a gold medal in the IFEX ‘Decorative Exhibit’ category for creating a three-foot edible lighthouse sculpture.

Taking creative inspiration from the works of Amaury Guichon, the host of Netflix’s School of Chocolate and the most followed ‘chocolatier’ on Instagram, Chelsea says she’s “over the moon” to have taken home the gold.

Competing against industry professionals and culinary students from across the UK and Ireland, Chelsea

spent more than 40 hours prepping for the competition and poring over the technical aspects of chocolate work and centrepiece design.

“We started preparing our chocolate pieces in late January, brainstorming ideas between our classmates. We have spent the last few weeks doing extra hours outside of our college time with our mentor and lecturer, Kevin Ward,” she explained.

“Kevin has pushed us to become the best version of ourselves as chefs; we would not have made it this far without him giving us the knowledge and always teaching us new techniques along the way”.

Clohda Coyne, also a third-year BA in Culinary Arts student at TUS Athlone, was awarded a silver

medal for a chocolate sculpture of a ship’s cannon.

Like Chelsea, her work was entered under the ‘Decorative Exhibit’ category, which tasks entrants with creating a free-standing edible art piece using either pastillage, marzipan, chocolate or cooked sugar.

Luke Ryan, a Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts student at TUS Athlone, also received two awards for his creative samurai sword sculpture at the IFEX. Kevin Ward, a culinary arts lecturer at TUS Athlone and himself an award-winning chocolatier, congratulated the trio.

All pieces will go on display in the Department of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure lobby, TUS Athlone, in the coming days.

Pictured (left to right) at IFEX Belfast recently: Luke Ryan, Clohda Coyne, Chelsea Devine, and TUS Athlone culinary arts lecturer Kevin Ward. Elphin native Chelsea, a third-year BA in Culinary Arts at TUS Athlone, won gold in the ‘Decorative Exhibit’. Clohda, from Donamon in Co. Roscommon, also a third-year BA in Culinary Arts at TUS Athlone, won silver. Photograph: Daire Taylor

Roscommon student claims Rotary Youth Leadership Award

Athlone Community College student, Shauna Loftus, receiving her Rotary Youth Leadership Award from David Murray, District Governor of Rotary Ireland, and Patrick O’Riordan, PR Officer with the European Parliament at Europe House in Dublin recently.

Catch the hilarious Shirley Valentine this May at Roscommon Arts Centre Fresh from a recent run at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, Shirley Valentine will be paying a visit to Roscommon Arts Centre on Friday, May 27th at 8 pm.

Treat yourself to an evening of laughter

Norma Sheahan as Shirley Valentine.

and triumph, as Norma Sheahan - one of Ireland’s leading dramatic actors - breathes new life into Willy Russell’s effervescent and iconic character Shirley Valentine.

Trapped in a dreary marriage and humdrum life, Shirley wonders when she lost her hopeful, youthful self. With no support from her demanding husband, snooty neighbour, or self-absorbed teens, Shirley resorts to full-blown (although somewhat one-sided) conversations with her kitchen wall.

So, when a divorced friend asks Shirley to go on a vacation to Greece, she bravely gathers what remains of her dignity and begins a humorous and uplifting voyage of rediscovery. Shirley with ever-opening eyes, begins to see the world – and herself – in a different light…but will she ever go back to being ‘St. Joan of the fitted units’?

Directed By Michael Scott, tickets (€25/23) for Shirley Valentine are selling fast so get yours now from box office on 090-6625824 and from www.roscommonartscentre.ie.

Athlone Community College student, Shauna Loftus, was one of just 14 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be conferred with a Rotary Youth Leadership award at the European Parliament’s offices in Dublin recently.

The competition, which is one of Rotary Ireland’s longest running youth projects, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. It is run in conjunction with the EU offices in Dublin and Euroscola in Strasbourg.

Shauna received the award from Rotary Ireland District Governor David Murray and Patrick O’Riordan, PR Officer with the

European Parliament. Shauna was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Athlone.

During transition year, Shauna competed in Junk Koutoure, SciFest and the BT Young Scientist Exhibition. She was also part of the school’s NASA committee which involved a live space call with astronaut Shannon Walker on the International Space Station which was followed by a TV interview on RTÉ’s Today Show with Maura and Daithi. She said taking part in the competition had been a fantastic experience.

“Through this trip, I have made so many amazing memories and met so many like-minded people that I

will remain friends with for life. The trip itself was outstanding, a wonderful experience, even having the opportunity to present our opinions in front of an MEP,” she said.

Participants visited The Titanic Centre and City Hall in Belfast and went on tours of Dublin Castle and Trinity College in Dublin. The final part of the trip was a visit to the EU’s office, Europe House and a showcase event in The Freemasons Hall in Dublin where the students presented on a range of issues to a panel including Green MEP Ciaran Cuffe.

Some of the topics the students presented on included European Security, Climate Change and the Environment and Migration.

Local family’s climb in memory of Patsy Enda Beirne and family, together with good friend Michael Donoghue, recently held their very own ‘Climb with Charlie’ event in Co. Sligo in memory of Enda’s sister Patsy.

Ranging in ages from four to 74, the group achieved their goal on April 2nd by climbing Knocknarea to honour Patsy, who fought Motor Neurone Disease with such strength and dignity for many years.

All funds raised from the sponsored climb will go towards the very worthy causes of MND Ireland and Pieta House.

The family would like to sincerely thank all those who have donated, and as of today, over €3,585 has been raised. The idonate page (Enda (Jumbo) Beirne’s Climb with Charlie) will be open until May 2nd.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

€22,500 grant opportunity for entrepreneurs…with New Frontiers

N

ew Frontiers is Ireland’s national entrepreneur development programme, delivered locally by Atlantic Technological University Galway-Mayo Innovation Hubs and funded by Enterprise Ireland.

If you have an innovative business idea with a plan to establish your own company, or you are already at an early stage of development, the New Frontiers Programme can provide you with funding, help and support to accelerate your business development.

and early-stage capital investment networks.

Access to entrepreneurship best practice – both national and international.

Peer group learning from participants in this region and across the country.

Access to the expertise in Enterprise Ireland through the Market Research Centre.

Expertise from Atlantic Technological University and the supportive environment of the Innovation Hubs in Galway and Mayo.

How does the programme benefit entrepreneurs?

Expertise in all areas of business including investment, market research & validation, business model, patenting, product development, sales and marketing.

Mentoring from experienced business advisers and practitioners.

Free Office space and other business incubation facilities. €22,500 tax free funding, €15,000 in the second phase and €7,500 in the third phase of the programme.

Ideally, applicants should: • Have an innovative idea • Be capable of building a new company • Create employment • Generate sales revenue • Have export potential

Networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and business development agencies.

Introductions to seed

feasibility.

The Second Phase is much more intensive. Those accepted onto this phase must commit on a full-time

basis for 6 months. Office space will be offered for FREE in the ATU Innovation Hubs. €15,000 funding will be available to all eligible participants.

The Third Phase is built around the business success and growth, getting to the market, exporting, generating employment and attracting investment. This will be full-time over 3 months with a further €7,500 for selected participants.

Martin Flynn from www.

okwhosnext.com says: “Participation in New Frontiers has been invaluable to us. It provided insight, networking and perhaps most importantly, tools, knowledge and structures crucial in supporting our new business start-up. The calibre of mentors, presenters, tutors and consultants has simply been excellent.

Regular monthly funding of €2500 gave us the runway to put optimal strategies in place. It is really essential if you are serious

NEW FRONTIERS

about taking your business idea to the next level”.

The 2020 programme is now open to new applicants. Apply early as places are limited.

First preference places will be offered to those who return their applications by Wednesday, May 18th. The programme will commence shortly afterwards.

Further information on this exciting business opportunity is available at: www.atuihubs.ie/ newfrontiers

Tony O’Kelly, New Frontiers Manager.

NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURS

NEW FRONTIERS THINKING OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS? NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURS

NEW FRONTIERS

NEW FRONTIERS IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM THINKING OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS? NATIONAL PROGRAMME BUSINESS FOR DEVELOPING ENTREPRENEURS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE AN INNOVATIVE IDEA

NEW FRONTIERS IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM THINKING STARTING A NEW INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ANOF INNOVATIVE BUSINESS IDEA BUSINESS? NEW FRONTIERS PROVIDES: NEW FRONTIERS IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM

NEW FRONTIERS PROVIDES: • Support and advice on setting up a business INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE AN INNOVATIVE BUSINESS IDEA New Frontiers is Delivered in Three Phases: • Support and advice on settingPROVIDES: up a business NEW FRONTIERS • Free co-working space & facilities The First Phase will test the feasibility of the • Free co-working spaceand & facilities • Support advice on setting up a business proposition.

It is the shortest • Personalised one-to one mentoring from a member of Enterprise Irelands panel phase (6/8 weeks) and will • Free co-working space &from facilities • Personalised one-to one mentoring a member of Enterprise Irelands panel be conducted on a part• Personalised one-to one mentoring from a member of Enterprise Irelands panel • €22,500 in financial support time basis. will focus •It€22,500 in financial support on the promoter, product/ • €22,500 in financial support service, market opportunity, with • Opportunity to network other entrepreneurs and investors • Opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and investors business model and • Opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and investors

For details see: www.atuihubs.ie/newfrontiers For details see: www.atuihubs.ie/newfrontiers For details see: www.atuihubs.ie/newfrontiers

Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ...

Hugh Wallace from RTE’s The Great House Revival.

Paul Healy’s take on top tweets!

senior politicians may have a stack of ‘lessons must be learned’ responses in stock…

Eoin O’Malley @AnMailleach Ryanair is trying to make me pay for seats with the threat my family and I might have to sit separately. Well the joke’s on them, because I’d pay extra to not sit with them.

-Speaking of jokes, we’re pretty sure Eoin’s joking…

Marcas @IsMiseMarcas Why do couples in Irish home improvement shows ALWAYS decide to have a baby mid renovation?! #TheGreatHouseRevival -We genuinely hadn’t really noticed! (Retrospective congratulations to all concerned)

Michael O’Regan @Michael_O_Regan The Taoiseach has said lessons must be learned from the Tony Holohan debacle and no heads will roll. Thought the lessons were learned from Zapponegate.

Government of slow political learners!

-Michael suspects that our

Guy Benson @guypbenson I must say that Boris walking the streets of Kyiv with Zelensky is a damn impressive sight. Bravo.

Otto English @Otto_English Unconvinced by Boris Johnson’s brief visit to

Ukraine. His party was happy to take Russian cash, revelled in the favours of Russian owned media and buried the Russia report. Just because he’s suddenly on board re Zelenskyy, doesn’t make up for all that went before.

-Boris’s quick trip to Ukraine divided opinion…

Piers Morgan @piersmorgan I’ve been very critical of @BorisJohnson since he became UK Prime Minister, for fully justified reasons. But I will say this: his leadership during the Ukraine crisis has been increasingly impressive.

We need more of this serious & focused Boris - less of the blathering buffoon.

-But some established Boris critics were impressed (buffoon-reference notwithstanding)

Dr. Tony Holohan.

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NewsPeople

FRANK

BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique

take on life ...

Connacht, Connemara and craic: The return of the annual rugby tour!

Our man Frank on going on tour with his rugby friends again; a reader’s query on the ‘overnight’ reopening of the Cuisle Centre… and in praise of Rory and Shane…

It’s Friday afternoon as I write, and I can feel the excitement building up. After more than two years of isolation and lockdowns, what used to be our annual rugby tour is back on. Ten of us are getting ready to head away for the weekend. The fact that we are not going to Cardiff or Edinburgh or any of the Six Nations-hosting cities doesn’t make the slightest difference, as after all this time we are just glad to be going anywhere.

For this trip, Galway is our destination as we are going to The Sportsground for the Champions League rugby match between Connacht and Leinster. We are told to be in the Hardiman Hotel for 5 pm where we will be wined and dined and entertained for an hour or two before heading out to the match for the 8 pm kick-off. And so we all arrived in good time, had a beverage or two, and headed up the stairs to

Connacht player Tom Daly

one of the hotel meeting rooms, where we all partook of a beautiful meal.

The compere on duty introduced Connacht player Tom Daly before then conducting a question and answer session with him for about 15 minutes. Now Tom Daly came across very well, but it struck me that as a professional rugby player you are expected to do lots of stuff that old-time

amateurs would never have had to.

The Dinner was presumably put on as a fundraiser by the Connacht branch, and as Daly was not in the panel for the big game, I suppose as part of his contract he simply had to turn up for the PRO stint. I can’t imagine he would have enjoyed making small talk in front of a couple of hundred people – most of whom seemed to be more in-

terested in the wine and the food than in the rugby – but I may be wrong.

Anyways, he did it, and, as I said, he came across very well.

Anyway, dinner over, and it was time to head for The Sportsground, where, in the biting cold, we were lucky enough to see one hell of a game. Everyone knows by now that Leinster had a narrow win and will take a five-point lead back to the Aviva for next Friday’s re-match. It was a superb performance by the Connacht lads, against what to all intents and purposes was practically the full Irish team, but there is no doubt they face another massive test in Dublin on Friday afternoon.

One of the highlights of the entertainment that was laid on at The Sportsground was the performance of a group of young drummers, Drumadore. The four lads and three girls involved were absolutely superb. Apparently Drumadore is a drumming school aimed at children from 5 years to 18 years of age, and their mission is to “deliver fun and professional drumming lessons that help children grow in confidence, make friends and learn to perform”.

On the evidence of last Friday night they are certainly doing that. I see that they perform at all the Connacht home games. If you ever get the chance, keep an eye out for them, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Cuisle Centre:Were €1.15m works’ done?

Closer to home, one of my readers contacted me with a very simple question. His query is as follows: if it was possible to reopen Cuisle at such short notice to house the Ukrainian refugees, why was it necessary to close it down in the first place?

According to this man, the Irish Wheelchair Association, who were running the centre at the time of the closure in November 2019, claimed it would take €1.15m to rectify the building’s wiring and fire safety work. They claimed they had to close it down because they couldn’t get the required funding. So, my reader wants to know if the money was made available and if the work was done, and if not, how could a place that was unsafe two years ago be fit for purpose now? He also wants to know if the people who used Cuisle as a respite centre, and who were promised holiday facilities in hotels round the country, have actually ever had those facilities made available to them – his information is that they

haven’t (I don’t know the position).

Anyway, for him the big question is how a place that wasn’t fit for purpose two years ago, and that was closed down because of

safety considerations, could now be safe for the Ukrainian refugees who are now living there. In case anyone thinks he is being critical of the wonderful efforts made by

so many people to get Cuisle ready for the refugees, nothing could be further from the truth – all he wants to know is whether or not the fire worries have been addressed.

When the game was over we dispersed to various watering holes around the city, and despite the continuing huge threat of Covid, we enjoyed being back together and all agreed it was great to be back on tour. Because of different commitments, some of the group had to head home on Saturday, but a number of us decided to stick with it for another night. On Saturday morning, myself, Jack the Lower (Hegarty) and Mikeen (of Mikeen’s pub) headed out to Connemara, where, on a most beautiful day, we took in the wonderful scenery and visited lots of the area’s iconic locations.

Later on, we all met up in my favourite Galway pub, Garavan’s, and, after watching the Munster-Exeter match we had a pint or two and called a halt to our 2022 tour.

The abiding memory is that it was great to be back, although, funny enough, Covid was never far from our minds, but I suppose people have to try to live as well. Indeed late on Friday night we began to hatch plans for next year.

However, as we are not as young as we were when we first toured in 1997, we decided to hurl cool and check later in the year to see if we are all still around! Anyway, Galway was great, the rugby was great, the craic was great, the company was great, and all I can say is it was good to be back.

And finally…

Finally for this week, it is hard to believe that this tiny island of Ireland could have two of the top four golfers in the Masters in Augusta over the weekend. Rory McIlroy, second, and Shane Lowry, joint third, really flew the flag for our country, and sporting-wise it has to be one of the most amazing achievements of all time. Both of them are past Major winners, but to fill two of the top three places in the Masters shows that despite everyone saying that McIlroy is past it, they are well capable of winning more majors in the years to come.

For the moment, despite the fact that Scottie Scheffler won the green jacket, the performances of the two Irish lads really lit up Augusta, and the reception that McIlroy got as he holed a miracle chip on the last hole was one that will live long in all our memories.

I am sidelined from the golf course until my new pacemaker settles into its new home, but hopefully in a few weeks I will get back out and prove that even if you aren’t a Masters winner, you too can enjoy the fresh air, the lovely surroundings, play a few holes and simply relax on some local golf course.

‘Till next week, bye for now

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Advertorial

‘Spring into a slimmer you this summer’ For many of us, this summer will be the first time in three long years that we’ve had a proper sunshine holiday. And a lot of us are dreading the moment when we dig out our holiday clothes and find they don’t fit quite as well as they used to! If you’d like to lose weight and hit the beach feeling fitter and healthier, local weight-loss experts from Slimming World, share their top tips on how making small changes now can get you on track for a slimmer summer:

1. Set a goal

Trish Keegan who runs the Slimming World groups in Roscommon, Castlerea and Ballygar says, “Research shows that if you set yourself a goal you’re more likely to achieve it – and the more ambitious the better. A study of 24,000 slimmers by Slimming World found that slimmers who set an ambitious dream target weight lost almost twice as much weight as those who aimed for a more modest amount.” “Setting an ambitious target can help you visualise what you’re capable of,” says Slimming World’s Head of Research and Scientific Affairs, Dr Jacquie Lavin. She also recommends setting ‘mini targets’ which Slimming World members are encouraged to do each week, whether it’s to lose a couple of pounds, go for a lunchtime walk or cook with new ingredients. “Your big goal is your destination, mini targets are milestones along the way. Every time you achieve one it will give you a sense of achievement and motivate you on to the next step.”

2. Spring into action

Sheila Mcloughlinn who runs the Slimming World groups in The Strokestown Sports and Community Centre says “Make the most of

longer days and warmer weather and head out for some fresh-air fitness. A study from the University of Exeter shows that compared with indoor workouts, exercising in a natural environment is associated with greater feelings of happiness and well-being, as well as increased energy levels. Outdoor exercisers also report greater enjoyment and satisfaction from their workouts and feel more inclined to keep it up, plus you’ll be boosting your immune system and topping up your vitamin D levels. Whether you’re a complete exercise beginner or already a keep fit fan, there are a whole range of activities you can enjoy outdoors this spring from walking the dog to family bike rides and Park runs”.

3. Get creative in the kitchen

Aisling Anderson who is relaunching Slimming World Ballaghaderreen says “Discover your inner Jamie and cook meals from scratch with healthy seasonal ingredients like asparagus, spring greens and new potatoes, or dig out the barbecue and get grilling lean meat, fish and veg.

And remember, losing weight doesn’t have to mean going hungry. A study by the University of Leeds , found that eating a diet based around low

energy dense foods – foods that contain fewer calories per gram such as fresh fruit and veg, lean meat and poultry, pasta, rice and grains – is more effective for weight loss than traditional calorie counting. In fact, a group of women who followed Slimming World’s low energy dense eating plan for 14 weeks lost over 12lbs compared to just over 7lbs in a group using a calorie-counting diet plan. You can find deliciously filling recipe ideas based on foods low in energy density at slimmingworld.co.uk.”

4. Spritz up your spring!

There’s nothing nicer than sitting outdoors on a sunny spring afternoon enjoying a drink with friends, yet alcohol can be a real obstacle if you’re trying to lose weight. As well as the calories in alcohol, which are often higher than we realise (one large glass of wine has as many calories as a jam doughnut!), Slimming World’s research into the impact of alcohol on weight revealed that having just slightly too much to drink and reaching our ‘tipping point’ can lead us into drinking and eating far more than we intended and as a result can impact hugely on our weight. The good news is that by making small

changes to your drinking habits, you can still enjoy alcohol in moderation and manage your ‘tipping point’ and your weight loss”. Carolyn Pallister, Nutrition and Health Policy Manager at Slimming World, says, “Interspersing alcoholic drinks with soft drinks, adding soda water to wine to make a spritzer, switching to slimline mixers, or choosing a low-calorie lager, can all make a big difference.”

5. Spring clean your habits

The Solutions for Weight through Psychology, Satiation and Satiety (SWIPPS) study, led by the University of Leeds and published in the Journal of Nutrition 3 We’re all creatures of habit and having a routine can be a lifesaver when you’re busy – you’re more likely to exercise regularly if you do it at the same time every week and having a set day for batch cooking can really help you plan for the week ahead. However, research from the University of Hertfordshire has found that when routines get overly rigid, they can act like webs, making it hard to change a habit even if we know it’s not helpful. Having a spring clean of your habits can help you go after your weight loss goals with renewed focus.

Carolyn says: “At Slimming World we’ve got a deep understanding of the psychology behind successful weight loss, and our groups are all about getting support to build healthy new habits around food and activity. It’s so much easier to achieve when you have the support of a group of like-minded people who care about your success.” To find out more about Slimming World and how to join, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie, or call 0344 897 8000 or 01 656 9696.

Tuesday – Strokestown 5pm & 6:30pm. Sheila 087 4184581 Tuesday – Ballaghaderreen 6pm. Aisling 086 3622924 (new Consultant) Wednesday – Roscommon 7:30am & 9:30am. Trish 087 8581325 Wednesday – Castlerea 5pm & 7pm. Trish 087 8581325 Thursday – Ballygar 6pm. Trish 087 8581325

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

Miriam’s MUSINGS The ‘before’ and the ‘after’ outcomes of a sexual attack Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

On a personal level, I’m finding reports relating to the shocking scale of sexual violence being perpetrated against women across this country to be extremely disturbing. I mention this on foot of last week’s court ruling whereby a jury found three men guilty of raping a teenager. A fourth was found guilty of sexual assault, and a fifth pleaded guilty to the rape prior to the trial beginning.

My reference to finding the reports extremely disturbing are representative of my own feelings, (as a survivor of rape), and I’m not for one moment suggesting that anyone who has experienced a sexual attack or a level of sexual abuse should be, or would be, equally disturbed. I’m simply trying to provide an insight into how the details of this latest incident have impacted on me.

Known as the Midlands rape trial, this horrific crime made headlines across the country. It occurred in the small hours of a dark December morning, two days after Christmas Day of 2016.

Following what was probably a great St Stephen’s night out in Tullamore, County Offaly, a then 17-year-old – separated from her pals – made what she herself describes as a ‘stupid and snap decision’ to get into a car containing five men.

Rather than assisting this young woman, the men instead took advantage of her appeal for help, thus rendering upon her an experience so horrific and

so depraved it will possibly serve to change the entire course of her adult life and her future.

Described by Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, as “the stuff of nightmares” – and she is perfectly correct – the case took over five agonising years to come to trial, rendering this young lady’s happy night out with friends to become consigned to a tragic story of ‘before and after’.

‘Before’ she was a happy-go-lucky, carefree, easy-going teenager with her entire life ahead of her. ‘After’ she asked for that lift and this gang of savages took her request to mean she wanted something she didn’t. ‘After’ she begged them to stop and they wouldn’t, forcing themselves on her anyway. ‘After’ she probably spends her days trying to stifle the emotional pain. You get my drift.

But let me tell you readers, the nightmares of which Ms. Blackwell speaks don’t just occur when a survivor tries to sleep. They can occur at any time. Feelings of vulnerability, distress, anxiety, fear – and yes, even feelings of guilt and shame – can occur in the fruit and veg aisle of a supermarket. They can occur in a chair at the hair salon, or when the scent of a certain aftershave wafts by. They can even occur, (in my experience), nearly 20 years later in a crowded room when an acquaintance gets blind drunk, sidles up

Our government’s dysfunctionality comes right from the top!

Katherine Zappone, former Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

When will this Government figure it out? When will they learn from past mistakes? First we had the bickering, eye-poking and hair-pulling regarding the way in which judges are appointed following the Séamus Woulfe controversy.

We also had the Katherine Zappone ‘Merriongate’ farce regarding her UN special envoy role, with terms like ‘makey-uppy’ and ‘cronyism’ trending on social meeja!

Oh, and who could forget the ‘top civil servant’ Robert (the man who gets things done) Watt’s scandalous fourth salary hike at a time when we, the hoi polloi, are being forced to make choices between eating or heating, effectively worrying more about paying bills than catching Covid!

Now we have the backlash around outgoing chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan’s ‘secondment’ to Trinity College and the contention regarding taxpayers’ money being used to fund his annual €187k salary, as he, er, how did the sales pitch go…oh yeah…expands his ‘breadth of public health knowledge in the country’.

Given all of the above, (and these are only the fizz-ups we’ve heard about), it’s now abundantly clear to me that this government’s dysfunctionality comes right from the top! If FF/FG/the GP continue to disrespect us as valuable voters, and repeatedly fail to deliver the high standards expected of them, (I mean they’re not even providing us with the bare basics, are they?), then we need to tell them slán with immediate effect!

close to you, and maliciously mentions ‘the incident’, making you relive it over and over again.

Yes folks, survivors will tell you there’s always an individual who insists on justifying the rapist’s actions. There’s always someone who, because they’re in denial, will lay the blame firmly at the victim’s door. In this young lady’s case, that denier appears to be the father of one of the perpetrators who, in an attempt (I’d imagine) to try shift the blame from his son, alleged he ‘saw a girl in the car and didn’t see her trying to get out’. If ever there was a classic example of using someone’s behaviour to victim-blame them, that comment has got to be it! Why? Because for me, it serves as a way of eviscerating this young lady for having the temerity to go out that night, to consume alcohol, to have fun, to become separated from her pals and to place her trust in a gang, who, rather than see her safely home, raped and abused her.

This type of ignorant, ‘ah but did it really happen?’ attitude is shockingly common and re-traumatising for survivors who need to be heard, who need to be believed and who need to have actions taken that reflect the gravity of their traumatic experiences. This young lady was in no way complicit, nor did her actions to ask for a lift or her alleged failure to try to get out of the car provoke

this gang of perverts to rape and sexually assault her.

I have no doubt in my mind that everyone who truly knows and loves this beautiful young lady – this survivor – will be able to pinpoint that rape as being the exact second she folded in on herself and stopped laughing, stopped making jokes, stopped going out. Indeed, I imagine that because she barely considers herself to be the same ‘before’ person, she may now, almost six years on in the ‘after’ have changed her physical appearance and her overall outlook on life.

It took enormous strength for her to report this crime, and while what happened to her may have changed the direction her life took, (what happened to me changed mine), I hope she manages to find some solace in knowing that by sharing her experience, other survivors will become able to share theirs.

This young lady needs to realise she is still very much ‘herself’. Her personhood very much matters, and she alone, (not her rapists) has the power to define her future. Whatever and however this crime perpetrated against her has affected her, she is not just a survivor, she remains, in the ‘after’, to be exactly the same beautiful soul her family and friends loved, adored and respected in the ‘before’. I wish her peace.

Would you allow your kid to take responsibility for their own education?

Take responsibility for your own learning, identify your strengths and weaknesses and set out your own plan that focuses on your specific skills…said no parent to their child ever!!! Why? Because it’s ridiculous for any parent to think they can trust that eight-yearold who shares a piece of re-chewed toffee with a kid with a cough – during a pandemic – who picks their nose and wipes it on their shirt sleeve to be in charge of their own learning!

I nearly choked on my coffee when I heard a mother and her son being interviewed on Ireland AM regarding the so-called ‘learning without limits’ strategy at a Sudbury School in the southwest of the country!

Basically, (and I stand corrected), this method of teaching involves a number of students ranging from ages 5 to 18 mixing together in a no curriculum, no

homework, no rules system run by, wait for it…staff in a ‘mentoring role’. These ‘mentors’ don’t ‘necessarily have to have a teaching degree,’ but they’ll allow your darlings to ‘self-direct’! Bless.

Seriously? Have some parents deluded themselves into believing that ‘alternative’ learning initiatives – which are not recognised by the Department of Education – are going to fully academically prepare their kids for life?

I’m all for teaching/encouraging kids to become independent, to participate in family decisions and to make their own choices regarding their lifestyle and their future etc., but aren’t these directives best delivered using a structured and loving educational approach as opposed to what appears to be a free-for-all, scatter-brained-hippy-dippy, quixotic and edutopian perspective?

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople Gospel Reflection Sunday 17 April Jesus is nowhere visible. Yet today’s Gospel tells us that Peter and John “saw and believed”.

What did they see? Burial shrouds lying on the floor of an empty tomb. Maybe that convinced them that He hadn’t been carted off by grave robbers, who usually stole the expensive burial linens and left the corpses behind.

But notice the repetition of the word “tomb” – seven times in nine verses. They saw the empty tomb and they believed what He had promised: that God would raise Him on the third day.

Chosen to be His “witnesses,” today’s First Reading tells us, the Apostles were “commissioned . . . to preach . . . and testify” to all that they had seen – from His anointing with the Holy Spirit at the Jordan to the empty tomb. More than their own experience, they were instructed in the mysteries of the divine economy, God’s saving plan – to know how “all the prophets bear witness” to Him (see Luke 24:27, 44).

Now they could “understand the Scripture,” could teach us what He had told them – that He was “the Stone which the builders rejected,” that today’s Psalm prophesies His Resurrection and exaltation (see Luke 20:17; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11).SEAN DOYLE & SONS We are the children of the apostolic witnesses. That is why we still gather early in the morning on the first day of every week to celebrate this feast of the empty tomb, give thanks for “Christ our life,” as today’s Epistle calls Him. Baptised into His death and Resurrection, we live the heavenly life of the risen Christ, our lives “hidden with Christ in God”. We2060848 are now His witnesses, too. But we testify to things we cannot see but only believe; we seek in earthly things what is above.

We live in memory of the Apostles’ witness, like them eating and drinking with the risen Lord at the altar. And we wait in hope for what the Apostles told us would come – the 15/03/2022 day when we too “will appear with Him in glory”.

-Scott Hahn Ph.D., www.salvationhistory.com (courtesy of 26/04/2022 Sacred Heart Church)

THIS WEEK... On The Political Beat

Roscommon Herald This week, local public representatives discuss vacant homes in Roscommon, the closure of Fuel Allowance, controversy over civil service jobs, and welcome news for the Arts sector…

Naughten: ‘Fundamental flaw Customer Correction Proof in housing’

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newsbriefs

Fire at newly-opened Roscommon restaurant Edition:

A fire broke out at the recently opened Lana Asian Street Food restaurant in Roscommon town on Sunday morning.

Herald Firefighters fromRoscommon Roscommon town attended the scene on Main Street shortly after 8 am and forced their way into the premises to bring the fire under control.

No was injured in the incident and the restaurant remained closed on Monday and Tuesday.

A post on Lana’s Facebook page confirmed that the restaurant was forced to close due to fire damage but would reopen later this week.

Roscommon Town Darkness into Light 2022 Roscommon’s Town Darkness into Light Committee are delighted to announce that Darkness into Light 2022 will take place (in person, as opposed to virtual) on the morning of Saturday, May 7th, at 4.15 pm from the Roscommon Convent of Mercy Gym, Roscommon Town.

The AGM was held on Tuesday, March 8th, in Gleeson’s Townhouse. Mark Molloy was appointed as the new chairperson. Congratulations and best wishes to Mark in the new role. No doubt he will continue to make this event a great success.

A special thanks goes to outgoing chairperson Alec Dempsey for his contribution, commitment and dedication to the Roscommon Darkness into Light committee over several years. The committee are delighted that Alec will continue to be an active member of the committee.

The committee would like to extend an invite for new members to join. If you’re interested in joining the team or volunteering on May 7th, please contact Mark on 087 7801434 or Laura on 086 8448927.

You can register online via darknessintolight.ie or at one of the two community registration days that will be held in Roscommon town. The first registration day is on Easter Saturday, April 16th, from 3-7 pm in The Square, during the Easter Saturday concerts. The second community registration day is on Saturday, April 23rd, from 10 am-2 pm at Dunnes Stores, Roscommon Town.

Tickets for an adult are €26, the cost for children (aged 6-17) is €5, and a family ticket (two adults and five children) is €62. Concession tickets (jobseekers/ students/seniors) are €21 and babies/toddlers (aged 0-5) can attend for free.

Independent TD Denis Naughten has said there is a “fundamental flaw” in the State’s housing policy, claiming that of the 4,090 vacant homes 890832 in Roscommon, just 12 were available to rent.

Deputy Naughten said ‘Rebuilding Ireland’ Minister of State Damien English during his recent visit to Local Enterprise Office Roscommon with of State Frank Feighan and Shane Tiernan, Deputy Chief Executive, Roscommon County was now 41,000 units below its annual goal Minister alanbeirne business Council. Pic: Daniel O’Loughlin and that the Government must think creatively to provide homes. ing what is going on in government depart26/10/2021 |T 090- 6627377 “Every year up to 4,500 people leave behind Fitz slams ‘jobs for the boys’ ments today is like watching an episode of culture an empty home when they enter long-term Yes, Minister – with all of our very own Sir alan.beirne@roscommonherald.com nursing home care, yet just 400 of these homes Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has hit Humphrey Applebys running circles around are rented out as the Fair Deal Nursing Home out at what he called a “never-ending list of the Ministers. It’s nothing short of disgustSupport Scheme charges an older person three controversies over ‘jobs for the boys’ and a ing,” he concluded. separate times if they decide to rent it out. perceived lack of accountability and transpar“Reforming the Scheme to remove the finan- ency with respect to how civil service jobs Murphy welcomes Basic cial barrier against renting the property would were handled. immediately release vacant family homes “Since Christmas, the Department of Health Income for the Arts across our cities, towns, and rural areas”. alone has seen significant public outrage Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy, who is emerge with respect to the Department’s Sec- Chairperson of the Music and Entertainment ‘Closing Fuel Allowance fails retary General, Robert Watt’s pay and appoint- Cross Party Committee, has this week welworkers and families’ ment and in recent days the news that Tony comed the opening of the Basic Income for the Sinn Féin spokesperson on social protection, Holohan’s new position at Trinity (would have Arts Pilot Scheme.

Claire Kerrane TD, has this week criticised the been) funded entirely by taxpayers at his curThe scheme is being run by the Department Government’s failure to extend the Fuel Allow- rent rate of pay at the Department of Health,” of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and ance beyond its closing date of April 8th (last he said.

Media and payments of €325 will be made t0 Friday).

According to Deputy Fitzmaurice, in order to 2,000 eligible applicants.

Deputy Kerrane said the failure to extend create accountability, top civil servants’ roles “The idea for the Basic Income for the Arts was “yet another sign that they (Government) must be acting positions “starting and ending pilot arose as the number one recommendation simply do not get the urgency of the crisis that when a new Government is formed”. from the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, people are in”.

“All positions from the Assistant Principal which was established in 2020 in response to “People are being forced to choose between Officer grade to the Secretary General grade the devastating impact of the Covid pandemic Home,Interiors,DIY heating and eating. They don’t need more de- should be filled at the sole discretion of4C the (CMYK) on the arts sector,” he said. lays or excuses from the Government, they Minister of the day, by suitably qualified can“Applications for the Basic Income for the need action now,” she said. didates”.

Arts pilot scheme are now open through the The Sinn Féin TD reiterated calls for the GovFitzmaurice added that procedures for over- online portal at gov.ie/BasicIncomeArts. A ernment to listen to her party’s proposals and sight could be developed. user guide and video are also available on the said that taking this step would be a vital sup“The HSE has absolutely no heed to what portal to assist applicants. Applications will port to people facing the cost of living crisis. the Minister for Health tells them. Watch- close on May 12th”.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

CIARAN MULLOOLY

On The Back Benches Lough Funshinagh debacle:When rights of residents come last before the law It’s nearly a year now since I hung up my microphone and my wellington boots and waders for RTE News and turned my attention instead to mainstream community development on a full-time basis. The very last story I covered for the national broadcaster was a very positive one (at least I thought so at the time), to go out on – the remedial works being started to try and alleviate severe flooding for the families living next to Lough Funshinagh in south Roscommon, and the installation of a new pipe to bring away the flood water back into the Shannon. How wrong I was!

I remember very well the day we shot the story. It was a beautiful and sunny early summer’s Sunday morning. My cameraman Jimmy Norman and I headed over to Rahara for a prearranged meeting with Patrick O’Donovan, the Minister of State at the Department of the Office of Public works, and local councillor Laurence Fallon. The OPW’s DG Maurice Buckley was also to attend. The four of us made our way into a field to the spot where the diggers had already started to clear the way for the new pipes to go in and bring the water onwards to the Shannon in the distance.

There was a palpable feeling of relief in the air – especially among all the neighbours as they told us how they sensed their nightmare was coming to an end.

It’s fair to say at this juncture that Lough Funshinagh was one of the stories in County Roscommon that dominated much of my time as Midlands Correspondent with RTE News. In my very early days in the job, it was here I was first summoned by Matt Nolan from Ballygar, a vastly experienced fisheries officer with the then Shannon Fisheries Board. Matt rang to tell me of the remarkable events that had taken place when the water in the turlough that had been there for centuries simply disappeared overnight down a swallow hole back into the Shannon – leaving thousands of perfectly healthy fish stranded and marooned on the bed of the lake and destined to die unless they were taken away instantly.

Gay Byrne Show By the time I arrived at Funshinagh, most of the fish had been rescued safely into tanks of water on pick-up trucks, but there were a few characters over from the town of Athlone who were taking their own shares of what was left on the ground for dinner – and lots of barrels of dying fish in the area. We filmed the story that day and reported the remarkable occurrence on the Nine o’clock News that night. I will never forget the legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne opening his popular morning radio show the next day with the immortal words: “There it was – GONE!” as he described to the nation what happened to the lake and the poor fish in the space of only a day or two.

For some ten years after that original story, I heard little or nothing more about Funshinagh, but with the severe rainfall and heavy flood-

were at risk and urgent action was needed. The work therefore began with the blessing of the OPW and the Government – and the families waited for their nightmare to officially end.

Last week at a council meeting in Roscommon the extraordinary news emerged – most regrettably – that far from the nightmare being actually over, the whole works at Funshinagh would have to stop. Eugene Cummins admitted to the elected members present that a longrunning legal battle with environmental group, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), over the remedial works at Lough Funshinagh, has left the taxpayers of Roscommon with a legal bill “in excess of a quarter of a million euro”.

Worse again, the relief works could still not go ahead. I have to say that I, for one, could simply not believe what I was hearing.

Plan in shreds

Let the work begin (sadly, later ceased): Roscommon County Council Chief Executive Eugene Cummins, Patrick O’Donovan, the Minister of State at the Department of the Office of Public works, and Cllr. Laurence Fallon pictured ‘on site’ at Lough Funshinagh, Rahara in June 2021. Photo: Gerard O’Loughlin

ing of late 2008 and onwards, things were to change dramatically – and for the worst. For reasons never properly explained, the said swallow holes at the bottom of the turlough didn’t work any more at that point, and thousands and thousands of gallons of water that should have flown back into the Shannon

“

My cameraman Jimmy Norman and I headed over to Rahara for a prearranged meeting with Patrick O’Donovan, the Minister of State at the Department of the Office of Public works, and local councillor Laurence Fallon.

simply stayed up in the turlough in Rahara. The levels soared, and soon began to cause absolute chaos for local home owners and landowners, with heavy flooding nearly every year.

I saw it for myself winter after winter thereafter. I saw the O’Meara family flee from their home with the water coming in, the Beatties under similar threat, and others desperately bringing in pumps and generators in the battle to keep the water out. It was a shocking time – one that was really stressful for everyone. Even though report after report was carried out by the experts, the word came back that the cost of fixing the issue and saving the other homes and land there would be too prohibitive.

Emergency measures Eventually, the Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, Eugene Cummins, took the bull by the horns and embarked on a different approach. Faced with the prospect of more families losing their homes, he evoked special powers at his disposal. The CE told a council meeting that emergency works were going to be carried out to put in that new major discharge pipe (classified as exempted development under Section 4 of the Planning Act, with planning permission not being required). He also said an environmental impact study or application to An Bord Pleanala was not necessary – and he determined that a register of the soil abstractions would be completed and the project would be in compliance with the rules, and meet the obligations of climate action/low carbon objective.

It was – in the words of the county manager – an absolute crisis situation where family homes

In association with: LOUGH REE ACCESS FOR ALL

At that council meeting, Eugene Cummins launched a seriously scathing attack on FIE, and robustly defended his own role in the saga.

Confirming that the council had already faced “over ten High Court appearances”, Mr Cummins said he was satisfied, without any doubt in his mind, that he had done “everything legally and humanly possible” to ensure that the residents and farmers living in the area around Lough Funshinagh could remain in their own homes – but still the plan to put in the new pipe was in shreds.

“Every action I took, I did it legally,” said the Chief Executive, who expressed his anger and deep hurt at the outcome of the legal challenge.

It’s worth reading the text of what the county manager said.

“Every stone we unturned, they challenged it to ensure that we could not give comfort to those in danger of losing their homes,” he said, adding that the works that the council was proposing to carry out would have involved disturbing “the same rock that is disturbed when a slatted shed is being built or when a house is being built”. But, he indicated, FIE had managed to convince the High Court that there was “a conforming issue”.

Describing the Friends of the Irish Environment at that council meeting as “strangers with no connection and no empathy” who had “invaded” the local community, Eugene Cummins admitted that he was “very angry, hurt, frustrated and disappointed” at the outcome of the legal case, and added that it was “a sad day for this nation of ours”.

All of which brings us to the sad conclusion that in this case there is no such thing as emergency aid for people who are losing their homes, that the law does not recognise a crisis or emergency in front of them, and that people’s rights to stay in their homes come last.

What has happened in Rahara is an absolute disgrace. Urgent new legislation is needed to sort it out and support is needed for the residents and the county manager. The sooner it happens, the better.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

Slimming Worl

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

ADVERTORIAL

Opportunity to improve health & happiness comes to Roscommon

We were delighted to recently hear from former Ballinderry, Roscommon resident (and occasional People contributor) Michael Dryhurst. Now living in the USA, Michael celebrated St Patrick’s Day in Arkansas…suitably attired!

Slimming World, Ireland’s largest and best-loved weight loss organisation, is looking for people with a passion for helping others.

They have launched a campaign to recruit more people to start their own weight loss group. Members can attend a special Slimming World careers Opportunity Event from the comfort of their own home via ZOOM on Tuesday, the 19th of April, at 7 pm, or attend the event in-person later in the month in the Cavan Crystal Hotel on Saturday, the 30th of April, from 10 am until 12 pm.

Pauline Bliss (who manages a team of consultants that run 24 Slimming World groups in the Midwest region) says: “For more than fifty years, Slimming World has been helping people to change their mindset and form new habits around eating and becoming more active and learning to stay slim for life.

“The real key to success is found in the weekly group, where consultants motivate and inspire members to achieve their weight-loss dreams. For anyone who has

Join a friendly group near you to make your weight loss dreams come true

ever struggled with their weight, finding understanding, care and support to help you stay committed and reach your target is invaluable. And this is a rare chance to make a real difference.

“The opportunity to become a selfemployed Slimming World Consultant provides plenty of flexibility and can be done alongside other commitments such as other jobs or family life. Slimming World Consultants are trained in every aspect of running a successful group – from delivering Slimming World’s programme based on the science and psychology of behaviour change, to building and promoting a successful local business. There is no better job in the world,” says Pauline.

Anyone looking for a career that offers opportunities for growth and development and flexibility around family life could find that opening a Slimming World group offers the perfect solution.

For more information and to get details of the ZOOM code, see the advertisement on this page or contact Pauline on 087 1878701.

Are you a past or present Slimming World member looking for a new career that is flexible, rewarding and complete with first class training and support?

If this is you and you would like to find out more come to a virtual event on Slimming World Zoom on the 19th April at 7pm or in person at the Cavan Crystal Hotel, Cavan on 30th April at 10am Join a friendly group near you to make your weight loss dreams come true

Contact Pauline, Team Developer for Co. Roscommon & Midwest on 087-1878701 if you would like more info or just come along to the event.

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*When you buy a 12-week Countdown become a Slimming World Consultant a uniquely rewarding role course 9th-28th October 2017

slimmingworld.ie

01 656 9696 slimmingworld.ie

01 656 9696

Informed Social & Cultural Discussion of Ireland Today

  14    v 2022

Honorary President of the Festival, the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins

SOUL FUTURE?

DOES THE HAVE A

20th / 21st / 22nd / july 2022 Paul Kingsnorth

Larissa Nolan

Silicon Transcendence versus Roots in The Land

Where am I? Reflections on finding the authentic Authentic Voice in Irish Media

Dr Mairin MacCarron

Martin D Henry

Saints, Scholars, and Science in Medieval Ireland

Buskers’ stage up and running!

Buskers’ Stage at Duffy’s SuperValu, Ballaghaderreen, is now up and running, located beside the newly-opened Rooskies Cafe.

Any and all musicians are welcome to take part over the Fleadh weekend, which runs this Easter weekend from Friday to Monday. (See advertisement, page 7).

Tulsk History Society Tulsk History Society recently captured Ardakillin Lough, in Tulsk parish, in this nice aerial shot. The landmark and waterway features an early Medieval crannog (foreground).

The crannog is just one of the features the Society will cover in their regular newsletter in the year ahead.

THS’s next meeting takes place via Zoom on Tuesday, 19th of April at 8 pm. You can contact the society on historytulsk@gmail. com if you wish to join the club – or drop them a line!

Nietzsche’s Questions to Christianity

Prof Gerard Casey

Michael Hardiman

What’a s nice soul like you doing with a body like this?

Carl Jung’s Modern Man in Search of a Soul

Charles Piecyk

Phil Sheppard

John F Deane

Cathy Jordan

Kant to Transhumanism: Human Nature in (Post)modernity

Percy French’s Landscapes of The Soul

Three Strange Angels

Ambassador for Irish Music &Culture

Eileen Coyle

Frasier Hickland

Col Ceathair

The Unwanted

Con Anima Soprano

Con Anima Piano

A Little ‘Soul’ Music

The Caper, Call, & Cry of The Soul

Castlecoote House Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon

tickets Day ticket €50: covers three/four Lectures, Afternoon Recital, Tea/Coffee & Cakes Te le p h o n e 090 666 3794 • info@percyfrench.ie • www.percyfrench.ie pl ea s e n ot e Pre-booking is essential • No tickets will be available on any day Complimentary face masks and sanitiser will be available

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

TAKE A BREAK

Malachy Gavin (Corinthians) dives to tackle Blackrock’s Mark Edwards during the clubs’ Energia AIL game in Corinthian Park, Galway last Saturday (won by Corinthians). Photos: Bernie O’Farrell

THE THINGS PEOPLE SAY…

“

It’s been a GOOD week for…

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry, with the former winning his first major when he impressively claimed last weekend’s Masters, in which McIlroy finished second and Lowry joint third Children throughout the country, who are currently enjoying a break from school via the Easter holidays!

“The great gift of Easter is hope” – Cardinal Basil Hume

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Liverpool & Manchester City, as the two form teams of the Premier League played a frenetic and entertaining 2-2 draw, a result which means both clubs retain realistic hopes of beating the other to the title

Famous birthdays ... this week

English jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, who announced earlier last week that he was retiring, and who then proceeded to win in his last ever race… no ordinary race either, it was Saturday’s Grand National (on 50-1 outsider Noble Yeats) Hollywood stars Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, who announced their engagement, 18 years after they originally called off their wedding

It’s been a BAD week for…

Emma Watson (English actress and activist, turns 32 on Friday)

Dublin Airport (not having a great PR run just now), after it was ranked second most stressful airport in Europe, this after an analysis of over 10,000 passenger reviews, 2,500 tweets, and hours of flight data drew that conclusion (with London’s Heathrow Airport not that surprisingly taking top spot) Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, who decided not to take up a new role with Trinity College, following controversy over aspects of the appointment Under-the-spotlight Hollywood star Will Smith, still on the defensive after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars, with the Academy confirming it has now banned Smith from the ceremony and related events for the next ten years

Photo from 1930s… can you identify the men?

Manchester United’s moody superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who had to issue an apology after being filmed petulantly knocking a mobile phone from a supporter’s hand as he made his way off the pitch after the Old Trafford club’s 1-0 defeat to struggling Everton

I was delighted to receive this fabulous photograph from occasional correspondent Patrick (Patsy) Flanagan. Patsy is wondering if any readers can help identify the men featured.

The photograph shows four men posing for a photographer in Harrington’s Studio in Goff Street, Roscommon in the 1930s. It is presumed they were local residents of the town/its environs.

Maybe with the help of our readers we can identify some or all of the men?

If any readers have information, please feel free to call our office (090 66 34632), drop into us at Abbey Street, or email the details to paul@roscommonpeople.ie

Chance, the Rapper (American rapper, turns 29 on Saturday)

Seth Rogen (Canadian actor and comedian, will be 40 on Friday)

Anya Taylor-Joy (American actress, celebrates 26th on Saturday)

For updates, check our social channels

19

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

GOING OUT

To feature in this section, call 090-6634632 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

Sheila Oliveira and Milene Puziol pictured at Sheila Oliveira’s 30th birthday party in The Cosy Bar, Castlerea last weekend.

Sheila Oliveira and friends pictured at Sheila’s 30th birthday bash in The Cosy Bar, Castlerea last weekend.

Michael Kruss and Bruno Thenner at Sheila Oliveira’s 30th birthday party in The Cosy Bar, Castlerea last weekend.

Kessia Dutra, Silvana Silva and Rayane Laet at Sheila Oliveira’s 30th birthday party in The Cosy Bar, Castlerea last weekend.

Emily Simao and Paulina Grzybowska pictured at Sheila Oliveira’s 30th birthday party in The Cosy Bar, Castlerea last weekend.

Gabriel Jesus, Pedro Jailes and Eryk Theylon at Sheila Oliveira’s 30th birthday party in The Cosy Bar, Castlerea last weekend.

Gabriella Melo, Bruno Carvalho, Sheila Oliveira and Thalita Santos at Sheila Oliveira’s 30th birthday party in The Cosy Bar, Castlerea last weekend.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

Overhaul of energy market needed more urgently than clampdown on sale of turf Let’s talk about ...

RURAL IRELAND AND THE ENVIRONMENT (A student’s perspective)

Alannah Ita Healy This week, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan announced plans for new regulations that will ban the “placing on the market, sale or distribution” of turf. Set to come into effect on September 1st, the proposed regulations would allow those with rights to continue to harvest their own turf, but prevent people from selling/giving it to anyone outside of their own dwelling.

The motivations for this turf ban are no mystery; we are all well aware of the disastrous effects fossil fuels cause our planet. However, despite the looming threat of environmental damage, Minister Ryan’s announcements were met with a degree of criticism – particularly from those of us living in rural areas.

There is a considerable gulf between a lot of politicians and rural people when it comes to this issue, presumably due to the fact that many people living in rural areas are totally reliant on solid fuel. This is without even addressing the soaring energy

prices we’ve been seeing the past while.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this type of reaction to environmental practices by those living in rural areas. For example, in 2019, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s admission that he had reduced his consumption of red meat in order to be more environmentally-friendly, was met with criticism by some in the beef farming industry, with Patrick Kent (then-President of the ICSA) condemning Varadkar for “calling into question the sustainability of Irish beef production”.

There is indeed a conversation to be had about sustainability and rural living. Despite urban areas being responsible for a significant amount of carbon emissions and pollution, it is worth noting that the per capita consumption of key resources is often lower in urban areas than rural ones, due to smaller living and garden spaces, less dependence on cars, and more efficient use of public infrastructure.

However, consideration still needs to be given as to how to realistically enact positive environmental changes without significantly disadvantaging everyday people in rural areas.

As mentioned, the issue of turf-cutting is a point of particular contention, given the recent increase in the cost of living and energy prices. Irish people are struggling to heat their homes, and now are faced with having one less affordable option to consider when doing so.

Earlier this month, TD Paul Cassidy posted a tweet condemning SSE Airtricity’s 24% increase to the price of their ‘100% green’ electricity, saying: “The cost of wind has not gone up”. Deputy Cassidy’s point here is slightly misguided – all of Ireland’s electricity is fed through the same grid, meaning it’s no surprise SSE customers are also being hit with price increases – but his tweet does inadvertently highlight another issue: the fact that suppliers are able to disingenuously claim to provide ‘100% green energy’.

The nature of the Irish energy market and electricity grid allows for suppliers to market themselves as providing ‘100% renewable energy’. Because Ireland only has the one electricity grid, every household in Ireland feeds from the source. This means that even if you are on a ‘green plan’, a significant portion of the energy you’re supplied may still be

generated from fossil fuels.

Irish people – and in the context of this recent mooted turf ban, rural people in particular – are at this point being asked pretty routinely to do their part on an individual level to combat climate change.

We’re heeding advice to take shorter showers, take less car journeys, and not overfill the kettle. It goes without saying that this advice isn’t without merit; acts of individual environmental stewardship do make a difference. However, it is very disillusioning to be expected to be a good environmental steward when our energy suppliers are allowed to not be transparent.

I have mentioned it before

Naughten seeks update on Sacred Heart Hospital HIQA expresses concerns Independent TD Denis Naughten has sought an update in the Dáil on the construction of a new long-stay facility on the campus of the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon town after concerns regarding residents’ bedrooms were raised in a recent HIQA report.

The internal report carried out by the Health Information & Quality Authority found that 40 HSE-run nursing homes, including Sacred Heart Hospital, were failing to comply with new minimum standards for residents’ bedrooms.

In response to recent media reports on the report, Deputy Naughten said management at the facility were currently addressing the concerns.

“By reducing the capacity of some wards, the fact remains that the only long-

term solution is a completely new building,” he said.

The Independent TD said that while in Government, he had secured a commitment that the works would commence in 2021.

“But we are still waiting for the planning application to be submitted to Roscommon County Council,” he added.

“While it is reassuring that plans are in train to submit a planning application for the new Sacred Heart Hospital building, it is imperative that this project is progressed to construction without any further delay.

“The fact remains that HIQA set a deadline for registration of the Sacred Heart Hospital and 39 other long-stay public hospitals to meet their standards by January 1st 2022 and we are now living on borrowed time”.

While he said it was “very unlikely” that long-stay hospitals mentioned in the report would be forced to close in the short-term,

in a previous column, but I want to echo the sentiment that significant environmental progress will come about by forgoing financial prioritisation and not relying so heavily on the actions of the individual. If we truly want to reach our climate targets, not only must we demand greater transparency from our energy suppliers, but huge investment needs to be put into the grid to make it fit to accommodate large amounts of renewable energy, as well as upfront investment for wind farms, solar panels, etc.

Rural people will be the ones who suffer if our approach to dealing with the environment is heavily reliant on hastily-en-

acted regulations, when rural areas could well indeed offer lots towards the climate fight.

We are at a critical point in the environmental crisis, and I am fully on board with making sustainable changes on a personal level; it’s just difficult to reconcile the onus being put on the individual with the lack of investment and transparency when it comes to renewable energy.

I worry about the knockon effect an overhaul of the energy market would have on the average consumer (who is struggling already), but surely it would at least have a more significant environmental effect than not being able to give a neighbour some turf?

Councillors debate call for abolition of third level fees < DAN DOONER

Independent TD Denis Naughten

he believes there could be further pressure to reduce bed numbers.

“This facility (Sacred Heart Hospital) provides a vital long-stay service to older people, particularly those who have complex care needs, and any reduction in bed numbers would directly impact on our older people. It also provides one of the best rehabilitation services of its kind in Ireland or the UK and with our growing older population investment in a modern Sacred Heart Hospital is key to the future of health care locally,” he said.

Responding to the question raised by Deputy Naughten, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said that he had asked the HSE to provide him with a direct response on the status of the new building project.

Addressing a recent meeting of Roscommon County Council, Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice called for the abolition of third-level college fees in order to relieve the burden placed on families.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice’s motion to write to Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris calling for the end of fees for lower-income families was welcomed by a number of councillors, with Cllr. Emer Kelly also calling for a reduction in the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) threshold.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Murphy also supported the motion, highlighting the increased cost of rent faced by students.

While the motion was passed, some councillors said they couldn’t offer their support.

Independent councillor Donal Kilduff said that while families who require assistance should be

supported, he couldn’t back calls for a total abolition of fees.

“I’m not sure if I can fully support this motion. I am in favour of assistance for families but a blanket abolition is not in the best interests of the education system,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor John Keogh agreed, saying third-level institutes would face serious financial problems if fees were taken away.

Independent councillor Kathleen Shanagher also agreed with Cllr.

Kilduff, adding “college isn’t for everyone”, and highlighted the availability of apprenticeships through GRETB, of which she is a board member.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

POLITICAL PEOPLE

Michael wants Eamon to ‘sod off’ in turf war! < PAUL HEALY

For many people, there are few things more sacred in Ireland than our relationship with…the turf.

And if Eamon Ryan – already a rank outsider in the ‘Most Popular Person in Rural Ireland’ betting – wanted to, er…‘stoke’ or ‘inflame’ some people, he could hardly have picked a more sensitive subject.

Responding to a question from Fine Gael’s Brendan Griffin, the Environment Minister revealed his plans to ban the sale and distribution of turf from September 1st – this year.

Cue some outrage (and some support).

The court of public opinion (Liveline) crackled with commentary. And then our man, Michael Fitz, weighed in…

I thought Michael (Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice) had been a bit quiet lately, but if anything gets his dander up it is perceived attacks on rural Ireland, those pesky (to him) Greens… and especially any penalising of turfcutters. Because, not only has Michael built his political career on highlighting rural issues, he’s also the Chairperson of the Turf Cutters & Contractors Association. Eamon Ryan can hardly have been surprised that Michael was quick out of the traps, branding the proposed turf ban as ‘lunacy’.

The story begins with a parliamentary question put down by Deputy Griffin.

Minister Ryan, in his response, took the opportunity to insist that solid fuel burning is an established health risk.

Action would be required.

Minister Ryan didn’t mince his words.

He told the Fine Gael TD that “every year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning”.

He added: “A regulatory provision will be made to prohibit the placing on the market, sale or distribution of sod peat…this approach will facilitate those with turbary rights to continue to cut and burn sod peat for their own

domestic purposes, while also reducing the use of sod peat...”

In short, he plans to ban the sale of turf from September 1st. People can still burn their own turf. Deputy Fitzmaurice was not impressed.

“Are we going down the road where if a person with an elderly neighbour supplies them with a load of turf for free or at cost that they could be ‘done’ for distributing turf? Are we really going to label generous neighbours the same

way we do drug dealers…possession with intent to supply?”

The Independent TD said that the Minister’s ban would hurt vulnerable people who are currently suffering from fuel poverty.

“At a time of war in Europe and soaring energy prices, Minister Ryan thinks now is right to prevent hard-pressed people from being able to buy a couple of trailers of turf to warm themselves next winter”.

Before he finished, Michael made sure to raise the wider issue of the future of rural Ireland, where Eamon Ryan (unfortunately for him) appears to have been unanimously cast as the new Shane Ross. But when it comes to the blame game, Fitzmaurice widened his net, to include some familiar folk.

Fitz: “The assault on rural Ireland continues, and Minister Ryan is leading the charge with the full support of Fine

Gael and Fianna Fáil. This inexcusable act of government overreach must be resisted.

“It is now time that all rural TDs, from every party, stand up and be counted, instead of just blaming the Greens for everything. Without their support, this can’t happen. There is no logic to this move”.

Is our centuries-old relationship with turf about to experience a seismic change?

IN BRIEF The Department of chaos!

The Department of Health fully intended to pay Dr Tony Holohan’s €187k annual salary while he was on secondment to Trinity College (a move now abandoned).

Furthermore, Dr Holohan’s replacement as Chief Medical Officer would also – naturally – have been paid by the Department, while Dr. Holohan was in his new role. (With Trinity’s new man being an absent CMO in that scenario, the result would have been two

CMOs on the payroll at the same time).

A report into the very messy handling of the now abandoned career move is being conducted by Secretary General at the Department of Health, Robert Watt (that’s the €294,000 a year man).

The rather pompous Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly, is rather pompously awaiting the report. (Stand by for a series of interviews on the media circuit when the coast is beginning to clear).

In other news, as of Monday last, there were 521 patients (14 of them in Portiuncula) waiting to receive a bed after being admitted

to hospital. 414 of these were on trolleys in emergency wards. -PH

Murphy’s tie-break for Ceann Comhairle…

From Miriam Lord’s column in Saturday’s Irish Times (writing about Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the Dáil): “Three cheers for Roscommon Senator Eugene Murphy, who came to the Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach’s aid after

they made a special plea to him for help in sourcing blue-and-yellow ties. Eugene went on a mercy mission to the Roscommon GAA board, and they came up trumps, with a copious supply of Rossies ties, which were worn by Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Mark Daly and many more in the chamber on the day”.

Senator Murphy told the Roscommon People he had been asked by the Ceann Comhairle (to help) and had contacted Brian Carroll, Roscommon GAA County Board chairperson who “was most helpful”. Senator Murphy thanked Mr. Carroll for his cooperation and support.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

NewsPeople

Galway’s new hurling manager King Henry sits comfortably on maroon and white throne < TOM CURLEY

With the Stephen Cluxton saga now fading into the Dublin Bay mist, Paul Mannion having ‘stepped aside’ to concentrate on his club football with Kilmacud Crokes, and Dessie Farrell torn between questions and answers, the national and other press blueprint is shedding colour. Yet, with six AllIreland honours decorating their mantelpieces, and Croke Park a mere return bus fare from their front door – the Dubs – like the unsteady line that divides our island, will not go away without a fight. With pandemic restrictions part-lifted and the shortened championship season offering fresh enthusiasm, a new chapter has stolen the news headlines.

At a time when managers are jumping from post to post, with scant attention – like moving chessboard pieces – the surprise appointment of Henry Shefflin (King Henry) as Galway’s new hurling manager on a two-year term generated wide commentary throughout the hurling community. Boris Johnson’s Downing Street get-together, for which he claims he was late, the closing down of Golfgate, world sports star Novak Djokovic’s rejection from the Australian Open tennis, all were consigned to the back pages to free the breaking sports news, portrayed in one newspaper as ‘a stunning appointment’.

Outside the boardroom doors, a chorus spilled with low gale force – was he head-hunted… not one of their own…would he change the direction of the Salthill hurling wind? Bravely, like Robin Hood – whether ‘feared or loved’ – with his licence stamped for further adventure, his knapsack suitably equipped with ambitious arrows, King Henry rode into the west.

Failure, or indeed reluctance, to frame further progress from Galway’s All-Ireland minor successes in 2015, 2017 and 2018, following senior All-Ireland victory over Waterford in 2017, a league title, beating Tipperary by sixteen points, winning the Leinster Championship and losing by the smallest of margins to Limerick in the 2018 All-Ireland, caused some unease throughout the hurling corridors of Salthill. Manager Shane O’Neill and his selectors moved to more settled

pastures. A vacancy occurred – a few months elapsed.

Successful minor manager, Jeffrey Lynskey was named amongst a small number of CVs received, called to the table, but no further. Celebrity manager, Davy Fitzgerald, footloose from his often-theatrical run with his native Banner, Waterford and Wexford, stepped up the centre aisle to the glamorous stage of Galway senior hurling management. The curtain fell on his audition. Davy stepped back into exile. A surprise performer, Henry Shefflin from Kilkenny appeared from behind the screen and was given the part.

Hurling feet were step-dancing.

Box office A crowd of over 300 gathered in the stand of Duggan Park in the horse fair town of Ballinasloe in the January cold for the Walsh Cup clash with Offaly. Before the gates were open, more than 100 spectators had converged outside – the box office attrac-

tion was the new manager patrolling the sideline on his first appearance in the maroon and white tracksuit. His Ballyhale club man and friend of many years, Michael Fennelly, possibly another crowd-puller, was in control of the Offaly team.

In different territory now, the Kilkenny greats were not in sideline talking mood. At the final whistle, the domestic handshakes would continue.

A 17-point defeat to the Faithful County (13 wides), followed by a heavy loss to Dublin one week later, and a comprehensive win over Antrim in the Centre of Excellence ground, in the pleasant village of Darver, Co. Louth – not a hurling stronghold but an excellent facility – didn’t move Shefflin to early celebration or mild anxiety. He will see such winter sideshows as a platform to stand on, with a passenger list of 30 to call on, as he rails to higher hurling stations. The National League would present different challenges.

Two league wins, one over de-

pleted All-Ireland champions, Limerick, and two defeats – by three points to in-form Cork and six to the then high-flying Wexford, hauled Shefflin and

“

A 17-point defeat to the Faithful County (13 wides), followed by a heavy loss to Dublin one week later, and a comprehensive win over Antrim in the Centre of Excellence ground, in the pleasant village of Darver, Co. Louth – not a hurling stronghold but an excellent facility – didn’t move Shefflin to early celebration or mild anxiety.

his Ballyhale club sidekick and selector, Richie O’Neill back to the classroom. A four-match campaign without raising a green flag (top line players absent) was a concern that would have to be arrested – the championship green flagged down the tracks.

High season on the horizon, hurling managers will change direction and look beyond the 65-yard line. With yet another whim of GAA glasshouse barons, the playing field is shorter, tighter now, All-Ireland September, as we remember it, free for full harvesting. Elevated from the long grass of club management, Henry Shefflin, now in the elite company of high profile management, will change the original script and endeavour to eradicate old squad failures. His years under Brian Cody’s watch and his own club management term will act as the mirror image for his new role with the tribesmen. Aware of the wealth of talent and blend of youth at his disposal, he will build on restoring

the confidence and resistance of his new troops in his drive to return Galway hurling to its former strength. He will not accept consolation prizes. While his journey will not be a Salthill holiday and his progress graph closely measured – and respected – he will embrace the challenge. Rated as one of the greatest hurlers of all time, Shefflin’s appointment as Galway senior hurling manager is seen as catch of the day. It remains to be seen if he will stay full-term within Galway boundaries – Kilkenny, his favourite workplace – his future here is not yet written.

From Ballyhale, the heartland of Kilkenny hurling, Henry Shefflin hails from a strong hurling family background.

With Ballyhale Shamrocks he spent 21 years as one of the club’s key outfield players.

Having progressed to minor, U-21 and intermediate ranks, he made his senior debut with Kilkenny hurlers in 1999 – winning ten All-Ireland championship titles, thirteen Leinster titles, six National Leagues and six Walsh Cup titles. His cabinet displays an abundance of further sporting honours. He captained Kilkenny to All-Ireland victory in 2007, finally casting off the black and amber jersey in March 2015.

Wexford’s capitulation to Waterford (19 points) in the National League Division One semifinal will have defused their earlier winning streak through the campaign. The downturn will place Galway – already beaten by Wexford – bolstered by the return of the St. Thomas’s players, provincial club champions – in a well braced position in the lead-up to the away championship opener with the Slaneysiders on Saturday.

The eagerly-awaited May 1st shootout with the Cats will propel Shefflin into side by side trenches with his old minder and tutor, Brian Cody. Their neighbourhood friendship temporarily masked, the silence later to be broken. The Pearse Stadium headline day may prove to be Shefflin’s early starter to his feast of Galway hurling. The menu remains open. As of now, he sits with relative ease on the maroon and white throne. A county celebrates the coronation – and waits. *Galway-based freelance correspondent, Tom Curley, would like to thank John McIntyre, Sports Editor with the Connacht/Galway City Tribune, for his valuable information in compiling this article

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022

BIG news! The parades are back…

Best wishes to both teams from

Thank you for your support throughout the last year.

Wishing all our customers a very Happy Christmas and New Year from

Roscommon Town Easter Festival 2022

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

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

ends • Matt Molloy & Fri • Vinegar Bill ends • Matt Rogers & Fri • Blacksticks • Danny Arnold

le Collective

ommon Ukule • Ukephoric - The Rosc

th APRIL 2022 EASTER SUNDAY 17

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

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

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

2.30pm: The

Parade awards kindly sponsored

by ETL

Odd Sox Band

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

Funded by a Roscommon Leader Partnership grant.

Also funded by Roscommon County Council & the Department of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports and Media under the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY ROSCOMMON BUSINESSES The LEADER Programme 2014-2020 is finance by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and by the EU under the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

24

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022 Please ring the Constituency Office in advance Best wishes to both teams from to make an appointment, tel: 090 66 28479 or email michael.fitzmaurice@oireachtas.ie

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Phone: (090) 66 26073 Fax: (090) 66 25023 Email: noelcarr@noelcarr.ie

Excitement in Roscommon ahead of two-day Festival

Eveni gBar&BistroMenu 3 -9

T

here is great excitement

brewing ahead of the Roscommon Town Easter Festival which take place over Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday this year (April 16th and 17th).

The festival boasts a superb line-up of Roscommon musicians, who will perform at the newly completed Square from 3 pm to 9 pm on Easter Saturday.

Matt Molloy and Friends are headlining the show at 8 pm, and other bands and musicians taking the stage include Ukephoric,

The Blacksticks, Danny Arnold, Matt Rogers & Friends, and Vinegar Bill.

Then, on Easter Sunday, there is live music from Lady Betty from 11.30 am ahead of the 50th Roscommon Town Easter Parade which starts at 12.30 pm sharp.

The committee announced that the theme of this year’s parade will be ‘My Community’ as they felt what we have all gone through over the last two years has highlighted how our com-

munities and welcoming people into our communities has never been as important.

As a result, the committee is waiving the fee for any volunteer or community group to enter the parade.

2022 marks not just the return to life as we know it but also the 50th year of Roscommon’s Easter Parade and also 100 years since the establishment of An Garda Síochána.

As in previous years, the committee is inviting community and

voluntary groups and businesses to enter floats in the parade.

There are awards on the day for: Best Overall, Best Community/ Voluntary, Best Business, Most Environmentally Aware, and finally a prize for the Best Window Display.

Following the parade, there will be live music from The Odd Sox in the Square as well as marching bands, live performers, children’s amusements and plenty of fun for the whole family to enjoy.

An Garda Síochána to lead Easter Parade 2022 marks 100 years since the establishment of An Garda Síochána, and so, with that in mind, the Roscommon Town Easter Parade committee is delighted to announce that members of the force will lead the 50th parade out this Sunday.

The committee has said it’s delighted to be working with the Gardaí this year and members will join the Garda Band, Mounted Support Unit and retired members of the force in leading the Easter Parade in Roscommon town.

Best wishes to Festival Roscommon Easter from

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022 Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

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

Email: info@skincarehairspa.ie Web: www.skincarehairspa.com Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

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Open for Breakfast Easter Sunday from 10am A drone shot of the parade in Roscommon Town (2018) courtesy of Damien Hogan

Chamber: Festival will boost morale… and local economy! < DAN DOONER

R

oscommon Chamber of Commerce President Brendan Allen has said this weekend’s Roscommon Easter Festival will provide a badly-needed boost to morale as well as the local economy.

“This weekend’s Easter Festival is testament to the new space we have (the Square) and also the reemergence of the world we once

knew following the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

“It’s a culmination of a couple of things really. We have been through a tough couple of years in terms of Covid. We now have a Square which is there to be utilised.

“It’s great for the town to see the return of festivals and events.

I would hope that we would see more festivals taking place here throughout the summer. But it’s

also important to remember that the hosting of festivals takes a lot of energy and relies on volunteers coming forward to do the work,” he said.

During his tenure as Chamber President, Mr. Allen has helped guide Roscommon through a global pandemic, which led to the temporary closure of a number of local businesses. As he prepares to hand over the chain of office at next week’s Chamber AGM, the

first Easter Festival in two years is the reward for two years of hard work during one of the most uncertain periods in the country’s history.

“The impact of festivals is obvious…it brings people into town and local hospitality businesses will get a great day out of it. It’s not only a boost for the local economy but it also boosts people’s morale – so it’s great to have it back!”

Local and Live this Easter!

PADDY JOE

The Barber Church Street, Roscommon Telephone: 086 811 5363

Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

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Telephone: (090) 663 4801 Open from 8 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays

The Roscommon Easter Festival boasts a stellar line-up of local acts who are set to take the stage this Saturday and Sunday in the newly-revamped Square.

Thanks to Local Live Performance Progamming Scheme funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, the two-day celebration of local music will run from 3 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and before and after the 50th Easter Parade on Sunday.

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3 pm: Ukephoric-The Roscommon Ukulele Collective 4 pm: Danny Arnold Music 5 pm: The Blacksticks 6 pm: Matt Rogers & Friends 7 pm: Vinegar Bill 8 pm: Matt Molloy & Friends 9 pm until late: Lots of live music in pubs in Roscommon town

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Easter Sunday (April 17th) 11.30 am: Lady Betty 12.30 pm: The 50th Annual Roscommon Town Easter Parade 2.30 pm: The Odd Sox Band

Every good wish to Roscommon Easter Festival for 2022

Pictured at the recent launch of the 2022 Roscommon Easter Parade (in Down the Hatch) were committee members Patricia Mullaney, Larry Brennan, JJ Cattigan and Caitlin McConn, with Michael Oates (centre) of Eight ‘Til Late, who are sponsoring all awards on the day.

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

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26

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022 Best wishes to Roscommon Best wishes to both Easter teamsFestival from from

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Pictured are members of the first Roscommon Easter Parade committee with then Minister for Post and Telegraphs Tom O’Donnell (third from left). From left to right: Barry Molloy, Sr. Bernadette, Minister for Post and Telegraphs Tom O’Donnell, and Brother Kilkenny.

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Memories of the first ever Roscommon Easter Parade… < DAN DOONER

T

he first ever Roscommon Easter Parade took place 50 years ago this year in 1972 – under the guidance of Sister Bernadette and a hard-working committee made up of local volunteers.

Well-known local businessman Barry Molloy Snr. was part of that first committee and remained involved in the organisation of the popular event for the next couple of decades.

This week, Mr. Molloy, who is now in his 90th year and looking forward to Sunday’s parade, looked back on the event’s humble beginnings in the county town.

“Things were very simple at that time in Roscommon town. I think Sister Bernadette asked us if we would consider having an

Easter Parade. She was always very involved with the primary school in the Convent. A few of us came together with her assistance and organised it on a very limited basis at the time” he said.

“It was always a voluntary thing so we depended on people and organisations and firms to enter a float. You had to crawl before you walked but it developed from there. As years went by the vintage car people came into it more and you might have had ten Ford cars of different types which were popular back then”.

While Roscommon was a much smaller town in those days, the parade always received great support locally.

“The population of Roscommon town was only around 3,000 back then and now it’s around 6,000 so you had a limited number (in

attendance) but all the local clubs were always there,” Mr. Molloy said.

“The local GAA club Roscommon Gaels and Roscommon Golf Club also came into it with their caddy cars so that was a bit of local involvement and it grew from there. You also had different organisations coming in from outside and bands of course were a great help adding music and sound”.

Mr. Molloy was effusive in his praise for Sister Bernadette, who, it is hoped, will also attend the 50th edition of the event she inspired back in 1972.

“I have to say that Sister Bernadette was key, she kept us all together and we used meeting rooms in the Convent. We were only too delighted to be part of it as it turns out,” he said.

“It’s great to see it back…we have a new town centre that will open up the place. It’s a little early to know what the new Square is going to be like but I hope it’ll be a success and people will enjoy themselves coming to Roscommon and relaxing there”.

The Molloy family have been involved in local business events for generations and this year the mantle has been passed to Barry’s grandson Mark, who is a member of this year’s committee.

“He’s also chairman of the Darkness Into Light committee and that’s coming up soon. It’s nice to see him being involved. His father (Declan) was always involved in everything so it must follow on!

It does no harm to have that, you like to keep the town alive,” Mr. Molloy said.

It’s a little early to know what the new Square is going to be like but I hope it’ll be a success and people will enjoy themselves coming to Roscommon and relaxing there

27

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022

There’s still time to enter a float!

T

he Roscommon Easter Festival committee has confirmed that it is still accepting entries into this Sunday’s parade and has called on local businesses and groups to participate.

Entries will be accepted until 6 pm on Good Fri-

day with a late entry fee applying thereafter.

Chairperson of the committee, Larry Brennan, says it’s a great opportunity to showcase all that’s good about Roscommon.

“This is a great opportunity for community and voluntary groups to

showcase the good work they do in the community,” he said.

“It’s also an opportunity for local businesses and industry to show that Roscommon is back open for business again following two very tough years.

Roscommon Easter Parade

ENTRY FORM 2022

If you would like to take part in the Easter Parade on Sunday 17th of April 2022 please select the category that best suits your business, club or organisation

“We would encourage everyone to get involved and enter a float into this year’s parade. We are accepting free entries from community and voluntary groups up until 6 pm on Good Friday after which there will be a late entry fee”.

Community/Voluntary (Free of charge) Commercial (€70 Entry Fee) Shop Display Name of Business/Organisation/Club: ____________________________________________ Contact Name: _____________________________ Tel. ______________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________ Float Theme/Content: _________________________________________________________ Please return completed form to Roscommon Easter Parade c/o The Red Parrot or Down The Hatch, Roscommon or email cait29@gmail.com All entry fees must be paid in advance by EFT/SEPA: ACCOUNT NAME: Easter Parade. IBAN: IE61 BOF1 9054 2484 8149 16. BIC. BOFIE2D

BY CHEQUE: Roscommon Easter Parade Committee.

Entries to arrive no later than Holy Thursday, 14th April.

Please note a late entry fee of €80 will apply.

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

news on follow Easter Parade ok us on Facebo

The Committee reserves the right to accept and reject entries.

Flashback from our files: 2018 Roscommon Easter Parade. Photo: Andrew Fox

Get Growing this Easter e Enjoy th Best in

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Best Wishes and Success to the Roscommon Easter Festival

Happy Easter to all our valued customers

28

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022 Best wishes to Roscommon Best wishes to bothEaster teamsFestival from from

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Tel. (090) 66 34147

All shoulders to the wheel! Pictured at the Roscommon Easter Parade launch were (back row, left to right) Paul Carthy, Patricia Mullaney, Larry Brennan, Adrian Murray, Sergeant Ronan O’Meara, Cllr. Joe Murphy (Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council), Garda Inspector David Cryan, Caitlin McConn, JJ Cattigan, Michael Oates and James McNamara. Front row, left to right: Siobhan Carthy, Niamh Malone, Mark Molloy, Liam Finneran and John Doorly.

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Team effort two years in the making! < DAN DOONER

T

he Roscommon Easter Festival committee has been building up to this weekend ever since it came together two years ago to stage the parade of 2020, which was cancelled due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

This year, the parade is the culmination of a two-day festival which will celebrate the reopening of Roscommon society and

the opening of a new-look civic space in the county town’s Square.

“It’s hugely important that the parade is back,” says committee Chairperson Larry Brennan.

“It’s one of, if not the best, family days of the year in Roscommon and it’s also a huge day for businesses and the hospitality sector.

It’s also the 50th anniversary of the parade and the centenary of An Garda

Síochána which makes this year’s event even more special.

“It’s an ideal opportunity too to showcase the magnificent work carried out in the town centre and the fantastic public facility that is the new Square. After all, it was designed as a public realm for use by the public”.

Mr. Brennan, who runs the recently reopened Down The Hatch pub with

Naughton Farm Machinery Ballyboughan Business Park, Racecourse Road, Roscommon Tel. 090 6627645

Sales • Service • Parts

Seamus Hayden, paid tribute to his fellow committee members, who, he says, have been waiting patiently for the big event.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the committee… thankfully the members that had been in place for the 2019 event and who had put a lot of effort into the 2020 event all agreed to stay involved so that was a huge boost,” Mr. Brennan said.

“A lot of hard work has been done and members have been working tirelessly to organise events this weekend. Everyone has put in a huge effort.

“We are now looking forward to welcoming everyone to the music festival on Saturday which is headlined by the world famous Matt Molloy & Friends and the exciting and fun-filled Easter Parade on Sunday”.

Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022 Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

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We specialise in the rapid delivery of GAS and all solid fuels No minimum order - no delivery charge Order on-line or phone Roscommon: 087 6339548 or 090 6626664 Athlone: 087 0621644 Wood Shavings 3 for €22 Quality Gas, Coal, Kindling, etc.

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30

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022 Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

Assumpta’s Beauty Salon GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE Late opening until 9.30 pm Tuesday – Friday

Athlone Road, Roscommon. (opposite Roscommon Hospital).

Telephone: 090 6626111 Follow us on Facebook for new treatments now avilable

Best wishes to Best wishes to both teams from Roscommon Easter Festival from

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Free colour consultancy available!

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Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

REGAN’S Gastro Pub & Restaurant THE SQUARE, ROSCOMMON

To pre-book your table, please call David on 090 66 25339 or 086 2499619

Thank you for your custom and support Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

Klassic Cleaners

Church Street, Roscommon.

Tel: 090 6625995

Time to Spring Clean!

Dry Cleaning:

Banish that guilt, and give in to that chocolate-y joy! < MIRIAM KERINS

E

aster is one of the most wonderful times of the year, quite simply because it marks the season of rebirth and renewal. Trees are blossoming, daffodils are sprouting their majestic heads, and the beautiful little birds are singing.

Easter is also a time for indulgence. Therefore, if you’re one of those people who come ‘fat Tuesday’ (that’s what I call Pancake Tuesday), had decided to sacrifice all things chocolate-y, Easter Sunday’s the time to give yourself permission to go crazy, break out the goodies and have a ball – because believe it or not, chocolate’s actually good for you.

Don’t believe me? Here are the facts! While we are not advocating readers roll up their sleeves and eat their entire bodyweight in Easter eggs, we would like to point out that despite the fact we often view having a square of chocolate as a guilty pleasure, there are some health benefits associated with enjoying the odd such treat.

Therefore this Easter, as you indulge, here are three reasons why you should banish that guilt and give in to that chocolate-y joy!

Choccie cheers you up!

Don’t believe us? According to netdoctor. co.uk, chocolate famously

chocolate ‘is linked to cardiovascular health, glucose control’, and wait for it… ’improved sexual function’, given it’s an ‘aphrodisiac’. Pass me a large bar of Green and Black’s please!

contains something called ‘tryptophan’, an amino acid that is said to ‘stimulate the production of serotonin’, the brain’s natural anti-depressant.

Dark chocolate is king!

Given it takes a while for consumers’ taste buds to adjust to the bitter taste of dark chocolate, we understand why some readers may not be big fans.

However, this velvety treat offers us so many extra health benefits. According to a 2019 report in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, dark

Chocolate suppresses coughing!

According to heart.co.uk, Professor Alyn Morice (Head of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Studies at the University of Hull), having a bar of milk chocolate is ‘more effective than shop-bought medicine’. Apparently, the consistency of the

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chocolate forms a coating on the ‘throat’s nerve endings’, thus ‘suppressing the urge to cough’. Other studies have shown that chocolate, which contains theobromine, can ‘act on the vagus nerve’ (something which is responsible for the regulation of certain functions such as digestion, and reflex actions such as coughing and sneezing), therefore, it’s thought that the consumption of chocolate helps ‘suppress’ the urge to cough.

A note of caution…

Theobromine, while safe for humans, is highly

toxic to dogs, whose systems cannot metabolise it. Never, ever allow your dog to consume chocolate or products containing chocolate. To do so will cause them serious illness or possibly even death.

If your pet consumes chocolate this Easter (or if you suspect they have), contact your vet as a matter of urgency!

However, while taking all of the above benefits into account, we’d like to remind readers that as we are not medical experts, we would recommend you speak with your healthcare professional regarding your own personal dietary needs and requirements.

Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

Abbey Meats

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Quality Butcher Abbey Street, Roscommon Telephone: 086 3120819 Now taking orders for Easter

Best wishes to bothEaster teamsFestival from from Best wishes to Roscommon

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Tel: 090 6630760

31

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022 Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

ACCOMMODATION

The Square, Roscommon town. Tel. (090) 666 5599

Website: www.jacksons.ie • Email: jacksonguesthouse@gmail.com Jackson’s Restaurant & Accommodation is situated in the heart of Roscommon Town

Communion/Confirmation: 2-course and 3-course menu options available

Wishing all of our customers a Merry Christm aswishes andtohRoscommon appy anEaster d heFestival althyfrom new year Best

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Main Street, Roscommon, Tel. (090) 662 7665 Email: reservations@fusionfood.ie

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WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS

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CONTACT US ON: 090 66 26612 Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

RESTAURANT & TAKE AWAY Castle Street. Roscommon. Tel. (090) 66 30503 BUSINESS AS USUAL Special offers available

Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

Conor: 087-2840539 | Office: 090 66 28310 | conorcassidycars@gmail.com | www.conorcassidycars.ie Lanesborough Road, Roscommon Town F42 P668

OPENING HOURS: Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 18:00 | Sat: 10:00 - 16:00 | Sun: CLOSED | Available By Appointment Outside Hours

Supporting people in our community who care for loved ones relatives, friends or neighbours with additional needs.

Call into our Centre at 19 Abbey Street, Roscommon F42 H264 Phone: 090 6644020 Freephone Careline 1800 24 07 24 www.familycarers.ie bdowling@familycarers.ie

Best wishes to Roscommon Easter Festival from

Sinead O’Grady The Hair Boutique 2 Church St. Roscommon Tel: 087 348 9922 Email: sineadogrady2@gmail.com

32

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Roscommon EASTER Festival 2022

Pictured at the Roscommon Easter Parade launch in Down the Hatch were Larry Brennan, Caitlin McConn, Garda Inspector David Cryan, Sergeant Ronan O’Meara, JJ Cattigan and Patricia Mullaney.

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Get involved in this year’s Easter Parade!

T

he Roscommon Town Easter Parade committee is made up of volunteers and there is a huge amount of work required in making the event happen.

The Easter Festival this year is part-funded by Roscommon County Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, under the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme.

This festival is also funded by a Roscommon LEADER Partnership grant. The committee also relies on support and donations made by local businesses in Roscommon town and its environs, which the committee is extremely grateful for. The parade could not run without these supports.

If you would like to get involved on one of the biggest days of the year in Roscommon town, whether by entering a float for your community/voluntary group or business, donating towards the costs of the parade, or helping out on the day, please contact any of the executive officers: Larry Brennan (Down The Hatch) 085-1743871, JJ Cattigan (087-8512503), Patricia Mullaney (The Red Parrot) 087-2117749 or Caitlin McConn (086-0859275).

CHICKEN WINGS NOW AVAILABLE WITH

Update on parking arrangements

T

he Roscommon Easter Festival committee has

said it will “make every effort” to facilitate parking spaces for those with disabilities and special needs this Sunday.

Parking can be prearranged through the committee prior to the parade on Easter Sunday by contacting committee chairperson Larry Brennan in advance on 085-1743871.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to arrange parking spaces on the day of the parade.

The Festival organisers also regret any traffic disruption that may be caused by this weekend’s event and have asked motorists to be patient and to drive with care in and around Roscommon town.

The committee is also asking the public to, where possible, avoid parking in the town centre overnight on Saturday/Sunday in order to free up spaces and help with the smooth preparation early on Sunday.

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Strokestown EASTER Parade

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Best wishes to the Strokestown Easter Parade

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Flashback from our files: 2018 Strokestown Easter Parade. Photo: Andrew Fox

Strokestown’s Easter Parade kicks off at 3 pm on Sunday

Flashback from our files: 2018 Strokestown Easter Parade. Photo: Andrew Fox

The Strokestown Community Development Association has said that participants from all sectors of society are very welcome to take part in this Sunday’s Easter Parade.

The event commences at 3 pm and while all floats are at the discretion of the organisers, local businesses, clubs, groups and other organisations have been encouraged to get involved.

The Castlerea Brass & Reed Band as well as pipe bands from Mayo and Monaghan will be there on the day.

The parade will commence from Circular Road (opposite the Garda Station) before proceeding via Elphin Street, the roundabout, Bridge Street and then onto the Longford Road. It will then make its way back along Bridge Street before finishing at Church Street.

The reviewing stand will be located at the roundabout and prizes will be awarded to participants and floats in the following categories: Voluntary, Vintage, Youth, Agricultural, Industrial and Commercial.

There will also be prizes up for grabs for Best Dressed Window for Easter. All participants are asked to assemble at the Circular Road, Church Street and Upper Elphin Street and cooperate with the directions of the parade stewards on the day.

Further information is available from the Strokestown Community Development Association office on Bawn Street (071-9633759 or email scda@eircom. net).

Entries for Sunday’s parade will be accepted until this afternoon (Thursday, April 14th).

BAWN STREET, STROKESTOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON Would like to wish Strokestown Easter Parade every continued success for 2022!!

Best wishes to the Strokestown Easter Parade

Elphin Street, Strokestown

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34

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Strokestown EASTER Parade Hollyhocks

Playschool & Creche STROKESTOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON

Full Day Care ECCE & all other Government Schemes Owner: Helen Cosgrove Cloonslanor, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon Tel. 087 6995548 / 086 3985285 Email: cosgrap@hotmail.com Webpage: www.hollyhockscreche.com

Best wishes to the Strokestown Easter Parade

Councillor JOE MURPHY Cathaoirleach Roscommon County Council

Flashback from our files: 2018 Strokestown Easter Parade. Photo: Andrew Fox

Telephone:

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Strokestown Easter Parade makes a welcome return!

The Strokestown Easter Parade makes a welcome return this weekend following a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Strokestown Community Development Association will once again host the popular event, which commences at 3 pm this Easter Sunday (April 17th).

A spokesperson for Strokestown Community Development Asso-

ciation told Roscommon People that there is great interest in this year’s event.

“We have experienced great interest in the event and we are encouraging voluntary participation from all community groups including lots of fancy dress.

“This year we will not be charging any entry fee but we would encourage people to support our Card Draw. Cards are available

from all local shops and will be on sale on the day as well. We are also indebted to local businesses for their great generosity”.

There will be plenty of street entertainment on offer on Easter Sunday in Strokestown as well as music in local pubs. The organisers have encouraged all local businesses and those involved in agricultural business to take part on the day.

“All individuals or groups who wish to enter the parade should contact 087-1668775 or 0861385721 or drop your details in to Strokestown Community Development Association.

“The association wishes to thank Roscommon County Council and particularly Tourism Officer Eimear Dowd for her assistance to date,” the spokesperson concluded.

Organisers’ safety Percy French Hotel warning for Sunday Strokestown • 071 - 9633300 Best wishes and every success to the Strokestown Easter Parade from

FOOD S E RV E D ALL DAY

Food served daily from 9am to 8pm Looking forward to seeing you over the Easter weekend

The organisers of Sunday’s Strokestown Easter Parade have appealed to participants not to throw sweets or other items from floats or vehicles.

“We would appeal to participants not to throw goodies, sweets or other items to young-

sters attending on Sunday for health and safety reasons,” a committee member said.

“Every year it’s a concern and so if we see anyone throwing items this year we will have to take action.

“It’s dangerous because you

could have a situation where children are running out towards traffic in order to catch sweets. It’s a serious accident waiting to happen so we’ve taken the decision that it can’t be allowed this year under any circumstances”.

Flashback from our files: 2018 Strokestown Easter Parade. Photo: Andrew Fox

35

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Strokestown EASTER Parade

Parade kicks off busy year in Strokestown < DAN DOONER

It is hoped that this Sunday’s Easter Parade in Strokestown, the first since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, will signal the start of a busy year of events in the Co. Roscommon town.

The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Revitalising Our Local Community’ and the Strokestown Community Development Association is looking forward to a busy weekend in the town.

Chairperson and local Senator Eugene Murphy says the parade is the first of many local events this year.

“Traditionally, each year the Easter Parade would signal the start of events in Strokestown – we would usually have several events taking place at different times of the year,” he said.

“It’s a welcome sign that things are getting back to normal and this year we will also see the return of another popular event, the Strokestown Show, which is great news”.

This weekend’s event will not only provide a much-needed boost to the local economy, it will see families and friends gathering in the streets of Strokestown once again.

“It’s a great weekend economically for the town of course. Hotels, restaurants, shops and pubs really do well on the day and there will be plenty of entertainment in local pubs throughout the weekend,” Eugene Murphy said.

“It’s not only a major boost for

local businesses but it will also be wonderful to see families coming together and maybe people returning to Strokestown for the first time in a few years.

“We’ll have something for everyone this Sunday including street stalls and street entertainment on the day.

“As part of the ongoing development of Strokestown, this parade fits perfectly with what we are trying to do. I’d like to acknowledge Roscommon County Council and Tourism Officer Eimear Dowd for their support and look forward to welcoming everyone to Strokestown this Sunday”.

Best wishes and every success to the Strokestown Easter Parade from

HANLY’S

STROKESTOWN

Elphin St., Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

Tel: 071 - 9633060

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Egg-citing events at Strokestown Park House There promises to be plenty of fun for the whole family at Strokestown Park House this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Enchanted Croí Theatre return to create a magical children’s event in the Walled Gardens this Easter weekend.

Children will meet some wonderful storybook characters and hear magical stories and be mesmerised by Enchanted Croí’s Puppet Theatre.

This event will take place on Easter Saturday and Sunday (April 16th and 17th).

Shows will be running at 12 pm and 3 pm and cost €15 per child. Adults’ admission is free when accompanying a child. Booking must be carried out in advance at StrokestownPark.ie book tickets tab (https://tinyurl. com/yckshprp) as numbers are limited.

A self-guided Easter Egg Trail will run at Strokestown Park House until Easter Sunday (17th). The bunnies of Strokestown Park have been up to their usual tricks and have

left a game to be played along the Woodland Walk.

This self-guided activity can be completed between 11 am and 3 pm each day. The Trail costs €6 per child and a sweet treat can be claimed at the coffee dock upon completion of the puzzle. No advance booking is necessary – simply arrive and enquire at the coffee dock.

Best wishes and every success to the Strokestown Easter Parade from

Antonelli’s

Take-Away & Diner Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

Tel.: (071) 9634467

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36

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

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TELEPHONE: 094 9620300 Email: info@castlerealivestockmart.com Web: www.castlerealivestockmart.com THURSDAY 14TH APRIL:

SALE OF HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS MONDAY 18TH APRIL:

BULLOCK SALE THURSDAY 21ST APRIL:

SALE OF HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS MONDAY 25TH APRIL:

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Milk Price Analysis shows significant gaps in prices paid by processors The latest Milk Price Analysis completed by the IFA Dairy Committee shows significant differences between the milk price paid by twelve different milk processors across the country.

The analysis, which shows a difference of €7,386 between the highest and lowest payers, is based on the revenue generated in 2021 by a spring calving herd supply-

ing 500,000 litres a year to their milk processor. It does not include any trading bonuses, fixed price schemes or forward contracts.

The analysis, completed by the IFA Dairy Committee with Senior Dairy Policy Executive Aine O’Connell, is based on milk statements supplied by farmers to the Dairy Committee.

It ranks processors in order of the

annual income that would be generated and is adjusted for milk constituents.

The Chairman of the committee, Stephen Arthur said the purpose of this analysis is to allow farmers to compare prices paid by milk processors on a like-for-like basis.

“Dairy farmers have been working hard to improve their milk constituents over the years. This can give

the impression that milk price has improved, when in reality it’s the milk quality that has improved,” he said.

“This has masked the fact milk price is effectively the same over the past 30 years.

“We believe the analysis will provide more price transparency, and we will continue to publish it on an annual basis”.

Teagasc advice on securing winter fodder reserves < BY GABRIEL TRAYERS, TEAGASC FUTURE BEEF ADVISOR

Current worldwide events are putting huge upward pressure on the prices and supply of key farming inputs. The immediate concern for farmers is the price and availability of fertiliser and the cost and supply of concentrate next winter.

Shane Keaveny is a participant in the Teagasc Future Beef Programme. He farms full-time just outside Ballinlough in Co. Roscommon. He calves 35 cows and finishes the males as bulls at under 16 months and heifers are sold as forward stores. Calving started at the beginning of February and by March 19th, 33 of the 35 cows had calved. There is a big demand for grass and all of the ground received a half bag of urea in February. Currently there are 14 calved cows and 20 yearling heifers out grazing.

There is enough silage to feed the remaining stock housed for the month of April. As the average grass cover is low at 500kgs/ Dm/ha and with poor grass growths, no more stock will be let out for two weeks.

Therefore, there will be very few reserves of fodder left to carry over.

For the first cut, 32 acres will be closed.

This area has been grazed tightly in March and slurry has been applied at 3000gal/ acre. As the area is low in P & K, 1 bag of 10.10.20/acre with 1.5 bags of Urea has been applied this week. The plan is to aim for quality silage at 72%DMD and so the target cutting is May 20th. This should provide 260 bales.

Another 20 acres will be closed for second cut silage. There is slurry kept back for this cut and it will be topped up with protected urea which was sourced at the beginning of the year. The aim is to cut 68%DMD silage at the end of June, which will be fed in the suckler cows. Therefore, this crop can be allowed to bulk up and should yield another 180 bales. The total silage area will yield approximately 430 bales.

The remaining bales will be made as surplus bales from the grazing platform. By walking the farm weekly and measuring grass on Pasturebase Ireland, decisions can be taken to ensure that there is a continuous supply of quality grass throughout the grazing season.

In most years, rather than trying to graze heavy covers, these paddocks are mowed and taken out as bales. The yield might only be three to four bales/acre but the quality is generally very good.

Making quality silage has always been good advice to reduce meal costs and drive animal performance over the winter period.

In 2022, the advice has never been as more important given the circumstances that we are in.

The Future Beef Programme is a network of 22 demonstration farms located throughout Ireland. The farms mainly operate suckler beef systems, but some also have lowland sheep enterprises and two farms are organic. The aim of the programme is to demonstrate to beef farmers how they can produce a quality product as efficiently as possible to make beef farming more profitable, while also making it more environmentally and socially sustainable.

Teagasc provides a Local Advisory and Education service to farmers. They have offices based in Roscommon town (0906626166), Castlerea (094-9620160) and Longford (043-3341021).

Grainne and Shane Keaveney from Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon are a participating in the Teagasc Future Beef programme.

Sheep Grass Walk Tuesday, 19 April | 6.30pm PJ Finnerty, Curry, Brideswell, Athlone, Co. Roscommon Topics to be discussed at the walk will include: • • • •

Grass management to maximise growth Fertiliser budgets and costs Planning for silage quantity and quality for the coming winter Clover incorporation into existing grass swards on sheep farms

For more info visit www.teagasc.ie/sheepgrasswalks

37

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

FarmingPeople

Roscommon farmers urged to use Milk Price Tracker The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association is calling on Roscommon farmers to make use of the Milk Price Tracker as prices are expected to break 50 cents per litre in the coming rounds of Co-op announcements.

Developed over a two-year period by the State’s specialist dairy farmer organisation, the Interactive Milk Price Tracker allows ICMSA members to input their basic data around volume and constituents and see – at the touch of a button – what every Co-op in Ireland would have paid them for their milk.

The association’s President, Pat McCormack, has also said that work is already ongoing to

develop more features which will members to gain a fuller picture of how much they are being paid and on what basis.

“Our focus is on solutions, and we believe – and have demonstrated – that we can master the analysis and technology just as completely as some of our processors and Co-op. ICMSA is for and on behalf of farmers – and only farmers,” he said.

“We’re sure that some of the Co-ops resented us placing so much detailed information in the hands of our members and available to them at the touch of a few buttons. But we only answer to our members, and we trust in

(Proudly serving farmers for over 62 years)

their ability to know what they should be getting paid. So we ‘re going to go on developing more comparative tools and instruments and we’re going to go on getting the real information in front of real farmers making real decisions.

“We’re now predicting that over the next few months, the milk price paid to farmers will break 50 cents per litre – that’s a historic moment and we’re going to ensure that every member knows exactly what they’re getting and, just as importantly, what they could have got from every other processor in Ireland,” the ICMSA President concluded.

Castlerea MART WATCH Over 800 lots presented for sale on Thursday last, increased numbers store heifers presented for sale this week with prices and trade holding extremely well.

Forward lots in particular were much sought after with lots making up to €1,980.

The weanling trade witnessed increased farmer activity this week with the bulls topping out at €3.54 a kilo and the heifer weanlings topping out at €3.72 a kilo. The dry cow trade remains strong also with lots making up to €2,210. While the calf trade, with increased numbers on offer, saw lots making up to €400 while a dairy sale of 30 cows saw the milkers make up to €1,390 and the springers peaked at €1,510.

There were 170 bullocks on offer at Monday’s sale, making up to €2,300 with a flier of a trade prevailed for all classes on offer with the quality lighter stores exceeding €3 a kilo.

Sales continue today (Thursday 14th) with our weekly sale of heifers, cows, calves, runners, and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am.

Sample prices for heifers: Sim 380kgs €1260, Ch 330kgs €1170, AA 360kgs €1060, Ch 495kgs €1400, Lm 480kgs €1390, Ch 455kgs €1250, AA 470kgs €1310, Lm 625kgs €1980, Lm 505kgs €1780, Lm 590kgs €1740, Ch 535kgs €1580, Lm 520kgs €1490, AA 755kgs €1720.

Dry cows: Ch 845kgs €2210, Lm 810kgs €2190, AA 780kgs €2160, Lm 780kgs €2130, Lm 720kgs €1920, Fr 480kgs €670, Her 440kgs €740.

Calves: Lm hfr €400, Her bull €210, BB bull €330, BB hfr €230, Hex bull €140, Fr bull €35.

Weanling bulls: Ch 285kgs €950, Lm 290kgs €940, AA 290kgs €870, Ch 280kgs €860, Ch 350kgs €1240, Lm 360kgs €1190, Ch 430kgs €1200, Ch 335kgs €1090.

Weanling heifers: Lm 285kgs €890, Lm 265kgs €840, AA 240kgs €770, Ch 220kgs €740, Lm 240kgs €740, BB 385kgs €1230, Sim 310kgs €1060, Ch 400kgs €1250.

Bullocks: Ch 495kgs €1500, Ch 450kgs €1350, Lm 435kgs €1330, Ch 548kgs €1560, Lm 525kgs €1470, AA 585kgs €1700, Ch 590kgs €1620, Lm 630kgs €1880, Lm 605kgs €1820, Ch 820kgs €2300, Lm 695kgs €1980, Lm 735kgs €1900.

Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373

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

Friday, April 22nd at 11 a.m.

Late Spring Special Sale of Heifers Also Bullocks & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 19th ----------------------

Tuesday, April 26th at 4 p.m.

Special Sale of Weanlings Also Suckler Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 21st ----------------------

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

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

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

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

TAMS costings increase announced

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has this week announced the increase to the TAMS reference costs of up to 15 per cent across investment items listed under the scheme.

The Minister also announced an increase, from €80,000 to €200,000, in the investment ceiling for the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme (PPIS) under TAMS which commenced from the opening of the tranche 26 of TAMS on April 9th.

“The continued development of the pigmeat and poultry sectors are a priority for me given the key role these sectors play in the national economic context,” he said.

“I have brought forward dedicated supports for pig farmers in recent weeks to assist them in the current period of unprecedented challenge arising from the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and its impact on feed costs. I welcome the

Monster Easter Farm Machinery Auction & Effects

increase in the TAMS ceiling as it forms part of the wider package of measures brought forward to support the sector.

“I would like to remind all farmers who have completed approved works and have payment claims outstanding in relation to TAMS to submit them to the Department’s online system as soon as the works are completed to facilitate the prompt issue of payments”.

The Minister also confirmed that the upper investment limit under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme has been increased from €80,000 per holding to €200,000 per holding. The specifications of the scheme will facilitate farmers in installing higher welfare infrastructure on their farms.

Under the provisions of TAMS scheme, grant aid will be available at the rate of 40 per cent of expenditure and 60 per cent for young farmers.

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

ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

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

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ROSCOMMON DRIVING SCHOOL 087 2295551

Roscommon MART WATCH Businesses: Reach your target market!

Your local paper!

There was a good entry of excellent quality stock on offer at last Friday’s cattle sale on April 8th, with a brisk trade all round.

Bullocks averaged from €2.82 per kilo up to €3.67 per kilo, heifers ranged from an average of €2.34 per kilo up to €2.58 per kilo, and dry cows made from an average of €2.41per kilo up to €3.39 per kilo. Buyers were active both at the ringside and online.

There will be no cattle sale this week (Good Friday), April 15th. Cattle sales will resume on April 22nd, with our special sale of heifers and general sale of bullocks and dry cows. Book-

ings will be accepted until 5 pm on Tuesday, April 19th.

There was a good entry of stock on offer at our weanling sale on Tuesday, April 12th.

There was a brisk trade for both bulls and heifers, with only ten lots unsold. Weanling bulls averaged from €2.60 per kilo up to €3.77 per kilo, and weanling heifers made from an average of €2.59 per kilo up to €3.75 per kilo. Buyers were active both online and at the ringside.

There will be no weanling sale on Tuesday next, April 19th.

Our next weanling sale takes place on Tuesday, April 26th, at 4 pm. Bookings will be ac-

cepted until 5 pm on Thursday, April 21st.

Sample prices for heifers: Lim X 490kgs €1200, Lim X 460kgs €1190, Lim X 405kgs €1020, 3 Lim X 458kgs €1000.

Bullocks: Lim X 725kgs €2320, Lim X 770kgs €2300, Lim X 655kgs €2280, Lim X 645kgs €2260, Lim X 655kgs €2110, 2 Char X 555kgs €2040, Char X 555kgs €2000, BBX 630kgs €1980, 2 Char X 545kgs €1900, Char X 575kgs €1900, AAX 635kgs €1800, 2 Char X 517kgs €1740, Char X 470kgs €1470, 3 AAX 470kgs €1300, Lim X 365kgs €1080.

Dry cows: AAX 995kgs

€2600, Lim X 755kgs €2560, Lim X 780kgs €2540, BAX 865kgs €2400, Char X 815kgs €2170, BBX 705kgs €2000, Simm X 740kgs €1940, Sim X 720kgs €1870, BBX 735kgs €1940, Lim X 625kgs €1860, Lim X 620kgs €1840, Lim X 690kgs €1810.

Weanling heifers: Char 555kgs €1580 – €2.84 per kilo, Char X 420kgs €1250 - €2.97 per kilo, Char X 420kgs €1220 - €2.90 per kilo, Char 380kgs €1170 €3.07 per kilo, Lim X 360kgs €1160 - €3.22 per kilo, Char x 340kgs €1050 - €3.08 per kilo, Char X 340kgs €1050 - €3.08 per kilo, Sim X 350kgs €1040

- €2.97 per kilo, BBX 265kgs €850 - €3.20 per kilo, Lim X 260kgs €790 - €3.03 per kilo, BBX 265kgs €850 - €3.20 per kilo, Lim X 225kgs €770 €3.42 per kilo.

Weanling bulls: BBX 515kgs €1300 – €2.52 per kilo, Char X 445kgs €1280 - €2.87 per kilo, BBX 430kgs €1280 - €2.97 per kilo, Char X 310kgs €1170 €3.77 per kilo, Char X 355kgs €1130 - €3.18 per kilo, Char X 350kgs - €3.22 per kilo, BAX 385kgs €1080 - €2.80 per kilo, BAX 330kgs €940 - €2.84 per kilo, Char X 310kgs €960 €3.09 per kilo, Char X 290kgs €860 - €2.96 per kilo.

38

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Business

Cllr. Orla Leyden, Leas-Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council; Enda Cannon, Local Enterprise Office Roscommon; Liam Casey, Lidan Designs; Minister of State Damien English; Dan O’Brien, Lidan Designs; Louise Ward, Local Enterprise Office; and Senator Aisling Dolan. Pic: Daniel O’Loughlin

Mark Lohan, Mark Lohan Kitchens, and Minister of State Damien English on a tour of Mark Lohan Kitchens, a client of Local Enterprise Office Roscommon. Pic: Daniel O’Loughlin

Minister impressed with local innovation < DAN DOONER

Minister for State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English visited Roscommon’s Local Enterprise Office and a number of local businesses on Thursday last and was left suitably impressed with the innovation and entrepreneurship on show.

As part his visit, the Minister

met with LEO client companies including Studio Meala, an animation company based in Boyle as well as Mark Lohan Kitchens and Lidan Designs in Roscommon town.

Studio Meala was launched in 2019 by Stephen Fagan, Jerry Twomey and Sean Cunningham. The company provides production services for leading international studios, broadcast-

ers and streaming platforms and are developing a number of their own animation series. The business was this year’s County Enterprise Award winner.

The Minister of State also met with Niall O’Donoghue, owner of Pro Cloud, a company which provides cloud, managed and traditional IT services to clients.

The visit then took Minister English to Mark Lohan Kitch-

Minister praises LEO Covid response < DAN DOONER

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English said the Local Enterprise Office had “really stepped up” in response to the Covid crisis as he visited a number of local businesses in the county on Thursday last.

As part of his visit, the Minister met with Roscommon County Council Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr. Orla Leyden and LEO Head of Enterprise Louise Ward, as well as local Senators Frank Feighan, Aisling Dolan and Eugene Murphy.

He also visited LEO client companies including Studio Meala, Pro Cloud, Mark Lohan Kitchens, and Lidan Designs.

“It is great to be here and to learn about the work underway by the Council and the Local Enterprise Office and also to hear about their future plans,” he said.

“LEO has really stepped up in relation to the Covid response and a big part of our work is driving the digital agenda and helping companies go online. The Trading Online Voucher was a massive piece of work that happened over the last two years. In Roscommon, over 250 companies availed of that voucher, which is a really positive development,” he said.

Minister English encouraged people to contact LEO if they were thinking of starting a business in the county.

“The Roscommon office is very much like a family; they’re very hands-on and they have the time to spend with companies and help them grow. What we’re trying to do is to develop the relationship between LEO and Enterprise Ireland.

“You want to see jobs grow here in Roscommon and there’s a lot of opportunity for LEO and Enterprise to work with that. They’ve a very good course here to help support farmers start a business and I haven’t come across that anywhere else”.

Addressing business owners’ concerns around the availability of staff postCovid, Minister English highlighted a number of supports.

“Every conversation we have with a business owner is that they can’t get staff…we are asking all businesses to work with us around training and education solutions. Over the last 7 or 8 years our education system has become a lot more enterprise facing. I would ask more businesses to engage in the Regional Skills Fora,” he said.

He encouraged businesses to carry out a skills audit with LEO and to engage with the local Intreo office.

“There are about 50,000 people com-

ens, a LEO client company which now employs 35 staff and is ranked in the top ten bespoke kitchen manufacturers in the country.

The Minister of State concluded his visit to the county at Lidan Designs, which was established by Dan O’Brien and Liam Casey five years ago. The two men launched the company to commercialise their novel,

air-tight, timber frame modular building system.

On the conclusion of his visit Minister of State English said he was impressed with the innovation on show. “I am really impressed with the innovation and entrepreneurship I have seen here today in Roscommon. There is so much going on and across such a range of areas, from animation to IT, to

craftsmanship and construction,” he said. “It is great to see so much activity and creativity and the Government is keen to enable and support these businesses through the efforts of the LEO network, Regional Enterprise funding and many other local supports. This will ensure that we see balanced regional development and job creation throughout the country”.

Minister of State Damien English with Niall Heaney, Jeremy Cullen, Louise Ward, Gillian Hoare, Eilis Mullooly and Enda Cannon, Local Enterprise Office Roscommon. Pic: Daniel O’Loughlin

ing off PUP (Pandemic Unemployment Payment) in the last week. We’ve a range of programmes now through ‘Pathways to Work’, which subsidise schemes such as job placement, where the State would pay for the first six months for somebody to come and work in your business,” he said.

Addressing Government support when it comes to business development and job creation in Roscommon, Minister English said: “I’m not going to do promises because that doesn’t

work in politics anymore. What we can say is that we’re here to work with communities in Roscommon. There’s a fair amount of capital money available to businesses and community groups who want to work with us.

“LEO alone work with a couple of hundred companies and are responsible for nearly 1,000 jobs…Enterprise Ireland have grown their base here too.

The IDA, under their new strategy, are committing to at least 50 per cent of their companies locating outside Dub-

lin and Cork. They will be looking to regions like Roscommon.

“You have to work with these agencies to bring forward land banks, infrastructure, and it’s really important that the local authority in Roscommon take the lead on that and drive on with it. I believe there’s a lot of opportunity here. I drove through Boyle a few years ago and could see a lot of dereliction and vacancies. Go through it more recently and it’s a vibrant town again, it’s flying”.

39

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

PropertyPeople Auctioneers & Valuers

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

Abbey St office building attracting strong interest Pat Hughes has said that there is a lot of interest in an office building at Abbey Street, which is ideally located close to all local amenities and within walking distance of Roscommon town centre.

The building is currently laid out into an office but could easily be converted into a residential unit if required. The building, which was used for a number of years as a solicitor’s office, is located in one of Roscommon’s most sought-after areas. Accommodation consists of two offices on the ground floor, four offices on the first floor and a large garden to the rear.

For further details or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com.

#### URGENTLY REQUIRED ####

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

Urgently Required - Land to Let

50 – 60 acres for one or 5 year lease Strokestown / Four Mile House Area Preferred. Top prices paid.

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

Land To Let / Lease

Lands to Lease Circa 17.5 Acres at Kilnagralta, Morganstown, Athleague – 5 Year Lease Lands to Let – 11 Month Lettings Circa 20 acres – Derrygeel, Lanesboro, Co. Longford.

Not Available until 1st June.

NEW TO THE MARKET

CLOONSELLAN, BALLYMURRAY Circa 14 acres of land. Most of the lands are of good quality and located a short distance off the main Athlone to Roscommon Road with some out offices thereon.

For further details contact the office on 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET

CHURCH STREET, ROSCOMMON

A 2 Bedroomed first floor apartment.

Accommodation consists of a Kitchen, Living Area, 2 Bedrooms and a Bathroom. The property is currently rented and generating an annual rental income of €9,600.

For further details contact the office on 09066 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com

Strong interest in Henry Street property Pat Hughes is confirming that there has been a lot of interest in a property for sale at Henry Street, Roscommon town.

The property comprises of an office on Church Street (current-

ly rented) and a large site with excellent road frontage and huge development potential. There was originally a number of houses on this site. This would be an ideal development site in the cen-

Development site for sale at Castle Street This week, Pat Hughes has a development site for sale at Castle Street, Roscommon town.

The property has huge development potential for apartments or town houses, subject to planning permission being granted.

For further details, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers. com.

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

FINAL OFFERS ARE NOW BEEN ACCEPTED ON A 3 BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED RESIDENCE AT

NO. 12 OLDWOOD, ATHLONE ROAD, ROSCOMMON Accommodation consists of a Sitting Room, Kitchen Cum Dining Room, Utility, Downstairs toilet. Upstairs:- 2 Double Bedrooms with one En-Suite, Single Bedroom and Family Bathroom.

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

For further information or to make an appointment to view any of the above contact the office on 090 66 27003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com

tre of Roscommon town, suitable for start-up or retirement homes.

For further details contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers. com.

Sale agreed on 30 acres at Lisnamult Pat Hughes has confirmed that they have agreed the sale of approximately 30 acres of prime agricultural land at Lisnamult, Roscommon.

Due to the high volume of sales over the past number of months, Pat Hughes is urgently looking for all types of properties in and around the Roscommon area, including similar type properties for disappointed underbidders. If you are thinking of buying or selling, contact Pat Hughes for free, professional, confidential advice.

Contact Pat Hughes on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com.

40

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

PropertyPeople

PSRA Licence No. 004420

Cormac 086 3519492

Cathal 086 1409158

NEW TO THE MARKET

FINAL OFFERS INVITED

3 B/R BUNGALOW RESIDENCE

4 B/R DORMER BUNGALOW RESIDENCE (NEWLY BUILT)

CORBO, KILROOSKEY, CO. ROSCOMMON F42 P866

‘’CLUAIN LODGE’’, ARDSALLAGHMORE ROSCOMMON TOWN F42 VH32

AMV: €195,000

A beautiful 3-bedroom bungalow residence of approx. 1,022 sq ft ready for immediate occupation standing on a site area of approx. 0.35 of an acre .This property comes to market in perfect condition throughout , beautifully maintained by the owner occupier.

Set just approx. 7km from Roscommon Town.

Comprising briefly of entrance hallway, kitchen, dining room, living room family bathroom and 3 bedrooms. this property is set on a large mature site which has a turf shed and garage.

The auctioneer now invites immediate viewings and all offers to sell.

AMV: €395,000

A newly-built A2 Energy-rated detached 4-bedroom residence off the Athlone Road, a fantastic opportunity to purchase a newly built property in Roscommon Town.

Cluain Lodge is a detached dormer bungalow presented in immaculate condition, with a modern contemporary design throughout. of approx. 2186 sq. ft., the property offers an abundance of living space and the property is excellently insulated and heated via an Air to Water heating system with zoned heating controls in each room. Comprising briefly of entrance hallway, sitting room, open plan kitchen / living room, with utility off, 2 no bedrooms. first floor: 2 no bedrooms with 2 no. ensuites and two walk in wardrobes and family bathroom. Externally there is an excellently maintained garden to the rear with manicured lawn and large garage VIEWING STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

JOINT SELLING AGENTS WITH LORETTA DOWD PROPERTIES. TEL. 087 2233223

NEW TO THE MARKET

NEW TO THE MARKET

3 B/R BUNGALOW RESIDENCE

4 B/R DETACHED RESIDENCE

CORSKEAGH, STROKESTOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON F42WR04

3 GREENHILLS, KNOCKCROGHERY F42 HD27 AMV: €280,000

AMV: €195,000

A primely located 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, bungalow Residence located just outside Strokestown.

Situated on approx. 0.4 of an acre and with significant outbuildings this property is sure to impress first time buyers and downsizers alike.

Accommodation briefly comprises of open plan living room/kitchen with adjoining utility room with 3 large bedrooms one of which is en suite.

The site benefits with unobstructed views of the rolling green countryside to the rear The Auctioneer now invites all offers to sell.

This luxurious detached residence standing on a prime elevated site finished to a show-house standard throughout incorporating fitted kitchen and integrated appliances, mix of wooden floor and tiling throughout, and fully fitted and tiled bathrooms. The said property has been maintained to the highest standard by its present owners and is presented for sale in show house condition.

Numerous extras include, secure entrance gate with key pad, fully fitted bespoke kitchen units with integrated appliances and granite worktop, impressive flooring includes solid oak timber plank flooring and porcelain tiles. The property is situated in a contemporary estate, and enjoys a panoramic view of the local countryside. Overall this is a select property in a highly desirable residential location, within walking distance to the village of Knockcroghery and within easy commuting distance to Athlone and Roscommon town centres. The property is on a bus route.

The auctioneer now invites immediate viewings and all offers to sell.

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

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

41

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

PropertyPeople

Cathal 086 1409158

Cormac 086 3519492

PSRA Licence No. 004420

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY OR AUCTION LATER PRIME ROSCOMMON LANDS OF APPROX. 134 ACRES TOGETHER WITH 2 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND FARMYARD at

ELPHIN, CO. ROSCOMMON

Per instructions of the personal representatives for the Estate of Mary Beirne deceased.

Fantastic opportunity to purchase approx. 134 acres. A dual residential holding with entitlements of prime Roscommon lands.

(51.8 entitlements, Value €14,400 approx.)

This property contains some of the very best agricultural land in the area and is suitable for all types of farming. It is laid out in convenient divisions/lots and is easily managed with excellent frontage onto the public road Legal: Dara Callaghan, O’Dowd Solicitors Bridge St. Boyle Roscommon 071 966 2861

Guide Price: €1,400,000.00 Location – Approx. 93.5 acres together with the benefit of two residential properties and farmyard.

Located just 5 minutes drive from Elphin Village on the N61 Road. (Boyle/Roscommon Route) The remaining Approx. 40.7 acres are located in the townlands of Portobello and Attiaghygranna which is located just off the Rosccomon to Boyle Road on the N61

LOT 3 Quality 4 B/R Stone Facade Bungalow Residence on Approx. 0.75 acre with pitch

LOT 1 - Approx. 23.27 acres in the townland of Ballyroddy. A mixture of average and good quality lands. Services include mains water. Folio No. RN28F. Note located on the opposite side of the public road to Lot 2.

LOT 2 - Approx. 49.250 acres in the Townlands of Kilmacumsy. Good quality lands in one block. Services include mains water.

Comprised in Folio No. RN744, RN17144F & RN25741.

slated roof and rear extension.

The ground floor comprises entrance hall, living room, kitchen, utility, dining room, conservatory, family bathroom and 2 bedrooms – master with ensuite. Proceeding to the first floor is a landing area with 2 bedrooms, one with en-suite bathroom.

Also large garage and store set to rear. Services, Water, ESB and Septic tank.

Boglands at Eden and Kinclare Approx. 1acre

Guide Price: €160,000

Guide Price: €450,000

Guide Price: €295,000

coach house to the side. The farmhouse sits on a site area of approx. 3.6 acres which features 3 cattle holding pens, 2 bay hay shed and storage sheds. Services connected include water and ESB.

LOT 5 - Approx. 16.67 acres in the

Townland of Teermore. Land set out on opposite sides of the public roadway (N61) Services include mains water. Comprised in Folio No. RN6655.

LOT 6 - Approx. 27.4 acres in the Townland of Portobello. Quality lands with extensive road frontage. Cattle holding pen, cattle crush and an old stone derelict residence standing there on. Services include mains water. Comprised in Folio No. RN31466.

Access via the L1400 road off the N61 then take first left. Note signs to land.

Guide Price: €75,000

Guide Price: €110,000

Guide Price: €220,000

LOT 4 - A 3 bedroom detached farmhouse residence with adjoining

LOT 7 - Approx. 13.2 acres Townland of Attiaghygranna. Lands also benefit from good road frontage. Services include mains water. Comprised in Folio No. RN6392.

Access via the L1400 road off the N61 then take first left then take the second right.

Note signs on land.

Guide Price: €90,000

NOTE: The sale of this PRIME ESTATE which must offer all farmers an excellent opportunity to acquire quality lands which can be sold in one or separate lots as listed, should market interest dictate.

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

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

42

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

PropertyPeople

Quality 4-bedroom residence for sale in Roscommon town

Oates Auctioneers are offering for sale a quality 4 bedroom detached at 33 Abbeyville, Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon (F42 D799). The property is located in a sought-after mature residential development situated off the Galway Road and within walking distance to all town amenities.

This spacious residence comprises entrance hallway, large sitting room with bay window, kitchen, dining room with patio doors to large rear garden, utility with w.c. off. Upstairs 4 large bedrooms all with built in wardrobes (master ensuite) together with family bathroom.

This is a quality family home and early viewing is advised by the auctioneers. Price Region: € 265,000.

BER Rating: C1.

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

PSRA Licence No: 003201

NEW TO THE MARKET

45 The Spinney, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon F42 ET68

33 Abbeyville, Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Sale closed this week at RE/MAX Team Earley This week, RE/MAX Team Earley are pleased to advise that they have closed the sale of a fine twostorey, detached residence and lands of approximately 14 acres, located at Carrownaskeagh, Tulsk, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, on the R367.

This sale presented a rare opportunity to acquire renowned Tulsk lands, along with a fine threebedroomed, two-storey residence and sheds. This property is in good condition , and the site is private, secure, and located just 3km from Tulsk village.

Services for this property include water, ESB, septic tank, and OFCH. The property has a BER rating of E1.

We are currently looking for similar properties in all areas for cash buyers. For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 0906626579, email teamearley@remax.ie, or log onto teamearley.ie. Contact Cormac on 086-3519492.

Advanced negotiations on four-bedroomed bungalow Pat Hughes & Co have confirmed that they are at an advanced stage of negotiations on an attractive fourbedroomed bungalow in Tonlegee, Roscommon.

The residence is on a fully landscaped site with a range of out-offic-

es, including a large garage, workshop, and storage sheds. The garden has been superbly laid out with raised vegetable beds and fruit trees.

Accommodation consists of a living room with inset stove, dining room with inset stove, kitchen and utility,

bathroom, and four bedrooms. Upstairs there is a large studio with Velux windows, and a WC with shower.

For further details or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@ pathughesauctioneers.com.

Stunning 4 bedroom detached property located in this hallmark development adjacent to the Abbey Hotel and all Roscommon Town amenities. Presented for sale in showroom condition with no expense spared, the property comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, kitchen, dining room, utility, 3 bathrooms, 4 large bedrooms (master ensuite and walk in wardrobe) with family bathroom. Outside large mature site area with excellent array of flowers and shrubs Price Region: € 297,000 BER Rating: C3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET

12 Slieve Ban View, The Walk, Roscommon Town Exceptional 5 bedroom (2 ensuite) dormer style property situated in this sought after mature residential area just off the Walk Road.

This property is finished to a very high standard by it’s present owners with no expense spared. It enjoys superb views of the surrounding countryside, yet is within walking distance to the town centre.

Price Region €400,000.

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

NEW TO THE MARKET

23 Abbeyville, Galway Road, Roscommon F42 WY92 Exceptional 3 bedroom property located in the sought after first phase at the private Abbeyville development overlooking a very attractive green area.

This property has been recently extended by is present owners and is presented for sale in show house condition.

Early viewing advised by the auctioneers.

PRICE REGION: €195,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW TO THE MARKET

11 Ard Ri, Galway Road Roscommon F42 WC96 Immaculate former show house presented for sale in excellent condition and being sold fully furnished throughout. Accommodation consists of entrance hallway, open plan kitchen/ dining/sitting room with patio door to rear private garden. Three bedrooms two of which have built in wardrobes and large bathroom. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a turn key bungalow for which the Auctioneer invites viewings and offers Price Region: €185,000.

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

BER Rating: C3

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

43

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

DONAMON

BALLYFORAN

SALE AGREED SOME

IN THE LAST WEEK

TULSK

ATHLONE

NEW TO MARKET

Luxurious Five Bedroom Residence with a Gross Internal Area of c.3,014 Sq Ft| Double Garage & Games Room/ Bar adjacent c.1.313 Sq. Ft Workshop/ Store c.3,713 Sq. Ft | Farm Building set out into Six Horse Stables & Tack Room c.1,862 Sq. Ft.

'Bridgetown', Fuerty, Co. Roscommon. F42 ED86

Res. On c. 21.57 Acres

44

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Classifieds

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

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

ACCOUNTS

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

Also training in Thesaurus accounting products

‘YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS’ Contact Nuala

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

CHIMNEY CLEANING

CHIROPRACTOR

ROSCOMMON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC Specialising in:

• BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • NECK PAIN • LIMB PAIN

Telephone: 086 8433433

Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon.

David Connor

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

VHI and Laya Covered

COMPUTERS

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

Complete Chimney Services

Chimney Cleaning

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

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

Telephone:

087 2798704

NO FIX NO FEE

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

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

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

FARMING

COUNSELLING & HYPNOTHERAPY

BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE

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

COUNSELLING Are you experiencing difficulties in your life?

Such as depression, anxiety, life or spiritural crisis.

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

Please call Glynis on

085 2514394

email: downeyglynis@yahoo.co.uk

web: www.psychotherapyglynisdowney.com

CONSTRUCTION

Stephen Casey

Construction l

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

COUNSELLING

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

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

087 9268424 stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

DRIVING LESSONS

Paul McStay DSA/ADI (UK) RSA

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

GIFT VOUCHER CARDS AVAILABLE Castlerea & Roscommon

EDT Lessons Available Telephone:

094 96 20099 Mobile:

086 8936012

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation

• Sprayers tested on owners premises • Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided.

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

GARDENING

JOE HEALY

Tree Services

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

Phone:

087 2721193 All sprayers tested in 2016/2017 are now due re-test Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069 e-mail: thomasneilan4@ gmail.com D.A.F.M. Approved Reg No: EI000083

< FOR SALE: BB Hex LM AA SPX Bulls and Heifers.

Orders now taken for calves.

Call Mark: 086 1996367

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

Chainsaw work also available

Phone John on

087 2860428

FENCING/GATES

FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD l l

For all your fencing needs.

GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail l

Tel: 087 2172281

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

087 2346364 FOR SALE

< FOR SALE: All types of trees and hedgings, Laurel, Beech, Whitethorn, can be delivered. Tel: 087 4177148 < TRAILER FOR SALE: 6ft x3ft 9” x 18”, LED lights, spare wheel, jockey wheel, ladder rack. Roscommon area. Tel: 087 2694960

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

Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165 www.parklaw treeservices.com

CORBETT

TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING

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

087 6558597

www.corbetttreecareandlandscaping.com

GARDENING

PLANNINGS

GATELY GARDENING

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

HOLISTIC COUNSELLING

HolHolistic isic Counselling & Psychotherapy

Counselling & Are any of the following issues Psychotherapy AreImpacti any ng yourof daily lthe ife. following issues Stress, Panic, Anxiety, Depressi on, impacting your

daily OCD, Grief, life: Abuse?

Stress, Panic, Anxiety, You Don’t have to deal wiOCD, th it Depression, Grief, Abuse?

On your own.

You don’t have to deal with Giitve yoursel onf a your gift of therapy. own Give yourself a gift of Contact: Nora therapy 0858007355Nora Contact: 085 800 7355 nj2tiernan@icloud.com nj2tiernan@icloud.com

PHYSICAL THERAPY

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

Everyday aches & pains to sports injuries.

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

Can we help you?

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

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

086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture.com

facebook.com/moleskinarch ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Meliosa McIntyre am applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to retain as constructed house, domestic shed and treatment system with all ancillary site development works at Ballybride, Co. Roscommon, F42 N299 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee, €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed:

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

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

Businesses: Reach your target market!

18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY

45

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

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

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

Signed: Tom Lennon

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We are applying to Roscommon County Council on behalf of Michael Mulhern and Lisa Beirne for planning permission for the refurbishment of existing derelict cottage, for the construction of a single storey extension to cottage, for the construction of a domestic garage/general purpose store, for the creation of an entrance road together with the installation of a waste water treatment system/percolation area and all necessary site services/ancillary siteworks at Kilmore, Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Seamus Dowd & Associates Ltd, Registered Surveyors, Chartered Construction Managers, Building Consultants.

Tel: (090) 6623417 Mob: 086 8546035.

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

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

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

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Damien Watson intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct single storey dwelling, domestic garage, waste water treatment system and percolation area, associated site development works and services at Killinvoy, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue, Roscommon.

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Vantage Towers Limited intend to apply for permission to erect a 30m high telecommunications monopole structure together with antennas, dishes and associated telecommunications equipment enclosed by security fencing at Raheen, Elphin, 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 and that submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I Hubert Brehon, Chairperson, Doughill Community Committee, seek planning permission to erect a limestone monument to a deceased local man called Johnny Farrell whose Centenary occurs this year. The monument will stand 2m high with a 1.5m2 base. It will be positioned beside the old bridge at the northern entrance to Doughill townland near Curraghroe, County 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 and that submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Signed: Hubert Brehon

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Caroline Nally, am applying to Roscommon County Council for permission to retain as constructed rear extension to existing dwelling house, at Cloontrask, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon F45 A278

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

Signed:

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

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, John Quinn, am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission to construct domestic dwelling house along with domestic garage, new treatment system and percolation area and all ancillary site development works at Emlaghkeadew, Fuerty, Co. Roscommon.

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

Signed:

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

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

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Louise Brennan and Mark Reynolds are applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission to construct extension to existing dwelling house and utilise the treatment system granted under PD/20/417 and carry out all ancillary site development works at Thomastown, Ballydangan Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

N37 H2N8

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

Signed:

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

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Brendan Egan, intend to apply for permission for the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage, the installation of a sewerage treatment unit and percolation area along with connections to all site services and all other associated site works at Cloonfad Td, Rooskey, Co. Roscommon.

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

Signed: Murtagh Engineering Chartered Consulting Engineers, Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon.

Ph: (086) 3490965 www.mbeprojects.com

PROPERTIES TO LET/RENT/WANTED < ROOM TO LET: Room sharing in house Cloverhill area, WiFi, o.f.c.h. and solid fuel heating, rent reasonable, 3km from Roscommon Town. Tel: 087 6056974 < TO LET: One bed, fully furnished apartment on second floor to let in Main Street, Castlerea. Tel: 086 3120158 or 094 9620393

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

Tel: 086 8212732

PODIATRIST Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Sarah Fleming

CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI at

Tullys

HSE Trained and Approved l Home visits available l

For any of your foot issues call:

094 9620009

PODIATRIST

For all foot ailments

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

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

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

• 20 years experience

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

REFLEXOLOGY

REFLEXOLOGY

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD

MARINA FUREY (MNRRI)

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

Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon

Tel: 087 2264951 Find us on facebook

ROOFING

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

Phone:

083 0684011

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

We are safety certified and insured.

Phone:

086 2437376 Phone: 091 416029 Liam or Mick 085 7619827

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

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

email: roofingcontractors27@gmail.com

Phone: 091 416029

TARMACADAM

Department of Health Approved

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

< WANTED: Turf bank within 15 miles of Roscommon Town. Tel: 086 8725175

TURF AVAILABLE Bulk bags of Turf available Tel: Donal

086 2721812 (All areas)

Also loads of Peat bedding for livestock (delivered)

TUITION

085 1503353 086 8538404

Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com

• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services

Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar

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

By Appointment Only – Tel:

087 2982214

Catriona Byrne DIP CHFP

Harpur Bros, Castlecole, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

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

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

- Booking Deposit Required -

46

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Classifieds USEFUL SERVICES

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

USEFUL SERVICES

Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business

For a cleaner, healthier home.

We professionally clean; l Carpet l Upholstery l Area rugs l Leather l Tile & Grout

Contact Desi:

085 8082707 DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS: WASHING MACHINE, REPAIRS, DISHWASHER REPAIRS, OVEN AND TUMBLE DRYER REPAIRS Contact Paul on 086 0538977 087 4046478 071 9664207 www.appliance-repairs.ie

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

USEFUL SERVICES Carpenter Available Doors Floors l Stairs l Wall Panelling l

l

Over 30 years experience

Phone Tommy

086 8934576

Electrician Available Safe Electric Registered.

Domestic and Industrial, All work considered.

No Job too small.

Phone Paul 086 2553153 or email: p086255315@gmail. com

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

OIL BOILER SERVICE

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

USEFUL SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN CABINET PAINTER AVAILABLE FOR ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PAINTING

Tried & Trusted Since 1993

083 8838022 PAINTER & DECORATOR

Plumbing & Maintenance

Private & Commercial Power washing 25 years experience Free Estimates Given

Contact Luke on

085 7359120 Working throughout current restrictions with full PPE equipment.

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

If so ring:

087 9657933

or 090 66 33084

Phone Alan on:

090 6661635 or Mobile:

087 2683079

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

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

COVERING ROSCOMMON AREA TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815

Must have minimum 2 - 3 years experience Professional and attention to detail.

Castlerea based salon.

Forward CV to Beautytherapyac@outlook.com

Permanent/Part-Time

Admin Position Available Required for a busy office in Roscommon Town l 3 Days per week l Experience desired but not essential Please forward applications to: l

roscommonjob2022@gmail.com

Receptionist & Payroll Technician Position available in a busy accounting practice for an IMMEDIATE START in Castlerea.

The ideal candidate should have the following: 1. Relevant experience 2. Ability to work towards deadlines 3. The ability to deal discreetly with people 4. Excellent word processing and excel skills 5. Background in farming (not essential) 6. Sage Accounts Production experience (not essential) Please apply before the 29th April 2022 to:

ccurley@gats.ie

Alan O’Toole

WINDOW CLEANING

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

087 9795226

SHANNON LODGE NURSING HOME Rooskey, Co. Roscommon

EXPERIENCED STAFF NURSE &

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

Full-time

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

SITUATIONS VACANT < OFFICE ADMIN ASSISTANT: Required in Roscommon Town, this is a part - time position.

Applicants must have fluent English and a professional phone manner. Must also be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Please send your CV and cover letter to: PO Box No 3018 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon <DC & DC AT HOME MANAGER: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland are recruiting Day Care and Day Care at Home Manager working 26 hours per week for our Castlerea Day Care Services. Further information on these positions and a full job description can be found on our website www.alzheimer.ie/careers The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer. <CARE WORKER: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland are recruiting 2 Care Workers for our Castlerea Day Care Centre. This is a Fixed Term Contract working 21 hours per week. A full job description and more information can be found on our website www.alzheimer.ie/careers The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

086 4679798

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED

Fully Qualified Beauty Therapist Required

Phone JOHN

094 9373445 087 9100477

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

Appointments

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB?

<CHILDMINDER: Required to mind two children, 3 days per week in Roscommon Town. School pickups and drop offs required. Fluent english. Tel: 087 9815205

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

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

The local paper!

TELEPHONE: 090

66 34633

Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to

EMAIL: advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie

advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie

OUR DEADLINE IS STRICTLY 2PM ON TUESDAY

or alternatively call

We cannot guarantee publication after this time

090 66 34633

47

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

AtYourService BLINDS

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

CARS

DOORS/ WINDOWS SERVICE

LIFE COACH

DOOR & WINDOW SERVICE

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

BRENDAN DOOLIN

Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.

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

Tel: 090 66 30521 Mobile: 086 8115928

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

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

- CCTV Camera Inspection For Professional For Professional Advice Contact Advice Contact: John Hibbitt: Tel: 090

9673336 2678350

Mob: 086 Email:

Cathal Dooley 087 6579064

20 Years Experience Free Insurance Quotes Nationwide Service Stoves and Ranges Fitted All Work Guaranteed

info@ecowise.ie

Martin Hibbitt CIP, CDIP Martin HibbittAPA-PL, APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA LA Martin Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA

Martin Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA Mountbellew, Co. Mountbellew, Co.Galway Galway Mountbellew, Co. Galway

info@mhla.ie 091 380900 | 0879818153 9818153Co. Galway info@mhla.ie Mountbellew, 091 || 087 info@mhla.ie 091 380900 380900 087 9818153 www.mhla.ie www.mhla.ie www.mhla.ie 091 380900 | 087 9818153

DRS Concrete Ltd specialises in industrial, residential and commercial flooring, footpaths, driveway - brush finish.

All types of concrete work.

We supply concreting services for small to large projects

Certified Dip in Loss Certified in Certified Dip DipAdjusting in Loss Loss Adjusting Adjusting Loss Assessor Services Loss Assessor Assessor Services Loss Services

Contact: 089 2200620

Certified Dip in Loss Adjusting

PERSONAL COACHING: * BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE & BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE! * HELP TO COPE WITH AND EMBRACE CHANGE (E.G. RETIREMENT, NEW JOB, SEPARATION, ETC)

For appointment call me on 086 8229606

OR email your enquiry to cburkecoaching@gmail.com (FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS OR ON-LINE/TEAMS)

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE

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

INSURANCE CLAIMS

C O N C R E T E LT D

Tel: 090

6621220

SOCIAL DANCE

info@mhla.ie

Kieran Kelly Dance Email: KieranKellyDance@gmail.com Phone: 087 7414968 Adults Beginner Social Dance Classes in Castlerea, Carrick-On-Shannon and Loughglynn.

NEW CLASSES COMMENCING 25TH APRIL Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Monday: 7.30pm €12.50 Scoil Liatrioma, Castlecara Road, Aghameeny, Carrick-OnShannon Tuesday: The Hub Castlerea 7pm Dance-Fitness 8pm Beginners Social Dancing Waltz and Jive €10pp Thursday: Loughglynn Community Centre 7pm Dance-Fitness 8pm Beginners Social Dancing Waltz and Jive €10pp

ApprovedProduct Product Member of the PSAB-GI Approved Member Approved Member of of the the PSAB-GI PSAB-GI Advisor Product Advisor by the Central Advisorwww.mhla.ie Regulated Regulated by the the Central Central Regulated by Member of the Insurance Bank of Ireland Member of of the Insurance Insurance Bank of of Ireland Ireland Member Bank Institute ofthe Ireland Institute of Ireland Institute of Ireland Approved Product Member of the PSAB-GI

Advisor

RECYCLING Loss Assessor Services Member of the Insurance Institute of Ireland

Email: familiademorais1@gmail.com

DOORS/ WINDOWS SERVICE

Chris’s Window Service

Call Kieran Kelly for more details

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

VETERINARY

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

email: chrislocksmith.162@gmail.com

€3,500

www.ecowise.ie

Daily collection

DRS

Full & Mini Car Valeting (we come to you)

091 768 768

Lowest price guaranteed

CONCRETE

Call in or contact us for free

091 768 768

(090) 96 88830 or (090) 96 87651

M: 086 3912396 Ph: 090 66 62892

Patios l Decking Houses l Vehicles l Driveways l Caravans l Walls l Gutters l Domestic Cleaning l Roof Cleaning l All Types of Algae Treated

Ballybane Industrial Estate, Unit 2,info@ecowise.ie Ballybrit Industrial Estate, Galway H91 P5k5 Block 12, Galway www.ecowise.ie

TEL: (090) 96 88606

KEEN and COMPETITIVE PRICES

Bonded Bead Cavity Wall Insulation

andfrom quotes Unit advice 2,Grants Ballybrit Industrial €1,214 to Estate, Galway

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE

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

GENERAL SERVICES

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

FARMING

Cleaning Services • Roscommon

INSULATION

Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, SIGA Airtightness Bonded Bead Cavity &Wall Insulation New Buildings Retrofit

Email: pjmhanley@gmail.com

S tephen H oare

Chimney Problems

• Relining • Rebuilding • CCTV Camera Inspection

086 6002721

to discuss your requirements

CLEANING

info@athlonechimneyrepairs.ie

Dooley Chimney Repairs • Lining

Contact Pat Hanley on

Tel: 087 0944027

GUIDING & COACHING TOWARDS SUCCESS CAREER COACHING: * CV ADVICE AND TAILORING TO JOB SPECS * COMPETENCY BASED APPLICATION FORMS (INCLUDING PUBLIC SECTOR) * INTERVIEW MASTERING (INCLUDING COMPETENCY-BASED QUESTIONS) CHANGING JOB / GET THAT PROMOTION!

REPAIRS & SERVICING ALSO CARRIED OUT

We buy any CARS, VANS, TRUCKS, JEEPS all types wanted.

End of life certs can be provided.

Also scrap metal

086 8229606

CAROLINE BURKE Career & Life Coaching

l

l

Furniture Removal & Collection Garden Maintenance l Painting Service Fully Registered & Insured Phone John:

DRIVING LESSONS

ROSCOMMON Driving School

POWER BRUSH

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

Phone 087 2295551 Road Safety Authority Approved Driving Instructor

l

l

085 2113317

Lisagallon, Cloverhill, Roscommon Eircode: F42 K243 Tel: 0906665555 Fax: 0906627653

Contact Dave:

087 751 3774

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

48

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Classifieds

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

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES RAFTERY Fionán Hyde Court, Roscommon.

Who passed away on the 18th of April, 2011 (11th Anniversary)

CONNAUGHTON Phil (nee Naughton)

Glenview, Galway Road, Roscommon and late of Clooneen, Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

Who passed away on 19th April 2021

BRIAN MURRAY MEMORIALS

WALSH Henry Joseph

Hyde Court, Roscommon Town Who passed away on 12th March 2022.

• Superior Quality Headstones • Restoration work carried out • New Inscriptions added

CONTACT HAZEL

087 6758874

Scrine, Athleague, www.brianmuraystone.com Co. Roscommon E: brianmurraystone@gmail.com

I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.

I thought about you yesterday and the days before that too.

I think of you in silence I often speak your name all I have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake with which I’ll never part God has you in His keeping I have you in my heart.

Forever loved and missed by your wife Helen, children Claire, Sean, Niamh and Jack.

Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

RAFTERY Fionán Hyde Court, Roscommon Who passed away on the 18th of April, 2011 (11th Anniversary)

The family of the late Phil Connaughton would like to express our sincere thanks to all those who sympathised with us during this difficult time.

We thank all who sent mass cards, sympathy cards, left messages of condolence on RIP.ie, letters, telephone calls and sent flowers.

Thank you to all who gathered for Phil’s Removal from Glenview along the route from Roscommon to Athleague, at Athleague Church and village and at the cemetery, it was a beautiful tribute to Phil and gave us great comfort.

Thank you to Fr. Alo Connaughton for celebrating her Funeral Mass and also to Fr. Christopher Nkpouwa Edebianga and Fr. Eugene McLoughlin who assisted at Phil’s Mass.

We thank Margaret and Sean for providing the music and singing.

To Pat and Gillian Smyth Funeral Directors, thank you for your professionalism, attention to detail and dignified manner in which Phil’s funeral arrangements were carried out.

To Sean Connaughton for preparing so beautifully Phil’s final resting place.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our appreciation.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Phil’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 24th April at 10 am in St. Patrick’s Church, Athleague and 11.30 am in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon.

MALONEY Noel If we could visit Heaven even for a day maybe for a moment the pain would go away.

We’d put our arms around you and whisper words so true that living life without you is the hardest thing to do No matter how we spend our day no matter what we do no morning dawns or evening falls when we don’t think of you.

Loved and sadly missed by your mother Betty, sister Siobhán, brother-in-law Eamon, niece Leanne and nephew Darragh.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Monday, 18th April at 11am.

Carrownabrickna, Racecourse Road, Roscommon (6th Anniversary)

Who passed away on April 20th 2016 A day that’s filled with sadness, returns to us today.

To mark the way you left us in such a sudden way.

Time slips by, life goes on, but from our hearts you will never be gone.

Loved and missed by Barry, Lisa, John and family.

Masses offered.

HARRINGTON Patrick (Paddy) Cloverhill, Roscommon (7th Anniversary)

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

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

Deeply loved and missed by Eileen, Colette, Peter, Neil, Fergal, Martina and their extended family.

Masses offered.

The family of the late Joe Walsh, wish to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following our sad loss.

The shared memories from all of you at the removal and funeral, along with the many Mass cards, phone calls, emails, messages of sympathy on RIP.ie, gifts of food and words of condolence meant a great deal to us all.

We would especially like to thank the residents of Hyde Court, family, friends and Roscommon Gaels who stood along the route as Joe made his final journey. To those who assisted with food and parking at the removal thank you. To the Gardaí for providing an escort for Joe from his home to the church, we appreciate your time and efforts.

The family would also like to thank Fr. Kevin Fallon P.P. who said prayers with us in the hospital and gave words of comfort. To Fr. Joe Fitzgerald and Fr. Frank Glennon who celebrated Joe’s Requiem Mass, thank you for the meaningful service. To Jimmy Conlon and all who assisted at the Mass we are grateful and to Fred Mulryan for the touching music you played at the church.

Thank you to Sr. Kathleen Glennon for her many visits over the years. Your friendship and energy gave Joe and us comfort.

To Dr. Fiona Sweeney and staff in Roscommon Medical Centre thank you for the care you gave to Joe throughout the years. To McGuinness’ Pharmacy for all their kindness and professionalism.

To Dr. Janus Krawkzyk and his team, Aoife (CNS) and the Haematology Department in UCHG for their care.

To Dr. Evelyn Connelly, Carmel Anne and team at Saint James’ Hospital, Dublin. You provided Joe with the best possible treatment and care.

To the nurses and staff in the Claddagh Ward UCHG, we thank you for your dedication to Joe’s treatment and care during his many months with you.

To the doctors, nurses and staff in the Medical Assessment Unit in Roscommon University Hospital, Joe had great time for you all and we appreciate your care and professionalism.

To Geraldine Keane and the Palliative Care Team in RUH thank you for your wonderful care, support, sensitivity and dedication to Joe and ourselves and the Community Palliative Care Team for their support.

To the nurses and staff on St. Bridget’s Ward RUH, you made Joe’s final days comfortable and dignified. You supported and cared for us too.

To Pat Smyth and staff at Smyths Funeral Directors for their compassion, professionalism and the dignified manner in which they carried out Joe’s Funeral arrangements.

To Jimmy Garvey thank you for the attention and care of Joe’s final resting place.

To the Abbey Hotel and Hannon’s Hotel thank you for the service you provided after the Funeral and Remembrance Masses.

As it would not be possible to thank everyone personally, as there are many more who have not been named but provided wonderful comfort and care for Joe and for us over the past number of years, thank you. Please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our appreciation and gratitude.

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

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

CONWAY Peggy (Peggy) and James Racecourse Road, Roscommon (4th and 17th Anniversaries) In loving memory of our parents Peggy who passed away on April 4th 2018 and James who passed away on April 15th 2005, late of Racecourse Road, Roscommon.

Those we love must some day pass beyond our present sight must leave us and the world we know without their radiant light.

But we know that like a candle their lovely light will surely shine to brighten up another place more perfect, more divine.

And in the realm of Heaven where they shine so warm and bright.

Our loved ones live forever more in God’s eternal light.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by your daughters, Maureen and Sinéad; sons, Gerard, Carl, James, Cormac and John; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 23rd April in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon at 11am.

DONLON Michael (Mickey) Moher , Ballyleague, Co. Roscommon.

Who passed away on the 16th April, 2020.

(2nd Anniversary)

CURLEY Michael Scrine, Rahara.

16th of April, 2005.

(17th Anniversary)

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

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

Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his wife Kathleen and family.

Anniversary Mass in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague on Saturday, April 16th at 7pm.

In loving memory of our dear brother.

Deep in our hearts your memory is kept, to love and to cherish and never forget.

Lovingly remembered by your sisters Mary, Ann, Veronica and brothers-inlaw.

R.I.P.

49

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Classifieds

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

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES GERAGHTY (nee Hurson)

Bridie

In loving memory of our cherished mother and devoted wife Bridie who passed away on the 14th April 2000.

(22nd Anniversary)

KELLY Elizabeth Killinordan, Scramogue, Co. Roscommon.

(4th Anniversary)

MURRAY Lawrence

NOONE Tara

Kilclough, Newbridge (11th Anniversary) In loving memory of Lawrence (Larry) Murray Who passed away on April 14th 2011.

Meadowbrook, Ballyleague and Carrownabrickna, Roscommon Who passed away on 16th of April 2020 (2nd Anniversary)

In loving memory of Elizabeth, who passed away on the 19th April 2018

Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, we place our trust in Thee.

Remembered today and every day, from your loving husband Pat, Caroline, Sinead, Aine, Jonathon, Timothy and Graham, grandchildren and extended family.

Anniversary Mass on 1st May in Rahara Church at 10am.

Locally owned ... in the heart of the community

Time may pass and fade away, but silent thoughts and memories stay, no longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts, you are always there.

Always remembered and sadly missed by her loving family, sons Padraig, John, daughters Mary Teresa, Martina and grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass in St. Anne’s Church, Scramogue on Sunday, 17th April at 10am.

Notice re.

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

or call us on 090 6634633 or by post, along with your name and contact details, to

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

The local paper!

Those special memories of you will always bring a smile.

If only I could have you back for just a little while, then we could sit and talk again just like we used to do.

You always meant so very much and always will do too.

The fact that you’re no longer here will always cause me pain but you’re forever in my heart until we meet again.

When the nights are cold and the stars are few, I close my eyes and think of you.

A silent hope, a silent tear, a silent wish that you were here.

Forever loved and dearly missed by his loving wife Anne, daughters Noreen and Martina, son John, sons-in-law Seamus and Shane, grandchildren Eleanor, Lily, Larry, Patrick and Daithi.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Newbridge on Sunday, April 24th at 11.30am.

A life well lived is a precious gift of hope, strength and grace from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place.

It’s filled with moments sweet and sad with smiles and sometimes tears, with friendships formed and good times shared, and laughter through the years.

A life well lived is a legacy of joy and pride and pleasure, a living, lasting memory our grateful hearts will treasure.

Loved and missed by Mum and Dad, sister and brothers, nieces and nephews.

Masses offered.

Deep are the memories, precious they stay, no passing of time can take them away.

KIERNAN Seamus

THANKSGIVINGS NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask for 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 favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted.

Never known to fail. Many thanks. M.M.

(11th Anniversary) In loving memory of my darling husband Seamus Kiernan, who passed away on the 16th of April, 2011.

R.I.P.

The love of a wonderful husband is something that always lives on.

Filling the days with sweet memories you still feel the warmth of his caring ways, his wisdom will never depart.

For the love of a wonderful husband, forever lives on in my heart.

Memories grow deeper as time passes on I long for your presence and a face that is gone.

I think of your sayings and picture your smile, I know you are not lost, just gone for a while.

Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance

MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed

Loved dearly and sadly missed by his wife Bridie, son James, daughter-in-law Joanne and grandchildren Brendan, Ryan and Eoin.

Masses offered.

Email or call for Sample Pack

MURRAY Anthony Scrine, Athleague Who passed away on 14th April 2020 (2nd Anniversary)

Scrine, Athleague, Co. Roscommon Third generation Monumental Sculptors specialising in: • New Headstones • New Inscriptions • Restoration and Cleaning of Monuments • Wall Plaques and Name Plates • Grave Maintenance Service

Always loved and remembered by your daughter Larrissa. xxx

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

We remember you, as long as we live you shall live too, for you are part of us.

We remember you.

Forever loved by Evelyn, James, David, Mary, Sarah and Shane.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 23rd of April in St. Patrick’s Church Athleague at 7pm.

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

THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!

The local paper!

Contact James on 087 3549574 or David on 087 6086723 E-mail: info@anthonymurrayandsons.com www.anthonymurrayandsons.com OUR DEADLINE IS STRICTLY 2PM ON TUESDAY

We cannot guarantee publication after this time TEL: EMAIL:

090 66 34633

advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

50

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Sports PEOPLE

Hurlers hoping to maintain perfect start Nicky Rackard Cup (Round Two): Roscommon v Warwickshire at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday at 1 pm < SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon hurlers will be hoping to continue their 100 per cent start to the Nicky Rackard Cup when they welcome Warwickshire to Dr. Hyde Park this Sunday.

The teams had very contrasting results in their opening fixtures last weekend as Warwickshire were on the receiving end

of a 7-18 to 2-11 mauling at the hands of Tyrone while the Rossies ran out easy 5-19 to 2-7 winners over Armagh (see page 54).

Roscommon manager, Francis O’Halloran, is facing a mounting injury list with Cathal Dolan and Pete Kellehan still injured and number of knocks sustained at the Athletic Grounds last Sunday.

Speaking to People Sport this week, however, he said confidence was high ahead of the visit of the Exiles.

“These lads are good players and all they have to do now is back themselves to go out and deliver another good performance. We have a tough game coming up on Sunday week against Donegal but we have to deal with this game first,” he

said.

“Our task was to improve these players when we came in and there are signs that’s happening. Our aim is to do well in this competition and hopefully to get to Croke Park. But we are taking it one step at a time at the moment,” he concluded.

Fresh from their heroics in Armagh and facing a Warwickshire side still smarting from

that thumping defeat to Tyrone, Roscommon should get the job done at home and make it two wins from two.

Prediction: Roscommon. * On Friday evening at 5 pm, Roscommon face Mayo in the All-Ireland U-20 ‘B’ semi-final.

Having defeated Wicklow in the opening round, hopes are high that Michael Fallon’s team can win in Athleague and reach the decider.

GAA Results Sidero AFL Division Four (Section A) Western Gaels 2-14 Tulsk Lord Edwards 1-11 Elphin W/O Boyle Fuerty W/O St. Faithleach’s Sidero AFL Division Four (Section B) Roscommon Gaels W/O St. Croan’s St. Ronan’s 2-9 St. Joseph’s 2-8 Oran 2-9 Kilmore 0-11 Cora Systems AFL Division Five (Section A) Shannon Gaels W/O Pádraig Pearses St. Aidan’s 2-8 Oran 1-9 St. Dominic’s 7-17 Ballinameen 1-2 Cora Systems AFL Division Five (Section B) Clann na nGael W/O Kilglass Gaels Strokestown 0-15 St. Michael’s 0-7 Michael Glavey’s W/O Fuerty Cora Systems AFL Division Five (Section C) Roscommon Gaels 1-12 Kilbride 2-8 Creggs 1-12 St. Barry’s 2-9 Éire Óg 1-11 St. Brigid’s 0-9

Fixtures Friday, April 15th AFL Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section A At Woodmount: Pádraig Pearses v St. Brigid’s. 8 pm AFL Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section B (8.15 pm) At Strokestown: Strokestown v Michael Glavey’s At Lisnamult: Roscommon Gaels v Tulsk Lord Edwards AFL Division Two (O’Gara Cup) At Johnstown: Clann na nGael v Fuerty. 8.15 pm AFL Division Three (Tansey Cup) At Ballyforan: St. Barry’s v St. Aidan’s. 8 pm

Goal! Action from last weekend’s Norio’s Roscommon Premier Division game between Boyle Celtic and Moore United. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Connacht SFC throws in this Sunday! < SEAMUS DUKE

The 2022 Connacht Senior Football Championship will get underway this coming Sunday in London and New York as Leitrim and Sligo travel for first round games.

Leitrim, under new manager Andy Moran, have had a good league campaign, winning four games and losing three, and just missing out on promotion by three points.

London began the league with three wins on the trot before losing their final four games of the campaign. When the sides met in the league in February the Exiles scored a notable 2-5 to 0-9 win so Leitrim will have to be on top form to emerge victorious. There won’t be much in it but Leitrim should be good enough to win and earn a semi-final place against Mayo or Galway.

Of more interest to Roscommon fans, will be the clash of Sligo and New

York at Gaelic Park. Sligo had a good league campaign in Division Four, winning five games and losing two and they just missed out on promotion by a single point.

New York are the unknown quantity as they have not played a competitive game for three years. They are managed by Armagh native Johnny McGeeney and as is the case with New York every year, they are dependent on Irish players making themselves

available to train and play for the county.

Niall Murphy is the class act on the Sligo team and if he can get enough supply of the ball Sligo should be able to emerge with a win. Sligo GAA is still reeling after the shock and tragic death of their young star player Red Óg Murphy. A win in New York on Sunday would help to ease the gloom.

Anthony Cunningham’s Roscommon await the winners. It should be Sligo.

Saturday, April 16th AFL Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section A At Ballyleague: St. Faithleach’s v Western Gaels. 5 pm At Abbey Park: Boyle v St. Dominic’s. 6.45 pm AFL Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section B At Johnstown: Clann na nGael v Elphin. 5 pm AFL Division Two (O’Gara Cup) (5 pm) At Kilbride: Kilbride v Shannon Gaels At Rockfield: Oran v St. Croan’s At O’Rourke Park: Castlerea St. Kevin’s v Kilmore At Kiltoom: St. Brigid’s v Éire Óg AFL Division Three (Tansey Cup) (5 pm) At Connacht GAA Centre: Creggs v St. Michael’s At Davonna Park: Ballinameen v Kilglass Gaels Sunday, April 17th AFL Division Three (Tansey Cup) (1 pm) At Knockcroghery: St. Dominic’s v Strokestown Castlerea St. Kevin’s v Pádraig Pearses

51

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

SportsPeople Soccer

Premier Division title race heats up < DAN DOONER

The race for the Norio’s Roscommon & District Football League Premier Division title is heating up as the season reaches its climax.

Boyle Celtic lead the way but face stiff competition from Ballinasloe Town, who are now just three points behind with a game in hand.

Kilkerrin United dropped two valuable points when they were held in

Castlerea last weekend and are now third in the table.

Both Ballinasloe and Shiven Rovers are in provincial action this Sunday with Ballinasloe visiting Castlebar Celtic in the Connacht Cup semi-finals and Shiven entertaining Knocknacarra FC in the Shield semi-finals. Best of luck to both teams.

There are still a number of Division One teams in contention for the

title but Skyvalley Rovers appeared to have timed their run to perfection.

Can they return to the Premier Division as champions?

In Division Two, Ballaghaderreen FC B remain firmly in the driving seat having already secured promotion.

In the bottom half of the table, Moore United B have one hand on the Shield but Ballymoe FC B and Rahara Rovers should have a say.

There are question marks over a number of fixtures scheduled to take place this Good Friday. It is believed that the early evening kickoff would leave some clubs short of players due to work commitments.

Perhaps the RDFL could lobby for another four-day weekend - much like the double Bank Holiday for St. Patrick’s Day – as a possible solution for next season? You wouldn’t read any complaints here!

Soccer results

Norio’s Premier Division Ballymoe FC 2 Moylough ’79 2 Castlerea Celtic 1 Kilkerrin United 1 Boyle Celtic 8 Moore Unied 2 Ballinasloe Town 4 Ballaghaderreen FC 2 RDFL Division One Shiven Rovers 4 Dysart FC 2 Ballinasloe Town B 0 Skyvalley Rovers 3 Roscommon United 1 Dunmore Town 0 RDFL Division Two Moore United B W/O Ballymoe FC B St. John’s Athletic 0 Ballaghaderreen FC 0 Dunmore Town B 3 Skyvalley Rovers B 0 Rahara Rovers 1 Boyle Celtic B 0 Roscommon United 0 St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United 1

Soccer Fixtures

C’mon The Town

Thursday, April 14th Norio’s Premier Division Moore United v Castlerea Celtic. 8 pm RDFL Division One Dysart FC v Roscommon United. 6.30 pm RDFL Division Two Boyle Celtic B v Ballymoe FC B. 8 pm

(Roscommon Town Youth Soccer) In association with the

On the Field...

Tea Time...

The U-16 boys team had a comprehensive win away to Cam Celtic in the cup with Tommy Naughton on song.

In the U-14 cup, Town III dominated the game but were caught out at the death by an economical St Cuan’s side.

In the U-12 cup, a Conor McNeill hat-trick and a Senan Grogan brace helped Town II overcome CP Ajax away from home.

At U-11 level, Town I beat Kilkerrin United 3-2 in the EL (Patrick Healy with the goals) but lost out on the same score line in the CL. Town II also had a win and a loss in their games with Skyvalley in Taughmaconnell.

On Sunday last, the U-9 teams were in action with Town I at home to Moore and Town II away to Skyvalley. The skills on show and the efforts of all players were both entertaining and encouraging. Enjoying the game and learning along the way is fundamental to the growth of our players.

On match days this season, supporters (home and away) have the opportunity to avail of refreshments in the clubhouse during games.

Thanks again to those who volunteer to provide this hospitality. All monies raised will benefit the club in its work.

Club Shop...

Coming soon…watch this space!

Skill Zone - Balance and Control...

Use your right foot to move the ball around your standing left leg. Count how many times you can move the ball around your left leg in sixty seconds. Then switch over and use your left foot to move the ball around your standing right leg. Control the ball at all times and maintain your balance.

Wise Words...

You may try and fail but don’t fail to try.

Player Profile...

Name: Sam Walsh Team: U-14 Position: Centre Midfield Strength: Speed Favourite team: Liverpool Favourite player: Fabinho Favourite Irish player: Ogbene Best stadium in the world: Bernabeu Messi or Ronaldo or Neither: Ronaldo PlayStation or XBox or Neither: PlayStation What makes me happy: Sport Person you admire the most: Ronaldo Why I play soccer: It’s fun Hopes for this season: To have fun and win a trophy.

s t t u p t Shor Athlone

Boyle

Athlone’s Easter weekend of golf commences this Friday (15th) and will run until Easter Monday (18th). There will be an Open Singles competition across the Bank Holiday weekend while Easter Monday sees a four-person team scramble.

Kay Delaney won the 3 Ts Charity competition on April th 5 with 41 points. The 9-hole competition was won by Bernie Watson with 19. The 3 Ts Men’s competition was won by Mark Shine (33 points). Other results: Cat A: Dermot O’Connor (34); Cat B: Kevin Ryan (37); Cat C: Vincent Connaire (39); Cat D: Declan Delaney (39).

Claire Campion won the ’97 Club with 28 points while Bernie Stapleton was runner-up with 25.

B. Nott was the winner of the AWGS on April 7th. Other results: Class 1: D O’Donoghue (32); Class 2: P. Carolan (30); B. Kenna (25); Class 4: T. Campion (24).

The recent Wednesday Open was won by Denis O’Sullivan (41 points) with Eamon Hardiman runner-up on 39.

The Men’s 18-hole Stableford was won by the in form Adam Daly with 44 points. Men’s President Ross Andrew took second place with 40 while Charlie O’Donnell took gross.

Results of the Men’s Thursday competition on March 31st: 1st: Michael McHale; 2nd: Lochlainn Conboy; 2s club: Charlie O’Donnell. April 7th: 1st: Charlie O’Donnell; 2nd: Michael O’Dowd; 3rd: Adam Daly.

A Good Friday Scramble will take place this week with a shotgun start at 6.30 pm.

The club will also hold a fundraising competition over the Easter weekend. A year’s free membership is also up for grabs in the Voucher competition on April 24th.

Carrick

The Seniors had their first outing on Monday last when they visited Ballinrobe Golf Club.

Results: 1st: Albert Hogg, Robbie Donaldson, Dermot McNamara and John Burke (45 points); 2nd: Tommy Mulvey, Sean Martin, Sean Gilmartin and Liam O’Malley (43). The

Friday, April 15th Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Third Round St. John’s Athletic B v Kilkerrin United. 5 pm Norio’s Premier Division Moylough ’79 v Boyle Celtic. 5 pm RDFL Division One (5 pm) Dunmore Town v CP Ajax Ballinasloe Town B v Ballinagare Manor United RDFL Division Two (5 pm) Ballaghaderreen FC B v Cam Celtic Sunday, April 17th Connacht Cup Semi-Final Castlebar Celtic v Ballinasloe Town. 2 pm Connacht Shield Semi-Final Shiven Rovers v Knocknacarra FC. 2 pm David Kelly Challenge Shield Quarter-Finals (2 pm) St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United v Boyle Celtic Ballaghaderreen FC B v Dysart FC Ballinagare Manor United v Skyvalley Rovers B Monday, April 18th Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals (2 pm) Ballinasloe Town B v Ballymoe FC St. John’s Athletic B/Kilkerrin United v Boyle Celtic RDFL Division One Roscommon United v Glen Celtic. 2 pm

(News from local golf clubs)

The winners of the 2022 Spring League at Roscommon Golf Club (Back, left to right): Margaret Madden, Geraldine Relihan. Front (Left to right): Lady Captain Ruth Kilduff, Marina Dolan, Una Gleeson, Sponsor Linda Maxwell, Bernie Maher, Yvonne Waldron and Mary Lalor.

next outing is to Claremorris on May 9th.

In the weekly competition on Thursday last the results were as follows: Winner: Dave Taylor (40 points); Cat 1: Albert Hogg (38); Cat 2: Pascal McGuire (37); Cat 3: John Burke KV (32); Front 9: Dermot Monaghan (19); Back 9: Michael Keville (22).

Congratulations to Jim King on an excellent score of 41 points in the Lynch Cup Qualifier. The first round draw has now been made and is available at the clubhouse.

Last weekend saw the Club Four Ball Qualifier being played. Congratulations to David Clarke and Cathal Dowd who were the best qualifying team with 49 points.

on April 5th was won by Deirdre Hawkshaw with 22 points.

Mary Kenny was second with 20 points.

Cian McLoughlinn Gilmore won the recent Gent’s competition with 42 points ahead of runner-up P. Hayden (39). Cat 1: S. O’Connell (35 points); Cat 2: M. Hawkshaw (37); Cat 3: G O’Keeffe (39).

The Ladies’ 9-hole competition

Tony Grehan won the Men’s 18hole competition on April 10th with 41 points. Tom Óg O’Brien was second with 39, Daniel Watts took Gross with 31, and Des Dowd was third with 38.

The Senior Men’s results were as follows: Winner: N. Sharkey (37 points); Cat 1: M. Sharkey

Castlerea

Roscommon

(33); Cat 2: F. Nally (34); Cat 3: M. Tierney (31); Over 80s: J. Cooney (31). Deuces: D. Browne, J. Cooney, C. Brennan and J. Fitzgerald.

The Ladies’ 18-hole competition was won by Paula Miley with 76 nett while Kay Condron won the recent 9-hole competition with 19 points.

The results of the Senior Ladies’ 9-hole competition was as follows: 1st: Josephine Connaughton; 2nd; Jackie Maxwell; 3rd: Veronica Clarke; 4th: Margaret Brennan.

The overall winners of the Spring League Matchplay competition was Team C (Mary Lalor, Marina Dolan, Margaret Madden, Geraldine Relihan, Una Gleeson, Bernie Maher, Yvonne Waldron, and Kate Walshe.

Team B (Mary O’Keeffe, Anne Quirke, Kay Ruane, Tresina Smyth, Mary O’Gara, Jackie Maxwell, Sandra Kelly and Catherine Waldron) were runners-up.

This Easter Monday there will be an open 18-hole Stableford for both Men and Ladies.

52

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

SportsPeople

Horses for Courses This weekend’s racing begins today with a meeting at Powerstown Park in Clonmel starting at 4.15 pm.

Tomorrow sees a blank day in Ireland with the two three-day Easter meetings at Fairyhouse and Cork starting on Saturday.

The Grand National meeting starts on Saturday and features the RYBO Handicap Hurdle, a Grade A race and the INH Stallion Owners Novice Handicap Hurdle Final, a Grade B race, the first race at 1.55 pm.

Sunday starts at 2 pm and features the Fairyhouse Gold Cup, the Stallion Owners Mares Novice Hurdle, both Grade 1 races.

Easter Monday is the Irish Grand National, a Grade A Handicap Chase, backed up by three Grade 2 races, the Juvenile Hurdle, the Rathbarry and Glenview Stud Hurdle, and the Devenish Chase with the first race at 2.05 pm. The meeting in Cork on Saturday starts at 1.40 pm, on Sunday at 1.10 pm and on Monday at 1.50 pm.

Easter weekend has a lot of coverage on TV with ITV covering eight races on Friday all on the all-weather, four from Newcastle and four from Lingfield.

On Saturday, ITV racing features six flat races, three handicaps from Musselburgh and three from Newbury, all Group 3 races, the John Porter Stakes, the Fred Darling Stakes, and the Greenham Stakes.

RTÉ are covering Sunday and Monday racing from Fairyhouse, starting at 2.30 pm each day and including the Gold Cup on Sunday and Grand National on Monday. Saturday is covered on satellite channel RacingTV.

Racing News Enjoy D’allen, bought by JP McManus prior to the Aintree National, his challenge evaporated at the first fence, when rider Conor Orr and the horse parted company. Trainer Ciaran Murphy reports the horse to be none the worse for his fall and could look for quick compensation in the Irish Grand National, a race in which he was third 12 months ago and has been cut to 16/1 from 25/1. Murphy knows what it takes to win this race having been assistant to Dot Love when Liberty Counsel won the race in 2013.

A clash between Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle and the British pretender to the throne Constitution Hill, winner of Supreme Novices at Cheltenham, could be on the cards for Punchestown. The sponsors of the Champion Hurdle Paddy Power are offering a bonus of £100,000 to a British-trained winner. Many people feel that Constitution Hill should have taken on Honeysuckle in this year Champion Hurdle and certainly expect him to do so next year.

Peter Fahey’s stable star Royal Kahala will not be seen again this term following an injury sustained in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham. The horse is lame, but the full extent of the injury is not yet known but Fahey is hopeful that it is not too severe.

by Tom Red

Creggs RFC Report

Creggs RFC Monster Draw Easter Monday!

Fakir D’oudaries and Mark Walsh win the Melling Chase.

Looking Back: Aintree In the second race, the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle, Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper, and Padraig Roche’s Brazil finished second and third to Knight Salute.

In the Grade 1 Bowl Chase, Irish horses finished in similar positions as Elliott’s Conflated and WP’s Kemboy were beaten 1l and 8l by Clan Des Obeaux.

No luck in the Foxhunters but Sean Mulryan’s Dancing On My Own trained by Henry de Bromhead was beaten 2 ½ l by The Last Day in the Grade 3 Red Rum Handicap chase. The bumper went to the father and son team of Willie and Patrick Mullins with Ashroe Diamond who beat Gavin Cromwell’s Law Ella by an easy 6l to register the first Irish winner.

On Friday, Jonbon won the second, the Grade 1 Top Novices Hurdle, for Nicky Henderson from WP Mullins’ El Fabio and Elliott’s Vina Ardanza by a neck and 19l.

Elliot hit the crossbar in the Mildmay Novices Chase with Fury Road who was beaten 5l by Linda Russell’s Ahoy Senor.

Joseph O’Brien and jockey Mark Walsh struck first blow for the Irish in the Melling Chase with Fakir D’oudaries owned by JP McManus retaining the crown he won last year by 5½l.

In the Grade 3 Topham Handicap Chase, Ted Walsh’s Batico and WP Mullins’ Annamix finished second and third to Mac Tottie.

On Grand National Day, Gavin Cromwell’s Ilikedwayurthinkin was beaten ¾ l by Party Business trained by Ian Williams.

In the second, Elliott and Davy Russell were on the ball with Three Stripe Life, the favourite at 5/2, beating Might I by 4¾l. this was the first of three Irish wins as WP followed up with Gentleman De Mee beating the English hotpot Edwardstone 4½l in the Magull Novice Chase and Gordon Elliott’s Sire De Burlais beating Cromwell’s Flooring Porter 1 ¾ l, both horses owned by JP

McManus and ridden by Mark Walsh.

The Grand National was dominated by Irish trained horses with an outsider the 50/1 shot Noble Yeats trained by Emmet Mullins and ridden by English amateur Sam WaleyCohen beating the Ted Walsh trained Any Second Now ridden by Mark Walsh and the Elliott trained Delta Work ridden by Jack Kennedy by 2¼l and 20l. Longhouse Poet, owned by Rossie Sean Mulryan, ran well and finished sixth, which paid e/w with a lot of bookies. WaleyCohen’s father bought the horse in February having seen him run at Weatherby and he only sat on the horse three times. Once in Mullins’ yard, rode him in a handicap at Cheltenham and in the National. A businessman, who owns a chain of dental practices, the jockey had announced before the race that it was his last ride and is sticking to his decision. He also rode a Gold Cup winner on Long Run, also owned by his father, in 2011.

Point-to-Point Corner The meeting down for decision on Saturday, is at Loughanmore near Templepatrick in Co Antrim with an entry of 142 off at 2 pm.

They race again on Easter Monday starting at the same time, 2 pm with 60 entries.

There are three meetings down for decision in the south on Easter Sunday with the Co. Clares racing on Easter Sunday, as normal, at Quakerstown, south of Kinvara with 137 entries, at Currraghroe in Co Waterford near the border of both Kilkenny and Tipperary with 169 entered, both starting at 2 pm and at Oldcastle in Co Meath with 134 entries, starting at 2.30 pm.

Next weekend’s Ballysteen point-to-point fixture near Askeaton in Co. Limerick has been cancelled leaving three meetings on the calendar.

General News There are 57 left in the Irish Grand National headed by WP Mullins’ Gaillard Du Mensil at 7/1 with Farclas and Max Flamingo 8/1, 10s bar. Gigginstown have kept Farclas fresh for this race and is the best of their many chances.

The ground at Fairyhouse yesterday was yielding, good to yielding in places. With the forecast of showers over the next few days, there is a possibly of it turning heavier over the weekend. There will be fresh ground for Saturday, Sunday and Monday on the chase course and also on the hurdle track. The going at Cork is expected to be soft on the flat and yielding to soft on the national hunt track.

THE GAIN LINE

Conor Orr, on the ground, at the first after parting company with Enjoy D’allen.

The Monster €50,000 Creggs Rugby Development Draw takes place this Easter Monday night.

There is still time to buy your €20 ticket and be in with a chance of winning €50,000 this Bank Holiday Monday night. The winner also has the option of choosing a Toyota Hi Lux Invincible or Volkswagen Electric ID.4 SUV. To buy your ticket, go to http://www. win50000euro.com. Proceeds will go towards the development of new dressing rooms at Creggs RFC. Construction of the new development is progressing well with the roof now on and the concrete floor poured on the first floor.

Your help means the club will be a step closer to finishing the work and making the new dressing room facilities available.

Creggs is a small village club, supporting not just the game of rugby from the grassroots, but also making facilities available to other clubs and other sports such as GAA and soccer.

The club needs your support to complete the construction of new changing facilities designed especially to cater for girls and women and including cubicle showers etc.

Visit creggsrugby.ie for more information and thank you for your continued support.

Creggs Girls in Connacht Cup Final!

Creggs U-18 Girls will compete in their first ever Connacht Cup Final next Monday (18th) at the Sportsground, Galway at 4 pm. Best of luck to the girls and all support is welcome.

This has been a huge year for Creggs Girls rugby with the U-16s and U-18s both winning their Connacht League titles back in December and the U-18s taking on Sligo next Monday in the cup final.

Meanwhile, well done to the Creggs U14s and U-16s Girls, who both lost out in their respective cup semi-finals. They will no doubt go from strength to strength in coming years.

The U-18 Girls are back training this Friday night at 7 pm ahead of that big Connacht Cup final while the U-18 Boys are training this evening (Thursday) at 8 pm.

Please keep an eye on the Creggs Rugby Facebook page for updates and for enquiries, please contact Dave Purcell on 0877000547.

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

Monster €50,000 Draw this Monday

– DO YOU HAVE YOUR TICKET? The clock is ticking in advance of the Monster €50,000 Creggs Rugby Development Draw this Easter Bank Holiday Monday. Have you got your ticket?

Buy your €20 ticket today – and be included in the Monster €50,000 Draw (in aid of Creggs Rugby Club Dressing Rooms development). The winner also has the option to choose a Toyota Hi Lux Invincible or Volkswagen Electric ID.4 SUV. Creggs is a small village club, supporting not just the game of rugby from the grassroots level up, but also providing facilities to other clubs and other sports such as Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, soccer, etc.

We need your help to support us to complete our project which involves building great changing facilities designed especially to cater for girls/women, with cubicle showers etc.

Please get your tickets for our MEGA €50,000 draw at www.creggsrugby. ie or www.Win50000euro.com You can also buy tickets off any Creggs RFC member. You’ll be supporting the future of girls’ sport in Creggs and also supporting everyone that uses these facilities.

The building of the new development is progressing well. Your help means we will be a step closer to finishing the work and making the new dressing room facilities available.

You can also help us greatly by kindly letting your friends and family know about our draw – passing the word will help us to get these facilities built. Thank you for your continued support for our work at Creggs Rugby Club.

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SportsPeople

Connacht success for CBS Juniors A strong second-half showing proved key as CBS Roscommon’s junior footballers emerged victorious over St. Calasanctius on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-3 in the their recent Connacht Colleges Junior ‘B’ final played at the Centre of Excellence in Bekan.

Trailing 1-3 to 0-4 at half-time, the

Roscommon school fought back after the break and two Eoghan Carthy frees and a well taken goal from Ruairi Kilcline helped turn matters in their favour.

CBS went on to dominate after that and ran out deserving eight-point winners in the end. Oran’s Michael

Harrington was presented with the trophy by Connacht GAA Hugh Redden as the schoolmates and supporters lauded another notable success for the school.

CBS Roscommon: Gavin Staunton (St. Dominic’s), Michael Harrington (Oran), Cormac Petrie (St. Domi-

nic’s), Eoghan Carthy (Roscommon Gaels), Michael Moran (St. Dominic’s), Jack Donnelly (Roscommon Gaels), Karl Cummins (Kilbride), Rory Carthy (Roscommon Gaels), Jamie Betts (St. Faithleach’s), Ryan Hanley (St. Croan’s), Cyril Bikoi (Oran), Ciaran O’Reilly (Roscom-

mon Gaels), John McGuinness (Roscommon Gaels), Eoghan Murray (Oran) Ruairi Kilcline (St. Dominic’s). Subs used: Conor Grogan (Roscommon Gaels), Michael Gillooly (Roscommon Gaels), Colin Murray (Fuerty), Daniel Bolger (St. Aidan’s), Cathal Feerick (St. Dominic’s).

‘Best display of the year’ as hurlers hammer Armagh < SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon’s senior hurlers have received widespread praise this week following their 5-19 to 2-7 demolition of Armagh in round one of the Nicky Rackard Cup at the Athletic Grounds last Sunday.

Francis O’Halloran’s charges were rampant in the opening exchanges and romped to a 3-12 to

0-4 half-time lead thanks to the unerring accuracy of Daniel Glynn from frees and goals from Brendan Mulry (1-1), and a brace from the impressive Mickey Joe Egan (2-2).

The Rossies continued to dominate in the second half, replying to an early Armagh goal with goals from Connell Kennelly and Eoin Kiernan (1-3) to give them their second

win in Armagh this year.

Speaking to People Sport this week, manager Francis O’Halloran described it as Roscommon’s “best display” of 2022.

“It was our best display of the year and (playing) without Pete Kellehan and Cathal Dolan made it even better,” he said.

“The lads worked hard and in fact we could have scored even more on the day. Daniel Glynn (0-11,

all frees) was superb from frees and Mickey Joe Egan could have scored five goals.

“Connell Kennelly, Eoin Fitzgerald and Eoin Kiernan also did very well but we do have a few more injuries now. Jason Martin is out and so is Matthew Comerford and there are a few others carrying knocks so we will have to see how we are fixed later in the week”.

County PRO Padraic Mulry was equally impressed with the Roscommon performance this week and praised the team’s recovery from defeat to Armagh in the league semi-final last month.

“It was a very good performance especially after losing to them in Hyde Park in the league,” he said.

“Many of the players felt

after that match that they didn’t play to their potential and they were anxious to put things right…and they did that”.

Confidence is high in Roscommon hurling circles and Mulry believes the team can look forward with optimism to the rest of the Nicky Rackard campaign.

“We certainly have the players to do well,” he said.

“The aim now is to qualify for the semi-finals and to get to Croke Park. This Roscommon team is well capable of doing that but we have to take it one step at a time,” he concluded.

Roscommon were best served last Sunday by Connell Kennelly, Mickey Joe Egan, Daniel Glynn and Hugh Rooney and are now in pole position to advance to the play-off stages.

Stars appear at Pearses dinner dance Guests including GAA President Larry McCarthy, Sean Boylan and MC Willie Hegarty were present at the Pádraig Pearses club dinner dance on Friday night last.

Presentations were made to the winners of the various award categories includ-

ing Club Person of the Year Mike Glennon, Senior Footballer of the Year Niall Daly, Senior Hurler of the Year Shane Naughton, Senior Ladies Footballer of the Year Amy Coyne and Senior Camogie Player of the Year Grainne Lohan.

Other award recipients included:

Junior A Footballer of the Year Declan Kenny; Junior B Footballer of the Year James Costello; U-20 Footballer of the Year Dara Finn; Underage Ladies Footballer of the Year Ciara Lohan; and Underage Camogie Player of the Year Rosa Monaghan.

The Pádraig Pearses senior footballers pictured at the club’s dinner dance which took place on Friday evening last.

Sean Boylan, Brian Carroll (Roscommon GAA President), Aaron Clogher (Pádraig Pearses Chairman) and Larry McCarthy, GAA President pictured at the Pádraig Pearses dinner dance on Friday last.

Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022

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SportsPeople

The Roscommon team which was defeated by Sligo in Wednesday’s Eirgrid Connacht U-20 FC Semi-Final at Markievicz Park. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Smith strikes late as Sligo shock Rossies

Eirgrid Connacht U-20 FC Semi-Final Sligo 1-12 Roscommon 1-11 < SEAMUS DUKE

Sligo shocked hotly fancied Roscommon to knock the reigning champions out of the U-20 championship following this pulsating semi-final played at Markievicz last night (Wednesday).

A point from 35 metres from the best player on the field, Eoghan Smith, in the second minute of injury-time saw the scales tip towards the home side as last year’s All-Ireland finalists crashed out of this year’s competition in the first round.

Played on a perfect evening for football, the first half saw fortunes sway in both directions. Roscommon led by

three points to one by the 10th minute with Eoin Colleran, Jack Tumulty and Adam McDermott on target. But the home side were soon level with centre half-forward Eoghan Smith outstanding.

The shooting was very poor from both sides and Roscommon kicked nine wides in the opening half. However, in the 17th minute, an exchange of passes between Oisin and Daire Cregg saw Oisin’s shot saved by Cian Kilcoyne, and Adam McDermott was on hand to force home the rebound. By the 23rd minute Roscommon led by 1-7 to 0-5.

But Sligo rallied before half-time. In the 25th minute, Jack Davitt was fouled on his way to goal and Lee Deignan blasted the resultant penalty past Darren Quinn, and points from Luke Marren and Eoghan Smith saw the sides go in level at half-time 1-7 apiece.

The second half was a turgid affair and neither side assumed dominance in the

Ben O’Carroll tries to escape the clutches of his marker during the Eirgrid Connacht U-20 FC Semi-Final between Roscommon and Sligo at Markievicz Park on Wednesday night. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Adam McDermott scores for Roscommon during last night’s Eirgrid Connacht U-20 FC Semi-Final. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

third quarter. Points from Daire Cregg and Jack Tumulty saw Roscommon ahead by two (1-11 to 1-9) with 14 minutes to go. But Roscommon were not to score again and Sligo grabbed the initiative. Points from Deignan (a 45) and two wonderful efforts from Smith saw the momentum swing towards Sligo and they held out for a famous win.

For Roscommon, it was a poor night in front of the posts and a total of 15 wides tells its own story.

Roscommon: Darren Quinn; Conor Lohan, Sean Trundle, Tomas Crean; Patrick Gavin, Caelim Keogh, Brian O’Hara-Duggan; Oisin Cregg (0-1), Daire Cregg (0-2 1 free); Jack Tumulty (0-3), Cathal Feely, Conor Hand; Ben O’Carroll (0-1), Adam McDermott (1-2 1 mark), Eoin Colleran (0-2).

Subs: Cian Kelly for Trundle (6), Darragh Heneghan for Feely (36), Cormac Regan for Crean (52), Cian Kelly for O’Hara-Duggan (57), Sligo: Cian Kilcoyne; Shane Molloy,

Conor Johnson, Luke Casserly; Ciaran O’Reilly, Jack Lavin, Canice Mulligan; John Donlon, Joseph Keaney (0-1); Matt Henry, Eoghan Smith (0-7, 2 marks, 1 free), Dylan Walsh (0-1); Luke Marren (0-1), Lee Duignan (1-2, 1-0 pen, 1 free), Jack Davitt.

Subs: Oisin Flynn for Henry (29), Mark McGowan for O’Reilly (36), Dylan McLoughlin for Casserly (44), Gavin Duffy for Molloy (46), Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway)

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Roscommon People Friday 15 April 2022