18 November 2022 Roscommon People

Night and Day Festival to move to Boyle in 2023

< PAUL HEALY

The Night and Day camping festival which attracted up to 2,000 people in Castlerea last September is moving to Lough Key Forest Park next year and will now be held in the summer.

The Roscommon People can ex clusively report that organisers of the family-friendly festival – which features live music, comedy and po litical debate – will move to the new location next June.

The 2023 event will be held over the summer solstice weekend, taking place on the 24th and 25th of June.

The new venue – Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle – will allow for a larger number of attendees, with the updat ed capacity capped at 4,500 people.

The 2023 Night and Day Festival will feature top music performers,

with Irish acts prominent amongst them. There will also be a political symposium featuring prominent national politicians, as well as a full family-friendly itinerary at a venue which offers a number of activities, including zip lining courses, tree-top walks and boat tours. Once again, weekend camping by attendees will be central to the event.

Night and Day festival director Brendan Hurley told the Roscommon

People: “We’re really excited for the next chapter of what has already been a great adventure. Lough Key is the perfect setting for a music festival and we can’t wait to develop Night and Day further in our amazing new home.

“We would also like to thank the O’Conor-Nash family from Clonalis House for letting us use their beauti ful estate for our debut festival”.

General Manager of Lough Key Forest Park Louise Fitzpatrick said: “I am beyond excited for Lough Key Forest and Activity Park to be the new home for this fantastic festival and believe the park is such a perfect fit with the Night and Day festival ethos. It has long been an ambition to have a festival of this scale here and I’m delighted to work with the organisers to see it happening”.

Buying a Property at Auction

I am interested in buying a house which will be sold by public auction shortly. Are there any steps I should take before I go to the auc tion to bid for this property?

There are a number of important issues to con sider before you purchase a property at public auction. Once your bid is accepted you are then legally bound to purchase the property.

The Latin term “Caveat Emptor” meaning “let the buyer beware” is particularly relevant when buying a property at public auction. The seller of a property is under no obligation to disclose defects attaching to a property so it is paramount that a purchaser would satisfy himself of the condition of the property before purchasing. The purchaser should ensure that all relevant checks and surveys e.g. a structural survey, are carried out by a qualified professional before bidding on any property at public auction.

You should also engage a solicitor to establish that there are no legal or title problems affecting the property. Your solicitor will raise all neces sary title queries on your behalf with solicitors for the vendor before the auction and will advise you accordingly. It is important to be aware of any potential title issue as this will obviously impact on your ability to sell the property in the future.

If you are not a cash purchaser, it is essential that you have the finance arranged to assist you in completing the purchase before the auction takes place.

If you are the highest bidder (after the reserve price is met) on the day of the auction the prop erty will be sold to you. You will be asked to immediately sign the contracts for sale and you will be obliged to pay a 10% deposit. You will be asked to give one part contract for sale to your solicitor and the auctioneer will send the other part contract for sale to the seller’s solicitor. The contract for sale will usually specify a date for completion of the sale when the balance monies must be paid and you will receive the keys.

WATCHING People

With PAUL HEALY

Ronaldo, Piers Morgan… and a tasty

Wow! Did you see THE interview?

Yeah, yeah…

That guy, he’s SO smug!

I ‘spose…

Sitting there, preening, lips pursed, all ‘look at me, look at me!’

Eh, I guess…

He’s just so…arrogant!

And needy!

Yeah…and if he doesn’t get his way, he just storms off the stage!

That’s the package you get with Ronaldo… Ronaldo? I was talking about Piers Morgan!

(They pause to check if Trump is really plan ning to run again; he is)

Still, I can’t believe he dissed his manager, and the entire Manchester United club…

Huh?

Ronaldo. He’s been so disloyal…

Well, some people might think he makes valid points…

Oh, I dunno ‘bout that. It comes across as bitter…a veteran who can no longer accept that he can’t do what he once excelled at…

In fairness, he’s not getting that many chances to show whether or not he still has the old magic!

And to think that for so long, Ronaldo was the Chosen One…

But that’s Ronaldo’s problem now! He’s no longer being chosen!

Well, I’m disappointed in him this week,

Party line-up! Endangered Species Thebarstoolboyos

The Ronaldo shrine in your house… Yeah, well after his outburst with Piers Morgan, I’m thinking of taking it down…and putting my Marty Mor rissey shrine back in!

(They pause to check if there are any more roadworks springing up in Roscommon Town streets)

So, a mad world we’re living in… Huh?

Donald Trump running for President again, the former UK Health Secretary dancing in the jungle…did you see HANCOCK’S DANCING?

Yeah, yeah…. Ronaldo and Rooney at odds… Yeah…

By the way, how do you think Piers Morgan did in that interview?

Oh Morgan is insufferable!

Wouldn’t be a bad dinner party though, would it? Huh?

and I’ve always been a HUGE fan! I know, don’t you have a Ronaldo shrine in your house?

Please, not in public, not in the People! …with a life-size cutout of Ronaldo, and photos and videos and… It’s only a corner of the shed, don’t exaggerate!

You must show it to me some day soon… Huh?

Ronaldo. Trump. Morgan. Hancock. Excellent! But surely you need to add in Marty Morrissey…

Agreed!

It would be sensational. I mean, think of the egos! What would Matt Hancock and Marty do if, true to form, Ronaldo, Trump and Piers Morgan took over completely and started boasting and gloating…

Easy! Marty and Matt could retire to another room and practise their dance moves!

PEOPLE writing headlines…

Yes, he makes this page yet again (as well as front and back pages worldwide). Mind you, Ronaldogate is all a bit boring just now. The Manchester United legend did an interview with Piers Morgan last weekend which will widen the star’s rift with the club and almost certainly hasten his departure from Old Trafford

David Clifford

The Kerry star scored a remarkable 2-12 as Fossa defeated Listry (after extra-time) to win the Kerry Junior Football Cham pionship final

Matt Hancock

The controversial former UK Health Sec retary continues to dominate the current series of ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ while his decision to take part is still being roundly condemned by many viewers

Padraig Harrington

The Dubliner continued his tremendous form on the PGA Tour Champions cir cuit by winning the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix, his fourth win of the season on the prestigious seniors’ tour

Cristiano Ronaldo

Parents asked to switch off engines outside school!

As

2022,

which runs from 21st 25th of November, Roscommon County Council and An Taisce’s Green-Schools Travel Programme are promoting a campaign in schools to raise awareness of the

harmful effects that CO2 emissions has on our children’s health by asking parents and bus drivers to switch off their engines outside schools.

The transport sector represents about 18%

of Ireland’s carbon emissions nationally through the burning of fossil fuels such as petrol and diesel. It is our obligation to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels not just for the environment but also for

the good of our health.

During morning dropoff and afternoon pickup times there can be a large volume of traffic congregating outside schools. As parents wait in their cars, they may decide to leave the engine running, particularly for heat during the colder winter months. However, this engine idling isn’t environmentally friendly as the car continues to emit harmful CO2 gases which contributes to poor air quality.

Neither is it efficient, as engine idling continues to burn fuel, plus turning off engines for short periods of time has no impact on engine health.

Young people are at a greater risk of health impacts of air pollution because their lungs are still developing and are prone to developing respiratory ailments due to poor air quality.

(applicable outside national

in the county; see story)

For a cleaner air environment outside schools, Roscommon County Council in partnership with An Taisce’s Green-Schools are encouraging parents and bus drivers outside schools to switch

off their engines for Clean Air Week and to continue to do so thereafter.

Additionally, an information pack will be sent to schools to inform and raise awareness of the harmful effects CO2 emissions have on the environment and our health. Furthermore, a helpful and informative Green Schools No Idling toolkit for Clean Air Week is available online to schools and community groups at www.greenschoolsireland.org

Pictured at the launch of the countywide Clean Air campaign

schools

were, back row, left to right: Ciaran Hussey (Green Schools Officer), Cllr. Tom Crosby (Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council), Sarah Scott (Senior Staff Officer, Roscommon County Council), Jonathan Jones (Environmental Awareness Officer), Erica Feely (teacher at Killina NS). Standing behind the banner in front row are members of the Green Schools Committee.

Kerrane demands action on home care ‘crisis’

Sinn Féin TD Claire Ker rane says hundreds of peo ple in the RoscommonGalway constituency who are eligible to receive care in their own homes are still being denied it due to an ongoing “crisis” in relation to retention and recruitment of staff in the sector.

Speaking following her party’s recent Dáil Motion on the issue, Deputy Ker rane said there are over 6,200 people across the State who are still waiting for home care despite hav ing been approved for it. This, she says, compares to about 5,000 people being in the same pre dicament at the start of the year.

Deputy Kerrane says she was made aware re cently of an older person in hospital whose family were told that while the paperwork for a home care package would be completed, there was “not a hope” of the service ac tually being allocated.

“Hundreds of people in Roscommon and Galway are in this situation. They want to and can be cared for in their own homes but the care is not actually

being provided. This is unacceptable. “In March, Minister Mary Butler an nounced the establish ment of a Workforce Ad visory Group to look at the recruitment and reten tion crisis in home care. That report was published last month. Meanwhile, seven months were lost as waiting lists continued to grow.

“Roscommon Home Care Services could be used by the Minister as

a blueprint for where we need to get to in building home care in the State. They provide a living wage – and above – as well as uncapped travel costs, and their carers pro vide first class care to their clients”.

Deputy Kerrane de manded that Minister But ler “stops the reports and talking shops” and imme diately deals with issues of pay, terms and conditions within the sector.

IMPROVING THE LIVES OF ADULTS IN IRELAND

Are you aged 45-64 years?

We are working with trained interviewers from Behaviour and Attitudes (B&A) and are knocking on doors of pre-selected homes all over the country.

If you have been selected and have received an invitation letter and wish to learn more about what is involved, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:

• Email: tilda@tcd.ie • Phone: 01 8962509 • Visit www.tilda.ie to find out more.

Strokestown Christmas Market preparations are underway

The holiday season is approaching fast and the Strokestown Christmas Market committee are getting ready to welcome the most wonderful time of the year!

The committee have been very busy prepar ing to make Strokestown Christmas Market 2022 bigger, brighter and even more enjoy able!

The fun commences on Friday, 2nd of December with the illumination of the town and Santa’s arrival being hosted by Our Voice FM.

The festivities will continue over a jampacked weekend with live music, street entertainers, some very familiar children’s characters, face-painting, Christmas carols, games and many more enjoyable acts with some special surprises for everyone!

Bawn Street will be lined with traditional wooden chalets and gazebos and over the

three days there will be seventy different market stalls brimming with a vast array of goods offering Christmas decorations, knitted goods, toys, candles, jewellery, ornaments and much more to help fill your Christmas stockings!

For the foodies, a selection of pizzas, crepes and hot delights will be available – and not forgetting those with a sweet tooth: there will be cookies, toasted marshmallows, candy floss, cakes, and preserves, to mention just a few delights. Of course the custom of hot chocolate will be available free of charge to all the visitors to the market on Friday night. Santa will be available to meet and greet on the Friday evening! So save the dates and visit Strokestown Christmas Market. Check out the posters for times and activities to avoid disappointment. More coverage in our next issue.

Murphy calls on TII to address safety concers on the N5

Senator Eugene Murphy has again called for Transport Infra structure Ireland (TII) to imme diately address growing safety concerns in relation to an area known as ‘The Turn of Farn’ on the N5 outside Strokestown.

Following a number of minor traffic accidents there recently, Senator Murphy said he fears there could be a fatality. “What the hell is going on with the authorities that they won’t

put a set of warning lights on the town side of the Dublin road?” asked Senator Murphy.

“The TII, formerly National Roads Authority, need to act swiftly, because I am scared that if the litany of accidents at this bend continues, there will be fatalities.

“I am begging Transport Infra structure Ireland to heed what I am saying. After a long fight, we managed to get very effec

tive warning lights some years ago on the Dublin side of the bend. If we had the same on the Strokestown side of the bend, I firmly believe it would greatly reduce accidents there, as has happened with traffic coming from the Dublin side.

“I am making an appeal once again for the authorities to act without delay to improve safe ty there. It can and should be done”.

The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) www.tilda.ie

TILDA Health & Life is an internationally recognised study that aims to understand and improve life and health in Ireland. The study is currently bringing in new participants, between the ages of 45-64 years, who want to play a role in shaping a brighter future for adults in Ireland.

TILDA Health & Life is inviting new study participants

Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane

Louise in a New York state of mind!

After a very successful year at Louise’s Beauty Studio – named Repêchage’s Best Beauty Salon in Ireland – Lou ise is off to New York for World Beauty Empowerment Confer ence.

Louise Conneally-Dowd of Louise’s Beauty Studio in Roscommon is heading to New York at the start of December for an amazing, jam-packed three days of Repêchage launches and training work shops, with the highlight of the trip being the World Beauty Empowerment Conference.

2022 has been an amazing year for Louise’s Beauty Stu dio. After two years of lock downs, it has been a non-stop, busy year for the business – so much so that Louise hasn’t yet been able to have a full week off all year!

In early March, the studio was named Repêchage’s Best Beauty Salon in Ireland, an ac complishment which made the salon even busier and which led to the invitation for next month’s New York trip. Louise has expressed her gratefulness towards her amazing clients for supporting her and her business throughout the years.

Louise will fly out on Satur day, December 3rd. The next

day, Sunday, will be busy with meetings, followed by a launch of new treatments and products to come. Monday will see the highlight of the trip take place: the World Beauty Empower ment Conference, an event at tended by all the top Repêchage salon/spa owners and distribu tors from each country through out the world. Attendees will hear from seven top speakers in the industry and will be treated to a demonstration on every thing new to come in the beauty world.

On Tuesday morning, Louise will head out to New Jersey to the Repechage Training Cen tre in order to undergo training for an amazing new treatment, which will be arriving to salons in the New Year. Louise will re turn home on the Tuesday night, just in time to get settled into a busy week of helping her clients get ready for their Christmas parties in Roscommon – way more important than New York!

New Year

2023 will mark the studio’s 20th year in business, and Lou ise intends to introduce many new treatments and products throughout the year, starting with an amazing treatment straight from New York (arriv ing in early February).

Christmas gifts

A large selection of Christmas gifts is currently available from Louise’s Beauty Studio, with vouchers and skincare, tan and make-up products available insalon and online.

*For more information on Louise’s Beauty Studio, or to book an appointment, visit lou isesbeautystudio.com, phone 090 6637939, or find the studio on Facebook and Instagram.

Louise Conneally-Dowd of Louise’s Beauty Studio

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

A

column by Roscommon People editor paul@roscommonpeople.ie

THURSDAY

Game of two halves

Timing is everything…

This evening, I thought about popping into a shop in town to get a few of the proverbial ‘essen tials’ – as much to pass time as anything else. Then, a scroll of the TV channels revealed a potential treat for footie fans: Live Thursday night football (Manchester United v Aston Villa).

I watched a dull first half, which ended 0-0, the type of scoreline that sometimes has ‘Traditional GAA man’ tut-tutting. Unable to face the ads-heavy Sky Sports’ half-time break, I popped into town. The shops are quiet at 8.30 on a Thursday evening, only an odd shopper browsing the shelves. The rain was miserable.

After a few standard purchases, I returned home, but forgot about Sky Sports’ Thursday night football, only to discover later that the other ‘United’ (not Leeds) had won 4-2. Oh well. I missed six second-half goals, but at least we’re fine for milk in the morn ing…

FRIDAY

Heineken hike

Are we near the day of the €6 pint in rural Ireland? And the €8/9 pint in Dublin? Of course we are! Yesterday, it was revealed that Heineken is imposing a substantial price rise (effective from Decem ber 1st) on publicans.

The already-struggling pub industry will inevitably pass this increase on to customers. Indeed there is some speculation that a pint of Heineken products could rise by up to 30 cent.

I’ve written here before about the old characters I used to serve when my family ran a pub in the centre of Rooskey village in the early 1980s.

Every Friday afternoon, after col

lecting their pension, they’d gather for a couple of hours at the bar counter. These men, if they were around now, would be bewildered by much of the societal change in Ireland. As a teen age barman, I loved their Friday chats.

Everything was up for discussion: lo cal gossip, national politics, sport, the price of cattle, and mostly, the good old days. They were great characters.

One day, there was speculation about an upcoming increase in the price of the pint (95 pence at the time). One of the men, cap on head and cigarette tucked between his wizened fingers, looked gravely at his fellow pension ers. “If the pint ever goes to a pound” he announced, “I’m never drinking again!” – a declaration which received solemn nods of support.

And here we are now, heading to wards the €6 pint in rural Ireland, and the €8/9 pint in Dublin.

Before Covid, rural pubs were in serious decline. The pandemic has deepened the crisis. Anecdotally, it would appear that patronage of pubs hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic lev els. Now we have a cost of living crisis which impacts on publicans, as on all SMEs. Heineken’s pre-Christmas blow adds to a particularly unpleasant

cocktail for all involved in the trade. More pubs will close. Others will further curtail their opening hours. Some may cease stocking Heineken products, but then how long will it be before other drinks’ companies impose rises?

Meanwhile, time eventually caught up with the old characters at the bar in Rooskey. If they lived to see the £1 pint, they drank it. I don’t recall serv ing them minerals, and certainly not bottled water!

SATURDAY

Begrudgery update

David Clifford, probably the greatest Gaelic footballer of all time, scored 2-12 for Fossa in their Kerry County Junior Football final victory today. While he received lots of praise, it was also an opportunity for some key board warriors (who scoffed at the fact that it was ‘merely junior football’) to provide more evidence that Irish begrudgery is alive and well (it’s just partly gravitated to Twitter).

SUNDAY

Stating the obvious…

“We have to build far more homes of different types” Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath told the Sunday Independent.

In other news, a poll of turkeys re veals 98% of them consider Christmas to be their least favourite time of the year…

MONDAY

Martin hits target(s)

Martin O’Neill was an accomplished footballer, and had a good career in club management. As Republic of Ire land manager (with Roy Keane as his deputy) there was relative success… some good days, some bad. What was a mark of the O’Neill tenure was the man’s testiness! His post-match interviews with RTE’s Tony O’Donoghue often saw O’Neill being rude, grouchy and thin-skinned. O’Neill is a decent and respected individual, but I find him hard to warm

to. Having recently written his autobiography, he is currently all over the media.

Early reviews of the book, and in terviews he’s given in recent days on his PR tour (including with Pat Kenny on Newstalk today), give every indication that Martin’s famed prickliness is as healthy as ever. Apparently there’s quite a lot of ‘defensive’ tactics and some score-settling in the autobiography (which is to be expected, I sup pose). Maybe some media outlet should ask Tony O’Donoghue to review the book.

*To be fair, I’ve read one or two glowing reviews of O’Neill’s book online today. Readers can make their own judgements. ‘On Days Like These’ is in the proverbial ‘all good bookshops’ now.

TUESDAY

A war film classic?

We’ve been watching ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (a 2022 film based on the 1929 novel) on Netflix. It follows the experience of four young school friends who, driven into a frenzy by nationalist rhetoric back home, enlist with the German Army during the First World War.

After arriving on the Western Front excited and hopelessly naïve about joining the war and ‘march ing on’ Paris, they are quickly fac ing the nightmare of the horrors of life – and death – in the trenches.

The main feeling this movie evokes is a sense of how futile, heartbreaking and depraved war is. Watching this mesmerising and achingly sad portrayal of the horrors of World War I, it was im possible not to think of how, over a century on, Russia is sending teenagers to war in Ukraine.

This is a remarkable film, featur ing stunning cinematography, the battlefield sequences shocking and poignant. While it’s very long (two hours and 23 minutes), and intensely dark, it’s a brilliant film which I strongly recommend to readers.

Plans for 33-metre mast back on agenda

The company behind controversial plans to construct a 33-metre-high telecommunications mast on the outskirts of Roscommon town has reapplied for planning permis sion after their initial submission was withdrawn last July.

Local residents strongly opposed the planned develop ment at Ballindall by Cignal Infrastructures Ltd, which was first mooted in April, and called on the company to withdraw its application.

A new application was received on October 12th with a decision from Roscommon County Council due on De cember 6th

The proposed development envisages a “33-metre-high multi-user lattice tower telecommunications structure with headframe, carrying antenna and dishes enclosed within a 2.4-metre-high palisade fence compound” at Ballindall, just outside Roscommon town.

€4.35m for library in Boyle, ex-MBNA HQ to be developed

< PAUL HEALY

Projects in Boyle and Carrick-on-Shannon are amongst 23 nationwide which are included in a €115m funding package announced by Min ister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD on Thursday last. The projects are being funded as part of Our Rural Future, the Government’s five-year Policy for Rural Development.

Minister of State Frank Feighan described the announcement as a ‘game changer’ for the South Leitrim/North Roscommon area.

€4.35m has been allocated for the develop ment of a new community library in Boyle. This project will build on existing large-scale Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in vestment in the town, on foot of Boyle 2040, and deliver a community library on a brown

field site in the town centre, creating a key land mark and a new modern and innovative cultural and community space.

The new library, located to the rear of the for mer Royal Hotel, will face out onto the river walk, in the King House Cultural Quarter. It will be accessible, flexible and suitable for the provision of innovative library services into the future. Alongside traditional library services, the facilities offered in the new multi-function al library with include meeting, workshop and event spaces, technology and research spaces and indoor and outdoor sensory spaces.

Welcoming the news, Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive, Roscommon County Council said the investment “will strengthen the cultural and economic development of Boyle, building on the existing regeneration taking place in the surrounding area.

“I congratulate the elected members and Boyle Town Team for their ongoing support and the Regeneration Team, Roscommon County Council their commitment and dedication to the development of this project and for the de livery of RRDF projects across the county”.

Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy said: “I’m delighted to see this major funding announce ment for Boyle of over €4.3 million to build a community library. The library will be building on other regeneration projects in Boyle which will make the town a more vibrant and attrac tive place to live and do business in”.

Meanwhile, €7.2m is being allocated for Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim. This funding will enable Leitrim County Council to purchase the 112,600 sq. ft. former MBNA campus in Carrick-on-Shannon and develop an enterprise campus at the site.

Artist’s impression of the proposed new community library in Boyle.

The Convent of Mercy, Roscommon staged ‘Sister Act The Musical’ on a number of nights last week. Pictured are some of the cast, on stage. See page 20. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

newsbriefs

Christmas Craft Fair in King House, Boyle

This year’s Christmas Craft Fair in King House, Boyle marks the first signs of Christmas for many, providing excitement, family fun and a great buzz.The fair takes place over two dates, i.e. Friday evening, November 25th from 5 pm to 9 pm (just in time to get home to watch the Late, Late Toy Show!) and on Saturday, November 26th from 10 am to 5 pm. This year, the organisers are especially excited to offer ‘A Christmas Mascot Experience’ on the Friday evening, with many exciting Christmas characters including Elf on the Shelf for children to meet and pose with. There will be music by local singer Kate Curran and others on Friday evening, while The Sligo Concert Band will provide Yuletide melodies on Saturday. There will also be a performance by the very talented young local pianist Lenny Chen on the Saturday afternoon. A visit to King House Christmas Craft Fair is guaranteed to take all of the stress out of one’s Christmas shopping, combining a lovely festive atmosphere with over forty stands offering a variety of crafts and design.

5km Memorial Walk for Hospice

A 5km Memorial Candlelight Walk takes place on Sunday, November 27th around the vicinity of Knock, as part of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice ‘Shine A Light’ tree lighting ceremony. The walk will commence at 5 pm from St. John’s Rest & Care Centre in Knock followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 6 pm. Refreshments will be served after the walk. You can register online on www.hospice.ie or you can register on the day for a fee and you will receive a Memorial Walk t-shirt. You can set up an Idonate page or apply for a sponsorship card by ticking the appropriate boxes on the online registration form. Your support would be appreciated.

Knockcroghery Community Alert AGM

The Knockcroghery Community Alert AGM will take place at 8 pm on Thursday, November 17th in Knockcroghery Community Centre.

Representatives from Muintir na Tire and An Garda Síochána will attend on the night.

This is a great opportunity to raise any personal or community security concerns you may have, as well as learning about new initiatives in the ongoing battle to keep our communities safe. Please join if you can. You will be most welcome.

AGM at the Fr Flanagan Centre

An Annual General Meeting will take place at the Fr. Flanagan Memorial Community Centre, Ballymoe (F45 D891) on Thursday, November 24th Please submit any committee nominations to mikehballymoedevelopment@gmail.com.

Roscommon Town Comhaltas sessions

Roscommon Town Comhaltas branch’s twice-monthly music session has now moved to Beár an Ráille, Abbeytown. It was held before an appreciative audience on Thursday night last and will continue on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 8 pm to 10 pm.

Mullen to chair

‘Roscommon for Life’ presentation

‘Roscommon for Life’ are hosting a presentation by Megan and Ben Scallan, which the group says will “address the reality, fall-out and damage inflicted on children born and unborn by the erosion of ethical values”.  The guests are a husband and wife, Ben working with Gript Media, Megan with Life Institute (and young people). Chair and MC at the event will be Senator Ronan Mullen.  The presentation will take place at 8 pm on Friday, 18th of November at Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon. Light refreshments will be provided.

Scoil Mhuire planning permission welcomed

Senator Eugene Murphy has welcomed the decision of Roscommon County Council to grant planning permission to Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Strokestown for the removal of existing prefabs and to construct a two-storey extension of 860 sq. metres in size, with amended car parking.

Senator Murphy says he looks forward to giving his full support to the project going forward.

Athleague Community Centre AGM

The AGM of Athleague Community Centre will be held on Tuesday, 22nd of November at 8 pm in the Centre. All are welcome to attend.

Council ‘paving way’ towards a more inclusive community

Members of the public received a pleasant sur prise last Friday morning when staff of Roscommon County Council com pleted a special design on the approach to the level crossing outside Roscommon County Library.

The vivid street artwork is designed in support and solidarity with members of the LGBT+ communities, not just in Roscommon, but throughout the country.

The action coincides with ‘Stand Up Aware ness Week’, which is taking place nationwide.

The week-long cam paign began on Monday,

November 14th and runs to this Friday, November 18th. The aim of the initiative is to ‘pave the way’ for a more inclusive community in County Roscommon as well as throughout the country, supporting the LGBT+ community.

The local initiative is supported by Roscom mon County Council, Galway Roscommon Education Training Board (GRETB), Be LonG To Youth Services, Youthreach, and Foróige Roscommon. Students attending local secondlevel schools are also supporting the initiative. As one of the partners

to the initiative, BeLonG To’s vision is a world where LGBTI+ young people are equal, safe, and valued in the diver sity of their identities and experiences.

Their mission is to sup port LGBTI+ young peo ple as equals to achieve their vision through youth work, changing attitudes, and research. A key objective of BeLonG To is the promotion of human rights, social justice, solidarity, and intersectionality through collaboration, youth and inter-agency participa tion.

Belong To’s Stand Up Awareness Week is a time for post-primary schools, youth services, and Youthreach in Ire land join to take a stand against homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.

‘Stand Up Awareness Week’ is an opportunity to take steps to make

spaces safe and support ive for LGBTQ+ young people.

One in five young LGBTQ+ people face bullying with almost three-quarters (73%) of

young LGBTQ+ students feeling unsafe at school. Working collaboratively, the campaign can help create spaces where LG BTQ+ young people feel safe, equal, and valued.

How it happened!

Cllr. Orla Leyden has paid tribute to all involved in the initiative. In a press statement, Cllr. Leyden said: “It is thanks to the LGBTQ+ & Allies Student Group in Ro scommon Community College and pioneer teacher Ms. Kathryn Dennigan, and The Social Inclusion Group, Foroige and Foroige Youth Worker, Joanna O’Reilly, of The Quad, that this initiative has happened.

“Well done to this great group of young people, Ms. Kathryn Dennigan and Ms Joanna O’Reilly. This is a symbolic and strong message. It demonstrates the lead ership of Roscommon Community College students, staff and senior management and the leadership of Foroige”.

Cllr. Leyden said that herself, Deputy Denis Naughten and Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher had all advocated for this initiative, and the proposal then had to be brought to the members of the Roscommon Municipal District, who unanimously agreed to it (as did the executive).

The Roscommon MD councillors are Nigel Dineen, Paschal Fitzmaurice, Orla Leyden, Marty McDermott, Kathleen Shanagher and Anthony Waldron.

Kathryn Dennigan of Roscommon Community College, and Foroige Youth Worker, Joanna O’Reilly pictured with staff members of Motorway Maintenance, Roscommon County Council (see story).

Local athletes in All-Ireland action this weekend

D The page

The Athletics Ireland All-Ire land Even-Age Group Cross Country Championships will be held in Rosapenna in north Donegal this coming Sunday, alongside the National Senior and U-20 Championships. This is one of the landmark dates on the Irish athletics cal endar and Roscommon Ath letics will be well represented by some of the county’s finest young talent at the event, all of whom qualified via the corre sponding Connacht Champi onships held in Drumshanbo on November 6th.

At the U-12 age grade, both Clodagh Conlon of Reeside AC and Sarah Kelly of Ro scommon AC will pursue national honours in the girls event over 2000m, while Ro scommon AC’s Samuel God frey will do likewise in the U-12 boys’ category, also over 2000m. At U-14 level Ro scommon will be represented by a County U-14 Girls team which finished 3rd at the recent Connacht Championships and will include Beth O’Mahoney and Nicole Mulhern (both Suck Valley AC), and Saoirse

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McNamara, Niamh Burke, Roiri Gately and Etain Fallon (all Roscommon AC). At U-16 level Eamonn Coyle and Em mett Muldowney, both of Re eside AC, will mix it up with the country’s finest.

Up to 160 individual athletes are expected to compete in each category on this prestig ious occasion. The event also serves as the trial for Irish teams for the upcoming Eu ropean Cross Country Cham pionships, where Ireland have had much success in recent years.

Boyle man raises over €500 for good causes

Boyle man, David McKenna, who recently raised over €500 for the Irish Hospice Foundation’s Nurses for Night Care and the Mater Foundation after he completed two charity events locally.

Boyle man, David McKenna, recently raised over €500 for the Irish Hospice Foundation’s Nurs es for Night Care and the Mater Foundation after he completed two charity events locally.

David completed 123.55 miles as part of the 100 Miles in Octo ber for the Irish Hospice Founda tion, raising €433. Not content with that mammoth effort, he then took part in the ‘Dickie Dip’ at Lough Key Forest Park last Saturday and raised €119 for the Mater Foundation while raising awareness of prostate and testicu lar cancer in the process.

David thanked all of his spon sors for both events including Flahavan’s Porridge, McDon ald’s of Sligo, and his supporters and friends who supported him in filling 30 shoeboxes as part of the Team Hope Christmas Appeal recently.

Roscommon Schools host Children’s Fitness Initiative

Fitness and healthy eating should start at a young age. That’s the message pupils at St. Mary’s Nation al School, Knockcroghery and Cornafulla National School heard when they recently hosted the popular children’s fitness initiative ‘Fit Squad’.

Delivered by Irish fitness expert Sarah Ryan and supported by Fyffes, the visits saw over 220 pupils participate in the active workout which included ad vice on healthy eating, demonstrations of exercises young people should do, and tips on how to use lei sure time to stay physically fit.

Continuing until next March, it is expected that some 7,500 pupils nationwide will participate in the interactive fitness sessions, adding to the over20,000 pupils who have taken part in it since it was first launched in 2018. Schools interested in receiv ing a similar visit can find details online at www. fyffesfitsquad.ie

Samuel Godfrey

The Curley family wish to say a big ‘Thank you’ all who supported the recent cancer walk in Glinsk. Sincere thanks to all who participated, donated financially or otherwise, helped with catering, and all who contributed in any way to a most enjoyable and successful day.

As a result of your generosity a total of €8000 was raised and has been presented to the Irish Cancer Society.

*Pictured making the presentation to Mary Murray of the Irish Cancer Society are Evelyn Curley and Emma Curley.

Girls U-14 team (left to right): Niamh Burke, Roiri Gately, Saoirse McNamara, Etain Fallon, Beth O’Mahoney and Nicole Mulhern.

Sarah Kelly Clodagh Conlon Eamonn Coyle Emmett Muldowney

ATU Sligo and St Angela’s College host joint Open Days this November

Atlantic Technologi

cal University and St. Angela’s College will welcome prospective students and their fami lies to ATU Sligo cam pus on Friday 25th (9 am-1 pm) and Saturday 26th (10 am-2 pm) of November. These Open Days are an opportunity to discover all that ATU Sligo and St. Angela’s college have to offer as a third-level uni versity option. Inter ested students and their families are encouraged to attend, as a packed schedule of events will ensure no questions remain unanswered.

A free bus service will operate between both campuses on each day to ensure visitors will have the opportunity to talk with academics, current students and the student support teams from across ATU Sligo and St. Angela’s.

Visitors will get to see first-hand the campus facilities through a mixture of interactive workshops, demon strations and campus tours. A second bus will

tour the purpose-built student villages which surround the ATU Sligo campus throughout each day to give applicants a sense of the many options available to stay in Sligo. iRadio will broadcast live from Sligo on Friday and there will be some great prizes to give away across both days. A Sligo Discount Sheet for Open Day attendees will allow a 10% discount at various coffee shops, restaurants and clothes shops in Sligo, Strand hill and Rosses Point.

Shannonbridge Power Station

Sunday 20th November at 2pm

We are demonstrating to maintain our right to continue to cut turf so that we can heat our homes and cook our meals. We also believe that this power station should be reopened to prevent extreme energy poverty for all of us living in Ireland during this energy crisis.

So come out on Sunday the 20th and let your voices be heard!

Newspaper Ad for week 1

St. Angela’s College Sligo and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) have officially lodged a joint submission to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Skills for the integration of St. Angela’s College into ATU. Atlantic Technological University delivers a rich combination of academic and research excellence, quality of life and opportunity

across Galway, Mayo, Donegal and Sligo.

Roscommon People: 155mm high x 260mm wide

The Open Days in Sligo follow other such events

across all ATU campus es. ATU Mayo will host the final ATU Open Day of 2022 on Wednesday,

7th of December. Visit atu.ie/opendays to register and for more information.

Locally owned and in the heart of the community!

FRANK BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique take on life ...

Is it time to hand over our mobile phones when we go to the pub?

Our man Frank on why he agrees with Bob Dylan; A Hospice fundraiser; Joan’s great project…and a donkey milk brainwave!

You will recall that on a few occasions down through the years, I have mentioned the sad fact that mobile phones (well, more accurately the use of mobile phones) have had a detrimental effect on the art of

Whisper it: Please support Hospice fundraiser

A couple of weeks ago I told you about the big night that Castlerea legend, Johnny Carroll, was organising for Galway Hospice in the wonderful surrounds of Galway Cathedral, and the fabulous line-up he had managed to put together.

Well it all took place last Thursday night, No vember 10th, and it is no surprise to hear that it was a complete sell-out! Johnny told me that they had to announce on the Tuesday beforehand that tickets were completely sold out, with more than 1,000 people attending the fantastic show.

Johnny and the Roscommon Solstice Choir have recorded a beautiful single, ‘Whispering Hope’ which is now on sale, with all the proceeds going to the Hospice.

I had fully intended going along on the Thursday night, but Covid decided to pay Carol and I a visit, so we had to keep to ourselves for a week or so, and obviously couldn’t go to Galway. People can still support the very worthy cause by buying a copy of ‘Whispering Hope’ – and maybe give a copy to a few of your friends as a Christmas gift. Anyway, well done to Johnny and to all who contributed to a wonderful night’s entertainment. I am delighted it turned out so well! I wonder if it could become an annual event?

Hee-hawing all the way to the bank?

One of my regular readers (possibly the only one) saw fit to ring me the other day to tell me about a new way to make money!

Apparently he saw Hector’s new programme, ‘From the Balkans to the Baltic’, and realised that donkeys’ milk is an extremely expensive com modity. It seems that by mixing donkey and goats’ milk and producing cheese, you can fetch up to €7,000 a litre (how much milk a litre of cheese takes, I don’t know). He wondered why aren’t we all milking donkeys and making our fortunes.

It has been scientifically proven that donkeys’ milk is almost as nutritious as mothers’ milk, so it looks like a no-brainer to me. As a country that always has its fair share of donkeys, maybe we as a nation are missing out on a big opportunity – it might be time to start making donkey cheese! We can be laughing (hee-haw) all the way to the bank!

conversation – particularly in our public houses.

Tongue in cheek, I have suggested that customers should put their phones across the counter upon their arrival into their local pub. My idea was a bit similar to the old west, when everyone had to surrender their guns when they entered the saloon, and only got them back as they were leaving. Maybe the same theory should apply to mobile phones in pubs!

While it might be difficult to keep track of every phone, it would mean that all of those who are constantly fiddling with them would at

least have to make some effort to chat to who ever was beside them. After all, most people actually used to go to the pub to have a chat. Anyway, all that came into my head when I read that the legendary singer/songwriter, Bob Dylan, didn’t allow any mobile phones into his recent concert in the 3 Arena. Apparently you had to put your phone into a sealed envelope and only got it back after the concert. There was a specific area where people could go to answer important or emergency calls, but apart from that, your phone was out of action for the duration of the show.

I think it was wonderful that Dylan intro duced the ‘no phones’ rule, and the reaction from everyone was very positive. The general consensus was that they enjoyed the show much better without the constant flashing of phone camera bulbs, and they could concentrate much better on Dylan’s music.

If, this weekend, we all had to hand our phones across our local pub counters, it would be a great step forward and could prove once and for all that, as Bob himself might say, “the times, they are a-changing”.

Happy birthday, Tina!

After the absence of music in the pubs for so long, within the last couple of weeks I have seen Decie Walsh perform twice in Mikeen’s. The first time was as part of the Harvest festival, and then there was last Saturday night, when Decie provided the excellent entertain ment for Tina Gavin’s birthday. It was one of those birthdays that ended in a zero, but that’s all you are getting from me! No matter how many pints you buy me, I am not going to reveal Tina’s age.

However, it was great craic, and it marked my reappearance after re cently having Covid. There was a real party atmosphere. It is great to see normality slowly coming back after a long absence. So, congrats Tina, happy birthday, and here’s to the next big one!

Homeward bound: Joan’s great project

A week or so ago I watched a love ly edition of Nationwide on RTE 1, which focused on the restoration of the old Killian homestead out side Lanesborough.

It followed the journey of Con necticut-born Joan Killian Gal lagher and her quest to bring her old family home back to its origi nal state. It took thirteen years for her to get it all restored, and I have to say it looks amazing, and is a credit to the extremely successful American businesswoman.

However, in watching the pro gramme, it was an old letter writ ten by Joan’s granny some months after leaving Ireland for the US more than 100 years ago that left the most profound effect on me.

It made me realise how sad it is that no one hardly ever writes at all any more. Granny’s letter is still lovingly preserved by the Kil lian family, and I just thought it so beautiful that they can still read her thoughts and feelings after all these years.

Now that we are in the era of text messages, Whatsapps and emails and other types of convenience contact, it saddens me to think that traditional letter-writing is a thing of the past.

In the same programme, there was an example of Joan’s grand mother’s handwriting in her Pen manship Workbook, written when she was ten years old; she thought it important enough to bring to

America with her, and it too has survived to this day. And the strik ing thing about that book is the sheer quality of the handwriting – it is so beautifully written. For someone still slightly short of her 10th birthday at the time, it is amaz ing.

Many years later, when I went to national school, there was still a huge emphasis on handwriting. It is safe to say that very few people can write at all any more, and it’s a very sad development.

Anyway, well done to Joan: it’s been a long road, but watching the programme, it was very easy to see how much the family homestead means to her. There is no doubt it was all worthwhile.

And finally…

Out here in Creggs, we were saddened to hear of the recent death of Martin Joe Keane, a man who won All-Ireland medals in both hurling and football with Roscommon, and who was a tremendous inspiration to all of us who were lucky enough to play football with him in Creggs.

A superb midfielder, he represented Connacht in the now defunct Railway Cup competition, also playing hurling for Tremane along with his brother Seamus. He was a great businessman and a family man, and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

To the Keane family, I extend my sincere sympathy. May he rest in peace.

Joan Killian Gallagher

THE BRIDGE CLUB

Hurley Cup

1st: Mary & Terry O’Keeffe; 2nd: Joan Donnellan & June Halliday; Session 1: Mary & Pearse Mellett; Session 2: Tommie Murphy & Tresina Smyth.

Happy ‘71 Bridge Club

1st: Kitty Dowd & Celia Ansboro; 2nd: Sandra Kelly & Kathleen Kelly; Gross: Tommie Murphy & June Hal liday.

St Coman’s Bridge Club

1st: Ann Shine & Mary Naughton; 2nd: Honor Lynn & Geraldine Relihan; Gross: Kitty Dowd & Celia Ans boro.

Kilbride Bridge Club

1st: Ann Igoe & Gertie McDermott; 2nd: Anne Moloney & Pauline Leonard; 3rd: Brid Gillooly & Sheila Mack en.

Previous results

Happy ‘71 Bridge Club

1st: Tresina Smyth and Larry Shine; 2nd: Celia Ansboro and Judy Adamson; Gross: Tommie Murphy and June Halliday.

St Coman’s Bridge Club

1st: Gertie Spillane and Maria Hickey; 2nd: Ann Flynn and Peggie Kelly; Gross: Nuala Costello and Chris McGrath.

Ballymurray Bridge Club

1st: John O’Gara and Michael Dolan; 2nd: Bernadette Maher and Margaret Madden; Gross: Kathleen Corco ran and Ann Shine.

Kilbride Bridge Club

November 2nd – 1st: Ann McCourt and Jane Hunt; 2nd: Phil Murray O’Brien and Bernie Fallon; 3rd: Gertie McDermott and Ann Igoe. October 26th – 1st: Gertie McDermott and Ann Igoe; 2nd: Frances Keane and Brid Gillooly; 3rd: Ann McCourt and Sheila Macken.

Gospel Reflection

Sunday, November 20

Week by week, the Liturgy has been preparing us for the revelation to be made on this, the last Sunday of the Church year.

Jesus, we have been shown, is truly the Chosen One, the Messiah of God, the King of the Jews. Ironically, in today’s Gospel we hear these names on the lips of those who don’t believe in Him – Israel’s rulers, the soldiers, a criminal dying alongside Him.

They can only see the scandal of a bloodied figure nailed to a cross. They scorn Him in words and gestures foretold in Israel’s Scriptures (see Psalm 22:7–9; 69:21–22; Wisdom 2:18–20). If He is truly King, God will rescue Him, they taunt. But He did not come to save Himself, but to save them – and us.

The good thief shows us how we are to accept the salvation He offers us. He confesses his sins and acknowledges he deserves to die for them. And he calls on the name of Jesus, seeking His mercy and forgiveness.

By his faith he is saved. Jesus “remembers” him – as God has always remembered His people, visiting them with His saving deeds, numbering them among His chosen heirs (see Psalm 106:4–5).

By the blood of His cross, Jesus reveals His Kingship – not in saving His own life, but in offering it as a ransom for ours. He transfers us to “the kingdom of His beloved Son,” as today’s Epistle tells us.

His kingdom is the Church, the New Jerusalem and House of David that we sing of in today’s Psalm.

By their covenant with David in today’s First Reading, Israel’s tribes are made one “bone and flesh” with their king. By the New Covenant made in His blood, Christ becomes one flesh with the people of His kingdom – the head of His body, the Church (see Ephesians 5:23–32).

We celebrate and renew this covenant in every Eucharist, giving thanks for our redemption, hoping for the day when we too will be with Him in Paradise.

-Scott Hahn Ph.D., www.salvtionhistory.com (courtesy of Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon)

Lough Funshinagh: ‘Not positive at present, but we’re determined to find solution’

Minister and OPW update local community

< PAUL HEALY

A Government Minister says there is “no doubt” that the Lough Funshi nagh crisis will end up in the courts again.

Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan told repre sentatives of the Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee that he, the OPW and Roscommon County Council remain determined to find a solu tion to the flooding that has proven so devastating for families in the stricken area.

Minister O’Donovan indicated that while the current situation is not positive, no stone will be left unturned in efforts to ensure that a solution is found.

The meeting between Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee (LFFCC) and Minister Patrick O’Donovan was held on Thursday last (November 10th) in the Office of Public Works, George’s Quay in Dublin.

The LFFCC was repre sented by Tom Carney (Chairperson), Geraldine Murray (Secretary), Mat thew Beattie, Michael Be attie, Sinead Beattie and Maria Carney.

Also present were Depu ties Michael Fitzmaurice, Claire Kerrane and Denis Naughten, and Senators Aisling Dolan and Eu gene Murphy.

The OPW was represent ed by its Executive Chair man, Maurice Buckley.

The purpose of the meet ing was to update the LFFCC regarding devel opments on Lough Fun shinagh since the parties last met, in July 2022.

Mr. O’Donovan reported that consultation with Roscommon County Council – “the lead agen cy for this project” – had been ongoing over the summer.

The meeting heard that the overall situation is not positive and it will take considerable time to agree and plan a viable solution “due to the many vari ables”.

The OPW has reflect

ed on the outcome of all Judicial proceedings and will issue a report by the end of November. The meeting heard that all op tions will be back on the table, one will then be chosen based on its pros pects for success, and it will then be put through the planning process.

As he is in no doubt that the issues will come before the courts again – as when legal action against works at Lough Funshinagh was initiated by ‘Friends of the Irish Environment’ – Minister O’Donovan said no stone will be left unturned so as to ensure this work will be done properly “under the leadership of Roscom mon County Council”. He added that “what happens Lough Funshinagh now and into the future has huge implications for the rest of the country”.

The meeting heard that all options and potential solu tions, including the pipe, must now be explored and examined in an effort to reduce the flood waters of

A poignant day…

The meeting between Minister O’Donovan, the OPW, local politicians and representatives of the ‘Lough Funshinagh community’ was held on the very day (last Thursday) that saw the poignant de molition of the Lyons-O’Meara house in the shad ows of the lough.

Cllr. Laurence Fallon, who has campaigned in tensively on the crisis, said it was an extremely sad day – “like a death in the community”. He speculated that more houses in the area could face a similar fate unless the flooding fiasco can be suc cessfully addressed.

the Lough. Only then can the most suitable option be identified. Further surveys are also needed in order to identify a viable solution towards developing a tool that will predict the action of the Lough into the fu ture. This process must be executed with perfection, the meeting was told.

In the interim, Roscom mon County Council have a plan in place to manage the risk provided the ca pacity of the Lough does not exceed the capacity of 2020/21 – which was 69 metres.

Placing emphasis on

protection of the SAC, homes and properties, Minister O’Donovan said he is adamant that the “law cannot be bro ken”. It was emphasised that the public should not have an expectation of de-designating a SAC. The view was expressed that this would require at least three years or more to consider, and in all likelihood it would not be successful.

EXPERT WORKING GROUP

A decision was taken

to establish an Expert Working Group, led by the County Council, and consisting of representa tion from the Office of Public Works, Roscom mon County Council it self, and the Department of Agriculture, National Parks and Wildlife. (The OPW will meet with the County Council on No vember 25th to finalise the Terms of Reference for this group).

Stakeholders of this group will report to a high-level Steering Group within the OPW.

The Lough Funshinagh Flood Crisis Committee were assured that they are considered to be key stakeholders by the OPW and will be informed at all times of progress, or lack of same, in respect of the OPW’s dealings with the Council.

Minister O’Donovan agreed to meet with the committee and members of local communities in County Roscommon in early spring/summer of 2023.

Miriam’s MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

Back off! A woman’s fertility is nobody’s business but her own

The reason for actress Jennifer An iston’s ‘child-free’ life has been grist to the mill for many a journo for de cades.

Such was the fascination with this woman’s parental status, many ‘gos sip’ columnists speculated that the Friends’ actress was so ambitious and devoted to her career, her ‘re fusal’ to have kids was the reason her marriage to Brad Pitt failed. This speculation wasn’t helped by the fact that less than a year after their split, Pitt settled himself into the role of doting dad with new partner Ange lina Jolie and her three adopted chil dren. The pair went on to have three biological kids together, giving them a brood of six, all before their rela tionship ended in 2017.

Despite the fact it was nobody’s business, Jennifer denied claims that she ‘refused’ to have children, go ing on record last week (in a cover

shoot with Allure magazine) to shut down the rumours, claiming them to be “absolute lies”, revealing she “un derwent in vitro fertilisation” in a bid to get pregnant.

What kind of a world do we live in that any woman (famous or not) feels forced to defend the inner workings of her uterus and reproductive sys tem from a line of pervasive and relentless questions around why she doesn’t have kids? Who are these patronising prats who hold the belief that a woman is not just incomplete if she doesn’t produce a brood, but is also selfish, cold, or even confused to the point she needs reminding that her biological clock and reproduc tive years are rapidly ticking away?

What is it about those who specu late that a woman, if she claims she’s got it all – fulfilled by her success, intelligence and financial indepen dence – has ‘missed the boat’ on

Gifts galore on sale at local TNR cat charity fundraiser

Did you know there’s in excess of 300,000 kittens born in Ire land every year? Shockingly, around 180,000 of these innocent little lives are snuffed out before they’re four months old. How? They starve to death, die of diseases like Feline Immunodefi ciency (FIV), respiratory infections, ringworm, and heartworm, get run over by motorists, are poisoned by cruel humans, etc. It’s heartbreaking.

But where are all of these cats coming from? Humans! That’s where. The same humans who complain to me and other vol unteers about how they “have a feral cat problem in our area”. Humans, who themselves fail to have their own ‘domestic’ pet cats spayed because, wait for it, “she’s too young to breed”! For the record perplexed pet parents, your adorable kitty reach es sexual maturity at just four months. This means your purring puss can get pregnant with babies while she’s still only a baby herself!

And as our government hasn’t made it mandatory for owners to have their cats’ microchipped, when a Tom roams and sires a litter, and a Queen gets pregnant, nobody’s held accountable – leaving your local TNR programme, run by amazing volun teers, to step in and pick up your pieces. They do this by humanely trapping, neutering/spaying these poor cats (now feral because they’ve been forced to fend for themselves), providing them with life-saving treatment, and returning them to their colonies where they feed and monitor them in a bid to sustain their precious little lives.

Yes folks, your local TNR programmes exist because contrary to popular belief, there is no feral cat problem in your area –rather, what you have is a human problem!

Now I’ve got that off my chest, can I please ask my lovely readers to support TNR South Roscommon’s annual Christmas sale?

This hugely important fundraiser is taking place on Sunday, November 27th, from 11 am to 3 pm, in the new-look commu nity centre in Athleague. My good pal, organiser Orla Hanley says: “This event is always a massive success due to the support of the wonderful locals from Athleague”.

The charity will be selling an array of Christmas gift sets, which are, according to Orla, “all brand new”. There’ll be free refreshments of tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes on offer at the event, which has quite literally proven to be a lifeline for this charity when it comes to paying vets’ bills.

‘real fulfilment’, i.e. the kind which comes with making and raising ba bies? Cue dramatic head tilt to the side in sympathy: “aawwww, poor thing”!

Womanhood is not defined, nor is it completed by, having kids. And yet, there’s a cohort of nosey-parkers who believe it’s their right to postu late and induce a level of scaremon gering so sinister, that some childless women go on to experience what I call ‘fertility panic’.

Having given birth to two daugh ters, at the age of thirty, I decided I’d done my bit, and wishing to concentrate on my career, requested a tubal ligation. The reaction I got from some doctors and some fam ily members was so savage, you’d think I’d single-handedly decided to end humanity as we know it! Two male medical professionals actually insisted that to qualify, I’d need my

then husband’s consent, and conde scendingly tapping my hand as if to say ‘shush now, I’m a man and I know best’, one of them advised a chat with a counsellor to ensure me and my fallopian tubes knew what we were doing!

Long story short… I refused to get my then husband’s consent (even though he was happy to provide it). Why? My reproductive organs, my choice! End of!

Trusting myself to make that in formed decision, because I, and I alone, had autonomy over my body, I did my research and found a lovely surgeon in one of Dublin’s maternity hospitals to listen to me. Agreeing with me that the policy of insisting on spousal consent for a sterilisation was not just a bad one, it was also a dangerous one, he performed the procedure, and six weeks later, I had my tubes tied.

But that was my choice, it’s not everyone’s, and it’s clear that like Jennifer Aniston, many women are heartbreakingly living with the pain that must surely come with uncho sen childlessness.

These women have, I’d imagine, tried hard to navigate through their struggles with fertility, possibly even undergoing expensive and stressful IVF treatment while skating around the heartless comments about why they haven’t yet managed to con ceive.

Therefore, if you’re wondering when your new neighbours are go ing to have kids, or are whispering that your work colleague, “hasn’t even started trying yet” because “ya know, her clock’s ticking…tik, tok, tik, tok”, my advice is this: as it’s got nothing to do with you, you should shut up and mind your own busi ness!

RIP Vicky…a remarkable, courageous woman

There’s a palpable sadness running right across the entire country since last Monday, when, four years on from her devastating cancer diagnosis, news broke that CervicalCheck campaigner, legend, and powerful advocate for women’s health, Ms Vicky Phelan, devastatingly lost her battle for life. This amazing mother of two was only 48 years old.

Since her diagnosis, Vicky not only faced challenges beyond what she could ever have imagined, she actually met them head on, turning each one into opportunities to both help and inspire other women.

I never met Vicky, but from listening to her being interviewed, it’s clear that while she must have felt great fear, she never once allowed it to limit her. She had the courage of her convictions, and stood up for what she believed in… as in, she confronted

the State, compelling it to review its CervicalCheck screening programme.

Through her courage and tenacity, this remarkable human, despite being gravely ill (and undergoing gruelling treatment), highlighted to the world how our national CervicalCheck pro gramme was suffering from poor governance, a dearth of ex pertise, and an absolutely disgraceful disregard and disrespect for the women of Ireland – especially when it came to com municating with us.

My sincere condolences go out to Vicky’s children Darragh and Amelia, their Dad Jim, and to all who loved this wonder fully courageous lady. Vicky, you’ve done an enormous service to both your country and to Mná na hÉireann; may your beauti ful warrior soul now rest in peace.

newsbriefs

Talk on ‘Aspects of history of Roscommon from 16th

Century’

A presentation entitled ‘Aspects of the history of Roscommon from 16th Century’ will be presented by William Gacquin on Thursday, 17th of November (this evening) at 8 pm in Athleague Community Centre. The original presentation slides were created by T. Cronin. This free event is sponsored by Athleague Fuerty Heritage Group. All are welcome to attend what promises to be a very interesting presentation.

Rosary to be recited in graveyards

The Rosary will be recited in Ardcarne Graveyard on Saturday, 26th of November at 10.30 am, and in Kileenan Graveyard on Sunday, 26th of November 2022 at 11.15 (approx.).

Parish Youth Mass

The next Parish Youth Mass will be at 7 pm on this Saturday, 19th of November, in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon. This Mass has been especially designed for young people, by young people, but everyone is invited to attend and to benefit from the huge amount of work our young people have put into this community initiative.

OIFIGIGH SEIRBHÍSE SHEALADACHA de dhíth ar CHOIMISIÚN NA SCRÚDUITHE STÁIT Baile Átha Luain, Contae na hIarmhí

Tá Oifigigh Seirbhíse Shealadacha ag teastáil ó Choimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit (CSS) san oifig i mBaile Átha Luain.

Achoimre ar an bPost:

• Baineann sé le láimhseáil, le sórtáil agus le comhdú ábhar scrúdaithe agus trealaimh eile le linn thréimhse na scrúduithe.

• D’fheadfadh sé go mbeadh ort dul ag obair ar ócáidí in áiteanna eile seachas ceannoifig Choimisiúin na Scrúduithe Stáit.

• Ar chonradh sainchuspóra téarma seasta, a fhostófar na hiarrthóirí a n éireoidh leo.

• Ní bheidh na huaireanta tinrimh níos lú ná 41.25 uair an chloig chomhlán sa tseachtain agus, de ghnáth: Dé Luain – Déardaoin: 9.12 - 5.30 agus Dé hAoine: 9.12 - 5.15

• Beidh sé riachtanach uaireanta oibre breise a dhéanamh le linn na tréimhse is gnóthaí de na scrúduithe.

• Beidh an bunráta pá de réir scála pá Oifigeach Seirbhíse agus de réir mar a chinneann rialacháin na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe.

Conas iarratas a dhéanamh:

• Tá an fhoirm iarratais in éineacht le sonraíocht iomlán an phoist ar fáil ar https://www.examinations.ie/recruitment/temp-staff

• Ba chóir na foirmeacha iarratais comhlánaithe, mar aon le grianghraf de mhéid pas agus teistiméireacht ó fhostóir, a bheith ar ais in Aonad na nAcmhainní Daonna, Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit, Corr na Madadh, Baile Átha Luain, Co na hIarmhí tráth nach déanaí ná 5.00 i.n. ar an 25 Samhain, 2022.

Ba chóir oideachas ginearálta maith a bheith ar na hiarrthóirí a chuireann suim sa phost agus Béarla maith, idir scríofa agus labhartha, a bheith acu freisin. Ní mór an fhoirm iarratais a bheith comhlánaithe go hiomlán.

Cuirfear painéal d’iarrthóirí oiriúnacha ar bun chun na poist shealadacha a líonadh. Is féidir go gcuirfear bliain eile leis an tréimhse sin faoi rogha an Phríomhfheidhmeannaigh.

Is cóir d’iarrthóirí a thabhairt dá n-aire gur cúis dícháilithe í an stocaireacht. Is fostóir comhdheise é Coimisiúin na Scrúduithe Stáit.

Email: sineadogrady2@gmail.com

TEMPORARY SERVICE OFFICERS

Required in the STATE EXAMINATIONS COMMISSION, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

The State Examinations Commission (SEC) requires Temporary Service Officers, for its office in Athlone.

Summary of the job:

• Involves the handling, sorting and filing of examination materials and other equipment during the examination season.

• There may be occasions where you will be required at locations other than the SEC headquarters.

• Successful applicants will be employed on a fixed term specific purpose contract.

• The hours of attendance will be not less than 41.25 hours gross per week and generally: Monday – Thursday: 9.12 am - 5.30 pm and Friday 9.12 am - 5.15 pm

• There will be a requirement to work additional hours during the peak examination period.

• The basic rate of pay will be in accordance with the Service Officer pay scale and as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regulations.

How to Apply:

• The application form along with the full job specification are available at https://www.examinations.ie/recruitment/temp-staff

• Completed application forms, together with a passport size photograph and employer’s reference, should be submitted electronically to tso.recruitment@examinations.ie or returned to HR Unit State Examinations Commission, Cornamaddy, Athlone Co. Westmeath on or before 5pm on the 25 November, 2022.

Interested applicants should have a good general education and also have a good command of English both written and oral.

The application form must be fully completed.

A panel of suitable candidates will be established to fill the temporary positions. This may be extended for a further year at the discretion of the CEO.

Applicants should note that canvassing will disqualify.

The State Examinations Commission is an equal opportunities employer.

Supporters at last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Club Football Championship semi-final in Dr. Hyde Park between St. Ronan’s and Owenmore Gaels from Sligo. Pic: Mick McCormack

Naughten heads global group on science & technology

Denis Naughten TD has been elected as Chairperson of the Inter-Parliamen tary Union (IPU) Working Group on Science & Technology.

The group serves as the global par liamentary focal point for issues re lated to science and technology and is composed of twenty-one mem bers of parliament from across the five continents who have specific

relevant knowledge and experience.

The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments established in 1889 to promote democratic gov ernance, institutions, and values, working with parliaments and mem bers of parliament to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people.

The group advises IPU members on

the implementation of relevant inter national commitments; participates in the development of information and educational material for parliamentar ians; carries out field visits to draw lessons from national initiatives for the edification of the whole parliamentary community; and lends more weight to parliamentary action by devising more effective strategies.

Commenting on his election Deputy Naughten said: “I was honoured to be elected as Chairperson of the InterParliamentary Union Working Group on Science & Technology. The goal of our working group is to build bridges between science and parliament at a global level.

“We have seen first-hand during Co vid-19 how important it is for science

to be able to communicate clearly with government and how important it is for government and parliament to critically analyse that evidence and then weigh it up against competing demands.

“This relationship needs to be strengthened by building relationships and trust that can ensure that the best strategic decisions are made now for our future development”.

Remembering former Creggs and Roscommon footballer, and Tremane hurler, the late Martin Joe Keane

< TONY CONBOY

While I was aware that Martin Joe had been ill, I was surprised and saddened when I was con tacted by John Kelly on Friday night, November 4th, and learned that he had passed away.

I had known Martin Joe for decades, one of our earliest encounters being when Creggs defeated Athleague in the 1963 minor championship at Athleague. They had a fine team but were ulti mately defeated by a star-studded Castlerea side in the final.

Martin came from a sporting family in Ros moylan, Creggs. His two brothers, Johnny and Seamus, were top class sportsmen. Johnny was a cyclist of note, coming second in the presti gious national competition ‘The Rás Tailteann’ circa 1960. His brother Seamus would be widely known as a Gaelic player, a Creggs rugby player since the inception of Creggs Rugby Club, a cy clist, a boxer, and also a long-term hurler with Tremane.

Martin went to secondary school in St Mary’s College, Galway, but came to Roscommon CBS for his final two years. This is where I became friendly with him, being on his ‘school league’ team.

He travelled to Roscommon town by scooter, train (from Donamon), and car to the CBS, early evidence of a man with calm determination. Af ter the CBS, he joined the Gardaí and spent some years stationed in Dublin. Throughout this time,

he was of course on the Creggs teams, and also Roscommon teams, starting with the star-studded but ultimately unsuccessful minor team of 1963.

His first taste of a big national win came as a member of the Roscommon Junior hurling side, when they won the 1965 All-Ireland title against Warwickshire in St Coman’s Park. That game is remembered especially for the fact that Gerry O’Malley finally got an All-Ireland medal with that victory.

The high point of Martin’s county football ca reer was with the great Roscommon U-21 team of 1966, who defeated the firm favourites Kildare in Croke Park to take the Clarke Cup.

Creggs entered a junior hurling team in 1967, and it is from that foundation that he and his brother Seamus joined the Tremane hurling team, who came to be a dominant force in Roscommon hurling through the 1970s. The Keane brothers were ever-present in Tremane’s three-in-a-row of ‘72/’73/’74. The highlight of Tremane’s en deavours was their shock victory over Galway champions Kiltormer in the senior Connacht final at Athleague in February 1977 (for ’76). Martin Joe was centre-back as he had been for Roscom mon Juniors’ All-Ireland ‘home’ hurling final of ’71 where they lost to Wicklow.

After his time in the Gardaí, Martin went into business in Galway with a string of vegetable shops under the name ‘Country Fresh’. I got back in touch with him again there, as along with Tony Regan, I remember being enlisted in Martin Joe’s

pre-Christmas surge for a short time.

While Martin Joe was hugely loyal to Creggs, he joined ‘Father Griffin’s’ Club in Galway City for a short spell. Griffin’s won the Galway Champi onship in ’72 and added the Connacht title for that year. Thus, when Martin Joe won a Connacht title with Tremane in ’77, he held a unique record as winner of club provincial medals in both codes.

After the U-21 win of ’66, he was a regular member of the Roscommon senior team. Oddly, it was a short barren period for that team. How ever, in 1969, Connacht won The Railway (Inter provincial) Cup, defeating Munster in the final. As a result, the team was invited by John Kerry O’Donnell to play New York in the Cardinal Cushing games in May in New York and Boston. The games ended level.

Martin Joe was part of the panel who partici pated in those games, with Pat Reynolds and Der mot Earley being the other Roscommon players. Martin Joe dropped out of inter-county football in the very early 1970s but continued to play with ‘Father Griffin’s’ – and then back to Creggs – and with Roscommon and Tremane hurlers. In 1974, Creggs, with the Keane brothers at midfield, just failed to win the senior county championship, being defeated by a richly talented Roscommon Gaels. It was still a highlight for the club after a fine campaign.

In business, he sold on his vegetable chain and purchased a Garden Centre on the Headford Road in Galway City. Probably recognising the oppor

tunities presented by the expanding city through Oranmore and beyond, he sold the Headford Cen tre and opened a Garden Centre at Kicolgan at the intersection of the Gort and Kinvara roads. This was, and remains, a very successful enterprise.

Martin Joe is mourned by his wife Mary Teresa, his daughter Kathy, his son Kevin, brother Sea mus, and sisters Beetie and Rosaleen. Martin Joe led a full life in sport, business and with family. He will be remembered by his many football col leagues, especially from that 1966 team, also the Tremane hurlers and Creggs footballers of the 1960s and ‘70s.

Martin Joe Keane pictured with Jimmy Finnegan at Pearse Stadium in Salthill in July 2016, receiving a presentation on behalf of the 1966 U-21 All-Ireland winning Roscommon team.

The late Martin Joe Keane pictured with the other members of the 1976 Tremane team (Martin is the first person in the back row).

The late Martin Joe Keane pictured with the other members of the 1963 Creggs minor team (Martin is third from the right in the back row).

Deputy Denis Naughten with colleagues from the working group from Egypt, Benin, Thailand, Rwanda, Cech Republic, Bolivia and Switzerland.

Booking your Christmas Party night?

produce, and also boasts a large function room in addition to the main restaurant.

keep up to date.

Situated on the edge of Roscom mon town on the Athlone Road, Hannon’s Hotel has been offering great food and service in a warm, friendly environment for years. The hotel offers delicious menus, with a focus on seasonal and local

With quality food and profes sional service, Hannon’s Hotel is a great choice for your upcoming Christmas Party Night.

CHRISTMAS

Jackson’s Restaurant & Accom modation is centrally located in the heart of Roscommon town, providing quality food and friendly, professional service.

PARTY NIGHTS

For more information or to make a booking, contact Hannon’s Hotel on 090 6637644 or visit hannonshotel.com. Follow Han non’s Hotel on social media to

The 3-star establishment also represents great value for money, offering a three-course meal for €32.95 – which includes a free glass of bubbly! In addition to the main restaurant, Jackson’s

also boasts a large function room, making it an ideal venue for Christmas Party Nights this year, big or small.

For additional information or to book your Christmas Party Night with Jackson’s Restaurant & Accommodation, phone 090 6665599 or email jacksonguest house@gmail.ie. Keep up to date Jackson’s Restaurant & Accom modation on Facebook.

Kick off your Christmas party season in style at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon

Dare we say it but, it is fast approaching that time of year again! Time to Book your Christmas party night at the Abbey Hotel with two fun filled festive party nights on December 10th & 17th.

Enjoy a festive 4-course meal, mulled wine reception, live music from leading local band the White Cakes plus disco and late bar. Price is €55 per person. Booking ad vised 090 6626240. Email you enquiries to events@ab beyhotel.ie

There is also special Bed and Breakfast rates on both nights. €25 pp deposit required to secure group bookings. Don’t delay book today.

GAA GALLERY

Supporters’ special

(Left)

Young supporters pictured at the recent County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Celebrating Strokestown’s recent win in the 20222 County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Celebrating Strokestown’s recent win in the 20222 County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Celebrating Strokestown’s recent win in the 20222 County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Happy Four Roads hurling fans Rose Michaela Cunniffe, Bridie Cunniffe and Ciara Coyle pictured in Athleague recently. Pic: Mick McCormack

Young supporters pictured at the recent County Senior Football Championship Final in Dr Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Young GAA supporters pictured at Hyde Park recently. Pic: Mick McCormack

(Above)

Tess, Zoe and Mia White pictured with St. Dominic’s manager Noel White after the recent Roscommon Senior Camogie final. Pic: Mick McCormack

St. Dominic’s player of the match, Niamh Fitzgerald, pictured with Maggie and Colm Fitzgerald and Joe Dolan after the recent Roscommon Senior Camogie final in Ballyforan where St. Dominic’s were crowned county champions. Pic: Mick McCormack

NewsPeople TAKE A BREAK

Druid presents ‘The Last Return’ by Sonya Kelly

Druid have announced that their 5-star production of ‘The Last Return’, Sonya Kelly’s award-winning new comedy, will play at Roscommon Arts Centre (as part of a national tour) from Thursday, 9th-Satur day, 11th February 2023.

It’s been a GOOD week for…

Munster rugby, after the province stunned the touring South Africa, defeating the Springboks on a 2814 scoreline at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork

President Biden, after the Democrats stunned the Republicans by retaining control of the US Senate in the midterm elections (the outcome of the race for the House of Representatives remains undetermined)

The people of Boyle, with confirma tion of over €4m in funding for a new community library in the town centre

Fans of music legend Joni Mitchell, this after the 79-year-old – who per formed live earlier this year for the first time in two decades – announced plans for a live album

Kilmore Rossie Don Connellan, this after the former Roscommon footballer who is now manager of Galway cham pions Moycullen steered his team to a very impressive 3-18 to 1-11 win over Westport in Sunday’s Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final (they meet Roscommon champions Strokestown this Sunday in Tuam)

St Ronan’s, who defeated Owenmore Gaels by 1-12 to 0-9 at Dr Hyde Park to reach the Connacht Junior Football Club final

Republic of Ireland international Caoimhin Kelleher, with the Liverpool goalkeeper continuing his remarkable record in penalty shoot-outs, this time saving three to propel his team to vic tory over Derby in the Carabao Cup

It’s been a BAD week for…

Anyone who’s partial to Heineken products, this after the drinks’ com pany announced a substantial price increase which could see up to 20-30 cent being put on the cost of a pint David Walliams, with the come dian/writer/actor/talent show judge having to apologise after it emerged that he had made offensive com ments (off air) about some Britain’s Got Talent contestants

Manchester City, who suffered a rare home defeat on Saturday, falling to a shock 2-1 loss to Brentford, the result a big boost for Premier League leaders Arsenal

Directed by Sara Joyce, ‘The Last Return’ is a thrilling comedy about conflict, peace and the pursuit of territory at any cost. One final night. One last chance. Five people queue for a ticket to the hottest show in town. All they must do is simply wait in line. But what in life is ever simple? Who will triumph, who will fail, and who will walk away with… The Last Return?

The play has earned 5-star ratings and praise such as “pitch black comic mayhem” from The Guardian, “wonderful” from The New York Times, and “shocking and very funny” from The Irish Times.

As part of their commitment to new Irish writ ing, Druid’s world premiere production of Sonya Kelly’s comedy opened at Galway International Arts Festival this July, then toured to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it won a prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award, and recently finished a run at the Gate Theatre as part of Dublin Theatre Festival.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Famous birthdays ... this week

“ The things people say…

Rachel McAdams (American actress, turns 44 on Thursday)

Martin Scorsese (American director and screenwriter, celebrates 80th birthday on Thursday)

Joe Biden (President of the United States, will turn 80 on Sunday)

Danny DeVito (American actor, will be 78 on Thursday)

“It’s amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper” - Jerry Seinfeld

Pictured are Ballyforan National School students with their shoebox donations for the 2022 Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

The Ail Finn team, representing Roscommon and Connacht: Sarah Keane, Emily Keane, Rossa Brennan Kelly, Michelle Tarpey, Emma Mulhern, Evan Gunn, Luke Gunn and Alex Gleeson in the Rince Seit competition during the Scór Sinsir 2022 All-Ireland Finals at TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, Mayo. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

The Naomh Rónán team, representing Roscommon and Connacht: Fiachra Guihen, Rachel Noone, Emma Benson, Elizabeth Earley and Leanne Hennessy in the Ceol Uirlise competition during the Scór Sinsir 2022 All-Ireland Finals at TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, Mayo. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Cathy Dervan, Noel Dervan and Anita Hanley from the Naomh Dominic team, representing Roscommon and Connacht, in the Nuachleas competition during the Scór Sinsir 2022 All-Ireland Finals at TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, Mayo. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Entertainment, Culture & Arts

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Ros Comáin AGM

The AGM of Comhaltas Bhaile Ros Comáin was held in Roscommon Community Sports Park on Thursday, October 27th. It was our first full face to face meeting to take place since the pandemic.

The branch has had a wide range of activities in the past year, catering to all age groups. Membership is growing and anyone interested in Irish music, song, storytelling, and dance is always welcome to join the branch or attend our events.

In the past year, the branch has met twice monthly in the Roscommon Community Sports Park building in Lisnamult, from 8 pm to 10 pm on Thursdays. The young musicians of Roscommon have also been meeting there on a monthly basis on Sunday afternoons, also playing in Roscom mon’s Lough na nÉan Park (weather permitting).

The group have played in the Care facility in Strokestown and the Fáilte Centre in Donamon on sev

eral occasions. They were invited to participate in Fleadh Ceoil na hÉ ireann and took to the stage on one of the outdoor rig gigs in Mullingar.

The branch members also recently performed at a Mass for late fellow Comhaltas member Aisling Murphy

(RIP) in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon.

The branch is delighted with its successes at all competition levels – the County Fleadh in Ballaghader reen, the Connacht Fleadh, and the All-Ireland, where Aoife Ní Chong

haile and brothers Diarmad and Cormac Pleimeann did the branch proud. They will be recognised, along with other county winners, by the County Board on November 25th in the Percy French Hotel, where, following a nice meal, a night of

great music will be held. Tickets for this event are now available by call ing 087 9316673.

During the AGM, chairperson Peadar Brandon gave a hearty welcome to all present. The branch acknowledged the support it gets from other local branch es, also extending congratulations to John Carlos on the release of his recent CD. Patsy Hanly’s presentation to the All-Ireland junior winners, his music, and his words of encouragement, were also acknowledged and appreciated. The meeting also saw condolences being extended to families who have recently lost loved ones who gave of themselves to the Irish traditional mu sic scene – not least local stalwart Mar tin Feeney (RIP).

For more information about the branch or to subscribe to the National Draw for Comhaltas, which is being held in December with substantial prizes up for grabs, please call/text 087 9316673 or email morrispatricia07@ gmail.com.

Cast members on stage last weekend during The Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s staging of ‘Sister Act The Musical’. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

The Convent of Mercy, Roscommon staged ‘Sister Act The Musical’ on a number of nights last week. Pictured are some of the cast, on stage. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

GOING OUT

Convent of Mercy Sister Act

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act on Friday evening last were Paul and Natalie Murray. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act last Friday evening were Marie and Pat Doorley. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act on Friday evening last were Anna Murray, Eloise Nolan and Gwen Killion. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act last Friday evening last were Síoda McGuinness and Estelle Carroll. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act last Friday evening were Anne and Anthony Tully. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act last Friday evening were Anna Campbell, Niamh Fitzgerald, Aimee O’Connor and Eddie Campbell. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act on Friday evening last were Chloe Farrell, Noree Treacy and Caroline Mockler. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act on Friday evening last were Ann Fitzmaurice, Grace Keenan and Anne Whyte. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act last Friday evening were Laoise, Mary and Noel Connolly. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon’s production of Sister Act last Friday evening were Paula Keane, Frank Beirne and Rebecca McHugh. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Roscommon ICMSA AGM

The AGM of Roscommon ICMSA take place to night, Thursday, 17th of November at 8.30 pm in the Abbey Hotel. This meeting of the local branch of the State’s specialist dairy farmer organisation will be addressed by Denis Drennan, the ICMSA Deputy President.

The agenda includes dairy and beef outlook and the likely effect of the last CAP on both the local and national scenes.

Mr Drennan also chairs the ICMSA Farm & Rural Affairs Committee that is charged with co-ordinat ing the organisation’s response to the issues and data around climate change and environmental emis sions, and he is widely acknowledged as one of the country’s leading exponents of the farmer position in these questions.

The meeting will also elect Roscommon ICMSA’s officers for the coming year, as well as the county’s member of the National Council. The meeting will be chaired by Martin Pennick, Ballintubber, while Tommy Cooney of Cartron will act as secretary to the meeting. Any queries about attendance or eligi bility to vote should be directed to ICMSA Head Of fice at (061) 314677.

Ifac advises Roscommon farmers to examine their farm business structure

Partnerships offer social and tax advantages

Ifac – Ireland’s farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional ser vices firm – is advising Roscommon farmers to examine their farm busi ness structure and consider partnerships.

Tommie Fallon, partner at Ifac’s office in Roscom mon, said: “Farm busi ness structure is crucial to ensure Roscommon farms are working as effectively as possible while minimis ing tax.

“A partnership offers both social aspect and tax advantages, as profits can be spread among partners.

However, you do need to think carefully about whether you are suited to a partnership and whether you and your potential

partner can work well to gether. In addition, form ing a partnership has farreaching consequences, so legal and tax advice is crucial”.

Below are the answers to the key partnership ques tions.

Should I draw up a Part nership Agreement? Yes. The Partnership Agree ment sets out the rules of the partnership and will determine how assets are distributed should the part nership end.

Should I register the partnership? Registering provides certain tax ben efits in relation to Stock Relief. Collaborative farm ing structures have a grant available for the setting up of a Registered Part

nership. Once registered, you can then transfer to the Succession Farm Part nership Register, which provides an incentive of €5,000 for up to five years during the Succession Agreement term or until the successor(s) reach the age of forty.

What are the thresholds when transferring to my child? Your child is entitled to €310,000 of a lifetime gift and an inheritance up to the same amount. How ever, any assets previously transferred (e.g., a site or shares) will reduce this.

What about other reliefs? Agricultural Relief reduces the taxable value of a prop erty, including land, by 90%. If they do not qualify, they may be able to claim

Importance of direct payments to rural economy highlighted

Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Agriculture on farm schemes, IFA Deputy President Brian Rushe said direct payments are critical to the survival of farm families and the rural economy.

“The role direct payments play when it comes to farm incomes and the survival of farm families around the country is pivotal, with the rural economy also being hugely dependent on these payments,” Brian Rushe said.

Analysis of the Teagasc National Farm Survey for the last three years shows that on average 74% of farm income comes from

Direct Payments, while Direct Payments make up between 118%, 124% and 159% of Cattle Finishing, Sheep and Suckler Beef farmers’ total income re spectively.

The IFA Deputy President also highlighted how direct payments are being cut year on year, but the list of demands on Irish farmers is growing to meet targets set when it comes to the environment and sustain ability.

“The complexity, admin istration and degree of con ditionality associated with receipt of direct payments has increased significantly in recent years, none more so than the new Common

Agricultural Policy Pro gramme, spanning 20232027, where, without any increased funding, farm ers are being charged with achieving an ever-expand ing list of objectives, and food security of lesser pri ority,” he said.

Also addressing the Com mittee, IFA National Ru ral Development Chair Michael Biggins said that while payments such as the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and Targeted Agricultural Modernisa tion Scheme (TAMS) are important to farmers, is sues with these schemes still persist and must be addressed.

Business Relief. If neither of these reliefs applies, your son or daughter will be liable for the tax on the full transfer value.

Ifac has been at the heart of agriculture and food since 1975, providing a quality service and expert advice to its farming, food,

and agri-business clients across the country. A top ten accountancy firm, Ifac has over thirty locations nationwide and 500 people serving 22,000 clients.

For more information about Farm Business Structures, see Ifac’s Farm Structures Guide at ifac.ie.

Sale on 10/11/22: Over 800 animals presented for sale on Thursday last, with a similar trade to previous weeks.

The heifer ring witnessed excellent demand with prices topping out at €1850 while the dry cows peaked at €2150.

The weanling rings reported a good trade with in creased Northern activity with bulls peaking at €4.42 a kilo and heifers peaking at €3.42 a kilo. Cows with calves at foot peaked at €2350 and springers peaked at €1750.

Sample prices

Heifers: Lm 405kgs €1390 BBx 425kgs €1340 Lm 390kgs €1200 Lmx 445kgs €1460 Lm 430kgs €1400 Ch 665kgs €1850 Ch 585kgs €1750 Ch 515kgs €1660 Ch 575kgs €1650 Sh 695kgs €1790.

Dry cows: AAx 880kgs €2150 Ch 750kgs €1870 Lm 730kgs €1840 AA 840kgs €1790 Hex 755kgs €1730 Chx 660kgs €1720 Hex 490kgs €940 AA 480kgs €800. Cows with calves at foot made from €930 to €2350.

Calves/runners: Young calves made from €15 to €250. Runners made from €240 to €850 for the con tinental lots.

Weanling bulls: Chx 295kgs €1120 Ch 290kgs €1080 Ch 285kgs €960 Ch 305kgs €1350 Ch 410kgs €1300 Ch 305kgs €1180 Ch 495kgs €1230.

Weanling heifers: Chx 280kgs €960 Sim 290kgs €880 Ch 345kgs €1040 Ch 325kgs €1000 Ch 335kgs €870 Lm 280kgs €770 Sa 245kgs €750 AA 290kgs €710.

Bullock sale, Monday 07/11/22: Over 300 animals presented for sale on Thursday last, with bullocks making up to €2110 and the top quality stores peaking at €3.31 a kilo.

Sample prices

Bax 495kgs €1640 Ch 845kgs €1480 Lm 540kgs €1600 Ch 520kgs €1570 Ch 580kgs €1850 Lm 580kgs €1810 Lm 620kgs €1730 AA 620kgs €1630 Ch 695kgs €2110 Ch 650kgs €1970.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart. Today, Thursday, the 17th of November we have our weekly sale of heifers, cows, calves, runners and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am.

IFA Deputy President Brian Rushe

Cattle

There was a very large entry of stock on offer at last Friday’s general sale, with a strong trade for all classes. Bullocks averaged from €2.72 per kilo up to €3.90 per kilo, heifers fetched from an average of €2.24 per kilo up to €2.59 per kilo, and dry cows made an aver age of €2.21 per kilo up to €2.78 per kilo. There was a good attendance of customers at the ringside, with online bidders also active.

On this Friday, Novem ber 18th, we will have our special sale of heifers and general sale of bullocks and dry cows.

Dry cows ranged from an average of €2.21 per kilo up to €2.78 per kilo.

Sample prices: Lim X 765 kgs €2130, Lim X 725 kgs €1920, Char X 885 kgs €2150, AAX 785 kgs €1800, Lim X 805 kgs €1970, Lim X 690 kgs €1700, Char X 640 kgs €1500, LMX 610 kgs €1490, BAX 655 kgs €1580, SIX 815 kgs €1870, Lim X 745 kgs €1810.

Heifers ranged from an average €2.24 per kilo up to €2.59 per kilo. Sample prices: Lim X 575 kgs

€1410, Char X 670 kgs €1490, Char X 555 kgs €1750, Char X 715 kgs €2200, Char X 500 kgs €1630, BBX 570 kgs €1630, Char X 505kgs €1620, SIX 545 kgs.

Bullocks ranged from an average €2.44 per kilo up to €3.02 per kilo. Sample prices: Char X 910 kgs €2540, Char X 775 kgs €2450, Lim X 795 kgs €2500, Char X 870 kgs

€2370, Char X 635 kgs €2350, Char X 645 kgs €2310, Char X 640 kgs €2200, Char X 658 kgs €2180, Char X 520 Kgs

€2130, Lim X 540 Kgs

€1880, Char X 565 Kgs

€1870, Char X 515 kgs

€1730, Char X 505 Kgs

€1700, Lim X 490 Kgs

€1660, Char X 495 Kgs

1610, Char X 507 Kgs

€1570, Char X 440 Kgs

€1550, Char X 450 Kgs €1390, Char X 115 Kgs €1360, Lim X 435 Kgs €1330, Char X 410 Kgs €1320, Lim X 420 Kgs €1300.

Weanlings

There was a good entry of top quality weanlings on offer at our sale on Tuesday, November 15th, with a good trade for both bulls and heifers. Bull weanlings fetched from an average of €2.78 per kilo up to €3.83 per kilo, while heifer weanlings made from an average of €2.76 per kilo up to €3.42.

There was a very good at tendance of customers at the ringside with online buyers also active.

Our next weanling sale takes place at 4 pm on Tuesday, November 22th. Bookings will be accept ed until 5 pm on Thurs day, November 17th.

Weanling heifers made from an average of €2.76 up to €3.42 per kilo. Sam ple prices: Char X 310 kgs €1060 - €3.42 per kilo, Lim X 355 kgs €1140€3.21 per kilo, Char X 325 kgs €1050 - €3.23 per kilo, Char X 275 kgs € 910 - €3.31 per kilo, BBX 395 kgs €1130- €2.86 per kilo, Char X 260 kgs € 810 - €3.12 per kilo, Char X 235 kgs € 780 - €3.32 per kilo, SIX 335 kgs € 960 - €3.40 per kilo, Weanling bulls made from an average of €2.78 per kilo up to €3.83 per kilo. Sample prices: Lim X 390 kgs €1340 - €3.44 per kilo, Lim X 355 kgs €1330 - €3.75 per kilo, Lim X 345 kgs €1320 - €3.83 per kilo, Char X 315 kgs €1120-€3.56 per kilo, Char X 310 kgs €1090 - €3.52 per kilo, Lim X 305 kgs €1060€3.48 per kilo, Char X 260 kgs € 890-€3.42 per kilo, SHX 215 kgs € 660€3.07 per kilo.

Sheep

We had a larger num ber of sheep on offer at this week’s sale of lambs and cast ewes on Wednesday, No vember 16th. Prices for finished lambs peaked at €152 for 54.6kgs, store lambs fetched up to €118, and the tops for stag ewes fetched €170.

Our next sale of lambs and cast ewes takes place on Wednesday, November 23rd, at 11 am. The yard opens at 8 am and all stock must be penned by 10 am. The sale came be viewed live on live stock-live.com. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yel low EID tag set.

Finished lambs, sam ple prices: 54.6 kgs €152, 54.8kgs €152, 54.4kgs €151, 54.2kgs €150, 51.7 kgs €150, 50.3 kgs €148, 53.2 kgs €147, 51 kgs €147, 51 kgs €146, 49.5kgs €145, 47kgs €143.

Store lambs, sample prices: 36.3 kgs €118, 38.2 kgs €118, 38.8kgs €118, 41kgs €118, 39kgs €116, 38.4kgs €115, 35.9kgs €112, 39kgs €110, 36.9 kgs €107, 36.3kgs €106. Cast ewes made from €25 to €170 per lot.

Friday, November 18th at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Heifers

95 pens of Heifers on offer Also Dry Cows and Bullocks

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

Friday, November 25th at 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Bullocks

Also Dry Cows and Heifers

Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Monday, 21st November. ALSO

Sale of Un-haltered Pedigree Charolais Heifers

Viewing 5pm - Sale 7pm

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Tuesday, November 22nd at 4 p.m.

Sale of Weanlings

Bookings accepted up until 5p.m. on Thursday, 17th November.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Tuesday, November 22nd at 6 p.m.

11 Cows (1st Calvers)

with Lm Calves at foot- 10 days to 3 weeks old and 3 Springing Heifers

In Calf to Lm Stock Bull on the point of calving

ALSO

Special Entry of 12 In Calf Cows

Due End of Jan/Feb/March

To pb Ch Bull (Fiston Bred) AND Bull will be for sale on the night.

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

Lambs & Cast Ewes

Each Wednesday at 11 a.m. Stock must be penned by 9.30 a.m. – Gates close at 10 a.m.

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

Saturday, November 19th Irish

Shorthorn Society

Show at 9 a.m. Sale at 12 Noon

Saturday, November 26th Sale of Organic Cattle and Sheep

Sale at 12 noon

Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Monday, 21st November.

Payments to help with cost of living being issued this week

Four measures to help with the cost of living will be paid this week and will provide huge relief for the people of Roscommon, ac cording to Fine Gael Sena tor Aisling Dolan.

Speaking following an announcement from her Fine Gael colleague, Min ister Heather Humphreys, Senator Dolan said the welfare payments in ques tion will benefit older peo ple, working families and people with disabilities across Roscommon.

She said: “Four separate lump sum payments will

be paid to over 865,000 people this week, a total of €325 million”.

A €500 Disability Sup port Grant will be paid to 216,000 people receiv ing Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, and In validity Pension. A €400 Fuel Allowance lump sum payment will be paid to over 370,000 households.

A €500 lump sum Work ing Family Payment will be paid to 44,000 families.

A €200 lump sum payment will be paid to the 234,000 people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance.

Minister Heather Hum phreys said: “A person with a disability who lives alone and receives the fuel allowance will receive an extra €1,100 into their ac count this week.

“This week’s targeted payments are in addition to the Double Child Benefit Payment and the Autumn Double Payment which have already been paid out in recent weeks to assist people with the cost of liv ing. In addition, from Janu ary, all weekly payments will be increased by €12 per week”.

€23.47m for Technological Universities welcomed

ATU

versity and South East Technological University have been established and are taking their place at the heart of our higher educa tion landscape.

Fine Gael TD and Minis ter of State Frank Feighan says the capital funding will enhance further the ambitions of ATU Sligo and St Angela’s.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Re search, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD made the funding an nouncement last week.

The monies will be used in key areas such as digital infrastructure, building ca pacity in research, and in improving governance and systems integration.

Minister Harris said: “Over the past year At lantic Technological Uni

“This funding is part of the Transformation Fund ing, which has seen €60 million already invested in making our TUs a real ity. The funding will help build on that important work and ensure TUs have the capacity to grow”.

Welcoming the funding, Minister of State Frank Feighan said the Techni cal University in Sligo has been up and running for many months now.

“Under the guidance of Dr Orla Flynn, huge progress has been made across all campuses in cluding Sligo and at St An gela’s. I believe this capital funding will enhance fur

Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Frank Feighan

ther the ambitions of ATU Sligo and St Angela’s and I look forward together with Minister Harris in work ing to achieve those ambi tions”, concluded Minister Feighan.

Roscommon County Childcare Committee’s 20th anniversary

us 094-9622540.

Sligo is to receive €5.27m in funding, part of a €23.47m allocation announced by Minister Simon Harris for the five Technological Universi ties.

IPAV celebrates ten years of pushing for high standards in Property Valuations

IPAV (the Institute of Pro fessional Auctioneers and Valuers) held a valuation conference at the RDS, Dublin on Wednesday, November 9th. The event marked the 10th anniver sary of the introduction of the ‘Blue Book’ European property valuation stand ards to Ireland.

This is the standard rec ognised by the Irish Cen tral Bank and the Europe an Central Bank for which it holds default status over all other valuation stand ards in the event of any valuation conflict arising.

IPAV members and as piring valuers are trained to this standard, which demonstrates integrity and objectivity in valuing properties.

Complimenting IPAV on the leadership it has shown in this regard, the

Own Centre

Minister for Public Ex penditure and Reform, Michael McGrath TD, who officially opened the conference, said: “Hav

ing a trusted brand, a trusted standard, is so im portant when it comes to the completion of trans actions and the smooth

Kilmore, Ballygar, Co. Galway, F42X430

Sale By Private Treaty

Bedroom Bungalow Residence

functioning of our econ omy.

“Without a property industry that facilitates commercial transactions

on an ongoing basis, cer tified, underpinned by a recognised European brand, it would simply not be possible to com

tremendously proud of the role IPAV has played in upholding and promot ing high standards within the industry.

IPAV supports over 1,500 members across the 32 counties. One of its primary objectives is to uphold, advance and pro mote professional stand ards and competence among its members. The institute operates a com prehensive system of pro fessional education and development for existing members and for those wishing to enter the pro fession.

plete the number of trans actions we do in Ireland”.

IPAV President, Wil liamstown auctioneer Gerry Coffey, says he is

Auctioneers & Estate Agents Main Street, Ballygar. Tel 090 6624531 087 2786664 Email info@moranandco.ie PSRA no. 001472 moranandco.ie

Greenville, Caltra, Co. Galway, H53X090

Sale By Private Treaty

Bedroom Two Storey Residence

IPAV works with other stakeholders and with policymakers to try and influence the develop ment of a sustainable property market where people can buy, sell or rent properties according to their needs.

Hermitge, Ballygar, Co. Galway

This attractive bungalow c. 86 sq.mts. stands on a nice site c. 0.2 hectares. It has a delightful rural location convenient to Ballygar and is close to the beautiful walks in Aughrane Forest. The house which requires some investment has double glaze windows and dual central heating.It has unlimited potential and for a moderate sum can be a very comfortable home. There are some old stone outbuildings on the site. Inspection recommended. Viewing by appointment with the auctioneers David Moran.

This charming two storey c. 79 sq.mts. stands on a large site c. 0.61 hectares. It has a prime location convenient to Caltra and Mountbellew. The property which requires work has double glaze pvc windows, solid fuel central heating and the roof was newly done in recent years. There are some old stone outbuildings in a courtyard at the rear and a private avenue leads up to the house with the lan ds on either side. It has a panoramic view of the countryside and unlimited potential. Viewing by appointment with the auctioneer David Moran.

Thinking of Selling

auctioneer David Moran .

Pictured at the IPAV valuation conference last week in the RDS, Dublin were Pat Davitt (IPAV CEO), Joanne Lavelle (Board member and Senior Vice President of Michael Lavelle Estate Agents, Dundalk), Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath TD, and IPAV President Gerry Coffey from Williamstown.

centre

projects in Roscommon

The Irish Architecture Foundation’s new ‘Hometown Architect’ initiative is calling on community groups and lo cal architects in County Roscommon to team up and submit projects.

The Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) wants community groups and their local architects in Co. Roscom mon to partner together to develop and submit projects for regenerating their lo cal town or village centres, under a new

initiative called ‘Hometown Architect’.

This is part of the IAF’s Reimagine placemaking programme.

The open call is inviting community groups across Ireland, including in Co. Roscommon, to create and submit a project in partnership with an architect who has a connection to their town or village.

The architect can either be currently living in the Co. Roscommon town or

village, have grown up there, or have family in the locality. The call focuses particularly on smaller towns and vil lages where accessing funding and re sources can often be a challenge.

Five successful projects will be se lected out of the total number submitted from across Ireland and will be awarded €10,000 each to bring their proposals to life. Submissions will be assessed by a panel of experts, including architects,

IAF staff and Town Centre First Policy experts.

Full details about the ‘Hometown Ar chitect’ open call, including the project brief and application form, are avail able from the website www.Reimagine Place.ie/open-call.

Projects should focus on town centre regeneration and can involve encour aging increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages, address

ing the issue of vacant properties, and highlighting the economic, social, and cultural importance of Irish towns and villages. Projects can also examine how changing patterns of work can trans form the way people live, to reverse the trends of suburban sprawl, commuter belts and hollowed-out town centres.

Submissions should also align with the Town Centre First Policy published by the Irish Government earlier this year.

Local politicians have welcomed the expansion of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to include cities and remote rural areas.

Under the Croí Conaithe Va cant Property Refurbishment Grant, €30,000 is available to homebuyers to refurbish a home which they will live in. Where a property is derelict, a maximum top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 will be available, bring ing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maxi mum of €50,000. The grants can also be combined with the SEAI Better Energy Home Scheme that covers works of up to €26,750.

Over 420 applications have been made since the grant, pro

vided through the Croí Cónaithe (Towns) Fund, was initially launched on the 14th of July 2022.

Fine Gael Minister Peter Burke said that the scheme was a muchneeded practical measure. He added: “The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant will work alongside other key Fine Gael policies such as Town Centre First and Our Rural Future, help ing revitalise our communities while providing more people with the opportunity to own their own home”.

Minister of State Frank Feighan hailed the initiative as a big boost for people in rural areas. His party colleague, Senator Aisling Dolan said: “This expansion of Croí Conaithe ‘Living Heart’ is

fantastic news for people in all parts of Roscommon. We know there are empty, vacant or der elict properties and now people and families have funding to help in buying and renovating a new home”.

Independent TD Denis Naugh ten says the €30,000 grant for refurbishing a vacant home was a proposal which he person ally brought to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien.

“To his credit, he has now in troduced this new grant scheme which is open to applications for any person who is willing to live in a house that has been vacant for two years, on a permanent basis.

“Across Roscommon and East Galway there are an estimated

6,000 vacant homes in our towns, villages and rural areas.

“I want to personally thank Minister O’Brien for taking up this initiative. It clearly shows that individual TDs can make a real difference, when they are willing to work with Govern ment Ministers and when Min isters are willing to engage with constructive proposals”.

Senator Eugene Murphy (Fi anna Fáil) commented: “The expanded Vacant Property Re furbishment Grant provides a fantastic opportunity for even more people – from every part of the country – to refurbish vacant properties with the aim of con verting them into their homes, enabling them to live in cities, towns, villages and rural areas”.

• A two bedroom residence set on C.13.86 acres together with a further C. 26 acres of prime quality, well maintained, easy manageable lands with large road frontage. These lands are set out in 3 manageable holdings.

• The property can easily be divided into three lots.

• LOT (1) Detached residence on C.13.86 acres with cattle crush, pin sheds and hay shed and its own pond which has water all year round .

• LOT (2) C.19 acres good quality lands with Cattle crush and water.

• LOT (3) C.7 acres good quality lands with pond.

• LOT (4) Entirety; House & Lands C.39.86 acres.

• The house comprises of entrance porch, kitchen/dining room, living room, back hall, bathroom and two double bedrooms.

Cathal Meares of Remax Team Earley is this week pleased to advise that they have closed the sale of a prime roadside residential farm set adjacent to Wil liamstown, Co. Galway.

The farm consists of ap prox. 55.2 acres together with the benefit of posses sory title over approx. 20 acres adjoining lands and bogland which are subject to Turbary rights.

Standing on the farm is a fine two-storey residence set back from the public road.

Remax Team Earley are now looking for similartype farms and properties in all areas for cash buyers/ investors.

For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact Remax Team Earley, Stonecourt Roscom

Minister English officially opens Bunowen Bakery, Ballinasloe

been handed down through the family for gen erations.

The bakery was founded by Andy Cavan and his father Danny, initially operating out of a small retail unit in the village of Ahascragh. Bunowen Bakery to this day still bakes its original artisan scratch recipes, which have

Ballinasloe-based Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan says the enterprise is “a success story for a local family bakery here in Ballinasloe”.

She continued: “It is a tribute to founder Andy Cavan and General Manger Seamus Concan non who have built up Bunowen Bakery in Ahascragh over the past six years”.

Employment and Retail, has now launched the next stage of Bunowen Bakery and performed the opening of their new prem ises in Derrymullen.

Funding support for new equipment was pro vided through the EU LEADER programme for business in rural areas managed by Galway Rural Development.

WDC appoints Allan Mulrooney as Interim CEO

The Western Development Commission is pleased to an nounce the appointment of Allan Mulrooney as its Interim Chief Executive. This follows the departure of Tomás Ó Síocháin from the organisation after four years at the helm. The agency said following the Board’s decision to appoint Allan as acting Interim CEO, it will continue to work in all key areas of activity.

Sligo native Allan Mulrooney currently holds the role of Head of Communications and Atlantic Economic Corridor Development as a member of the management team, hav ing joined in 2019. Allan has led on new initiatives including ConnectedHubs.ie, WesternJobs.ie, a full rebrand for the or ganisation, and its More To Life digital campaign. Before his role in the WDC, Allan worked with IDA Ireland, and before this, he worked with eir in Dublin.

Tomás Ó Síocháin, who made the announcement, refer enced the drive and experience that Allan will bring to the role: “I would like to congratulate Allan on his appointment as Interim CEO”, he said.

“Allan brings a wealth of experience to this role, particularly in the ongoing and planned work of the WDC and already has an excellent working relationships with key regional and national stakeholders in the regional development sector”.

Ibec launch new guidance note on gender pay gap reporting

On Tuesday, Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, published a new guidance report to support businesses in gender pay gap re porting. It comes as mandatory Gender Pay Gap reporting require ments for employers with 250 or more employees will commence in December 2022.

The main focus of this guide as distinct from any other is that it shows employers how to inter rogate their data and consider ap propriate actions to address their

gender pay gap. As the report out lines, it is important to understand that gender pay gap reporting does not indicate discrimination or bias within an organisation, or even an absence of equal pay for equal value work. What it does report is a gender representation gap and whether women are equally repre sented across an organisation.

As the Ibec report highlights, gen der pay gap reporting alone will not identify or solve the myriad of structural, cultural and policy

causes for the differences in par ticipation rates and the significant employment gaps between the genders embedded in the socioeconomic make-up of the country. Rather, gender pay gap reporting must be seen as an important first step in delivering the insights and data needed to accelerate the neces sary actions to enable more targeted interventions by all stakeholders.

Speaking at the publication of the guide, Ibec Head of Social Policy, Dr. Kara McGann outlined: “It is

clear that despite women making up over half the world’s popula tion, they are not fulfilling their potential in measured economic ac tivity, growth and competitiveness, with serious macroeconomic con sequences. Effectively addressing the gender pay gap will contribute to addressing gender imbalance”.

The national gender pay gap in Ireland is estimated to be 11.3%, according to Eurostat figures (2019). That compares to an EU average of 13%.

RBK appoints new Director of Corporate Finance

RBK Chartered Accountants, which has offices in Athlone and Roscommon, are delighted to announce that Aidan Heavey has joined the firm as their new Corporate Finance Director. Aidan brings 25 years of practice and industry experience to the role across all Corporate Finance disciplines including M&A, raising of finance, transaction support and due diligence. He will lead out the RBK service offering from their Dublin office.

Commenting on the announcement, Managing Partner, Joe Cleary said: “I am delighted to welcome Aidan to RBK and look forward to working with him on a day to day basis. This appointment reflects the continued growth of the firm in the Dublin market and demonstrates our commitment to delivering an excellent service to clients”.

RBK is Ireland’s largest independently branded accountancy firm, with an international outreach through its membership of LEA Global. Offering a full suite of business services, the firm operates from offices in Dublin, Athlone and Roscommon. RBK is led and managed by eighteen highly experienced Partners, supported by 220 diverse employees.

Pictured is Sligo native Allan Mulrooney, who was recently appointed as Interim Chief Executive for the Western Development Commission.

Bunowen Bakery welcomed Minister of State Damien English for the official opening of their new premises, now located in Derrymul len, Ballinasloe.

Damien English, Minister with responsibility for Business,

The opening of Bunowen Bakery was performed last week by Minister Damien English. Picture: Gerry Stronge

Pictured are Seamus Geraghty, Minister Damien English, Andy Cavan (founder of Bunowen Bakery) and Seamus Concannon. Picture: Gerry Stronge

Senator Aisling Dolan presents Minister English with a tasty pie at the official opening of Bunowen Bakery! Picture: Gerry Stronge

FARMING

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Application is being made to Roscommon County Council for permission to construct single storey dwelling, with separate domestic outbuilding and provide a sewerage treatment plant with percolation area and associated site development works and services at Derrycarbry Td., Roscommon.

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

Signed: Gary O’Halloran

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Anthony and Sinead Blackweir Carrowduff and Garbally, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon Planning Application dated 16/05/2022 Reference number PD/22/231

For the construction of dwelling house, domestic shed, proprietary wastewater treatment system with soil polishing filter and associated site works, that, following a direction of the planning authority, an NIS will be submitted to Roscommon County Council the planning authority in connection with the application.

The NIS will be available for inspection or purchase, at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, during office hours at the offices of the planning authority, and that subject to the payment of any relevant fee, a submission or observation in relation to the NIS may be made in writing to the planning authority within 5 weeks of the date of receipt by the authority of the NIS.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Dennis Cogavin intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to erect a vegetable preparation/ storage shed and to construct all ancillary site works to facilitate same at Clarary, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning authority on payment of 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.

Signed: Dennis Cogavin.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Kieran and Sinead Neilan, intend to apply for Retention Permission to retain an existing agricultural shed for use as a domestic garage, along with all other associated site works at Killoy Townland, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon.

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We intend to apply for planning permission to demolish existing dwellinghouse and complete site development works and retention permission for constructed dwellinghouse at Carrigeen, Kilglass, 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 submissions or observations in relation to the application can be made to the planning authority in writing, on payment of the prescribed fee, within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Signed: Adriana and Radu Giurgiu

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL.

FURTHER INFORMATION

APPLICANT: Athlone Baysports Ltd.

PLANNING REFERENCE NUMBER: PD/22/62

LOCATION: Barrymore Townland, Hodson Bay, Kiltoom, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

The development applied for consisted of the following recreational facilities:

PART A. Landside installations details of which are outlined below:

1. 2 No. marquees for use as a reception and wet suit distribution, measuring 9m x 9m x 6.6m high and 21m x 15m x 7.8m high; 2. 1 No. 9m x 9m x 3.8m high disabled changing marquee; 3. 1 No. 9m x 9m x 4.7m high safety briefing marquee; 4. 9 No. 12m x 6m x 3.3m high changing marquees;

5. 3 No. 12m x 15m x 5m high marquees for use as a customer observation area, a dining area and a gift shop; 6. 1 No. 4m x 8m x 3.7m high café marquee; 7. 2 No. 3m x 6m x 3m high prefabricated office buildings; 8. Outdoor showers 5m x 6m;

9. Realignment of existing fencing.

All the marquees will be coloured white. The proposed development includes all ancillary and enabling site works. The changing rooms and coffee shop will be connected by gravity to existing public sewerage.

PART B. Waterside Installations, details of which are outlined below:

1. Main waterpark consisting of inflatable platforms, slides and climbing walls with overall dimensions of 35m x 40m x 8m high; 2. Inflatable junior waterpark measuring 8m x 15m x 5.2m high; 3. No. 1 inflatable water slide measuring 15m x 12m x 12m high; 4. No. 1 inflatable water slide measuring 31m x 22m x 16m high; 5. No. 1 inflatable water slide measuring 20m x 8m x 13m high; 6. No. 1 inflatable water slide measuring 32m x 16m x 13m high; 7. 50 No. cylindrical shaped inflatable safety booms 4m by .4m diameter.

All of the above installations are inflatable PVC structures which are permanently fixed to the lake bed using ropes and anchors. Proposed Operation Periods: It is intended that the overall facility will be operational annually between the 15th March and the 15th of October. The facility will operate during daylight hours only and will not operate past 21:00 hours on any day (A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted to the Planning Authority with the planning application and will become part of it)

Significant Further Information in relation to this application has been furnished to the Planning Authority and is available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the Further Information may be made in writing to the planning authority not later than 5 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation.

Signed: Collins Boyd Engineering Ltd. Engineers & Architects Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Ph (090)6634421 Fax: (090)663423 Email: info@collinsboydeng.com

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Planning application is being made to Roscommon County Council on behalf of Ben and Tracey Gingell for: (1) the demolition of existing single story extension to the rear of existing dwelling house. (2) The construction of a proposed new single story extension to the rear of existing dwelling house along with all ancillary site works at Clooncraff Td. Clooncraff, Hillstreet, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of 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: MANNION | O’ NEILL Planning & Consulting Engineers Ltd. Killamonagh,Caherlistrane, Co. Galway.

Qualified registered architect with experience in domestic new build and extensions, commercial, agricultural and building reports. also Planning Applications and Ancillary Certifier for larger projects.

Gerry Hynes

M.R.I.A.I. White Cottage, Doon, Strokestown, Roscommon F42 DF10 Phone: 087 2527290 Web: www.gerryhyne sarchitect.com Email: gerryhynes01@ gmail.com

PROPERTIES TO LET/ RENT/WANTED

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TO RENT: Three bed roomed house to rent, Athlone Road, Roscom mon Town, ready to let immediately. Contact: 089 4507888

Contact TERESA for appointment at 087 9001212 Gift vouchers available. Brideswell, Co. Roscommon N37 EW20

TUITION

Registered Architect

Gerry Hynes MRIAI

Signed: Anthony and Sinead Blackweir

hands, after each prayer, say 9 Hail Marys. You must publish and it will be granted to you. C.T.C.

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many fa vours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will be come your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. Never known to fail. Special thanks also to Our Lady, St. Jude and all the saints. K.E.

LYNCH KELLY

Sylvia

Late of Main Street, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly and Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon (2nd Anniversary)

Who passed away on the 15th November 2020

A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest, it broke our hearts to see you go, God only takes the best. Your life was love and labour, you loved your family true, you did your best for all of us, we will never forget you. Our lives go on without you, but nothing is the same, we try to hide our heartache, when someone speaks your name. Our heart still aches with sadness, and secret tears still flow, what it meant to lose you, no one will every know.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by your husband Mike, sons James, Micháel and daughter Grace. xxxx

Anniversary Mass for Sylvia will be celebrated on Saturday, 19th November at 7 pm in Kilcormac Church, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly.

BEIRNE

DOYLE

Clare

11 St. Ciaran’s Park, Roscommon Town.

Ballinagare,

On this the First Anniversary of Mike Joe’s death we his family wish to extend our gratitude to all who supported us at this sad time, especially our neighbours and friends.

To everyone who attended the Funeral Mass and Burial, your presence was much appreciated. Thanks to all who expressed condolences online, phone calls and mass cards.

A special word of thanks to Sr. Elizabeth, in helping and guiding us prepare the celebration of Mike’s life. Thanks to Fr. Michael Donnelly P.P., who celebrated the Funeral Mass and Martina Rynn for the beautiful music and singing.

To the staff in Aras Mathair Phoil for all their wonderful loving care during his time spent in residence, we are eternally grateful. Thanks to the Home Support team and the support of the Public Health Nurse, Mary Connaughton and Dr. Catherine Donnelly who cared for him while in his home.

A special word of thanks to Noel Gibbons Funeral Director for his professionalism in arranging Mike’s funeral and live- streaming of the Funeral Mass. As it would be impossible thank you all individually, please accept this acknowledgment as an expression of our gratitude.

Mike Joe’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Ballinagare on Friday, 18th November 2022 at 7pm.

In loving memory of my dear Mother who died on the 22nd November 1965 R.I.P.

,.

BURKE

Paddy and Marie

Ballyglass, Ballymacurley, Roscommon (5th Anniversary) (9th Anniversary)

Silent thoughts, tears unseen, wishing your absence was only a dream.

No longer in our lives to share but in our hearts you will always be near.

Time does not heal the heartaches nor does it stop a tear nor take away the memories of you we loved so dear.

I love you very much Mam and always did, sadly missed by your loving daughter Bridie who always remembers you, grandson James, granddaughter Annette, Tony and all your grandchildren, daughterin-law Joanne and great grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass on Tuesday, 22nd November in Medjugorje.

WARD Patrick (Paddy)

Friaryland, Creggs, Co. Galway

In loving memory of Paddy, who passed away on 1st December 2017 (5th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Paddy who died on the 11th September, 2017 and Marie who died on the 5th November, 2013

Softly the leaves of memory fall gently we gather and treasure them all. Unseen, unheard ye are always near so missed, so loved, so very dear.

Lovingly remembered by Mary, Martina, Ted, Elaina, Mark, Shane, Alan, Rebecca and AJ.

Anniversary Mass in Cloverhill Church on Saturday, 19th November at 7pm.

MONTH’S MIND MASS

LAVIN (née Lenehan) Eithne

May Paddy Rest in Peace

Time cannot steal the treasures that we carry in our hearts.

Nor ever dim the shining thoughts our cherished past imparts.

For the memories of the ones, we loved still cast a gentle glow.

To grace our days and light our paths, wherever we may go.

Missed each day by his family.

Anniversary Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Kilbegnet on Sunday, 20th November at 11.30am.

Eithne’s sons Gearóid, Kenneth, Alan, Ronan, daughters Mary and Sarah wish to acknowledge the many expressions of sympathy and gestures of kindness shown to us following the passing of our beloved mother.

A sincere thank you to all who called to our home, attended the Wake, Removal and Requiem Mass and Burial in Rathmoyle and to those who travelled a great distance to be with us in our time of need.

Thank you to all who sent mass cards, offered prayers, messages of condolence, floral tributes and phone calls, we will be forever grateful for your kindness. Our Heartfelt thanks to our aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, relatives and friends whose support at this time was much appreciated.

A special mention to Canon Liam Devine for his support and his beautiful Funeral Mass to celebrate mother’s life, giving us solace and comfort with his wonderful tribute. Thanks also to Fr. Donal Morris and Fr. John McManus. Many thanks to Bernadine Casserly for her wonderful singing and music, Jim and Sean Kelly for their musical performance, Ann Marie Kelly for the beautiful floral arrangements. A sincere thank you to all our family members who participated in the mass also.

Thanks to Niall and Rena, Flanagan Funeral Directors for their professionalism, help and guidance in their handling of the arrangements and to the gravediggers for preparing Mother’s final resting place. To Hester’s Golden Eagle and Corrib Oil, Castlerea. To Carmel Hardiman for her wonderful help, support and friendship.

Thanks to all mother’s customers, suppliers and An Post colleagues who supported her throughout her business life.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually who helped us please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere gratitude and appreciation which we will never forget.

Eithne’s Month’s Mind Mass will be held on Saturday, 19th November in St. Paul’s Church, Kilmurry at 2pm.

FINNERAN

Eileen

Roxboro, Roscommon. (5th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Eileen who passed away on 16th November 2017

R.I.P.

A gentle reminder that we’re never far apart, My spirit will live on forever there within your heart. And when you see a butterfly, here to brighten your day, remember that I’m here with you, and there I’ll always stay.

Always loved and remembered by her family and friends. Anniversary Mass will be held in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Derrane on Saturday, 19th November at 7pm.

Loved

Anniversary Mass

Nancy who passed away on

Peter who passed away on the 27th December 2016

Michael (Mike Joe)

Castlerea, Co. Roscommon Died 22nd November 2021 (1st Anniversary)

Lavins Shop and Post Office, Lissalway.

KELLY Paddy, Martin, Nan, Padraig

Mullymux,

Co. Roscommon

MONTH’S MIND MASS

GATELY

Thomas (Tommie) St. Joseph’s, Dysart. Who passed away on 9th October 2022

In loving memory of Paddy, late of Mullymux, who died on 21st November 2002, his wife Anna Marie (Nan), who died on 16th June 1985, their son Martin, who died on 11th December 1985 and their son Padraig who passed away on the 9th February 2022.

Time passes, memories stay, quietly remembered everyday.

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

Loved and remembered by all the family.

Masses offered.

THANKSGIVINGS

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

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

We the family of the late Thomas (Tommie) Gately namely his wife, Kathleen, his daughters Marie, Teresa, Anne, Carmel, Martina, and Paula, his sons Tomás and Noel, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the sympathy, kindness and support shown by so many at the time of Tommie’s death. We were overwhelmed by the amount of support that was shown to us on our very sad loss.

We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who contacted us, left messages of condolences, sent mass cards, sympathy cards and all those that visited our home during this time. We would like to thank everyone who attended the Funeral Home, Funeral Mass and Burial and all those who travelled long distances. Your kind and supportive words and actions gave us great comfort.

Our heartfelt thanks to Rev Fr. Francis Beirne for his support during this difficult time and for celebrating Tommie’s Funeral Mass. Thanks also to Monsignor Peter Rabbitte (Galway) who concelebrated the Mass.

A special thank you to Liam, Marion and Sabina who provided music during the Mass.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of Dialysis, Unit 7 in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway for their kindness and wonderful care of Tommie.

To Padraic and Siobhán, our heartfelt thanks for your kindness, care and attention shown to Tommie on his regular journeys with you to Galway.

A special thank you to Dr. Martin Daly and staff of the Medical Centre in Ballygar, for their kind and professional care. Thanks, also to all at Healy’s Pharmacy, Ballinasloe for all of your kind assistance throughout the years.

A special word of thanks to Michael at Dempsey’s Funeral Directors who provided a professional and dignified funeral for Tommie and for your support and guidance during those difficult days. Thanks also to our friends and neighbours who prepared Tommie’s final resting place with great care.

We greatly appreciated having access to Dysart Community Centre for refreshments after the Funeral.

A sincere thank you to our wonderful neighbours and friends, who brought food and refreshments to our home. Our grateful appreciation to all that kindly helped with catering on the day and to Sean of the Peppermill, for providing the food.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation.

Month’s Mind Mass will be offered for Tommie in St. Patrick’s Church, Dysart on Sunday, 20th November at 10am Mass.

DOCKERY

Paschal

Clooneragh, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. (5th Anniversary)

M cHUGH (nee Lennon) Lena Elphin Street, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (5th Anniversary)

SOMERS

Sr. Nora (PBVM)

Lusaka Zambia, Hollygrove, Athleague, Co. Galway (2nd Anniversary)

Pray for Sr. Nora who died on November 15th 2020

In loving memory of Paschal who passed away 20th November 2017 R.I.P

Today recalls the memory of a loved one gone to rest, and those who think of him today are those who loved him best.

The flowers we lay upon his grave may wither and decay, but the love for him who lies beneath will never fade away.

Sadly missed and always remembered by his wife Mary and family.

Anniversary Mass will be held on Sunday, 20th November in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown at 11.30am.

MANLY Susan

Athleague, Co. Roscommon (6th Anniversary)

In loving memory of a life so beautifully lived, and a heart so deeply loved.

Loved and remembered by all her family.

HANLEY

Michael (Mickie)

Castlestrange, Fuerty, Co. Roscommon (4th Anniversary)

Oh, you, whom I have loved, so much on earth pray for me, and live in such a manner that we may be re-united forever in Blessed Eternity. (St. Boneventure)

Loved and remembered in prayer, especially at holy Mass by Somers - Geroghty family.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Athleague on Sunday, 20th November at 10am.

MURRAY John Joe

Oran, Donamon, Roscommon

Who passed away on the 25th November 2019 (3rd Anniversary)

In loving memory of Michael who passed away on the 5th November 2018

Rest In Peace

Lonely is the home without you, life to us is not the same. All the world would be like Heaven, if we could have you back again.

Loving memories never die as years roll on sad days pass by.

In our hearts a memory is kept of ones we loved and will never forget.

Loved and very sadly missed by his wife Anne and extended family members.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in Cloverhill Church on Thursday the 24th November at 10am.

Who passed away on the 19th November 2016

WE HOLD YOU CLOSE

We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain, To walk with us, throughout our lives until we meet again, So Rest In Peace dear loved one, and thanks for all you’ve done, we pray that God has given you the crown you’ve truly won.

Lovingly remembered by her husband Edward, daughter Linda, son-in-law Thomas, grandchildren Eve, Erin, Tommy and Saoirse.

Sadly missed by your family. Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Athleague on Saturday, 19th of November at 7pm.

TARPEY Lilly

Scrine, Rahara (15th Anniversary)

Forever in my thoughts, your loving friend Teresa.

MULLIGAN

CONNOLLY Treasa (23rd

Anniversary)

A silent thought, a quiet prayer, for someone special in God’s care. Always remembered by Michael, Lisa, Shane and Marc and grandchildren Nathan, James, Pence and Tessa.

Bridie and Thomas

Monksland, Athlone and Ahalative, Creggs

In memory of Bridie who died on 4th January 2010 and her husband Thomas who died on 23rd October 1994. (13th and 28th Anniversaries)

They are deep in our memories, precious they stay, no passing of time, can take them away.

Sadly missed and fondly remembered by their family.

Anniversary Mass in Ss. Peter & Paul’s Church, Athlone on Friday 25th November at 7.30pm May they Rest in Peace.

In loving memory of Treasa, late of San Francisco, Glinsk, and Roscommon who died on the 15th November 1999

Martin

TIME AND PART

Sports PEOPLE

Strokestown have mountain to climb in ‘John & Don’ derby

AIB Connacht SFC semi-final: Moycullen v Strokestown on Sunday in Tuam Stadium at 1.30 pm

< SEAMUS DUKE

John Rogers and Don Connellan, two old adversaries at club level and now rival managers, will lock horns in this intriguing Connacht semi-final in Tuam on Sunday when Strokestown travel to face Galway champions Moycullen. I don’t think it is an exaggera

tion to say that Strokestown have a mountain to climb. Moycul len played their first ever game in the Connacht Club Senior Championship last Sunday against Westport (there was no Connacht Club Championship in 2020 when they won their first ever Galway crown) and, in front of a national TV audience, they handed a football lesson to the Mayo champions, putting up a score of 3-18 in the process.

Strokestown have been bask ing in the glow of a memorable Roscommon club champion ship triumph, one that will be savoured for many years. This is a different challenge, and John Rogers and his men will have to play better than they have done in any game thus far if they are to cause an upset.

Moycullen were most impres sive up front last Sunday, with Dessie Conneely outstanding. He scored 0-10, with five from play. Not far behind him on the day were Niall Walsh, Sean Kelly and Owen Gallagher.

been great all year but they will have to be at their very best to repel Moycullen. Sean Mullo oly, Davy Neary, Keith Murphy, Timmy Gibbons and ‘player of the year’ Colm Neary will all have to be on top of their game on Sunday.

In attack, Colin Compton will lead the line, while Diarmuid Mc Gann, Shane McGinley, Cathal

Brogan and colleagues will need to be at their best.

Strokestown will aim to still be in the game entering the final quarter. Then it would be ‘game on’. However, this looks a bridge too far for John Rogers’ men.

Moycullen are the deserved hot favourites and should prevail by four or five points.

Prediction: Moycullen. Strokestown

AIB Connacht IFC semi-final

At Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon: St Dominic’s v Aughnasheelin. 1.30 pm

Niall Mulcahy, David Wynne, Eoghan Kelly, Tom Clarke and Sean Kelly were also superb, and Don Connellan could call on the likes of Conor Bohan, Mark Lydon and Aidan Claffey from the bench. They look a very solid and well coached outfit.

The Strokestown defence have

Gilleran to make changes

bid for final

AIB Connacht IFC semi-final: St Dominic’s v Aughnasheelin (Leitrim) in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday at 1.30 pm

< SEAMUS DUKE

Having finally won that elusive Roscommon title, St Dominic’s are now pitted against Leitrim king pins Aughnasheelin in Sunday’s Connacht semifinal.

St Dominic’s manager Tomás Gilleran says there

will be some changes from the 15 that won the Cal lington Roscommon IFC earlier this month.

“We have plenty of lads on the panel who de served a chance during the championship and we will be looking at our team selection later in the week. There will be some changes.

“Leitrim Club football is on a high at the moment so we are expecting a very tough match on Sunday, but it is a great opportunity for us to get to a final”.

Aughnasheelin is a small rural parish about five miles north-west of Ballinamore. Their recent Leitrim County final win (0-11 to 1-4 over An naduff) secured the club’s third ever intermediate title.

Paul Earley is their star man, while Cillian Cullen

and Sean McWeeney have also been key perform ers this season. Aaron Hoare is a top class midfield er and was ‘man of the match’ in the recent county final. Up front, Fintan Fitzpatrick is a regular scorer at full-forward.

Eoin McCormack had had another magnificent year for St Dominic’s. Other experienced players include Mark Miley, Paddy Fallon, Micheal By rne, Darren Donnelly, the evergreen Conor Fallon and Tommy Hurley. St Dominic’s’ young guns will also be under the spotlight. Excellent players like Jack Lohan, Daire Keenan, Karol Feerick, Cian Kelly, Mark O’Malley and Keith Doyle have all been very influential this year.

Prediction: St Dominic’s.

Mark and Kevin Healy of St Ronan’s celebrate after their victory over Owenmore Gaels in last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Club Football Championship semi-final in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

manager John Rogers.

Horses for Courses

This weekend’s action: Horseracing this weekend starts this afternoon at Powerstown Park Hotel in Clonmel starting at 12.42pm. Tomorrow the action is under lights on the all-weather at Dundalk, first race at 5.00pm. Saturday and Sunday sees rac ing Punchestown with the Grade 2 Craddockstown Chase and the Listed Grabel Mares Hurdle on Saturday away at 12.30pm and on Sunday the feature is the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle with the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase starting at 11.45pm. There is also a card being run at Cork, outside Mallow, with a 12.00pm start.

There is racing on ITV4 and Virgin Media 1 on Saturday with 4 races from Haydock featuring the Grade 1 Betfair Chase and 3 from Ascot with 2 Grade 2 races, the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase, and Coral Hurdle. RTE’s cameras are in Punchestown on Sunday for the Morgiana Hurdle and 3 supporting races.

Henry de Bromhead brings A Plus Tard back again to Hay dock to try and retain the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday. He is money on, 8/15, with the main danger the Skelton’s Protektorat. The 8-Y-O beat 6 horses last year and will face a maximum of 4 this

year. It is intended he will follow the same campaign as last year, the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Christmas in Leopardstown where he was 2nd to Galvin and straight to the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, which he won by 15l reversing, places with stablemate Minella Indo who beat him in 2021. There are 8 runners in the Mor giana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday of which Willie Mullins trains 6. Mullins has won 10 of the last 11 runnings of the Grade 1 race with Gordon Elliott is the only trainer to slightly interrupt his dominance in the contest when winning with Abaca dabras in 2020. Elliot is set to saddle Teahupoo, and Noel Meade’s Jesse Evans completes the list of entries.

In The Rain, 2nd to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle returning to jumps after a flat campaign. Mullins intends to run all six and previous winner of the race Sharjah makes most appeal with Echoes In The Rain making an interesting return over the minor obstacles. Watch out for what Paul Townend opts for!

Racing Review

Cheltenham’s November was good to the Irish with 4 winners over the two days. Gavin Cromwell won open ing Conditional Jockeys Hurdle on Friday with Will Sweet ridden by Irish

Racing News

2 Arkle

The Willie Mullins trained Allaho will miss the Stephen’s Day cross channel highlight King George VI Chase at Kempton Park. The 8-Y-O had been a short price to add the Christmas highlight to his impres

by Tom Red

sive record, but he has suffered a setback. Owners the Cheveley Park

ner Envoi Allen.

Tiger Roll was back at Prestbury Park, scene of 5 Festival wins, and was inducted into the Cheltenham Hall of Fame before racing last Friday. The dual Grand National winner is owned by Gigginstown and was trained by Gordon Elliott Point to Point News

There are 3 meetings this weekend starting on Saturday at Kirkistown in north Down with 89 entries. On Sunday there are 2 meet ings, one at Tinahely in Wicklow, 72 entries and at Tortulla outside Thurles in Co Tipperary with 102 entered. All 3 meetings are sched uled to start at 12.30pm.

The most successful rider in Irish point to pointing, Derek O’Connor, trained the winner of the first in Necarne outside Irvinestown last Saturday when Southofthebor der, his first runner as a trainer, won the 4-Y-O Maiden in the colours of his wife Carol. Necarne is a lucky track for the Galwayman who became the first man to ride 100 winners in a season on the 15th May 2007 on Greenandredparson at the track.

Soccer results

Connacht Junior FA Cup (Round 2) results

Loughrea Rams B 2 Galway Bohemians 3 Corrib Rangers 5 Manulla B 0 Cloonfad United 3 Kinvara United 1

Merlin Woods/Medtronic 3 Ballymote Celtic 2 Glen Celtic 0 St Patrick’s FC 2

Oughterard FC 1 West Coast United 0 Cregmore/Claregalway A 3 Ballinagare-Manor United 0 Conn Rangers 3 Dynamo Blues 4

Knocknacarra FC 1 Bearna Na Forbacha 2 Ballyglass FC 3 Glenview Stars 1 Salthill Devon B 1 Shiven Rovers 4 Ballymoe FC 1 Loughrea Rams A 3

Colemanstown United 4 Calry Bohs B 0 Moyne Villa 5 Crossmolina 3 Killala 1 Gort United 4

Swinford 4 Cregmore/Claregalway B 5 Colga FC B 1 Cam Celtic 0

Castlebar Celtic ‘B’ 0 NUIG 7 Athenry FC B 2 Westport Utd B 2 (Westport win 5-4 on penalties)

East United 1 Cois Fharraige 3 Dunmore Town 0 Athenry FC C 1 Mervue Utd B 6 Fahy Rovers 1 Tuam Celtic 5 Corofin United 4

Soccer fixtures

SFAI Trophy...

Last weekend, in the boys’ U-12 SFAI Tro phy, Roscommon Town and Corrib Celtic of Galway played out an entertaining match which ended in a win for the home team. There were some good attacking moves from both teams but both defences held firm until the deadlock was broken towards the end of the first half when Samuel Godfrey broke the offside trap, held off his opponent and slotted the ball past the ‘keeper to give Town the lead.

The second half was very similar to the first – close and competitive. Mikey Mulhern commanded his box and marshalled a strong back three of Russ Reynolds, Fionn Hughes and Dylan Connaughton. Corrib Celtic were pushing for an equaliser when Harry Trim ble sent Daniel Byrne through on goal. The Corrib Celtic ‘keeper made a good save but it rebounded and Daniel slotted it into an empty net to give Town a 2-0 lead. Town

saw out the game to earn a fine win, with all sixteen players playing a part in a great team performance.

The boys’ U-14 team will be at home to St John’s of Sligo in the SFAI Trophy in early December. Training and challenge games continue for the lads.

Stay in Touch…

The season has concluded for many of our teams but the work of our club continues. Check out the news section of our websiteroscommontownyouthsoccer.ie Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twit ter.

Wise Words…

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every op portunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty” - Winston Churchill

Best stadium: Wembley Messi or Ronaldo or neither: Ronaldo

PlayStation, Xbox or neither: Neither

Favourite film: Denis the Menace

Favourite song: Glory Glory Man United

Favourite book: Marcus Rashford: You are a

Hero

What makes me happy: Football

Person I admire most: David Fitzgerald Why I play soccer: I really enjoy it

Friday, 18th November

Norio’s RDFL Premier Division

Skyvalley Rovers v Moore Utd. 8 pm

Boyle Celtic v Castlerea Celtic. 8 pm RDFL First Division Shiven Rovers v Dysart. 8 pm

Saturday, 19th November

RDFL Women’s Division

Sunday, 20th November

RDFL Women’s Division

St Cuan’s Utd, Ahascragh WFC v Ballaghaderreen WFC. 2 pm

Colemanstown WFC v Cam Celtic WFC. 2 pm

A Plus Tard and Rachel Blackmore win a Cheltenham. Banbridge and JJ Slevin win in Cheltenham

Mullins has Sir Gerhard, State Man, Triumph Hurdle champion Vauban, Sharjah, Saldier and the mare Echoes

conditional jockey Kieran Buckley and Contrapposto trained in Kilkenny by Richard Donohue won the last, the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, ridden by Michael O’Sullivan completing an Irish double. There were 2 more Irish winners on Saturday when Banbridge won the Grade

Challenge Trophy under JJ Slevin and Tony Martin’s Unanswered won the Inter mediate Hurdle with Peter Carberry in the plate. A successful raid.

Stud have an able second string for Kempton in the shape of Saturday’s Down Royal Champion Chase win

Creggs RFC Report THE GAIN LINE

Firsts win away to Monivea

Mini Rugby: Our mini rugby players train this Saturday morning.

Boys U-13s: 21 players travelled to Ballina on Sunday for an U-13 league match. Ballina won 43-24.

Creggs scored four secondhalf tries. This was a great effort.

Girls U-14s: Creggs U-14 girls played away to Bal lina on Sunday. 24 girls travelled with some new members having their first game. All got game time.

With Ballina 24-20 ahead and time running out Abi gail Quinn crossed for the winning try. Final score: Creggs 27 Ballina 24.

Boys U-15s: Creggs U-15 maroon team played league leaders Corrib RFC in the Division 2 league on Saturday. Corrib had a big win. Our team are improv ing with each outing.

Boys U-15s white: Creggs white travelled to Athlone to play Buccaneers black in the fourth round of the Division 1 league. Creggs had a convincing win, run ning in six tries to two. They now have four wins from four.

Boys U-16s: Creggs U-16 boys were host to Galway city club Corinthians RFC on Sunday in the league. It ended 1-14. Well done all.

Girls U-18s: Creggs girls U-18 white team had a 32-0 victory over Bal linasloe RFC in Creggs on Sunday. Three first-half tries (two from Jemima Adams Verling and one from Sarah Purcell) with a conversion from Shauna Walsh gave Creggs a 17-0 half-time lead. Three fur

Buccaneers RFC

ther tries followed, two from Sarah Purcell and one from Jennifer Morris. Final score: 32-0. Congrats!

Creggs 2nds: Creggs 2nd team defeated OLBC in a highly entertaining J1C League encounter on the 4G pitch on Saturday. Af ter going behind, the ex cellent Tom O’Brien pow ered over for a try which Mark Brandon converted.

Creggs moved ahead when outhalf Ronan Dowd knifed through for a fine try, Brandon again convert ing. Creggs led 14-10 at the break. A wonderful han dling move by the Creggs backline resulted in a try by Martin Quinn which Mark Brandon converted. Cal lum Fahy added another excellent try to put Creggs firmly in control (26-10). Boys Club responded with a try. They continued to pile on the pressure but the heroic Creggs defence was watertight. Creggs now have two wins from three league games and will play Ballinasloe (at home) in a fortnight. Squad: Michael Holland, Callum Fahy, Kevin Gavin, Mark Kil commons, Martin Quinn, Ronan Dowd, Mark Bran don, Brian Coady, Danny Arnold, Matthew Curley, Aodan Kelly, Luke Div illy, David Feeney, Tommy O’Brien, John Martin, Mi chael Feeley, Enda Tully, Tyrese Etite, Gerard Com er, David Murray, Jack Hanley, Fiachra Temple, Regan Fahy.

utes Bradley Heunes broke the deadlock by crossing in the corner. The try was converted by Shane Pur cell. Bradley then powered over again ten minutes later. Monivea replied with a penalty to make it 12-3. With five minutes left in the first half captain Brain Diffley put Aidan Leech away to score. The try was converted by Purcell, leav ing the half-time score 19-

3. Monivea got a try in the second half but Creggs re sponded with the best try of the day. After great buildup play by Ronan Cahill, Lee Kilcoyne and Sean Og Higgins, Shane Purcell hit a crossfield kick to Brian Donoghue who clinically finished for a bonus point try. A late consolation try left the final score Creggs 26-13. Creggs: Tom Far rell, Sean Og Higgins, E

Cahill, B Donoghue, A Leech, L Kilcoyne, B Dif fley, C Purcell, M Dowd, S Purcell, C Duignan, R Cahill, Bradley Heunes, J Gunning, M Purcell. Subs: R Dowd, J Martin, M Quinn, M Brandon.

Mental Health Week: Mental Health Week be gins in the club this week with the Jigsaw organisa tion giving workshops for all teams.

Short putts

Athlone

Last week, the AGMs for Athlone Golf Club’s wom en’s and men’s clubs were held. Michael McBrearty was elected Captain of the Men’s Club and Kathleen McDonnell was elected Women’s Captain. Tributes were paid to the outgoing Captains, Francess McGet tigan and Thomas O’Connor, for their hard work and dedication to Athlone Golf Club. We wish both in coming Captains an enjoyable and productive year.

Winter competitions are now in full swing over 12 holes at Athlone Golf Club. This weekend’s competi tion for men is a Mini Hamper, playable on Saturday or Sunday. The usual Women’s competition is on Sat urday and Tuesday. The Plumbers Invitational Four ball, which was cancelled recently due to inclement weather will be held this Saturday, and plumbers are reminded to book their tee time on the BRS booking system.

Congratulations to recent competition winners Maeve Davis, Mary Jo O’Farrell and Eoin Moloney.

Boyle

King Harmon Cup Matchplay: Martin Sweeney and Ross Andrew had a very close game, with Martin go ing three up before Ross staged a comeback. Martin won out in the finish.

Lee McKillen beat Michael McHale and so plays Martin in one of the semi-finals. The in-form Adam Daly won against Michael Simon and will be play ing his semi-final against Terry Canning who got the better of Lochlainn Conboy. The semi-finals are to be played by 28th of November.

The Men’s competition for the weekend of the 19th and 20th of November will be an 18-hole Stableford. AGMs: The AGM of the Ladies’ Section will be held on Sunday, 20th of November at 5 pm in the club house. All female members are welcome.

The overall Club AGM takes place on the 27th of November. All meetings will be at 5 pm on the re spective dates in the clubhouse.

The Men’s AGM took place on Sunday, 20th of No vember, chaired by outgoing Men’s Captain Gabriel Lavin, who thanked all who assisted him in his cap taincy and paid tribute to outgoing Men’s Secretary Brendan Gaffney who has served eleven years in the role.

Creggs 1sts: Creggs 1st XV recorded their 3rd league victory, away to Monivea. After 10 min Pictured is the Creggs girls’ U-18

on Sunday.

Buccs stay top with bonus win

Buccaneers 29 UCC 0: Giving one of their best home displays for many a season, Buccaneers taught the students at University College Cork some harsh lessons in their Energia AllIreland League Division 1B game at Dubarry Park on Saturday. The Pirates got stronger as this top of the table clash proceeded, se curing another bonus point victory, the impressive 29-0 win keeping Buccs at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the opening third of the league.

Once again, this was an other tremendous all-round squad effort by the mid landers. Massive work rate by the forwards, some sub lime handling by the backs, and powerful and sustained tackling and work rate throughout were key ingre

dients in this victory – al layed to a significantly im proved ruthlessness when scoring opportunities arose.

Wanderers 5 Buccaneers U-20s 52: Buccaneers U20s doled out a 52-5 ham mering to Wanderers at Merrion Road, Dublin, on a windy but near perfect Sunday afternoon for this Marian Gale Boutiquesponsored fixture. Buccs scored eight tries in this JP Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2 encounter that keeps them nestling in the top three.

This was a comprehensive performance by Buccs U20s who on Saturday, 19th of November, are on the road again, but this time in the direction of Mullingar – on their bikes along the Greenway! It’s a fundrais ing sponsored cycle to help

finance their U-20s rugby programme. A social even ing is planned afterwards in The Bounty Bar to watch Ireland take on Australia.

All are welcome to par ticipate on this sponsored

cycle.

The Men’s Committee for 2023 is – President: Gerry O’Hara; Captain: Liam Whyte; Treasurer: Liam Mul laney; Competition Secretary: Lorcan Egan; PRO: Jonathan Egan. Also serving as committee mem bers: Vincent Egan, Lochlainn Conboy, Terry Bright, Brendan Gaffney, Gabriel Lavin, Seamus Gallagher.

The Secretary’s position is vacant. The committee would be grateful for any expressions of interest for anyone seeking to get more involved in the running of the Men’s Section.

Roscommon

Men’s 18-hole competition results (November 6th) 1st: George Bannon, 38 pts; 2nd: Tony McManus, 37 pts.

Ladies 9-hole weekly results (November 7th) 1st: Marina Cribbon, 25 pts. Ladies 12-hole Christmas Hamper results (November 12th) 1st: Claire Keane, 27 pts; 2nd: Mary Lalor, 27 pts; 3rd: Ruth Lennon, 27 pts. (The Ladies’ Christmas Hamper was kindly sponsored by Keane’s Supermarket, Athleague).

Senior Men’s results (November 10th) winner: M Sharkey, 37 pts; Cat. 1: N Sharkey, 37 pts; Cat. 2: K Madden, 35 pts; Cat. 3: L Bagnell, 30 pts; Cat. 4: S Brennan, 30 pts.

Senior Ladies results (November 10th) 1st: N O’Grady; 2nd: J Maxwell; 3rd: H Earley; 4th: K Ru ane.

Club AGMs: The men and ladies’ AGMs took place on Friday, 11th of November. Paula Miley is Lady Captain for 2023 with Phil Murray-O’Brien as her vice-captain. PJ Moran is the Men’s Captain for 2023.

The main AGM took place on 13th of November. Mary Cunningham was announced as President of the club for 2023. Thanks to all members who have served on various committees during this year and wishing every success to everyone who is involved on committees for 2023. The club really appreciates everyone who volunteers their time to help run our club.

white team which defeated Ballinasloe RFC 32-0 in Creggs

Pictured is the Creggs U-16 boys’ team and subs who drew 14-14 with Corinthians RFC in Creggs last Sunday.

The Buccaneers pack get to grips with a UCC maul during last Saturday’s Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B game at Dubarry Park, Athlone.

(News from local golf clubs)

Tulsk triumph!

Tulsk were the winners of the junior B football title as the final championship of the year at adult level was decided at Enfield last Sunday when they defeated Castlerea St Kevin’s by a point (012 to 1-8) in very poor weather conditions.

Tulsk were marginally the better side in the open ing half but Castlerea seemed to be better able to cope with the torrential rain. The sides went in at half-time with the scores level, 0-5 apiece.

Castlerea looked likely winners when Barry Egan’s goal early in the second half saw them go 1-7 to 0-6 in front, but Tulsk finished the game very strongly. Points from Stephen Crann (2), Louis Galvin (2), Dara Jones and James Brady saw them over the line, leading to great celebra tions. - SD

Fiona stars as Onewall All-Ireland Championships held in Roscommon

Last Saturday the Onewall All-Irelands were hosted in the Convent of Mercy gym in Roscommon town, the final big championships of the year.

Once again the star of the show from a Roscommon point of view was St. Coman’s Fiona Tully. Fiona was compet ing in the Ladies Open and had a hardfought win over Tyrone’s tough left-hand er Eilise McCrory in the semi-final to set her up for another meeting with Cork’s excellent Catriona Casey in the final. This match turned out to be one of the games of the year.

From the off Fiona attacked relentlessly, showing some brilliant reading to cut the ball off and finish clinically, while Casey was her usual incredibly consistent and accurate self. Casey led for most of the first game and actually served game ball

nine times, but Fiona showed tremendous grit and coolness to take her out each time and finally take a thrilling first 15-14.

The second showed why Catriona has been at the top for so long, as she main tained her high standards and chipped away constantly. The sheer consistency of Casey won out in the end as she took the second 15-11 and the tie-breaker by a deceptively large 11-1. This was a very significant day for Fiona and has to be seen in a very positive light on her up ward trajectory.

The latest rising star in Roscommon handball, Alanna Coggeran from Kil glass, continued her impressive year by reaching the Girls’ U-18 final. She defeat ed Tyrone’s Cloda McNamee very im pressively in their semi-final but went in as underdog against Wexford’s powerful

Jodie Keeling in the final. It didn’t seem to bother Alanna though and she stormed into a 10-3 lead. A little bit of inexperi ence showed when she never killed Keel ing’s momentum by taking timeouts and this allowed the Wexford girl to get into her rhythm and take control of a game that looked to be going away from her. Keeling ended up taking the first 15-11, and although Alanna never stopped try ing (true to form), Jodie won the second 15-10. Alanna has improved dramatically and will also be underage for this compe tition next year, so the future looks very promising.

Alanna’s clubmate Eddie Conboy lost out in his Junior B semi-final against Down’s Jack Turley. Turley is a Onewall special ist and was strongly fancied beforehand. Although Eddie started very nervously he

gradually got into the match and with his heart and speed around the court he gave the Down man plenty to think about be fore going down 15-4, 15-6.

Tuscon WPH Pro Stop

One week previous to the Onewalls Fio na Tully travelled to Tuscon, Arizona, USA to participate in the WPH Pro Stop Event for the Ladies 2022/2023 season. Once again Fiona ended up in the final against the undisputed no. 1 of Ladies handball, Cork’s Catriona Casey. Fiona took the runners-up position, but this time there were noticeable signs of im provement and the distinct impression that Fiona is definitely closing the gap that has existed between the two. Ca triona won 15-3, 15-7.

Roscommon Darts League update

The Hannon’s Hotel-sponsored Ro scommon Darts League continued last weekend with some great darts on show.

The following were the results: Holly Tree 5 Dalton’s 3 (15 to 10 on legs). Shane Connolly hit a 124 checkout. Tony Connolly hit a 180. Village Inn 2 An Bothar Rua 6 (8 to 16 on legs).

Both of the other games scheduled for last weekend were cancelled as a mark of respect.

This weekend’s fixtures (Round 5, being played on 18th of November) are as follows: An Bothar Rua v Cosy Bar; Flanagan’s v Spells; McDer mott’s v Holly Tree; Hollywood v Village Inn; Dalton’s receive a bye.

Darts

Handball

The Tulsk team and subs pictured before Sunday’s Junior B Football Championship final against Castlerea St. Kevin’s in Enfield. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

The Castlerea St. Kevin’s players and management pictured prior to Sunday’s Junior B Football Championship final against Tulsk Lord Edwards in Enfield. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Castlerea’s Sean Ryan keeps his eye firmly on Louis Galvin from Tulsk during last Sunday’s Junior B Football Championship final in Enfield.

Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Tulsk players celebrate after defeating Castlerea St. Kevin’s in the Roscommon Junior B Football Championship final last Sunday in Enfield. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Ronan wraps it for Ronan’s!

LATE SCORES EARN PLACE IN CONNACHT FINAL

AIB Connacht Club

JFC semi-final St Ronan’s 1-12 Owenmore Gaels (Sligo) 0-9

< SEAMUS DUKE

A late scoring burst of a goal and three points without reply propelled

St Ronan’s into the Connacht Junior Football final following a tight battle against Owenmore Gaels on Saturday last at Dr Hyde Park.

The beaten county finalists took a long time to get the measure of their opponents, but the introduction of subs such as Ronan Kelly (who scored a championship goal for the third weekend in a row) and Liam Killoran played a huge part in this victory. (St Ronan’s are represent ing Roscommon in the provincial championship as JFC winners Pad raig Pearses aren’t eligible to play provincially as they are the second team of their club).

Despite not having played a game in two months, the Sligo side came to Hyde Park in a positive frame of mind and matched the more battlehardened Ronan’s for most of the way.

On Saturday at Hyde Park, it was the Sligo side who were strong est for most of the first half. After 22 minutes they led by four points to two, with wing half-back Mark Walsh outstanding.

St Ronan’s improved before the break, two frees from John Keavney and a fine score from Fergal Guihen ensuring they retired to the dressing rooms at 0-5 apiece at half-time.

It was nip and tuck for most of the second half. With the sides level on three occasions, extra-time looked a real possibility. However, Ronan’s shuffled their pack to telling effect.

John Keavney edged them ahead in the 57th minute with a closerange free (after Owenmore Gaels’ Roland Anderson received a black card for a high tackle). A minute later sub Liam Killoran galloped forward to point from play, and

when Keavney pointed a free in the 60th minute Ronan’s were begin ning to pull away.

The coup de grâce was then ap plied by Ronan Kelly in the second minute of injury-time when he finished a great team move for the goal that sealed victory.

It was a great win for Ronan’s who had to recover quickly from their county final disappointment the week previously. Enda Flynn, Jason Glynn, John Keavney, Gary O’Daly and subs Mark Healy, Liam Killoran and Ronan Kelly were all excellent on the day for the Roscommon side. For Owenmore Gaels, Mark Walsh had a phenomenal game all through while others to impress for them were Nathan O’Malley and Conor Davey.

St Ronan’s won’t know their final opponents until after this weekend’s second semi-final. The Connacht final will be held on the weekend of 3rd/4th December.

St Ronan’s: Ray Gallagher; Mi chael McNama, Enda Flynn, Barry

McNama; Martin Gaffney, Eddie Noone, Tadhg Guihen; Jason Glynn (0-2), Fergal Guihen (0-1); Jordan Earley (0-1), Alan Benson, Finnian Travers; Kevin Healy, Gary O’Daly (0-2), John Keavney (0-5, frees). Subs: Mark Healy for Benson (14), Ronan Kelly (1-0) for Travers (h/t), Liam Kil loran (0-1) for Gaffney (h/t), Thomas McManus (0-1) for Earley (37), David McTiernan for T Guihen (47).

Owenmore Gaels: Gavin Phelan; Shane Maye, Liam Gilligan, Cian Whiteside; Mark Walsh (0-3), Patrick Murphy, Garrett Lavin; Joseph Walsh, Rian McMorrow; Roland Anderson, Aaron Walsh, Peter Wynne; Gary An derson (0-2, 1 free), Nathan O’Malley (0-1), Conor Davey (0-2). Subs: Kyle Mullen for Wynne (36), Oisin Ger aghty (0-1, free) for O’Malley (37), Ryan Quigley for Maye (40), Rory Dillon for Lavin (51), Callum Tonry for McMorrow (63).

Referee: Sean Corcoran (Mayo).

Man of the Match

The St Ronan’s team (and young supporters) pictured following their win in last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Fooball semi-final. Photo: Mick McCormack

Mark Walsh (Owenmore Gaels)

John Keavney from St. Ronan’s gets to the ball ahead of an Owenmore Gaels player during last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Club Football Championship semi-final in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack St. Ronan’s John Keavney congratulates Ronan Kelly after his goal in injury-time during last Saturday’s Connacht Junior Club Football Championship semi-final in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack