09 June 2023 Roscommon People

If

AGRICULTURAL LEASE

I own a large farm and I currently all of my land on a short term basis to a neighbouring farmer. He recently approached me and asked me to enter into a longer term lease with him. Please advise me of any benefits that might apply to me if I rent to him on a longer term basis.

Tax rules were amended in recent years in an attempt to encourage farmers to lease their lands on a long term basis to other active farmers. Land leasing occurs when a land owner (Lessor) leases his land to another active farmer (Lessee).

I understand that tax measures were introduced in recent years whereby a land owner would be exempt from income tax on lease rental income to up various exemption limits. The lease term and the maximum tax exemption limits are as follows:

• 5 to 7 year lease: up to €18,000 rental income per year;

• 7 to 10 year lease: up to €22,500 rental income per year;

• 10 to 15 year lease: up to €30,000 rental income per year;

• 15 year plus lease: up to €40,000 rental income per year.

The rental income eligible can include income from both land and agricultural entitlements. The lease must be in writing and stamped by Revenue Commissioners in order for the Lessor to avail of the enhanced income tax incentives.

The tax reliefs do not apply to leases to a spouse/son/ daughter/sibling but are applicable on leases to a niece or nephew. The rental income up to each threshold is income tax exempt but the universal social charge (USC) and PRSI still applied on this lease income. Leases for five years or longer will now be exempt from stamp duty. The lease agreement should at the very least include details on the length of the lease, the annual rent and payment procedure, details of the land use and the upkeep of the land, insurance details and treatment of Basic Payment Entitlements. I would recommend that you engage a solicitor to advise you and draft the lease agreement.

Byrne Carolan Cunningham LLP Solicitors Property Law solicitors will be happy to advise you.

This column is prepared by Dolores Gacquin, Solicitor. Byrne Carolan Cunningham have offices in Athlone, Moate, Lanesborough and Galway.

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

Byrne Carolan Cunningham SOLICITORS

Telephone Central Line 090 6478433

info@bccsolicitors.ie www.bccsolicitors.ie

WATCHING People

With PAUL HEALY

Can you believe it? He reckons AI could replace us and write this column!

We’re on the way out!

Nah, we’re heading for the quarter-finals… hopefully! That was a good win against Sligo!

Not the Rossies! I’m talking about us…as columnists!

Not THAT old chestnut again…

I’m serious!

Look, I’ve been meaning to get back to the Editor about renewing our contract! It’s on my ‘To do’ list this week…er, after weeding the barbeque and cleaning the garden.

I think you mean cleaning the barbeque and weeding the garden? Anyways, there’s a new development, and I’m beside myself with worry!

Please, not your Joe Brolly conspiracy theory again. He’s never going to replace us with Brolly. He couldn’t afford him!

It’s worse! I’m telling you, our days are numbered!

(They pause to smile at a few passers-by, what with the weather being glorious and everyone being in good humour)

So, er…

Say it out straight!

Well, the Editor actually rang me last night…

Huh?

….to discuss the future of this column… But, but…he talks to ME…about our contract…

Well he rang ME!

He’s playing divide and conquer! Whatever!

Endangered Species

So, is he seriously thinking of replacing us? Think so!

Brolly?

NO!

Not the pub bore?

NO!

Who then?

Artificial intelligence, that’s what he said!

That’s a low blow from him. We might not be two Einsteins, but we’re no eejits!

No, he wasn’t DESCRIBING us! He was musing about replacing us with artificial intelligence!

Wow! This IS serious!

(They pause to wistfully recall the good old days, before the world went mad)

He’s already done tests…

WHAT?!!

He’s used ChatGPT…

HUH?

It’s a ‘Chatbot’ – artificial intelligence. It could create content for this column, based on our previous submissions, our style!

And he’s done tests?

Yes! He got ChatGPT to create a Boyos’ column.

AND?

The Editor said it was silly rubbish… So it didn’t work?

No, it DID work. He said it was silly rubbish, just like our weekly ramblings. He was delighted!

And it was written in our style? AI knew what to do?

Yes, there were loads of references to Marty Morrissey, Daniel O’Donnell, Donald Trump, the Healy-Raes, GAA, all the stuff we go on about!

Unbelievable! Do you think he really is serious?

Hard to tell. Last thing he said to me was… ‘When I think of you two boyos, it reminds me of half of the term ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE…’

He obviously meant ‘intelligence’ rather than ‘artificial’?

Your guess is as good as mine!

It’s been a

GOOD week for… ☺

Ruth Larkin and Lark Bridal, with the Monksland-based company winning the West Region Award at the National Enterprise Awards

Roscommon footballers, who defeated Sligo by 1-21 to 1-11 to maintain their impressive championship form County Down golfer Tom McKibbin, who claimed his first victory on the DP World Tour by winning the Porsche European Open in Hamburg

Manchester City, with their FA Cup final win maintaining their hopes of winning a sensational Treble this season

Meath teenager Cillian O’Connor, this after the 14-yearold magician finished third in the final of Britain’s Got Talent

It’s been a BAD week for… ☹

Motorists, with news that tolls on the country’s national road network are to increase from the 1st of July

ITV presenter Holly Willoughby, who has been widely criticised for the nature of her ‘address to the nation’ on her first appearance on popular daytime TV show This Morning since former colleague Phillip Schofield’s controversial departure

PIC OF THE WEEK: Supporters pictured at last Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC group 3 game between Roscommon and Sligo in Dr Hyde Park. Photo: Mick McCormack

Three men found guilty over Strokestown repossession violence

Three men have been convicted for their part in a vigilante attack on members of a security group who were guarding a repossessed farmhouse in Strokestown in 2018.

A fourth man facing charges in relation to the same incident was acquitted by the jury.

Following a three-month trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the jury returned its verdict last Friday after deliberating for almost 14 hours.

PJ Sweeney (44), a builder from High Cairn, Ramelton, Co. Donegal was found guilty of the false imprisonment and assault causing harm to Ian Gordon, Mark Rissen, John Graham, and Gary McCourtney at Falsk, Strokestown on December 16th, 2018. He was also found guilty of aggravated burglary, three counts of arson, criminal damage, violent disorder and causing

unnecessary suffering to an animal by causing or permitting it to be struck on the head. He was acquitted of one count of arson and one count of robbery.

Mayo farmer Martin O’Toole (58), of Stripe, Irishtown, Claremorris was found guilty of false imprisonment and assault causing harm to Ian Gordon, Mark Rissen, John Graham and Gary McCourtney on the same date. He was also convicted of violent disorder, three counts of arson, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He was found not guilty of robbery of a wristwatch from John Graham and one count of arson in relation to a car.

Cattle farmer Paul Beirne (56) of Croghan, Boyle, Co. Roscommon was also found guilty of the false imprisonment and assault causing

harm to the four men, aggravated burglary, three counts of arson, criminal damage, violent disorder and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He was acquitted on one count of arson and one count of robbery.

The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts in respect of the charge of violent disorder faced by O’Toole, Sweeney and Beirne, and a majority of 11 to one on the other 14 charges of which they were convicted.

David Lawlor (43), a security worker with an address at Bailis Downs, Navan, Co. Meath was found not guilty of the 17 charges he faced.

Judge Martina Baxter remanded Sweeney, Beirne and O’Toole into custody to appear again before the court for a sentence hearing on June 30th

Supporters pictured at

group

game between Roscommon and Sligo in Dr Hyde Park.

Photo: Mick McCormack

End of the line: Commemorating 60th anniversary of closure of Knockcroghery Railway Station

< PAUL HEALY

The 60th anniversary of the closure of a landmark railway station will be commemorated later this month.

Knockcroghery Railway Station closed its doors in June of 1963. The commemoration event, taking place on Saturday, June 17th, will feature a series of fascinating talks by guest speakers, as well as an art exhibition for children, a display of railway memorabilia, and a singing session in a shed ‘on site’ to finish was promises to be a very special evening!

The opening of Knockcroghery Railway Station in 1860 revolutionised transport to nearby towns such as Athlone and Roscommon, and ultimately Dublin.

The new service also facilitated the movement of cattle, cargo, goods and materials around the midlands. The station was a hub of activity which was much valued by locals. It enabled passengers to travel in comfort to Athlone three times a day, in less than an hour. Passengers could then travel on to Dublin.

Clay was delivered to Knockcroghery on trains to provide this vital raw material for the claypipe industry that Knockcroghery was famous for. It was mainly local men who were employed to work on the railway, the station thus enabling these people to work at home rather than take the boat to England or elsewhere.

The station was the focal point of the village, spawning ancillary cottage

industries such as with regard to providing accommodation for travellers/ workers, providing meals for same, and various other micro-economic activities. The community supported the station in all its aspects and its establishment and development engendered a sense of pride among the parishioners of Knockcroghery.

However, on June 17, 1963, this busy and important service closed its doors and a once-bustling, thriving station fell silent. Ever since that day, trains shuttle through the village several times daily – without stopping. To mark 60 years since the closure, Phillip and Marina Dolan – whose home is the former railway station –

Guest speakers, memories and music!

Phillip and Marina Dolan – whose home is the former railway station – are holding a special event on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the closure of Knockcroghery Railway Station. The commemoration will run from 12 noon to 5 pm, and will feature lots of memories of the station’s glory days (the public are invited to share memories, anecdotes and stories of what they remember of the railway station).

A series of speakers will be present. At 12 noon, Dr Regina Donlon will speak on the following topic: ‘The Station and Emigration’.

The day’s second speaker will be Mary Dwyer, who will give a talk on ‘Local Trade and the Village’.

Jim Ganly will be next to speak, on the topic ‘Civil War/War of Independence and the Railway’.

are holding a special commemorative event on Saturday, June 17th, 2023 (see details alongside).

*Phillip and Marina wish to acknowledge and thank Sean Browne of Castlerea whose donation of materials and artefacts relating to the Knockcroghery Railway Station is invaluable, and much appreciated.

Vincent English will conclude the talks by addressing the ‘Achill Connection’. A primary school art exhibition will take place in the railway station over the course of the day.

Later that evening and under the auspices of the South Roscommon Singers Circle, a singing session will be held in the Dolans’ shed.

Everyone from the area (near and far) is invited to attend. Children welcome. Refreshments will be available.

An evocative old photo of Knockcroghery Railway Station. Courtesy of Mary Dwyer (Murray) of Knockcroghery a Village Tapestry Facebook page.

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

A column by Roscommon People editor paul@roscommonpeople.ie

THURSDAY Watching Joe…

Doubts over Joe Biden’s fitness to run for re-election aren’t just persisting, they are growing. The worry for his handlers must be that when Biden fell during an Air Force Academy ceremony today, it wasn’t in any sense a shock. The reality is that many people are increasingly nervous for Biden’s welfare. And it’s not just his physical frailty that’s noticeable; the US president sometimes looks confused and uncertain when speaking.

My own view is that Biden running again is a risk… for Biden (and his legacy), for the Democrats, for America and the world. Already the oldest US president in history, he would be 86 if he completed a second term. In what other walk of life would a person of his age and frailty even consider trying to renew their position? Biden is not running to be president of his local golf club; he is running for re-election as President of America, otherwise known as ‘most powerful man in the world’.

Asked recently if he is too old to run, Biden replied: “Watch me”. The problem for Team Biden is we have been watching. Biden is showing signs of not being able for the job, both cognitively and physically. Today was an unforgiving reminder of that.

FRIDAY So many legends…

As readers will be aware, there have been numerous offences against the English language in recent years. One of the many irritants I could reference (by way of example) is the ridiculous overuse (and incorrect use) of the word ‘legend’.

Growing up, I always thought the word ‘legend’ was reserved for someone incredibly famous, usually a person who had achieved greatness over a long period. A ‘legend’ was someone who stood head and shoulders above the rest in their particular field. Muhammad Ali was a legend, so too Christy Ring. Philip Greene

was an earnest, passionate commentator, but Michael O’Hehir was a legend. Paul Gascoigne was a great footballer, but Pele was a legend. Then the silliness took over.

Those of us who work in the media are probably most at fault, as we can’t resist a bit of hyperbole. Now any footballer who plays for 15 or 20 years is described as a legend when they retire. In actual fact, they’re a player who has played for a very long time. An average actor quits a TV soap after ten years, and next time they’re on a (morning) talk show they’re inevitably introduced as the ex-EastEnders/ Coronation Street legend.

The self-congratulatory types in RTE (and other national broadcasting houses) love to perpetuate this silliness. Marty Morrissey (blameless) will arrive at a GAA ground or at the ploughing, and a colleague might post a photo online: ‘Delighted to meet my colleague, the legendary Marty Morrissey…’

But Marty isn’t actually a legend,

he’s a nice man who does a good job in his work as an all-round broadcaster!

It isn’t just Marty who gets the legend treatment; just about every DJ on national radio loves to bandy the ‘legend’ word around, usually about fellow broadcasters/station colleagues. Indeed the national radio DJs are the biggest offenders of all.

My musings on this issue of grave importance are prompted by a glance at the Newstalk website which suggests matters may actually be about to worsen. It appears we may now be moving into icon territory…

Reporting on the retirement of Evelyn Cusack after 42 years with Met Éireann, Newstalk describes her as “Ireland’s most iconic weather forecaster”. Oh dear!

Now I wish Evelyn well, and certainly she was an instantly recognisable national figure, and good at her job, but the definition of iconic is: ‘Relating to or of the nature of an icon; regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration’.

Have we as a nation actually venerated Evelyn to the point where we should deem her iconic, or could it just be that we’ve seen and heard her a lot, because she’s been on our TV and radio a lot?

SATURDAY/SUNDAY Weekend sport

Manchester City remain on course for the Treble after victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup Final, Rory McIlroy disappointingly suffered final day blues in the Memorial Tournament, and Roscommon turned on the style late on to defeat Sligo at Hyde Park. See my views on Roscommon v Sligo on pages 42-43.

MONDAY

Cliché Lovers Club

There was a huge crowd at the weekly meeting of the ‘Cliché Lovers Club’ in Roscommon last night. “It’ll be the hot weather that has brought so many

cliché enthusiasts out” a man said to a neighbour.

“Absolutely” came the reply, “in fact I think tonight is a special weather-themed cliché night!” He was right. The place was packed to the rafters, great excitement discernible as veteran cliché experts lined up their greatest hits.

Johnny couldn’t wait to get the ball rolling. “It’s like an oven out there!” he announced, to loud applause. A woman from town got in on the act. “You could fry an egg on the tarmac” she proclaimed. Sustained applause.

A middle-aged man with a long beard stood up and wiped his brow.

“Sure if we had weather like this in Ireland every summer, you’d never have to leave the country” he said. When he sat down, he was annoyed that he hadn’t added “There’s no country like it when the sun is shining”.

A young fella nervously chipped in with “It’s nearly too hot” (polite applause), while his friend added an old reliable: “I wonder how long will it last?”

By 10 pm, the club members had uttered over 100 hot weather/heatwave clichés between them. Veterans couldn’t recall an atmosphere like it. Just when it looked like it couldn’t get any better, Paddy, an elderly man of considerable wisdom, stood up in the middle of the room and pounded his chest good-humouredly, as if to demand silence. Everyone looked at him. Pausing for further effect, Paddy then cleared his throat.

“Still, the farmers could do with a drop of rain soon…”

The place erupted. They loved it!

TUESDAY

Teddy McCarthy

Desperately sad news today, with the untimely death of Cork GAA great Teddy McCarthy. He made history by winning All-Ireland senior titles in football and hurling in the same year (1990). I was present at both finals. Now he was a legend. May he rest in peace.

TEMPORARY CLOSING OF ROADS ROADS ACT 1993, SECTION 75 ROADS REGULATIONS 1994, ARTICLE 12

Roscommon County Council intends to close the roads set out in the schedule hereunder for the period and the reason specified.

Road to be closed: L-6556 & L-6551 from its intersection with L-6556 for a distance of 180 metres north at Demesne, Castlerea.

Period of Closure: 7.00am to 6.00pm on Monday 7th August 2023

Alternative Routes: Via R361, L-1616 & L-6551 & vice versa

Reason for Closure: To facilitate the Castlerea Agricultural Trade & Craft Show 2023

Road to be closed: R371 Ballyleague to Scramogue

Period of Closure: 9.30am to 3.30pm on 8th July 2023

Alternative Routes: N63 Ballyleague to Roscommon N61 Roscommon to Four Mile House R368 Four Mile House to Farnbeg & vice versa

Reason for Closure: To facilitate Cycle Event associated with The Two Provinces Triathlon.

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

Road to be closed: L7055 Ardsallagh Woods Road from Hannon’s Hotel to Golf Club

Period of Closure: 9.30am to 2.00pm on Saturday 1st July 2023

Alternative Routes: via N61, N63 & L1812

Road to be closed: L7081 Turville from Galway Road Junction to Rahara Road Junction

Period of Closure: 11.15am to 12.45pm on 1st July 2023

Alternative Routes: via L1812, L7126 & N63

Reason for Closure: To facilitate Roscommon Harriers Club Road Race

Objections in respect of the proposed closure may be made in writing to the Roads and Transportation Department or e-mailed to roads@roscommoncoco.ie to arrive not later than Monday 12th June 2023.

Greg O’Donnell, A/Director of Services

Supporting Climate Action

There has been very positive public reaction following the launch of Roscommon County Council’s ‘Climate Action Call’.

Thirteen community, voluntary and business groups showcased a range of dynamic and diverse climate mitigation and adaptation measures as diverse as beekeeping to monitor water quality, new methods of animal grazing and bird and wildlife conservation.

This initiative is one of a number of measures identified by Roscommon County Council’s dedicated Climate Action Team, who are based in Aras an Chontae. Presently, the local authority is commencing the preparation of its statutory five year Climate Action Plan.

The Plan will set ambitious and future proofed targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the county’s carbon footprint consistent with national targets to reduce carbon emissions by half by 2030.

Each of the thirteen videos will be showcased exclusively on Roscommon County Council’s You Tube channel and Social Media platforms over coming weeks, the first of which, the actions of the Green Hub Gardening Club, were showcased last week. A separate video, surmising Roscommon County Council’s new Climate Action Roscommon initiative is also available to view on Roscommon County Council’s social media and You Tube channels.

The videos features an address from Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan, outlining the main features of the campaign. The video can be viewed on the following link - https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=TC1b8Dc5pLE

The thirteen groups/organisations featured are -

• Ballydangan Community Red Grouse conservation project

• Ballyleague Men’s Shed Repair and Recycling campaign

• Casey’s Filling Station, Roscommon solar power energy reduction initiative

• Cloontuskert Development and Tidy Towns Association polytunnel, composter & orchard

• Green Hub Garden Club Strokestown Community Seed Hub whose video can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=TC1b8Dc5pLM

• Hillside Organic Farm, Taughmaconnell sustainable farming programme

• Joe Connaughton, Lecarrow supporting bee keeping as pollination

• Kilteevan Tidy Towns Woodland and peatland biodiversity & heritage trail projects

• Mid-Roscommon Co-Operative Society Tulsk ‘Let it Bee’ water quality initiative

• Roscommon Women’s Network, Textile Upcycling & Social Enterprise project

• St. John’s Amenity Group, Lecarrow native tree planting and conservation

• St. John’s Native Woodland Trust, Lecarrow, supporting native woodland cover and heritage

• Transition Towns Roscommon Eco-Wellness Centre zero waste community

COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS IN BRIEF

Farm plastics disposal Roscommon farmers are invited to take advantage of upcoming farm plastics safe disposal days at IFFPG Bring Centres. IFFPG (Irish Farm Film Producers Group Ltd.) is Ireland’s only approved farm plastics recycling compliance scheme.

Local collection dates are as follows – Tuesday, June 4th Ballyforan Lumber Yard followed on Friday, July 7th in Ballyleague GAA grounds from 9am to 1pm. Then on Tuesday, July 11th, Elphin Livestock Mart will host a bring centre followed by Castlerea Mart on Wednesday, July 19th

The service provides farmers an efficient and cost-effective farm plastics recycling service nationwide. Users are reminded to bring their 6-Digit Label Code. For more information go to http:// ow.ly/iktr50OAzkQ

Community Recognition Fund

The closing date for the Community Recognition Fund has been extended to tomorrow (Fri. June 9th).

The fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of communities hosting new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries (Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants).

The closing date for online submissions of expressions of interest has been extended to 1pm Friday June 9th. Late submissions will not be considered. Full procurement must be submitted with the online application form. Previous funding may be taken into account when assessing applications

Full details of the scheme are available on www.roscommoncoco.ie. Any queries relating to the application process or eligibility for the scheme can be emailed to: crf@roscommoncoco.ie or phone 09066 37375.

Garda Youth Awards

The closing date for this year’s Garda Youth Awards has been extended to Monday, June 19th. Nomination forms available on http://ow.ly/PJiG50Ozo2o or http:// ow.ly/pGqf50Ozo2p

Members of the public are invited to nominate an individual or group whose members are aged 13-21 years who have made their community a better place or who have shown remarkable courage in their lives.

Food recycling packs

National Food Waste Recycling Week takes place until this Sunday, June 11th. During the week Roscommon County Council has been encouraging everyone to recycle their food waste.

Tomorrow (Friday) June 9th from 11.30am, Strokestown Library will be the venue for members of the public to receive a free food recycling pack and practical advice with hints and tips.

Find out more at www. mywaste.ie/national-food-wasterecycling-week/. Earlier this week,

similar events took place in Boyle, Castlerea and Roscommon local libraries.

Cruinniú na nÓg

This year’s Cruinniú na nÓg will take place on this Saturday, June 10th featuring free creativity events for young people showcasing theatre workshops, exhibitions, workshops, music and dance.

All of this year’s Cruinniu na nÓg events are supported by the Creative Ireland initiative supported by the Department of Tourism, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, in partnership with Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Local Creative Youth Partnership and RTE.

Full details of all projects and events are available at https:// cruinniu.creativeireland.gov. ie/ and at Roscommon County Council Arts Office.

LINDA MAY HAN OH bass

Music Network closes its Spring 2023 season with a bass and piano duo, a jazz combination that is refreshing in its simplicity.

King House, Boyle, Roscommon Wednesday 21 June, 8pm

€20/€18 Book now via Roscommon Arts Centre Box Office

L-R John Magee, Head of the Network of Local Enterprise Offices; Ruth Larkin, Lark Bridal; Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Jason Larkin, Lark Bridal; Louise Ward, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Roscommon

Summertime favourites from Slimming World to help you slim

We’re currently enjoying a fabulous heatwave here in Ireland, which means it’s time to heat up the barbecue, and Slimming World have all the tips to help keep you slim and healthy while enjoying your summer.

Pauline Bliss, who runs the Slimming

World groups in Hannons Hotel in Roscommon and St Joseph’s Resource Centre in Boyle, says, “On hot summer days like these, staying on track with your weight loss might be even more challenging than usual. However, losing weight doesn’t mean you have to miss

Slimming World’s

BBQ recipes

Aisling Anderson, who runs the Slimming World group in The Fiddlers Elbow in Ballaghaderreen, has shared some summertime scorchers to help you stay focused whatever the occasion. From refreshing salads and grilled chicken to a gorgeous turkey kebab – these delicious Slimming World recipes are guaranteed to satisfy your appetite all while protecting your weight loss.

RICE AND MIXED BEAN SALAD

This delicious rice and mixed bean salad recipe serves four and is ready in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

250g dried basmati and wild rice

400g can mixed beans, drained and rinsed

400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

8 spring onions, finely sliced

2 tomatoes, roughly chopped

1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

Large handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped

Juice of 2 large lemons, plus wedges to serve

100g reduced-fat feta

Method

Cook the rice according to the packet instructions, adding the mixed beans and chickpeas for the final 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add the spring onions, tomatoes, chilli and coriander and stir well. Drizzle the lemon juice, crumble over the feta and season to taste. Cool, cover and chill until you’re ready to eat. Serve with lemon wedges.

ZESTY BUTTERFLIED CHICKEN

This tasty zesty butterflied chicken recipe serves four and is ready in just 40 minutes (plus chilling).

Ingredients

Pared peel of 1 small unwaxed lemon, plus grated zest of ½ unwaxed lemon to serve

1 tsp sea salt

½ tsp dried chilli flakes, plus extra to serve

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, plus extra to serve

4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts

Low-calorie cooking spray

Salad or veg, to serve

For the potato salad

500g Jersey Royals (or use new or baby potatoes)

3 tbsp warm vegetable stock

2 level tbsp extra-light mayonnaise

4 tbsp fat-free natural Greek yogurt

2 tbsp roughly chopped fresh parsley

2 tbsp roughly chopped fresh mint

6 spring onions, sliced

Method

Preheat the oven to 140°C/Fan 120°C/Gas 1. Put the lemon peel strips on a baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes until pale-golden and dry. Using a pestle and mortar or a rolling pin, grind the baked lemon peel and salt together.

Stir in the chilli, garlic, rosemary and a little freshly-ground black pepper and mix well. Now ‘butterfly’ the chicken breasts; hold one chicken breast on a chopping board and slice through the middle horizontally until almost cut in half – take care not to go all the way! Open out flat like a butterfly. Repeat with the other breasts and rub the lemon mixture all over the cut sides. Lay flat on two plates, cover and chill for at least an hour.

Meanwhile, make the potato salad. Cook the potatoes in a saucepan of boiling water over a high heat for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and halve, put them in a bowl and pour over the stock. Toss well and leave to cool – the potatoes will soak up some of the stock while they’re still warm. Mix the mayonnaise and yogurt in a bowl, stir in the herbs and spring onions and season to taste. Add to the potatoes and fold everything together.

Light the barbecue for direct medium heat. Spray the chicken with low-calorie cooking spray and barbecue over direct medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until tender and cooked through, turning once. Or cook on a griddle pan over a medium-high heat. Scatter over the extra lemon zest, chilli and rosemary and serve hot with the creamy potato salad and lots of salad or veg.

out and barbecues are brilliant if you are trying to be healthy”.

Trish Keegan, who runs the Slimming World groups in Gleesons Restaurant in Roscommon and the GAA Centre in Castlerea says, “Slimming World’s Food Optimising eating plan allows

slimmers to fill up on plenty of healthy foods – that also happen to be barbecue favourites – such as potatoes, rice and lean meats. So you can join in the fun without jeopardising your weight loss”.

Carol Doran Joyce, who runs the group in Kiltoom Parish Hall says, “At

Barbeque tips

Sheila Mcloughlin, who runs the group in the Community Centre in Strokestown, gives her top BBQ tips for eating healthier this summer… Choose grilled lean cuts of meat like steak or skinless chicken drumsticks instead of ready-made burgers and sausages. Make sure to pile your plate high with salad, vegetables and a baked potato or two, and swap white rolls for wholemeal. Also consider making

this time of year, members love to swap their new Summer recipes in group. They love to share new marinades and low syn salad dressing ideas with each other, so they can go away and enjoy eating delicious food and continue to lose weight”.

your own marinade for meats or veg kebabs instead of buying ready-made sauces.

If you’re drinking, you could alternate your alcoholic drinks with a sugar-free soft drink or glass of water.

If you’re going along to a BBQ at a friend or relative’s, offer to make a few healthy side dishes – that way, you’ll be confident there will be something on the table that you can enjoy without worrying.

FRANK BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique take on life ...

Yes, Britain’s Got Talent… but not this unfunny duo!

Our man Frank is bemused by what’s passing for news in England; It’s a big NO from the Creggs jury to the BGT winner; Concerns over intercounty football… and Peter O’Mahony’s gardening flair

It’s a roasting hot Bank Holiday Monday as I write these words, and – not for the first time – I am wondering if our near-neighbours (the English) have completely lost the run of themselves!

In recent years, we had the unexpected Brexit result, followed by the election of the British answer to Donald Trump (I almost wrote Donald Duck), Boris Johnson, as

Prime Minister. Those decisions have had nearly catastrophic results for the British economy.

Fast-forward to early this morning (well, early for a Bank Holiday), when I tuned into Sky News, confident that I would get the usual interesting stories from around the world. The first big item was about the almost completely irrelevant Royal, Prince Harry, and speculation as to whether or not he would appear at the High Court as a witness in the libel case he is taking against the Mirror Newspaper Group. We went over and back several times, but sadly were none the wiser by the time the programme finished.

As it happens, he didn’t show (he did on Tuesday). But my question is: did anyone really care?

Anyway, when that item was more or less dealt with, it was time for the

Action required on ‘boring football’

Everyone has an opinion on the present state of Gaelic football, and in the case of future Barstool Boyos contributor Joe Brolly, he wants four new rules to be implemented.

First, that kick-outs must go past the 45 (our Junior B ‘keeper Gerry Keegan reckons that could be the end of his career as a goalie).

Secondly, that the goalie cannot get a pass from an outfield player. Thirdly, that the ball cannot be played back over the halfway line, and fourthly, that the sweeper must be done away with.

I am no expert on the changes that need to be made, but the inescapable fact is that long periods of every county match now consist of possession football, with the ball going sideways and backwards for ages without any pressure from the opposing team. Results are everything of course, but sooner or later action must be taken – or, as former Roscommon Champion writer, now with the Sunday Independent, Eamonn Sweeney says, “ football is in danger of death by boredom”.

next instalment of the never-ending saga that is the Holly and Phil show. This time, the question was whether Holly, upon her return to the This Morning show after all the recent upheaval (you must know by now what went on), would mention her old friend by name. I have no idea whether she did or not, but after more than three weeks of this surely it’s time to let that story fall off the news headlines and let us concentrate on some of the really important issues? Funnily enough, none of those things about the Brits would have entered my head at all if I hadn’t seen last night’s final of Britain’s Got Talent. How two of the acts (including the winner, Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn) made it through to the final beats me.

It was freely acknowledged that the standard of contestants, includ-

ing young Meath magician, Cillian O’Connor (can he work his magic for the Mayo footballer of the same name and get Sam for Mayo?) was at an all-time high. So to crown the Norwegian funnyman as the winner was just so ridiculous.

To his credit, he looked funny, but his act (as far as I could see) consisted of running around the stage in a highvis vest and doing little or nothing else. How he managed to secure the votes of the British public to earn £250,000 for himself and get to perform at the Royal Variety Concert for the new King is a mystery to me. However, if his victory was a farce, the presence of a different so-called comedian, Tonikaku, in the final was an absolute insult to all the fine artists that didn’t make it through. His act involved pretending to be naked and letting a few roars out

Gardening with … Peter!

As we make the most of this amazing weather, I find myself spending lots of time in the garden as a sort of apprentice or assistant to Carol, who is an avid gardener.

Now I have to admit that this fondness of gardening is a relatively recent happening for me, but I do appreciate how relaxing and peaceful some time spent outdoors is, and it does take our minds off the myriad problems that life throws at us. However, I was surprised to see on some media forum recently that Munster and Ireland’s toughas-nails wing-forward Peter O’Mahony loves

spending time in his garden; apparently his attention to detail would shame even the most professional of gardeners.

I was amazed to see that he is such a perfectionist, but as he plays rugby with the utmost intensity, maybe it’s the perfect way for him to wind down. I saw pictures of the rugby great working in his spectacular garden and it surely is a credit to him.

I don’t know who will mind it for Peter while he’s away in France for the World Cup! Maybe he will be looking for a slightly mature, but ever-

willing apprentice, but if not, he might give Tonikaku (see main item) the chance to sunbathe his fine body down there on Leeside. What a sight that would be!

*Speaking of gardening, out there in Glinsk, as they all recover from the fantastic success of their recent big draw, Maria Fitzmaurice tells me the gardening club continues this Saturday, 10th of June in Barlow’s from 10 am to 1 pm and all are welcome. The eircode is F45EH27 and you can ring 087 7583522 for any further information.

of himself while cavorting around the stage (although always wearing jocks). Despite Simon Cowell telling us he was the funniest comedian he had ever seen, I would almost prefer to watch another boring intercounty championship football match – and that is saying something.

Maybe I’ve got it all wrong, but some of the other acts – including our Meath magician, a couple of singers, and one-legged dancer Musa Motha – were absolutely top class, and any one of them would have been a much more worthy winner than Viggo Venn. As for Tonikaku, he definitely proves that if a fellow has a thick neck (and, in his case, a big belly) he can go far –but in my opinion nowhere near far enough. I won’t be looking out to see where he is performing next anyways…that is if he ever performs anywhere again.

A huge honour for the village

Out here in Creggs, there is so much activity going on, from the work of the Tidy Towns committee and big developments at both the football and rugby club to improvements at the Heritage centre and lots of other local stuff. Unlike with the football, no one will die of boredom here!

Last week, a major honour came our way when the Creggs Rural Development Group were nominated to represent County Galway in the Climate and Biodiversity section in the National Pride of Place awards. They were presented with the Galway Pride of Place award for their commitment to promote, educate, raise awareness and enhance biodiversity in the village. This is a huge honour to represent the county on the national stage. Heartiest congratulations to all involved.

And finally…

It’s back to Creggs now, where the Rural Development and Tidy Towns group recently launched their new newsletter, ‘News from the Village Pump’ – and a very welcome and informative publication it is.

The newsletter aims to keep everyone up to date with all the happenings in the area and to encourage you all to get involved in the many local active groups.

I’m not sure how often the newsletter will be produced, but the first one is a great addition to our area, so well done to all involved.

Sunday Independent and former Roscommon Champion journalist Eamonn Sweeney.

Fitzmaurice calls for eir action over manhole covers

Fianna Fáil councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice has called on eir to take urgent action to repair and make safe all dangerous manhole covers in the county.

Addressing the recent monthly meeting of the local authority, Cllr Fitzmaurice expressed his frustration with the delays in carrying out repairs and urged the Council to use the full powers available to it in holding eir to account.

His motion received support from members with Donal Kilduff describing the waiting time for repairs as “completely unacceptable”. Meanwhile, Director of Services Greg O’Donnell agreed that eir were at times “difficult to track down” when it came to such issues, a sentiment shared by Cllr Laurence Fallon.

Hospice Sunflower Days to raise funds for local services

Together for Hospice, The National Hospice Movement, is delighted to announce that Hospice Sunflower Days are returning for the 33rd year, with nineteen Hospices throughout the country taking part in the on-street collection on Friday, June 9th, and Saturday, June 10th. This year’s campaign was launched by Hospice Sunflower Days Ambassador Mary Kennedy.

As well as the on-street collection, there is also an opportunity once again for the public to support their

chosen hospice or homecare service online. The virtual sunflower garden is open from the 11th of May until the end of June.

You can sponsor a virtual sunflower ‘in memory’ of a loved one at sunflowerdays.ie

Every euro raised locally, stays locally, and supporters donating online will be able to select which hospice they wish to support from a dropdown menu, so they can rest assured their donation will go directly to their preferred hospice service.

Volunteer for Hospice

Mayo Roscommon Hospice are appealing for volunteers to give a few hours of their time to help collect for Hospice’s national Sunflower Days at stores in Roscommon town on Saturday, June 10th. Any time given would be greatly appreciated. If interested, please call 094 9388666 or email info@hospice.ie.

Hospices and specialist palliative homecare services throughout the country provide free-of-charge care and support to those living with a life-limiting illness, while also offering assistance to the patient’s family members. The Hospice Sunflower Days campaign aims to raise vital funds to allow these hospices and specialist homecare ser-

vices to continue to provide their essential personal care in either specialist units in the hospice or in a patient’s own home. Funding from the 2023 campaign will be used to help upgrade hospice and homecare facilities, purchase new equipment and fund local hospice services.

Speaking about the launch

of the 2023 Hospice Sunflower Days campaign, Martina Jennings (CEO, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation) said, “We are delighted to launch our 33rd Hospice Sunflower Days campaign. On Friday, June 9th, and Saturday, June 10th, volunteers will be selling sunflower merchandise to raise vital funds. We are calling on everyone to mark Hospice Sunflower Days this year by supporting on-street or online at sunflowerdays.ie and donating what you can to help the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation”. You can support your local hospice or homecare service by donating to the on-street volunteers on Friday, June 9th, or Saturday, June 10th, or by dedicating a virtual sunflower in memory of a loved one now at togetherforhospice.ie/sunflowerdays.

Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice

Pictured are Mike Smith (Chairperson of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice) and Martina Jennings (CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice).

New civic space in Square by Christmas

< PAUL HEALY

A new phase of works at the Square in Roscommon town which will commence this month is scheduled to be completed in time for the busy Christmas season.

A covered civic space will be developed at the Market Square and is intended to be a focal point of the town centre where people can meet, dine and relax.

The project will include further works to uncover and enhance the historic well on South Market Square, as well as improvements at two local lanes.

As part of these works, there will be some traffic and parking disruption, but the Council says this will be “minimal”. In order to secure the

work site, perimeter hoarding will be installed to the north and south of the square.

The new civic space will be available for events such as concerts and other public events. The new facility will also be utilised for the town’s annual Christmas Markets.

In a statement issued to the Roscommon Peo-

Miriam’s MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

Our columnist Miriam Kerins is on leave

newsbriefs

ple, Roscommon County Council said the works on the next phase of development of Market Square and Roscommon Town Centre are due to commence this month. The Council added that the project is scheduled to be completed in five months, with a view to The Square being fully open by Christmas.

Welcoming the commencement of works, Shane Tiernan (Acting Chief Executive) said the new civic space was a vital part of infrastructure for the centre of the town.

“The new works, including the covered civic space, the enhancement of the historic well, and the improvements to two local lanes, are a further, important part of Roscommon County Council’s ambitious regeneration of the town centre”, he said.

Ballaghaderreen artist awarded prestigious national painting prize

Visual artist Conor O’Connell from Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, was recently awarded the K+M Evans Painting Prize at the RHA Annual Exhibition in Dublin.

The RHA Annual Exhibition is Ireland’s largest and longest running exhibition of visual arts, with this year marking the 193rd time the exhibition has been held. The 2023 exhibition, featuring Conor’s work, is open to the public from Monday, May 22nd, to Sunday, June 30th

Conor was awarded the K+M Evans Painting Prize for his oil painting, ‘Workshop’. He was presented with the prestigious prize by Dr Abigail O’Brien (President of the RHA) and John O’Rourke (sponsor of the prize). Conor is currently between Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, and NCAD in Dublin, where he is studying Fine Art Painting and Education. His work has been featured in several previous exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. To find out more and to view Conor’s art, visit conoroconnellart.com or find @conoroconnellart on Instagram.

Tributes on passing of ‘gentleman’ and community giant, Jimmy Murray

< PAUL HEALY

Warm tributes have been paid to the late Jimmy Murray of Rahara, who was a prominent and popular figure in farming and wider community circles over the past number of decades.

There was deep sadness at news of his passing last Saturday, which followed a period of illness. He was just 64 years of age. Tributes have highlighted Jimmy’s gentlemanly nature, and also the legacy he leaves as a committed community activist.

The late Jimmy Murray was widely known in farming circles. Active for many years in Roscommon IFA, he was also a former chairperson of Roscommon Mart. A keen businessman, he ran Jimmy Murray Agri Services.

Search for missing Boyle teenager

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 16-year-old Mason

O’Donoghue, right, who is missing from Boyle in Co. Roscommon.

Mason was last seen on Bridge Street, Boyle on Saturday evening. It is believed he got into a white Renault Kadjar car with Northern registration number plates on Saturday at around 6.10 pm.

Mason is described as being approximately 6 foot 1 inch in height with a slim build, dark brown hair and brown eyes. When last seen, he was wearing a black hoodie, black tracksuit bottoms and black runners. Anyone with any information on Mason’s whereabouts are asked to contact Boyle Garda station on 071-9664620, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Free menopause talk at Roscommon Library

As part of the Healthy Ireland at Your Library programme, Dr Deirdre Forde of Ceile Medical Centre will present a talk on menopause and perimenopause in Roscommon Library on Thursday, June 15th, from 6 pm to 7.30 pm.

Register for this free event by logging into your library account at roscommon.spydus.ie, select the ‘Events tab’, click ‘All Events’ and follow the instructions. If you don’t have a library account, you can register by logging on to librariesireland.ie/join.

For further information, contact Roscommon Library at library@roscommoncoco.ie.

PJ Hernon album launch in Spells tonight

PJ Hernon will launch his new album ‘Air ais ar mo dhúchas’ (Back to my roots) in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen this Thursday evening, 8th of June at 9 pm. Special guest with PJ on the night will be renowned Roscommon musician Seamus Shannon.

Contacted by the Roscommon People on Wednesday, his neighbour Cllr. Laurence Fallon said Jimmy Murray’s death had cast a cloud over the entire area.

“We will miss him greatly. He had an enormous circle of friends. Jimmy was a very good community figure, always willing to get involved, whether it was with the school board or the parish council or any other body. He was a very active community man. He was fiercely loyal to people too. He was also a successful businessman and of course was very well known in the farming community”.

One common thread of the tributes that have followed his untimely passing is how Jimmy Murray is being remembered as a gentleman who always seemed to

have a smile and a friendly word when one met him. His natural, friendly disposition and easygoing manner endeared him to the many people he engaged with from different walks of life.

Extending deepest sympathies to Jimmy’s family, Roscommon Mart announced that its office would remain closed from 10.30 am to 2 pm last Monday as a mark of respect.

Large crowds attended the family home on Monday to pay their respects. Removal took place on Tuesday to the Church of Mary Immaculate in Rahara, where there were a number of local Guards of Honour. After Funeral Mass, burial followed in Rahara Cemetery.

Jimmy Murray, of Ganaveens, Rahara, died peacefully at his

home on Saturday, June 3rd. He is mourned by his wife and best friend Elsie, son Thomas, daughter Lisa, brother Michael, extended family, neighbours and friends. May he rest in peace.

From Carna in Connemara, PJ has been a long-time resident of Gurteen, Co. Sligo. Famous for his accordion playing, this popular musician is delighted to finally realise a long-time ambition in recording a melodeon album.

Restricted access during Church renovations

Parishioners in Roscommon are advised that entry into the Church grounds from the car park on the St Coman’s Wood Primary School side will be closed over the next couple of weeks to facilitate some of the necessary works on the Church building. Apologies for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your cooperation.

Meanwhile, the fundraising committee is extending sincere thanks to all for the ongoing kind response to the Sacred Heart Church restoration appeal.

To date, €54,957 has been raised for the urgent works, which are costed in the region of €100,000 plus. Your generosity as always is greatly appreciated. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.

ADVERTORIAL

Abbey Hotel Mid-Summer Wedding Fair

A big hello and congratulations to all recently engaged couples out there. What an exciting time in both your lives as you embark on the very special journey of planning your wedding day.

Here at the Abbey Hotel, we would love to be part of that adventure by being your chosen venue for the special day. So why not join us for a glass of bubbly and light refreshments this coming Sunday, June 11th, when the MidSummer Dream Wedding Fair takes place from 2 pm to 5 pm.

On the day, you can meet our team and some of the most talented weddings suppliers in the business, from bridal accessories, music and

Free draw

suit hire to photographers and civil celebrants. You’ll get loads of advice and inspiration for your big day, as well as generous supplier discounts and special offers. You can also meet our chefs and dedicated wedding coordinator, as well as view our ballroom, bridal suite, executive bedrooms and outdoor secret walled garden in all its splendour (weatherpermitting).

We will also have our dedicated Abbey Bride Pamper Zone, which includes some complimentary make-up trials with a Christian Dior make-up artist (T&Cs apply).

The Abbey Hotel is one of the Midlands’ premier award-winning wedding venues. As

There will be a free draw to win a hamper for all couples who register on Sunday. Prior appointments are welcome so please drop our wedding coordinator an email at weddings@abbeyhotel.ie to schedule a viewing.

“If you were a past Abbey bride, then why not share your feedback and tell us what was the one special stand-out moment from your big day at the Abbey,” added Geraldine Grealy, Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

“We always strive to keep on top of trends and deliver the ultimate wedding day dream, so feel free to share your suggestions with us via social media”. Read what some of our past brides have to say on our website, abbeyhotel.ie. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Let our family look after yours on the most important day of your life.

Cash and drugs seized in Roscommon town

Gardaí seized cash and a quantity of drugs, believed to be cocaine, in Roscommon town in recent days following an ongoing intelligence-led operation.

The seizure came following the search of a house in the town on foot of a search warrant. The search, which was carried out by members of the Roscommon/Longford Divisional Drugs Unit, assisted by local uniformed personnel, uncovered approximately €14,000 worth of suspected cocaine, together with a ‘significant’ amount of cash.

A man in his 50s was arrested and brought to Roscommon Garda Station for questioning. He has since been released and a file is being sent to the DPP.

Healing Mass in Curraghboy

A Special Mass for Healing will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy, Athlone (N37W704) on Monday, June 12th, at 8 pm. The celebrant will be Fr John Walsh.

Confessions will be available from 7 pm and the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 7.30 pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Individual Blessings for Healing will take place after Mass. All are most welcome to attend.

a renowned family-run business, owned and managed by the Grealy family since 1963, you know your wedding day will be in safe hands when you choose the Abbey.

The historical 18th century castle-style setting with its own private grounds have been hosting weddings for generations now for six decades. We get very nostalgic when we meet the second and third generations coming back to make their own special wedding day memories here at the Abbey.

We are also a fully licensed civil ceremony wedding venue, catering for indoor and outdoor civil, humanist and vow renewal ceremonies.

Éire Óg clubman wins €200k in Club Rossie draw

< DAN DOONER

Éire Óg GAA’s vice-chairperson Michael McGreal was announced as the winner of the Club Rossie ‘Win 200 Grand’ draw which took place on Monday night last.

Michael’s ticket was pulled from the drum by Roscommon senior football manager, Davy Burke.

There were over 8,500 tickets sold for the draw, with half of those sold in Co. Roscommon.

Gerry Clarke acted as Independent Observer on Monday night while Club Rossie Chairperson Pat Compton, Davy Burke and MC Willie Hegarty helped to oversee it.

Davy Burke acknowledged the work going on behind the scenes in Roscommon GAA and said the support he has received so far has been overwhelming.

Roscommon GAA Chairperson, Brian Carroll, paid tribute to Roscommon supporters for getting behind the draw.

Club Rossie Chairperson, Pat Compton, also expressed his thanks to his hard-working committee as well as clubs throughout Roscommon for their support.

Other prize winners on the night included: Caroline Neilan and Ciana Haughey (Rose Hotel, Tralee stay); Greg Hayes (Hotel Kilmore); Thomas Cryan (Hodson Bay Hotel); Ethel Kelly (McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris); William Watchorn (Abbey Hotel); Una and Seán McHugh (Castleknock Hotel, Dublin); David Roche (Armada Hotel, Spanish Point); David Finneran (Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny); Athleague Hurling Club (€200 voucher for Gleeson’s, Roscommon town).

Live launch of Midsummers Festival on Friday in Roscommon

The organisers of the Midsummers Weekend with The Stars Festival are continuing preparations for what has been billed as one of the largest events of its kind in Ireland.

The Tumbling Paddies, Derek

Ryan, Mike Denver, Jimmy Buckley, Philomena Begley, and Cliona Hagan will lead an all-star line-up at Roscommon Racecourse on the weekend of June 17th and 18th when the festival takes place.

Tickets are now on sale at local outlets and Ticketmaster.ie. Subject to availability, tickets will also be on sale at the venue.

This Friday, a live launch at the Square in Roscommon will kick

off at 2.30 pm, and it’s expected that Derek Ryan, The Tumbling Paddies, and Claudia Buckley will perform at this special event, which will be open to the public free of charge – so be sure to come along!

Supporters pictured at last Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC group 3 game between Roscommon and Sligo in Dr Hyde Park. Photo: Mick McCormack

Roscommon bridal company a winner at National Enterprise Awards

Monksland-based Lark Bridal, who are supported by Local Enterprise Office Roscommon, were recently named as the winners of the West Region Award at this year’s National Enterprise Awards.

The awards, which took place at the Round Room in the Mansion House in Dublin on Thursday, June 1st, are in their 23rd year and run annually by the Local Enterprise Offices.

Lark Bridal is a bridal wear business based in Monksland, Athlone, and founded in 2013 by Ruth Larkin. Since then, the business has grown to exclusively distribute the world’s leading bridal wear brands globally. Lark Bridal now supplies over 1000 outlets in 32 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, all from its base in County Roscommon.

They follow in the footsteps of Studio Meala from Boyle, who also won the West Regional Award in 2022, and Lidan Designs from Roscommon town, clinching the National Enterprise Future Focus Award in 2021.

Speaking following the announcement, Louise Ward (Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Roscommon) remarked, “Lark Bridal is a very deserving winner of this year’s West Regional Enterprise Award.

“Our team in Local Enterprise Office Roscommon are very proud of their achievements. We wish Ruth, Jason and their team every success as they

continue to grow their world class business from County Roscommon. Lark Bridal epitomise the qualities of innovation, resilience, creativity and ambition that are necessary in all successful businesses”.

Announcing the award winners at the Mansion House, Minister Coveney said

the National Enterprise Awards are the highlight of the small business and enterprise calendar. Year on year, the diversity of businesses and the standard of companies that are coming through the process is getting stronger”, he commented.

“We should not be surprised given the innovation and endurance that business-

Roscommon Races continue next Monday

Racing continues at Roscommon on Monday next, June 12th. Meanwhile, a great day was had by all at Roscommon Racecourse last Thursday, 1st of June, when the sun shone in front of a large crowd, and the feature Irish EBF Auction race went to Pivotal Tiger for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley. Trainer Ger Lyons was full of praise for the surface at Roscommon after he saddled Spanish Flame, who looked above average when he won the two-year-old maiden in the hands of Colin Keane, who later that evening made the dash to Fairyhouse, where he had four rides.

Spanish Flame may now head to Royal Ascot for the Chesham Stakes, and Lyons, who was represented by his brother Shane, said, “Roscommon have done a fantastic job with the ground in the middle of a mini-heatwave. It was on the easy side of good for the first race, which is what he needed”.

It’s more of the same when racing resumes in Roscommon on next Monday, 12th of June, for an all-national hunt card. Race sponsors on the day are Tote Ireland, Kepak Athleague, and Ivan Connaughton Auctioneers. The best turned out prize is sponsored by J

& A Gately Building Stone.

The Galway Festival is not far away, and there are sure to be plenty of pointers running at Roscommon next week for that great festival, which gets underway next month.

There is music in the bar after the second last race on the 12th of June. Admission tickets and Ros Special tickets can be purchased online at roscommon-

racecourse.ie. Cash and card payments are also accepted at the gate, but note there is a 10% discount on admission tickets online.

A list of fixtures and all other information can be found on www.roscommonracecourse.ie. For enquiries, contact@roscommonracecourse.ie or phone 087 2203288. Come for the racing, stay for the craic!

es have shown in the past couple years.

“We have some outstanding winners, but the finalists on the whole have been excellent, and this is very much the start of their journey. We will ensure they continue to get the support they need to grow their businesses as small businesses in Ireland are at the core of every

town, village and community and are vital to our economy”.

Several other companies won across a range of categories at the Awards, which were established by the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate the impact and quality of small businesses across the country.

Pictured at the Roscommon Races on Thursday were Sandra Hughes and Nessa Joyce. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured recently at the National Enterprise Awards were Jason Larkin (Lark Bridal), Ruth Larkin (Lark Bridal), and Enda Cannon (Local Enterprise Office Roscommon).

Ruth Larkin of Lark Bridal pictured being interviewed by the host of the National Enterprise Awards ceremony, Bryan Dobson.

A moving experience… on returning to the nest

Let’s talk about ...

RETURNING TO THE NEST

Alannah Ita Healy

The weekend before last, just as the hot spell was beginning to kick off, and when everyone and their mother seemed to be out enjoying the sun, I found myself stuck inside, attending to the task I’d been procrastinating about all week – packing up to move out of Galway and ‘return to the nest’ back home in Roscommon for a bit.

I was admittedly quite bitter to be faced with this task, and not just because I’d left it to the last minute, or because the idea of sitting out in the sun by ‘Sparch’, Eyre Square, or Salthill (like seemingly everyone else in the city) sounded like an infinitely better option than filling suitcases… though it definitely did. I was also just disappointed to be leaving in general, having spent a full two years living there.

You know that phenomenon when a certain period in life is about to end, and you start looking at everything about it with rose-tinted glasses; by the last couple of days in that apartment, I was so prematurely nostalgic that I’d even started to look fondly on the noisy old pipes in the bathroom, and the evennoisier seagulls who would squawk and caw outside all day long (presumably just to annoy me specifically).

My room was in the attic and we lived by the water, so inevitably there was always a host of seagulls dotting the surrounding rooftops to be heard at all hours. They’d always find some way to disturb your day (as I would soon find out again for the umpteenth time). The only upside that came along with having them as neighbours was last summer, when one of them set up a nest right opposite my window, and each time I glanced out over the next couple of weeks I got to see how the baby seagulls that popped up soon after were getting along. Slowly they learned to fly, got bigger, and lost their browny-grey colour, and it was sweet to see them progressing over the weeks.

As I got on with my recent packing,

I caught the occasional glimpse out the window at the same nest, which this year again had had a seagull perched on it the past few weeks, annoyed that I hadn’t yet seen the baby seagulls appear, and wouldn’t now before I left. I was of course conveniently forgetting how much louder the seagulls noises got once the babies appeared, but that’s the rose-tinted glasses for you again. Beyond rose-tinted glasses and sentimentality though, it’s become evident that moving out of a place after so long comes with other guarantees – for example the rude awakening that is seeing how much rent has risen by. Then there’s the fact that if you’re anything like me, you will have gathered an absolutely unfathomable amount of

junk in your time living there – junk that will take much, much longer to pack away than you ever thought possible.

This meant that despite naively expecting to be done in time to enjoy the last of the weekend weather, by the Sunday evening, I was still pottering about in my room, trying to get all the last bits and bobs together. It was then, just as I was busying myself trying to Tetris the last of my notebooks and trinkets into a bag, when someone suddenly started knocking at my bedroom door. When I opened it, standing on the other side were two of my housemates and three other people I’d never seen before, one of whom was holding a little cardboard box very steadily. And despite just having made the assumption that I

wouldn’t see any this year before moving out, peeking out from the top of the box, just barely visible over the cardboard flap, was the tiny brown head of a baby seagull.

The group of strangers explained that they had been passing by our place when they noticed the baby seagull on the ground, likely having fallen from its nest. By sheer coincidence, one of them happened to work with birds, and was able to check to make sure it hadn’t been hurt. However, she explained that while the bird was uninjured, it was too young to be able to make its way back, so they had knocked at our door to see if we could access the nest from our house and return it.

And so I invited them in and showed them to the window, pointing out where the nest was. However, we quickly realised that the nest was just far enough out of reach so that none of us could safely return the bird from where we were in the room. Upon realising this, without a word, second thought, or ounce of apprehension (and to the utter bewilderment of my housemates and I), before we knew it one of the strangers had decided to simply climb out the window.

After making it out, she took the baby bird in her hands, slid down the roof, and returned it to its nest, before climbing back up and getting back inside, all in the space of a few minutes. It was like watching an odd, low-stakes, birdcentric spy movie, but impressive nonetheless.

The group left shortly after their successful seagull-saving mission and impulsive roofclimbing, once the mother and baby had reunited and it was certain we hadn’t placed the baby in the wrong nest. It was maybe one of the oddest visits we received over the two years, but also a very wholesome one, so not a bad way to round out our time in the house.

The escapade had set me back a bit in my packing though, so once they had headed off, I got back at it again. Packing always feels endless until it’s done; looking around at all I had left to do, I felt about as prepared to leave the house as the baby bird had been in leaving the nest.

Eventually however, despite the interruption, it all got sorted. The presses were emptied, the wardrobes cleared, everything was sorted into bags and boxes, the last big clean was done, and finally, after all the hullabaloo, it was time for me to also return to the nest and head home to Roscommon for a bit while I wait to find a new place in Galway – maybe this time one with less seagulls for neighbours.

Free pint for Taylor Swift if she visits Banshees’ pub set in Kilkerrin!

The iconic JJ Devine’s Pub, as featured in the Oscarnominated Banshees of Inisherin, has been restored and was unveiled last Friday at its new location, Mee’s Bar in Kilkerrin, east Galway.

The pub, which was created by the film’s prop department, was purpose-built in Cloughmore on Achill Island. It was built using temporary materials so that it could be taken down once the project ended.

The disassembled set remained untouched in a yard close to the set upon the conclusion of filming in October 2021. That was until Kilkerrin native and publi-

can Luke Mee retrieved it and restored it to its former glory.

Mee was given the goahead to take the disassembled pub from Achill, and with a little help from friends, brought it on the 180-kilometre to Kilkerrin.

Mee, who also runs Mee’s XL Stores/Applegreen in Kilkerrin, Knockcroghery and Ballymoe with other family members, and whose wife hails from close to where Banshees of Inisherin was filmed, said the restoration wouldn’t have been possible without the help of ‘family, good friends and neighbours’.

He also promised JJ

Swift a free pint if she should ever make the trip to Kilkerrin!

Luke Mee, Kathleen Mee and Pat Igoe pictured with ‘Holly’ the donkey outside the relocated JJ Devine’s in Kilkerrin, Co. Galway.

Devines’ superfan and global music star Taylor

Taylor Swift

Dorothy hailed on Global Accessibility Awareness Day

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Among the events to take place at Bank of Ireland Roscommon recently was a special ceremony to mark Global Accessibility Awareness Day, and to pay tribute to long-serving staff member, Dorothy Coyle, for her work with Lough Ree Access For All in Lanesboro.

Dorothy, who was born with Spina Bifida and is confined to a wheelchair, is celebrating 33 years of service with Bank of Ireland this year.

New Hospice fundraiser launched

Bank of Ireland recently launched a new fundraiser for Mayo Roscommon Hospice at its Roscommon branch, five years on from a successful charity fashion show which raised over €25,000 for the recently opened Hospice unit in the county town. Speaking at the launch, BOI County Manager Anne Marie Beirne said the bank would be raffling a signed Roscommon senior football jersey and footballs over the next few weeks as part of its fundraising efforts.

Mayo Roscommon Hospice CEO Martina Jennings expressed her gratitude to

Bank of Ireland staff as well as members of the public who had helped make the new €6.2 million Hospice a reality.

“The dream for the Mayo and Roscommon Hospices came from the Foundation’s board and our families,” she said.

“The Bank of Ireland Fashion Show fundraiser just over five years ago raised a lot of funds but also awareness, and triggered an awful lot of other fundraisers too”.

The Hospice CEO said that both Hospice units had received extraordinary backing from people in both counties and the Roscommon facility was now fully operational.

She said annual running costs amount

to €1.9 million with the HSE contributing €1.6 million and Hospice fundraising covering the other €300,000.

This year the Foundation also contributed a further €400,000 to cover equipment and fit-out costs. All of this money, she said, had been raised thanks to local donations.

Bank of Ireland’s Mayo Roscommon Manager, Michael Costello, paid tribute to Martina Jennings and Hospice Board member, Paul Foxe, and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and said Bank of Ireland’s four Roscommon branches were delighted to support the fundraising efforts this summer.

Addressing the recent event, Dorothy said she was born at a time when those with disabilities were often shunned and “hidden away”.

“My parents were different. Even though I wasn’t given much chance of survival, they took me home, telling doctors that if I was going to die, I would die at home. I was always treated the same as my brothers and sisters,” she said.

“I first applied to work at the Bank of Ireland under open competition, meaning that they didn’t know I was disabled until I turned up for the interview!

“The interview was conducted upstairs and there was no lift so they scrambled to find a free room downstairs”.

Dorothy started in the Athlone

branch in July 1990, where her duties included answering phones, dealing with customer enquiries and counting the night safe lodgements. She then moved to the Roscommon branch in November 1992.

“Despite the odds, I was brought up to be independent and I completed my education up to third level,” Dorothy said.

“Neither my family or myself have ever allowed my disability to stop me from doing what I wanted. I have travelled abroad to the UK, France and the US many times, I have a full driver’s licence and three gold medals for swimming at the AllIreland Community Games!”

It was her interest in waterbased activities that led to her involvement with the Lough Ree Access For All boat project in 2020.

“Since then I have become a volunteer/director and ambassador for Lough Ree Access For All because I believe in the project, the people involved, and what it stands for,” she said.

“I even competed in the Lough Ree International Pike Classic and caught my first fish! It’s not about what you can’t do but about what you can do, and that’s been my approach throughout all of my life”.

Influencers spread word about Roscommon in Britain

A group of popular influencers from Great Britain (who have a combined following of more than 560,000 on Instagram) recently explored Roscommon and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

The influencers – Jack Anstey (@jack_anste), Jasmin White (@ thesecountryroads), Lou Archell (@littlegreenshed), Michelle Corbett (@crazycatladyldn) and Tommy Brady (@tommybrady7) – captured lots of great content here and shared it with their Instagram followers to inspire them to choose Ireland for their next holiday.

The group’s itinerary included a visit to Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, where they enjoyed ziplining and lunch at the Lakeside Café.

Julie Wakley (Tourism Ireland’s Head of Great Britain) said, “We know that holidaymakers are increasingly using social media for inspirational travel content and ideas, so we were delighted to welcome this group of popular British influencers to Ireland. They have been generating and sharing wonderful content about Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and encouraging their followers, in turn, to put Ireland on their holiday ‘wish-list’ for this year and beyond”.

Influencers from Great Britain pictured during their recent trip to Ireland, with Emma Mullally from Tourism Ireland (left).

Left to right: Paul Foxe, Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Board member; Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice; Anne Marie Beirne, Bank of Ireland Roscommon Branch Manager; Michael Costello, Mayo & Roscommon Head of County for Bank of Ireland; Sean Beirne, Bank of Ireland Roscommon, and Dorothy Coyle (front), Bank of Ireland pictured at the launch of the new Bank of Ireland fundraiser for Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. Pic: Kieran Croghan

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Kiltoom Community Alert update

Good wishes for a long and happy retirement were extended to Superintendent Fran Nicholson, a native of Cornafulla, South Roscommon, at the quarterly meeting of the Kiltoom Community Alert Group in the Parish Hall, Ballybay, Kiltoom, on Thursday night last.

Supt. Nicholson retired from the Garda force in recent weeks, after holding the ranks of both Inspector and latterly Superintendent at Roscommon Garda Station. Members paid tribute to him for his help and cooperation with the Community Alert Groups in the region and for his affability and genuine concern for the community which he served.

Sympathy was also extended to a number of residents of Kiltoom Parish who had bereavements in recent months, namely Norrie Mannion (The Berries, Kiltoom) on the death of her brother John Fallon (Clonown), the Browne family (Hodson Bay) on the death of Morris Browne (Lancaster, England), the Murray family (Hodson Bay) on the death of Dr Paddy Murray, the Nestor family (Cappalisheen, Kiltoom) on the respective deaths of Rose Nestor (Cappalisheen) and Lorraine Nestor (Cappalisheen), Alan Duffy (Dublin) on the death of his mother Frances Duffy (former resident of The Berries), the O’Donnell family (Ballybay, Kiltoom) on the death of Danny O’Donnell, the Hughes family (Dernasee) on the death of Paul Hughes, the Rourke family (Cappalisheen and Newtown) on the death of Pat Rourke, the Daly family (Rockhill, Kiltoom) on the death of Joe Glynn (Moore), John Dillon (Curramore, Kiltoom) on the death of his father Tom Dillon (Athlone), Michael Woods (Barrymore, Kiltoom), on the death of his brother Glynn Woods (Wales), the Kenny family (Sycamore Drive) on the death of Paddy Kenny, Mildred Henehan (The Berries) on the death of her brother Larry Moroney (San Francisco), Tadhg Mannion (Hodson Bay) on the death of his brother Virgil Mannion (Dublin), John O’Rourke (Barrymore), on the death of his mother Terri O’Rourke (Pearse Road, Sligo), Vera Cummins (Ardmullen, Kiltoom) on the death of her brother William ‘Bill’ Kenny (Seattle), Brendan Callinan (Lisbane, Kiltoom) on the death of his mother Kathleen Callinan (St Ruth’s Park, Athlone), Mrs Rena Harney (Reeside, Barrymore) on the death of her sister Dorrie Killeen (Togher, Taughmaconnell), PJ and Emily Martin (The Berries) on the death of their daughter Olivia Kinsella (Ratoath), Pat Nolan (Barrybeg, Kiltoom) on the death of his brother Peter Nolan, Helen Finneran (Moyvannion, Kiltoom) on the death of her mother Christina Harrison (Kilteevan, Roscommon), and Aidan Kelly (Curnaseer, Kiltoom) on the death of his brother Liam Kelly (Moate).

Frontline workers must receive long Covid supports – Naughten

Deputy Denis Naughten has called on the Government to ensure all frontline workers who contracted Covid through their employment, and who were subsequently forced out of work due to long Covid symptoms, are able to avail of supports until they are fit to return to work.

“At present, 120 frontline healthcare workers with long Covid are availing of a special leave scheme which will lapse in just thirty days. There are hundreds more frontline workers with long Covid, including healthcare workers who contracted Covid since November 15th 2021, who are

now left without specific supports,” explained Denis Naughten. While the Government has been considering designating long Covid as an occupational illness since the Regional TDs secured the unanimous approval of the Dáil for such action last November, a decision is still awaited.

Responding to Deputy Naughten in the Dáil, Minister Heather Humphreys said, “Ultimately, it will be a Government decision as to how we deal with this matter, because, as we know, it was a whole-of-government response to Covid”.

Denis Naughten pointed out that frontline workers were publicly ac- knowledged in Dáil Éireann during the pandemic as risking both their lives, and that of their families, all in order to provide vital services to the rest of the country, saying they cannot now be ignored when they need our support. “We need to have long Covid designated as an occupational illness and if that does not happen in the coming weeks, we need to see government implement a suite of supports for staff unable to work due to these debilitating symptoms,” concluded Deputy Naughten. Deputy Denis Naughten

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Author of ‘Civil War article’ responds to criticism

Dear Editor,

Permit me some space in your newspaper to reply to a letter (Roscommon People, May 26th) criticising an article

I wrote previously about the Civil War 100 years ago. The letter writer takes me up on a number of points which I will try and clarify.

He/she agrees with me at least that both sides in the Civil War were a generation that saw hardship and strife during the War of Independence; I was merely highlighting the fact that the anti-treaty side were depicted at the time by the mainstream media, the Catholic Church, and pro-British elements in the country, as mutineers and common criminals. To set the record straight, this narrative needed to be corrected.

As far as De Valera is concerned (and don’t think for a minute that I am a fan of his, nothing of the kind), we

all know he didn’t want to be the fall guy if the negotiations didn’t bring a popular result. The fact of the hired plane on standby – if this had been used when Lloyd George was issuing his threats to the negotiating team, the outcome of the treaty talks could have been different.

As regards the formation of the Six-County State, this of course had been part of the 1920 Government of Ireland Act, an Act of the British Parliament that partitioned the country without any input from the Irish population. One could say, to quote a more recent phrase, that the Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921 was the British Government of Ireland (1920) Act, “for slow learners” – so what was the War for Independence all about?

The letter writer takes issue with my criticism of Michael Collins; I will here outline the reason for this view.

On July 12th 1922, Collins announced to the cabinet that he had become army Commander in Chief, and that he had established a ‘war council’ of three members, consisting of himself, Dick Mulcahy and Eoin O’Duffy. He was then the more or less self-appointed boss of this military triumvirate, which ruled over the entire state, and he made all the decisions of government. It should be remembered that the Free State Dáil was prorogued at that time, so this quasi-military dictatorship exercised total power and weren’t answerable to anyone.

This regime, with Collins at its head, was supported wholeheartedly by the British government, who supplied it with thousands in weaponry, including artillery, ammunition and explosives to crush the resistance to the treaty. Collins also requested poison gas from the British, which

he intended to release into the Four Courts (this information came to light in Michael Portillo’s documentary on RTE 1).

Collins’ ruthlessness against the British during the War of Independence was now going to manifest itself against fellow Irishmen, who were, a few months previously, comrades in arms fighting the same cause. The Four Courts attack, ordered by Collins at Britain’s behest, was the biggest blow to the unity of the Independence movement, and it is an act that will never be forgotten. It was the spark that ignited the flame of civil war and that created a legacy of bitterness that prevails to this day in the Irish psyche. The final point in the letter writer’s response relates to atrocities carried out during the civil war. If I failed to mention some of these acts committed by anti-treaty forces, it was because

any such acts carried out by republicans were heavily outweighed by those of the pro-treaty side. The act of deliberately blowing up a total of fifteen defenceless prisoners of war and the countless executions, both ‘official’ and extra judicial, carried out by Free State troops, makes any brutalities on the other side pale into insignificance. I have to add, that today, a hundred years after those tragic events, there has never been an apology offered to the relatives of those victims who were slaughtered by state forces.

This is my reply to the letter writer explaining the few points raised and I do not intend to embark on a series of follow-up letters. I will remain anonymous.

Yours sincerely,

An Staraí Áitiuil (The local historian)

Superintendent Fran Nicholson

Supporters pictured at last Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC group 3 game between Roscommon and Sligo in Dr Hyde Park. Photo: Mick McCormack

A community that supports its sports clubs

The people of Ballygar, Newbridge and Toghergar are well served by a number of sports clubs including St Brendan’s GAA and LGFA, Ballygar Hurling Club, and last year’s RDFL Challenge Cup winners, Shiven Rovers. Last week, Roscommon town native and current St Brendan’s LGFA chairperson, Michael McHale, offered reporter Dan Dooner a whistlestop tour of the area’s sporting facilities including the latest, top class development in Ballygar.

What age groups does St Brendan’s LGFA cater for?

The club has teams for every underage group up to minor, and our adult team is currently playing at intermediate level.

How has the season been going so far?

It’s been all league games so far and it is a long season, but it’s been going great. There was great interest here recently when we started our U-6s back. Everybody seems to be enjoying it and that’s the main thing at this time of year.

What level of support do sports clubs receive from the local community?

I have to say that here in Ballygar and the surrounding areas of Newbridge and Toghergar the support for anything we do is absolutely phenomenal. Whether it’s supporting fundraisers, sponsoring gear, food, jerseys, etc., we’re never found wanting.

What is the current state of play when it comes to facilities here?

Our underage groups primarily use the Niall Walsh pitch next to the Mattie McDonagh Centre. We have the three clubs here in Ballygar: St Brendan’s LGFA, and St Brendan’s GAA and Ballygar Hurling Club, which are separate entities. Killian GAA Sportsground is nearby in Newbridge and that’s a floodlit

pitch which has been used by all teams down through the years. Then, within the last 12 years or so, a new development was started here in Ballygar out towards the Ballyforan Road.

What stage is that development at now?

It’s coming along nicely; we’ve two fine pitches, brand new state-of-the-art dressing rooms, and a gym. They’re currently working on the surrounding areas such as car parking and other facilities. That’s a huge project and it will be ongoing, but we are now at a phase where we’re developing the grounds themselves. The next step is to install floodlights so we can have training and matches all year round.

How big a role has the local community played in funding that development?

The support we have received locally has been absolutely key. The big thing would have been the recent fundraisers which raised over €200,000 – a lot of that came directly from the community. There is huge support and people are very generous.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported and continue to support our various fundraisers including our weekly 50/50 Draw. It’s greatly appreciated by all three clubs and the ongoing development of facilities wouldn’t be possible without it.

St Brendan’s LGFA

St Brendan’s LGFA chairperson, Michael McHale

in Costa del Ballygar!

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Perhaps it was the warm weather or maybe the town was just winding down ahead of the long weekend, but there was certainly a laid-back holiday atmosphere in Ballygar last Thursday.

Outside Coláiste Mhuire, caretaker Tom Hannon was hard at work in the warm sunshine. A Ballygar man through and through, Tom’s time as a student at the school finished in 1977 and for the past 19 years he’s been working as its caretaker.

“I like it here. Sure I went to school here myself,” he tells us.

“I start at seven in the morning and finish at half past four. It’s a long oul day but I don’t mind it at all, and why wouldn’t you enjoy working in this weather?”

Tom’s caretaking goes beyond the school grounds, however, and extends to other members of the school community.

“Ah sure look if there was a flat wheel (in the staff car park) or the tax or NCT was nearly out I’d let them know. I’d have an eye out for things like that,” he said, humbly omitting that he’s also been known to pump tyres and check oil levels.

Looking forward to this

month’s State exams, a sure sign of summer, Tom (whose caretaking also extends to furry, four-legged members of the school community in the form of a band of local cats) says the nerves will soon kick in for the 100 or so Junior and Leaving Certificate students.

“The atmosphere will be quiet enough. I’m going putting up a sign here on the wall wishing them all (students and teachers) the best of luck,” he said. So any last-minute words of wisdom for the ‘Class of 23’?

“I get on well with the students. I’d just tell them

to be cool and calm and not to get too excited about it. It’s not the end of the world after all,” he says. Outside The Coffee Drop Inn, Elizabeth and Nancy are enjoying a pot of tea despite the near 25 degrees outside.

“I’m 72 and Nancy’s 67. We’re second cousins but this is the first time we’ve ever met,” Elizabeth AKA Liz AKA ‘The Queen’ tells us.

It turns out they didn’t just randomly choose Ballygar as a neutral meeting ground, their family, the Murphys, hail from Roye near Dunmore and they’re home for a family wed-

ding. Elizabeth and her husband Vinny Comer have travelled from Manchester, home of their beloved United, while Nancy arrived from further afield, the State of Vermont, USA, home of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

Elizabeth explains that her sister-in-law’s daughter, Carmel, is getting married to a fellow school teacher called Tomás O’Shaughnessy, whose family hails from Newbridge. The wedding was taking place in Kilronan Castle the following day.

The two women were looking forward to the event but Elizabeth said

any sore heads on Saturday would be made worse by a Manchester City victory in the FA Cup.

“Some of the family are Blues,” she explained.

“Ah! Every family has one, I suppose,” I reply. Later on, we’re introduced to the Mother of the Bride, Marie, who tells us the wedding is set to be a glamorous and international affair. Her four sons are coming home from abroad while her daughter, the bride, was Newcastle Rose in 2014. The Roscommon, Monaghan and Wicklow Roses of that year will also be in attendance.

Peter Daly, who runs the Ballygar Banter Facebook page.

Pic: Kieran Croghan

Nancy, Marie, Elizabeth and Vinny pictured in Ballygar last Thursday. Marie’s daughter Carmel was getting married on Friday in Kilronan Castle. Pic: Kieran Croghan

“We have Oklahoma relatives and my four sons, who live away, are coming home for it,” she tells us excitedly.

Marie gave us the lowdown on which son would be coming from where.

following that reunion! So yeah, maybe it was just the good weather or the

From Manchester, Vincent, his wife Siobhan and their three boys Kiean, Ryan and Callum. Éanna and his wife Rhianna were coming from Sydney. They were married on Zoom in 2020, according to Marie. From Dubai, Declan was also attending but his wife Michelle and daughter Amara were staying behind because Michelle was expecting their second child. However, John and Natalie were on their way from Philadelphia. No doubt there were wonderful scenes of ‘Brotherly Love’ Tom

This week, Roscommon People reporter Dan Dooner spoke with Peter Daly, the man behind the very popular Facebook page ‘Ballygar Banter’ on the importance of recording daily life and major events in the town…

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Peter, when was the ‘Ballygar Banter’ page established and just how popular has it become?

I started it around 2012. It started life under my own name before I renamed it Ballygar Banter. At the moment we have 7,500 followers worldwide and plenty of interaction from all over the world.

What inspired you to start chronicling everyday life here?

There was a real downturn in the economy in the ‘80s and a lot of my contemporaries emigrated to the UK and to America and so on. One guy came home after about 20 years and I remember meeting him in Tierney’s as it was at the time for a pint.

We were talking about the old times and school days and all that kind of stuff. He was married with kids abroad so couldn’t come back to Ballygar permanently but you could see it in his eyes that he missed the place. That was the seed of the whole thing. I thought, well if he can’t come home, we’d bring home to him.

It’s obviously a voluntary effort, but what motivates you to keep the page going?

I’ve always enjoyed writing and I love photography. It’s such a passion that I bring my camera with me everywhere I go. Because I was involved with all the different sports clubs in the area I’ve now basically become the photographer for all of them. But it’s great because it’s an excuse to get to matches! I’m still chasing that all-time great photograph…I reckon I have in excess of one million photographs filed away.

What other community events do you cover? I cover all sorts of events. The Ballygar Carnival, for example, is probably the most obvious one because it’s such an iconic event. I just wander around the place taking photographs of the young, the

old, and the amusements for the people who can’t come home for it.

So, you are telling the story of Ballygar through your photography?

Yes. For example, I love photographing the ‘iconic’ people of this community because they have important stories to tell and they are the people who will be remembered most in the short-term. For younger people, it’s 20 or 30 years later that they’ll look back and say ‘I remember being on that team’ or ‘I remember that person’. Sometimes with images it’s not how good the photograph is but the story behind it.

You were once a member of the Irish diaspora yourself. What brought you back to Ballygar?

I spent some time in London as a student but it didn’t work out the way I had hoped. I was very lucky that I got a job as a sales rep when I came home in 1988 at a time when jobs were at a premium. I was there for two years and then got into the pharmaceutical industry and I’ve been in that ever since. I always wanted to come home and I always wanted to live around Ballygar because it’s such a great village and community. We just love Ballygar.

Hannon, the caretaker at Coláiste Mhuire in Ballygar. Pic: Kieran Croghan

Bank Holiday build-up, but those sitting in the warm Ballygar sunshine last

Thursday were certainly in no rush to be anywhere else, while others were abandoning some exotic locations in order to join the fun!

An aeriel photo of Ballygar. Pic: Kieran Croghan

Holmes’ where the

The Holmes’ family are over 50 years in business at the very heart of Ballygar, and have become a major part of everyday life in the town. From offering a wide range of products and services as well as local employment to sponsoring local sports clubs, organisations and events, Ollie Holmes tells Roscommon People reporter Dan Dooner that the family business is happy to give back to the the local community…

How long have the Holmes family been in business in Ballygar? Who’s involved in the business today?

My parents, Gerry and Julia Holmes, arrived in Ballygar from the USA via Dublin in 1971. They set up family life around a new pub business and the ink was barely dry on that when the opportunity arose to acquire The Bon Bon Supermarket. It was an opportunity that Gerry thought was too good to miss.

I joined the business in the summer of 2000 having left a fledgling marketing career in Dublin to spend two years with Superquinn as trainee manager before returning home. We celebrated our 50th year in business in 2021 but it was strange with the Covid-19 backdrop restricting any meaningful celebrations.

How has the town changed during that time?

Like most rural small towns, the place has suffered due to the shift in demographics and in a massive shift in social change. During those 50 years in business, we’ve seen EU membership, decimalisation, the Euro, and much more.

The business landscape was much different in the 1970s with old-style street markets and fairs, four butcher shops, two cobblers, three ‘general merchants’, four supermarkets, a hardware, chemist, a bicycle and game shop (tackle and hunting, not Playstation!), a shoe shop, and other services.

Ballygar has had to evolve beyond the traditional market town model in that time and into a modern town, which offers convenient services to an expanding population and a transient population of commuters and tourists using the busy N63 throughout the year.

Is the local community supportive of businesses in the area?

The local community has always been very supportive of businesses in the town and this was only strengthened over Covid as people wanted to stay away from the bigger stores and the busier towns.

Remarkably, those that returned to local shopping at that time have stayed with it. People in Ballygar are well aware that if they don’t use their local businesses they will lose them. If businesses or services are lost to a community like Ballygar it means living here

becomes too inconvenient in the long run.

How does Holmes Centra give back to the community?

We have been supporting all things local

since 1971. We are the main sponsors for St Brendan’s Ladies senior teams and also the Ballygar Hurling Club junior/underage teams. We also support local organisations and events like the Ballygar Carnival, TidyTowns,

SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Festive Lights, as well as the local schools through various sponsorships and contributions.

We also support events and organisations beyond Ballygar as we are conscious that

❤ of Ballygar is!

very pleasant space to live and operate in, largely thanks to the work of the TidyTowns and its small army of volunteers.

Running a business in Ballygar is a privilege as you have close ties with your customers, and those same customers are loyal and friendly and often feel like an extension of your wider family.

You also don’t have issues with anti-social behaviour or theft like in some larger towns.

You’re usually ahead of the curve with store revamps and new services. What’s next for Holmes Centra?

many of our regular customers come from the likes of Curraghboy, Glinsk, Caltra and Newbridge for example.

How has your business become such a central fixture in Ballygar?

We built a new store in 2006/2007 as part of a changing business landscape and that consolidated our position as an important hub in the community where most people would visit daily.

The Centra brand also has the idea of com-

munity and local as its core values and we cover every major life event as well as fundraising for those in need. That focus makes us a first port of call for people living in this area. We also employ local staff who know the vast majority of customers on a personal basis and we work hard to make new arrivals to the community feel welcome here.

As a town, what’s Ballygar like to do business in?

Like all small rural towns it can be challeng-

ing. Mainly because people work largely outside the community. We also lack a critical mass of retail and service infrastructure that would make Ballygar a destination for a wider audience.

Ballygar also has many advantages such as its community spirit and the Trojan voluntary work that goes into organising local groups and cultural and social events. The community really rallies and provides a hectic calendar of events throughout the year.

The town, which is centrally located, is a

We never sit still because there’s always something to invest in! We have two projects ongoing in both shops at the moment. Our Bon Bon store will be undergoing a transformation over the next 12 months, while in Centra we are upgrading to a more energy efficient refrigeration system. We will also be introducing new technologies designed to speed up the service to our customers while making the overall shopping experience both enjoyable and more efficient.

Needless to say, Artificial Intelligence is very much coming at pace to all aspects of life and we intend to embrace it from a retail perspective and to do it as quickly as possible.

BALLYGAR PEOPLE

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Ballygar native, Adrian ‘Speedy’ Smith, is one of the most unassuming people you’ll ever meet. Thankfully, the talented member of Roscommon Harriers agreed to discuss his remarkable efforts on behalf of the Join

Our Boys Trust…albeit rather reluctantly! The Trust was set up to support three young brothers Archie, George and Isaac after they were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Brave Archie sadly passed away last year but his memory is ingrained in the minds of all those who ran with him in con-

secutive Dublin City Marathons. Adrian, who works in construction with the family firm ‘Donal Smith & Sons’, has been running marathons for eleven years now, gracing the streets of Dublin, Limerick, Cork and even New York a number of times in that period.

“I joined the Roscommon Harriers in 2011 and ran my first marathon in 2012,” he told the Roscommon People this week.

“I have taken part in all the Team Archie marathons in Dublin, both with Archie and then last year with Isaac.

“I’ve loved being part of Team Archie and running last year with Isaac. Losing Archie was very hard; he was such a great character who kept us all going. He was always cracking jokes or making fun of us. It was great to be able to complete the marathon again with Isaac last year and hopefully we’ll have George involved this year too”.

Aside from his Join Our Boys endeavours, the 46-year-old is also an extremely talented runner, as his nickname implies. ‘Speedy’ says the secret to his marathon training is hitting the road early!

“I’m up in the mornings for training. It’s very important to get the training done early in the morning because that keeps you going for the rest of the day. It’s great for the head as well as everything else,” he says.

As if marathon distances weren’t enough, next month Adrian and teammates Sinead Gannon and Tonya Hand plan on running 77km in just one day, on July 7th, to mark Archie Naughton’s one-year anniversary while also attempting to raise more funds for the Join Our Boys Trust.

Team Archie pictured during the 2017 Dublin City Marathon. Back row (left to right): Sinead Gannon, Tonya Hand, and Mark Gilleran. Front row (left to right) Adrian ‘Speedy’ Smith, Archie Naughton (RIP), and Frank Murphy.

Sunshine & soaring temperatures … it must be exam season!

Coláiste Mhuire is celebrating 75 years in existence this September but the festivities are on hold for now as the school’s Junior and Leaving Certificate students sit their State exams. Last week, reporter Dan Dooner was back in the Principal’s office for an end-of-term chat with Emma O’Malley…

Hi Ms O’Malley…how is everyone feeling ahead of the Junior and Leaving Cert exams?

There was a bit of nervousness waiting for them to start, and we have typical exam weather of course; it’s been absolutely beautiful!

We have two very good years, our Junior Cert year and our Leaving Cert and LCA. They’ve been excellent this year so we’ve no doubt they’ll get on great.

How many students attend Coláiste Mhuire?

We have nearly 300 students in the school now so we are growing –and have been growing.

This is a great school with great students and we’re very lucky as a school in a rural community. We are thankful for our parents and for our local community for that.

Our students are very easy to deal with and we’ve zero discipline problems which is something I’m always thankful for.

How many staff do you have working here?

We’ve just over 30 staff members between teachers, SNAs and ancillary staff as well. They are lovely, lovely staff and great to work with. You were a bit of a baller with St Brendan’s Ladies by all accounts! How important is sport in your students’ lives?

I retired from St Brendan’s around

BNT Bric-a-Brac!

2018 having played for a long time (laughs).

The local clubs feed into the school and I suppose we feed back into the clubs. It’s brilliant, and because the school is right on the border of Galway and Roscommon there is that bit of local rivalry too.

In football you have St Brendan’s and St Aidan’s and St Ciaran’s, and in the hurling you have Four Roads and Ballygar and Athleague and Tremane. There’s always that bit of banter!

We’ve had some great successes this year. Our junior hurling team won the Connacht final and our junior girls were in a Connacht final so that was a brilliant experience.

What’s the best thing about working in Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar?

The best thing is the students really. It’s seeing them going from first years – as 12-year-olds – to leaving and then meeting them a few years afterwards and seeing them happy and successful in life. It’s just brilliant. It’s an absolute privilege really.

The school has a big anniversary this year. Tell us a bit about that…

This is a great year for us as we’re 75 years old. Our school

BNT (Ballygar, Newbridge & Toghergar) Playground Committee is organising a Bric-a-Brac stall on Carnival Fair Day (August 1st). We are collecting any unwanted gifts, toys, lego, books, household items or any items that can be sold to help raise funds for our local playground. For collection or delivery please contact Helen on 08 63491877 or Julianna on 086 0794899. Thank you for your continued support.

was started in 1948 by the local community and we’re still held in trust by that local community so our community owns this school and that’s unique among secondary schools in Ireland.

How will you celebrate the anniversary?

We’re having a big celebration this year. On the Friday night of Ballygar Carnival, August 4th, we’re having a big dinner dance. We’re inviting everyone to come and celebrate with us.

Then, on September 8th, the 75th anniversary of the school opening, we’re going to have a big Mass and a tea party. We’re also going to launch a book as well celebrating the 75 years. What’s the feeling 75 years on from the very first day of school at Coláiste Mhuire?

We’ve recently been sharing photographs of old classes and sports teams online and we’ve had past pupils visiting us and getting in touch too. The feeling we get from that is the real sense of pride everyone has in this school. Also, having a local school in this area gave people opportunities they may not have had and that comes across in the feedback we have received. It’s something I feel as well: pride in the school, and that has been brilliant.

Scenes from Ballygar, Co. Galway earlier this week, showcasing the hard work and dedication of the Ballygar Tidy Towns group and local volunteers.

Kieran Croghan

Pics:

Local pubs look to summer boost after lockdown heartbreak

< DAN DOONER

Ballygar is a town steeped in history, sport, and craic agus ceol. It’s also a good spot for a few pints with some great local pubs dotted all along Main Street.

There are bars and eateries such as An Tobar, as well as the very attractive The Thatch Bar, and of course Martin’s Bar na dTaoisigh, complete with portraits of Ireland’s leaders down through the years.

Tom Kenny was behind the bar at Kenny’s when the Roscommon People visited the town recently. A font of local knowledge, the walls of Tom’s pub are adorned with all sorts of memorabilia.

At the other end of the street is Fallon’s, run by husband and wife team John and Noeleen. A number of customers were sitting outside enjoying the sun last week while a few more sat inside keeping a curious eye on whatever sports happened to be on TV.

Noeleen says business has slowly improved since the heartbreaking closures of Covid-19.

“Business is steady here; John (Fallon) has the same clientele most days and we’re lucky enough that we’re still here. He’s going into

his 23rd year in business so fingers crossed it continues,” she said.

Fallon’s, like other pubs in the area, benefits greatly from the big social event of the year in Ballygar, The Ballygar Carnival.

The Carnival has been taking place in the east Galway town since

1945 but was badly hampered by Covid-19. It takes place across six whole days over the August Bank Holiday (3rd to 8th) and includes a funfair, live music, a fair day and market, and much more.

Like most local businesses, Fallon’s – with ten staff, including

John and Noeleen – has experienced a number of challenges over the last two years, most recently due to the cost-of-living crisis. But Noeleen says the support of the local community has certainly helped.

“Our biggest challenge in business nowadays are the bills. Everything is gone so expensive now and it’s not even the bigger purchases, it’s the simple stuff (like groceries). We do bar food so we’ve definitely noticed a big change,” she said.

Like any local pub, there’s always plenty of banter at the bar and the day this writer visited was no exception. A fierce but friendly football rivalry with the next-door neighbours makes Fallon’s an interesting place to be on match-days.

“You’re in Galway now but just over the bridge at Mount Talbot is Roscommon so there would be a few Rossies around,” Noeleen says. “Some of our breakfast crowd are from Four Roads and Curraghboy and there is always great slagging with them too!”

With both counties still going strong in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship this year, Fallon’s might just be worth another visit later in the summer!

Putting mental health top of the agenda in Ballygar

Ballygar Mental Health Awareness and Promotion was established late last year with the aim of offering peer support to those who need it in the town and surrounding areas. Reporter Dan Dooner recently spoke with group facilitator Louise Holian about the initiative’s progress to date…

Tell us a bit about Ballygar Mental Health Awareness and Promotion…

The Ballygar Mental Health Awareness and Promotion initiative was established in late 2022 in conjunction with our local community development worker Bernie Kelly (Solas Family Resource, Headford).

I was conscious that other people locally may have been dealing with similar issues and that Bernie wanted to address mental health as part of her remit. We got together to share ideas and a made a commitment to take action and that was really the starting point.

So how can this initiative provide help to those who need it?

Initially the idea was to train up a peer group of local people who would be of help to our neighbours, friends and families in a first aid response type of way. Then we would provide workshops and information sessions with speakers/practitioners in the area which would be accessible for the whole community.

Has there been much ‘buy in’ so far from the Ballygar community?

There was a small turnout at the initial meeting, but as we know, these things can take a while to get off the ground especially because of the subject matter. There still remains that ‘small town’ fear of people knowing your business and of course it’s not always an easy issue to discuss. But in general we have received a lot of positive feedback and people have been very encouraging.

How much progress has been made since the initiative was established and what is the current focus?

We have so far established a core group that are interested in coming on board and being part of our activities.

Overall, the aims are to reduce stigma and have mental health on the agenda all year round within the community. It’s also about helping our peers at a local level so that people realise they aren’t on their own, even filling gaps where perhaps people are waiting to access a service.

This is not designed to replace existing services but to complement those services and act as a signposting space for other local and indeed national mental health services.

What will the group look like and what training will members undergo?

This group would be a diverse mix of ages and genders, to give a real representation of our community.

To ensure a qualitive standardised approach the group would undergo training like Mental Health First Aid, Safetalk, and Assist – among others – and we would hopefully work in partnership with local agencies in Ballygar.

What are you hoping to achieve with the initiative in the coming years?

The hope over the coming years is to meet our aims as outlined above and become a tighter community when it comes to addressing mental health issues that are common to us all.

If Ballygar Mental Health Awareness and Promotion helps just one person to reach out for help in a non-judgemental environment then it will be considered a success.

*If any local services or individuals would like to collaborate/share ideas or be part of what Louise and those involved in Ballygar Mental Health Awareness and Promotion are trying to achieve, they can get in touch at louholian@ gmail.com or through the group’s Facebook

Louise Holian

Noleen Fallon from Fallon’s Bar, Ballygar. Pic: Kieran Croghan

GOING OUT

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

John Tobin pictured with the jockeys at the Roscommon Races recently. (John never misses a race meeting and had quite a talent for picking a winning horse!).

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Roscommon Races recently were Sean, Kathleen and James Cleary (Athlone).

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Presentation by Dick O’Brien to Cyril Farrell after Halla Ban won The Racing Again Here On June 1st Handicap at Roscommon Races recently.

Presentation by Tracy and Martin Shanagher to Noel and Derville Meade after Pearl of Australia won the Shanagher Hearing Maiden at Roscommon Races.

Karmen Goluza and Geraldine Grealy pictured at Roscommon Races recently.

Pictured at the Roscommon Races on Thursday were Deirdre Daly and Marie Duffy. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Presentation by Lewis, Annemarie and Adrian Grealy to trainer Adrian McGuinness after Whiskey on The Hill won the Abbey Hotel Roscommon Handicap at Roscommon Races recently.

Pictured at the Roscommon Races on Thursday were Darren Mimnagh, Lee Kelly, Paul Galvin and Mark Mulligan. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Roscommon Races on Thursday were Rachel Donlon and Gary Cardwell. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

‘Report further erodes farmer trust’

IFA President Tim Cullinan said that a Department of Agriculture report highlighting the number of young farmers wishing to leave the sector, which appeared in the media recently, will further erode farmer trust in the Government.

“Reports like this only serve to further fuel the view that the Government is working behind the scenes to undermine our dairy and livestock sectors,” he said.

“While there may well be some farmers

Special Sale of Heifers

Also, Dry Cows, Bullocks & Weanlings

Friday 16th June @ 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Bullocks

Also, Dry Cows, Heifers & Weanlings Bookings accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday 12th June

INHFA want land designations addressed

who wish to exit the sector, we should all be focussing on providing a pathway for the next generation to get into farming”.

Mr Cullinan said that just 6 per cent of farmers in Ireland are under 35 and that ‘talking down’ the sector was driving young people away.

“It needs to stop. We need proper engagement on how we get young people into farming rather than the Government running down the sector,” he said.

ROSCOMMON MART WATCH

There was a good entry of stock on offer at last Friday’s special bullock sale with a very strong trade for all classes.

Bullocks fetched an average of €2.89 per kilo up to €3.84 per kilo. There was a good entry of dry cows and they made an average of €2.39 per kilo up to €2.75 per kilo. There was a good attendance of customers at the ringside with online bidders also active.

We had a smaller number of sheep on offer at our weekly sale of lambs and cast ewes. Prices for spring lambs made up to €170. The tops for stag ewes fetched €170.

Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID Tag set. Next sale of lambs and cast ewes is Wednesday, June 14th at 11 am.

Yard opens at 8 am. All stock must be penned by 10 am. Sale can be viewed live on www.livestock-live.com.

Sample prices for dry cows: Lim X 825kgs €2,270, Lim X 835kgs €2,260, Char X 870kgs €2,270, Lim X 820kgs €2,220, AAX 900kgs €2,260, Lim X 680kgs €1,780, Lim X 675kgs €1,750, BBX 965kgs €2,460, AAX 890kgs €2,160.

Bullocks: Char X 380kgs €1,460, Char X 562kgs €2,040, Char X 560kgs €1,900, Lim X 600kgs €1,800, Char X 450kgs €1,500, Lim X 420kgs €1,480, Char X 415kgs €1,440, Char X 405kgs €1,420, Lim X 385kgs €1,380, Char X 445kgs €1,400, Lim X 400kgs €1,360, Lim X 280kgs €1,320, Lim X 345kgs €1,280, Lim X 385kgs €1,200, BBX 350kgs €1,100, Char X 305kgs €950, Lim X 310kgs €1,810, Char X 640kgs €1,860.

Spring lambs: 53.5kgs €170, 51.8kgs €170, 48.5kgs €169, 47.7kgs €169, 47.4kgs €168, 52.7kgs €167, 49.1kgs €166, 47.6kgs €166, 45kgs €165, 45.5kgs €164, 45.5kgs €163, 44.3kgs €159.

CASTLEREA MART WATCH

Over 500 animals presented for sale on Thursday last (June 1st).

The bullock and heifer rings reported very little change in relation to prices or trade, while the weanling rings reported excellent demand with bulls peaking at €3.62 a kilo and the heifers peaked at €4.36 a kilo.

The dry cow trade witnessed prices peak at €2,380, while cows with calves at foot made up to €2,320. The calf numbers remain strong for the time of year with variance in price depending on quality. Springers made from €940 to €1,620, young calves made up to €250, continentals up to €400, and runners up to €750.

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

Sample prices for bullocks: Ch 485kgs €1520, AA 495kgs €1520, Lim 435kgs €1370, AA 500kgs €1550, Lim 515kgs €1500, Lim 560kgs €1810, Lim 570kgs €1780, AA 575kgs €1580, AA 640kgs €1620.

Heifers: Lim 360kgs €1380, Ch 415kgs €1360, Lim 485kgs €1500, AA 480kgs €1480, Sim 475kgs €1480, Lim 460kgs €1450, Lim 595kgs €1900, AA 580kgs €1760, Lim 545kgs €1740. Dry cows: Ch 850kgs €2380, Lim 755kgs €2340, Lim 855kgs €2340, Ch 800kgs €2050, Lim 760kgs €2000, Lim 660kgs €2000, Fr 645kgs €1220, AA 755kgs €1820.

Weanling bulls: Lim 295kgs €1070, Lim 229kgs €810, AAx 345kgs €1280, Lim 315kgs €1090, Ch 405kgs €1390, Lim 380kgs €1330, Ch 365kgs €1350, Ch 330kgs €1100.

Weanling heifers: Ch 270kgs €1000, Ch 270kgs €940, Ch 210kgs €830, Lim 325kgs €1420, Ch 340kgs €1280, Ch 340kgs €1200, Lim 325kgs €1120, Lim 415kgs €1750.

As discussions continue with regard to the proposed Nature Restoration Law and its possible impact, the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have called for a reassessment of the SAC and SPA land designations that forms part of the Natura 2000 network.

National President Vincent Roddy detailed how the experience of over 30,000 landowners with designated lands has been a significant factor in recognising the major threat posed by the Nature Restoration Law.

Mr Roddy said it was “vital that we immediately park the Nature Restoration Law and seek a full renegotiation of the Natura 2000 designations to ensure we give equal status to the social and economic impact of these designations”.

Lack of consultation ‘causing alarm’

ICSA President Dermot Kelleher has said the lack of consultation around the Nature Restoration Law was causing alarm among farmers and was a “prime example of the complete disregard” at EU level for the implementation at local level.

Mr Kelleher said farmers had no objection to protecting nature and enhancing biodiversity

but their livelihoods would have to be supported.

“Farmers here are willing to engage - and they are willing to do their bit - but they are not being listened to at EU level,” he said.

“We are talking about hard working people here who have worked the land for generations, and they deserve more than being railroaded off their land”.

Concluding, the ICSA President said: “Even more alarming is the cavalier attitude at EU Commission level that believes all of this can be delivered without any dedicated EU funding mechanism.

“For all of these reasons, ICSA supports the position of MEPs who have voted against this, in its current format, and we are calling for proper engagement before this proceeds any further”.

Farm Forestry Conference today (Thursday)

IFA is holding its National Farm Forestry Conference today (Thursday) in the Tullamore Court Hotel.

IFA Farm Forestry Chair Jason Fleming said the conference aims to provide a platform for farmers and forest owners to hear and engage with policy makers and experts on a range of topics focused on how we can create a viable future farm forestry sector. It will explore potential future opportunities, including forest carbon.

“If we are to restore confidence among farmers in forestry as a land use option and plant at the scale required to meet our climate targets, we need to bring together all stakeholders to understand and address issues that are holding farmers back from planting and look at the new opportunities within the sector,” said Jason Fleming.

The keynote address will be delivered by Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

IFA President Tim Cullinan

PropertyPeople

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A 3 bedroomed detached residence with Garage at 78 Hawthorn Drive, Roscommon Town. Accommodation briefly consists of 3 bedrooms (one en-suite); kitchen, dining room, living room, utility and bathroom. The property is located on the corner of a quiet cul-de-sac which offers complete privacy with security gates and is surrounded by mature trees with magnificent well-groomed lawns front and rear. This property is in a much sought after residential area and is located within walking distance of all local amenities.

Viewing is Highly Recommended Price on Application

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FOR SALE: C.47 ACRES AT Ballymurray, Athlone Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon

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Joint Selling Agent with Padraig Burke Sherry Fitzgerald. Tel: 090 6627200. Email: pburke@sfpburke.ie Inspection of this holding is highly recommended. Guide Price €500,000.00

PRSA no. 001821

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Sean Naughton is delighted to offer new to the market: 1.2 acres of land at Corboley, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon with 3 bay slatted shed & cattle crush, concrete yard adjoining land. Price on Application

LAND LETTING: C10 ACRES AT Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon

Circa 10 acres of good quality grass for hay or silage. Details from the Undersigned

When it comes to selling property there is no substitute for experience. If you are thinking of Selling, Buying, Renting or need a Valuation contact Sean Naughton for Best Prices, Best Rates and Complete Privacy Guaranteed. Sean can be contacted at any of the above details.

For further details on any of the above please contact Sean Naughton Auctioneers on 090 6625080/6625864, Mob: 087 2479486 or email seannaughton@eircom.net

New to the market at Hawthorn Drive

Sean Naughton is delighted to offer new to the market, a large detached residence with garage located at 78 Hawthorn Drive, Roscommon town.

This property has the additional benefit of exclusivity as it is situated on a large corner site with mature gardens to the front and rear. It comes complete with hedging that offers complete privacy and seclusion along with timber gates and a security alarm.

This property is in a much sought after residential area and is located within walking distance of all local amenities including Roscommon Hospital and Ro-

scommon town centre. The residence is situated just twenty minutes from Athlone, the centre of Ireland.

For further details on any of the above, please contact Sean Naughton Auctioneers on 090-6625080/6625864, 0872479486 or email seannaughton@eircom.net

When it comes to selling property, there is no substitute for experience. If you are thinking of selling, buying, renting or need a valuation, Sean can be contacted on any of the above details. Best prices, best rates and complete privacy guaranteed.

SEAI invites entries from Roscommon for 20th Sustainable Energy Awards

RE/MAX Team Earley close sale on bungalow residence

This week, Keith McLoughin of RE/MAX Team Earley is pleased to advise that he has closed the sale of a fine four-bedroomed bungalow residence, located at Garranlahan More, Ballinlough, Co Roscommon.

The property was presented in very good condition, flooded with natural light through the large plentiful windows throughout. The well-proportioned living accommodation on offer comprises of entrance hall,

living room, kitchen/dining room, extra-large utility room with WC, second living room, four bedrooms and a main bathroom.

The residence sits on a generous sized site with well-maintained lawns, a patio area, an array of mature shrubs and a detached shed to the rear. Ample private parking is available. The BER rating for this property is E2.

RE/MAX Team Earley are currently looking for similar type

properties, especially detached bungalow residences, for disappointed underbidders who are cash clients or mortgage approved.

For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie, or log onto teamearley.ie, or contact auctioneer Keith directly on 0860848590 or auctioneer Cathal on 086-1409158.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is inviting entries from individuals and organisations across all sectors of the economy in Roscommon to showcase their innovative sustainable energy solutions and practices in the 20th anniversary SEAI Energy Awards. Throughout the 20-year history of the awards, SEAI has received almost 2,000 entries with projects delivering combined energy savings of over half a billion Euro. They are now calling on communities, businesses, individuals, and organisations across Ireland who are accelerating away from fossil fuels to enter the 2023 competition.

William Walsh, CEO SEAI, said: “We look forward to continuing to recognise great leaders and visionaries in the sustainable energy sector in Ireland. If you believe that you, your community, or your organisation is among these leaders I strongly encourage you to enter the SEAI Energy Awards 2023 so we can shine a light on your achievements to inspire others”.

Entrants can choose from twelve Award categories including Innovative Deployment of Renewable Energy; Inspirational Energy Community; Sustainable Energy Leader/Team of the Year; Research and Innovation; Large

Business; Small and Medium Business; Leadership in public sector decarbonisation and energy efficiency; Energy in Buildings; Transport and Residential Energy Upgrades.

One new category for 2023 is Sustainability via Digital Technologies in Construction and Buildings to recognise how a person or company has used digital technology to reduce the overall carbon life cycle of a building.

Closing date for entries is Friday, June 23rd. Overall winners will be announced at a lunch event in Dublin in November 2023. Visit www. seai.ie/energyawards for more information.

Seán Naughton of Seán Naughton Auctioneers & Valuers, Roscommon town, greets John Kennedy, the newly appointed President of IPAV, the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers, following the organisation’s AGM held in Dublin on May 31st

Garranlahan More, Ballinlough, Co Roscommon.

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY OR AUCTION LATER

PRIME ROADSIDE ROSCOMMON LANDS OF APPROX 78 ACRES LOCATED BESIDE ATHLEAGUE VILLAGE

(PER INSTRUCTIONS OF THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE ESTATE OF KATHLEEN GERAGHTY DECEASED)

LOT 1:

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

LOT 2:

12.72 ACRES APPROX OF PRIME ROADSIDE LANDS LOCATED OUTSIDE

ATHLEAGUE VILLAGE, CO. ROSCOMMON COMMANDING FRONTAGE ON TO THE RIVER SUCK COMPRISED IN FOLIO RN9273F

AMV: €195,000

AMV: €395,000

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• Garden Tidy-ups • Planting • Gutter Cleaning, etc. Chainsaw work also available Phone John on 087 2860428 MEADOW TO LET: 20 acres meadow to let at Bumlin, Strokestown. 4 acres of meadow to let at Scramogue. Contact: Kieran Leavy, 071 963 4737 or 087 602 5597. GARDENING GF Ground Works l Landscaping l Paving & Kerbing l Foundations Footpaths l Drainage & Septic tanks l Driveways Telephone Ger: 086 8745180

20 years in business All types of fencing supplied and erected Including: • Cresoted Posts • Agricultural Fencing • Site Fencing • Security Fencing • Post & Rail Fencing • Concrete Fencing • Grant Approved Fencing No job too big or too small Just give us a call on 087 2346364

GARDENING

CORBETT TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING l General Maintenance l Dangerous Tree Removal

l

Lawns cut, hedges trimmed, general garden maintenance ... and it won’t cost you the earth! Roscommon/ Lanesboro area. Call John 085 108 6215

PROPERTIES TO LET/ RENT/WANTED

CHAZEY PROPERTIES:

We require properties for waiting tenants, we advertise, conduct viewings, arrange references, read meters, set up tenancy agreements and arrange direct debit payments straight into your bank. We charge a one off fee only if we are successful in renting your property. If not no fees are payable. Tel: 086 8212732

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

The Board of Management of Ardkeenan National School intends to apply to Roscommon County Council for permission for development at Ardkeenan National School, Ardkeenan, Drum, Athlone, Co. Roscommon, N27 HW25. Ardkeenan TD. The development will consist of decommission existing septic tank and percolation area serving existing school buildings and replace with a new wastewater treatment system and tertiary polishing filter and all ancillary site works. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee (E20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Planning Authority of the application.

Signed: Coyle Environmental Limited Agents for Ardkeenan National School. 1st and 2nd Floor Kilmurry House, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, F45 DK58

PLANNINGS PLANNINGS PLANNINGS PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

CCA Motors Ltd. intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for change of use of existing garage premises to HCV and LCV Test Centre, refurbish and extend existing garage premises to include new reception area, offices, waiting area, Garda technical room, store, service bay, Retention of existing store and paint store to rear of premises, associated works and services at Cloonybeirne and Ardsallagh More, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue, Roscommon. Phone: 090 6626974 Mobile: 086 8115449

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We are applying to Roscommon County Council on behalf of Amy Kelly for Planning permission for the refurbishment and extension to existing dwelling house, alteration to existing site entrance, for the upgrading of the existing the waste water treatment system/ percolation area and all necessary site services/ ancillary siteworks at Bredagh, Dysart, Co. Roscommon.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Enda Stephens, hereby give notice that I am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission to construct extension to rear elevation and renovate existing dwelling house, raising and replacing existing roof and install a septic tank system and percolation area and all associated site works at Creevyquin, Co. Roscommon

Signed: Lo-Homes Limited

Tonamaddy, Creggs, Co. Roscommon.

Mobile: 086 8551835

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Angela Adcock, intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning Permission for a static caravan to be placed on the driveway to the right of the property at Willsbrook, Castlerea, F45X018,It is needed whilst essential renovations are being carried out on the property. Ref.no. PD/23/172. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on a payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Signed: Angela Adcock.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Openplan Architectural Design wishes to apply to Roscommon County Council on behalf of Sonja and Thomas Connolly for planning permission to construct a detached dwelling house and garage on site no. 5 (Note: development access entrance/exit onto the public road, ancillary landscaping and footpaths along with connection to public services and sewers including all associated site development works previously granted under pd/21/233) at Barrymore Townland, Kiltoom, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee/ not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the relevant planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee of € 20 within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Signed: Sonja and Thomas Connolly.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Sé Kelly & Marie Crehan, are applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to:

1. Demolish existing shed to rear of house

2. Demolish existing flat roof rear extension

3. Conduct alterations to existing site boundaries and construct new 1.8m blockwork boundary wall to west boundary & post & wire fence to north boundaries

4. Construct new rear extension and conduct alterations to existing dwelling house

5. Upgrade existing treatment system and percolation area and all ancillary site development works at Cloonlaughnan, Mount Talbot, Co. Roscommon, F42 K585.

PLANNINGS

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Patrick Cafferty intend to apply for permission for development at this site at Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, County Roscommon. The development will consist of the construction of a new storage shed and all ancillary works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20.00, within the 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:

Patrick Cafferty.

THANKSGIVINGS

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

St. Joseph, chosen by God to be the husband of Mary, protector of the Holy Family, guardian of the Church. Protect all families in our work and recreation and guard us on our journey through life.’ Amen. (A.K.)

NOVENA TO ST. JOSEPH

O glorious Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death and the special favor we now request... (State your request here.). O guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. Amen. (A.K.)

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Eric King, intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct pitched slatted roof over existing flat roof area of existing stores and utility rooms to side of existing dwelling Ballyoughter House Protected Structure ref 02200299, associated work and services at Lurgan, Elphin, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue, Roscommon. Phone: 090 6626974 Mobile: 086 8115449

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

Tel: Donal 086 2721812

(ALL AREAS)

CATTLE & ANIMAL BEDDING AVAILABLE

TOP QUALITY TURF

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

Phone: 083 0684011

WANTED:

Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn. We are safety certified and insured.

Phone: 086 2437376

info@moleskinarchitecture.com

Signed: Seamus Dowd & Associates Ltd., Registered Surveyors, Chartered Construction Managers, Building Consultants. Tel. (090) 6623417, Mob.086-8546035. The Planning Application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the Offices of the Planning Authority during its Public Opening Hours. A submission or observation in relation to the Application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Application and such submission or observation will be considered by the 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.

I am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission on behalf of James & Laura Hunt for the demolition of an existing dwelling house and the erection of a new replacement dwelling house and domestic garage, connection to existing services and associated site development works at Ardsallagh More, Roscommon.

Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors. Ph- (087) 2222874. The Planning Application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours and that submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application & 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.

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

Signed:

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

Ph: 0906634365 Mob: 0878228529

E: james@jlce.ie & aaron@jlce.ie Web:www.jlce.ie Architectural Designs – Consulting Engineers

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

< TURF PLOTS: Plots of turf to let, Tulsk, Castlerea area. Now taking orders. Contact Chris 086 4100508

< PLOTS OF TURF FOR SALE in the Castlerea area Tulsk area. Harpur Bros Plant Hire. Contact Owen 086 8953884.

< PLOTS OF TURF FOR SALE. Lanesboro area. Loads and bags also available. Tel. 087 617 5160.

< TOP CLASS HOPPERS of turf for sale. 100 yards long. 10 sods wide. Ready to foot. Can be footed. Top class bank. Four Roads area. Tel. 086 1034296.

< GOOD QUALITY TURF delivered, Ballaghaderreen area. Tel 087-6810849.

< PLOTS OF TURF for sale in Castlemine Bog. Tel 0872675764

Would

David Duffy 087 9662678

Alan Duffy 086 3992382

www.westsidegardening.ie

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

CONCRETE: Kerbing, Paving, Patios, Concrete Slabs and Base, Stone Walls and Plastering

DIGGER: Foundations, Land Drainage, Ditch and Hedge removal

STEEL: Sheds, Gates, Cattle Crushes and Pens, all Welding repairs available C2 Registered & Insured. Free

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES FARRELL Mikie

Late of Castlemine, Four-Mile-House, Co. Roscommon

Who died on June 8th 2004 (19th Anniversary)

GILLOOLY Peter

Derrycunny, Derrane, Co. Roscommon

Who died on the 1st June, 2020 (3rd Anniversary)

QUIGLEY

Tommie and Annie

Rathconnor, Four Mile House, Co. Roscommon (31st and 4th Anniversaries)

BANAHAN

Betty Cappagh, Curraghroe (1st Anniversary)

Treasured memories of a dear husband, father and grandfather.

Always much loved and remembered by his wife Patsy, sons, daughters, sons-inlaw, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

McCORMACK Padraic Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis

Who passed away on 8th June, 2014 (9th Anniversary)

Sadly missed along life’s way, quietly remembered every day. No longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts you are always there.

Fondly remembered by Brid, Mark, Enda, Monica, Lewina, Iarlaith, Naoise, Feidhlim, Éanna, Jack, Anne, Martin, relatives and friends.

Also remembering his parents Martin and Mary.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 10th June in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Derrane at 7pm.

WALSH Mona

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

Remembered always by his family and friends.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 11th in St. Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad at 10.30am.

GUNNING

John

Oran, Donamon, Co. Roscommon

(17th Anniversary)

Rathmore, Four Mile House, Co. Roscommon (3rd Anniversary)

Who passed away on 10th June, 2020

Treasured memories of our loving parents, Tommie who passed away on 12th March 1992 and his wife Annie who passed away on 8th June 2019. R.I.P.

Sadly missed along life’s way, quietly remembered everyday, no longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts ye are always there.

Fondly remembered and sadly missed by all their family.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Brigid’s Church, Four Mile House on Friday 9th June at 8pm.

O'REILLY Batty

St Helena, Tremane, Co. Roscommon Who passed away on11th June, 2022 (1st Anniversary)

A loving husband, father and grandfather too, each one of us thought the world of you. For us you always did your best. God grant your soul eternal rest. Quickly and quietly came the call, without farewell you left us all. A sudden call from God on high, you had no chance to say goodbye. Without farewell you fell asleep, but memories of you we will always keep.

In loving memory of Betty who passed away on the 29th of May 2022. Remembered by all the family.

Anniversary mass will be held on Saturday the 10th of June in St. Marys Church Ballagh at 8pm.

KELLY

Larry

Grange Lake, Curraghboy, Athlone and Great Barr, Birmingham (34th Anniversary)

Swiftly and quietly the years pass by. Thirty four years gone in the blink of an eye. The pain of loss that has eased with time, replaced by precious memories left behind. Always remembered by the Kelly family.

LAMING M ary

Wherever life may lead us, in everything we do, part of us will always long for yesterday and you.

In loving memory of John, who passed away on the 15th June, 2006 R.I.P.

Time may pass and fade away but silent thoughts and memories stay.

Our wish is just a simple prayer

God bless and keep you in his care.

Lovingly remembered by his family.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, June 10th at 7pm in Cloverhill Church.

Sadly missed by her sons Enda and Niall, daughtersin-law Winnie and Majella and families.

Anniversary Mass in St. Brigid’s Church, Four-Mile-House, Co. Roscommon on Sunday 11th June at 11am.

We did not know that morning what sorrow the day would bring when a heart of gold stopped beating and we couldn’t do a thing. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, for part of us went with you the day God called you home.

We never fail to think of you. We never cease to care. We only wish we could go home and find you waiting there.

He is sadly missed by his loving wife Maura; his three children Brian, Patrick and Mary; his daughter-in-law Edel; his grandson Cian; his brother and two sisters John, Breeda and Maura and his nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.

Batty’s Anniversary Mass will be in Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday the 10th of June at 7pm

(nee Munnelly)

Corrabawn, Elphin and late of Essex and Gibbstown, Co. Meath Who passed away on 10th June, 2021 (2nd Anniversary)

At this time we remember Mary’s warmth kindness and love for her family.

Lovingly remembered by husband Matthew; Claire Matthew, Sean and the Munnelly family; Eibhlin, Catriona, Brid, Greta and Anthony.

Always in our hearts

Anniversary Mass will take place at St. Catherine’s Church, Killina, Clooneyquinn, Roscommon on Saturday 10th June 8pm.

FAMILYNOTICES ....

HAGAN Gerry Drinagh,

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (2nd Anniversary)

Died on the 19th June 2021

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not here to see, if the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me.

I wish you wouldn’t cry, the way you did today. While thinking of the many things, we did not get to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you. Each time that you think of me, I know you will miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand. That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand.

The angel said my place was ready, in heaven far above and that I would have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But when I walked through Heaven’s Gate, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, from his golden throne. He said this is Eternity and all I promise you, today for life on earth is done, but here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow, for today will always last, and since each day is the exact same way there is no longing for the past.

So when tomorrow starts without me, do not think we’re apart, for every time you think of me, remember I’m right here in your heart.

Loving remembered and sadly missed by his heartbroken mother, father, sisters, brothers and extended family.

Anniversary Mass for Gerry will be held in St. Cecilia’s Church, Curraghroe on Sunday, the 18th of June at 10am.

McDONNELL Bridie

27 Glenview, Galway Road, Roscommon (8th Anniversary)

Who passed away on the 21st June 2015

CORCORAN John Paul

CORCORAN Alan

You were so very special and had the nicest ways, you did so very much in life and never asked for praise. Remembering you is easy, we do it every day, but losing you is the heartache, that never goes away. You had a smile for everyone, you had a heart of gold, you left the sweetest memories, the world could ever hold. Life goes on that’s true, but it’s not the same without you. Always remembered and forever loved by your husband James and family.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 11th June in the Church of the Risen Christ, Four Roads at 11a m.

Mag FHLOINN Seosamh (Joe Glynn)

Corbally, Donamon, Co. Roscommon (10th Anniversary)

In loving memory of a dear husband, father and grandfather who passed away on 9th June 2013

Silent memories keep you near, as time unfolds another year. We miss your smile, your joking ways, we miss the things, you used to do and say. And when old times, we do recall it’s then we miss you most of all.

Sadly missed by his loving wife Eibhlín and family.

Anniversary Mass in Clooneycolgan Church on Sunday, 18th June at 9.30am.

Cargins Park, Donamon, Co. Roscommon (19th Anniversary)

Cargins Park, Donamon, Co. Roscommon (10th Anniversary)

I wish I could see you come walking through the door and hear your voice once more.

I know you can feel my tears after all these years.

Always remembered by your wife Ann and family.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 11th June at 9.30 am in Clooneycolgan Church.

To lose someone I loved so much there are no words to ease my pain but although you have left this world you will stay within our hearts.

Remembered always, your mother Ann and family.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 11th June at 9.30 am in Clooneycolgan Church.

Marie

Abbey Street, Roscommon (1st Anniversary)

Who passed away June 10th 2022

On the First Anniversary of Marie’s death, her family would like to thank all those who sympathised and supported us on our sad loss. We would like to thank all those who sent mass and sympathy cards, or left tributes and messages of sympathy on RIP.ie

Thanks also to all those who cared for Marie in her final days.

Our gratitude and thanks to Fr. Eugene McLoughlin for celebrating Marie’s life at the Funeral Mass. Thank you to all the friends and neighbours who attended the Funeral Mass or went to the Cemetery; your presence was very much appreciated.

Sincere thanks to Pat Smyth and his team in Smyth’s Funeral Directors for their professionalism, care and respect of Marie and for the funeral arrangements. Thanks also to the gravediggers who prepared Marie’s final resting place.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all. The Holy Sacrifice of Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Marie is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by all her family.

KILMARTIN

Pictured at the Roscommon Races on Thursday were Joe and Alan Higgins. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Roscommon Races on Thursday were Kathleen and Michael Melia. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pat Rogers, Roscommon Racecourse Chairperson, right, pictured making a presentation to Rad Wysocki, representing Jessica Harrington, after yourcrackmeup won the Racing Again June 12th Handicap at the Roscommon Races on Thursday evening. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

GAA Results

Ollie targets a winning start!

TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate

Ladies FC (Round One):

Roscommon v Wexford on Sunday in Ballyforan at 2 pm

< SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon Ladies footballers begin their All-Ireland campaign in Ballyforan on Sunday against a Wexford side that they have had mixed luck against in the past 12 months.

In April 2022, Roscommon edged out Wexford by a point 0-9 to 1-5 to take the league Division Three title in Birr. However, three months later, in July, Wexford got

full revenge with a 5-11 to 1-10 win in the All-Ireland intermediate semi-final which was played at Crettyard in County Laois.

After a disappointing league campaign which saw Roscommon relegated back to Division Three, hopes will be high that they can raise their game for this difficult three-team group that includes Monaghan as well as Sunday’s opponents.

Roscommon manager Ollie Lennon says that his charges are looking forward to their championship campaign.

“It’s a tough group but we are aiming for one of the two

quarter-final spots. It’s great to be starting with a home game on Sunday and we intend to get off to good start against Wexford,” he said.

There are a few injuries in the camp according to the Roscommon boss.

“Áine McGrath, Aisling Feeley, and Lauren Shanagher are doubtful while Catriona Regan is out for the year but everyone else is fit and ready for action,” he added.

Ollie says that despite Wexford’s big win against Roscommon in last year’s championship, the home side should be well able to

match whatever they can throw at them.

“Wexford didn’t get to the league Division Three final this year. Remember too that we have been playing Division Two football this year and that should stand to us. At home we will be targeting a win on Sunday,” he concluded. This is a tough opener for Roscommon but it’s a game that they are capable of winning. If Aisling Feeley is fit and Roscommon can get the ball into the likes of Aisling Hanly and Laura Fleming up front it can be a good start for Roscommon this weekend.

Roscommon Ladies manager, Ollie Lennon (file pic), is targeting a winning start when his charges face Wexford in the All-Ireland

Intermediate Ladies Championship this Sunday in Ballyforan. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pearses v Roscommon Gaels. 8.15 pm

Sidero Division Four League (8 pm)

At Orchard Park: Elphin v Kilmore At Ballyleague: St Faithleach’s v Fuerty

At Abbey Park: Boyle v St Brigid’s Cora Systems Division Five (Section B) (8 pm)

At Woodmount: Pádraig Pearses v St Croan’s At Kilbride: Kilbride v Roscommon Gaels At Ballyforan: St Aidan’s v Creggs

Saturday, June 10th

Sidero AFL Division Four (6 pm)

At Peadar Earley Memorial Park: Michael Glavey’s v Roscommon Gaels Cora Systems Division Five (Section A) (6 pm)

At Tulsk: Tulsk Lord Edwards v St Barry’s

At Kilglass: Kilglass Gaels v Shannon Gaels

At Davonna Park: Ballinameen v St Michael’s

Kepak Senior Hurling League (Group A)

At Knockcroghery: St Dominic’s v Pádraig Pearses. 7.30 pm

Sunday, June 11th

Cora Systems Division Five (Section A)

At Strokestown: Strokestown v St Ronan’s. 12 pm

Kepak Senior Hurling League (Group A)

At Athleague: Athleague v Tremane. 11 am

Kepak Senior Hurling League (Group B)

At Four Roads: Four Roads v Roscommon Gaels. 11 am

Prediction: Roscommon

Diarmuid Murtagh gets a shot away during last Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC Group 3 match between Roscommon and Sligo at Dr Hyde Park. See pages 42 and 43 for full report and reaction.

Pic: Mick McCormack

Connaught National in Lenebane on Monday

Horses for Courses

On Monday, racing returns to Lenebane in Roscommon over the jumps, starting at 5.13 pm, and featuring the Tote Connaught National Chase.

Before that, however, the weekend action starts this evening (Thursday) with flat racing from Leopardstown, off at 5.30 pm.

Tomorrow (Friday), racing is over the jumps with six hurdle races and a bumper at Clonmel, off at 5.40 pm, and on the flat at Fairyhouse with stalls opening for the first at 4.45 pm.

On Saturday, Punchestown hosts the first of a two-day national hunt meeting starting at 2.30 pm on Saturday and 2.15 pm on Sunday. Saturday also sees racing on the flat at Navan, off at 2 pm.

On Saturday, there are five races being covered on ITV and Virgin Media 1 from Haydock along with three from Beverley. On Sunday, all seven races at Beverley will be shown on ITV 4.

Last weekend at Epsom, Frankie Dettori continued his successful retirement tour winning both Group 1 races, the Coronation Cup on Emily Upjohn, and the Oaks on Soul Sister, both trained by the Gosden father and son team.

On Saturday, Aidan O’Brien won a record 9th Derby with Auguste Rodin, ridden by Ryan Moore. Jessica Har-

rington trained-Sprewell ridden by Shane Foley finished fourth. The winner will probably turn out at the Irish Derby at the Curragh on July 2nd Racing

News

Kilbeggan had a successful meeting last Sunday when Willie Mullins enjoyed a double with What Path in the hurdle and Ninth Loch in the bumper. On a track that only caters for national hunt racing, Paul Townend was aboard What Path and his sister Jody on Ninth Loch.

Jessica Harrington gained some compensation for the defeat of Sprewell with a treble at Lenebane on Monday afternoon.

The closing three-year-old handicap over a mile and a half went to the topweight Youcrackmeup at 14/1. Ronan Whelan took the filly into the lead with a circuit to race and she held off the challenges of Show No Fear and the favourite Notturno. Whelan was completing a double having won earlier on Queen Of Seduction, Shane Foley on Pivotal Trigger completed the treble.

Foley will miss Royal Ascot, starting June 20th, after breaking his collarbone in the final race at Gowran Park. Foley was on board the Jessica Harrington-

Short putts

Castlerea

Sean Naughton won the Devine Claims Consultants competition recently with a score of 58 nett. Tom Burke was second with 62 while Sean O’Connell (69), Paul Glynn (63), and Jimmy Mannion (62) won Cats 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

The Men’s President’s Prize will be played this Sunday with the draw taking place at 4 pm Saturday.

The winners of the Ladies’ President’s Prize were: 1st Valerie Callaghan; 2nd Kay O’Loughlin; Gross Teresa Meaney; 3rd Dympna McDonnell; First 18 Mary Finan; Second 18 Margaret Waters.

Roscommon

Congratulations to Sergio Benedetti who won the Men’s 18-hole competition last weekend with 44 points. Other results: Cat 1 Tom Donohue (41); Cat 2 Ian Delaney (41); Cat 3 Gerry Keegan (41); Gross Tommy Grehan (35).

The previous competition on May 28th was won by Andrew Lawlor with 42. Padraic Cuddy (37), Declan Browne (35), and Seamus Maher (37) won Cats 1, 2 and 3 respectively, and Enda Daly took the gross prize with 32.

The Men’s Open winner on June 2nd was Cian Duggan with 39 points while the Open winner on May 26th was Paschal Carbin of Athenry.

The Ladies’ 18-hole strokeplay competition was won by Marina Cribbon (42) while Leah Lennon (39) was second, and Rosemary O’Brien (36) was third. The recent Ladies’ 9-hole competition was won by Therese Ray with 23 points.

Senior Men’s results (June 1st): Winner JT Finn (37), Cat 1 T Farrell (33), Cat 2 M Dolan (34), Cat 3 J Grogan (34), W Weldon (37).

Senior Ladies’ results: 1st M Madden, 2nd M Farrell, 3rd P Kelly, 4th V Clarke.

Finally, well to the Roscommon Ladies Challenge Cup team who defeated Dunmore Demesne last Thursday. This week, the Men’s Fred Perry team are in action against Mountbellow. Good luck to everyone involved.

by Tom Red

trained 3-1 joint-favourite Snowhaven, who clipped heels with Stepdance on the home turn and came down. The injury will keep him out for the next four to six weeks.

The centrepiece of Monday’s Card at Roscommon is the Tote Connaught National with 17 entries, three trained by Henry de Bromhead, of which Walk Away, second on his comeback after two years off the track, is probably best. He had finished second to Asterion Forlange at the Punchestown Festival in 2021.

The main danger may be an improving Gordon Elliott-trained The Abbey seeking a hat-trick after wins at Down Royal and Limerick under Danny Gilligan. The card opens with a novice chase followed by the national. The third on the card is an opportunity maiden hurdle followed by an opportunity handicap hurdle sponsored by Ivan Connaughton Auctioneers.

Next up is a hurdle race for horses rated 0 to 130, with the penultimate race the Kepak Handicap Hurdle and a bumper brings racing to a close.

Competition Corner

Our winners of the tickets for Roscommon on Monday are John Egan, Ball-

(News from local golf clubs)

inlough, Deirdre Daly, Roscommon, and Paul Finnegan, Ballygar, who all knew that it was Noel Meade who recorded a treble in Lenebane and do not forget to collect you tickets in the office. All quiet on the local racing front and no competition this week. Second chance to win tickets for Kilbeggan on Monday, June 19th and to win what type of racing, only, takes

place in Kilbeggan? Answers please on a post card to The Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon or by email to tomred17@gmail.com by 5 pm on Wednesday, June 14th. Do not forget to include your name, address, and a contact phone number with all competition entries. Tickets will have to be collected in the office in Abbey Street, Roscommon.

SPORTS DESK With Dan Dooner

Feeley back in the saddle!

Mote Park cyclist Daire Feeley has confirmed that he is back on the bike following his crash on State 3 of Rás Tailteann just over two weeks ago. Feeley, who won the Rás in 2022 and was looking to defend his title, was forced to withdraw due to concussion. This week, Daire took to social media to confirm his return to training.

Taughmaconnell are AllIreland champions!

Well done to Taughmaconnell U-10 Girls Indoor Football team who were crowned National Community Games champions in Kildare recently. They beat Castleisland from Kerry 1-0 in a tightly contested final! Meanwhile, there were silver medals for FBD Roads’ U-15 girls’ badminton team and for Strokestown’s U-13 boys’ indoor soccer team, and a bronze medal for Eoin Grehan from Tarmonbarry/Scramogue in the U-13 boys’ handball competition.

There were also fourth-placed finishes for Ballaghaderreen’s U-13 and U-15 girls’ Futsal teams, Castlerea’s U-16 boys’ basketball team, and Castlerea’s Sarah Neary in the cycle-on-grass competition. Well done to all competitors!

Local players in ATU Connacht squads

A number of local players have been selected in the various ATU-sponsored Connacht underage squads announced recently ahead of summer training and Interpros.

No fewer than 12 players from local clubs were selected for the U-17 squad: Liam Butler, Leo Anic (both Creggs); Kailin Blessing, Kyle Byrne, Kyle Mahon, Andrew Henson (all Buccaneers); Éanna Caulfield and Sean Glennon (both Ballinasloe); Jayden Bosomtwe, Niall Stenson, Robert Hanrahan and Peter

Moran (all Carrick).

There are eight local players on the U-18 squad with seven from Buccaneers (Jack Pollard, Eoin Naughton, Otega Awhinawhi, Charlie O’Carroll, Tom Sheehan and Thomas Cotton), and one from Ballinasloe (Joseph Smyth).

There were also three Buccaneers players (Sean Rohan, Patrick Egan and Niall Tallon) named on the U-19 squad and one Ballinasloe player (Sean Power).

Schools compete in basketball finals

Roscommon Primary Basketball held their finals over the course of two evenings recently at The Hub, Castlerea and The Convent of Mercy in Roscommon.

The games were action-packed with some fantastic skills on show and great teamwork throughout.

Kiltrustan won the 2-teacher ‘A’ final when they overcame Woodbrook following a late fourth quarter surge while the ‘B’ final was won by Clooneyquin for the second year in a row!

Cloonfad, who entered the competition for the first time this year, capped their debut with a famous win over St Paul’s, Castlerea to capture the Boy’s ‘B’ final.

The Girls’ ‘B’ decider went down to the wire before Croghan emerged the winners over Gaelscoil.

The Girls’ ‘A’ final was won by Scoil na nAingeal Naofa, Boyle following a tough encounter against Summerhill. The Boyle girls then travelled to Lisnamult where they won their first camogie title!

The Boys’ ‘A’ final was a true spectacle of everything the competition stands for and it was unfortunate that there could only be one winner. Following a back and forth decider, it was the Summerhill boys who managed to hold on to win their first title by a single point against Glanduff.

Youcrackmeup outstays Show No Fear in Lenebane.

Men’s Junior Scratch Cup (sponsored by Michael Moore) winner Colm Fitzgerald receives his prize from Captain Michael McBrearty at Athlone Golf Club recently. Pic: Padraig Devaney

Men’s Senior Scratch Cup (sponsored by Michael Moore) winner Ciaran Smith (Ballinasloe) receives his prize from Captain Michael McBrearty at Athlone Golf Club recently. Pic: Padraig Devaney

The Camogie Association has this week announced the launch of PRIDE Round, an initiative that designates the third round of the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship as the ‘PRIDE Round’. In keeping with its commitment to inclusivity, the Camogie Association said it

BUCCANEERS RFC On the Pitch…

C’mon The Town

(Roscommon Town Youth Soccer)

Kildare fixture details confirmed

The GAA announced this week that Roscommon’s third and final All-Ireland Senior Football Championship group game against Kildare will be played at Glenisk O’Connor Park in Tullamore on Sunday, June 18th at 1.45 pm.

Davy Burke’s men, who are currently top of Group 3, will go into the game as favourites against his native county.

In the other game in Group 3, Dublin will play Sligo in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan, also at 1.45 pm. Assuming that Dublin defeat Sligo, the Rossies will need to match Dublin’s winning margin, or better it, to qualify automatically for the All-Ireland SFC QuarterFinals.

Buccs to host All-Ireland tournament

It may be the off-season but Buccaneers Rugby Football Club is busy preparing to host an All-Ireland Mixed Ability Rugby tournament at Dubarry Park on Saturday next, June 10th.

The on-pitch event will run from 1 pm until 5 pm with presentations and musical entertainment to follow after. Admission is free

and all are invited to come along and enjoy this inaugural event which is being supported by the IRFU, who will be bringing the Six Nations and Triple Crown trophies along on the day.

The mixed ability version of the sport is an inclusive approach to participation that engages everyone, no

In association with the

On Monday evening, our three U-14 sides were in league action. Real were at home to Dunmore. Senan Grogan scored two in the first half and could have had a hattrick. Town stretched their lead in the second half through a fine free kick from star players Noah Feeley.

A depleted Atletico side lost out away to Moore while the Rovers side won comfortably in Kilkerrin with goals from Yuri Shumyhora, Rian Grogan and Lewis Smyth. Star player: Conor Keaveney.

On Tuesday, the Town 1 U-12

side were away to Skyvalley while Town 2 were away to Dunmore.

This Saturday, the U-7 teams are in Skyvalley while the four U-9 teams are away on Sunday. Town 1 are in Kilkerrin while Town 2 are in Skyvalley.

The boys and girls U-16 and U-18 teams have no competitive games at present though training continues.

Exam wishes…

We wish our players well in their exams over the coming weeks. Prepare well and you will perform.

matter their age, ability or experience level. It is an approach where the barriers to participation are removed and a welcoming environment is created. The concept is to include people with physical and/ or learning disabilities, and indeed those recovering from mental problems. It works by having some

Kennedy Cup…

We wish our players well in next week’s Kennedy Cup in Limerick. We hope the lads enjoy the experience and are proud that they are representing our club and county.

Wise Words…

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard - Tim Notke Club Store…

Shop now on roscommontownyouthsoccer.ie Support us in style!

2023 AGM…

Watch this space for updates on this year’s AGM.

experienced players on a team who act as facilitators for those less experienced players by assisting and guiding. Teams can comprise of male and female players. The laws of the game are not changed from regular rugby except that scrums are uncontested. Teams from all four provinces will be participating and it is anticipated that several hundred players will be involved so it looks like the Athlone venue will be buzzing on Saturday. Hopefully, this spell of wonderful weather will last until the weekend and that there will be a large turnout of spectators to support this most worthwhile venture. Scores of volunteers have already promised to assist on the day but more are always welcome. If you wish to help or simply require further information, contact the event controller Niall at 087-9764966.

Buccs’ Summer Camps

Two Rugby Summer

Camps for boys and girls aged 7 to 12 years are being held at Buccaneers RFC this summer. Supported by Smith’s SuperValu Monksland, the five-day camps take place from Monday, July 10th to Friday 14th and also from Monday, August 14th to 18th and from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm each day.

No previous rugby playing experience is necessary and kids will learn new skills in a fun environment whilst making friends and keeping fit. Registration is €80 per week with discounts for additional family members. This is considerably better value than other rugby camps in Athlone! To register, email rugby@dubarrypark.com

Golf Classic

Buccaneers Rugby Football Club’s annual Golf Classic takes place at the panoramic Glasson Lakehouse course on Tuesday, July 25th. Make it a date in your diary.

The Roscommon Town U-12 1 team.

Buccaneers U-18 international trio (l-r) Sean Rohan, Niall Tallon and Patrick Egan pictured at the club’s recent annual awards event.

aims to create a welcoming and safe environment for all members of the Camogie Family and the wider community. Pictured at the launch of the initiative at Croke Park this week were Hannah Fitzsimons, Ava Lambert, Shauna Fallon and Michelle McGuigan. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Pictured is the Clann na nGael team which secured the U-14 Division One league title with a 2-13 to 0-8 win over local rivals St Brigid’s in Knockcroghery last week.

League honours: Pictured are Elphin-Ballinameen joint captains Sam O’Rourke and Darragh Callaghan receiving the Minor League Division Three shield following their side’s win over St Michael’s-St Ronan’s recently. Pic: Tom Tully

Pictured is the Taughmaconnell U-10 girls Indoor Soccer team which won the All-Ireland Community Games final recently in Kildare. Back row (left to right): Catherine Lyons, Roisin Cleary, Kayla Galvin, Robyn brooks, Aoibheann Daly, and Louisa Brooks. Front (left to right): Ella Grehan, Amy Grehan, Meabh Finneran, and Laura Lyons.

GAME ON…

Raised eyebrows at ‘official attendance’

A talking point after Sunday’s game related to the issue of the size of the crowd at Dr Hyde Park. The official attendance announced on the day was 5,773, a figure that seems to have surprised most observers, many of whom felt the crowd was closer to 8,000 or so.

One supporter’s tweet may or may not help with enquiries. It read: “I would have put the crowd at 8 or 9k, even the size of the crowd at some of the league games. I know I was in a group of 6 and the scanner wouldn’t work for any of the tickets. Something about the sun affecting the scanner. That was 6 not counted. How many more like us?”

Davy on ‘Six-minutegate’

After the silly week that was – Six-minutegate – Roscommon manager Davy Burke was asked about the criticism of his team’s now famous ‘five minute 45 seconds’ retention of possession at the end of the first half of their game against Dublin.

(Readers will be aware that several pundits were strongly critical of the phase of play; some may even have forecast the end of civilisation as we know it). To be fair, some pundits took a more balanced view.

Anyways, Burke’s response to being asked about the ‘debate’ was as follows: “A lot of teams I watched yesterday (Saturday) tried to copy what we did and got turned over.

“It’s one thing trying to copy it but you don’t have the likes of Niall Daly and David Murray to orchestrate it. I wouldn’t pay any heed to what anyone says. Let them at it”.

Break welcome –Enda

Speaking to the Roscommon People moments after Sunday’s win over Sligo, man of the match Enda Smith confirmed that the panel of players welcome the fact that they have no game this weekend.

“It’s Kildare in two weeks’ time” Enda said on Sunday (speaking to Seamus Duke). “We’ve a bit of a break now, which is badly needed, because the bodies are definitely feeling it after the last seven days (games v Dublin and Sligo in quick succession)”.

As to Roscommon’s display on the day, Enda was happy with the strong second-half showing. “We knew it was going to be tight. All the games have been very tight in the first half and then they open up in the second half a bit. We put a big emphasis on those 15 minutes at the start of the second half, and we kicked on. The (Sligo) goal came against the run of play but we kicked 1-7 after the goal, so you have to be happy with that”.

Sunday Game view

On ‘The Sunday Game’ Tomás Ó Sé and Cora Staunton mused about Roscommon’s current status, and concluded that an All-Ireland semi-final should be the aim.

Low expectations…

Asked about Sligo’s prospects of keeping their quarter-final hopes alive when they play Dublin, their manager Tony McEntee said: “I don’t think anyone expects us to beat Dublin, let’s be honest”.

-Paul Healy

Burke not giving up on top spot!

KILDARE NEXT FOR ROSCOMMON AS SMITH INSPIRES WIN OVER SLIGO

All-Ireland SFC series (Group 3, Round 2) Roscommon 1-21 Sligo 1-11

< SEAMUS DUKE

Davy Burke is still targeting top spot in Group 3 of the All-Ireland Championship series and says Roscommon’s next fixture – against Kildare – is a must-win game.

Last Sunday, it was a case of ‘mission accomplished’ as Roscommon comfortably defeated Sligo to go top of their group, marginally ahead of Dublin on score difference.

While Sunday’s encounter may not go down as one of the matches of the year, Roscommon’s display at a sizzling Dr Hyde Park provided further evidence of the significant progression of Davy Burke’s team on a number of fronts. Having played well within themselves in the first half, Roscommon opened up with an impressive second-half display. They withstood the blow of conceding a goal in the 49th minute and finished strongly with some superb scores.

Speaking to the Roscommon People after the full-time whistle, Roscommon manager Davy Burke said of the upcoming game against his native county: “Kildare is a must-win game. Today

is done and gone. It doesn’t matter to me who we’re playing. You see me on the line…I don’t care what colour the jersies are that we are playing against. I wouldn’t be ruling out first place (in the group) just yet. Let’s keep going”.

In last Sunday’s intense heat, it took both sides a while to settle down, the first half notable for a lot of mistakes and some extremely poor shooting on the part of both sides.

The teams shared four points in the opening 14 minutes before Roscommon outscored Sligo 0-5 to 0-1 over the next 13 minutes. Diarmuid Murtagh kicked two (one a free), Ben O’Carroll one, and ‘man of the match’ Enda Smith was on target with two more.

Sligo improved, and despite some very poor shot selection they reduced the margin to two (0-8 to 0-6) by half-time, with Alan Reilly and Sean Carrabine prominent. Roscommon’s other first-half point came from championship debutant Colin Walsh, who had a fine game.

Now playing with the aid of the breeze, Roscommon were much more clinical on the resumption. By the 48th minute they led by 0-14 to 0-9, with Ciaráin Murtagh (2), Enda Smith, Cian McKeon (2) and Dylan Ruane all on target. However, against the run of play Sligo scored a fine goal on 49 minutes. Sub Mark Walsh played in Alan Reilly and he made no mistake from close-range to reduce the margin to just two again.

The Roscommon response was emphatic. Diarmuid Murtagh kicked over a long-range free, while the outstanding Enda Smith weighed in with another great point. The score that settled the contest came with seven minutes to go.

Enda Smith was again involved before Dylan Ruane gathered possession and galloped through the middle. He appeared to be fouled but was still able to bundle the ball into the Sligo net. Roscommon went on to kick some great scores including two from sub Donie Smith. A ten-point winning margin did not flatter them.

Davy Burke said it was no surprise to him that it took Roscommon well past the 50-minute mark to see off the Sligo challenge.

“We knew we’d need all that time to get the result. There are no easy draws at this stage of

Roscommon’s Niall Kilroy in action during the All-Ireland SFC Group 3 game against Sligo on Sunday in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

the championship. I was delighted with the last 10 to 15 minutes. I felt we stamped our class on the game. Our conditioning really stood to us”. The Kildare native reflected on that Sligo goal.

“We were five ahead and then they got the goal. We pressed up on their kickout and they done us over the top. It’s risk versus reward. You push up on a kickout, you’re looking to score. They do you over the top and it’s in the back of the net”.

Once again Enda Smith was Roscommon’s main man, but he got great assistance from Cian McKeon (who was superb again), Conor Carroll, Brian Stack, Dylan Ruane, Colin Walsh, Ben O’Carroll and Niall Daly. For Sligo, Alan Reilly was their standout performer while Sean Carrabine, Brian Cox and Niall Murphy also did well.

Now it’s down to the clash against Kildare the weekend after next, and in this form Roscommon will be looking forward to meeting Davy Burke’s native county for a place in the quarterfinals.

Stat Attack

Wides: Roscommon 9 (6, first half); Sligo 13 (10, first half)

Red cards: 0

Black cards: 0

Yellow cards: 0

Yellow cards: 0

Man of the Match: Enda Smith (Roscommon)

Attendance: 5,773

Teams & scorers

Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Colin Walsh (0-1), Brian Stack, David Murray; Niall Daly, Eoin McCormack, Conor Daly; Eddie Nolan, Enda Smith (0-5); Ciaráin Murtagh (0-2, 1 free), Ciarán Lennon, Dylan Ruane (1-1); Cian McKeon (0-3), Ben O’Carroll (0-1), Diarmuid Murtagh (0-6, 4 frees). Subs: Niall Kilroy for Conor Daly (45), Donie Smith (0-2) for Lennon (48), Richard Hughes for McCormack (62), Conor Hussey for Niall Daly (63), Conor Cox for Ruane (65).

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Nathan Mullen (0-1); Paul McNamara, Brian Cox, Luke Towey; Cian Lally, Paul Kilcoyne; Finnian Cawley, Seán Carrabine (0-3, 1 free), Alan Reilly (1-3); Luke Nicholson, Paddy O’Connor, Niall Murphy (0-4, 3 frees). Subs: Pat Spillane for Cawley (h/t), Mark Walsh for Nicholson (h/t), Mikey Gordon for O’Connor (56), Keelan Cawley for Towey (65), David Quinn for Carrabine (70).

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).

Sunny side up as Smith shines

PAUL HEALY

View from the Stand

The Hyde was a happy place last Sunday. The weather Gods were smiling. Supporters – the Roscommon ones already buoyed by the previous weekend’s draw with Dublin – were all smiles too. The game went according to script, if one can say that matches have a script. Sligo matched Roscommon early on, but the home team always seemed to have an extra gear they could engage. Midway into the second half, Roscommon’s fitness, conditioning, quality and squad depth began to tell. In the end, the home side sauntered to a handsome win against dogged but limited opposition.

Mind you – credit to Sligo here – the game had to be won a couple of times. When Roscommon went five in front in the second half, it felt like a decisive turning point. Then Sligo pounced for a fine goal. Suitably chastened, Roscommon noted that the foundations of victory had been unceremoniously dislodged, then immediately set about calmly rebuilding. Cue another gear shift. Still, the goal was welcome when it came. Dylan Ruane availed of more great endeavour by Enda Smith, and asked no questions as a gap opened in the heart of the opposition defence. An opponent tried to halt his gallop, but Like A Rolling Stone, Dylan continued his run, keeping his balance and directing a shot that seemed to travel in slow motion to the Sligo net.

We had arrived 15 minutes before throw-in, revelling in the scorching weather, confident enough of victory, yet still wary of the underdogs’ potential bite.

The Hyde pitch looked magnificent. “Put that umbrella down” a man in the stand quipped just before throw-in, addressing everyone and no one. He revealed no more of his routine.

The early play was frustrating, both sides askew with their shooting, the umpires constantly waving at us, reminiscent of a protective mother seeing a loved one off at the train station.

Every time Roscommon looked set to move well clear, Sligo responded. Roscommon led by two at half-time. The second half was much better than the first. Again, when Roscommon looked set to pull away, Sligo hung in. But Roscommon were comfortable enough, slowly building their lead until they went five clear. Enda Smith was at times poetry in motion against the Yeats County. One of his finest games in a long, long time.

The Sligo goal was a bolt from the black (and white). Roscommon remained calm, Smith leading the march to victory. Donie Smith came off the bench and contributed two points. All over the pitch, men in primrose and blue were now in full flow. Cian McKeon was excellent all afternoon, again. Ben O’Carroll won a huge amount of ball, jinking, turning, off-loading, giving his marker some of the ‘twisted blood’ George Best famously imposed on Chelsea full-back Ken Shellito (older readers may be with me on this one).

Dylan Ruane had a fine game, so too the warrior that is Niall Daly. The Murtaghs treated us to some of their distinctive brilliance, magic in their boots. The entire team excelled in those closing stages, the ten-point winning margin even tiptoeing them to the top of group 3 on scoring difference.

It wasn’t flawless, but it was good… reassuringly in harmony with the rhythm of Roscommon’s season. No team will fancy facing Davy’s men.

‘The early play was frustrating, both sides askew with their shooting, the umpires constantly waving at us, reminiscent of a protective mother seeing a loved one off at the train station’

Roscommon’s Dylan Ruane in action during the All-Ireland SFC Group 3 game against Sligo on Sunday in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

Roscommon’s Eddie Nolan in action during the All-Ireland SFC Group 3 game against Sligo on Sunday in Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack

GANNON’S

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