Roscommon People - 21 August 2026 by RossiePeople

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Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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CathalShanagher

gins. If anyone could get off the island, it would be him. If not, Dara Ó Briain. I think he would be good at telling us just how badly we were doing in a funny way.

EMMA HEALY in conversation with Roscommon stand-up comedian Describe your childhood in three words… Memorable, funny and chaotic. If you were Taoiseach, what’s the first positive change you’d like to make? For my first positive change, I would decrease the price of a pint! I have a joke where I remember the time when you would give a tenner for two pints and then put your hand out for the change, but now the barman has his hand out looking for more. What makes you happy? Doing comedy and putting on shows. I suppose the whole process – obviously, with some of them there’s the panic beforehand, trying to get tickets gone, trying to fill it up, and then there’s the feeling afterwards when it has gone well. I’m also very happy when I’m at a wedding and you’re out on the dancefloor and they play the ‘Cha Cha Slide’. Also, getting lost on hikes with my girlfriend Amy.

What skill/talent that you don’t feel you possess would you like to have? I would love to be able to play an instrument. I used to do guitar lessons as a child until my parents were asked not to bring me back again. You really have to be at a unique level for the teacher to prefer to have less money than look at you destroy the instrument he loves.

Favourite social media app and why? My favourite app would probably have to be Instagram, just for promoting gigs. I’ve started making videos for it now, and I’m really enjoying that. What is your favourite sport? My favourite sport would probably have to be the triple jump. A lot of people probably don’t know this about me, but I actually got to the All-Ireland ﬁnals for Roscommon CBS. There were so few entering that you got straight through to the ﬁnal! An alien arrives from space. Describe Roscommon to them in three words… All one way. Cost is no issue… where would you like to holiday for a fortnight? New York. I went over with Darragh Gilleran years ago, but we couldn’t get two rooms, so we ended up having to share a bed for the whole summer. It would be nice to enjoy it without him.

Cathal Shanagher

Fear will ruin your life if you let it Three people (living or historical) you’d invite to a Dinner Party? Patrice O’Neal, Michael Collins, and the great Sean Callery. A song, film or book that you will never forget? My ﬁrst time watching The Shawshank Redemption with my dad. Still don’t know how he perfectly stuck the poster back on.

Someone who has been a big influence on you? A big inﬂuence for me was watching Frankie Boyle for the ﬁrst time. I still remember watching his specials and thinking, ‘That’s what I want to do’. You have to spend one week on a desert island with an Irish celebrity. Who is it? It would have to be Ray Gog-

What is a special memory? Special memories for me tend to be ones that I was nervous about how they were going to turn out. So, for me, the opening night at the Red Line Comedy Club. I think when launching something like that you’re nervous, but when it works out the feeling is top tier. That, and the night I played Roscommon Arts Centre. It’s always special to be able to put those gigs on in your hometown. Also, the night when the three of us had a fake eighteenth in a certain pub in town. I enjoyed it even more the following week, going in and being asked for my ID. That certainly is one of my core memories.

Which famous person would you least like to be stuck in a lift with? Enoch Burke. I’d rather be stuck in a lift with a gas leak. What is your best quality? I suppose being resilient. I think when doing comedy, you’re not always going to have good nights. I’ve done gigs and have come off to the sound of my own footsteps, but I still come back looking for more punishment. A personal goal? I’d love to get to the level in comedy where I would be able to do Vicar Street. Every comedian at a certain level would love to do it, and I think that if I just keep writing and working, I will get to that level too someday. I just have to keep the faith. What has life taught you? Just go and do whatever you want to do in life. People get caught up too much in ‘What will people think?’ and ‘What if it doesn’t work?’, but I just go, ‘What if it does?’ Life is a great journey. Why live it afraid, not doing what you want to do? I remember my ﬁrst time trying to do stand-up, turning up to an open mic, signing up and being afraid to go. If I had never faced the fear and done it, think of everything and every experience I would have missed out on. Fear will ruin your life if you let it.

It’s been a GOOD week for… Irish athletics and swimming, with several thrilling medal success at the Euopena Championships. Roscommon golfer Thomas Higgins, who won the prestigious Irish Close Championship in Portumna. Tralee, with the Rose of Tralee festivities getting into full swing this week as Roses and supporters descended on Kerry for one of the ﬁxtures of the Irish summer calendar. Spice bags, which achieved perhaps their ﬁnal stage of integration into Irish culture by making it onto the Rose of Tralee stage on Monday night, alongside the rather more traditional talents of singing, dancing, and lilting.

It’s been a BAD week for… Summer sun-seekers, with Ireland’s long spell of warm, dry weather ﬁnally giving way to a decidedly more Irish mix of rain, falling temperatures and possible thunderstorms this week. Online bargain hunters, who are discovering that their cheap purchases from outside the EU are not quite so cheap anymore, following the introduction of a €3 customs charge on each individual item in lower-value parcels.

PIC OF THE WEEK: Pictured at last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship Elphin v Castlerea match in Rockfield. Una Killoran with her dog Mila. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell.

Healy-Rae family relations, with the increasingly bitter feud between Michael and Danny reportedly putting an end to their weekly meetings – and Michael describing one intervention in the dispute as a “Scud missile”.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Roscommon-Chartrettes twinning continues to strengthen ties Another successful Roscommon-Chartrettes Town Twinning exchange took place this summer, with the initiative now in its 28th year. The connections and friendships between the two communities continue to grow through a shared appreciation of culture and language. People of all ages from County Roscommon were warmly welcomed on arrival at Orly Airport in Paris before enjoying the hospitality of French host families and a packed programme of events organised by the Chartrettes community. Highlights included water skiing on the River Seine, on whose banks Chartrettes is located; a visit

to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte; learning about the history of winemaking in the area; and a tour of the Palais Garnier in Paris, famously associated with The Phantom of the Opera. A formal welcome and dinner reception was hosted by the Mayor of Chartrettes, Fabrice Bargeault, and the President of the Chartrettes Committee, Jean Marc Ollson. Roscommon County Council was officially represented by Director of Services Chris Flynn, with Cllr Larry Brennan also in attendance. At the weekend social events, Roscommon was proudly represented through music, song and

Church Street, Roscommon. Tel: 090 6626097 Monday to Thursday: 9 am-6 pm Open Late Friday and Saturday until 7 pm dance, with members of Comhaltas Ros Comáin leading the way. The young people who travelled also received great praise for their performances, while the Chartrettes hosts provided entertainment of their own, including renditions of popular French songs. Speaking about the twinning, chairperson Noel Connolly said: “This year’s event was once again a great experience for everyone involved, with many new faces as well as new discoveries in the Chartrettes and Paris regions. “This was a visionary international initiative from the outset, supported by Roscommon County Council and Chartrettes Municipal Authority, and it continues to enrich both our communities.” Anyone interested in finding out more about the twinning can email rostwinning@ gmail.com or contact secretary Marie Mitchell on 086 385 9274.

newsbriefs Roscommon SPCA street collection Roscommon SPCA will hold its annual fundraising street collection in Roscommon town on Friday, August 28th. Volunteers will collect at various locations throughout the town, with all funds raised going directly towards the rescue, care and veterinary treatment of animals in need across County Roscommon.

Upcoming events at Boyle Family Resource Centre Upcoming adult classes include Arts & Crafts from September 8th; Parent Support Workshop from September 25th; Fáilte Isteach conversational English classes from September 11th; and a Parental Beauty Course from November 3rd. Booking is essential for most courses as places are limited. The Centre will also mark Ukrainian Independence Day on August 24th from 11 am-1 pm, while the One Town One Voice concert will take place in St Joseph’s Hall on October 17th. For more information or bookings, call 071 966 3000 or email reception@boylefrc.ie.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Economic benefit of Lough Funshinagh Flood Relief Scheme ‘to be confirmed’  EMMETT CORCORAN

Roscommon has one active major flood relief scheme in the State’s current delivery pipeline, with the economic benefit of the project and the number of properties to be protected still to be confirmed.

Figures supplied in a written Dáil reply show that the Lough Funshinagh Flood Relief Scheme is at Stage I, covering scheme development and preliminary design. The Ofﬁce of Public Works (OPW) ﬁgures were provided in response to a parliamentary ques-

tion from Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness, who sought details of flood relief schemes across each local authority area. Nationally, around 100 flood relief schemes are currently at design, planning or construction stage. Since 2018, the OPW says it has invested approximately €590m in 57 completed schemes, protecting 13,640 properties and delivering an estimated €2bn in avoided flood damage.

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 50s were arrested and are being detained at a Garda station in the Northwestern Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. The suspected drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. Investigations are ongoing.

By comparison, Galway has three active major schemes, with a combined estimated economic beneﬁt of €32.8m and 736 properties expected to be

protected. Leitrim has one active scheme, at Carrickon-Shannon, with an estimated economic beneﬁt of €56.3m and 76 properties to be protected.

Roscommon businessman The death has occurred of Roscommon accountant Noel Carr. Mr Carr, of Aughmagree, Kilteevan, and formerly of Colga, Calry, Co. Sligo, passed away peacefully at Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, on Sunday, August 16th, surrounded by his family. Noel was Managing Partner of Noel Carr & Co. Accountants, based on Castle Street in Roscommon Town. He established the accountancy practice more than three decades ago and had extensive experience in accounting and taxation. Noel was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Mary. He is mourned by his

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Roscommon Castle Tower open to visitors The south-west tower of Roscommon Castle in Loughnaneane Park is open to visitors every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm until September 13th. Visitors can climb the winding staircase to the top of the 13th-century tower and enjoy views across the surrounding park. Admission to the tower and castle grounds is free.

Fundraising Dance for Tanzania Missionaries

€100,000 worth of cocaine seized in Death announced of well-known Co Roscommon Gardaí seized suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of €100,000 during an operation in Counties Roscommon and Leitrim over the weekend of August 14th-16th. As part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of an organised crime group based in Sligo, Gardaí from the Sligo/ Leitrim Crime Functional Area, supported by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, stopped and searched vehicles in Carrick-onShannon, Co Leitrim, and Keadue, Co Roscommon.

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brothers and sisters Bernie Clarke, Margaret, Robert, Peter, Eddie and Frankie, as well as his extended family, colleagues, neighbours and friends. He reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home, Roscommon, on Wednesday, August 19th, from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm, and at his brother Eddie’s home in Colga, Calry, on Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Mass of the Resurrection will take place in St Patrick’s Church, Calry, at 11 am on Friday, August 21st, followed by burial in Sligo Cemetery. The Roscommon People extends its sympathy to Noel’s family and friends.

A dance is being held in aid of Vincentian Lay Missionaries in Masanga, Tanzania. The event takes place at The Four Provinces in Rathallen, Crogan, Roscommon, on Friday, August 21st. Doors open at 8 pm, admission is €10. Music by John Molloy.

Water Heritage Day in Kilteevan Kilteevan Tidy Towns will host ‘Protecting our Local Rivers and Streams’ on Sunday, August 23rd, from 11 am to 1 pm, meeting at Kilteevan Community Centre. The event will include a presentation and training with Community Water Officer Janet Laffey, along with the launch of a new leaflet Protecting Our Local Rivers and Streams by Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Domnick Connolly. Places are limited. To register, email kilteevantidytowns@gmail.com.

Lough Derg day trip A day trip to Lough Derg will take place on Saturday, September 12th, departing from the Sacred Heart Church car park at 6.30 am. For bookings, contact Teresa on 087 120 6343 or Noreen on 086 352 9916 / 090 662 5209.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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‘Robo Tom’ to carry on Sliabh Bán Harvest Tom Daly’s legacy at Festival launched Tremane hurling pitch The Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club launched its third annual Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival last Saturday with the traditional cutting of the oats crop. The crop was kindly donated by Derek Stuart from Co Longford and his son, ‘Farmer Phil’ Stuart, of YouTube fame. The oats were harvested using implements and machinery from years gone by, including

cutting with scythes, tying sheaves by hand and stooking the crop to dry. The oats will form part of the festival on September 20th, when they will be threshed on the day. Organisers say further details on activities and attractions will be announced in the coming weeks, with hopes that this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever.

Pictured at the launch of the Sliabh Bán harvest festival last Saturday. Club members using a scythe to cut oats.

Tremane club stalwart Tom Daly has been cutting the grass at his beloved hurling pitch for more than 20 years, keeping the grounds in great condition for home and visiting players alike. However, with Tom now retiring from pitch maintenance duties, Tremane Hurling Club has marked the end of his long stint in a rather unique way. Tom’s contribution to the club will live on in the form of a recently purchased robotic lawnmower, which has been affectionately christened ‘Robo Tom’ in his honour. A former player with the club, Tom has remained closely involved with Tremane hurling for decades. His sister Maura described him as someone who does not particularly enjoy attention or praise. Roscommon People readers may remember Tom from a visit made by Dan Dooner to Tremane ahead of the 2021 Roscommon Senior Hurling Final. On that occasion, he was found doing what he had done so often over the years — cutting the pitch, a job which he said took around three hours when conditions were good. Paying tribute to Tom on his retirement, Tremane Hurling Club said: “Tom’s hard work, commitment, and countless hours of voluntary effort have ensured our pitch has always been in fantastic condition. His dedication has never gone unnoticed, and the excellent turnout at the recent presentation was a clear reﬂection of the

high regard in which he is held by everyone in the club and community.” And as for ‘Robo Tom’ taking over the grasscutting duties, the club added: “While it will help keep the grass cut, it has big boots to ﬁll!”

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE A column by Emma Healy

Roscommon People contributor Emma Healy considers serious topics affecting life on a micro and macro level through analogy to help explore things from a different perspective

The Small-Island Question EMMA HEALY on the limits of a small island — and the choices Ireland has to make There is a particular kind of idealism that belongs to being young. Before mortgages, family responsibilities, loss and work have fully arrived, the world can look simpler than it really is: we are one people, kindness should scale infinitely, and borders are accidents of history rather than facts of geography. That instinct is not manufactured, and much of it is decent. The problem begins when institutions present one political outlook as moral common sense rather than one position among several. You can see this on campuses, in advocacy groups and increasingly in festival culture. A student arrives at university with a general sense that the world is unfair and may leave four years later with a framework in which limits, borders and trade-offs are treated less as legitimate policy questions than as evidence of moral failure. All Together Now can book Greta Thunberg to warn a festival crowd about climate catastrophe; Kneecap and the Mary Wallopers can build part of their public identity around Palestine, antiEnglish sentiment and open-border politics. None of that is illegitimate as art or opinion. But when one set of views is culturally dominant and the counter-argument is rarely heard, the effect can resemble a curriculum. The same instinct to flatten difficult distinctions appears elsewhere. Take the backlash around the so-called “trad wife”. Young women are rightly conscious of equality and of the injustices associated with older ideas about women’s roles. But somewhere in that conversation, biology is often treated as though it were merely another social construct. Something similar happens when “women” is used as though it were a complete political category. A group such as She Her Elected may have a legitimate aim in encouraging more women into politics. But an Irish woman

whose family has lived here for generations and a woman who arrived last year are not interchangeable simply because both are women. Both may deserve a political voice; that does not erase every distinction of nationality, history or belonging. The same problem becomes more consequential when it reaches immigration policy. The debate around international protection can sound strangely detached from the country actually administering it. Whatever language is used, these are decisions being made by the Irish State, using Irish housing, services and administrative capacity, about who is permitted to remain in Ireland. There is nothing inherently wrong with a state choosing to be ‘generous’. But generosity is still a choice, and choices have limits. A serious immigration system should be able to say plainly what Ireland can absorb, how quickly decisions should be made and what happens when an application is rejected. Integration raises another question. Recent public arguments have included suggestions that aspects of Irish culture or public life may themselves need to adapt to a changing

population. That is a legitimate debate, but it cannot be the only side of it. A receiving country is also entitled to ask what newcomers are expected to integrate into, and how much continuity the country itself is entitled to preserve. That matters particularly in Ireland because this is a small island with ﬁnite land. We are also a relatively young state. Irish independence is not ancient history, yet we often behave as though we have had centuries to settle questions of land use, infrastructure, population and national continuity. Look at the scale of housing proposed around places such as Dunsink, or the land being consumed by warehousing, logistics and light industry around Dublin, and the question is unavoidable: how much land can a country of this size continue to consume without deciding what should be protected? Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf has argued that, given Ireland’s ageing population and history of emigration, immigrant labour is essential to the functioning of the economy. The demographic problem is real. But the conclusion should still be open to challenge. Ireland has had labour shortages for years in recurrent sectors. Too often the phrase “labour shortage” disguises another reality: Irish workers leave because wages, conditions or prospects are poor, and employers recruit workers from abroad at terms the domestic workforce was no longer willing to accept. That is not always demographic destiny. Sometimes it is labour arbitrage. If a sector cannot retain local workers without continually importing new labour, the question should not automatically be how to source more workers, but why the work cannot be made attractive enough to retain the people already here. The same caution should apply to Ireland’s wider economic model. Our success remains unusually dependent on foreign multinationals and tax receipts generated by a relatively small number of ﬁrms. A small country with limited land should think carefully about what kind of growth it wants.

Chasing every warehouse, industrial park or land-hungry investment is not necessarily ambition. Ireland should concentrate more heavily on sectors that create high value without consuming large amounts of land: finance, technology, design, professional services and Irish-owned innovation. None of that is an argument against farming. Farming is one of the strongest arguments for treating land as finite. Agricultural land produces food, supports families and communities and, in many cases, remains in Irish ownership across generations. There is a real difference between land that continues to produce and land permanently consumed by development. That is why farmers’ arguments about rewetting, forestry targets, nitrates policy and productive land deserve to be heard as more than sectoral resistance. At their core is the same question: who decides what Irish land is for, and how much productive land can be surrendered before the loss becomes irreversible? Nor is any of this an argument against immigration, or against young people. It is an argument for prudence. Ireland has spent much of its modern history thinking in terms of escape: from poverty, through emigration, through outside investment and through the hope that someone else will absorb the consequences of difficult decisions. That mentality can stop us asking what needs to be preserved here. The same applies to the way we talk about young people leaving. There is a romantic idea that going abroad to “find yourself” is automatically evidence of courage or openness. Sometimes it is simply the right decision. But staying can require courage too. Going to college, working in the sector that needs you, building a family, remaining close to home and trying to improve the place you came from is not necessarily the less examined life. There is value, too, in choosing to stay and invest in the place that shaped you. Leaving can broaden your horizons; staying can deepen your sense of responsibility to where you are from. Ireland cannot carry every cause, absorb every pressure or reorganise itself around every fashionable political idea. A small country has to make choices: what it owes to others, what it owes to its own people and what it intends to preserve for those who come after us. That is simply part of governing a country with limits.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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CSO: Roscommon has joint-highest share of G-rated homes nationally  EMMETT CORCORAN

Roscommon has the joint-highest proportion of G-rated homes in the State among dwellings with a Building Energy Rating (BER), while retrofit activity in the county has lagged behind the national trend. The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures show 11 per cent of BER-assessed homes in Roscommon were G-rated in the first quarter of 2026, joint-highest with Leitrim and more than twice the State figure of 5 per cent. A further 5 per cent were F-rated, meaning 16 per cent were in the two lowest categories, compared with 9 per cent nationally. Around 16 per cent were rated B2 or better, compared with about 26 per cent across the State. Roscommon also remains heavily dependent on oil. Some 67 per cent of BER-assessed dwellings use oil as their main space-heating fuel, compared with 34 per cent nationally. Only Donegal, at 72 per cent, and Mayo, at 68 per cent, were higher. The CSO figures cover homes with a BER and do not represent every dwelling in the county. Amy Clarke, a BER assessor with Ireland BER Energy Consultants in Carrick-on-Shannon, said a BER is a standardised measure of how efficiently a home should perform, rather than a measure of a household’s actual energy bills. “An assessor examines the building fabric, including walls, roof, floors, windows and doors, along with insulation, heating and hot water systems and controls, ventilation and renewa-

ble systems,” Mrs Clarke explained. She added that lower ratings generally indicate that a home loses more heat or needs more energy to provide the same level of comfort. Mrs Clarke said: “The age and construction of a property can have a major bearing on its rating, particularly where insulation, windows or heating systems have not been upgraded.” The BER advisory report also identifies measures which could improve the home’s BER. Since May 24th, 2026, new BER certificates use a simplified A0-to-G scale. The CSO figures for the first quarter of 2026 pre-date that change and use the previous categories, including B1, B2 and B3. The BER figures come from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data, which shows 941 property upgrades in Roscommon in 2024, down from 965 in 2023. Nationally, the number rose from 47,953 to 53,984. Roscommon’s 2024 total included 428 Better Energy Homes upgrades, 416 solar photovoltaic upgrades, 82 Warmer Homes upgrades, nine Community Energy Grant upgrades and six through the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme or One Stop Shop route. The fall in Warmer Homes activity was sharper. Completions in Roscommon dropped from 111 in 2023 to 82 in 2024, a fall of about 26 per cent, while national delivery rose by about 31 per cent. The scheme provides fully funded home energy upgrades to eligible owner-occupiers receiving

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qualifying social welfare payments. The county again trailed the national trend in the ﬁrst quarter of 2025. SEAI recorded 191 Roscommon property upgrades, down from 214 in the same period of 2024. Nationally, the total rose from 11,701 to 11,910. Within Roscommon, Warmer Homes completions rose from 14 to 22 and solar PV upgrades from 78 to 96, while Better Energy Homes upgrades fell from 119 to 66. A parliamentary return published in March 2025 recorded €3.966m in SEAI funding associated with 944 Roscommon upgrades in 2024. SEAI’s later ﬁnal full-year report recorded 941 upgrades. The same return gives an average of about €4,201 per recorded upgrade event, but this should not be treated as the average grant received by a homeowner because supports vary widely between schemes. The Warmer Homes programme also has a

sizeable local pipeline. A Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment parliamentary reply said 312 Roscommon homes were on its work programme at the end of April 2025. This includes homes at several stages and is not simply a waiting list. The latest national figures, given in a Dáil reply on July 28th, 2026, put the average Warmer Homes waiting time from application to completed works at 23 months. No Roscommon-specific figure has been published. TP Walsh from Rooskey, an Estate Agent, Auctioneer and Valuer with Cox & Walsh Estate Agents in Dromod, said buyers had become far more conscious of BER ratings in recent years: “Many ask about the BER on the first call”. He said prospective purchasers were also increasingly considering SEAI supports and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant or Derelict Property Top-up Grant, where applicable.

Despite that interest, many buyers still favoured an open fire, stove and oil-fired central heating. In his experience, people wanted a warm, efficient home, but not necessarily a completely “cocooned” house. Mr Walsh said lower-rated properties of the right type were not necessarily harder to sell if valued correctly. Still, buyers are now more likely to seek builders’ estimates before settling on a final bid. There has been some improvement in Roscommon’s BER figures. The proportion of assessed homes with a G rating fell from 12 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 to 11 per cent in the first quarter of 2026. The figures do not suggest that energy performance is worsening. They do show an older, heavily oil-dependent assessed housing stock with a high proportion of low ratings, while recent retrofit activity has lagged behind the national trend.

930 EV home charger grant applications in Roscommon Roscommon had 930 applications under the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant scheme by June 29th, according to ﬁgures supplied in a written Dáil reply. Minister Darragh O’Brien provided the ﬁgures after Sinn Féin TD Conor McGuinness sought a county-by-county breakdown of EV charging infrastructure and related local authority funding. Roscommon accounted for 0.94 per cent of the 98,904 home charger grant applications recorded nationally. Its

total was more than double Leitrim’s 428 and Longford’s 432, while Galway recorded 4,859. Roscommon’s figure was 117 per cent higher than Leitrim’s and 115 per cent higher than Longford’s. Galway, however, recorded more than five times as many applications as Roscommon. The figures relate to grant applications rather than a direct count of installed domestic charging points. The reply also listed four completed EV Apartment Charger

Grant projects in Galway, with none listed for Roscommon, Leitrim or Longford. Such projects may include signiﬁcant numbers of charging sockets and EV-ready spaces. Minister O’Brien said: “The Government is fully committed to supporting a signiﬁcant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years and reaching climate targets.” The reply said €9m was allocated to local authorities for EV charging infrastructure in 2025, rising to €15m in 2026.

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Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Working to make Roscommon your county of choice Roscommon County Council invites members of the public to have their say on and inform the publication of the first Biodiversity Action Plan for the County. The public consultation process will be in two stages with the HistoricHistoric Structures 2027 Roscommon County Council invites members of the public to have their say on and inform the Structures FundFund 2027 fi rst-round consultation open until thePlan 29thfor August 2026 focusing on the publica7on of the ﬁrst Biodiversity Ac7on the County. The public consulta7on process will Roscommon County Council in conjunction with the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) within the Roscommon County Council in conjunction theare National Builtfor Heritage Department of Housing, Local Government with and Heritage inviting applications the “Historic Service (NBHS) within be in two stages with the ﬁrst-round consulta7on openPaper. un7l the 29thAugust 2026 focusing on the Biodiversity Action Plan Discussion Fund 2027”. the Department ofStructures Housing, Local Government and Heritage are inviting applications for the

Biodiversity Ac7on Plan Discussion Paper.

“Historic Structures Fund 2027”.

Historic Structures Fund 2027

The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is to assist the conservation and enhancement of historic Copies of the discussion paper available online Roscommon County structures and buildings for the broader benefit with of communities and the Built public.Heritage Service (NBHS) within the Roscommon County Council in conjunction the National Copies of the discussion paper areare available online onon Roscommon County Council public Department of Housing, Government andisHeritage arethe inviting applications for theenhancement “Historic The primary focus of the HistoricLocal Structures Fund to assist conservation and of Council public portal or Oﬃcer from Biodiversity Offibiodiversity@roscommoncoco.ie. cer by e-mailing For 2027, The Historic Structures Fund will offer grants from €50,000 up to €200,000, and focus on larger consulta7on portalconsultation or from Biodiversity by e-mailing Structures Fund 2027”. historic structures and buildings for the broader benefi t ofstructures, communities and the public. enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage where: biodiversity@roscommoncoco.ie Submissions are welcome un7l 5pm on the 29thAugust 2026 online using the Roscommon County a. A clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated, or b. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is to assist the conservation and enhancement of historic

For 2027, The Historic will qualified offer conservation grants from €50,000 up €200,000, and focus on It is a Structures requirement for anFund appropriately professional to oversee theto works, and for a Council consulta7on portal hJps://consult.roscommoncoco.ie/en/consulta7on/roscommonHistoric Fund 2027 heritage structures and buildings for methodology the benefit of and the public. comprehensive and sound toStructures accompany thecommunities application. larger enhancement, refurbishment orbroader reuse projects involving structures, where: Submissions are welcome until 5pm on the 29th August online using biodiversity-ac7on-plan-2026-2031 or alterna7vely by post 2026 to: Biodiversity Oﬃcer, Roscommon Roscommon County Council inStructures, conjunction with theeligible National Heritage for Service (NBHS) within the Eligible projects: Protected Structures forBuilt or proposed inclusion in the RPS, the Roscommon County Council consultation portal For 2027, The Historic Structures Fund willHeritage offer Areas grants from €50,000 up €200,000, and focus on larger County Council, Aras an Chontae, Roscommon. F42VR98. Department Housing, Local Government and are inviting foramenity the to “Historic Structures works within Architectural Conservation (ACAs),applications or within the of a National a. A clear community ororofpublic benefi t has been demonstrated, or

https://consult.roscommoncoco.ie/en/consultation/roscommon-biodiversityaction-plan-2026-2031 or alternatively by post to: Biodiversity Officer, Roscommon County Council, Aras an Chontae, Roscommon. F42VR98.

Image for inclusion on advert.

Structures Fund 2027”. enhancement, refurbishment reuse projects involving heritage structures, where: Monument, where exceptionalor circumstances apply. Roscommon County Council may shortlist three

projects for consideration by the Department. b. A clear residential benefi t or has been demonstrated a. A clear community public benefit has been demonstrated, or

The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is to assist the conservation and enhancement of historic

b. A clear residential benefit has beenbenefit demonstrated structures and buildings for the broader of communities and the public. It is a requirement for How an appropriately qualified conservation professional professional to oversee the works, and for aand It is a requirement for an appropriately qualifi ed conservation to oversee the works, do I apply? For 2027, Theand Historic Structures Fund willand offer from €50,000 upapplication. to €200,000, and focus on larger Scheme information application forms are available comprehensive sound methodology to accompany the for a comprehensive and sound methodology grants to accompany the application. enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where: on www.roscommoncoco.ie or by contacting the a. A clear communityHeritage or publicOffice benefit demonstrated, or onhas 090been 6632513 or heritage@roscommoncoco.ie.

A clear residential benefit Structures, has been demonstrated Eligibleb.Protected projects: Protected Structures eligible for for inclusion in the RPS, Eligible projects: Structures, Structures eligible forororproposed proposed for inclusion in the It is a requirement for an appropriately qualified conservation professional to oversee the works, and for a Structures or works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within amenity a National of RPS, Structures or comprehensive works within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), orthe within theofamenity and sound methodology to accompany the application. Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply. Roscommon County Council may shortlist three a National Monument, whereProtected exceptional circumstances apply. Roscommon County Council may Eligible projects: shall Structures, Structures eligible for2027” or proposed for inclusion the RPS, on Friday projects consideration by the“Historic Department. Allfor applications be marked Structures Fund and submitted beforein5.00p.m.

shortlist three projects for consideration by theRoscommon Department. Structures or works Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), within the of a National 27 November 2026within by post to: Heritage Office, CountyorCouncil, Árasamenity an Chontae, Roscommon, Monument, whereF42 exceptional circumstances apply. Roscommon County Council may shortlist three Co Roscommon VR98 or by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie projects for consideration by the Department.

How do I apply? How do I apply?and application forms are available Scheme information How do I apply? Scheme information and application forms are available on www.roscommoncoco.ie or by contacting the Scheme information and application forms are available on www.roscommoncoco.ie or by contacting the on www.roscommoncoco.ie or by contacting the Heritage Office on 090 6632513 or heritage@roscommoncoco.ie.

Heritage Office on 090 6632513 or heritage@roscommoncoco.ie. Heritage Office on 090 6632513 or heritage@roscommoncoco.ie

All applications shall be marked “Historic Fund 2027” and submitted All applications shall be marked “Historic Structures Structures Fund 2027” and submitted before 5.00p.m. on Friday before 5.00p.m. on All applications marked “Historic FundCouncil, 2027”Áras and submitted before 5.00p.m. on Chontae, Friday 27 November 2026 by post to: Heritage Office, Structures Roscommon anCounty Chontae, Roscommon, Friday 27 November 2026shall bybe post to: Heritage Office,County Roscommon Council, Áras an Co Roscommon by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie 27 November 2026F42 byVR98 postorto: Heritage Office, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, Roscommon, Co Roscommon F42 VR98 or by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie Co Roscommon F42 VR98 or by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie

Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2027 BHIS Historic Thatch Building Stream (HTB) 2027 Roscommon County Council in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local

Built Heritage Investment Scheme Government & Heritage are inviting applications for the (BHIS) 2027 Historic Structures Fund 2027 Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2027 & The BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings BHISStream Historic 2027. Thatch Building Stream (HTB) 2027 Roscommon County Council in conjunction with the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are inviting applications for the “Historic Structures Fund 2027”.

Roscommon County Council in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is to assist the conservation and enhancement of historic The Built Heritage Investment Scheme provides support ofScheme between €2,500 andBHIS & Heritage are inviting applications forbroader the benefit Built Heritage 2027 & The structures and buildings for the of communities andInvestment the public. €50,000 for the conservation of historic buildings and structures. Historic Thatched Buildings Stream 2027. For 2027, The Historic Structures Fund will offer grants from €50,000 up to €200,000, and focus on larger The BHIS Historic Thatched Stream may provide grants of up to €20,000 enhancement, refurbishment or reuseBuildings projects involving heritage structures, where: A clear community orScheme public benefitprovides has been demonstrated, or of between €2,500 and €50,000 for the The Built Heritage support for thea.b.Investment conservation of historic thatched buildings. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated conservation of historic buildings and structures. It is a requirement for an appropriately qualified conservation professional to oversee the works, and for a HistorictoStructures 2027 comprehensive and sound methodology accompany theFund application.

TEMPORARY CLOSING OF ROADS ROADS ACT 1993, SECTION 75 ROADS REGULATIONS 1994, ARTICLE 12 Roscommon County Council has decided to close the road set out in the schedule hereunder for the periods and the reason specified. Road to be closed:

L1811 Creevyquinn, Roscommon

Period of Closure:

For a period of three days between 31st August and 11th September 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day

Alternative Routes:

Via L1810 Killeenboy towards N63 or N61

Reason for Closures: Reinstatement of Road relating to Creevy Solar Farm Mark Keaveney Director of Services Economic, Planning and Physical Development

BHIS is a very competitive grant scheme with a grants limitedofbudget. Applications The BHIS Historic Thatched Buildings Stream provide to €20,000 for thewill be Roscommon County Council inStructures, conjunction with themay National Heritage for Service (NBHS) within the Eligible projects: Protected Structures eligible forBuilt or proposed inclusion inup the RPS, and allocated based on a(ACAs), range of the criteria, the condition Department of funding Housing, Local GovernmentConservation and HeritageAreas are inviting applications foramenity the “Historic Structures or works within Architectural or within of including a National conservationassessed of historic thatched buildings. Fund 2027”. Monument, where exceptional circumstances apply. Roscommon County Council may shortlist three of theStructures building and the nature of the works proposed. If approved for funding, projects for consideration by the Department. The primary focus of the Historic Fundapproval is a to limited assist the for conservation and enhancement ofrequested. historicwill beSuccessful BHIS is a very competitive grant scheme with budget. Applications assessed and applicants do not tend toStructures receive the full amount structures and buildings for the broader benefit of communities and the public. funding allocated based on range of criteria, the condition of the building and the nature applications willa be in including January 2027. Howannounced do I apply? For 2027, If Theapproved HistoricScheme Structures willand offer grants from €50,000 up €200,000, and focus on larger approval for the of the works proposed. forFund funding, applicants doto not tend to receive information application forms are available enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where: on www.roscommoncoco.ie or by contacting the full amount requested. Successful applications will be announced in January 2027. a. A clear communityHeritage or publicOffice benefit has been demonstrated, or Eligible Structures include:on 090 6632513 or heritage@roscommoncoco.ie. b. A clear residential benefit has been demonstrated It is a requirement for an appropriately qualifiedwithin conservation professional to oversee the works, and for aAreas (ACAs), Protected Structures, Structures Architectural Conservation Eligible Structures include: Protected Structures, Structures within Architectural Conservation comprehensive and sound methodology to accompany the application. Areas (ACAs),Vernacular Vernacular Structures Structures & & Historic Thatched Buildings. Eligible projects: shall Protected Structures, Structures eligible for2027” or proposed for inclusion the RPS, on Friday All applications be marked “Historic Structures Fund and submitted beforein5.00p.m. Structures or works Architectural Areas (ACAs), within the of a National 27 November 2026within by post to: HeritageConservation Office, Roscommon CountyorCouncil, Árasamenity an Chontae, Roscommon, Monument, whereF42 exceptional circumstances apply. Roscommon County Council may shortlist three Co Roscommon VR98 or by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie projects for consideration by the Department.

How do I apply? How do I apply? Scheme information and Application Forms are available on Scheme information and Application Forms are available on www.roscommoncoco.ie bycontacting contactingthe theHeritage HeritageOffi Office How do I apply? www.roscommoncoco.ie ororby ce on 090 Scheme information and application forms are available 6637135 or heritage@roscommoncoco.ie on 090 6637135 ororheritage@roscommoncoco.ie on www.roscommoncoco.ie by contacting the Heritage Office on 090 6632513 or heritage@roscommoncoco.ie.

Completed applications shall be marked “Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2027” Completed applications shall be marked “Built th and submitted before 5.00pm on Friday 30Heritage OctoberInvestment 2026 eitherScheme by post 2027” to: and submitted All before 5.00pm on Friday 30th October 2026 either by post to: Heritage Office, applications shallRoscommon be marked “Historic County Structures Fund 2027” and Áras submitted before 5.00p.m. onRoscommon, Friday Heritage Office, Council, an Chontae, Co Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, Co Roscommon F42 VR98 27 November 2026 by post to: Heritage Office, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, Roscommon F42 VR98 or by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie Co Roscommon F42or VR98 or by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie by email to heritage@roscommoncoco.ie

OPENING HOURS IN ÁRAS AN CHONTAE: MOTOR TAX OFFICE 9.30am to 1.00pm only Monday to Friday. ALL OTHER SERVICES are open 9.30am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 3.30pm Monday to Friday. PHONE SERVICES AVAILABLE from 9.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Phone: (090) 6637100 Email: customerservices@roscommoncoco.ie

@RoscommonCountyCouncil @roscommoncoco

www.roscommoncoco.ie

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Roscommon Event Guide 20th - 23rd August 2026 Date Dateth

Time Time

Event Event

Sat 16 10am – 5pm Roscommon Castle Tour - Join OPW guides for a tour of the SW tower of this dramatic & imposing 13th century Norman castle Thurs 20th10:30am theCup Forgotten History and and Culture of Lough Ree's Shoreline: Boat tour on Lough Ree, exploring history, archaeology, 9:30am – TheExploring President’s 1889/90 – Lecture launch of a booklet commemorating Roscommon's first great Gaelic Football comp. 2pm legends & heritage. Tours depart at 10am & 12:30pm. €20 Donation. Booking essential on 089 2625505 11am - 2pm Eco bog talk and walk at Kilteevan and Cloonlarge Bog – Talk followed by 5km walk. Free but registration required 10am – Free Entry: National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park: Explore the parallel lives of Strokestown Park’s aristocratic landlords 11am – 12 Tour of Frybrook House - Journey back in time to 1753 & dig into the foundations and vibrant history of this house 5:30pm and their tenants during the Great Irish Famine at the National Famine Museum. 11 - 3.30pm Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre – Ireland’s first president Dr. Douglas Hyde and his contribution to modern Ireland. Free 11am – Free Entry King House Tours: Explore Boyle’s magnificent King House, a grand Georgian mansion that brings centuries of Irish 12 - 2:30pm Caife, Craic Agus Ceoil - The Irish Language Café - Traditional music session follows at 1pm. Free event, no booking required 4pm history to life through its historic rooms, exhibitions and stories of Gaelic Ireland, aristocratic life and military heritage. th 3pm 2pm – 5pm Lough Cross WalkTour – Walk Kilmore Church to Tully Lough,gardens, where 7orchard C Tullyand Lough Cross was found, & of boat – 6pmTully Castlecoote House andfrom Afternoon Tea: Explore the House, afterwards relax with talk a cup teatrips and 4:30 – 6pm Guided walk oncakes. Ballydangan Red Grouse Project - Presentation and refreshments, followed by a guided visit to bog, N37HT68 home-made BookingBog advisable. Adults €10. Children €5 8:30pm House - The People and the Legacy – Talk by Author Julian Vignoles on Finnbennach David Thompsons acclaimed “Woodbrook" 3pm – 4pmWoodbrook Storytelling & Launch of Finnbennach Bull Sculpture: Celebrate the launch of the Bull Sculpture and enjoy Sun 10am – 5pm Roscommon Castle Tour - to Join guides fortale a tour of the SWBull tower of this dramatic imposing century Norman storytelling that brings lifeOPW the legendary of the White of Connacht, Queen&Medb, and 13th the epic events of the castle Táin. 17th 11am4pm – 12– Tour Frybrook - Journey back in time to Field 1753Names: & dig into foundations history house If of Fields Could House Talk – Collecting Roscommon’s Jointhe Rita Kearney forand an vibrant introduction to of thethis Roscommon Field Names Project, discovering howmass local in place names help tell the storyofofthe theImmaculate county’s landscape, heritage and communities. 11am5:30pm - 12 Bilingual Mass – Celebrate Irish/English in the Church Conception 5:30pm – Exploring Roscommon County Council Archives Evening: A special evening&exploring County Roscommon’s heritage, featuring 2 - 6pm our Past - Display of old school Welcome photos, Schools Folklore collection the 'Ardcarne Messenger' (1958–1966). F52A497 th highlights of from the Douglas HydeCassels Collection the launchPark of the newfocused Archives18 webpage. 2:30 7pm - 3:30 Foundations Grandeur: Richard andand Strokestown – tour C architect Richard Cassels. Booking Required – A Talk&onCures the 1926 Census: Join family and local heritage consultant Curley for a fascinating talkRoscommon on the 1926 Census of Mon 9-1 &8pm 2-3pm Customs Roscommon’s Holy Wells - Exhibition highlighting theMartin rich heritage of holy wells in Co Population of Ireland its value forinexploring local & and history. 18th 11am9:30pm – 12 Tour of Frybrook House and - Journey back time to 1753 digfamily into the foundations and vibrant history of this house Fri 21st 11am11am – Big Dig Boyle: Kids- Event! House’ archaeological excavation for children 6+. Free. Booking advised for a 45-minute OldThe Buildings New Life guided‘Viking walk to view & historic properties in the Heritage Council’s Historic Towns Initiative 2025 slot. Booking on Eventbrite 11am3pm – 4pm Tour of King House Historical & Cultural Centre, Boyle -Free admission to the tour & exhibitions – Customs Roscommon's Forgotten Heroes - AWells Talk by Author Danny Tiernan: The talk will explore the livesinand of men and women Tues 9-1 &12pm 2-3pm & Cures Roscommon’s Holy - Exhibition highlighting the rich heritage of holy wells Co stories Roscommon fromHistory CountyClinic Roscommon whose contributions sacrifices during of war have beenbut overlooked. 19th 11am1pm - 5pm Family - Genealogy clinic to help youand reconnect with longtimes lost family. Placesoften are free limited, booking essential Discovering Castlerea Guidedback Builtin Heritage Tour: Join from Studio for a guided 11am1pm – 12– Tour of Frybrook House -–Journey time to Walking 1753 & dig into theconservation foundationsprofessionals and vibrant history of thisMyco house walking tour Tour exploring the town’sRangers historicMuseum buildings –highlighting the role offor heritage in shaping its future 11am2:30pm – 3:30 Family friendly of Connaught Family friendly tour, children 8 years and over. regeneration. Free. Booking essential – 6pmWalk Castlecoote House andthe Afternoon Tea: Exploreon theaHouse, gardens, afterwards relax with a cup of tea and 11am2pm – 4pm Talk & Boat Trip Tour - Follow path of St Diarmuid short walk, boatorchard trip on and Lough Ree. Numbers limited. Booking required home-made cakes. Booking advisable. Adults €10. Children €5 2pm - 4pm Knitting, Crochet & Traditional Crafts Exhibition – in the CDC Centre, Enterprise Kiltullagh House Discover the Local of a Global Legacy: inspiringof legacy ofRoyal Ballymoe-born humanitarian Father Edward J. 2:30 3pm - 4:30– 5pmRoyal Sites Short FilmRoots Screening – Celebrate theDiscover historic the landscapes the six Sites of Ireland. Free. F45HH51 Flanagan through a guided tour and interactive discussion. For Booking: 087 7665219 / info@fatherflanaganvisitorcentre.ie 6:30pm Roscommon Town From Earliest Times – talk by Vincent Delany on the development of town of Roscommon. Booking required Bog Walk - Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project: about the Ballydangan Bog by Redarchaeologist Grouse Project Moore Community 8pm 6:00pm – Keadue's Archaeology and Built Heritage - video on Learn archaeology followed by lecture Dr.atKieran O'Conor. Free Centre&before part in a Holy guided tour-of the project site Wed 9-1 &7:30pm 2-3pm Customs Cures taking Roscommon’s Wells Exhibition highlighting the rich heritage of holy wells in Co Roscommon Is of ourFrybrook HeritageHouse at Risk? Laura Burke, Social the impact of AIand andvibrant technology forofinformation 20th 11am8:00pm – 12 – Tour - Journey back in timeHistorian, to 1753 &will digdiscuss into the foundations history this house gathering & 9:15pm examine the credibility of resources on the internet versus the reality on the ground. All welcome. 11am Restoration of Rockingham Farm Building - tour by architects Paddy Dunne & Fiona Brugha of their home. Booking required Sat 22nd 1pm 10:30am – TheDrawing from the -Woods Wild Campbell, Child Day at Nature Reserve: Family-friendly exploring nature, art, and King Connection Talk by- Tom onRinnagan the historical links between Boyle Abbey workshop and King House. Free 1pm heritage through guided walks and creative activities. jeremy.casey@nativewoodlandtrust.ie or 087 195 3629 to the book 2pm – 4pm St Coman's Church of Ireland, Roscommon - Open Afternoons - Explore this historic church & its 250-year role in community 11am – Half Price Guided Tour of Clonalis House: Explore the history, heritage and traditions of Clonalis House, ancestral home of the 2pm - 4pm The Palace Neighbourwood Park & Sensory Garden - official opening, blessing of the park and guided walks 1pm O’Conor family, on a fascinating guided tour. €8. Booking required on www.clonalishouse.com 7pm Aspects of the History of St. Coman's Church, Roscommon - Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the present church. Talk by local 11am – GuidedAlbert Tour of Donamon Surrounding Area: Enjoy a guided tour Donamon Castle, exploring its richCommunity history andChoir heritage, historian, Siggins; book&launch, visual display & performance byof Roscommon One Town One Voice 1pm followed by a talk at Stoneham’s Lough focusing on the biodiversity of the area and its tributary, the River Derryhippo. Thurs 9-1 & 2-3pm Customs & Cures Roscommon’s Holy Wells - Exhibition highlighting the rich heritage of holy wells in Co Roscommon 11am – Free Entry to Douglas Hyde Centre: Explore the Douglas Hyde Interpretive Centre and discover the life and legacy of Ireland’s first 21st 11am5pm – 12 Tour of Frybrook House - Journey in League. time to 1753 & dig into the foundations and vibrant history of this house President and co-founder of theback Gaelic 11:30am Guided Tour of the Victorian Walled Gardens, With John O'Driscoll. Booking required. F42H282 12:30pm – Strokestown Park, Heritage at Risk Talk: JoinStrokestown StrokestownPark Park –Curator, Ciara Mc Cormac for a talk on built heritage and the 2pm 1:30pm – 4pm St Coman's Church Roscommon - Open Afternoons - Explore this historic church & its 250-year role in the community many risks facedof byIreland, our historic built environment. €5, Booking required 071 9633013 2pm - 8pm Family History Clinic - Genealogy clinic to help you reconnect with long lost family. Places th free but limited. Booking essential 2pm – Boyle Abbey, Patronage and its influence on Connacht’s Stonemasonry in the 12th & 13are Centuries: Join Gary Dempsey for a 3pm 3:30pm -5pm Rambling House agus Comhra – in the CDC Centre, Enterprise Kiltullagh House lecture exploring the influence of medieval patronage on stonemasons’ work, highlighting the abbey’s architecture & carvings 3 - 7pm Past McHugh - Display on of old school&photos, Folklore collections & the 'Ardcarne Messenger'. F52 A497 2pm – 4pmExploring Talk byour Tamlyn Customs Cures - Schools Roscommon's Holy Wells: Join archaeologist Tamlyn McHugh for a talk on 8pm Who Shot Queen - Storytelling with Mike recounting somedrawing of the oldest tales. Booking customs, curesMedb? & sacred waters associated withMcCarthy Roscommon’s holy wells, on extensive researchrequired and local stories. Fri 22nd 9-1 &2pm 2-3pm & Cures Roscommon’s Holy WellsTea: - Exhibition highlighting the richorchard heritageand of holy wells inrelax Co Roscommon – 6pmCustoms Castlecoote House Tour and Afternoon Explore the House, gardens, afterwards with a cup of tea and home-made cakes. Booking advisable. Adults €10. Children €5 9 - 4:30pm Food for Thought - Farming Rathcroghan Conference 2025. A wide range of speakers. Free. Booking Required. F45HH51 Irish Sign Language Guided Tourtoof1753 Roscommon Castle: For the firstand timevibrant OPW are offering a free ISL tour of 11am3pm – 12– 4pmTour of Frybrook HouseInterpreted - Journey back in time & dig into the foundations history of this house castle. Please note the event is outdoors and over uneven ground.6+. Free. Booking advised for a 45-minute slot 11am – 3pm TheRoscommon Big Dig – Kids Event! ‘Viking House’ & archaeological excavation for children – 5pmFamily Scavenger Park – Kids event & colouring competition! In conjunction withbut Roscommon Pride 2026. Free 11am3:30 - 5pm HistoryHunt Clinicat- Loughnaneane Genealogy clinic to help you reconnect with long lost family. Places are free limited. Booking essential 12pm7pm – 1pm Movement in Nature A Wellbeing Workshop for Children – with psychologist & Eco therapist Marianne Fallon. Booking essential – The Potts Family and Correen Castle: Discover the history of Correen Castle and the influential Potts Family in this talk by Moore 1pm 8:30pm – 3pm HalfHistory Price Guided Tours at Clonalis House - Explore the legacy of the O’Conor family with expert local guides. Booking required Group Chairperson, Padraic Kilduff. Bat Talk in Roscommon Join ecologist Fallon for anEnterprise evening bat talk andHouse discovery session, where you can learn 2pm 8:45pm – 4pm – Creative Writing WorkshopCastle: with Geraldine FinnDavid – in CDC Centre, Kiltullagh about bats, ask questions, use a bat detector to experience these fascinating creatures 2pm 10:30pm – 4pm St Coman's Church of Ireland,and Roscommon - Open Afternoons - Explore this historic church &up itsclose. 250-year role in the community Sun 23rd 8pm 11am – Kilteevan - Protecting Our LocalEchoes Rivers of & Streams: Laffey,Hunt Community WaterKenoy. Officer, to learn local Kilmore Church, The Mausoleum, The Past Join - talkJanet by Trevor and Tommie Launch of about podcast by rivers Ronanand Turner andstreams Camilla and Kellyhow entitled Kilmore; Echoes the Past. Admission €10 1pm to identify river insectsofthrough citizen science. 8pm 11am – Book Launch - Master Hoare’s History of Roscommon Knockcroghery - Followed byCars a short The book can be purchased the night A Day of Automotive History: Join the Sports & Classic Clubtalk. for ‘A Day of Automotive History’on 2026. Adult Sat 23rd 10am5pm – 5pm Roscommon Tour - Join admissionCastle €10, Children freeOPW guides for a tour of the SW tower of this dramatic & imposing 13th C Norman castle 11am – Entry toHeritage Douglaswith Hydethe Centre: Explore the Douglas Hyde Interpretive and discover the Free. life and legacyrequired of Ireland’s first 10:30am OurFree Woodland Native Woodland Trust: Lecarrow ReserveCentre – Family friendly walk. Booking 5pm President and co-founder of the Gaelic League. 11am Donamon Area Heritage Walk – showcasing areas of historical and heritage interest, assemble at Donamon Castle 2pm – Old Buildings New Life - Guided Walk in Strokestown: Join Conservation Architects Patrick Dunne & Fiona Brugha for a guided 11am – 12 Tour of Frybrook House - Journey back in time to 1753 & dig into the foundations and vibrant history of this house 3:30pm walk in Strokestown to see ongoing conservation works at three historic buildings in the town. 11am House Ballaghaderreen - The building blocks of our heritage – Kids Event! For children 8-10 years. Free. Booking required 2pm – 6pmDillon Castlecoote House Tour and Afternoon Tea: Explore the House, gardens, orchard and afterwards relax with a cup of tea and 11am Guided Ecology cakes. & Heritage Walk at Ballyforan Join Bord€5 na Mona ecologists around the 3km Ballyforan Greenway loop home-made Booking advisable. AdultsBog €10.- Children 2:30pm – Portrunny Bay Lakeside Storytime: A fun, interactive session children agedand 4-10 how to small actions can help care for 11 - 3.30pm Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre - Ireland’s first president Dr.for Douglas Hyde hisexploring contribution modern Ireland. Free 3:30pm nature through discussion and art. Parental/Guardian supervision is required 2 - 4pm St Coman's Church of Ireland, Roscommon - Open Afternoons - Explore this historic church & its 250-year role in the community. All week Library Customs & Cures - Roscommon's Holy Wells Exhibition: Explore the rich traditions, folklore, rituals, and healing beliefs associated 2-5pm Tour of The Nurseries,holy Grevisk - Home of the their headimportance gardener for with John McGahern. Hours with Roscommon’s wells, highlighting asRockingham. a unique partAssociated of the county’s cultural heritage. Booking required

Venue Venue

Roscommon Portrunny, Ballymurray, Co. Online Roscommon Kilteevan Community Centre National Famine Museum, Frybrook House, Boyle Strokestown Park, F42 H282 Frenchpark, F45 HD56 King House, Boyle, Strokestown Park, F42 H282 F52WR26 Kilmore Church, N41 T6K1 Castlecoote House, F42 Moore Hall, Ballydangan H288 Ardcarne Ch Visitor of Irl, F52 RR97 Rathcroghan Centre, Roscommon Tulsk, F45 HH51 Frybrook House, Boyle Roscommon Branch Library, F42 RP49 Ballinlough Roscommon Branch Library, Crossna Community Centre F42 RP49 Strokestown Park House Creggs Aras anHeritage ChontaeCentre, Roscommon F42 X674 House, Boyle Frybrook King House Courtyard, Boyle, Bawn Street, Strokestown F52 KingWR26 House, Boyle Boyle Craft Shop, Roscommon Grounds of Aras an Chontae King House, Boyle, F52FW01 Castlerea Library Market Square, Castlerea. Frybrook House, Boyle F45HV29 King House, Boyle Castlecoote House, F42 Portrun Harbour H288 Ballinlough Father Flanagan Visitor Rathcroghan Visitor Centre Centre, Ballymoe, F45 Y260 Roscommon Library Moore Community Centre, St Ronan's Hall, Keadue N37 ArasHT68 an Chontae Roscommon Ardcarne Ireland, Frybrook Church House, of Boyle F52RR97 Rockingham, Boyle F52 XC78 Rinnagan Nature Reserve & King House, Boyle Tree Nursery, Lecarrow Roscommon, F42 AW26 Clonalis House, Windmill Road,Castlerea, Elphin F45 H265 St Coman's Church, Donamon Castle, Roscommon Town Roscommon Aras an Chontae Roscommon Douglas Hyde Centre, Frybrook House, Boyle Frenchpark, F45HD56 Strokestown Park Strokestown Park House, Roscommon F42 AW26 F42 H282 Boyle Library Boyle Abbey, F52XE16 Ballinlough Crossna Community Centre Ballaghaderreen Library, Roscommon Arts Centre F45E3C3 Aras an Chontae Roscommon Castlecoote House, F42 H288 Rathcroghan Visitor Centre Roscommon Castle, Frybrook House, Boyle Loughnaneane Market Square,Park Roscommon Loughnan Park, Roscommon Strokestown Library Strokestown Park, F42 H282 Moore Community Hall, Castlerea, F45 H265 Ballydangan, N37HT68 Roscommon Ballinlough Castle, Loughnaneane Park Roscommon, F42 AW26 Kilteevan Community Community Centre, Dangan, Kilmore,F42DX57 N41 RC79 Centre, Knockcroghery, F42 DA26 Grounds of Strokestown Roscommon Park, F42 H282 Douglas Hyde Centre, Lecarrow Frenchpark, F45HD56 Donamon Castle, F42 YE13 Bawn Street, Strokestown Frybrook House, Boyle Ballaghaderreen Library Castlecoote House, F42 Ballyforan Greenway H288 Portrunny Bay, Ballymurray Frenchpark, F45 HD56 Roscommon, F42 AW26 Ballaghaderreen Library, Grevisk, Boyle, F52 F793 F45E3C3

See www.heritageweek.ie for event details Supported by Roscommon County Council as an action of Roscommon Heritage Strategy

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

NewsPeople

Westmeath Rose crowned in Tralee as Rebecca does Roscommon proud It was Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh who was ultimately crowned the 2026 International Rose of Tralee at the conclusion of Tuesday night’s programme. Ní Choiligh had made a memorable appearance on Monday night when she spoke openly about her experience of alopecia and removed her wig on stage.

Roscommon Rose Rebecca Collins proudly represented the county on the national stage on Tuesday night as the 2026 Rose of Tralee International Festival came to a close. The 24-year-old Kiltoom native was among the ﬁnal 14 Roses to appear on the second night of the televised selection, hosted by Kathryn Thomas and Dáithí Ó Sé. Rebecca entertained the audience with a selfpenned poem entitled ‘The Reluctant Rose’, centred around her initial concerns that she did not have a talent to perform on stage.

Exploring Roscommon’s rich heritage during Heritage Week

Elizabeth Sugrue, also known as Lady Betty, was an Irish executioner.  LIAM DONOHUE DUNNE

With National Heritage Week 2026 well underway, I sat down with Martin Lynch, a volunteer at Roscommon County Museum on Roscommon town square, to discuss the importance of the week, the events taking place locally and the need to preserve Roscommon’s heritage and culture for future generations.

I began by asking Mr Lynch why he believed it was important to have a National Heritage Week. “Well, I believe it’s very important. The main focus of National Heritage Week is to generate interest in cultural and natural heritage,” he said. “It’s all about getting people to increase their awareness of it and become involved in protecting and preserving it for future generations, and also reminding people that we have an amazing heritage in this country going back thousands of years.” With this year’s Heritage Week focusing on the theme of ‘Heritage at Risk’, I also asked Mr Lynch if there were particular aspects of Ireland’s heritage that he believed were currently under threat. “I would imagine that quite a lot of it would be under threat, such as old buildings that aren’t being preserved or kept to a proper standard,” he said. “Also, the natural environment, forests and boglands, as well as bird preservation areas — all of that would be at risk where they’re not being

properly maintained.” Our conversation concluded on one of the more colourful stories associated with Roscommon’s past, when I asked Mr Lynch to name a favourite tale from local history. He chose the story of Lady Betty, the legendary 18th-century Roscommon woman who, according to local folklore, faced a death sentence before taking on the role of executioner at Roscommon Gaol in an effort to secure a pardon. Her story subsequently became one of the best-known and most notorious tales in Roscommon folklore. National Heritage Week offers an opportunity not only to revisit stories such as Lady Betty’s, but also to consider the buildings, landscapes, traditions and local knowledge that form part of Roscommon’s inheritance. It is ultimately a reminder of the rich heritage that surrounds us — and of the importance of ensuring it is preserved and passed on to future generations.

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Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Supporting students with school anxieties

< KARLA BROWNE

Returning to school can bring excitement, but it can also be an anxious and overwhelming time for some. Students may begin to worry about new teachers, heavier workloads, unfamiliar routines or finding their place within a friendship group. Some nervousness is normal, of course, and may ease as students settle back in. However, anxiety becomes more concerning when it remains intense, lasts for weeks or begins

to interfere with learning, relationships, sleep or everyday life. Signs of this can include irritability, difficulty concentrating, tiredness, headaches, stomach aches and avoiding school. Figures show just how widespread these difficulties can be. Approximately 40% of 17-year-olds in Ireland have experienced anxiety or depression lasting two weeks or longer. Separate long-term findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study indicate that the proportion of Irish schoolchildren reporting feeling low every week has doubled to 46.3%. Other research shows that 50% of mental health difficulties begin by the age of 14. This is why it is vital to understand and support students as much as possible. Parents can help by checking in regularly without turning every conversation into an interrogation. Choose a relaxed moment and ask open questions such as, “What was the easiest part of today?” or “Was there anything that made you feel uncomfortable?” Listen without immediately trying to fix the problem. Dismissing worries with comments such as, “You have nothing to be anxious about,” may make a young person feel that their concerns are being invalidated.

Friendships should also form part of these conversations. Check in to see if they have someone to sit with in class or chat with during breaks. Take notice of any friendship-group conflicts or bullying. Having supportive friendships is important in helping students settle in. Finding ways to ease students back in and make school feel manageable can be incredibly helpful, and often only small changes are needed. ● Restore routines gradually by moving bedtime earlier in small steps and reducing screen use during the hour before sleep. ● Prepare the night before by organising uniforms, bags, lunches and stationery. ● Break the day into smaller parts, focusing on one class or break at a time rather than the entire term. ● Plan time to decompress after school before beginning homework or discussing every detail of the day. ● Identify a safe adult, such as a teacher, year head, guidance counsellor or other staff member they can approach. Encourage students to reach out to teachers when things become overwhelming or stressful. Making sure they know it is okay to ask for help is one of the best things you can teach them.

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For further information please contact Pat Naughton on 087 4105449 or 090 66 61058 or Martin 087 9144445 Knowing when additional support is needed is also essential. If things do not settle or continue to worsen, a GP, school guidance counsellor or qualified mental health professional can help assess what support is appropriate. Helplines and support services such as Pieta, spunout and Jigsaw can also be useful for young people who need to reach out. Jigsaw provides free, confidential support for young people and families, including online chats with a therapist. The aim is not to remove every nervous feeling. Instead, it is to ensure that students know they are heard, supported and never expected to manage overwhelming anxiety alone.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

NewsPeople

FRANK

BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique take on life ...

Keeping an eye on the road Our columnist Frank Brandon recounts an eye-opening trip to the optician that left him firmly in the passenger seat, laments the Three Amigos’ fallout, and reflects on a week of contrasting emotions, from uplifting Irish performances on the European sporting stage to heartbreak at home following a number of tragic road accidents. I’m writing this a bit later than usual on Monday morning, as I have had a 10.30am appointment with the Diabetic Retina clinic down in Castlerea – and as they tell me my eyesight is slowly getting worse, I felt I really needed to go.

For those of you lucky enough to have good sight, and so don’t know what happens at these clinics, the procedure is very simple. The eye person examines your eyes, puts drops in, and twenty minutes later examines you again. I have no idea what the drops do other than make your eyes all foggy and blurry, and the upshot is that you cannot drive the car until your eyes are back to normal; it seems that if you drove and were involved in an accident, you would not be covered by insurance! And so, my son Paul was my chauffeur, and the truth is that as we made our way home, I was glad he was! Although I had considered driving myself down and back, it would certainly have been dangerous, and I found I reacted badly to the brightness and the daylight when I came back out. Anyway the girl told me that I will have the results in a week or two, and I’ll know then if my sight has stabilised. I think I can see as well as ever, and I am optimistic that I might even have improved… I wonder should I eat more carrots!

“Frightening to be told such tragedies are inevitable” Besides my own concerns about keeping safe on the roads, on this Monday morning, the subject of dangerous driving is very much on all of our minds, following the horrific crash on the M9 motorway which occurred early on Sunday morning. The devastating incident occurred when five teenagers, who were travelling the wrong way in a stolen BMW, smashed head-on into a family car, killing all five teenagers and critically injuring two of the four people on the other car, as well as seriously injuring the other two. Since news of this appalling tragedy broke, we have found out that the five teenagers had already driven the wrong way down the same motorway earlier that evening, before doing a U-turn and coming back the right way – all in a bid to avoid the Gardaí. Sadly, when they saw a Garda car another time (which wasn’t chasing them or even involved at all with them), they did the same thing again… but this time with devastating consequences. It also seems that Gardaí feel powerless to stop this new craze, as they literally can’t try to intercept these thugs for fear of putting more innocent lives at risk – and of course the criminals know this and will continue to play this most dangerous type of Russian Roulette. Apparently social media is playing a big part in this type of outrageous behaviour, as the gangs involved put videos

online showing them doing these desperately dangerous stunts, and they are constantly trying to outdo one another! All with no consideration for their own lives or the lives of those unfortunate enough to cross their paths. And so the Gardaí are looking for more powers to chase and stop these motorway madmen, but until things change, we are all in mortal danger every time we go on a motorway; we never know at what moment we will meet a powerful stolen vehicle hurtling towards us at enormous speed, and we could be wiped out in the blink of an eye! I know we are supposed to be kind and forgiving, and I am truly sorry for the families of the kids that were killed, but I cannot get the thought out of my head of the other family, heading happily off to a family wedding abroad, and the sheer horror and terror they must have felt as they saw that stolen BMW flying towards them. It’s a frightening thought that on Morning Ireland this morning, we were told that other such tragedies are inevitable, and that at the moment, there is no way that the Gardaí can stop it. In the meantime, I hope the innocent surviving victims of this horrific tragedy get better, but no matter what happens, their lives will never be the same; they will always be blighted by the events of last Sunday morning.

Pictured at last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship Boyle v Pádraig Pearses match in Strokestown. Paurig Galvin, Paul Sweeney, Gerry Guinan and Joey Fallon enjoying the match. Photo: Bernire O’Farrell

Pictured at last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship match in Rockfield. Emily and Aoife Raftery delighted with Castlerea’s 1-14 to 1-6 victory over Elphin. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell.

Ireland on the right track I have said many times before that it’s very hard to make sense of life. While, as a nation, we were all heartbroken and horrified at the M9 accident and also the crash that claimed the lives of Donegal football legend James McHugh and his wife Noreen, nonetheless, any of us that are interested in sport were all enthralled by the wonderful European Athletics chamionships that took place in Birmingham last week. It has always been said that sport can lift a nation’s spirits – as shown, among many other examples, by Jack Charlton’s warriors in the late eighties and early nineties – and last week’s performances by our swimmers and our athletes on the European stage were truly heartwarming and uplifting. On the athletic front, Mark English and Kate O’Connor were outstanding in claiming gold medals, while Rhasidat Adileke and Andrew Coscoran put in terrific runs to claim silver and bronze medals respectively. However, of even greater significance was the fact that fifteen of our athletes, some of whom I have to admit I’d never heard of, finished in the top ten of their various competitions. It

means that we now have a large body of athletes, all of whom can compete at the highest level. Then in the swimming, where the action took place in Paris, and where once upon a time we were classed as no-hopers, we had Ellen Walsh with two golds and Mona McSharry with a silver and two bronze medals, showing that we can hold our own with anyone on the big stages! As well as that, our relay teams, in both mens’ and womens’, qualified for the finals. And as with the athletics, we now have any number of competitors who could go on to win major championships. I have to admit that I really love the athletics, and to see Amy Hunt (the English girl who became the first athlete to ever win four golds at a European championship) and Mondo Duplantis (the incredible Swedish pole-vaulter), among many others, perform to the best of their huge abilities is something that I will never forget. Roll on Los Angeles 2028, when the Olympics are back! I hope I’m still around to see our Irish team go for the medals that I’m sure they are going to win!

And finally…

a pity the Amigos don’t seem to be amigos any more – though I suppose that happens to a lot of bands. Also, the spat between Tommy Fleming and his ex-wife Tina Mitchell seems to be getting more and more bitter… maybe they should both keep quiet and say nothing further. It is said that all publicity, no matter how bad, is good publicity, but possibly not in this case! Anyway, his encore tour is coming up fairly soon, and I have no doubt his loyal fans will come out in their droves to see him perform! Seeing that I missed out on the Amigos, maybe I’ll go to see Tommy when he’s in the Landmark, Carrick on Shannon, on October 3rd!

it’s been a bad week for some of our best-known and best-loved entertainers, with the news that the Three Amigos – Jimmy Buckley, Robert Mizzell and Patrick Feeney – have cancelled their upcoming December and January tour, amid rumours of an acrimonious fallout. It’s safe to say that they were hugely popular with country music fans, and I now regret that I didn’t go their show earlier this year in the TF in Castlebar, even though I actually had a ticket! For some reason I just couldn’t make it, and now I wish I had. I’m sure they will all continue with their respective careers, and continue to be successful, but it’s

‘Til next week, bye for now

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

NewsPeople

Planning ahead for the next major wildfire Multi-agency plan involving fire service, farmers and landowners being developed in Donegal following summer of serious wildfires  EMMA HEALY

A new project to develop a largescale wildfire management plan involving firefighters, farmers, landowners and State agencies has brought renewed attention to how rural communities can prepare for major bog and forestry fires. Atlantic Technological University has issued a tender seeking a specialist consultant to develop a Wildfire Management Plan for Glenveagh National Park in Co Donegal. The project will involve the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Donegal County Council Fire Service, Coillte, community groups, neighbouring landowners and farmers. The successful consultant will prepare a landscapescale wildfire management plan covering approximately 16,000 hectares, with the aim of protecting people, property and the area’s natural and built heritage. The move comes following a summer in which prolonged bog and wildfires have again demonstrated the difficulties

faced by fire crews working across remote and difficult terrain. In July, a fire at Cloonlarge Bog in the Kilteevan area continued to smoulder and flare intermittently for more than two weeks after the initial outbreak on July 18th. Fire crews worked extensively at the scene over the following days, while the nature of the bog itself presented additional challenges. Residents told the Roscommon People that fire appliances could travel only a limited distance along a narrow bog road, with firefighters proceeding farther into the bog on foot carrying hoses and beaters. The incident came just over a year after another significant wildfire emergency in west Roscommon, when fire crews from Roscommon, Mayo and Leitrim responded to fires across forestry and bogland near Gorthaganny in May 2025. That blaze approached nearby homes, led to precautionary evacuations of people and livestock, and required helicopter assistance with water drops. The scale of the response to such incidents highlights both

the work undertaken by fire crews and the wider logistical challenge of tackling fires across bogland and forestry. The proposed approach being developed at Glenveagh involves not only emergency and landmanagement agencies, but also the farmers, landowners and communities surrounding the landscape. This comes amid calls for agriculture to play a more structured supporting role during major emergencies. As previously reported by the Roscommon People, ICMSA President Denis Drennan has proposed the establishment of voluntary local registers of farmers and equipment which could be called upon by local authorities and emergency services during wildfires and other incidents. Such a register could identify farmers with access to tractors, water tankers and other machinery, as well as people with detailed knowledge of local terrain, access routes and water sources. Farm organisations have also highlighted the importance of identifying access routes, boundaries, hazards, firebreaks

Back-to-school reality check: Half of parents say routines under pressure by week two More than half of parents (54%) say their carefully planned back-to-school routine is already under pressure by week two, according to new nationwide research. The survey of 741 parents and guardians of primary- and secondary-school children, carried out for Blanchardstown Centre, looked at how families are preparing for the return to school and how habits have changed over time. Almost a third of parents (32%) now prefer to complete their back-to-school shopping over several smaller trips, while a further 32% combine online and in-store shopping. Some 28% described themselves as “bargain hunters”, followed by planners at 19% and child-led shoppers at 17%. Nearly half of parents (49%) leave preparations until August, although just 5% consider themselves last-minute shoppers. The research also highlighted changing backto-school trends. Almost three-quarters (73%) of parents said they would bring back at least one school trend from their own childhood, with novelty pencil cases, stickers and sticker books, smelly markers and friendship bracelets among the favourites. While previous generations may have taken particular pride in new school bags or fancy pens, parents said children today are most likely to show off new shoes or runners (27%) or a new school bag (26%). Seeing friends again was the favourite part of returning to school for 45% of parents, while 39% remembered the excitement of getting

new stationery. However, one-third of parents said their own children are not particularly excited by any back-to-school item. The ﬁndings suggest that while the practicalities of preparing for school may have changed, many of the familiar pressures and rituals around the start of a new term remain.

Firefighters battle a blaze in West Roscommon in April 2025. Photo: Michael Finan

and water supplies before a wildﬁre occurs, rather than attempting to establish all of that information during an active emergency. Any more formal role for farmers or contractors would, however, bring practical questions around insurance, liability, training and how privately-owned machinery would operate under the direction of emergency services. Nevertheless, farmers and contractors have already assisted during major wildﬁres in other

parts of the country, including by transporting water and helping to establish firebreaks. Recent fires have shown how quickly difficult terrain, limited access and prolonged dry conditions can complicate an emergency response. Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife Service said earlier this year that forest fires in Ireland rarely occur naturally and are almost entirely caused by human activity, while previous Government guidance has

estimated that 99% of wildfires here result from human activity. Bog and upland areas can be particularly vulnerable. By midMay last year, more than 3,000 hectares of land had already been affected by fires across Ireland, mostly on open bog and mountain land. The risk is greatest during prolonged dry spells, when extra care around potential ignition sources can help prevent fires taking hold.

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Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Roscommon man takes on Route 66 Roscommon native Mike Naughton is preparing to take on the mammoth Route 66 motorcycle challenge in aid of Children’s Health Foundation. Originally from Ballyforan, Mike works as a software engineer with Cisco Galway and has already raised more than €19,500 ahead of this year’s event. The 14-day challenge sees participants travel through nine US states by motorcycle, raising funds for sick children and their families. Mike’s involvement in charity fundraising began long before Route 66. His sister Helena sustained a serious brain injury in 2014, while his eldest sister Amanda had previously been diagnosed with leukaemia. “I was always very grateful for charities and all the support they had because both of them survived these ailments,” he says. “I just wanted to make a difference when I actually could.” That motivation eventually brought Mike into Galway’s motorcycle fundraising community and led to endurance challenges including the Long Day Down from Malin Head to Mizen Head. He completed his ﬁrst Route 66 challenge in

Pictured is Mike Naughton on the Route 66 Challenge in 2026 for CHF

2024, enduring temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius while spending long days on the road. “If you opened your visor, it was like a microwave,” he recalls. This year, Mike’s girlfriend will also join him on the journey as a pillion passenger. Closer to home, he has continued fundraising through motorcycle runs, music events and workplace initiatives. Earlier this year, a motorcycle run and music night raised more than €2,500, while colleagues at Cisco Galway have helped raise more than €16,500 internally, with Cisco also matching employee donations. For Mike, however, the people involved remain one of the most memorable parts of Route 66. “You end up making friends forever,” he says. “A lot of the people you meet on the tour are salt of the earth.” More information on Children’s Health Foundation and its fundraising activities is available at childrenshealth.ie.

Pictured are Mike and Clodagh training for the 2026 Route 66 challenge for Children’s Health Foundation.

Pictured is Mike Naughton in Arizona on the 2024 Route 66 Challenge for Children’s Health Foundation

SCHOOL OF CHOICE

newsbriefs Open day at Templetogher for Heritage Week The annual Open day at Templetogher Heritage area, Williamstown (F45PH32) is on this Sunday, August 23rd from 1pm to 4pm. Countless photographs, artefacts, exhibitions, slideshows and farm machinery of yesteryear will be on display. The day is based on this year’s National Heritage Week theme “Heritage at Risk”, with many elements of our heritage being celebrated, through Irish dancing, songs, poems, excerpts from relevant books, and finishing with tributes to well-deserving people. There will be complimentary light refreshments served. Ample parking available.

GALWAY ROAD ROSCOMMON TOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON

T: 090 6626496 | E: info@cbsroscommon.ie | W: www.cbsroscommon.ie

RETURN TO SCHOOL TIMETABLE AUGUST 2026 DATE:

YEAR GROUP:

TIME:

Thursday 27th August

1st and 3rd Year students only from

8.55am- 1.10pm

Friday 28th August

5th and 6th Year students only from

8.55am- 1.10pm

Monday 31st August

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th year students commence on full days. TY students commence work experience session 1

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

NewsPeople

Who will pay for Ireland’s pensions? Ireland’s pension bill is rising as the population ages Fewer workers

supporting each pensioner

n By Emma Healy

The State pension is once again becoming part of Ireland’s Budget debate, with political pressure already building for a further increase in weekly payments. But behind the annual argument over whether pensioners should receive an extra €10 or €15 lies a much larger question: how will Ireland finance its pension system as its population gets older? For County Roscommon, that question has particular relevance. Census 2022 found that the average age in Roscommon was 40.8 years, compared with 38.8 nationally. The number of people aged 65 and over in the county had increased by 21

per cent in six years to 13,041, placing Roscommon among the counties with Ireland’s oldest populations. At the same time, thousands of Roscommon workers are now participating in an entirely new retirement savings system. An Oireachtas response earlier this year recorded 8,720 employees in County Roscommon as registered or enrolled in MyFutureFund, Ireland’s new automaticenrolment retirement savings scheme. Nationally, more than 800,000 workers have now been enrolled. Those developments are taking place as Ireland faces a much more fundamental demographic challenge within its traditional State pension system.

Unlike a private pension, the State Pension (Contributory) is not based on an individual investment account containing money accumulated and set aside during a person’s working life. Ireland operates what is broadly known as a payas-you-go, or PAYG, social insurance system. PRSI contributions being made by today’s employees, employers and self-employed people help finance pensions and other social insurance benefits being paid today. Where the Social Insurance Fund cannot meet its obligations, additional Exchequer support may ultimately be required. That model becomes more difficult when the number of pensioners rises faster than the number of people contributing. Official actuarial projections have highlighted the scale of that challenge. The Comptroller and Auditor General has reported that the number of insured contributors for every pensioner is projected to fall from approximately 4.4 in 2020 to just 2.3 by 2050. Pension-related spending, meanwhile, was projected to rise from the equivalent of 59 per cent of PRSI receipts in 2022 to around 117 per cent by 2050. In simple terms, without changes to contributions, taxation, pension policy or State funding, the gap between what is being paid into the system and what is required to finance pensions is expected to widen considerably. Ireland’s ageing population is being driven partly by increasing life expectancy and lower fertility, but

migration also forms part of the demographic equation. Higher inward migration can increase the working-age population and, therefore, the number of potential PRSI contributors. Official sensitivity modelling has found that higher migration improves the projected position of the Social Insurance Fund. In one scenario, migration 50 per cent above the central assumption reduced the projected Fund deficit in 2076 by around €5 billion. Migration 50 per cent below the assumption increased the deficit by approximately €3.4 billion. However, migration remains one of the most difficult demographic factors to project over long periods. The wider question is therefore not simply how large Ireland’s population becomes, but how many people are working and contributing, what they earn, how long they remain in the workforce and how the number of contributors compares with the number of pension recipients.

A second pension system Against that backdrop, Ireland launched MyFutureFund on January 1st this year. The automatic-enrolment system is aimed primarily at employees who do not already have qualifying supplementary pension coverage. It operates very differently from the State pension. Employees and employers make contributions, supplemented by a State contribution, and those funds are invested to provide the worker with additional retirement income. MyFutureFund therefore sits alongside the State pension rather than replacing it. A worker enrolled in MyFutureFund is building a supplementary retirement fund, but Ireland’s existing obligations under the State pension system remain. The technology and managed service underpinning the new scheme are being provided by

Tata Consultancy Services, or TCS, the Indian-headquartered multinational technology company. The Department of Social Protection awarded TCS a 15year contract, with an expected overall cost of approximately €150 million, to implement and support the MyFutureFund system. TCS has said the service is being delivered through its operation in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, and relates specifically to the MyFutureFund auto-enrolment system.

€1.95m legal framework A further pensions-related development emerged this month when the Pensions Authority launched a competition for a new multi-supplier framework for legal advisory services. The framework has a stated maximum potential value of €1.951 million, excluding VAT, over its lifetime. The framework is intended to cover a broad range of potential legal requirements, including pensions and trust law, regulatory matters, taxation, EU legislation, pensions reform, data protection, IT issues, Freedom of Information and litigation, as well as matters connected with pension scheme authorisation and consolidation. However, the Pensions Authority has stressed that the new framework should not be taken as evidence that a major programme of reform or legal work is imminent. In response to questions from the Roscommon People, the Authority said its existing legal services framework will expire in December and the new competition is simply being held to replace it. It stressed that the €1.951 million figure represents the maximum potential value of the framework rather than expected expenditure. The estimate was calculated using previous demand for legal advice, possible future requirements and current

Affordable housing figures reveal mixed picture for Roscommon < KARLA BROWNE

The Government has described the first quarter of 2026 as a strong start for affordable housing, with more than 2,000 affordable housing supports delivered nationally, an increase of more than 76% on Q1 2025. But how is County Roscommon doing? The First Home Scheme

has not been particularly active in Roscommon, with just one support drawn down. At the same time last year, Roscommon had eight. Nationally, 442 supports have been drawn down, representing a 63% increase compared to Q1 2025. Compared to other counties in Connacht, however, Roscommon’s figure is not too different. Leitrim has recorded none so far, while

Sligo has one. Galway is also lower than much of the country, with 12. For Roscommon, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is where we see the most activity. In Q1, 24 grants were paid in Roscommon, compared with 816 nationally. In Q1 2025, 22 grants were paid in the county. Compared with the rest of Connacht, Roscommon currently has the second-highest figure,

behind Sligo on 29. The remaining affordable housing supports have no recorded delivery in Roscommon, which also appears to

be the case across much of Connacht. On the headline figures, the picture for Roscommon is mixed. While uptake of

market rates. The Authority said legal requirements generally arise on a reactive basis and are difficult to predict. Figures supplied to the Roscommon People show that it has spent €259,712 on external legal advice so far in 2026. That compares with €159,457 in the whole of 2025, €304,982 in 2024, €370,536 in 2023 and €289,847 in 2022. The Authority also confirmed that its new legal framework could be used for enforcement actions, investigations or litigation involving pension schemes or providers if required. It will also acquire an important oversight role in relation to Ireland’s new autoenrolment system. From this year, the Authority will prepare an annual supervisory report for the Minister for Social Protection on the performance and operation of the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority, the body responsible for MyFutureFund.

The longer-term question These developments sit within a wider reshaping of Ireland’s pension landscape. At the same time, demographic projections suggest significantly fewer workers will eventually be supporting each pensioner through the traditional social insurance system. Alongside that system, more than 800,000 workers are now participating in a newly created funded retirement savings scheme. For Roscommon — already one of Ireland’s older counties and with thousands of workers now enrolled in MyFutureFund — the issue is particularly tangible. The immediate political question may be how much the State pension rises next year; the harder one is how Ireland will pay for it in the decades ahead. the First Home Scheme remains low and no delivery was recorded under some other affordable housing programmes, the county compares relatively strongly with its Connacht neighbours for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The broader test will be whether the strong national increase in affordable housing supports translates into increased housing opportunities for people in Roscommon over the remainder of 2026.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

NewsPeople

25 years of Donlon family reunions McDonnell’s A unique family tradition was celebrated in County Roscommon last week as the Donlon family marked the 25th anniversary of their annual international gathering. The silver anniversary was celebrated with ten days of social events and activities, with family members travelling from the USA, Australia and the UK to join relatives and friends at home. More than 150 people took part in this year’s celebrations, which were supported by Roscommon County Council. The Donlon family originally comprised 16 siblings who grew up with their parents

on a small farm in Moher, near Ballyleague. As they grew older, some remained locally, while others moved to Dublin or emigrated to England and the United States in search of work and new opportunities. Despite the distances between them, members of the extended family have returned to Roscommon each August for the past 25 years, with the gathering centred around the original family home in Moher. This year, a large group travelled from the United States, led by the eldest living Donlon sibling, Betty, who is in her 91st year.

Family members also believe their annual reunion helped inspire, at least in part, the concept behind The Gathering Ireland 2013, after a former Minister for Tourism became familiar with the tradition. The family is also noted for its longevity, with 15 living siblings once having a combined age of almost 1,050 years. Twenty-five years on, the gathering continues to bring generations of the Donlon family back to Roscommon to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate their shared roots.

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TUE 25TH - THURS 27TH AUGUST 2026 8AM - 4PM* ROSCOMMON TOWN CIVIC AMENITY SITE, LANESBOROUGH ROAD, F42 A337 *Opening hours subject to capacity limits.

Householders, this is a great chance to safely dispose of that household waste paint that’s been building up... and all for FREE! Please note: ● Only paint from householders will be accepted ● Limit of 10 paint cans per household customer ● Only paint in original containers with original labels will be accepted ● Waste paint may not be left at the venue outside of the opening hours 0906 – 637260 environment@roscommoncoco.ie Scan for tips on managing your household hazardous waste:

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

NewsPeople

Roscommon grandmother nominated for Mum of the Year Award Roscommon woman Margaret Hagan has been nominated for the 2026 Beko & Woman’s Way Mum of the Year Award.

The mother of seven and grandmother of 11 was nominated by her daughter, Rita Kelly. Originally from Slieve Bawn Mountain, Margaret and her husband Gerry spent a number of years in England before returning home to Scramogue, Strokestown, where they raised their family. Margaret worked as a carer for more than a decade and also helped on the family farm. In the latest edition of Woman’s Way, she speaks about family life, the loss of her son Gerry Jr. and a number of health difﬁculties she has faced in recent years. The annual awards recognise mothers from across Ireland for their contribution to family and community life. Nominations for the 2026 awards remain open.

Roscommon teenager named finalist in national brown bread competition

Pictured at the St. Faithleach’s v Oran game, Emma Hughes, with her mum Laura and sister Kate. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell.

21, 22 & 23 August 2026 Friday 21st

Saturday 22nd

Sunday 23rd

Roscommon teenager Sinead Murray has been named as a finalist in the National Junior Brown Bread Baking Competition. The semi-finals will take place at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on September 15th and 16th, with the final taking place on the morning of September 17th. Speaking following the announcement, Sinead said: “I am so excited to be picked for the brown bread competition and to attend the National Ploughing Championships for the first time!” The overall winner will receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with a further €1,500 Euronics voucher awarded to their school.

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Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

ELPHIN AGRICULTURAL SHOW Saturday 29th August 2026

Countdown on to 47th Elphin Agricultural Show €40,000 prize fund as Elphin prepares for annual show The countdown is on to the 47th annual Elphin Agricultural Show, which will take place at Elphin Mart Grounds on Saturday, August 29th. Organisers are preparing for another major day of competition and family entertainment, with a prize fund of €40,000 across an extensive programme of livestock, horse and pony, home industries, poultry, dog and other classes. Elphin Mart will once again provide the venue for the show, with the majority of classes taking place under cover. The facilities proved particularly valuable during last year’s event when torrential rain caused minimal disruption to exhibitors and judging. The show grounds will open at 8 am, with judging getting underway during the morning. Poultry judging begins at 10 am, while judging across the horse, pony, cattle, sheep, cookery, crafts, art, photography, ﬂowers Best wishes to Elphin Agricultural Show from

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and farm produce sections will commence from 11 am. The official opening is scheduled for 1 pm, followed by a range of competitions and entertainment throughout the afternoon. Agriculture remains firmly at the heart of the event, with some of the country’s leading pedigree and commercial livestock expected in Elphin. Among the headline competitions will be the All-Ireland Pedigree Charolais Baby Calf Championship, carrying a €1,500 prize fund, and the All-Ireland Baby Beef Heifer competition, also worth €1,500. The Cyril McDermott All-Ireland Broodmare Pony with Foal at Foot Championship will carry a €500 prize fund, while a number of other prestigious competitions and memorial cups will be decided during the day. There will also be plenty away from the show rings. Organisers have put together an extensive programme of free family entertainment, including a pet farm, face painting, balloon artistry, pony rides, puppet and magic shows, dancing and other attractions. The popular Dog Show returns with pedigree and nonpedigree classes as well as five All-Ireland competitions, while live music and jiving will form part of the afternoon programme. Speaking at the recent launch, organisers paid tribute to the committee, volunteers, stewards, judges, exhibitors and sponsors who contribute to the event each year, as well as Elphin Mart for the continued use of its facilities.

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Pictured at the recent launch of Elphin Agricultural Show.

Top-class livestock competition set for Elphin show rings Livestock exhibitors from across the region and further aﬁeld will descend on Elphin later this month as one of the traditional highlights of the Agricultural Show returns. Elphin and the surrounding area have a long association with quality cattle, and this year’s programme includes extensive pedigree and commercial sections covering Angus, Hereford, Shorthorn, Simmental, Limousin and Charolais cattle. In the Angus section, the James Caslin Perpetual Cup will be presented to the best Irish Angus bull, while the Champion Hereford will receive the Patrick Connell Perpetual Cup. The Shorthorn section will feature 13 classes and the return of the Irish Shorthorn Youth Development Programme All-Ireland Finals. Young stockpersons aged from eight to 20

will compete across three categories, with the finals having attracted competitors from across the country in recent years. The Charolais programme includes one of the biggest prizes of the day, the €1,500 AllIreland Pedigree Charolais Baby Calf Male and Female Championship. The Midland and Western Charolais Club classes will also return, catering for competitors from Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim and Longford, while the champion in that section will receive the Joe Gilfillan Memorial Cup. There will also be strong local interest in the Limousin classes, with the North West Club competition confined to exhibitors from Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Sligo. Commercial cattle will again form a

major part of the programme. The AllIreland Continental Male and Female Calf competitions each carry €500 prize funds, while the All-Ireland Baby Beef Heifer competition has €1,500 on offer. Young stockperson classes for those aged eight to 12 and 13 to 17 will also return after attracting more than 20 competitors at last year’s show. The sheep section, meanwhile, features almost 30 classes across pedigree and nonpedigree breeds, including young handler competitions. With a €40,000 overall show prize fund and a wide range of championships and memorial trophies to be decided, the livestock rings are again set to provide some of the biggest competition of the day.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

ELPHIN AGRICULTURAL SHOW Saturday 29th August 2026

Community support at heart of Elphin Show The voluntary effort behind Elphin Agricultural Show was highlighted at the recent launch of the 47th annual event. Organisers paid tribute to the committee members, volunteers, stewards, judges and exhibitors who work throughout the year to bring the show together, as well as the many local businesses and organisations which support it through sponsorship. Elphin Mart was also thanked for once again making its facilities available for the 2026 show. The venue has become an important part of the event, with its extensive covered facilities helping to ensure that the majority of classes can proceed regardless of weather conditions.

That was put to the test during the 2025 show when torrential rain hit Elphin. Representatives of the Hereford, Charolais, Angus, Shorthorn and Limousin breed societies attending this year’s launch noted that the weather had little impact on exhibitors because of the facilities available at the mart. Breed representatives also praised the standard of livestock shown in Elphin and the quality of cattle which the event continues to attract. Show organisers said sponsorship at every level remains essential in maintaining and developing the event. This year’s total prize fund stands at €40,000, while substantial investment has also been made in providing free entertainment for visiting families.

Plenty for all the family at Elphin Show Elphin Agricultural Show may have farming at its core, but organisers are promising plenty to keep younger visitors and families entertained throughout show day on Saturday, August 29th. More than €5,000 has been invested in free family entertainment, with activities running alongside the traditional agricultural competitions at Elphin Mart Grounds. A traditional funfair-style area will include games such as ring toss, Connect Four, Hook-a-Duck, Coconut Shy and bean bag toss, while an interactive pet farm will give children an opportunity to get close to a variety of animals. Among those expected at the pet farm are ducks, rabbits and tortoises, along with some more unusual visitors including snakes. The programme will also feature sheepdog demonstrations with a difference, including duck herding displays highlighting the skill and control of trained working dogs. Face painting, balloon artistry, pony rides, hair braiding, dancing, puppet shows and a magic show are also planned during the day. Another family favourite will be the Dog Show, which this year features 21 classes open to pedigree and non-pedigree dogs. Alongside the more traditional judging will be competitions including the Waggiest Tail, Golden Oldie, Fancy Dress and the Dog I’d Most Like to Take Home. Five All-Ireland titles will also be decided, covering pedigree male and female pups, non-pedigree male and female pups and Jack Russells. There will be competitions for younger handlers too, while elsewhere on the showgrounds the programme includes children’s and adult best-dressed competitions, a Parent and Child Look-alike contest and the ever-popular Most Glamorous Granny competition. Live music and jiving will add to the atmosphere in the afternoon as organisers seek to combine the traditions of the agricultural show with a full family day out.

Now approaching half a century, the show remains both an important agricultural fixture and a major community event for Elphin and the surrounding area. Organisers are encouraging people from across Roscommon and neighbouring counties to support this year’s event and help ensure the tradition continues for future generations.

Anthony (Tony) Bosquette (RIP) pictured at the 2024 Elphin Agricultural Show. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

NewsPeople

Heritage at Risk: What Roscommon < EMMA HEALY

On a shelf in my father’s library are three books: a volume of the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society Journal, a study of Douglas Hyde, and Tony Conboy’s history of a hundred years of Gaelic games in the county. Between them they hold three quite different versions of Roscommon — its archaeology, its cultural nationalism, its sporting life — and none of those histories preserved themselves. Someone, at some point, decided each was worth writing down. That’s really the question behind this year’s Heritage Week theme, “Heritage at Risk.” The obvious reading is buildings and monuments — a wall that could collapse, a site that could be damaged. But there’s a less visible kind of risk too: what one generation actually manages to pass on to the next, and what can disappear even when nothing has been physically destroyed. To try to answer that, I spoke to three people who each hold a different piece of that inheritance — a working archaeological landscape, decades of local memory, and a broader argument about what a society owes to its own past.

The landscape – Mike McCarthy, Rathcroghan The ancient royal site in north Roscommon stretches across a remarkable archaeological landscape containing around 240 recorded sites spanning some 5,500 years. For Mike McCarthy, tour guide, research assistant and Deputy Manager at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, the landscape is important precisely because it has never simply been sealed off from ordinary life. People have continued to live and farm there. Asked what “heritage at risk” means in practice, Mike pointed first to something less obvious than physical damage: geography itself. Ireland’s tourism investment, he said, is concentrated on the east coast and along the Wild Atlantic Way, while Rathcroghan — despite having been, for most of Irish history, the centre of Connacht — now sits well off that main route. But this has also, he argued, offered a kind of accidental protection: “We’d probably be protected a little bit more than some other sites near a large population,” he said — though the site does still contend with occasional rubbish and fires, and the balance between welcoming more visitors and protecting the landscape is one he’s conscious of managing carefully. “If there wasn’t farming there, there wouldn’t be a monument left. Nature would have taken it back a long, long time ago,” Mike said. The monuments have survived through generations of ordinary grazing and a respect for old things that goes beyond superstition — “we have a respect

for older stuff here.” That makes farming’s future part of the heritage question. The Farming Rathcroghan project is exploring how agriculture can stay viable while protecting the landscape — but with farmers ageing and few young people taking it up, Mike worries what happens if farming disappears. “There’s no landscape there without them. That land has to be managed, it has to be grazed.” At Rathcroghan, in other words, the people working the land are themselves part of the continuity that has allowed it to survive. “At the end of the day, we’re only caretakers,” Mike said — one link in a chain stretching back thousands of years, to a landscape once used for burial, ritual, assembly, kingship and storytelling, and used differently by every generation since. “Different generations and different eras do it in different ways,” as he put it, but the connection continues. Heritage, in his understanding, is continuity rather than preservation in aspic. That leads into a less obvious danger — one where the mound, the field and the name Rathcroghan can all remain exactly as they are on the map, while the stories attached to them quietly stop being understood. Mike originally trained and worked in pharmacy before his interest in history, archaeology, folklore and mythology brought him to Rathcroghan; he now also works as a storyteller, bringing the site’s associated literature to audiences beyond the visitor centre. To him, mythology isn’t an ornamental extra bolted onto the archaeology — it’s part of the heritage itself. Characters like Queen Medb and Cú Chulainn remain familiar to many Irish people, even if younger generations may not encounter the same breadth of stories previous generations did, and Mike believes modern society can be too quick to downgrade mythology simply because it isn’t scientific evidence or literal historical fact. The people who first told and eventually wrote those stories down, he argued, didn’t necessarily understand every extraordinary event in them as literal history either — the stories carried something else. “They’re a code, they’re a part of your culture, how to live your life,” he said, encoding ideas about leadership, hospitality, honour, responsibility and the consequences of bad behaviour, and — most importantly — connecting people to the physical landscape around them. Without that connection, Mike believes it’s entirely possible for the archaeology to survive while something essential is nonetheless lost. “A story is a thing that unifies. It brings us together,” he said. The archaeology, history, mythology and literature of Rathcroghan overlap so closely that separating one from the other is difficult — remove the stories, and the monument is still there, but part of the human meaning attached to it has gone. “You can lose that connection,” he said. It may be one of the more useful ways of thinking about heritage at risk generally: not simply asking whether something continues to exist, but whether

people still understand what it means. Mike also sees a gap between how far people will travel for Rathcroghan and how well it’s known closer to home. Visitors arrive from across Ireland and from Germany, Italy and the UK, and members of the Irish diaspora — particularly from the United States — regularly travel specifically to make a connection with the place, drawn by its significance to their own family history. It happens “multiple times,” he said, even as the site remains overshadowed nationally by the Wild Atlantic Way and the east coast. He was quick to credit Roscommon’s Heritage Office and bodies like the Heritage Council with being consistently supportive of Rathcroghan’s work, rather than framing the site as neglected by comparison — describing the effort locally as a collaborative one, with the council, local politicians and heritage bodies “all pulling in the same direction” — even if the site’s national profile doesn’t yet match its importance. Asked, finally, whether heritage is ultimately about deciding what kind of ancestors we want to be — whether, as beneficiaries of what previous generations chose to preserve, we owe something to whoever inherits Rathcroghan a hundred years from now — Mike didn’t hesitate: “We’re the caretakers, we’re not owners,” he said. “We’re here for a time. It’s our job to curate it, to mind it as best we can, and hand it on — hopefully in a good or a better condition than the way we found it.”

Hiding in plain sight – Albert Siggins

Albert Siggins, Secretary of the County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society, has spent decades documenting the county’s history. Asked what he’d seen disappear, his first example was a carved stone doorway — the entrance to a small Methodist chapel that once stood on Henry Street, in the oldest

part of Roscommon town, dated 1841. At some point, amid the town’s ongoing public works, it disappeared. “Nobody deliberately did it,” Siggins said. “It’s just that people are sometimes not aware” of what’s actually in the ground, or built into the walls, around them. Even a rescue at the time, he said, would only have meant setting the stone into a wall somewhere rather than losing it outright. “That was a loss, really.” It’s a theme he returned to throughout our conversation: that the things most at risk in Roscommon aren’t the large, obviously significant monuments — “you don’t have to worry about” those, he said — but the small, unremarkable pieces nobody thought to flag as historically valuable before they were moved, built over, or simply forgotten. A stone fragment here, a doorway there, a chi-rho or ichthys fish symbol carved near Fuerty — a mark of the early Christian community there — that most people walk past without a second glance. Some things, by contrast, survived because somebody recognised their value — even when the people who found them had no way of knowing what they’d actually uncovered. Albert told the story of a Bronze Age gold object found by a grave-digger near Roscommon in the 1840s, sold on, and eventually traced — through the patient work of archaeologists trawling old newspaper reports generations later — to a shopkeeper on the town’s main street, then through a chain of local hands interested in “golden history,” and finally to the Royal Irish Academy, where it remains on display. “Somebody who found something didn’t throw it away, didn’t try to melt it down, passed it on to people who would know,” he said. “That was a really marvellous thing.”

He was equally fascinated about wayside crosses — small stone markers, roughly five feet tall, found around south Roscommon in old O’Kelly territory, many inscribed simply with a request to pray for a named local family. Albert reads them as a quiet act of defiance from a dispossessed Gaelic order after the Elizabethan plantations: “They were still letting people know — we were here, we wanted to stay here, we still have a stake in looking after this part of our land.” They survive today largely by luck and by nobody having bothered to remove them — which, he pointed out, is precisely the kind of survival that can end overnight. Underneath the anecdotes was a consistent argument: that place names, field names, and the stories attached to ordinary features of the landscape carry real historical information, and that Ireland’s rapid ‘secularisation’ and social change over his own lifetime make the job of recording them more urgent, not less. Asked whether it put more of an onus on people to record what came before, he didn’t frame it as an obligation everyone would feel equally — “not everybody’s going to come to you,” some people’s interests lie elsewhere — but he was clear that for those who do care, the window for capturing that knowledge from a living generation is closing. When I mentioned to Albert that I’d been fortunate, when younger, to interview both my great-grandmothers as well as my grandparents about their lives, his response was immediate: “You were lucky.” It’s often only later, he observed, that people become interested in questions they could once have asked somebody directly –

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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inherits, and what it passes on “when you’re older, you begin to take an interest in the people that you would like to talk to, and say, ‘why didn’t I ask them that?’” It may be one of the simplest pieces of heritage advice anyone can give. A person’s memory can hold information that exists nowhere else — the unofficial name of a field, who lived in a ruined house, an old nickname, a song, a prayer, an expression, a business that once traded on a street — and family history has become enormously popular, particularly among the Irish diaspora tracing the places their ancestors left. But the most valuable archive, Albert suggests, can still be sitting at the kitchen table. Place names are another example he returns to. People use them every day, he noted, often without knowing what the words mean or what they reveal about the history, geography or people of an area. The name survives but the knowledge inside it may not — and that’s precisely the kind of loss that’s difficult to recognise while it’s actually happening.

Symbols and memory – John Crotty John Crotty — author and historian, published with the History Press — supplies an argument about what happens to meaning once the object that carried it survives. John has written two books that circle this question from different angles: one on Spike Island, “a real rich depth of Irish history” tied to Ireland’s colonial past and used at different times as a prison for nationalist and republican prisoners and as a social institution; the other on the Irish tricolour, where his aim wasn’t only to describe the symbol but to correct the historical record around it — “the meaning behind those symbols and why they were so important to people, and what exactly Irish identity meant.” That distinction — between an object and its

meaning — is really the spine of his argument. Asked whether Ireland can preserve the physical remains of its culture while losing the understanding that gave them meaning, John pointed to the Cliffs of Moher’s outline and the Hill of Tara being used as branding and symbols in recent years — “it is, in many ways, just a nod to something that was there, as opposed to something that is in there and that we’re still actively trying to maintain and preserve and pass on.” On what’s actually at risk, John argues that modern Ireland’s reckoning with its own 20th century — and in particular with the Catholic Church — went further than correction. “We’ve seen savage revisionism of the 20th century,” he said. “While there was absolutely necessary correction and actions to take place, so often when the pendulum swings, it just means too far... if we leave it too long, we’re going to have lost too much along that journey.” He argues for separating the Church’s failures from the broader cultural

inheritance it carried — community, parish life, feast days, place names — rather than discarding both together. He was hopeful about a younger generation’s relationship to that inheritance than his own generation’s. He described a cohort of young people rediscovering the Gaelic past without the defensiveness that shaped the generation who came directly after the Church’s decline — engaging with both Catholic and pre-Christian Gaelic identity more openly than their parents did. He was critical, in the same breath, of what he was taught in school about Gaelic Ireland in the 1980s: told it was “violent,” “warlike,” rather than, he said, that early Irish law produced some of the first European protections around divorce and humanitarian custom. John also connects heritage directly to Ireland’s rate of demographic change. He argued that the continuity of national identity depends on integration happening at what he called “an assimilation rate” rather than one set purely by economic demand for labour, and that government has been reluctant to have that conversation openly. “There’s definitely a feeling the government has kind of shipped out with its responsibility for heritage preservation to a number of bodies,” he said, and questioned “how are they all helping to preserve what we have and make sure we don’t lose it.” He was careful to frame this as distinct from opposition to immigration itself — he described broad support, among people he speaks with, for Ireland’s role in taking in workers and refugees — but argued that the absence of public discussion about cultural continuity, alongside population change, was itself a form of avoidance. He pointed to GAA participation rates among migrants to Ireland as one small, concrete measure of the wider question: whether Ireland’s strongest remaining cultural institutions can hold as the population that sustains them changes. “It’s remarkable,” he said. “We can see it abroad, but we can’t see what’s in front of ourselves.”

Asked what he’d most regret Ireland having failed to pass on, he drew attention to the loss of community — the parish, and “even the loss of the Irish pub” as a place where people knew their neighbours and looked out for one another. “It’s free therapy, isn’t it,” he said. “People might just be going home, and their only interaction is in work. It’s not the same.”

What we choose to keep Between them, these three conversations point at the same idea from different angles: a landscape and mythology that survives because farmers lived alongside it rather than against it; a date stone that didn’t survive because nobody thought it mattered until it was gone; and a symbol — a tricolour, a cliff edge, a mound — that can outlast the understanding that once explained it. None of it — the wayside crosses, the journal volumes, the mound at Rathcroghan — preserved itself. Someone always had to decide it was worth the trouble.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Is Ireland afraid of real local government? A QUESTION WORTH ASKING With EMMETT CORCORAN I recently spent some time looking through Roscommon County Council’s budget and capital programme. The ﬁgures prompted a fairly obvious question. We elect councillors to represent County Roscommon. They debate budgets, adopt plans and make decisions on local matters. But how much power do we actually give them to govern Roscommon? According to the Council of Europe’s 2023 examination of Irish local democracy, Ireland remains one of the most centralised countries in Europe. It pointed to limited local powers, limited independent resources and extensive centralgovernment supervision. The OECD’s Rural Policy Review of Ireland 2026 makes much the same point. In 2023, Irish localgovernment expenditure amounted to just 10.4 per cent of total government expenditure, while councils collected only 1.6 per cent of general-government tax revenue. It seems to me there is an important distinction here. Ireland has a great deal of local administration. Does it have nearly as much local government? A council may build houses, repair roads, administer grants or regenerate a town centre. But if Dublin creates the scheme, supplies the money, sets the rules and decides whether an application succeeds, where does administration end and government begin? Roscommon gives us a useful example. The Council’s adopted revenue budget for 2026 is about €86m. According to Roscommon County Council, more than 50 per cent comes from State grants and

Local Property Tax allocations. Its capital programme for 2026 to 2028 amounts to €442m. Of that, €415m is expected to come from State grants and subsidies. That is approximately 94 per cent. There is nothing wrong with Roscommon receiving national money. A rural county could not fund major infrastructure on the same basis as Dublin. But there is a difference between redistribution and deciding how nearly every substantial pot can be used. In the Council’s capital plan, it states that projects progressing under its Housing Capital Programme remain dependent on the Department of Housing for project and funding approval. Now compare that with the Municipal District Fund. For 2026, the dedicated fund for the whole county is €450,000, divided at €150,000 between each of Roscommon’s three municipal districts. I am not suggesting that €450,000 represents the entirety of councillors’ influence. Plainly it does not. But compare the figures: a €442m capital programme, €415m supplied through State grants and a Municipal District Fund of €450,000. Where, then, does the financial centre of gravity really lie? Limerick provides the first serious Irish attempt to do things differently. In 2019, voters in Limerick, Cork City and Waterford were asked whether they wanted directly elected mayors with executive functions. Only Limerick voted Yes, by 52.4 per cent to 47.6 per cent. Legislation followed in 2024, and

Limerick voted for Ireland’s first directly elected mayor with executive powers on June 7th that year. The Mayor has strategic functions in planning, housing strategy, road transport and environmental policy. The baseline Mayoral Fund is €8m for 2026. Interestingly, the original proposal was more ambitious. Following the 2019 vote, an Implementation Advisory Group proposed wider powers in transport, housing, regeneration, education, enterprise, community safety, climate policy, culture, and sport. It also proposed multiannual block grants and greater borrowing powers. That is important. Giving somebody responsibility without giving them the money to exercise it is not devolution. It is merely giving them somebody else’s problem. The 2022 Citizens’ Assembly on a directly elected Mayor for Dublin went further again. The Assembly voted for substantial devolution in areas including housing, planning, transport and community healthcare and well-being, together with greater local financial powers. And now the Government itself is moving in that direction. In the Local Democracy Taskforce Implementation Plan 2026– 2029, published on July 22nd, the Government set out 79 measures intended to strengthen local decision-making, devolve functions and give local authorities greater financial autonomy. The plan proposes Municipal Councils with enhanced decisionmaking and budgetary powers. It identifies housing, transport, and community health and wellbeing as areas for possible additional functions. It also proposes examining whether the Rural Transport Programme, better known as Local Link, should be devolved to local government. From 2027, the maximum upward Local Property Tax variation available to councillors is to increase from 15 per cent to 25 per cent.

So the argument is no longer merely academic. The Government itself now accepts that at least some power should move closer to the people affected by it. There is, of course, an obvious objection. Roscommon could be damaged by badly designed ﬁnancial devolution. A county with a modest population and commercial base cannot raise revenue on anything like the scale of Dublin. If decentralisation simply meant that central government withdrew funding and told every council to fend for itself, rural Ireland could lose badly. Any serious reform would preserve and possibly broaden the principle of equalisation. The State could continue to redistribute resources while allowing councils much greater discretion over how their allocation is spent. Nor does anybody seriously suggest that Roscommon County Council should run foreign affairs, defence, or national policing policy. The question is whether decisions whose consequences are overwhelmingly local really require ministerial control. There is another consequence worth considering; We complain endlessly about parish-pump politics. TDs are expected to pursue road grants, housing cases, local transport, community facilities, and all manner of issues which might otherwise belong to local government. But perhaps we have created a system which almost requires national politicians to behave as local ﬁxers. If local government had substantial authority over housing, transport, roads, regeneration and local services, the voter could reasonably be told: that is a matter for your councillor. And the TD might then have rather more time to do what we elect national legislators to do: legislate, scrutinise government and decide national policy.

Perhaps parish-pump politics is not simply evidence that Irish voters expect too much of TDs. Perhaps it is partly evidence that we expect too little of local government. I do not know whether Roscommon needs a directly elected mayor. That may not be the right model for every county. But the principle is worth considering. Power should sit at the lowest democratically accountable level capable of exercising it effectively. Where power is devolved, money and accountability must follow. We fought very hard for self-government nationally. A century later, we still seem remarkably reluctant to trust ourselves with much of it locally. There is, perhaps, a lesson in an old episode of Yes, Prime Minister: Sir Humphrey asks what happens when rival proposals emerge for the use of vacant land. Bernard describes the familiar process of setting up an interdepartmental committee, requesting papers, holding meetings, revising proposals, reporting back, and redrafting. “Precisely. Months of fruitful work. Leading to a mature and responsible conclusion,” Sir Humphrey replies. Under regional government, he complains, the matter might instead be decided locally in a couple of meetings. It was written as a joke, of course. But like much of Yes, Prime Minister, there is just enough uncomfortable truth in it to make the joke endure. Perhaps Ireland does not have too much government. Perhaps we simply have too much government in the wrong place. And if giving Roscommon more authority resulted in fewer departmental papers, fewer interdepartmental committees and a little less work for ofﬁcials in Dublin, Sir Humphrey might regard that as a national catastrophe. Some of us might simply call it local government.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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To feature in this section, call 090-6634632 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie Roscommon Agricultural Show Where? Hannon’s Grounds When? Saturday, August 15 Photos: Michael Finan

Participate in the Irish Draught competition at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Patrick, Claire, Càra and Cillian Murray pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Teresa Morley and dog Ruby pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Pictured at the presentation of the All-Ireland Irish Draught Yearling Filly Championship final at the 54th Annual Roscommon Agricultural Show are (from left): overall winner Charmaine Kee with her champion filly Gweebarra Riona, event sponsor Dermot Hughes, show president Christy Tully, show groundsman Damien Hannon, executive committee member Jim Harrison, and championship judges Orla Atkinson and Michael Keane.

Stephanie Wilson (Petmania) Alan Keogh dog Roxy winner of overall winner of the mixed breed with judge Christine Guckian and Michael Mullins pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Micheal Mallone from four mile house pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Molly Downey, Remy Downey and Poppy Downey pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Participate in the riding classes competition at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Chloe Hanlon, first in the primary novelty bake Lilly Beattie, first in the primary buns bake Amy Hanlon, 2nd in the primary novelty bake pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Cillian, Cathal, Sofia and Maria Brady pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Pictures from last Saturday’s Roscommon Irish Draught Yearling Filly All-Ireland Championship Final at the Roscommon Agricultural show hosted by Hannon’s Hotel.

Attendees of the Roscommon Agricultural Show viewing the horse classes at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Saturday .

Charmaine Kee pictured with her champion yearling filly, Gweebarra Riona, after capturing the prestigious All-Ireland Irish Draught Yearling Filly Championship title at the 54th Annual Roscommon Agricultural Show at Hannon’s Grounds on Saturday.

Ruby Cassidy and dog Bella pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Aodhán Greene and Naoise Gillooly pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Pictures from last Saturday’s Roscommon Irish Draught Yearling Filly All-Ireland Championship Final at the Roscommon Agricultural show hosted by Hannon’s Hotel.

Emer Sheridan and her dog Harry, first in the male mixed-breed class, pictured at the Roscommon Agricultural Show on Hanons Hotel grounds, Roscommon, on Saturday.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Bard of Connacht Competition New oral history project to record launched in Creggs memories of The 2026 Bard of Connacht Poetry Competition was officially launched at a well-attended gathering in the Charles Stewart Parnell Heritage Centre in Creggs on Friday, July 10th. Now in its fifth year, the competition is organised by Kilbegnet Historical Society as part of the Creggs Harvest Festival, which takes place over the October Bank Holiday weekend each year. Guests were entertained on arrival by harpist Caoimhe Heavey. Master of ceremonies for the evening was Sean Beirne, treasurer of Kilbegnet Historical Society, who welcomed those in attendance before introducing the invited speakers. Chairman of the Society Seamus Ward spoke about the importance of the Historical Society and the rich history associated with the area, including its connections with Charles Stewart Parnell, Bishop Luke Concannon and O’Sullivan Beare. He also acknowledged the support received from Galway and Roscommon County Councils, while highlighting the

Junior Bard Competition, which runs alongside the senior competition and is aimed at Transition Year students in surrounding secondary schools. Former Bard of Connacht winner Dominick Tobin recited a poem by the late local poet Vincent Keaveney, who published the collection By The Banks Of Lough Ouver. Mr Tobin also spoke about his own interest in composing and reading poetry. Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons, Cathaoirleach of Ballinasloe Municipal District, praised the work of the Society and the wider Creggs community. Cllr Domnick Connolly, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, congratulated the committee on its work and remembered the late Vincent Keaveney, after whom the perpetual cup presented to the winning poet is named. Parish priest Fr Pravin Dhason also addressed the gathering, praising the work carried out by voluntary groups in the parish and wishing the competition every success. Honorary President Larry Kilcommins

Harpist Caoimhe Heavey and performer Jane Tobin pictured at the launch of the fifth annual Bard of Connacht Poetry Competition at the Parnell Heritage Centre in Creggs recently. Photo: Michael Finan

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Cllr Andrew Reddington, Cllr Michael Connolly, Sean Beirne, Mary Kelly, Larry Kilcommins, Dominick Tobin, Seamus Ward, Alita Neilan and Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Cllr Dominick Connolly pictured at the launch of the fifth annual Bard of Connacht Poetry Competition at the Parnell Heritage Centre in Creggs recently. This year’s competition has the theme ‘Memories’. Photo: Michael Finan

Cathaoirleach of Ballinasloe Municipal District Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons, Cllr Michael Connolly and Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council Cllr Andrew Reddington pictured at the launch of the fifth annual Bard of Connacht Poetry Competition at the Parnell Heritage Centre in Creggs recently. Photo: Michael Finan

recalled his involvement as one of the founding members of the Society in 1972 and spoke about its development over the years. He also reflected on the origins of the Bard of Connacht Competition, which he first proposed five years ago, and acknowledged the support of sponsors Ward and Burke Ltd. Local representative Cllr Michael Connolly praised the continued progress being made in Creggs and at the Heritage Centre, while Cllr Andrew Reddington, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, also commended the work of the committee and local volunteers before formally launching this year’s competition. Following the speeches, guests visited the nearby Nature Park before returning to the Heritage Centre for refreshments and an evening of song and storytelling. Jane Tobin acted as Bean an Tí for the evening, with members of the Ballinamore Bridge Singers Circle joining local singers and musicians for the entertainment.

Teresa McKeague, Reenie Egan and Eilish Kilcommins pictured at the launch of the fifth annual Bard of Connacht Poetry Competition at the Parnell Heritage Centre in Creggs recently. This year’s competition has the theme ‘Memories’. Photo: Michael Finan

Strokestown Park Former staff, estate workers, volunteers and local people are being invited to contribute their memories A new oral history project is seeking to record the memories and experiences of people connected with Strokestown Park over the decades. The initiative, Heritage Voices Plus, is being led by the Irish Heritage Trust and delivered by Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting, with funding from the Heritage Council Community Grants Programme. The project will collect interviews with former staff, estate workers, volunteers, local historians and members of the wider community who have connections to Strokestown Park House and estate. Topics are expected to include farming, gardening, estate management, domestic life, local traditions and the relationship between the estate and the surrounding community. While Strokestown Park is best known nationally for its connection with the Great Famine and the National Famine Museum, the project aims to build a broader record of everyday life on the estate and the people who worked and lived there. Recorded interviews will be preserved through the Roscommon Oral Heritage Project for future research and public access. Dr Tomás Mac Conmara of Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting said oral history can capture experiences and local knowledge that are often absent from written archives. The project will also include a volunteer shadowing programme, giving participants experience in oral history methods, interview preparation and heritage documentation. Dr Tara Carroll, Volunteer Coordinator at Strokestown Park, said the project would help preserve the memories of people whose lives and work formed part of the estate’s history. Anyone with memories or personal connections to Strokestown Park can contact the Irish Heritage Trust at learning@irishheritagetrust.ie.

Holy wells exhibition opens in Ballaghaderreen An exhibition exploring the customs, cures and folklore associated with Roscommon’s holy wells continues at Ballaghaderreen Library as part of National Heritage Week. “Customs & Cures – Roscommon’s Holy Wells” looks at the locations and archaeology of holy wells, their links with saints and pattern days, and the rituals, cures and stories traditionally associated with them. The exhibition draws on research by archaeologist Tamlyn McHugh, who has collected and collated traditions surrounding holy wells across County Roscommon. Ms McHugh will also give a talk on Roscommon’s holy wells at Ballaghaderreen Library this Saturday, August 22nd at 2 pm. The exhibition is free to attend and will remain open in the library until Saturday.

BUSINESS NEWS Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Roscommon among Roscommon had counties with lowest one IDA site visit in number of electric vehicles first quarter of 2026

County recorded three visits in 2025 as IDA client employment fell 2.1 per cent

Just 959 private electric vehicles were registered in County Roscommon as of June this year, placing the county among the lowest in the country for EV ownership. New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that Roscommon had the fourth-lowest number of privately licensed electric vehicles nationally, ahead only of Monaghan, with 704, Longford with 550 and Leitrim with 434. By comparison, Dublin had 47,401 private EVs, followed by Cork with 13,840, Kildare with 8,789 and Meath with 6,647. Galway had 4,980, while neighbouring Mayo had 1,618. The figures highlight a considerable geographical divide in the adoption of electric vehicles. Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Galway

together accounted for 70 per cent of the country’s private EV fleet, despite representing 57.2 per cent of the population. Nationally, there were 134,475 electric vehicles across the entire licensed vehicle fleet in June, representing 4 per cent of all licensed vehicles. Petrol and diesel vehicles together continued to account for 85.3 per cent of the fleet. Electric vehicles are, however, becoming increasingly prominent among new cars. Between January and June this year, EVs accounted for 24.1 per cent of new private vehicles licensed in Ireland. The CSO figures also show that the country’s electric vehicle fleet remains comparatively young, with more than eight in ten private EVs less than five years old.

Irish exports hit €18.1bn in June despite uncertain trading environment < BY EMMETT CORCORAN

Roscommon recorded just one IDA Ireland site visit during the first quarter of 2026, according to figures provided in a recent parliamentary exchange. The latest figure follows three IDA site visits to the county during the whole of 2025. Since 2021, Roscommon has recorded 19 visits, compared with 12 in Longford, seven in Leitrim and 190 in Galway. The figures, supplied by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, also show that employment in IDA Ireland client companies in Roscommon fell during 2025. A total of 1,625 people were employed in IDA client companies in the county last year, down 35, or 2.1 per cent, from 1,660 in 2024. Employment remained slightly above the 1,589 jobs recorded in 2021.

Based on 2022 Census population figures, Roscommon had approximately 23 IDA-supported jobs per 1,000 people in 2025. That was well below the national rate of 61 jobs per 1,000 people and also lower than neighbouring Longford and Leitrim, which both recorded 34. Galway had 92 IDA-supported jobs per 1,000 people. In gross employment terms, IDA client companies employed 1,572 people in Longford and 1,196 in Leitrim during 2025, while Galway recorded 25,430. Nationally, employment in IDA client companies stood at 312,468 in 2025, an increase of 1.5 per cent on the previous year. The figures indicate that while Roscommon’s IDAsupported employment has remained broadly stable in recent years, the county continues to lag considerably behind the national average on a per-capita basis.

Ireland exported more than €18 billion worth of goods in June, although new figures show the value of exports across the first half of 2026 remained almost one-third below the corresponding period last year. Figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) this week show goods exports were valued at €18.1 billion in June, an increase of €1.2 billion, or 7.1 per cent, compared with June 2025. Imports grew more quickly, rising by 19 per cent year-on-year to €14.7 billion. Ireland nevertheless recorded a goods trade surplus of approximately €3.5 billion during the month. The wider six-month picture was markedly different. Between January and June, Irish goods exports were valued at €103.6 billion, down €45.4 billion, or 30.5 per cent, compared with the first half of 2025. Exports to the United States recorded a particularly significant fall, declining by

Castlerea remains cheapest Eircode area in the country for house prices Castlerea remains the least expensive Eircode area in Ireland in which to buy a home, according to new figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Wednesday. The median price paid for a residential property in the F45 Castlerea Eircode area stood at €157,000 in the 12 months to June 2026. That compares with a national median residential property price of €396,000 over the same period. Castlerea was followed by H23 Clones in Co. Monaghan, where the median price was €176,000, and F93 Lifford in Co. Donegal,

where it stood at €177,500. At the opposite end of the market, A94 Blackrock in Dublin was the country’s most expensive Eircode area, recording a median price of €851,750. The five most expensive Eircode areas in the country were all located in Dublin. The figures come as residential property prices nationally increased by 5.6 per cent in the 12 months to June, the lowest annual rate of increase recorded since January 2024. Prices outside Dublin continued to grow more quickly, rising by 6.4 per cent compared with an increase of 4.6 per cent in the capital.

A total of 4,058 residential property purchases by households were filed with Revenue during June, with a combined value of €1.82 billion. Of these, 2,973 involved existing homes while 1,085 were purchases of new dwellings. There were also 1,705 first-time buyer purchases filed during the month, an increase of 11.4 per cent compared with June last year. The CSO cautions that median prices should not themselves be used to measure changes in property prices over time, as the mix of properties sold can vary from one period to another.

€48.9 billion, or 65.1 per cent, to €26.2 billion during the first six months of the year. Trade with Britain moved in the opposite direction, with exports to Great Britain increasing by 42.6 per cent to €10.3 billion over the same period. In June alone, €4.3 billion of goods were exported to the United States, €2.1 billion to the UK and €6.6 billion to other European markets. Chemicals and related products remained Ireland’s largest export category during June, accounting for €9.1 billion, while machinery and transport equipment accounted for €4.8 billion. Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted exports dipped by 1.4 per cent between May and June, while imports fell by 5 per cent, resulting in a 16.3 per cent increase in the seasonally adjusted trade surplus.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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€28m suckler scheme opens Applications for the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme will open this week, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has confirmed. The €28 million scheme supports suckler farmers through measures including meal feeding calves at weaning and optional animal welfare actions.This year, farmers can also opt to vaccinate animals against the BTV-3 strain of bluetongue. Farmers with eligible calves born between July 1st, 2025 and June 30th, 2026 can apply through MyAgFood.ie. The deadline is 5 pm on Wednesday, September 23rd, with no late applications accepted.

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SHOW AND SALE OF CONTINENTAL WEANLINGS MONDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER:

SHOW AND SALE OF CONTINENTAL BULLOCKS THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER:

CONTINENTAL HEIFER SHOW AND SALE AND BELGIAN BLUE WEANLING SHOW AND SALE MONDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER:

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AA HEIFER SHOW AND SALE PLEASE NOTE Bullock Sale will resume on Monday 14th of September

Forthcoming Events: In conjunction with our 50th Anniversary A Mass of Remembrance will be held in Ring One on Tuesday the 1st of September at 7 p.m. All are invited and refreshments will be served afterwards.

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

64 Roscommon farmers still awaiting ACRES payments < BY EMMETT CORCORAN

A total of 64 Roscommon participants in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) are still awaiting payments, new figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine show. The county accounts for 4.4 per cent of the 1,446 outstanding ACRES cases nationally, according to figures provided by Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon in a written Dáil reply on July 28th. Of the Roscommon total, four cases relate to 2024 and 60 to 2025. No outstanding Roscommon case was listed for 2023. The figures show that almost 94 per cent of the county’s outstanding payments relate to 2025. Roscommon’s 60 cases for that year represent 4.7 per cent of the 1,290 outstanding nationally for 2025. Neighbouring Leitrim had a similar total, with 63 participants awaiting payment, while Longford had 26 and Westmeath had five. Galway recorded 192 outstanding cases, exactly three times the Roscommon figure. Nationally, one case remains outstanding from 2023, 155 from 2024 and 1,290 from 2025. Minister Heydon said some payments have not been issued because legal matters following the death of a contract holder have yet to be finalised, while “delays in other cases may be due to non-receipt of documentation that is required for the calculation of the payment”. “Currently there are 1,446 scheme participants awaiting payment. It is not possible to provide a value for outstanding payments as the value of a payment is only confirmed as it is issued,” he said. The Minister added: “I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to process valid applications and clear payments to eligible participants as efficiently as possible.” However, no specific date was provided for clearing all remaining payments.

The Department said more than 99 per cent of ACRES participants have been fully paid in respect of 2023 and 2024, while more than 97 per cent are fully paid up to date for 2025. ACRES is the State’s flagship agri-environment scheme under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan

2023-2027, with €1.5bn in Exchequer and European Union funding committed over the period. The figures were provided in response to a parliamentary question from Cork NorthWest Fianna Fáil TD Aindrias Moynihan.

Live export capacity warning Calls have been made for an urgent, coordinated response across the Irish agricultural sector to secure sufficient shipping capacity for live cattle exports following Brittany Ferries’ decision to withdraw its livestock transport service between Ireland and mainland Europe. Farmers, livestock exporters, farm organisations and other agricultural stakeholders met in Athlone, where there was broad agreement that action is needed now to protect Ireland’s access to key EU markets. MEP Ciaran Mullooly said the meeting had delivered a clear message that Ireland’s livestock shipping infrastructure must be protected. A total of 184,211 calves were exported to EU markets in 2025. “There can be no interruption to this vital export trade in 2027,” he

said. “We must do everything within our power to protect our shipping infrastructure and maintain

our access to European markets.” ICSA president Sean McNamara called on the Government

to establish a dedicated live exports taskforce involving all relevant stakeholders. “It is not enough for Department officials to monitor the situation. We need an action plan, and we need to act on it,” he said. Mr McNamara warned that the issue extends beyond next spring’s calf trade, with the autumn weanling trade already underway, and said certainty over shipping capacity was essential for exporters and farmers. Mr Mullooly said dairy cooperatives, marts, exporters and farm organisations must also use their collective influence to help secure adequate capacity. “We cannot wait until next spring to discover that we do not have the capacity to move the cattle,” Mr McNamara concluded.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

FarmingPeople

PropertyPeople

Roscommon MART WATCH Cattle: There was a good entry of stock on offer at the sale held Friday, August 14th, with a strong trade for both heifers and stripper cows. There was a large attendance of customers at the ringside with online bidders also very active. Heifers achieved an average of €3.98 per kilo up to 6.27 per kilo. There was a good entry of dry cows and they made an average of €3.41 per kilo up to €4.38 per kilo. Dry cows, sample prices: CHX – 560KG - €2450 - €4.38 per kg, AAX - 595KG - €2280- €3.83 per kg, AA – 610KG - €2260 - €3.70 per kg, LMX – 545KG - €2160 - €3.96 per kg, and AUX – 620KG - €2016 - €3.25 per kg. Heifers, sample prices: LMX - 415KG - €2600 - €6.27 per kg, LMX –505KG - €2580 - €5.11 per kg, LM – 585KG - €2440 €4.17 per kg, AAX - 635KG - €2250 - €3.54 per kg, SIX - 525KG - €2080 - €3.96 per kg, SAX -520KG - €1970 - €3.79 per kg, and BBX - 400KG - €1950 - €4.88 per kg. Sheep: There was a super entry of sheep on offer at the sale held Wednesday, August 12th. Prices for spring lambs made up to €230, while stag ewes topped out at €280. Sheep sales continue Wednesdays at Roscommon Mart. The yard opens at 8am, and all stock must be penned by 10a. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID tag set. The sale can be viewed live on marteye.ie. Spring lambs, sample prices: 80kgs - €230 - €2.88 per kg, 61.2kgs - €210 - €3.43 per kg, 52.4Kgs - €200 - €3.82 per kg, 60Kgs - €190 – €3.17 per kg, 85Kgs - €190 – €2.24 per kg, and 53.3kgs - €185 – €3.47 per kg. Cast ewes, sample prices: 97kgs - €280 - €2.89per kg, 100kgs - €250 - €2.50per kg, 102kgs - €236 - €2.31 per kg, 100kgs - €220 - €2.20 per kg, 85kgs - €220 - €2.59 per kg, and 94.5kgs - €218 - €2.31 per kg.

DRUMSHANBO MART

(Proudly serving farmers for over 67 years) Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373

Friday 21st August @ 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Bullocks Also Dry Cows & Heifers

Castlegar, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe

--------------------------Friday 28th August @ 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Heifers Also Dry Cows & Bullocks

Bookings accepted until Monday 24th August @ 5 p.m. --------------------------Friday 4th September @ 11 a.m.

Special Sale of Bullocks Also Dry Cows & Heifers

Bookings accepted until Monday 31st August @ 5 p.m. --------------------------

Sale of Lambs and Cast Ewes Each Wednesday @ 11 a.m. Wednesday 26th August –

Show & Sale of Lambs

DRUMSHANBO PLC MART PLC

Stock must be penned by 9.30 a.m. – Gates close at 10 a.m. --------------------------Friday 21st August @ 7 p.m. West Region Texel Club Premier Show and Sale --------------------------Saturday 22nd August @ 11 a.m.

PLC CATTLE SALES CATTLE SALE EVERY FRIDAY

Sale of Breeding Ewes and Hoggets

Auctioneers, Valuers &Valuers Auctioneers, DRUMSHANBO MART Livestock&Salesmen Livestock Salesmen

Auctioneers, Valuers & at 7.00 Friday21st 30th August Sep. pm pm Friday at 7.00 Livestock Salesmen Ring 1: Dry Cows, Sucklers and In-calf Ring 1: Dry Cows, Sucklers and In-calfCows Cows Ring Factory and Store and Heifers Ring2:2: Weanling Heifers Dry Heifers CATTLE SALES Ring3:3: Weanling Bulls andat Bullocks Ring Bullocks FridayBulls 30th and Sep. 7.00 pm

1: DryMUST Cows, Sucklers andTOIn-calf Cows **ALLRing ANIMALS HAVE 2 TAGS ENTER THE MART** Ring 2:SH/SHX FactorySALE and Store Heifers in conjunction with normal sale AUTUMN Ring 3: Weanling Bulls and Bullocks

SHEEP SALE EVERY THURSDAY Thursday 20th August at 12 noon SHEEP conjunction with normal sale AUTUMN SH/SHX SALE in SALE Thursday 29th Sep. at 12.00 noon ANNUAL SHOW & SALE OF LAMBS SHEEP SALE Thursday 27th August at 12 noon

Sale of Store and Fat Lambs, Breeding Ewes and Rams Thursday 29th Sep. at 12.00 noon

ORGANIC SALE OF Breeding CATTLE SHEEP Sale of Store and Fat Lambs, Ewes&and Rams

SHOWS & SALES Saturday 22nd August at 12.00 noon

WEANLINGSHOWS BULLS & SALES Tue. 4th Oct 2022 HORSE, PONY & DONKEY SALE WEANLING BULLS Tue. 4th Oct 2022 WEANLING HEIFERS Saturday 29th August at 11.00 am WEANLING HEIFERS th & STRONG HEIFERS Tue. Tue. 11 Oct 2022 & STRONG HEIFERS 11th Oct 2022 Phone the Mart Office to book animals for all sales

Drumshanbo Mart PLC Drumshanbo MartPLC PLC Drumshanbo Mart PSRA Licence No: 003868

PSRA Licence No: 003868 PSRA Licence 003868 Drumshanbo, Co.No: Leitrim K41 KH61

Drumshanbo Co LeitrimK41 K41KH61 KH61 Drumshanbo Leitrim Phone:Co 071 9641116 / 7 Phone: 071 9641116/7 Mobile: 086 839 2568

Phone: 071Mobile: 9641116/7 Mobile: 839 2568 086 839086 2568 Email: drumshanbomart@gmail.com www.drumshanbomart.ie Email: drumshanbomart@gmail.com Email: drumshanbomart@gmail.com www.drumshanbomart.ie

www.drumshanbomart.ie

DOWNLOAD THE MARTBIDS APP DOWNLOAD THE MARTBIDS APP TO VIEW SALE AND TO VIEW SALE AND REGISTER TO BID TO BID REGISTER FOLLOW THE MART ON THE FOLLOW FACEBOOK MART ON

FACEBOOK

Stock must be penned by 9.30 a.m. – Gates close at 10 a.m --------------------------Tuesday 25th August 2026 @ 4 p.m.

Sale of Weanlings

Bookings accepted until Thursday 20th August @ 5 p.m

ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

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

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact

JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact

TOM ROGERS

TEL: (090) 96 88606 (090) 96 88830 (090) 96 87651

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon Tel. (071) 96 34783 and (071) 96 33344

Lowest price GUARANTEED

Your LOCAL Collector Guaranteed lowest price

Daily collection

KEEP YOUR FARM SAFE

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Family residence for sale in Castlegar – Moran & Co Moran & Co are delighted to offer to the market this exclusive family residence, located in Castlegar, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe. The residence has a floor area of circa 237.6 square metres (2,557 square feet). There is an additional finished and floored attic space of circa 80 square metres (860 square feet), with velux windows and stair access, which has potential to be extra living space subject to planning. There is a shed at the rear (circa 55 square metres), which was constructed to a good standard and could be converted to a residential space, subject to planning. The total site area is circa 0.50 hectares (1.23 acres). The property features a mature garden with raised patio, which has direct access from the sun lounge and kitchen. Electric gates open onto a tree lined drive, which leads up to the entrance of this desirable family home. The residence is constructed to a good standard and is tastefully decorated throughout. It has a solid oak stair, doors, skirting, and architraves, and the first floor

is hollow core. An inviting entrance hall leads to a living room, sitting room, sun lounge/dining area, and a kitchen, which has a pantry, oil-fired Aga cooker, fitted units with granite worktops, and a Belfast sink. The sun lounge /dining area connects to the sitting room and kitchen creating a large entertainment space. On the first floor, a spacious landing leads to four double bedrooms, three of which are ensuite. There is a fully-tiled family bathroom and the main bedroom has a walk-inwardrobe. You must view this beautiful home to see and appreciate all that it has to offer. The residence is a short drive from Ballinasloe and Ahascragh. It is commuting distance to Athlone, Athenry, Loughrea and Galway. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase a family home in a sought-after location. Viewing strictly by appointment with the agents. For further details, contact David Moran on 090 6624531 or 087 2786664, or email info@moranandco.ie.

21.55 acres of roadside lands for sale by online auction at Sheehy Meares Team Earley

Keith McLoughlin of Sheehy Meares Team Earley is pleased to bring to the market this exceptional parcel of approximately 21.55 acres (comprised in folio numbers RN4353 and RN4354) of high-quality roadside agricultural lands, located in a renowned farming area at Ballyconboy, Ballinagare, Castlerea, County Roscommon. The lands will be sold by online auction at 2pm on Friday, August 28th. The lands are offered for sale in one block and are of excellent quality throughout. The property is well-fenced and also beneﬁts from water servicing the lands. In addition, there is a stone building shed with handling facilities, making the holding particularly well-suited to livestock farming operations. The lands are ideally suited to a range of farming enterprises, including beef, sheep, or mixed farming operations. The 21.5 acres (approximately) at Ballyconboy, Ballinagare, County Roscommon, will be offered for sale by online auction through the LSL platform. Prospective purchasers must register with Sheehy Meares and lodge the required bidding deposit no later than Tuesday, August 25th. Payment instructions will be provided

during registration. Before bidding, purchasers should familiarise themselves with the online bidding process and satisfy themselves in relation to the contract for sale, title, boundaries, measurements, services, access, planning, rights of way and all other matters affecting the property. The auctioneer will assume that each bidder is bidding in their own name. Anyone intending to purchase in another person’s name, jointly with another person, or through a company or other legal entity, must notify Sheehy Meares before the auction. By registering, bidders will be deemed to have accepted the auction terms and conditions and authorised Sheehy Meares, as agents for the vendor, to sign the completed contract for sale on their behalf if successful. The successful bidder’s deposit will become non-refundable once the property is sold and a binding contract is entered into.

The contractual deposit will be 10% of the purchase price. Any shortfall between the bidding deposit and the contractual deposit must be paid within one business day following the auction. Deposits paid by unsuccessful bidders will be refunded in full. All marked photographs, maps, site outlines, boundaries, dimensions and overlays are for illustrative purposes only and may not be to scale. Purchasers should rely on the relevant land registry records, and on maps, drawings, and surveys prepared or veriﬁed by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Legal: Liam Staunton & Co. Solicitors, 11 Sea Road, Galway City (091 587070). For further details or to arrange a viewing, please contact Sheehy Meares Team Earley (Stonecourt, Roscommon) on 090 66 26579, email info@sheehymeares. ie or log onto sheehymeares. ie, or contact the auctioneer Keith McLoughlin directly on 086 0848590.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Property/NewsPeople

Circa seven acres and previous ROSCOMMON permission for 18 homes right in & GALWAY Creggs village – Bradley Homes Built on Experience & Trust

PSRA Licence No: 004430

FOR LEASE

FOR SALE

C. 7 ACRES OF DEVELOPMENT LAND

3-BED BUNGALOW ON C. 0.5 ACRES

CREGGS

BRIERFORT, WILLIAMSTOWN

GALWAY/ROSCOMMON BORDER

• Previous Planning for 18 Homes • Village Location

F45 R588

• Completely Renovated from start to finish • Upgraded windows, doors, insulation, wiring & plumbing

For further information & to arrange a viewing contact Deirdre at Bradley Homes on 090 6617000 or 086 171 3417, E: sales@bradleyhomes.ie.

Creggs, Co. Galway F42K802 www.bradleyhomes.ie

Phone: 09066 17000 • Mobile: 086 171 3417 Email: sales@bradleyhomes.ie

Coming to the market next week at Sheehy Meares Team Earley – two-storey detached residence Keith McLoughlin of Sheehy Meares Team Earley is delighted to present to the market thi s beautifully-restored, two-storey farmhouse to the market, ideally located at Slevin, Tulsk, County Roscommon, between the villages of Tulsk and Castleplunket. Standing on a large, mature site, beautifully landscaped grounds, this charming home is presented in pristine, turnkey condition, and offers the perfect blend of traditional character and modern comfort. The property underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2020, with no expense spared. Works carried out included complete rewiring and replumbing, new windows and doors, a stylish fitted kitchen, contemporary bathrooms, drylining and insulation of all external walls, new flooring throughout, together with significant upgrades to the external outbuildings, including new timber and sheeting. Flooded with natural light throughout, the accommodation comprises a welcoming entrance hallway, a spacious utility room complete with laundry facilities and additional storage units, and a large open-plan kitchen/dining room featuring double-aspect windows, a fully-fitted kitchen with ample storage, and tiled flooring. The bright sitting room also benefits from double-aspect

windows, timber flooring, and a stylish open fireplace, creating a warm and inviting living space. A family bathroom completes the ground floor accommodation. The first floor offers three well-proportioned bedrooms together with a modern family bathroom. Externally, the property is surrounded by mature trees and enjoys a peaceful countryside setting. A range of well-maintained outbuildings provides excellent storage and offers potential for a variety of uses, subject to the necessary consents. The property benefits from oilfired central heating and is ideally located just five kilometres from Tulsk village, offering easy access to shops, schools, restaurants, and everyday amenities. Roscommon town is less than twenty-five

minutes away, while Ireland West Airport Knock can be reached in approximately 40 minutes, making this an ideal location for those seeking peaceful country living without compromising on convenience. This exceptional farmhouse has been finished to an outstanding standard throughout and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully renovated home in a tranquil yet highly accessible location. Early viewing is highly recommended. For further details or to arrange a viewing, please contact Sheehy Meares Team Earley (Stonecourt, Roscommon) on 090 66 26579, email info@sheehymeares.ie or log onto sheehymeares.ie, or contact the auctioneer Keith McLoughlin directly on 086 0848590.

Bradley Homes is delighted to bring a substantial residential development opportunity to the market in Creggs, on the Galway/Roscommon border A sizeable parcel of development land has come to the market on the edge of Creggs village, offering builders, developers and investors an opportunity to take on a site with genuine residential planning history. The circa seven-acre holding at Creggauns, Creggs, previously formed part of a larger circa 7.32-acre site, which received planning permission from Galway County Council for a development of eighteen homes. Granted under Planning Reference 08/1565, the original scheme provided for four semi-detached, two-storey houses and fourteen detached dormerstyle houses, together with a wastewater treatment plant, percolation area, public open space, and associated site works. Since that permission was granted, approximately half an acre containing an existing dwelling has been separated from the original holding. The remaining circa seven acres are now being offered for sale. The previous planning permission has expired and any new development will require a fresh planning application. However, the site comes with something many parcels of land do not have, a clear and established history of being approved for residential development. The original planning documents, site layout, house designs and engineering proposals are available and should provide a useful starting point for anyone considering a new scheme for the lands. The location is one of the property’s strongest features. This is not an isolated rural site; it sits beside Creggs village, close to the local primary school, sporting facilities and everyday amenities. Creggs National School has developed considerably in recent years and includes mainstream and special education classes, an after-school service, a floodlit Astroturf pitch, playgrounds and a gymnasium and community hall. Creggs Rugby Club is another major asset to the village. Its facilities include three grass pitches, an allweather pitch, gymnasium, community rooms, and

a fully lit walking track which is used by the wider community. The village also occupies a convenient position on the Galway–Roscommon border. Roscommon town is approximately 15 minutes away, Athlone is approximately 40 minutes away, and Galway City is under an hours’ drive. This gives future residents access to a choice of schools, employment centres, shops, hospitals, public transport and other essential services, while still offering the space and community that come with village-living. Speaking about the property, Deirdre Bradley of Bradley Homes said, “This is a serious block of land in a proper village location. The previous permission for 18 houses shows what was considered possible on the original site, and the planning documents give a future purchaser a strong base from which to explore a new development. “Creggs has the school, the sporting facilities and the community already in place. Roscommon, Athlone and Galway are all within commuting distance. The demand for sensibly priced family homes in rural towns and villages has not gone away, and this site has the scale and location to deliver something worthwhile.” The property is expected to appeal to local and regional builders, developers, approved housing bodies and investors looking for a residential opportunity in East Galway. For further details, maps, and copies of the previous planning documents contact Bradley Homes on 090 6617000, or email sales@bradleyhomes.ie.

All the work is done at this stunning bungalow – Bradley Homes A three-bedroomed bungalow just outside Williamstown has come to the market through Bradley Homes, following a complete transformation by its current owner. Set on approximately half an acre, the property has been upgraded from top to bottom. The work has gone far beyond a fresh coat of paint, with the house rewired, re-plumbed and fitted with new windows and doors. Its energy performance has also been improved to a C BER rating, while a new kitchen, bathroom, flooring, tiling and décor have brought the interior right up to date. Outside, new footpaths and extensive site works complete what has been a serious investment in the property. The result is a bright, modern and welcoming home that is ready to be enjoyed from day one. Too often, buyers walk into a house and immediately begin adding up the cost of rewiring, plumbing, windows, heating, flooring and decoration. That conversation has already happened here. The expense, disruption and decision-making involved in modernising an older home have all been taken care of. Extending to approximately 808 square feet, the accommodation includes a sitting room, kitchen and dining area, three bedrooms, a bathroom and a utility room. The finish throughout is clean, modern, and easy to live with. Large windows bring plenty of natural light into the house while also making the most of the surrounding countryside. Outside, a gated entrance opens onto a large gravel driveway with ample room for parking. Newly-laid footpaths give the property a sharp, finished appearance and provide practical access around the house.

A storage shed to the rear offers valuable additional space for tools, machinery, bicycles or garden equipment. It is the kind of feature that may not be the first thing buyers notice, but one they will be very glad to have. The generous site leaves plenty of outdoor space without creating an overwhelming amount of maintenance. There is room for children to play, for pets, gardening or simply sitting outside and enjoying the setting. The surrounding countryside is a major part of the appeal. Coolcam Lough can be seen in the distance, with uninterrupted rural views stretching across the landscape. Galway city is less than an hour away, yet the pace of life here feels very different. Williamstown and the surrounding area offer quiet country living while remaining within commuting distance of Galway, Roscommon and a number of neighbouring towns. “This house has had the kind of work carried out that buyers cannot always see in photographs,” said Deirdre Bradley of Bradley Homes. “It has been rewired, re-plumbed, fitted with new windows and doors and upgraded to a C BER rating. Then there is the new kitchen, bathroom, flooring, tiling and the work outside. The current owner has invested heavily in getting it right. “It is a manageable house on a generous site, and there is nothing complicated about it. You can move in, put down your bags and get on with living.” The photographs tell part of the story. The views do the rest. To arrange a viewing, contact Deirdre or Laura at Bradley Homes on 090 6617000 or sales@ bradleyhomes.ie.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

PropertyPeople

NEW TO THE MARKET

PRIME AGRICULTURAL ROADSIDE LANDS 36.35 ACRES APPROX WITH DERELICT RESIDENCE STANDING THEREON LOCATED AT

CASTLEPLUNKETT, CO. ROSCOMMON COMPRISED IN FOLIO RN32443

The property comprises two parcels extending to approximately 14.71 hectares (36.35acres). The first parcel contains six paddocks with piped water, four gated entrances, a three-pen agricultural shed with feeding area and cattle crush, and a vacant slated-roof The Residence requires full renovation. The house may qualify for refurbishment and energy-upgrade grants of up to €100,000, subject to eligibility. The second parcel, located opposite,comprises two paddocks with piped water and two gated entrances.

ONLINE AUCTION FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2026 AT 2P.M. 21.5 ACRES APPROX OF ROADSIDE LANDS LOCATED AT

BALLYCONBOY, BALLINAGARE, CO. ROSCOMMON

The lands are in good condition, with well-maintained boundary and electric fencing. Recently ploughed and reseeded, they are suitable for a wide range of agricultural uses.

Viewing by Appointment | Contact: Cathal Meares, 086 1409158

PRICE ON APPLICATION

DUE TO CANCELLATION

COMING TO THE MARKET

NEW TO THE MARKET

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY 2 B/R TRADITIONAL SYLE COTTAGE STANDING ON APPROX 1 ACRE LOCATED AT

3 B/R DETACHED TWO STOREY RESIDENCE STANDING ON A LARGE MATURE SITE AREA LOCATED AT

OAKFIELD, STROKESTOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON F42 WD53

SLEVIN, TULSK, CO. ROSCOMMON F45 XT44

LONG ESTABLISHED AND FULLY OPERATIONAL VILLAGE CONVENIENCE STORE, FILLING STATION AND POST OFFICE, STOP & SHOP

AMV: €100,000

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW NEXT WEEK

JOINT AUCTIONEERS: Pat Hughes, Abbey Street, Roscommon

AMV: €250,000

LOCATED AT

CALTRA, BALLINASLOE, CO. GALWAY

AMV: €295,000

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Classifieds

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

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

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

CHIMNEY CLEANING

PAINTER

COUNSELLING

PROFESSIONAL PAINTER AVAILABLE

COUNSELLING & HYPNOTHERAPY

FOR ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PAINTING

KEEN RATES

Tried & Trusted Since 1993

Phone JOHN

COMPLETE CHIMNEY SERVICES CHIMNEY CLEANING • Power brush and vacuum technology for cleaning chimneys, stoves, ranges and open fires • Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods

CCTV CAMERA INSPECTIONS • Can be cleaned from the bottom up • Chimney cowls and crow guards fitted

Telephone: 087 2798704

PLUMBING Plumbing & Maintenance • Bathroom planning and design to suit you • All aspects of plumbing and maintenance • Boiler Servicing • Heating Installation • Call for FREE QUOTATION

Contact Luke on 085 7359120 USEFUL SERVICES Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed? If so ring:

089 4467372

or 090 66 33084

083 8838022 TRAILERS

TRAILER SERVICING & REPAIRS to all makes & models (LED Lights, Brakes, Re-Wiring, etc.) Call TrailerFix on 086 4041875

Rooskey, Co. Roscommon

www.trailerfix.ie

COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY

FIONA HEALY

Counselling & Psychotherapy ROSCOMMON

Individual and Couples Counselling For further information, please contact

087 7737063

hello@fionahealy.ie

–––––––– oOo ––––––––

FIONA HEALY

BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy Accreditated Member of

Are you affected by Anger Issues, Bullying, Bereavement, Confidence/self-esteem issues, OCD, Stress, Depression, Eating disorders Panic/Anxiety, Relationships, Exam pressure, Sexual Abuse Contact: Billy 094 96 59966 Mobile: 086 0675433 or visit www.billybrogan.com

FENCING/GATES

FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD

SHOE REPAIRS/ LEATHER/ JEWELLERS

HILL’S Shoe Repairs Abbey Street, Roscommon. Tel. 090 6625521 All types of Footwear Repairs, Shoe Stretching, Orthopedic Shoe Lifts, Dancing Soles replaced (all colours), Shoe Cleaning, Stitching • Stockist of all Shoe Care Products • Handbag Repairs • Watch & Jewellery repairs – watch batteries, straps, mechanics, etc, replaced • Leather Goods – Belts, Purses, Bags, Wallets, Laptop Bags – all colours • Watches, Pendants, Jewellery, etc. for sale and repair

GARDENING

For all your fencing needs. GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail

GARDENING

Tree Care & Plant Hire Residential & Commercial Tree Care

Tree removal Tree crowning ● Site clearance and mulching ● Wood chipping ● Stump grinding ● Fully insured and certified ● ●

Telephone: 087-3477546 Email: kerinsplantcivilsltd @gmail.com

PLANT HIRE & GROUNDWORKS

●

HOME MAINTENANCE

SEPTIC TANKS

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED PERMIT NO: NWCPO - 09 - 03267 - 05

COVERING ROSCOMMON AREA TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815

Alan O’Toole

• WINDOW CLEANING • GUTTER & FACIA CLEANING • SOFT WASHING Commercial/Domestic Registered and Insured All areas covered TELEPHONE

087 9795226

l Tree Shearing l Tree Felling l Dangerous Tree Removed

Tar & Chip Driveways Harpur Bros, Castlecole, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon Call Owen for ground work

086 895 3884

• Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member.

Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165 www.parklaw treeservices.com

Call Padraic for concreting

085 226 4664

ALL TYPES OF ROOF REPAIRS

Phone: 083 0684011

• 10% discount with this advertisement. • Fully insured and work guaranteed for 5 years

Contact Mike 089 9661849.

ROOFER

–––– Free Quotation ––––

FOR SALE  3 SEATER BROWN LEATHER COUCH WITH: 2 matching and reclining armchairs in excellent condition. Tel: 087 799 1838

Submit your Classiﬁed online

Send your Classiﬁed advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE

Mixture of Ash and White Thorn, all Hardwood Suitable for stoves and open fires.

(Commercial & Domestic)

Harpur Bros, Castlecole, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

FIREWOOD / COAL/FUEL

ROOFING CONTACTORS

• All leaks, gutters, ridge pointing and valleys of homes • Cleaning and painting roofs • Painting of Roofs, Haybarns and Sheds

Tel: 087 2172281

Telephone: Tom on 086 0815802

POWERWASHING

Kerins Plant Ltd

●

PAINTER & DECORATOR AVAILABLE for all your painting needs, keen and competive prices.

WINDOW CLEANING

Excellent quality

 FOR SALE: Firewood. Tonne bags. Excellent quality firewood. €50 per bag. Also, excellent quality square bales of hay. €4 per bale. Call Tom 086 2628439.

PERSON AVAILABLE  MAN LOOKING FOR WORK: Man in his 60s (retired) looking for 2/3 days a week part time van driving or taxi work. Full clean driving licence and small P.S.V Licence. Give me a call please on 089 451 3669. If I do not answer leave me a message and I will get back to you.  CLEANING LADY AVAILABLE: Cleaning lady available in Roscommon Town. Call Greta: 089 484 3831 anytime.

BOOKKEEPING SERVICES

Roofer available for all types of roofing needs.

PETER GORMLEY • New Builds ROOFING & • Timber work CARPENTRY • Slating

• TilingWork • Timber • Flat Roofs • Slating/Tiling All typesRoofs of roof repair undertaken • Flat • Roof086-8864516 Repairs Contact

All types of roof repair undertaken Contact:

086 8864516

 BOOKKEEPING SERVICES: Professional, reliable bookkeeping for companies, SMEs, sole traders and individuals. Accounts, VAT returns, Payroll, Bank Reconciliations, Invoicing, Financial Administration. Contact PO Box 3139 at Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon Town.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Classifieds

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

PAINTER

PODIATRIST

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & DECORATING CONTRACTOR

Tullys

For all your decorating needs

CONTACT JOHN

086 4679798

Podiatrist/ Chiropodist

SARAH FLEMING CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI Sarah will be in Tullys Totalhealth Pharmacy, Castlerea on Monday and Friday and Boyle Totalhealth Pharmacy on Tuesdays. ● HSE Trained and Approved ● Home visits available For any of your foot issues call: 094 9620009

PODIATRIST/ CHIROPODIST

ITA BETTS

ALTERATIONS/ REPAIRS

Klassic Cleaners ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS

Including zips repaired or replaced, waist adjustments, hems turned up/let down Fitting Services Available

The Galway Podiatrist FOOT AND ANKLE CLINIC

Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.

Aoife Reilly BSc Pod, MChSI, SCPI (registered with VHI, AVIVA, LAYA & GloHealth)

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

- Chimney Repairs - Soot & Smoke Problems - Demolish, Re Build & Re Flue Line - Chimney Fires - Flexible Stainless Steel Liner - Insurance Claims processed For Professional Advice Contact: Tel: 090 9673336 Mob: 086 2678350 Email: info@athlonechimneyrepairs.ie athlonechimneyrepairs@gmail.com

● Sliding Wardrobes ● Kitchen/Utility/bedroom units

Any Grant work sought

Phone: 083 1628531

Email: richie689dooner@gmail.com

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE

FULL LAUNDRY SERVICE – including Service Washing:

Blankets, Duvets, Throws, Team Kits, etc.

GARDENING

HANLEY WINDOWS AND DOORS LTD S.E.A.I. APPROVED

• Full Retrofit Service • Composite, PVC, Patio, French Doors • PVC Windows in a wide range of styles & colours. • Replacement Hinges, Handles, Locks, Restrictors, Double & Trible Glazed Units • All Repairs and Service Work Carried Out Contact Pat: 086 600 2721 or Email: pjmhanley@gmail.com CLEANING

ANY FITTING REQUIRES APPOINTMENT

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

Tel: 090 6621220 SOUL MATES AREAS WE COVER: • Gardening • Landscaping • Carpentry • Patios • Fencing/ Post & Rail/ Laminate Floors • Power Washing • Concreting

Don’t be alone!

SOUL MATES

Meet that special person for friendship and romance with like minded people. Safe, secure and confidential

PODIATRIST

FOOT CLINIC ROSCOMMON Golf Links Road, Roscommon town F42YX65 (behind Curtain Centre) (Monday to Saturday) Also available in Boyle --------

Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain. Orthotics prescribed By Appointment Only –

Mobile:

086 8115928

● Luxury Bathroom Renovations

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Tel: 087 9216302 or 087 7720250

BLINDS

BRENDAN DOOLIN

Carpentry & Construction Slatta, Kilglass, Roscommon

SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED

• Dept. of Health Approved • CORU Registered

For appointment phone: 086 8630008 E.: itabetts@gmail.com

Richie Dooner

TEL. 090 6625995 Church St., Roscommon.

BSC (HONS.) PODIATRY MCHSI, RGN

For all aspects of footcare in Roscommon, Castlerea & Boyle

CARPENTRY & CONSTRUCTION

For Bookings Contact: Mountbellew,

(087) 707 5803 Co Galway

(087) 707 5803 (Saturday & evening appointments available)

H53 D7W8

(Saturday & evening appointments available) Treanrevagh, Mountbellew, Co. Galway H53 D7W8 Open under Goverment + HSE Guidelines

Our deadline is STRICTLY 2pm on Tuesday We cannot guarantee publication after this time

SHOWROOM:

Racecourse Road, Roscommon F42 W294

We SUPPLY & FIT Double & Treble Glazed Windows & Doors, Patio Doors, French Doors, Porches and Conservatories

WIDE RANGE OF COMPOSITE DOORS

Dylan Byrne

10 YEAR GUARANTEE

Tel: 089 2551716

Telephone: 090 66 33026

DIP CHFP

For Bookings Contact: College Road,

WINDOWS, DOORS & REPAIRS

Catriona Byrne DIP CHFP

Tel: 087 2982214

PODIATRIST

For all foot ailments

Corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, verruca, orthotics, diabetic assessments and treatment CORU Registered

Siobhan Murray BSc (Hons) Podiatry M.Ch.S.I. Department of Health Approved

KEARNEY’S CHEMIST Main Street, Castlerea

For appointment, phone: (089) 4142233

• 20 years experience •

W: roscommonwindowsanddoors.com E: roscommonwindows@hotmail.com

APPOINTENTS

FULL & PART-TIME STAFF REQUIRED for Flanagan’s Pub, Castleplunkett Please contact telephone 086 2568606 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.

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

TILER

Professional Tiler available Contact Mike on 087 2392139 at

Kilroe Tiling

or email michaelkilroe123@gmail.com for all your tiling needs.

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB? TELEPHONE: 090 66 34633 EMAIL: advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Classifieds INSULATION

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

DAVID DUFFY 087 9662678

Bonded Bead Cavity Wall Insulation Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, SIGA Airtightness Bonded Cavity & Wall Insulation NewBead Buildings Retrofit Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, Call in or contact us for free SIGA Airtightness advice and quotes New Buildings & Retrofit Call in or contact us for free andfrom quotes Unit advice 2,Grants Ballybrit Industrial

€1,214 to Estate, Galway €3,500

091 768 768

Ballybane Industrial Estate, Block 12, Unit 2,info@ecowise.ie Ballybrit Industrial Estate, Galway Galway H91 P5k5 www.ecowise.ie

091 768 768 info@ecowise.ie

www.ecowise.ie

CAREER COACHING

CONSTRUCTION

GARDENING

www.westside-gardening.com 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 OLD HOUSE RENOVATIONS: All house renovations covered

C2 Registered & Insured. FREE QUOTATIONS

WINDOWS, DOORS & REPAIRS

GLM WINDOWS, DOORS & REPAIRS ((uPVC) uPVC)

Caroline Burke COACHING

Roscommon Construction Services

Career Coach and Consultant Specialising in Confidence Building

• Registered SEAI Plumber • Heat Pump Grants • Bathroom Renovations • Vacant House Grant Works • Council Approved Contractor • Extensions and Renovations

 CONFIDENCE BUILDING  INTERVIEW MASTERING  CV AND APPLICATIONS  CHANGING CAREER

Tel: 086 8229606 Email: cburkecoaching@gmail.com Web: www.carolineburke.ie

Contact

INSURANCE CLAIMS

087 288 5556 MAINTENANCE

Martin Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA Martin HibbittAPA-PL, APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA LA Martin Hibbitt CIP, CDIP

Martin Mountbellew, Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA Mountbellew, Co. Co.Galway Galway

Keen Rates

Over 20 years in business

Window and Door Replacement Double Glazing Units Replaced No Call Out Maintenance Carried Out to Existing Charge Windows and Doors

Contact Gerry Martin on 086 2203335 or Luke on 087 9916652 Email: gerrymartin198@gmail.com

SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED ONLINE GROUND WORKS Send your Classiﬁed advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633 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.

Mountbellew, Co. Galway

info@mhla.ie 091 380900 | 087 9818153 info@mhla.ie 091 || 087 info@mhla.ie 091 380900 380900Mountbellew, 087 9818153 9818153 Co. Galway www.mhla.ie

Professional & Fully Insured

www.mhla.ie

www.mhla.ie 091 380900 | Approved 087 9818153 Certified Dip in Loss Product

HOME & GARDEN

Advisor Product Certified in Approved Certified Dip DipAdjusting in Loss Loss Approved Product Adjusting Loss Assessor Services Advisor Advisor Member of the Insurance Adjusting

SERVICES EXPERT

PAINTING - GARDEN MAINTENANCE POWERWASHING - ROOF CLEANING ROOF SPRAY PAINTING – TILING CALL US NOW

Loss Loss Assessor Assessor Services Services

Grass cutting from

€50 089 4101609 For a FREE quote

onwards

www.wmmaintenance.ie

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Cllr. Valerie Duffy Electoral Area: Athlone Roscommon County Council

GF Ground Works ● Landscaping ● Paving & Kerbing ● Foundations

Ballydangan, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

● Footpaths ● Drainage & Septic tanks ● Driveways

Telephone Ger: 086 8745180

TELEPHONE: 087-3995199 Email: cllrvduffy@roscommoncoco.ie

MATHS GRINDS

Maths Grinds

Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business

CAN’T FIND ANYONE to do that small job, or you haven’t got the time ...

WE DO ANYTHING

From ﬁtting Curtain Rails to laying that footpath • Fast Reliable Service • Professional, Courteous Employees • Trustworthy

ONE CALL DOES IT ALL ! 094 9373445 087 9100477

www.oddjobsolutions.ie Established since 2005

Caramore Electrical Ltd.

Registered Electrical Contractor

Weekly LCHL & JCHL Maths Location & Schedule

• Domestic • Commercial • Agricultural

• Venue: The Quad Youth Club, Roscommon Town

– All areas covered – No job too small! • Installation of Electric Car Chargers

• Start Dates: 6.00pm, Tue 01 Sep [LCHL] & 6.00pm Thu 03 Sep [JCHL]

• Installation of ESB Changeover Switches

Tel. 087 905 3870

Loss Assessor Services

Member of Member of the the PSAB-GI PSAB-GI Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Regulated by the Central

Approved Product Advisor

Member of the Insurance Institute of Ireland

Regulated by the Central Bank Bank of of Ireland Ireland

Member of the PSAB-GI Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

ALPHA ROOFING

● Slate roofs ● Tiled roofs ● Flat roofs, using all type of materials ● Roof windows ● Lead replacing ● Pointing work ● Leak detection ● All rooﬁng repair work

Mobile: 086 8874576 Email: info@alpharooﬁng.ie Web: www.alpharooﬁng.ie

PLUMBING & HEATING

● Tree/Hedge Removal ● Fully insured ● References available

USEFUL SERVICES

Certified Dip in Loss Adjusting ROOFING

www.mhla.ie

Institute ofthe Ireland Member Member of of the Insurance Insurance Institute of of Ireland Ireland Institute

info@mhla.ie

Member of the PSAB-GI

• Days: Tuesday [LCHL] and Thursday [JCHL] evenings • Duration: LCHL [2 hours] & JCHL [90 mins] per class

Don’t let maths stress you out this academic year. Instead, enjoy targeted support to build confidence, eliminate anxiety, and maximize your CAO points.

Book your place today

Contact: Kevin McStay on 087 997 4003 or email: kevinmcstaymaths@gmail.com

LMC Plumbing & Maintenance

• Bathroom planning and

design to suit you • All aspects of plumbing and maintenance • Boiler Servicing • Heating Installation • Tiling and Plastering • Call for FREE QUOTATION LMC PLUMBING & MAINTENANCE

LMC

Contact LUKE

on 085 735 9120

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Classifieds

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

FAMILY NOTICES GIBBONS Lucy (née Rhattigan) Aughamuck, Kilrooskey, Co. Roscommon

CONCANNON (née Meeley) Kathleen Scrine, Athleague, County Roscommon (2nd Anniversary)

KELLY Anne c

(nee M Crann) 22nd August 2002

BRIAN MURRAY MEMORIALS • Superior Quality Headstones • Restoration work carried out • New Inscriptions added

Strokestown (24th Anniversary)

CONTACT HAZEL

087 6758874

www.brianmuraystone.com Scrine, Athleague, Co. Roscommon E: brianmurraystone@gmail.com Almost a year on from her death, the family of Lucy Gibbons, would like to thank all those who offered their sympathy, their many kindnesses, their assistance and advice during such a difficult period. Our wonderful neighbours who prepared her grave and made sandwiches and our friends, extended family both near and far who came to her Funeral Services, who sent Mass cards, wishes of condolences and prayed for us, we want to heartily thank you all. We would especially like to thank all the doctors, nurses and supportive staff at Roscommon and Galway University Hospitals, for their sincerity and professionalism on the many occasions our Mother stayed there. We also want to thank all the doctors, nurses and administrative staff at Castle Street Surgery for their care over all the years. Many thanks to the management and nursing staff at Roscommon Sacred Heart Hospital, who got our mother back to health many times in the last decade where she stayed for respite. Thank you to the wonderful people at the Roscommon Palliative Care Unit who made our Mother’s final days respectful and serene. Finally, we would like to thank Father Dan for his years of kindness, wisdom and companionship to her and for his grace and leadership in her final days. A Mass in memory of Lucy Gibbons will be held at Ballagh Church, on the evening of Saturday, August 22nd at 7.30pm.

In loving memory of Kathleen who passed away peacefully on 21st August 2024.

Love Lives On. Those we love are never really lost to us. We feel them in so many special ways. Through friends they always cared about and dreams they left behind. In beauty that they added to our days. In words of wisdom we still carry with us and memories that never will be gone. Those we love are never really lost to us for everywhere their special love lives on. Forever loved and sadly missed by her loving husband Bernard, daughters Caroline and Marian, son Brian, son-in-law Brendan, daughter in-law Sinéad, adored grandchildren Caoimhe, Conor, Lorcán, Daire and Cormac and extended families. Anniversary Mass will take place on Friday, 21st August at 7.30pm in The Church of the Good Shepherd, Four Roads.

KELLY Mathias (Matt) Plunkett Park, Ballygar, Galway (1st Anniversary)

Remembering a true lady and mother who faced the world with determination, optimism and courage to do the upmost for her family. Please take a moment and say a prayer for Anne.

“I cannot pay my debt for all the love that she has given; but thou, love’s Lord, wilt not forget her due reward, – bless her in Earth and Heaven.” Remember also her husband, Frank (2002). You are both still guiding your sons, and granddaughters.

Joseph and Mary Mote Park, Roscommon

Joseph Macklin, who died on the 7th of September 2003

Mary Macklin, who died on the 30th July 2019

(23rd Anniversary)

(7th Anniversary)

Never more than a thought away. Loved and remembered every day. Always remembered by your loving family.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 23rd August at 10 am in St Patrick’s Church, Athleague.

KELLY Annie Fortfield, Fourmilehouse, Co. Roscommon. (11th Anniversary)

BAGNELL Anne (née Feeley)

MACKLIN

KILCRANN Seamus Cloonfad, Rooskey, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon. Who died on 27th August, 2025.

Ballinaboy, Kilteevan, Roscommon and Artane, Dublin (2nd Anniversary) 3/5/1954 – 22/8/2024. In loving memory of our wonderful husband, dad, grandad and brother, Matt (Mathias) Kelly, on the occasion of his first anniversary. As we mark one year without Matt, we would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported us following his sudden passing and throughout the year since.

So many things have happened Since you were called away So many things to share with you Had you been left to stay. Every day in some small way Memories of you come our way Though absent, you are ever near Still missed, loved and always dear. You always had a smile to share Time to give and time to care Years may pass, tears may dry But memories of you will never die.

Anne’s 2nd anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 23rd August at 10am in St. Joseph’s Church, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon.

DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISING IS TUESDAYS AT 2.00 pm

To our family, friends, neighbours and wider community, thank you for your kindness, your calls and messages, Mass cards, flowers, food, visits, and for simply being there when we needed you most. Your thoughtfulness and support have meant more to us than words can express. We are especially grateful to everyone who attended Matt’s Funeral, travelled to be with us, stood along the route, shared stories and memories of him, and helped us give him the farewell he deserved. Knowing how widely Matt was loved and respected has brought us great comfort during such a difficult time. A year has passed, but Matt is missed every single day. We miss his presence, his laughter, his stories and, most of all, the love he had for his family. The memories we shared with him will remain with us always. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, we hope you will accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our family’s sincere and heartfelt gratitude.

Matt’s First Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Mary’s Church, Ballygar, Co. Galway on Sunday, 23rd August at 10.30am. Forever loved, forever missed and always in our hearts.

Time slips by and life goes on but from our hearts you’re never gone We think about you always We talk about you too We have so many memories, But we wish we still had you. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Also remembering deceased members of the Kelly family Loved and remembered by all her family. Anniversary Mass on Friday 21st August at 7pm in St. Brigid’s Church, Fourmilehouse.

(1st Anniversary) Two tired eyes are sleeping; Two willing hands are still. The one who worked so hard for us is resting at God’s will. We sat beside your bedside; Our hearts were crushed and sore. We did our duty to the end, until we could do no more. Through tears we watched you sinking, As you faded away, and though our hearts were breaking, we knew you could not stay. You left behind our aching hearts, That loved you most sincere. We never shall and never will forget you, Father dear. Forever loved and sadly missed by your wife Kathleen, children Shane, Nuala, Mícheál, Dermot and Niall, sister Patsy, grandchildren, nieces, extended family and wide circle of friends.

First Anniversary Mass will take place on Sunday, 23rd August in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Rooskey at 11:30 a.m.

SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED ONLINE Send your Classiﬁed advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Classifieds

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

FAMILY NOTICES BOSQUETTE Anthony (Tony) Castlenode, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (1st Anniversary)

FLANAGAN Edmond (Teddy) St. Annes, Elphin St, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (1st Anniversary)

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE

FALLON Theresa Liscoffey, Athleague 23rd August, 2026 (63rd Birthday)

In loving memory of Anthony who passed away on 17th August, 2025

We the family of the late Anthony (Tony) Bosquette would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the kindness, support and sympathy shown to us following his untimely passing. Anthony was a much loved brother, uncle, friend and neighbour. A quiet, caring, gentle and unassuming man, who was known for his knowledge of farming, sport, music, poetry and his willingness to help others at all times. We express our sincere thanks to an Garda Siochana, especially Garda Fergal Reynolds (Boyle), the Ambulance Service and all emergency personnel who attended at Anthony’s home. Our thanks to Fr. E. O. Connor, Fr. V. Atueyi, Fr. C. Whitney, Fr. J. Carroll (Sligo) and Fr. U. Naughton (Roscommon) for concelebrating the Requiem Mass. Thanks to the Strokestown Choir accompanied by Andrew Reynolds for the beautiful music, the beautiful eulogies delivered, and to everyone who was involved in the Mass. A special word of thanks to Pat and Marian McHugh and family for their guidance, support, professionalism and attention to detail throughout the Funeral arrangements. Thanks to the gravediggers who prepared Anthony’s final resting place alongside his beloved family members, Martin for driving Anthony’s iconic Blue tractor to Bumlin Cemetery, also the teams who carried Anthony’s coffin to the graveside, and to all who participated in traffic management. To all those who formed guards of honour in Anthony’s memory, we thank you. A special word of thanks to Julie’s Flowers for their beautiful floral arrangements, and to the Percy French Hotel for the lovely food provided. Heartfelt thanks to all those who visited the house, attended the Funeral Parlour, the Removal, the Mass and Burial in such large numbers to celebrate Anthony’s life. We are extremely grateful to our many friends, relatives and great neighbours who supported us at such a sad time, those who shared memories of Anthony, those who sent condolences, messages, RIP messages, sympathy cards and Mass cards, texts, emails, those who conveyed tributes on Shannonside Radio, those who viewed Anthony’s Mass online and those who travelled long distances. A special mention to all those who brought food and refreshments and offered their time and support to us in many ways, and those who contacted us throughout the past year. Thanks very much to those who made a contribution to Pieta House also. As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement of our appreciation and gratitude. Masses offered for your intentions. No longer in our lives to share but in our hearts you are always there In God’s safe keeping now Anton, may you rest Sadly missed by his loving family. Anthony’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 23rd August at 11.30 am in the Parish Church, Strokestown.

Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance

MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed

Email or call for Sample Pack

McCORMACK J.J. Cartron, Four Mile House, Roscommon Who passed away on 3rd June 2020 (6th Anniversary)

KELLY Michael (Mick), Eugene (Twin) and Florrie Borefield, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

In Loving Memory of our brother Mick and parents Eugene and Florrie In loving memory of Teddy Flanagan, who passed away on the 19th of August 2025. Your memory is our keepsake, with which we will never part. God has you in his keeping we have you in our hearts. Always remembered by your loving wife Eileen, daughters Gemma and Anita, sons-in-law David and Kieran, granddaughter Eve, family and friends. . Teddy’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown, on the Saturday, 22nd of August 2026 at 12 noon.

KENNEDY Mary Creevy, Roscommon (10th Anniversary) In loving memory of Mary who died on the 10th of August 2016

A smile for all A heart of gold The very best this world could hold Never selﬁsh Always kind These are the memories you left behind Will those who think of Mary today A little prayer to Jesus say Loved and remembered by David, Teresa, Maria, Grace and all her family and friends. Anniversary Mass in Kilteevan Church, on Sunday, 23rd August at 10am.

DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISING IS TUESDAYS AT 2.00 pm

Sending birthday wishes to Heaven today. We hold you close within our hearts, And there you will remain, To walk with us throughout our lives, Until we meet again. Theresa, Your life was a blessing, Your memory a treasure, You are loved beyond words, And missed beyond measure. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Fallon and Duignan Families

THANKSGIVINGS THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear heart of Jesus in the past I have asked many favours. This time I ask you this special one (mention favour). Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer. M.McD. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. G. NOVENA TO ST. CLARE Ask St. Clare for three favours, one for business, two impossible and nine Hail Marys for nine days with lighted candle. Pray whether you believe or not. Publish on ninth day. Powerful Novena. Say ‘May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored, glorified now and forever, throughout the whole world. Amen’. Your request will be granted no matter how impossible it may seem. Prayer must be published. T.W.

We hold you close within our hearts and there you shall remain, to walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again. Deeply missed by your loving wife Chris and family. JJ’s 6th Anniversary Mass will take place on Friday, 21st August at 7pm. in St. Brigid’s Church, Four Mile House.

WHYTE Johnny

We think of ye in silence We often speak your names But all we have are memories And pictures in some frames Forever loved and missed by Margaret, Mona, Eugene, Paul and extended family and friends. Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 23rd August at 10am in Kiltrustan Church.

McDERMOTT Mary and Peter Curraghboy, Athlone, Co. Roscommon In loving memory of Mary McDermott who died on 29th August, 2022 (4th Anniversary) and her husband, Peter McDermott, who died on 7th August, 1996 (30th Anniversary)

Rosmoylan, Creggs, Roscommon (15th Anniversary) In loving memory of Johnny who died on the 24th of August 2011

A silent thought, a quiet prayer for a special person in God’s care Sadly missed by his family and friends. Anniversary Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Kilbegnett on Sunday, 23rd August at 11.30am.

No longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts you’re always there. In God’s safe keeping, may you both rest. Remembered always by your loving family. Anniversary Mass in St. Brigid’s Church, Curraghboy on Sunday 23rd August at 10am.

KELLY (née Conboy) Peggy Late of Tonlagee, Roscommon (10th Anniversary)

KELLY Martin Kylemore Cottage, Mullymux, Roscommon. 14th August, 2018 – (8th Anniversary)

Just a prayer from the family who loved you, Just a memory fond and true, In our hearts you will live forever, because we thought the world of you. Sadly missed and deservedly remembered by all his family and friends. Masses offered.

God saw you getting tired, a cure was not to be He put his arm around you and whispered “Come to Me” With tearful eyes we let you go, and watched you fade away. Although our hearts were broken we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest God knows why He took you He only takes the best. Lovingly remembered by your daughters Deirdre, Sandra, Michelle and Valerie, sons Marty and Michael, grandchildren, extended family and friends. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Time goes by and life goes on but from our thoughts you are never gone. Lovingly remembered by your brother Seamus. Masses offered.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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FAMILY NOTICES CUNNINGHAM (née KELLY) Jean Barrymore, Kiltoom, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

(7th Anniversary) Who passed away on the 22nd August 2019

The years and tears will ebb and ﬂow, your love you gave will continue to grow. Not to hear your voice or see your face, we miss your wisdom, kindness and grace. Sadly missed by her loving husband Geoff; son Wayne, daughter-in-law Tara and granddaughters Katy and Ellie; along with her daughter Sonya, and granddaughter Lauren and great grandchild Jasmine.

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE HEVEHAN Mary (née Dowd)

Cloonashade, Four Roads, Roscommon / Nobber, Meath In loving memory of our wonderful Mother whose birthday occurs on Thursday, 20th August. She would be 106 years on this day.

We just want to wish our beautiful loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother a very happy Heavenly birthday. We have many precious memories of cake and celebrations and seeing you truly happy. We miss you and love you deeply and we wanted you to know your birthday is not forgotten and your memory, lives on. We celebrate the life you had even though you’re gone. We will always love and miss you and will often shed a tear. Especially on your special day year after year. Happy birthday in Heaven our Dear Mother. Forever in our hearts from daughters Marian, Aileen and Gerardine, sons Malachy and Liam, grandsons Barry, Aodhán, Fiachra, Tony and Lorcán, granddaughters Violetta and Sophie, and great grandchildren Finn, Laura and Éabha, sons-in-law Terence, Larry and Liam, and daughters-in-law Jane and Grace, and granddaughters-in-law Yvonne, Lorna and Allison.

Notice re. Memoriams and Anniversaries If you wish to place acknowledgements, memoriam notices, birthday and anniversary remembrances, please email them to advertising@roscommonpeople.ie

or call us on

090 6634633 or by post, along with your name and contact details, to Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon

APPOINTMENTS

PLANNING NOTICES ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL, I Brendan Kildea intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for Planning Permission to erect a dwelling house and to carry out all necessary site works at Beechlawn Drive, Monksland, 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 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. Signed: Brendan Kildea

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL, I, Liam Óg Murray, Chairperson of Tremane GAA Club intend to apply for planning permission for development at Knockadangan Td., Tremane, Co. Roscommon, F42 KR80. The development will consist of the construction of – (a) Ball retaining nets, (b) Goal Posts & associated siteworks at existing GAA grounds.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors. 2 Cherryside Business Park, Castle St, Roscommon. Ph- (087) 2222874.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL, ÁRAS AN CHONTAE, ROSCOMMON. SITE NOTICE I, Karen Kirby, intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for development at this site: Clooncan , Balllinlough, Co. Roscommon F45K290. The development will consist of alterations to and renovation of an existing single storey dwelling to include construction of a roof, part replacement of existing external walls to the South and the installation of an effluent treatment system including all associated site works.

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL, We Stephen Mannion and Carolyn O’Malley intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for Planning Permission to erect a dwelling house, garage, construct an effluent treatment system and carry out all necessary works to facilitate same at Fearagh, Ballymurray, Roscommon, Co Roscommon. The Planning Application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the Application and such submission or observation will be considered by the 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: Stephen Mannion & Carolyn O’ Malley

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL, I, Colin Glynn, wish to apply to Roscommon County Council for permission for development at Garrynagawna, Athlone, Co. Roscommon. The development will consist of the construction of 01. revised dwelling house, previously granted under Planning Ref. PD/23/20. The proposed revisions include an increase in floor area, changes to elevations, including revised window and door opes (size, design and positioning), external finishes and front façade, along with the provision of a larger garage. The development will also include a wastewater treatment system, polishing filter, percolation area, site entrance, and all associated site development works. A Natura impact statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the planning application. 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. 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: Colin Glynn

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ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL, I, Tommy Ward, intend to apply for Permission for the following; (a) demolition works to an existing dwelling house including demolition of a front porch annex (b) demolition of an existing derelict shed (c) internal renovations and elevational changes to the existing dwelling house together with the construction of single storey extensions to the front, rear and side elevations of the existing dwelling house (d) installation of a new sewerage treatment system and percolation area (e) revised site boundaries (f ) along with connections to all site services and all other associated site works. At: Tully Townland, Kilglass, Co. Roscommon. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed:

TELEPHONE:

090 66 34633 Murtagh Engineering Chartered Consulting Engineers, Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon. Ph: (086) 3490965 www.mbeprojects.com

OR EMAIL:

advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie

Clerical Assistant

Part-Time / Full-Time Clerical Officer required by a busy office to work with their existing team in Roscommon Town. The successful candidate must be comfortable with computers, telephone and general office tasks. Clerical Assistant responsibilities: • Data entry and report generation. • Deal with queries via telephone and email. • Maintain polite and professional communication via phone and email. Clerical Assistant requirements: • Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office. • Fluent English speaker. • Working knowledge of GDPR and the importance of confidentiality. • Prior administrative experience. • Excellent attention to detail and accurate data processing

To apply please email your CV to: clericalassistant100@gmail.com

LEGAL NOTICES THE DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT COURT AREA OF BALLAGHADERREEN DISTRICT NO. 4 REGISTRATION OF CLUBS (Ireland) 1904-1995 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF CLUBS (Ireland) 1904-1995 IN RESPECT OF THE BALLAGHADERREEN GOLF CLUB OR THE ALTERNATIVE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SAID ACT TAKE NOTICE that an application will be made on behalf of Helen Curran Hon Secretary of Ballaghaderreen Golf Club situate at Aughulistia, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon at Ballaghaderreen District Court on the 11th of September 2026 at Ballaghaderreen at 12 Noon for a renewal of the Certificate of Registration of the said Club under the Provisions of the said Acts. Dated this 17th August 2026 Signed: FAHY NEILAN & COMPANY, Solicitors, Station Road, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon. (Solicitors for the Applicant) To:

The Superintendent, Garda Siochana, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

To:

The Sergeant in Charge, Garda Station, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

To:

The District Court Clerk, The Courthouse, Golf Links Road, Roscommon.

To:

The Chief Fire Officer, Fire Authority HQ, Circular Road, Roscommon

Submit your Classiﬁed online Send your Classiﬁed advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie

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Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

SportsPeople

Higgins claims Irish Close Roscommon handballers impress at Connacht title after thrilling play-off Championships

Winner Niamh Hall (l) and competitor Abigail Hughes at the 2026 handball U-16 Connacht final last Saturday in Kilglass Gaels Handball Club.

Thomas Higgins pictures with the Irish Close Trophy  BY SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon Town golfer Thomas Higgins won his first major individual title in Portumna last Saturday as he claimed the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship after a thrilling play-off victory. The 23-year-old defeated Dylan Holmes (Greystones) with a par on the third extra hole, the 75th hole of an enthralling three days of championship golf. Higgins continued his fine form after he sank the winning putt for Ireland in the European Team Championship in Estonia last month and also helped Ireland to victory in the Men’s and Women’s Home Internationals last week. Higgins had finished level with Holmes on seven under par after 72 holes of stroke play. The pair could not be separated on the first two play-off holes, but a par on the third, the 17th, saw the Roscommon man over the line. He is hoping to turn professional over the next few weeks. Higgins and his family returned to Roscommon Golf Club on Saturday night, where a large crowd of members, friends and well-wishers gathered to congratulate him.

Caoimhe Cashin (U-14), Abigail Hughes (U-16) and Senan Johnson of Lisacul Handball Club (U-16) all ﬁnished as runners-up. The adult competition was held on Sunday, August 9th, when Adam Coggeran of Kilglass Gaels also reached the ﬁnal before losing out. Best of luck to Niamh Hall and Alanna Coggeran, who will go on to represent Roscommon and Connacht at the All-Ireland Championships.

English and Higgins share Knockcroghery family link  BY SEAMUS DUKE

There was double delight in Knockcroghery over the past week, with strong local links to two major sporting successes. Ireland’s 800m European champion Mark English has strong ties to the area. His grandfather, Pat English, lived in Knockcroghery and was a prominent footballer for

Walker Cup dissapointment

There was disappointment for Roscommon Town golfer Thomas Higgins on Tuesday after it was conﬁrmed that the Irish Close champion had not been selected for the Walker Cup team to face the USA at Lahinch in the coming weeks. Higgins and David Howard were both named as reserves for the team. There is just one Irishman on the 10-man team, Stuart Grehan.

Kilglass Gaels Handball Club hosted the Connacht Juvenile and Adult One-Wall Championships recently, with a strong showing from Roscommon players. The juvenile competition took place on Saturday, August 8th, with Roscommon representatives reaching a number of underage ﬁnals. Niamh Hall of Kilglass Gaels claimed the U-16 Connacht title, while Matthew Jordan (U-14),

Pictured at Roscommon Golf Club on Saturday night (l to r) Thomas Higgins Irish Close Champion, Padfraic Cuddy Captain Roscommon GC, Cian Duggan caddy and cousin of Thomas Higgins.

It is a major disappointment for Higgins following his brilliant run of form in recent months. He now plans to pursue a professional career. However, he will no doubt be

disappointed that he could not end his amateur career by competing in the Walker Cup, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the amateur game.

St Patrick’s and Roscommon before later moving to Donegal through his work as a Garda. Roscommon Town golfer Thomas Higgins, meanwhile, won the Irish Close Championship in Portumna at the weekend. It has also emerged that English and Higgins are related: their great-grandmothers were members of the Leonard family in the local area and were sisters.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

SportsPeople CASTLEREA SPONSORED COMPETITIONS: Results of the Cunnane Insurance Brokers-sponsored competitions, played from August 8th to August 12th, are as follows. Men’s competition: Overall winner Willie Gannon; runner-up Sean Keegan; Cat. 1 Michael McSharry; Cat. 2 Gerry McLoughlin. Ladies competition: Overall winner Dympna Lambert; Cat. 1 Dympna McDonnell; Cat. 2 Valerie Rabbitt. Results of the ladies’ 9-hole competition sponsored by Benny’s Deli, played on August 9th and August 11th, are as follows. Overall winner Ann Breslin; Cat. 1 Dympna McDonnell; Cat. 2 Bernie O’Farrell. Congratulations to the winners and sincere thanks to our competition sponsors. WELL WISHES: Congratulations to Gerry McLoughlin, men’s Golfer of the Month for July 2026, sponsored by O’Ceallaigh Bagpiping. The 2026 Mulligan’s Menswear Matchplay Competition has reached the semi-final stage. Peter Hester v Ray Joyce and Liam Walsh v Rory Hawkshaw are the semi-final matchups. Well done to the four golfers on reaching this stage of the competition and thank you to Mulligan’s Menswear for its continued and longstanding sponsorship. JUNIOR CLUB NEWS: Huge congratulations to junior club member Emilia Kenny, winner of the Connacht U-14 Girls Close Medal Competition played at Athenry Golf Club on Tuesday, August 11th. Emilia won the 18-hole Stableford competition in style with 59 points,

s t t u p t r o h S

12 points ahead of her nearest rival. ‘PLAY IN PINK’: Congratulations to Kathy Burke on organising a very successful and enjoyable ‘Play in Pink’ day in aid of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute at Castlerea Golf Club on Friday, August 14th. All participants enjoyed a great atmosphere and entertainment. Thank you to everyone who supported the fundraiser. MEN’S CAPTAIN’S WEEK: Club members send best wishes to Captain Anthony ‘Anto’ Kelly on his Captain’s Prize week. Day one of the men’s 36-hole stroke competition was played on Sunday, August 16th. On Friday, August 21st, Captain Anto will host 9-hole qualifying Stableford competitions for the ladies. Round two of the men’s 36-hole stroke competition will be played on Saturday, August 22nd. Celebrations and the presentation of prizes will be held in the clubhouse on Saturday evening. LOTTO RESULTS: The winning bonus ball number in the Castlerea Golf Club lotto for August 12th was 1. Winners were Faolan Silke, Dylan Silke Mannion, Marie Hanmore, Liam Ryan and John Hester. Each receives €100. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who support the club lotto.

ROSCOMMON

THOMAS HIGGINS: The club welcomed Thomas Higgins back on Saturday night after his fantastic win in the Irish Close Championship at Portumna. MEN: Open Friday sponsored by GoToFinance: Overall winner William O’Doherty (40 pts); 2nd Richie Evans (39 pts). Weekly 18-hole competition sponsored by the Abbey Hotel: Overall winner Alan Craven (65 nett); Cat. 1 Liam Casey (68 nett); Cat. 2 Gerry Keane (67 nett); Cat. 3 Oisin Hynes (70 nett). Tom Og Reddington had a hole-in-one on the 16th in the competition last weekend. Well done to him. LADIES: Weekly 18-hole competition sponsored by Rosoran: Overall winner Rosemary O’Brien (41 pts); Cat. 1 Annie Timothy (37 pts); Cat. 2 Patricia Donnelly (36 pts); Cat. 3 Nuala Hughes (40 pts). 9-hole: Overall winner Jackie McCormack (25 pts); Cat. 1 Joan Hannon (20 pts); Cat. 2 Marguerite Farrell (23 pts); Cat. 3 Teresa Duke (20 pts). SENIOR MEN: Overall winner Larry Doyle (38 pts); Cat. 1 Des Mahon (37 pts);

(News from local golf clubs)

Cat. 2 Fintan Burke (34 pts); Cat. 3 Tommy Gilleran (37 pts); Cat. 4 Sean Brennan (37 pts). Deuces: Ollie Dempsey, Michael Sharkey, Seamus Mulhern, Fra Flanagan, JT Finn, Fintan Burke and Des Mahon. SENIOR LADIES: Overall winner Teresa Duke (22 pts); 2nd Margaret Madden (20 pts); 3rd Una Clay (20 pts); 4th Pat Lyons (19 pts); 5th Monica Lennon (19 pts). PARENT AND CHILD COMPETITION: The annual parent (adult) and child competition, kindly sponsored by the McGuigan family, will take place on Friday, August 21st and Saturday, August 22nd. Friday will be for juniors who do not have an official handicap, with Saturday for those who do. The timesheet is available in the bar. UNDERAGE GOLF: Our Sixes team were victorious in the second leg of the Sixes League, hosted at home in Roscommon on Saturday. We were joined by our golfing neighbours from Strokestown, Longford and Castlerea. A special word of thanks to Lady Captain Una Clay, our parents, volunteers, Tricia, Lars and Shane, and also to Aidan Mulvihill, who helped with the course set-up.

Castlerea rallies behind ‘Play in Pink’ fundraiser

Pauline Flynn, ladies’ captain at Castlerea Golf Club; Kathy Burke, organiser of the ‘Play in Pink’ fundraiser; and Mary McDermott, ladies’ vice-captain at Castlerea Golf Club. Photo: Michael Finan < BY MICHAEL FINAN

There was strong support for a ‘Play in Pink’ fundraiser at Castlerea Golf Club on Friday evening, where more than €3,400 was raised for breast cancer research. The event was organised by Kathy Burke, who has been running the fundraiser at the club every second year for more than a decade. Kathy’s own experience with cancer inspired her to raise money for research and support ongoing efforts to improve cancer treatment. Speaking on the night, Kathy reflected on her

own cancer journey. “My journey began 10 years ago when I got my cancer diagnosis, and through my family, friends and wonderful golfing buddies, I continue to be very grateful for the life I live,” she said. “Thanks to the extraordinary care I have received from doctors and nurses, and a good treatment plan, I can stand in front of you all today as a survivor.” Kathy also highlighted the importance of continued investment in cancer research. “Cancer research is crucial to improving the

Valerie Callaghan and Donna Hannelly pictured at Castlerea Golf Club during the ‘Play in Pink’ fundraiser for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, organised by Kathy Burke. Photo: Michael Finan

prevention, detection and treatment of various cancers, and to ensuring that survivors like me, and others here tonight, can live longer and have a better quality of life,” she said. The fundraiser received great support from the wider Castlerea community, with local businesses and individuals donating raffle prizes, auction items, food for the barbecue and other support on the night. “I thank you all for contributing to this very good cause, which is so dear to me,” Kathy added. “This event wouldn’t be successful without the kindness of people, and I’m

overwhelmed by the generosity.” Play in Pink events raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, supporting breast cancer research at the University of Galway. The money raised helps fund research in areas including earlier detection, improved treatments, genetics, metastatic breast cancer and better outcomes for patients and survivors. Friday night’s event marked another successful fundraiser for Kathy, with the €3,400 raised adding to her long-running support for breast cancer research.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

SportsPeople

All to play for as Kepak SHC heads into final round

Cup success for Concannon

Runner Up Arron Blaides with Winner David Concannon.

Micheál Hussey in action during the recent St Dominic’s v Oran Kepak SHC match in Knockcroghery. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell < BY SEAMUS DUKE

It’s all to play for in the Roscommon SHC, with round five this weekend set to decide which teams progress to the semi-finals and quarter-finals — and which side will be eliminated. Roscommon Gaels look the most likely to face the chop, having already completed their programme of group games. They will now need several results to go their way if they are to survive, although they still retain an outside chance of progressing. The winners of the clash between Oran and Four Roads at Woodmount on Sunday at 3.15 pm will advance directly to the semi-finals. Both teams have shown good form to

date and, while it is always difficult to back against the reigning champions, Oran have been putting up impressive scores throughout the championship and should not be far away. Four Roads, however, get the hesitant nod to book their place in the last four. Prediction: Four Roads In the earlier game at Woodmount on Sunday, Athleague face St Dominic’s at 1.30 pm. St Dominic’s look the stronger prospect, although Athleague are certainly capable of causing an upset if they can contain the threat posed by Naos Connaughton. Athleague recorded a vital win over Pádraig Pearses in the previous round and appear to be finding some form at the right time.

St Dominic’s, however, should have enough to prevail. Prediction: St Dominic’s On Saturday evening, Tremane face Pádraig Pearses at Woodmount at 5.30 pm. Pearses have been inconsistent during this championship and were disappointing in their previous outing against Athleague. They will need a significant improvement against a Tremane side which has impressed so far, recording wins over Roscommon Gaels and Oran as well as a draw with St Dominic’s. On the evidence to date, Tremane look the better bet to come through this one. Prediction: Tremane

Following eight nights of intense battles to climb the league table, 16 players took to the Hollywood Bar in Roscommon Town last Friday for the Cup and Shield finals of the Hollywood Bar Superleague. The main event on the night was the Cup, with eight players competing. In the quarter-finals, John Morris and Arron Blaides played out a tight game, with Blaides progressing on a 4-2 scoreline. On the next board, Mick Kilroe took on Paul Carton and, after a hard-fought battle, Kilroe prevailed 4-1. Kilroe and Blaides then played out a cracking semifinal, with Blaides advancing on a 5-3 scoreline. On the other side of the draw, Kieran Mullen and James Morris contested a thrilling quarter-final, with Mullen progressing 4-1. In the final quarter-final, McDermott’s teammates Mark Finneran and David Concannon played out one of the games of the night, with Concannon winning 4-0. The semi-final between Concannon and Mullen featured some excellent scoring, with Concannon emerging a 5-1 winner. Both Concannon and Blaides had shown strong form across the eight weeks leading up to the finals, and the decider did not disappoint. The final started at the expected pace. Concannon opened with a 140, answered by Blaides with scores of 140 and 100. Concannon responded with a late 134 and went on to record an 18-dart leg for a 1-0 lead. Blaides opened leg two with a 140, but Concannon fired back with consecutive scores of 100, 180 and 100 to record a 16-dart leg and move 2-0 ahead. Blaides again applied the pressure in the third leg, opening with 140 and following it with 100. Concannon, however, was in full gear, and scores of 100, 140 and 140 helped him to an 18-dart leg and a 3-0 lead. Blaides could count himself unlucky not to be on the scoreboard, but he got his reward in leg four as two scores of 100 helped him narrow Concannon’s lead to 3-1. That trend continued in leg five, when early scores of 140 and 100 helped Blaides to an 18-dart leg and cut the gap to 3-2. A 140 with his first three darts of leg six gave Blaides hope of completing the comeback, but Concannon was equal to the task. A 180 with his opening visit, followed by scores of 100 and 121, helped him to an impressive 12-dart leg. Blaides rallied again in leg seven as two scores of 100 got him up and running, but Concannon was now in top gear, with scores of 100, 140 and 139 helping him to a 14-dart leg and a 5-2 lead. Blaides responded once more, opening the next leg with back-to-back 100s to put Concannon under pressure. Yet again, Concannon had the answers, with three consecutive scores of 100 making the difference as he recorded a 16-dart leg to seal a 6-2 victory. With the event now complete, special thanks go to all 43 players who competed and helped create such a high standard and enjoyable atmosphere across the nine weeks of darts. Thanks also to the Hollywood Bar management and staff for their help, assistance and sponsorship, without which the event would not have been possible.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

SportsPeople

Pearses power past Boyle in Strokestown Hodson Bay Hotel SFC Group B, Round 2 Game of the Weekend PÁDRAIG PEARSES 3-15 BOYLE 2-12 < BY SEAMUS DUKE

The final margin might suggest a high-scoring, competitive battle in Strokestown on Friday night, but nothing could be further from the truth as Pádraig Pearses powered their way to a comprehensive victory, playing some superb attacking football, particularly in the first half. Pearses eased off on the throttle in the final quarter and were outscored by 1-4 to 0-1 in the last 16 minutes, but the result was a foregone conclusion long before that. On a perfect evening for football, Boyle scored first when their best player on the night, Cian McKeon, was on target in the opening minute. It was a false dawn for Fergal O’Donnell’s men, however, as Pearses swept forward, their accurate kick-passing and slick movement a joy to behold, and it was not long before they were racking up the scores. Two-pointers from Ronan Daly and Declan Kenny sent them on their way, and when Tom Butler and Keelan Kelly pointed it was 0-6 to 0-1 after only nine minutes. On a rare excursion into Pearses territory in the 10th minute, Boyle got back into the match, if only temporarily. Daire Cregg’s long ball over the top reached Luke McGrath inside the Pearses cover. He was unceremoniously taken out by Pearses netminder Paul Whelan, and the award of a penalty was one of the easiest refereeing decisions of the year for Ian Monaghan. Whelan was lucky to escape with a yellow card, while McGrath had to go off injured after the clash. Donie Smith crashed the spot-kick to the net and Boyle were back within two points. Pearses, however, were in almost total control and pulled away convincingly. After Lorcan Daly added a point from play, Jack Nevin got in for a superb goal in a move that he started and finished in the 16th minute. Goal number two arrived in the 23rd minute, another superb move finished by Thomas Carey. Donie Smith kicked a monster two-pointer

for Boyle in the 24th minute, but Pearses were undeterred and Jack Tumulty scored their third goal in the 26th minute. It was great football to watch and by half-time Pearses led by 3-11 to 1-6. Boyle’s plight was compounded in the 29th minute when corner-back Michael Hanmore was sent off for a second yellow-card offence. The second half was a disappointment. Pearses held on to possession, having done enough damage in the opening half, and the same intensity was not there. By the 40th minute Pearses led by 3-14 to 1-8. Boyle were better in the final quarter but will be disappointed with their showing and will have to improve ahead of their clash with Roscommon Gaels in round three. Cian McKeon and Donie Smith kicked secondhalf two-pointers for Boyle, while substitute Jack Moran scored a goal in the dying seconds to put some respectability on the final scoreline. Pearses’ Lorcan Daly was red-carded in the 57th minute for a second yellow-card offence, but the game had been over as a contest long before that. Boyle will need Enda Smith back as soon as possible, as this was a poor display from Fergal O’Donnell’s charges. For Pearses, this was another excellent outing and, even at this early stage, impressive wins over Roscommon Gaels and Boyle mark them out as genuine contenders for later in the championship. Following Roscommon Gaels’ victory over Clann na nGael, Pearses will now top the group with one round remaining, while Boyle will play Roscommon Gaels to decide who finishes second and third. Teams and scorers Pádraig Pearses: Paul Whelan; Mark Richardson, Caelim Keogh (0-2), Jack Downey; Jack Nevin (1-1), Ronan Daly (0-2, 2p), David Murray; Tom Butler (0-1), Declan Kenny (0-2, 2p); Jason Cunningham, Lorcan Daly (0-1), Keelan Kelly (0-1); Paul Carey (0-2, 1 free), Thomas Carey

Action from last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship match in Strokestown. Jack Nevin (Pádraig Pearses) in action against Cathal McKeon (Boyle). Photo: Bernire O’Farrell

Action from last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship match in Strokestown. Jack Tumulty (Pádraig Pearses) under pressure from Mark Dwyer and Niall O’Donnell (Boyle). Photo: Bernire O’Farrell

(1-0), Jack Tumulty (1-2). Subs: Adam McGreal for T. Carey (38), Hubert Darcy (0-1, free) for Tumulty (40), Conor Harley for Butler (46), Charles Nevin for Cunningham (51), David Donnellan for Whelan (57). Boyle: Sean Garavan; Mark Dwyer, Luke Glennon, Michael Hanmore; Oisin Cregg (0-1), Daniel Casey, Tadgh McKenna; Niall O’Donnell, Daire Cregg (0-1, free); David Flanagan, Cian McKeon (0-4, 1 free, 1 2p), Cathal McKeon; Cathal Feely, Donie Smith (1-6, 1-0 pen, 2 x 2p, 1 free), Luke McGrath. Subs: Jack Moran (1-0) for McGrath (12), Roch Hanmore for Cathal McKeon (half-time), Killian Cox for Dwyer (half-time). Referee: Ian Monaghan (St Brigid’s) Man of the Match: Declan Kenny (Pádraig Pearses)

Action from last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship Boyle v Pádraig Pearses match in Strokestown. Ronan Daly (Pádraig Pearses) scores a two pointer against Boyle. Photo: Bernire O’Farrell

Action from last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship Boyle v Pádraig Pearses match in Strokestown. Paul Carey (Pádraig Pearses) on a run forward. Photo: Bernire O’Farrell

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Oran make it two wins from two Hodson Bay Hotel SFC Group C, Round 2 ORAN 0-18 ST FAITHLEACH’S 0-13 < BY SEAMUS DUKE

Action from last Sunday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship match in Kilbride. Michael Dunne (St. Faithleach’s) attempts to stop Colin Walsh (Oran). Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Action from last Sunday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship match in Kilbride. Colin Walsh (Oran) and Daniel McDermott (St. Faithleach’s) battle it out. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Pictured at last Sunday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship St. Faithleach’s v Oran match in Kilbride. Oran supporters, Ben and Dillon Brides. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Save for a slack period in the second quarter, Oran were deserving five-point winners against St Faithleach’s at Kilbride on Sunday as they racked up their second win in the group. Pat Regan’s men played with the breeze in the opening half and were much the better team in the opening quarter. Two-pointers from Ciaran Lawless and Darragh Walsh, the latter from a free, helped them on their way and by the 16th minute they led by 0-8 to 0-2. Faithleach’s got a grip around the middle of the field after that and shot five points without reply to trail by only one at half-time. Ciaran Murtagh kicked three, two from frees, and with the breeze to come in the second half, a 0-8 to 0-7 half-time scoreline looked very positive for Faithleach’s. Whatever was said to the Oran players at half-time worked, however, as they were much better after the break. Points from Ciaran Lawless, Charlie Carthy and James Fitzpatrick opened up a fourpoint gap by the 35th minute and Oran never looked back. It was 0-15 to 0-9 after 48 minutes and, although Diarmuid Murtagh, from a free, and Jonathan

Hussey kicked two-pointers in the final ten minutes, Oran were always comfortable, with Darragh Walsh pointing a two-point free for them with two minutes remaining. Teams and scorers Oran: Shane Regan; Micheal Hussey, Eoghan Grady, John Martin; Cormac Regan (0-1), Thomas Featherston (0-1), Colin Walsh; Michael Staunton, Ciaran Lawless (0-3, 1 2p); Paddy Fallon (0-1), Charlie Carthy (0-3, 2 frees), Seamus Hussey; Eoghan Murray (0-2), James Fitzpatrick (0-1), Darragh Walsh (0-6, 2 x 2pf, 2 frees). Subs: Paul Kenny for Fallon (50), Conor Carley for C. Regan (59). St Faithleach’s: Michael O’Donnell; Karl Nerney, Paddy Farrell, Kevin Farrell; Darren Nerney, Connell Kennelly, Daniel McDermott (0-1); Colm Mangan, Mikey Dunne (0-2); James Browne (01), Jonathan Hussey (0-2, 2p), Jack Murray (0-1); Diarmuid Murtagh (0-2, 1 x 2pf), Ciaran Murtagh (0-4, 4 frees), Dave Rooney. Subs: Anthony Cox for Rooney (43), Cathal Gunn for Nerney (54), Jack Casey for Murray (54). Referee: Mark Grehan (St Brigid’s) Man of the Match: Ciaran Lawless (Oran)

Action from last Sunday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship St. Faithleach’s v Oran match in Kilbride. Thomas Featherston (Oran) in action. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Action from last Sunday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship match in Kilbride. Diarmuid Murtagh (St. Faithleach’s) and Ciarán Lawless (Oran) compete for possession. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Pictured at last Sunday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship St. Faithleach’s v Oran match in Kilbride. St. Faithleach’s supporters, Rory, Katie and Fionn Curran. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Gaels stage stunning comeback to edge Clann Hodson Bay Hotel SFC Group B, Round 2 ROSCOMMON GAELS 2-17 (2-5-7) CLANN NA NGAEL 1-18 (1-1-16)  BY KEVIN EGAN AT KILTOOM

Roscommon Gaels and Clann na nGael limped into this consequential ‘group of death’ encounter with serious question marks over their form and their confidence, and while it could be argued that Clann produced the better performance, it was Roscommon Gaels who showed championship mentality and steel to engineer what could be a transformative win for the county town club. For 20 minutes, Clann produced a level of form far better than anything the Gaels could muster. They devoured the Roscommon Gaels kick-out, played with intensity and purpose and, even while leaving a fair few scores behind them, bounced back from the concession of an early Peter Gillooly goal to lead by 1-13 to 1-3 approaching halftime. Ultan Harney and David McManus ruled the skies at midfield, Emmet Kenny was involved in every attack and could well have added to his three points from play, and their half-back line, led by Paddy Gavin, was the platform for many of their best attacks. Gavin added a goal for good measure when he outjumped and outfought James Featherstone to touch Josh Lennon’s high ball to the net, while behind him Michael Harrington was the star of a full-back line that looked to be in complete control of its one-on-one battles. Ryan Dowling landed a couple of points to stop the bleeding for Declan Hoare’s troops, but as they trudged into the dressing room there were gaping wounds all over the field that needed healing. The recovery was largely down to how the Gaels went about their business, but they’ll know too that they were facilitated by Clann falling into

a visible mental slump. The decision not to withdraw Ultan Harney while he was clearly hampered by a knee injury backfired, sloppy handling errors crept into their play and they left the door open for a comeback. None of that would have mattered if the Gaels didn’t have the wherewithal to capitalise, but Clann’s lack of attention to the garden left the seeds of the townies’ innate confidence to germinate. Richard Walsh led the way with two majestic two-pointers, building on a dead-ball double from Rory Carthy. Rory Dunne was a revelation after coming into the fray in the half-back line and, as Clann piled mistake upon mistake, Rory Carthy’s goal gave the Gaels a shock lead. In the immediate aftermath of his close-range score, it looked like the Gaels might have poked the Clann bear out of hibernation. Seán Kelly, with a 45, Feargal Lennon and Ciarán Lennon converted the next three points, while Oisín O’Flaherty added a touch of bite that had been sorely lacking too. Nonetheless, Clann were still dishevelled and Roscommon Gaels could smell blood in the water. Ciarán Lennon spent most of the final quarter as a defender, albeit making two crucial tackles in his own full-back line, and close to goal they had all the threat of a declawed house cat. Peter Gillooly underlined the contrast with a booming two-pointer from the right wing to retake the lead, and Senan Lambe duly doubled the advantage when he blocked down a Clann handpass, covered 70 metres of ground and kicked the game’s final score. There was still time for one more moment of drama as James Featherstone claimed a high ball and Ultan Harney forced both man and ball over the line;

Peter Gillooly in action for Roscommon Gaels against Castlerea St Kevin’s during the opening round of the 2024 Hodson Bay Senior Football Championship at O’Rourke Park. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

illegally so, in Dermot Mc Lyons’ view. Roscommon Gaels had found a way through and will bounce into their home tie against Boyle in round three, while Clann must now negotiate a local derby against a high-ﬂying Padraig Pearses side, followed by the mineﬁeld that is the relegation play-offs. Their limping continues. Teams and scorers Roscommon Gaels: James Featherstone; Joey O’Malley, Ciarán O’Reilly, Jack Donnelly; Conor Grogan, John McManus, Tim Lambe; Michael Gillooly, Senan Lambe (0-1); Ryan Dowl-

ing (0-3, 0-1f), John McGuinness (0-2), Adam Killian; Peter Gillooly (1-4, 1tp), Richard Walsh (0-5, 0-1f, 2tp), Scott Oates. Subs used: Rory Dunne for Grogan (28), Rory Carthy (1-2, 1tpf) for Oates (half-time), William O’Doherty for Killian (51). Clann na nGael: Seán Kelly (0-1, 45); Michael Harrington, Darra Pettit (0-1), Tom Lennon; Feargal Lennon (0-1), Paddy Gavin (1-0), David Connaughton; Ultan Harney (0-2), Alan McManus (0-1); Ciarán Lennon (0-5, 0-2f, 1tpf), David McManus (0-1), Emmet Kenny (0-3); Josh Lennon (0-2), Graham Pettit (0-1), Paul McManus.

Subs used: Tom Sheehan for P. McManus (41), Oisín O’Flaherty for G. Pettit (47), Feargus Lennon for J. Lennon (51), Shane Gavin for Connaughton (51). Referee: Dermot Mc Lyons (Castlerea St Kevin’s)

Stat Attack

Wides: Roscommon Gaels 3; Clann na nGael 6. Red cards: 0 Black cards: 0 Yellow cards: 0 Man of the Match: Peter Gillooly

Murray’s two-pointer lights up Tulsk  KEVIN EGAN

St Mary’s, who were a hair’s breadth away from securing championship glory in the 2025 Castlerea Vehicle Recycling JFC ﬁnal against Northern Harps, got their 2026 campaign up and running with an impressive 2-15 to 1-3 win over an improving Four Roads side in Tulsk. Sandra Keane and Hannah Moylan were the goalscorers for St Mary’s, while Niamh Feeney, Grace Jones and Louise Brady also stood out for the women in maroon. However, it was Kate Murray’s audacious two-pointer that was the story of the day in Tulsk, as she achieved something no player managed across the senior,

intermediate and junior All-Ireland ﬁnals at Croke Park a fortnight previously. Their neighbours Oran are also looking strong after making it two wins from two with a 3-7 to 1-3 win over Castlerea St Kevin’s, the scoring burden shared entirely by Orla Connolly (2-3) and Niamh Walsh (1-4). Tia Cronin and Chloe Coyle caught the eye for Oran in a dominant half-back line display, while Lisa O’Rourke hit 1-1 for Castlerea, who are now on the back foot following two defeats. For drama and excitement, the place to be on Sunday was Kilglass, where St Michael’s/St Ronan’s were rocked on their heels in the early stages of their ﬁrst-ever Junior A championship

match, shipping goals to Natasha Munnelly and Aisling McGuire as they fell behind by 2-3 to no score. Rachel Flynn got the Saints going with a goal, albeit one that was cancelled out by a second green ﬂag from Munnelly, but by half-time it was a very different scoreboard at 3-3 to 1-5, and that momentum continued after the restart. With the breeze at their backs, St Michael’s/St Ronan’s looked to be in a good position when points from Flynn, Chloe McGuinness and Danielle Gannon nudged them into a one-point lead with ten minutes to play. There was a strong ﬁnish to come from Kilglass/Kilmore, however, and Munnelly’s hat-trick goal saw them over the

line, 4-7 to 1-12. In the Junior B championship, Shannon Gaels beat St Dominic’s by 2-10 to 3-4, Clann enjoyed a 5-8 to 0-7 win over near neighbours Padraig Pearses and Roscommon Gaels beat Boyle by 3-13 to 1-11. Finally, Nicole McGinley (0-5) and Jessica Lee (2-5) led the scoring for Strokestown in their 4-14 to 2-10 win over Kilbride. Updated ﬁxtures and results are available on the Roscommon LGFA website. Roscommon LGFA would like to thank John Keane Kia, Hannon’s Hotel and Castlerea Vehicle Recycling for their generous sponsorship of the adult club championships in the county.

Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

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Champions make winning starts as LGFA club action returns < KEVIN EGAN

The three clubs who earned the title of senior county champions in 2023, 2024 and 2025 all kicked off their 2026 John Keane Kia Senior Championship campaigns with victories over the weekend, though Boyle, Clann na nGael and St Brigid’s all earned their wins in sharply contrasting styles. St Brigid’s, the reigning Marie McAleer Cup holders, had the most straightforward opening tie on paper, at home to a Shannon Gaels side that did not win a championship game last year and failed to get out of Division Two of the league in the spring. That was exactly how it played out in Kiltoom, where it finished 6-9 to 2-6 in favour of the home side. Goals from Lucy Sheffield, Kate Nolan and Áine O’Brien in the opening ten minutes shattered the confidence of a young Shannon Gaels team, who could only register points from Chloe Dunne and Sorcha Bruen by the change of ends. Sheffield added two further goals in the second half and Aoibheann Fallon also raised a green flag, though Sorcha Bruen hit three second-half points before Sarah Keane and Sarah Boyd, from a penalty, found the net for the underdogs, who will take on Boyle in a local derby this coming weekend. Boyle’s confidence will be sky-high

coming into that game after they put a dangerous and developing St Barry’s side away in fine style in Tarmonbarry. All-Ireland final Player of the Match Saoirse Wynne was unavailable to Boyle manager Kieran McKeon, but her older sister Róisín was as good as ever in the half-back line, helping to load the bullets that Caitlin Conroy (0-5), Aimee Roddy (0-3), Aisling Feely (1-8) and Michaela Ward (0-5) fired with accuracy at the beleaguered St Barry’s defence. It was 1-12 to 0-2 in favour of Boyle at half-time, but led by teenage star Georgia Gerrity, St Barry’s fought back well to edge the second half, with the scoreboard reading 2-21 to 1-12 at the final whistle. Shannon McGuinness, Erica Jordan, Orlaigh Tighe and Niamh Toolan were all missing from the St Barry’s line-up and the current intermediate champions will hope to welcome some of them back for their daunting trip to Kiltoom next Sunday. If Boyle and Brigid’s flexed their muscles with big wins, then the meeting of St Ciarán’s and Clann in Fuerty was a real arm-wrestle, eventually settled by Róise Lennon’s seventh point of the afternoon late on. Ger Dowd’s side were unlucky not to take something out of a very even contest, where Caoimhe Lennon and Rachel Fitzmaurice pointed early for

The St Brigid’s ladies team.

their respective sides, and that was the only scoring until half-time. Two Róise Lennon frees nudged Clann into the lead, only for Ciara Dowd to hit back with a goal and a point, and the contest continued to swing back and forth until a late breach by St Ciarán’s gave Lennon

the chance to make it 0-9 to 1-5 at the death. Meanwhile, in Ballaghaderreen, a late Aimee O’Connor penalty took the bleak look off the scoreboard, but Éire Óg were still well worth their 1-14 to 1-8 win. Lily Murray opened the scoring for

St Dominic’s, but that was to be the Knockcroghery club’s only score of the first half, while Éire Óg went on to score 1-7 unanswered before the interval, their goal coming from Nikita Regan.

Glennon inspires Pearses to big win

The Pádraig Pearses ladies team. < KEVIN EGAN

In the Hannon’s Hotel IFC, 17-yearold Laura Glennon played like an established senior star as she kicked 0-11 in Pádraig Pearses’ 2-19 to 2-7 win over Michael Glaveys. Katelyn Keogh gave Pearses a dream start with a top-corner finish on their very first attack, but Glaveys came back

with a brace of points from Vivienne Gannon and Shauna Fleming, and they were very competitive with last year’s finalists from open play. In front of the posts, it was a different story. Glennon, along with fellow minors Sarah Kate Goode and Esmae Halpin, picked off the scores that gave Pearses a flattering 2-9 to 0-2 half-time lead.

Glaveys spurned a host of glorious chances in that opening half and, while Niamh Fleming and Aoife Burke did find the net in the second half, Glennon continued to win frees and kick scores with abandon right up to the end. County panellists Aisling Shanagher and Aisling Hanly were also in prolific form in Kilbride’s 4-13 to 0-6 win over Western Gaels at Frenchpark. Hanly

struck 1-10 and Shanagher landed a hat-trick against the home side, who will take encouragement from the performances of Lorna Flynn, Lisa Flynn and Críosa Gallagher in goal. It was a defensive battle in Ballinameen, where five points from Emma Thompson, four from frees, were not enough to prevent St Croan’s from falling to a 1-9 to 0-6 defeat to

Northern Harps. Mayo native Megan Bilbow has settled in Elphin after returning home from Australia and her tally of 0-5, as well as a first-half goal from Niamh Cunningham, was central to the reigning junior champions overcoming a competitive but wasteful St Croan’s side.

Sports PEOPLE Roscommon People Friday 21 August 2026

Brigid’s remain team to beat as championship takes shape Hodson Bay Hotel SFC round-up  SEAMUS DUKE

Group A St Brigid’s remain the team to beat in the championship following their impressive 2-14 to 1-7 win over Western Gaels at Tulsk. It may not have been the champions’ best-ever display, but they never looked under pressure. In the opening half, the Kiltoom side looked dangerous in attack and were rewarded with a well-taken goal from Charlie O’Carroll in the 18th minute. Western Gaels briefly got back into the contest when Finbar Cregg converted a 28th-minute penalty. Almost immediately, however, Brigid’s swept down-field and Conor Hand finished a fine team move to the Gaels’ net, and at half-time it was Brigid’s 2-7, Western Gaels 1-3. The second half was fairly low-key, with Brigid’s holding their opponents at arm’s length. They now progress to the play-off stages on top of the table, with a round-three meeting against fellow unbeaten side Strokestown to come. In the other game in the group, Strokestown made it two wins from two as they edged out Michael Glaveys in a high-scoring encounter at Enfield. Strokestown were in control for most of the way, but two late goals for Glaveys ensured a nail-biting finish. Strokestown were slightly the better side in the opening half and, aided by a goal from Shane McGinley, led by 1-7 to 0-8 at the break. There were three penalties awarded in the second half. The first was converted by Glaveys’ Robert Heneghan after 42 minutes to bring the sides level at 1-11 apiece. But Strokestown, for whom Thomas Corcoran was outstanding, had the edge and when McGinley rattled home another penalty in the 56th minute, it looked like game over. Strokestown led by eight points by the second minute of injury time, but Daniel Hagney scored a well-taken goal for Glaveys to

narrow the gap. When Rob Heneghan converted another penalty in the sixth minute of added time, the margin was down to just two, but Strokestown had done enough to prevail. In round three, Brigid’s and Strokestown will meet to decide who tops the group, while Glaveys and Western Gaels will clash to see who avoids the relegation play-offs. Group B Pádraig Pearses were very impressive once again, this time against Boyle on Friday night in Strokestown, running out comfortable 3-15 to 2-12 winners for their second victory in the group (see match report, pg 40). In the other game, there was a thriller at Kiltoom as Roscommon Gaels came from nine points down to defeat Clann na nGael by two, 2-17 to 1-18 (see match report, pg 42). Those results mean the group is now almost done and dusted. Pádraig Pearses will finish on top, while Boyle and Roscommon Gaels will meet in round three to decide who finishes second and third. Incredibly, Clann na nGael are out of the running for the Fahey Cup and will now face a relegation battle. Group C Oran continued their good form with another win, this time defeating St Faithleach’s by 0-18 to 0-13 at Kilbride. Pat Regan’s men were on top for most of the second half and are now in a strong position at the head of the group table (see match report, pg 41). In the remaining game, Castlerea St Kevin’s had eight points to spare against Elphin at Rockfield. Castlerea were on top for most of the first half and led by 1-9 to 1-1 at the interval. Dara Curran, John Curran and Adam McDermott were excellent for Castlerea, and it was John Curran who scored the Castlerea goal in the 20th minute. Elphin responded immediately with a Cillian Fox goal, but Castlerea were still eight points ahead at halftime. The second half was lacklustre from both sides as Castlerea remained in control and won with a bit to spare in the end. Oran now face Castlerea in their final group game in Castlerea, while Elphin play St Faithleach’s knowing they must win to avoid a relegation scrap.

Action from last Friday’s Hodson Bay Senior Football Championship match in Rockfield. Dara Curran (Castlerea) under pressure from Alan Cormley and Tadgh Morris (Elphin). Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

McNulty Furniture IFC round-up Group A Tulsk got back on the winning trail following their surprise openinground defeat, recording a well deserved 1-18 to 0-9 victory over St Barry’s in Tarmonbarry. Dylan Gaughan scored the Tulsk goal, while Thomas O’Rourke was their top scorer with 0-8. St Dominic’s went goal-crazy against St Brigid’s, hitting six in a 6-16 to 2-14 win in Knockcroghery. Daire Keenan scored 2-9 and Ronan McDermott chipped in with two goals as the home side put down a marker with an emphatic victory. In round three, Tulsk face St Brigid’s knowing a win will guarantee a play-off place, while St Barry’s take on St Dominic’s needing victory to escape a relegation play-off. Group B A candidate for ‘Game of the Weekend’ came at Enfield, where St Michael’s pipped Creggs by a point. Michael’s led by 1-7 to 0-8 at half-time, with Jeffrey Oates scoring their goal. Enda O’Rourke, who scored 1-7 for Creggs, put his side back into contention with a well-taken goal. However, Fiachra Henry, who also scored 1-7, struck Michael’s second goal to put them in the driving seat and, despite a late Creggs surge, they held on to win their second match in the group. Final score: St Michael’s 2-14 Creggs 1-16. Shannon Gaels put their opening-round defeat behind them when they overwhelmed Pádraig Pearses by 3-22 to 0-4 at Lisnamult. Matthew Bourke, Hugh Molloy and Conan Fitzpatrick were the goalscorers. In round three, St Michael’s will confirm top spot if they can beat Shannon Gaels in what should be a cracking contest. Pádraig Pearses and Creggs clash in the other game, with Creggs favourites to secure a play-off place. Group C The shock of the weekend came in Group C, where Kilmore defeated Fuerty by four points, 1-12 to 1-8, in Strokestown. Fuerty had defeated title favourites Éire Óg in round one, but they were brought back down to earth here. Kilmore were the better side in the opening half and led by 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval. A Cormac Lavin goal brought Fuerty back into the game in the second half. There was incredible tension late on, but Kilmore came up with the goods when Jamie Connellan scored the decisive goal in injury time. In Ballinlough, Éire Óg got back on the winning trail with a 1-21 to 1-9 win over St Croan’s. It was one-way traffic for most of the way, with Conor Cox back to his best as he scored 0-11 for last year’s finalists. In the final round, the clash between Éire Óg and Kilmore should be particularly interesting, while Fuerty face St Croan’s with a place in the play-offs, and the avoidance of a relegation battle, at stake.

Action from last Friday’s Hodson Bay Group Senior Football Championship match in Rockfield. Liam Finneran (Castlerea) braces himself for the imminent tackle from Evan Gunn (Elphin). Photo: Bernie O’Farrell