06 December 2024 - Roscommon People by RossiePeople

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DOLORES GACQUIN – SOLICITOR

Tel: 090 6478433 • info@bccsolicitors.ie

INHERITANCE TAX ADVICE

I hope you can advise me on a sensitive matter. My wife sadly passed away ﬁve years ago and I believe that her parents have made a will leaving me a large sum of money. They had originally made a will leaving this sum to my wife but when she passed away they changed the will to beneﬁt me instead. She was their only child and kindly treat me as their son. Will I have a very large tax bill when I receive this inheritance?

A person is entitled to receive an inheritance up to a certain value without being liable for inheritance tax. The amount of tax payable depends on the value of the inheritance and the relationship between the parties.

The tax-free amount, or threshold, varies depending on your relationship to the person giving the beneﬁt. It is a For tax purposes the relationships are categorised into three different groups namely Group A, B and C.

Group A applies where the beneﬁciary i.e. the person receiving the gift or inheritance is a child of the person giving that gift or inheritance (disponer).

Group B applies where the beneﬁciary is a grandparent, grandchild, great-grandchild, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, nephew or niece of the disponer.

Group C applies to any relationship not included in Group A or Group B.

The amount that can be received tax free is known as the threshold. The threshold for Group A (a child) is €400,000. The threshold for Group B (such as a nephew) is €40,000. The threshold for Group C (everyone else) is €20,000.

However, an exception applies in your particular circumstances. Because you will receive an inheritance from a relation of your deceased spouse, you can be assessed with the same group as your spouse would be if they were receiving the beneﬁt from their relation.

For example, if you receive an inheritance from your spouse’s parent, the group threshold would be Group C. However, if you receive an inheritance from your spouse’s parent, and your spouse is deceased, then the group threshold that applies to you would be the same as for a child receiving an inheritance from a parent i.e. Group A meaning you may receive up to €400,000 tax free within this Group A category, including from your wife’s parents. Any sum received in excess of this will be taxed at 33%.

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

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

Roscommon Christmas Festival boasts festive magic

Festival returns this weekend, featuring bustling markets, lights and illuminations, Santa’s Sleigh visit, street theatre, and more!

Roscommon County Council wishes to invite you to ‘Choose Roscommon’ this Christmas and discover all the county has to offer, including its festive Christmas markets and enchanting lights display.

On December 7th and 8th, the annual Roscommon Christmas Festival, presented by the Roscommon Town Team, Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Roscommon Lights Committee and supported by Roscommon County Council, will delight visitors with its festive ambience, food and a wide range of exciting events. Visitors seeking festive entertainment can explore the charming town of Roscommon and indulge in seasonal offerings and events right across the county, creating cherished festive memories that will last a lifetime.

Highlights of Roscommon Christmas Festival include festive fire and circus performances, a Santa’s Sleigh visit, a captivating dinosaur display, an enchanted Christmas trail at Loughnaneane Park, the bustling markets in Roscommon Town Square, and the grand finale: a spectacular fireworks display!

The festive ﬁre and circus performances will take place in Roscommon on December 7th From mid-afternoon, as the sun begins to set, ﬁre and circus performers will bring the heat and take to the streets to juggle, twirl and tumble across Roscommon town. The thrilling performances are perfect for families of all ages.

Santa’s Sleigh visit will take place on both the 7th and 8th of December. He’s making his list, and checking it twice. For those who have been naughty or nice, Santa’s sleigh will be passing through Roscommon town Square at 4.30 pm –perfect for those who want to wish Santa luck as he prepares to deliver presents in time for Christmas.

The captivating dinosaur display will be held on December 8th. On Sunday afternoon at 4 pm,

fans of T-rexs, triceratops and stegosaurs are invited to come to the square to interact with an animatronic dinosaur display for an unforgettable prehistoric adventure. Get up close and personal with our lifelike animatronic dinosaurs as they roar, move, and bring the Jurassic era to life in a festive setting.

The enchanted Christmas trail at Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon will also take place, on both the 7th and 8th of December. Loughnaneane Park will shine bright with an enchanting display of lights and Christmas characters, including a special performance of the Snow Queen’s Enchanted Realm from the captivating Enchanted Croí Theatre. Discover a picturesque pond surrounded by a fairy lights trail that offers breathtaking views of the historic landscape. The park will be transformed into a mesmerising winter wonderland with twinkling lights, snowﬂakes and Christmas scenes creating a truly magical ambience.

The bustling markets in Roscommon Town Square will also take place over the 7th and 8th of December. The heart of the festival beats there, in the heart of Roscommon Town Square, where over 30 markets and food stalls will showcase a delightful array of goods and products.

From beautifully crafted items to locally sourced produce and tempting festive treats, there’s something to satisfy every taste! It’s perfect for Christmas gift options and last-minute decorations. The market will also feature live entertainment, including carols, dance acts, street performances, a captivating dinosaur display, and of course, the iconic Santa’s Grotto – a vibrant and joyous experience for all.

The grand finale to it all will be the spectacular fireworks display on December 8th! As the festival draws to a close, Sunday evening will culminate in a breathtaking fireworks display behind the castle at 7 pm. Be prepared to be mesmerised by vibrant colours and sparkling lights illuminating the sky, leaving visitors filled with the spirit of the season. Beyond the event, there is a lot to enjoy locally this Christmas.

For example, Strokestown House: Step into

the transformed Strokestown House and embark on a magical festive adventure through the Palladian Mansion. The meticulously decorated mansion sets the stage for a truly immersive experience, celebrating the wonder and joy of Christmas.

There’s also the Arigna Mining Experience: Santa Underground! Prepare for a unique and unforgettable journey as Arigna Mining Experience is transformed into a festive wonderland since Saturday, December 2nd. Santa’s visit to the mining experience provides an exciting and fun-ﬁlled event for the whole family. Immerse yourself in the joyful atmosphere as you make lasting memories underground.

Shane Tiernan (Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council) announced the return of the enchanted Christmas trail event and invites you to ‘Choose Roscommon’ this Christmas.

“I am delighted to announce the return of the enchanted Christmas trail event at Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon, for its second year with a spectacular Snow Queen theme”, he said. “This is a wonderful community tourism event for the public to come out, explore, and enjoy our winter wonderland at the historic Loughnanaeane Park. I invite everyone to ‘Choose Roscommon’ this Christmas and experience the joy of the Christmas festivities taking place across the county”.

Lisa Joy (Tourism Officer for Roscommon County Council) invites everyone to embrace the festivities at the highly anticipated Roscommon Christmas Festival: “The Roscommon Christmas Festival will feature festive theatre performances, bustling markets filled with artisan food and products, and a wide range of entertainment for all ages”, she said. “A spectacular fireworks display will bring the festival to a close on Sunday.

“Please join us in celebrating the magic of Christmas in Roscommon. We can’t wait to welcome you!”

Stay connected and get the latest updates on socials: @RoscommonChristmasFestival on Facebook, @visitroscommon on Instagram, and @VRoscommon on X/Twitter.

Launch of Christmas Market in Roscommon. Pic: Photo Brian Farrell

At the 2024 General Election count in the Dr Hyde Centre on Sunday were: Madeline Henry and Kate Glynn.

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Science Week at Clooncagh National School was nothing short of a spectacular celebration of curiosity, discovery, and hands-on learning.

Both the senior and junior rooms embraced the spirit of scientiﬁc inquiry, delving into experiments and investigations that brought the wonders of science to life.

In the senior room, students explored the fascinating lives of scientiﬁc trailblazers

like Marie Curie and Isaac Newton, whose groundbreaking discoveries continue to shape our understanding of the world. Learning about Curie’s pioneering work on radioactivity and Newton’s laws of motion and gravity inspired students to appreciate the profound impact of science on everyday life.

The practical experiments in the senior room were equally captivating. The students created elephant toothpaste – a foamy explosion of chemistry that delighted and amazed. They also investigated chemical changes by conducting experiments on cleaning money –watching tarnished coins regain their shine. These hands-on activities not only demonstrated the principles of chemical reactions but also reinforced the importance of observation, prediction, and analysis in scientiﬁc study.

Meanwhile, the junior room was abuzz with energy as younger students embarked on their own journey of discovery. Activities

such as colour mixing introduced them to the interplay of primary and secondary colours in a fun and interactive way. The junior room also explored chemical reactions, with the highlight being the eruption of a minivolcano. The bubbling lava provided a vivid and memorable lesson on the science behind eruptions and the power of gases.

The cold weather offered up an opportunity to explore and compare the freezing properties of water and saline liquid.

Despite the freezing temperatures, the saline mixture wouldn’t freeze!

What made Science Week at Clooncagh NS truly special was the collaborative and hands-on approach to learning. By engaging

with experiments and hearing the stories of famous scientists, students developed not only their scientiﬁc knowledge but also their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They learned that science isn’t just conﬁned to textbooks –it’s all around us, shaping our world and offering endless opportunities for discovery!

Emergency services called to accidents

Emergency services were called to a number of road trafﬁc accidents in the area last weekend.

On Saturday evening, Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a single-vehicle road trafﬁc collision which occurred at about 7 pm in the Coolteige area of Fourmilehouse.

A number of people were attended to but it is understood that there were no serious injuries. The road in question was closed for a period.

On Sunday, a trafﬁc accident occurred on the N4 on the outskirts of Carrick-on-Shannon. The stretch of road in question was closed for a period while the emergency services responded. There were no reports of serious injuries.

Evening of Prayer of Intercession

An Evening of Prayer of Intercession for Our Faithful Departed will take place on Friday, 13th of December at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy, Athlone, at 7 pm.

The Evening of Prayer will be hosted by Aidan Bond and the Holy Souls Ministry/Crusade. Confessions will be available from 7 pm and Holy Mass will commence at 8.30 pm with celebrant Fr Benny McHale.

After Mass there will be individual Blessings with the True Cross containing 50 Relics of our Saints, Apostles and Martyrs taken from the vaults of the Vatican 150 years ago as well as the First Class Relic of St Nicholas of Tolentino (Patron of the Holy Souls). There will be refreshments afterwards and all are most welcome. Eircode: N37W704. Enquiries to 086 4054489.

John Joe Kelly pictured with Fionn Power and Billy Harrington at Markievicz Park on Sunday supporting Padraig Pearses in the Connacht Club Senior Football Final against Coolera-Strandhill. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

THURSDAY

Campaign fatigue strikes I think ‘campaign fatigue’ has hit the experts; and yours truly.

On Today FM, an Electoral Commission expert-type is discussing the ins and outs of the voting process with Matt Cooper.

A listener texts in to enquire why they haven’t received their polling card.

A touch wearily, the expert said he has some sympathy with An Post, as they have to try and deliver about three and a half million cards in ten days. It’s inevitable (he reckoned) that some get lost. “It’s like when one of your socks goes missing in the dryer and you never ﬁnd it”.

All very well I suppose, as long as one doesn’t get a sock in the post and ﬁnd their polling card in the dryer.

FRIDAY

Marron and the Doc

On Liveline, Joe Duffy is chatting about one of my heroes, the late Sunday World editor Kevin Marron, 40 years on from his tragic death.

A very original columnist, Marron was a great wit. As with the late Con Houlihan, certain Marron classics have remained with me.

I remember the story about the wall that was built around the house in Cootehall of the late Roscommon politician Sean Doherty. This was back in the 1980s. During Doherty’s term as Minister for Justice, there was lots of controversy.

A newspaper reported that the wall had been built at taxpayers’ expense. Initially, Doherty said it was a security wall. The fact that the wall was only four foot high seemed to undermine that explanation.

As controversy about the wall continued, Doherty referenced a Fianna Fáil colleague (and critic) who wasn’t particularly tall, quipping: “I built it to keep Seamus Brennan out”.

As for Kevin Marron… he addressed the controversy in the Sunday World. When it came to the

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

A (mostly) light-hearted look at the week that was…

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

small wall in Cootehall, Kevin wasn’t sure if this was money well spent either… “as Sean Doherty can still get out”.

FRIDAY

Voting the whole way!

Voted at 9.20 pm tonight. Not really cutting it ﬁne… just had a busy day running and racing.

That included collecting two of our daughters who made it their business to travel back to Roscommon from college (one in Galway, one in Dublin) because they were anxious to vote. Which is good.

The ladies in Ballymurray NS (our polling station) reported a busy evening’s activity.

Grasping the power brieﬂy transferred to me, I surfed the democracy wave and disappeared behind the booth wielding the 11-name ballot paper.

Eleven strokes later (why not all eleven?) I forfeited my power and returned to the outside world to indulge in a little small talk with the remain-

ing late arrivals.

As for those eleven strokes on the ballot paper… it’s probably a daft habit that I’ve got into. After all, by giving every single candidate a stroke, you end up voting for people you don’t really want to support. Maybe I just feel respect for everyone who has put their name forward. Plus, I feel the power!

SATURDAY

At the count

It’s shortly before 10 pm in the Hyde Centre, and Michael Fitzmaurice has stormed back into the Dáil.

There were 12,002 reasons to smile for ‘Fitz’ when the ﬁrst count result was announced just before 9 pm. He had topped the poll in style, elected on the ﬁrst count.

There was a ﬂurry of activity from around 7 pm onwards. Given the scale of their votes in earlier tallies, poll-topper Michael Fitzmaurice and Claire Kerrane and Dr Martin Daly all knew that they were destined to cross the winning line. A round of

media interviews began.

All three are delighted, humbled and gracious. It’s a massive milestone for Dr Daly, who has just admitted that being elected a TD has been a lifetime ambition, one he says he kept to himself for a long time.

Speaking glowingly of Fitzmaurice and Kerrane, the Ballygar man thanked his canvassing teams and supporters for the great campaign which has led to this success. He also paid tribute to Eugene Murphy, wishing him well in his future endeavours.

Revealing, with a smile, that Dr Daly is his GP, Michael Fitzmaurice hailed his canvassing teams, who had done so much great groundwork in recent weeks. He was thrilled and humbled with the size of his vote, particularly as he was down a few thousand votes due to constituency boundary changes.

Claire Kerrane is speaking to the media as I write. She and Martin Daly have just exchanged words of congratulations. Now all three will set about serving the people who have placed their faith in them.

SUNDAY

The late Terry Griffiths Terry Grifﬁths will always have a place in the sporting Hall of Fame. Rightly so.

An unknown at the time, he took part in the 1979 World Snooker Championship as an amateur… and won the title. It was a sensational feat. He was never an unknown again. The public, realising that this superb cueist was also the most modest and decent of men, took him to their hearts. Grifﬁths became one of the most loved players on the circuit (even if his style of play was less than exciting). Later, he became one of the sport’s most sought after coaches, Stephen Hendry amongst the players he assisted.

Grifﬁths, who died today at the age of 77, won that world title in 1979, and was also Masters champion in 1981, and UK Championship winner in 1982. For a period, he was one of the best players in the world, competing for titles with the great Steve Davis, his recently deceased fellow Welsh man Ray Reardon, and Alex Higgins.

Griffiths qualified for the quarterfinals of the World Championships for nine years in a row, and reached number three in the world rankings. He was a very accomplished cueist –and a gentleman.

MONDAY

Joe’s pardon

I see where that elderly ‘Mr President’ in America has been up to his tricks again, pulling a stroke, showing some favouritism, and dare I say it… arguably abusing his power!

But it’s not president-elect, Mr Donald Trump… it’s the incumbent, Joe Biden! He is facing a big backlash over the rather brazen decision to issue an ofﬁcial pardon to his son Hunter, who had been facing criminal charges.

Ah sure maybe he was right to do it when he could!

Festival Folk is returning to the midlands this December

Celebration of international, national and local talent on your doorstep

Festival Folk is returning with an indoor music festival, which will get your Christmas started in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, on Thursday, 12th of December 2024 at 8 pm.

After last year’s sold out gig, Festival Folk is back on the stage with a wonderful and talented group of musicians and artists known locally and internationally.

Festival Folk headliners includes Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan (Stockton’s Wing), Ultan Conlon, Gatehouse, Michael Banahan & Bill Shanley (internationally renowned guitarist), Roscommon Men’s Choir, Vincent Pierce, Noel Carberry & Friends.

Expect some surprises on the night too! Keeping the show on track will be compere Deirdre Kelly.

Festival Folk is running this special Live Gig in aid of Roscommon Cancer Support Services at Vita House.

The Roscommon Cancer Support Centre provides excellent support services and support to individuals and families while they are undergoing their cancer journey.

The invaluable and critical support and the services provided have enhanced recovery from cancer for individuals and for their families.

Roscommon Cancer Support Services are part-funded by ICS and NCCP, with the majority of funding from donations, fundraising, events and grants for speciﬁc services.

If you are looking for a mighty evening of ‘Ceol agus Craic’ and to meet up with family, friends or work colleagues, Festival Folk will offer you the best of Irish folk and traditional music talent, under the roof of the beautiful and intimate venue which is the Abbey Hotel.

Eleanor Shanley & Stockton’s Wing

The line-up includes the stunning folk singers Eleanor Shanley and Mike Hanrahan (Stockton’s Wing).

Renowned for her unique interpretation of Irish and roots songs, Eleanor Shanley has been at the top of her profession since 1990, when she ﬁrst appeared with De Danann, with whom she toured the world and released two highly acclaimed albums.

She has recorded with everyone from The Dubliners, Sharon Shannon and Donal Lunny to U2. Her latest album is Cancion de Amor.

Mike Hanrahan began in a duo with acclaimed Irish vocalist and Grammy nominee Maura O’Connell and then spent 15 years with the world renowned Stockton’s Wing, performing across the globe. He was writer, producer and guitarist with

Ronnie Drew for ten years from 1997 to 2007.

Ultan Conlon

Ultan is a Galway-based, internationally-acclaimed singer/songwriter whose lyrics, melodies & melliﬂuent voice have resonated with Mary Coughlan, Eddi Reader, Gaby Moreno and Hollywood star John C Reilly. Ultan has shared an LA stage with Jackson Brown, Shelby Lynn & Nickel Creek, among many others. Ultan’s unique ability to capture the fragility and sensitivity of the human spirit through his lyrics has been honed over almost two decades of writing and performing.

Michael Banahan & Bill Shanley

Bill is one of Ireland’s top session and touring guitar players and producers. Bill has established himself internationally too, through touring and contributing to albums with Ray Davies, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Paul Brady, Mary Black, Roy Harper, Alexandra Burke, Sinead O’Connor, Judy Collins and Jackson Browne, to name a few. Bill has also produced Michael Banahan’s new album, Broken Heart, which is due for release early next year.

Local talent

Our Special Local Talent includes Gatehouse; Noel Carberry & Friends; Roscommon Men’s Choir, and renowned storyteller Vincent Pierce.

If you are looking for a special gift for someone special in your life, you could treat them to a night out. A night at ‘Festival Folk’ is a thoughtful gift, while also supporting an important Roscommon service.

Get your tickets now!

Tickets are limited, and will be sold on a first come, first served basis. You can buy tickets (€25) from the Abbey Hotel Box Office (090 6626240) or from Vita House (090 6625898). You can buy online from Eventbrite. Look for Festival Folk.

Polish Community donate gift boxes for Little Santa

This year, Midlands Polish Community CLG (MPC), and its Community Support Group led by Wojtek Wrobel, have once again put together a number of gift boxes for donation to different organizations in the region, in celebration of the old Polish tradition of Little Santa (Mikolajki). The initiative was started four years ago by vice-chairman Wojtek and has been a great success every year.

everyone who contributed for all the donations and support. Filled with sweets and goodies, boxes are to be distributed to various organisations on Friday, December 6th – traditionally the day when Polish children ﬁnd little gifts under their pillows in the morning.

Over 220 gift boxes were all prepared by volunteers in Wojtek’s own home for this year’s initiative, turning the house into a real Santa’s workshop! Every year MPC receives great support from the Polish Embassy in Dublin and additional funds were collected during the last Polish Independence Day celebrations in Drum Community Centre, Athlone in November.

MPC would like to sincerely thank

Wojtek and the other members of MPC have delivered boxes to Esker House in Athlone, the Midlands Simon Community, the Melting Pot in Roscommon, Inﬁnity Friends Athlone, Athlone Family Resource Centre, and more. Extremely positive feedback was received from the beneﬁciaries and MPC are delighted to have been able to share the joyful spirit of Christmas and compassion.

Midlands Polish Community CLG hope to continue this lovely tradition every year.

Bill Shanley

Ultan Conlon

Eleanor Shanley & Mike Hanrahan

Local students receive scholarships

Niamh Jordan (Athlone), a Biological and Biomedical Sciences student at Trinity College Dublin, and Jennifer Kenny (Roscommon), an Undenominated Sciences student at University of Galway, were amongst 82 students from across seven Irish universities who have been awarded scholarships as part of Johnson & Johnson’s prestigious Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Undergraduate Awards at its national event held in Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick. The Award recognises outstanding female students in STEM2D disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design. 82 students from Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Cork, University of Galway, Munster Technology University, Atlantic Technological University and Maynooth University have received awards as part of the programme. This marks a 33% increase in recipients compared to 2023, highlighting the programme’s growing impact and recognition of talented female students in STEM2D

This is the ninth year of the annual awards programme in Ireland, highlighting Johnson & Johnson’s dedication to promoting female excellence in STEM. A day-long event, carefully structured to foster

their growth and development was hosted by the Company at Thomond Park stadium. Attendees availed of workshops and breakout sessions, gaining essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for successful careers.

Abbey Hotel Roscommon scoop 2 top Wedding Dates Awards

The Abbey Hotel Roscommon have won two top awards at the recent Wedding Dates Awards 2024 Winners of the 2024 Castle Venue of the Year Ireland and Winners of 2024 Wedding Venue of the Year in Roscommon

“A massive thank you to all our amazing couples for choosing us as your wedding venue and for your wonderful support in leaving such glowing reviews and voting for us, to our weddings manager Lisa, and our outstanding team here at the Abbey for making it all possible. It is a huge accomplishment for us to get this recognition and we are incredibly proud of our entire team,” said Geraldine Grealy, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at the hotel. Discover more about weddings at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon by scheduling a viewing with our dedicated weddings manager Lisa at a time convenient for you. Viewings are by appointment or you can complete the enquiry form and download our wedding brochure on our website. Save the date 05/01/2025 for our Winter Wedding Fair! www.abbeyhotel.ie Tel 090 66 66211 Follow us on

Michael Gilvarry, Head of R&D, Neurovascular and General Manager, Galway Johnson & Johnson MedTech; and Dinion Carton, WiSTEM2D Society Lead, University of Galway, are pictured with Jennifer Kenny, a University of Galway student, at Thomond Park, Limerick to mark her receipt of a scholarship from global healthcare company, Johnson & Johnson, as part of its WiSTEM2D Programme. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

Roscommon householders urged to recycle obsolete devices this Christmas

Almost half of Ireland’s small electronics are bought in November and December, but Roscommon is lagging in recycling rates, with only four in ten devices returning to the circular economy, new data reveals.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland ﬁgures show that nationally, over 11 million small electronic items were bought last year, with 4.4 million sold during Black Friday and Christmas alone.

However, Roscommon’

recycling trends show that most of 4 in 10 of these items won’t be recycled when they can no longer be repaired or reused.

The recycling rate is even worse for toys such as gaming consoles and battery-operated action ﬁgures, falling to just 10% nationally, leaving millions of devices lying in drawers or discarded irresponsibly.

With 73% of Irish consumers now shopping online, WEEE Ireland is urging Roscommon residents to embrace sustainable habits by swapping

old for new responsibly.

“Electronics are a top category in online purchases, particularly during highsales periods like Christmas when cost-conscious consumers hunt for deals,” said Elizabeth O’Reilly, Head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland.

“However, recycling rates in Roscommon for small devices remain low, particularly for online purchases, despite the availability of free take back services for recycling from the likes of Amazon.

“With the holiday shopping season in full swing, it’s more important than ever for consumers to know their options.

“Whether you shop instore or online, every retailer is required under Irish legislation to accept obsolete devices for free recycling when selling a similar new one”.

Ms O’Reilly says WEEE Ireland is encouraging people to check their retailers’ take back policies as each offers different ways to return items for recycling.

“Some online retailers offer collection services with their own delivery services and others offer options for free postal or courier return. Then, if you simply swap while you shop, you recycle your defunct device to ensure it doesn’t end up in landﬁll.

“This small action can make a big impact, helping conserve ﬁnite resources while reducing environmental harm, as well as protecting human and animal health”.

WEEE Ireland’s tips for a more sustainable Christmas

*Recycle while you buy: Take advantage of free recycling when purchasing new devices.

*Opt for refurbished: Explore nearly new and refurbished device offerings, and related trade-in offers, when looking for replacement items.

*Repair ﬁrst: Extend the life of your gadgets by repairing them before replacing.

*Reuse and share: Pass on functioning electronics in good quality to

others who may need them.

*Recycle responsibly: Use authorised

WEEE Ireland collection points for broken devices beyond repair and reuse.

WEEE Ireland offers hundreds of collection points across local authority civic amenity centres, allowing consumers to drop off old electronic devices for free. Participating online and physical retailers are also part of its nationwide effort to combat e-waste.

Elizabeth O’Reilly, Head of Environmental Compliance at WEEE Ireland.

Josh to feature on Late Late Toy Show!

Eleven-year-old Josh Young has been chosen to represent his county of Roscommon in the County Parade on the Late Late Toy Show, taking place this coming Friday, December 6th.

Josh is a 5th class pupil of Ballymurray National School. Josh’s family, including younger sister Ellie (9), have shared that he is incredibly excited to appear on the show. Josh’s family and friends wish him the best of luck as he appears live on the Late Late Toy Show this Friday. On behalf of our thousands of readers, the Roscommon People also wishes Josh the very best of luck on the night!

Roscommon Lions Club

Church Gate Collection

This weekend, 7th and 8th of December, Roscommon Lions will hold their annual Church gate collection. Proceeds of same go to fund the maintenance of their

deﬁbrillators, their annual carers weekend when they send 24/7 carers for weekend break, the Cycling for all Trishaw project, the QUAD centre, Message in a Bottle for the elderly and inﬁrm, etc.

Picture is eleven-year-old Josh Young, who has been chosen to represent his county of Roscommon in the County Parade on the Late Late Toy Show this Friday.

FRANK BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique take on life ...

Heading west… for a busy and enjoyable weekend in Castlebar

Frank avails of the Charlie Haughey-inspired free travel and heads West; Our columnist reflects on the election in RoscommonGalway, while musing on the varying emotions experienced by winners and losers; He highlights some local matters…

For the last week or so my trusty old VW Passat has had a serious version of the ‘ﬂu, and accordingly is laid up. For the most part I have relied on borrowed cars to get me around. In truth, I have managed quite well and have suffered no inconvenience at all.

However, it did serve to remind me that, thanks to Charlie Haughey’s foresight years ago, we older folk have free travel. The truth is I have only used it on very few occasions.

Once or twice myself and Carol used it to go to the airport in Dublin, while I always travel by train to go to St James’s Hospital, also in Dublin, for my twiceyearly ticker check-up.

Other than on those occasions my free travel pass rarely sees the light of day, which is a bit of a waste. I suppose, as I mentioned before, the fact that there is almost no public transport in rural Ireland

makes it that bit more difﬁcult to get the full beneﬁt from it.

To go anywhere, I still have to drive (or be driven) to Roscommon or Athlone to catch a bus or train, and sometimes once you start to drive it’s nearly as easy to keep going. However, on Saturday morning last, to keep a promise that I had made to my granddaughter, Riley, I boarded the train in Roscommon and headed west to Castlebar.

The previous week our (Creggs) rugby team had been in Ballina on Saturday evening, and as we were to be playing Castlebar on Saturday evening last, I told Riley that I would travel down early and spend the day with them. At that stage my car was in the whole of its health, but when it got sick I decided to make use of my free travel pass and go by train. At 9.30 am I left Roscommon for the Mayo capital.

It’s funny how you can break new ground even at an advanced age, because never once in my life before had I headed west out of Roscommon. Every other time, I was heading east. I have to say the journey west was very pleasant and seemed to go very quickly. Before I knew it we were in Castlebar. If there was one abiding memory from the trip down, it is of how wet the land was. In almost every ﬁeld there were puddles (more like lakes). It only served to remind me of how much rain has fallen in the last few weeks. Anyway, my daughter Lisa picked me

up, and after spending some time in her house making strange shapes out of PlayDoh, we hit for the lovely Knockranny House Hotel for a bit of lunch.

The last time I was there was for my nephew Raymond’s wedding a few years ago. It is still a fabulous venue. The bar/ restaurant is particularly child-friendly. It’s very spacious, meaning two young children could move around without troubling anyone, and four adults (Lisa, husband Brian, our other daughter, Tara, and me) along with Riley and Hayley had a lovely lunch there and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. We will be back.

After lunch we headed back to Brian and Lisa’s house where I watched Ireland struggle to beat Australia, and after that I did some arts and crafts with Riley. I was decorating paper Christmas trees with stickers and stuff, but I don’t think Arnotts or P&G Cards or anyone who makes or sells that type of thing will be looking to hire me. Riley, who is three-years-old, made trees that put mine to shame. I have decided that maybe I am not very artistic after all.

Anyway, after tea I ﬁnished my Castlebar trip by going to see our lads put in a very good performance as they beat the home side convincingly, a big improvement on the previous Saturday’s effort. When all that was done my brother, Billy, gave me a lift back to Creggs. I remember back in my national school days, I used to ﬁnish nearly every composition with the line ‘tired but happy after a long day’ and that line perfectly summed me up after a busy and eventful day. However, I didn’t go to bed immediately. I got yet another lift, this one to Mikeen’s, where I knew a few pints of his best porter would help me get a good night’s sleep –and they did!

Creggs Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party

More good news on the local front is that the Creggs Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party is taking place this Sunday, 8th of December in the parochial hall in Kilbegnet from 2.30 pm. This is always one of the social highlights of the year. There will be beautiful food, a little alcohol and great music and, thanks to the generosity of the Creggs Rural Development Association, everything will be free. As I said, it’s one of the great social occasions of the year. Everyone of a certain age is invited and even if you’re a year or two short there will be no one checking birth certs. Don’t forget, it’s this Sunday in Kilbegnet Hall at half past two. Bring your dancing shoes.

Congratulations to election winners

In the week that’s in it, it’s only right and proper to congratulate our own two local successful candidates in the General Election, Glinsk’s Michael Fitzmaurice and Ballygar’s Martin Daly, who along with Claire Kerrane were successfully elected. For all three of them there is the very worthwhile challenge of representing the people who have shown such faith in them.

For anyone to put themselves out there in an effort to win a Dáil seat takes a fair amount of commitment to a cause and the elation on being elected must be equalled by the sense of disappointment by the failure to get across the line.

The name Sean O’Leary may not ring a huge bell with anyone but down there in Wicklow he ran as an Independent candidate and polled a remarkable total of nine (yes, that’s right) votes. In the same constituency where Simon Harris got more than 16,000 ﬁrst preferences poor Sean must wonder why he bothered. Worst of all for him will be trying to ﬁgure out who the other eight were (I am assuming he voted for himself so that leaves eight votes to be accounted for).

It would appear that, unless he has no relations, his family may not have voted for him. As I say, for some it’s elation and delight but for others it has to be disillusionment and despair. Also on the election front we have to go to Lisaniskey school to cast our votes while up the road some of my near-neighbours go to Creggs. In one local house the parents vote in Creggs while their children have to go to Glinsk. I don’t know why that ridiculous situation exists but it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.

Anyway, well done to our three local TDs and let’s hope we all beneﬁt by having them in the new Dáil.

And finally…

Just a little reminder that the annual St Stephen’s Day Walk is on again this year with all proceeds being divided between the Sunshine Room in Creggs NS and the two hospices, Galway and Mayo/Roscommon. I will talk more about it next week, but keep it in mind in the meantime. A trip up, down and around the mountain will get rid of any Christmas Day hangover!

’Til next week, bye for now

The Canavan family pictured supporting Padraig Pearses in the Connacht Club SFC final against Coolera-Strandhill in Markievicz Park last Sunday. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

At the 2024 General Election count in the Dr Hyde Centre on Sunday were: Gerry Leonard, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice and Terry Leyden. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Historical Society lecture on archaeological finds in Connacht

A meeting of the Co Roscommon Historical & Archaeological Society will take place on Tuesday, 10th of December at 8 pm in the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre. Following, at 8.30 pm, an illustrated lecture entitled Archaeological Discoveries and Recognitions in Connacht, Clare and Westmeath 19662024 will be delivered by Martin Timoney FRSAI. In the lecture Martin will talk about the many discoveries and recognitions he has made in the above counties over a period of nearly sixty years.

Some of these ﬁnds have been made by local contact, others by contact with historians and archaeologists, more while in company with his wife Mary B Timoney while surveying in ancient burial grounds making important recognitions by ﬁnding medieval remains of ancient structures. He spent many years teaching in Castlerea and added extra time for teaching archaeology in civics classes.

Many years ago a project by

Convent of Mercy Secondary School, Roscommon was more important than at ﬁrst thought when a canal they were studying linking the rivers Suck and Hind in Ballinturley went back to the year 1139. Martin, with assistance of Daniel Curley, archaeologist, maintain it is a boundary between the O’Kelly in the south and O’Conor in the north in an effort to stop plundering of O’Conor territory by the O’Kelly back in medieval times.

In one of his classes in Castlerea he was surprised to ﬁnd a student brought in a decorative bronze pin set with two rings on the shaft and this pin was determined to date to the Late Bronze Age 1000900 BC (see image).

After retiring some years ago he then practiced as a professional archaeologist and has published many books and articles on discoveries in the region. He lives in Keash, Co Sligo. All welcome.

Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm opens €100,000+ Community Benefit Fund for Applications

Sliabh Bawn Power DAC is pleased to announce the opening of the Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm 2024 Community Beneﬁt Fund. Community and voluntary groups, nonproﬁt groups, or organisations with a charitable status are encouraged to apply for funding.

The fund aims to support local projects that make a positive contribution to communities adjacent to the Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm with applications encouraged across six categories including Recreation, Social Sustainability, Culture and Heritage, Environmental Sustainability and Tourism. The application window will remain open

until Tuesday, 28th January 2025.

The Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm is a joint venture between Bord na Móna, Coillte and Greencoat Renewables, and the Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm Community Beneﬁt Fund is administered by SECAD Partnership.

Making the announcement on behalf of Sliabh Bawn DAC, Community Relations and Advocacy Manager at Bord na Móna Karina Dennigan outlined: “We are delighted to launch the 2024 Community Benefit Fund for the local community adjacent to the wind farm. The fund will support community organisations and locally led pro-

The 2024 Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund (the “Fund”) opened for applications on Tuesday 19th November 2024.

The Fund is open to community and voluntary groups, not for profit groups and organisations with charitable status. The Fund will prioritise projects and initiatives that will benefit the area surrounding Sliabh Bawn, subject to them meeting the Fund criterion.

The Fund Guidelines and Application Form are available on: https://www.communitybenefitfunds.ie/sliabhbawn

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 28th January 2025.

Should you have any queries please contact SECAD Partnership CLG on 021 461 3432.

jects, enabling them to continue providing valuable services to people in the area. This year the Fund is valued at over €100,000 and is open for applications until the 28th of January 2025, but we strongly urge community groups to apply ahead of the deadline where possible. We look forward to continuing to support local organisations and initiatives adjacent to the wind farm.”

Elaine Barrett, Community Beneﬁt Fund Coordinator on behalf of SECAD Partnership, stated: “SECAD Partnership as fund administrator, are looking forward to supporting the communities near Sliabh Bawn, for any assistance they may need with their projects and applications. We look forward to seeing the continued benefit of the Sliabh Bawn Community Benefit Fund to the local communities, ensuring the funding has a positive and lasting impact.”

A portion of this year’s fund value has already been committed to projects in the community through multi annual awards made through previous funding rounds. These projects include: Ballagh Parish Community Hub, St Faithleachs GAA Club, Scramogue Graveyard Restoration Group and Ballyfeeney National School.

Among the groups supported by the overall Community Beneﬁt Fund in the past are local schools, sports clubs, development associations, ﬁrst responder schemes, community facilities, scout groups, local athletic clubs and community support services and outreach programmes.

Applications will be reviewed, assessed, and scored by both Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm DAC and a local committee consisting of representatives from the communities adjacent to the wind farm.

For further information on the Community Beneﬁt Fund (including fund guidelines) and how to apply for funding, please visit: https:// www.communitybenefitfunds.ie/ sliabhbawn

Should you have any queries please contact SECAD on 021 461 3432. Closing date for receipt of entries to the 2024 Fund is the 28th of January 2025.

Clooncagh National School: This year the Community Fund supported netting on school PE grounds.

Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club: Michael Farrell of Lough Ree Sub Aqua Club with Tom Costello, Community Liaison Officer.

Strokestown International Poetry Festival: Tom Costello, Community Liaison Officer with members of the Strokestown International Poetry Festival Committee.

Lough Ree Angling Club: Tom Costello, Community Liaison Officer pictured with Donal McAteer of Lough Ree Angling Club. The Community Fund supported angling, coaching and equipment for junior members.

CBS reunion

The Leaving Cert Class of 1974 from CBS Roscommon are organising a 50-year reunion on Saturday, the 7th of December. The lunch and celebration will take place at Gleeson’s Townhouse and Restaurant in Roscommon at 1 pm. Anyone interested in attending can call Eamonn Gleeson on 087 261 5956 or Hugh Baxter on 087 2222543 for further details.

Christmas carols on Sunday Christmas carols will be performed by the Athlone Choral Society and special guest Daren Lane at 6 pm in St Coman’s Church of Ireland, Roscommon Town, on Sunday, December 8th. Donations can be made at the door, if wished.

Athleague Christmas Market

The Athleague Indoor Christmas Market will be held on Sunday, 8th of December (10 am-3 pm), in Athleague Community Centre. F42 P440. Any enquiries to 087 9136692.

Roscommon Garden Club

Gala Night

Roscommon Garden Club will hold its Gala Night at 8 pm on Thursday, December 5th, in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. Floral Demonstrator on the night is Martina Flynn. Tickets cost €25.

Election count in the Dr Hyde Centre on Sunday were: Martina Carlos, Mary Finn and Elaine Clifford. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

APPOINTMENT OF LEAD CONSULTANTS FOR ROSCOMMON

TOWN INTEGRATED

Appointment of Lead Consultants for Roscommon

Town Integrated Urban Strategy

Roscommon County Council has secured funding of €200,000 from the European Regional Development Fund under Strand 1 of THRIVE (the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme). THRIVE has been established to develop an Integrated Urban Strategy, carry out citizen engagement and assess two heritage buildings in Roscommon Town. Contracts have been signed for the appointment of BDP Ltd. to act as lead consultant for the delivery of this project. The heritage of Roscommon Town is integral to the fabric of

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

the town core. A plan to protect, improve and develop assets that are under local authority control will contribute to the preservation of the cultural signiﬁcance of these assets, whilst making a positive impact on the town and its citizens. An assessment and feasibility study will be undertaken on two publicly owned buildings in the town, namely Edenville House and Bank House (for-

mer Motor Tax Ofﬁce), one of which will be selected for a further capital funding THRIVE application. This THRIVE project will be an opportunity for citizens to engage with Roscommon County Council and contribute to the consultation to determine a sustainable end use for the chosen building. A key aim of the project will be to secure further capital funding in 2025 for the renovation and

adaptive reuse of the selected heritage building.

Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Larry Brennan of Roscommon County Council said “I am delighted the contract appointing BDP Ltd. as lead consultants of this project has been signed. This marks the start of THRIVE which will provide an opportunity to protect and improve Roscommon’s rich heritage”.

LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME 2025 SCHEME FOR THE FUNDING OF IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO NON-PUBLIC ROADS

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

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

Road Reference Townland Closure duration Section of Closure

L6144

R369 Bellanagare to Elphin

LP-1217

Scramogue 06/01/2025 to 26/05/2025

Shankill 13/01/2025 –14/03/2025

Length of Closure 150m. Closure starting 100m from the N5 Junction with the LS-6144 and finishing 250m from the same junction

Length of closure 160m. Closure starting 160m west from the R369 Junction with the N61 and finishing at the junction head

Length of closure 80m. Closure starts 80m from the LP1217 Junction with the R369 and finishes at the junction head

Reason for Closures: To facilitate N5 Road Project

Proposed Diversion

Via the R371, and back onto the LS6144 in Scramogue Village

Via the N5, onto the N61 at Tulsk

Grant aid under the Local Improvement Scheme is subject to the availability of funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development. Applications are invited from residents/users of non-public roads who wish to participate in a scheme. Roscommon County Council proposes to compile a prioritised list of Local Improvement Schemes which will commence in 2025, subject to the availability of funding.

• The scheme is subject to strict criteria and conditions as set down by the Department of Rural and Community Development

• The guidelines specify the local contribution from the landowners/local residents of between 10% and 15% of the overall cost must be paid before work commences

Eligible road projects are as follows:

• Road projects which provide access to parcels of land, of which, two or more are owned or occupied by different persons, one of which must be for agricultural/harvesting purposes;

• Road projects which provide access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons; or

• Road projects which provide access to at least one parcel of land owned or occupied by a person engaged in agricultural activities AND which separately provides access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for at least one other person.

via the L-5650 if intending to get onto the N61, and via the L-60231 if intending to get onto the R369

Objections in respect of the proposed closure may be made in writing to the Roads and Transportation Department or e-mailed to roads@roscommoncoco.ie to arrive not later than 5pm on Wednesday 11th December 2024.

• In addition, works can also be carried out on Amenity Roads. Amenity Roads are nonpublic roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards or other tourist/heritage sites.

Full details of the Local Improvement Scheme are available on www.roscommoncoco.ie

The online application form must be completed via My Online Services at: https:// roscommon-self.achieveservice.com. Please register, using your own email address, for My Online Services at www.roscommoncoco.ie before you begin. Incomplete online applications or late online applications will not be considered.

Applications may be made via My Online Services from Tuesday 17 December 2024

The closing date for receipt of completed online applications is 5pm Tuesday 21 January 2025. Any queries relating to the application process or eligibility for the scheme should be emailed to roads@roscommoncoco.ie

Greg O’Donnell

Acting Director of Services

Greg O’Donnell

Acting Director of Services

Greg O’Donnell A/Director

of Services

URBAN STRATEGY: Top, left to right: Una Ní Chuinn,Town Regeneration Officer Mark Keaveney, Director of Services and Enda Mulryan, Regeneration. Sitting, left to right: Michael Mullen, BDP Ltd; Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Larry Brennan and Chief Executive Shane Tiernan.

Get glam for Christmas with Venus Beauty by Larissa!

“My

< ALANNAH ITA HEALY

In recent years, Strokestown resident Larissa Corcoran of Venus Beauty by Larissa has established herself locally as a go-to professional for a wide range of beauty services. From make-up and nails to facials, waxing, and brow/lash treatments, Larissa combines skill with a welcoming, personal approach.

Speaking to the Roscommon People this week, she shared how her passion for beauty led her to a career in the industry, and to building a thriving business out of her home in Strokestown.

Larissa explained that she has “always had an interest in all things beauty”: “Growing up, I always liked to do the other girls’ nails and hair and makeup, all that kind of stuff. I found it really enjoyable – my house was like a little salon!”

Despite her life-long passion in this area, Larissa only began working in the beauty industry fairly recently, starting beauty school in Carrick-on-Shannon in 2022 after working as a teacher for many years. She took to it instantly, receiving the MakeUp Student of the Year Award that same year, and in the time since, she has continued to go from strength to strength. Earlier this year, Larissa ﬁnished off her studies in Longford, equipping her with an even wider range of services to offer her clients.

The full range of services available at Venus Beauty is comprehensive, providing clients with an extensive array of options to explore in the realm of beauty. Having begun her beauty career creating beautiful make-up

FOR MORE INFORMATION ...

For more information about Venus Beauty and the wide range of professional services on offer, follow Venus Beauty on Instagram (@venusbeauty.ie) and Facebook (Venus Beauty By Larissa).

To book your appointment now, contact Larissa on 083 8184319 or email laripinheiro91@icloud.com

looks for her clients, this service (which includes false lashes) remains a popular one, in addition to the treatments Larissa also now provides when it comes to nails, brows, lashes, facials, and waxing.

Designed to cleanse, hydrate, and exfoliate, the facial services on offer with Venus Beauty comprise deep cleansing, skin analysis, exfoliation, clay masks, and facial massages. Regarding waxing, Larissa explains that in addition to waxing facial areas, Venus Beauty also provides waxing services for legs, underarms, and the bikini line.

Larissa also spoke to the People about the different brow and lash services she offers, which include brow shaping and tinting, brow lamination, henna brows, lash lifts, lash tints, and classic lash extensions. And when it comes to her immensely popular nail service, Larissa offers a range of manicure and pedicure options, from regular nail polish to gel extensions, BIAB, and UV nail polish (shellac).

Previously, Larissa offered her services via Jazel Hair Care on Church Street in Strokestown, but she made the transition to operating Venus Beauty from home when the established Strokestown business closed

its doors in June. “When Jazel unfortunately closed, that was when I got set up to offer my services from home, which is what I have done ever since”, Larissa told the People.

Larissa recognised the pros and cons between working in a designated beauty studio in the town centre and working from her home salon. In particular, she explained she appreciated the separation of home and work when working with Jazel, as well as the added beneﬁt that she would get more ‘walk-in’/last-minute clients, as many people would come in to get their hair done and then choose to go for one of her services too.

However, she also highlighted the added convenience and ﬂexibility that transitioning into her new set-up has for her, and noted she has also seen how operating from home has been a distinctly positive move for several of her clients as well.

“For some people, going into a busy salon can be very daunting”, Larissa observed. “There can be a bit of social anxiety there. I ﬁnd clients are generally much more comfortable this way”.

This comfortable atmosphere is something which Larissa is keen to cultivate for her clients, saying she wants people to

“have a good time” when they opt for Venus Beauty.

“My clients feel like friends, and they’re treated that way when they come in. You’re offered tea, coffee, biscuits, we have a nice casual chat, and you leave feeling fantastic!”, Larissa described.

Heading into the holiday season, Larissa told the People “this is always a busy time” for beauty salons, adding that she intends to rise to the demand and work all the way up until 5 pm on Christmas Eve to ensure she is able to serve as many clients as she can.

Interested clients should move quickly however, as Larissa tells the People, “I would advise clients to book quickly, because my Christmas agenda is ﬁlling up fast!”

Additionally, for anyone looking for the perfect gift to give this Christmas, Larissa told the People that interested parties can also get in contact to buy gift vouchers for Venus Beauty.

Larissa Corcoran of Venus Beauty (left) pictured receiving her 2022 Make-Up Artist of the Year award.

Venus Beauty offers a wide range of services when it comes to nails – including gel, shellac, BIAB, and regular polish.

Some of the beautiful make-up looks done recently by Larissa of Venus Beauty.

Lash lifts are among the variety of different brow/ lash services offered by Venus Beauty – such as brow shaping and tinting, brow lamination, henna brows, lash tints, and classic lash extensions.

Importance of pollinators highlighted

Dr Sarah Larragy of Trinity College Dublin gave a presentation to a packed room in The Hub, Castlerea recently on the importance of bees and other pollinators and the central role they play in our natural environment and in our food production.

Dr Larragy’s mother (Maura Boyle) was born and raised in Ballintubber and her grandparents hail from Castlerea and Cloonfad, so Sarah has deep connection with County Roscommon and has many happy memories of spending time here as a child. Her parents Joe and Maura live in Cloonchambers, Castlerea.

The large attendance was indicative of the growing awareness and concern

with the conservation and promotion of natural heritage amongst all age groups and amongst those from various walks of life, from farmers to gardeners and beekeepers.

On a topic that is often presented as pessimistic, the large and varied attendance and the level of interest and enthusiasm that was evident amongst the attendees gave a sense of hope and of a shared commitment to protect and foster our native pollinators and our natural habitats into the future.

For her doctoral thesis which she completed in 2023, Dr Larragy studied differences between wild Irish Buff-tailed bumblebees and other populations, including British and

commercially produced varieties.

Currently, Dr Larragy is working in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) on the Irish leg of an EU-wide project called RestPoll, a project which hopes to provide society with the tools and knowledge needed to restore habitats and pollinators and reverse their decline.

As keynote speaker, Dr Larragy outlined the myriad ways in which plants can be fertilised before outlining the pivotal role of various types of bee, including the bumble bee, the honey bee as well as the less well known and solitary bees.

The event was organised by Independent councillor, Anthony Waldron. Local businessman Benny O’Connell

prefaced the talk with an overview of how The Hub has developed as an important facility for the Castlerea community and on the range of activities which it fosters, including a new food production facility for small enterprise and start-up food producers.

Dr Larragy drew attention to the wide range of other natural insect pollinators such as wasps, hoverﬂies and grasshoppers. Despite their integral role in the natural environment, native wild bees and other pollinators are showing a worrying decline both in numbers and diversity. She pointed out the factors causing this decline, such as loss of habitat, loss of food and use of pesticides.

She also spoke of the ‘Don’t Mow in May’ initiatives, of allowing some areas on farms and gardens to remain “wild”, the preservation of our hedgerows and the ways in which we can provide habitats for various bees and other insects by the use of simple “bug hotels” fashioned from readily available materials.

Dr Larragy ended her talk on a positive note providing information on some simple actions which can be taken to support pollinators on our farms, in our gardens and within our communities. She gave the bee’s eye view of an overly manicured law with no “weeds” as a desert landscape.

Local residents in the Castlerea area made a presentation to Dr Sarah Larragy on the occasion of her environmental talk in The Hub recently. Pictured presenting the award to Dr Larragy are Padraig Sirr, Rita Murray and Tom Flynn.

Martin Hurley, David Nally, Tom Flynn, Dr Sarah Larragy, Padraig Sirr, Dermot Coyle, Cllr Anthony Waldron and Benny O’Connell pictured following Dr Larragy’s lecture.

Seamus

Duke’s winners and

losers…

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

#GE 24: Five winners Winners and losers…

The Social Democrats

It was a good weekend for Holly Cairns. The young Social Democrats leader gave birth to a baby daughter on election day. Meanwhile, her party has won eleven seats, almost double the amount they won in 2020. It means that the party will deﬁnitely be a factor when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael come looking for a coalition partner.

However, the Soc-Dems may demand a high price for going into power given what has happened to smaller parties like Labour, the PDs and the Greens over the years, with the smallest Government coalition partner often being virtually decimated when it comes to the following election. But the 2024 election was a great one for the Soc-Dems.

Micheál Martin

There were times over recent months when Micheál Martin looked like he may well be on his way out as Fianna Fáil leader, given the rise of Sinn Féin and the alleged ‘Harris bounce’ that we were all hearing about in Fine Gael. But the Tánaiste ran a very smooth, error-free campaign, and now his party is by some distance the biggest in the new Dáil, with the Fianna Fáil leader set to be Taoiseach in a new coalition arrangement with Fine Gael and one of the smaller parties (or Independents). A remarkable transformation. It remains to be seen if Fine Gael will secure a rotating Taoiseach arrangement.

Fianna Fáil

Despite trailing Fine Gael and Sinn Féin in the opinion polls for the past couple of years, Fianna Fáil have increased their seat numbers on 2020 quite signiﬁcantly. They will be the biggest party in the incoming Government. This despite FF having been on a downward spiral over the past few elections.

That trend has certainly been halted this time around. Their candidate selec-

Independents

The rise of the Independents’ vote continues unabated. Here in RoscommonGalway, Michael Fitzmaurice attracted a huge vote again (he is with Independent Ireland, but I think most people would say he is an independent).

Around the country, people like Michael Lowry, Mattie McGrath, Verona Murphy, Sean Canney and the Healy Raes and others continue to garner huge support.

Could it be that the Independents might have a role in the formation of a new Government? Maybe Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will avoid Labour or the Social Democrats and instead turn their attention to a handful of non-party TDs as possible suitors?

Labour

Under new leader Ivana Bacik, there were predictions that Labour would struggle in this election, but they have done well, ending up with an impressive eleven seats. Will they go back into Government again?

Similar to the Social Democrats, Labour might be wary of doing so as the price to be paid at the polls at the next election may be too high. They will however surely be tempted by the prospect of places at the cabinet table.

24: Five losers

#GE

The Greens

A total wipeout was avoided as Roderic O’Gorman hung on to his seat, but the party suffered massive losses as the smallest of the three outgoing Government parties. The perception is that the party is ‘anti-rural’ (whether that is right or wrong) and that cost the Greens dearly. It’s hard to know what it says about the public attitude to climate change. In any event, the Greens will have to build from the bottom again.

Gráinne Seoige

The decision by Fianna Fáil to run Gráinne Seoige as a so-called celebrity candidate in Galway West backﬁred badly as the voters there simply didn’t want to know. If Gráinne didn’t know how tough politics can be, she certainly does now. Other ‘celebrity’ candidates like Gerry Hutch in Dublin and Billy O’Shea in Kerry didn’t get elected either. Parachuting in a ‘big name’ candidate doesn’t always work.

Stephen Donnelly

The outgoing Minister for Health paid a heavy price in Wicklow after what was a bruising election campaign for him. Donnelly was always a divisive ﬁgure having left the Social Democrats to run as an Independent before then joining Fianna Fáil. Despite being a very capable politician he was always seen as an ‘outsider’ by the Fianna Fáil grassroots in Wicklow and he has now paid the price.

The voting public

This was one of the most downbeat election campaigns in living memory. Apart from the incident in Kanturk with Simon Harris, there was little for anyone to get too excited about. The debates were devoid of controversy and all parties and none want more housing, a better health service and measures to address the cost of living, so there were no major differences between any of the politicians on the main issues. The low turnout shows that a lot of people were simply not engaged in the election campaign – which is a pity.

Comeback kids

There were quite a few in this category including former minister Alan Shatter, former TDs (and MEPs) Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, and ex-TD Noel Rock, all of whom tried to get back to Leinster House but failed. Time moves on in politics and eaten bread is soon forgotten.

tion and vote management has worked well in this election.

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

Daly joins Fitzmaurice and Kerrane in Dáil after decisive vote

< EMMETT CORCORAN

The people of Roscommon-Galway elected outgoing TDs Michael Fitzmaurice (Independent Ireland) and Claire Kerrane (Sinn Féin) along with ﬁrsttime candidate Dr Martin Daly (Fianna Fáil) in last Friday’s General Election.

Counting of votes commenced at the Dr Hyde Centre on Saturday morning and concluded late on Sunday afternoon. From the ﬁnal tallies on Saturday morning it had been quite clear that this wouldn’t be a nail-biting count, with the three who went on to be elected being clear of the other contenders.

The people of this traditionally unpredictable constituency voted overwhelmingly to retain their two incumbent TDs, i.e. Fitzmaurice (Independent Ireland) and Kerrane (Sinn Féin).

Fianna Fáil regained the seat that they lost in 2020, with newcomer Dr Martin Daly from Ballygar being elected along with Claire Kerrane on the seventh and final count. Michael Fitzmaurice was elected on the first count on Saturday evening, retaining his poll-topping status for a second election in a row, this time with 12,002 first preference votes.

The Glinsk man took the lion’s share of the votes in boxes close to his home base but also won the majority of votes in numerous boxes in North and South Roscommon in places such as Rooskey, Fourmilehouse and Brideswell.

Of the electorate of 62,727, 41,332 people cast their votes last Friday, meaning the turnout was 65.9%. 204 votes were deemed invalid, resulting in a valid poll of 41,128. Follow-

ing the ﬁrst count on Saturday evening, Returning Ofﬁcer Olivia Bushell declared the quota for the three-seater constituency to be 10,283.

Kerrane secured 8,039 first preferences before being declared elected on the seventh and final count, having reached the quota with 11,087 votes. Her vote in every ballot box across the constituency broke doubledigits. On the same count, Dr Martin Daly was elected with 10,234 votes, just 49 shy of the quota, having secured 7,283 first preferences. For the second General Election in a row, Fine Gael’s Aisling Dolan (from Ballinasloe) finished just short of the winning post. She won 4,843 first preferences before being eliminated on the final count when on 7,593 votes.

Former Fianna Fail senator

Eugene Murphy, who contested the election as an Independent (Non-Party) candidate, secured 4,327 ﬁrst preferences and was eliminated following the sixth count.

The results of the ﬁrst count of the remaining candidates were as follows:

Beirne (NP): 202

Ó Corcoráin (AON): 789

Daly-Finn (FG): 2,164

Mannion (PBP): 814

O’Connor (GP): 441

Sweeney (TIP): 224

Following the distribution of Fitzmaurice’s surplus of 1,719 votes, non-party candidate Vincent Beirne was eliminated and his 234 votes, including second preferences, were distributed. On the third count, no candidate was elected and the two lowest polling remaining can-

didates, Martina O’Connor of the Green Party (449) and Alan Sweeney of The Irish People (306 votes) were eliminated. Counting was adjourned before 1 am on Sunday morning before resuming at 10 am, with the distribution of the eliminated candidates’ votes.

Count four also saw the elimination of two candidates, with none of the other candidates being elected. Ó Corcoráin of Aontú and Mannion of People Before Proﬁt-Solidarity were eliminated, having reached 1,031 and 1,006 votes respectively.

The ﬁfth count came relatively swiftly. Again, no candidate was elected, and this count saw the elimination of Fine Gael’s Dympna Daly-Finn (from Arigna), and the 2,425 votes she had secured being distributed.

Ms Daly-Finn transferred well

to her party running mate, Ballinasloe-based Aisling Dolan. She gained 1,397 votes, which saw former Fianna Fáil senator Eugene Murphy fall back into ﬁfth place on the sixth count. He was eliminated, and his 5,779 votes were then distributed, leading to the election of Sinn Féin’s Claire Kerrane with 11,087 votes (having exceeded the quota) and Fianna Fáil’s Dr Martin Daly being elected without reaching the quota with 10,234 votes. In their acceptance speeches, the three elected candidates paid tribute to retiring TD Denis Naughten (formerly Fine Gael, also Independent) and acknowledged the recent sad passing of his brother John, who had been chosen as a Fine Gael candidate for this election. They offered their sympathies to Denis and the entire Naughten family.

Dr Martin Daly is greeted by Fianna Fáil colleagues on his arrival at the Dr Hyde Centre on Saturday evening. Pic: Michael Finan

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

Any of our three TDs could have key role in new Government

< EMMETT CORCORAN

The results in Roscommon-Galway mark signiﬁcant milestones for both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin. Dr Martin Daly’s election represents a comeback for Fianna Fáil in a constituency where its fortunes have faltered, while Claire Kerrane’s re-election cements Sinn Féin’s growing strength and organisational capability.

Reaction from some older and not so older names in Roscommon politics in the form of Michael Mulligan, Michael Finneran, and Sean Moylan sheds light on these outcomes, offering insight into the dynamics behind the successes of Daly and Kerrane.

Did somebody call for a doctor?

Dr Martin Daly’s victory not only restores Fianna Fáil’s traditional seat in Roscommon-Galway but also serves as a testament to the party’s ability to unite under pressure.

Former TD (and Junior Minister) Michael Finneran highlighted the importance of adhering to democratic decisions within the party, referencing the selection process that led to Daly’s candidacy.

“If a party doesn’t abide by democratic decisions, then the party is in danger of being regarded as not an appropriate political party,” Finneran remarked, adding that the unity shown by Fianna Fáil’s councillors ultimately ensured Daly’s success.

The campaign was not without its challenges, particularly with Eugene Murphy’s independent bid. Sean Moylan, a Fianna Fáil councillor, acknowledged the strain this placed on the party but credited voters with ultimately returning to Fianna Fáil.

“People in our area have a lot of respect for Eugene, but in the end, they came back to Fianna Fáil,” Moylan said, emphasising that the electorate rewarded the party’s collective effort while displaying support for the long-standing Fianna Fáil representative.

Daly’s own professional reputation as a GP in Ballygar also played a key role. Finneran noted that many voters had been patients of Daly’s and valued his contribution to the community.

“If they had one regret,” Finneran reﬂected, “a number of them said to me, ‘I hope that we don’t miss him as our doctor’”.

Sinn Féin solidify success

For Sinn Féin, Claire Kerrane’s re-election further solidiﬁes the party’s growing dominance in Roscommon-Galway. Michael Mulligan, a former Sinn Féin councillor and a mentor to Kerrane, painted a vivid picture of her rise within the party.

Reﬂecting on her early involvement, Mulligan remarked, “She’s like a third daughter to me,” describing how he introduced Kerrane to Sinn

Féin meetings during her teenage years.

Mulligan praised Kerrane’s intelligence and her ability to connect with people across the political spectrum. “She has a great brain and a quick brain,” he said, adding that her patient and methodical approach has been instrumental in her success. Kerrane’s broad appeal was evident in the election results, with her

ﬁrst preference vote tally of 8,039 growing to 11,087 by the ﬁnal count, surpassing the quota.

Kerrane’s work ethic and attention to local issues were also noted by Mulligan, who credited her with bringing fresh ideas and energy to Sinn Féin’s strategy. “She has plenty of patience, which is a must in that political job,” he said, underscoring her potential to

remain a central ﬁgure in the party for years to come.

A contrast

Both Daly and Kerrane represent different but complementary paths to political success in Roscommon-Galway. Daly’s campaign was bolstered by his deep roots in the community and the rallying

of a historically loyal Fianna Fáil base. Finneran, reﬂecting on Fianna Fáil’s broader strategy, emphasised the importance of staying focused on practical governance, particularly in areas like housing and social services. “We must ensure that the aspiration of the Irish people to have a house of their own is fulﬁlled,” he said, framing Daly’s election as a step towards achieving these goals.

In contrast, Kerrane’s appeal lies in her role as a torchbearer for a younger, more dynamic Sinn Féin. Mulligan praised her ability to articulate Sinn Féin’s vision and connect with voters, saying: “What she says makes sense… She’ll be the mainstay of Sinn Féin politics for many a day to come”.

Looking ahead

The election of Dr Martin Daly and the re-election of Claire Kerrane highlight the shifting but still vibrant political landscape in Roscommon-Galway.

As Cllr Moylan put it, Daly’s victory “proves Fianna Fáil made the right decision” in selecting him while also admitting that he had called for a two-candidate strategy and that Eugene Murphy should have been the second candidate. He acknowledged that in hindsight he was probably wrong about a two-candidate strategy.

Murphy made quite a lot of an issue about county boundaries during the campaign; however, Moylan reiterated that his belief was always that there should have been a candidate in the north and south of the constituency irrespective of county boundaries.

Kerrane’s continued success is a testament to Sinn Féin’s growing organisational strength. Both TDs now face the challenge of translating their electoral mandates into tangible beneﬁts for the constituency, ensuring that the trust placed in them by voters is rewarded with meaningful action.

As Fianna Fáil (48 seats) emerge from the election, yet again, as the largest party in the State, Sinn Féin (39 seats) has moved up the league table pushing Fine Gael (38 seats) into third position. Roscommon-Galway is one of four constituencies nationally that returned a TD for the newly-formed political party Independent Ireland. Michael Fitzmaurice, the four-time TD and two-time poll-topper has been very direct in his desire to restore “common sense” to national politics through the new political movement and has stated that his party will seriously consider supporting a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael-led government but that it “would not sell its soul” to obtain power.

Given the dearth of political cohesion on a national level, it’s all to play for in terms of Roscommon-Galway as the constituency returns three TDs, any of whom could potentially make up part of the next Government. As coalition negotiations kick off, the 34th Dàil will convene on December 18th.

Supporters, family members and political colleagues celebrate with Michael Fitzmaurice at the Hyde Centre last weekend. Pic: Michael Finan

Cllr Marty McDermott and MEP Ciaran Mullooly congratulate Claire Kerrane on her latest election success. Pic: Michael Finan

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

Daly realises a lifetime ambition

Dr Martin Daly said he is “delighted, and a little bit overwhelmed” by the thought of being a TD.

Speaking to the Roscommon People at the count centre over the weekend, Deputy Daly said: “It is a lifetime ambition, probably one that I kept covered… I’m absolutely delighted with the result. I’m really grateful to the support I’ve had from my large army of canvassers who came to every part of the constituency with me, to the Fianna Fáil county councillors, to Fianna Fáil nationally and locally.

“The local organisation have been brilliant and we’ve met so many really wonderful people up and down the constituency”.

Paying tribute to returning TDs Michael Fitzmaurice and Claire Kerrane, Daly said: “Michael is a very particular type of politician. I have great time for him. He has immense charisma.

“He’s shown repeatedly that he can produce in electoral politics and you have to admire that. And he speaks with an authentic rural voice for the farming community also. So I respect all of that in Michael Fitzmaurice”.

Dr Daly also paid warm tribute to Claire Kerrane, saying she was a very hard-working TD who had a great election outing.

“I knew they were going to be the two main contenders and there’s a reason for that. They do work very hard. So I want to respect that. And I will work with them in any way I can to forward the interests of this constituency”.

Expressing delight at his own ﬁrst preference vote of 7283, he said: “I’m delighted that I got such a good vote in Roscommon, in Roscommon town, in South Roscommon. But I also got a good vote in Castlerea and in Boyle and I got votes in almost every box in

‘You fight the good fight’ – Dolan

Speaking to the Roscommon People at the election count on Saturday evening, Fine Gael candidate Aisling Dolan was not prepared to concede defeat at that point – but she did concede that she was facing “a steep hill” and had “a lot of ground to cover”.

Noting she was in fourth place at the time, the affable Ballinasloe woman was waiting to see how vote transfers worked out that evening and the following day.

Asked if she would seek re-election to the Seanad if this Dáil bid didn’t work out, she said: “Well, I’m very much looking forward to seeing what happens this evening and tomorrow, please God, so see what happens there. But I know, like you said there, for me, being a public representative has been an absolute honour.

“To be able to go forward and work with people on the ground in a fulltime role, which is what I’ve been able to do over the last ﬁve years, working with community groups, working

with people, ﬁghting for investment”.

The outgoing senator then cited signiﬁcant multi-million euro projects locally, including for urban regeneration in Roscommon and in relation to a 50-bed unit in Portiuncula Hospital.

“These are all projects that have just driven me because I know what it means to the people of RoscommonGalway. And I know that this investment and having a Government representative is crucial. And I’ve been very proud to have done that as a Government Oireachtas member. So I don’t know what the future may hold. But at the moment, I’m waiting to see what happens this evening and tomorrow.

“You ﬁght the good ﬁght, because you know what it means to families, communities living here… to have better services, better amenities, more hospital beds, more school places, transport, Local Link for all ages in our community. To me, it’s absolutely crucial”.

the county of Roscommon”.

Asked about speculation that he could be in line to be catapulted straight into ministerial ofﬁce, he said: “That’s a matter for the leader of the party and I did no deals coming into this. I put myself forward. I felt that Roscommon-Galway needed

a TD sitting on the government benches.

“But you asked me about further responsibility. You go into politics, you’re certainly hopeful that you will be given some responsibility, but that’s a matter for the leader of the party”.

As to the sensation of realising he was about to become a TD, he reﬂected: “It only really hit me when I walked through the doors there. And I was met by my county councillors and my family came through and my friends and my canvassers were there and I see how much it has meant to them. I saw tears in their eyes. They wanted a Fianna Fáil TD. They wanted someone in the constituency that was serving the government and that was always our mantra going through this process.

“We wanted Fianna Fáil back in Roscommon-Galway. We wanted representation and I really commit not to let down the people who have given me this mandate”.

On the issue that arose when outgoing senator Eugene Murphy left the party to run as an Independent, Dr Daly said: “I just want to pay tribute to Senator Eugene Murphy. There was no hard or difﬁcult words between us personally and I wish him well in his future endeavours. I regret he left the party but that was his decision and as I said I wish him well.

“And in terms of the split, one of the reasons I stood this time, I genuinely felt that we weren’t going to win a seat in this election unless we had a new face and I offered myself in that hope. I’ve been vindicated, but more importantly the organisation, the Fianna Fáil organisation locally and nationally has been vindicated also and I think the result tells its own story”.

Dr Martin Daly pictured with supporters at the Dr Hyde Centre last Saturday evening. Photo: Michael Finan

Aisling Dolan chatting to Council staff at the count centre last Saturday. Photo: Michael Finan

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

Kerrane grateful for people’s faith in her

Claire Kerrane said it’s a real honour and privilege to be re-elected. Speaking to the Roscommon People at the count centre over the weekend, the Sinn Féin TD said it’s rewarding to know that people believed in what she has done.

“People went into the polling booths… and put their faith in me. It means a lot and I’m very, very grateful”.

As to her ability to win votes constituency-wide, she said: “I think the constituency ofﬁce in Ballinasloe has been really, really important and I think that has played a part in my success in terms of the Ballinasloe boxes.

“I’d also been running a clinic in Monksland because I was always conscious that I was further away from them and I’m really delighted that they’ve put their faith in me again because I was always mindful of that, particularly in the last election. They were almost taking a gamble on me the last time because I was so far away.

“But we have a good base in Ballinasloe. We obviously have the county councillor, Dermot Connolly, so all of that has helped

and we have a really good team in Ballinasloe. We’ve done a lot of work down there.

“We’ve helped a lot of people. That’s part of the job, but I’m really proud that they’ve come out for me in such numbers”.

Asked about the possibility of Sinn Féin being in the next Government – and speaking before the ﬁnal national picture became clear – Deputy Kerrane said: “Sinn Féin will be making every effort to see can we form a Government without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael… we want to be in Government. If we’re not in Government, we can’t effect the change we want to achieve.

“So it’s very much about being in Government. That’s where you can make the greatest change. We want to be in Government and we want to lead a Government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

“What we said in 2020, and what we’ve said again very clearly and consistently in this election as per 2020, is we will speak to everyone, like adults and like grown-ups. We won’t be saying we’re not talking to you and we’re not talking to you”.

Fitzmaurice confirms interest in Government formation

Speaking to the Roscommon People in the Dr Hyde Centre last weekend, Michael Fitzmaurice said he was humbled by the vote he had received.

The poll-topper said that he had arguably lost about four and a half thousand votes due to the changes in constituency boundaries, and as such he was particularly delighted with his 12,002 number ones.

“It’s not about me, it’s about my team, the people that wore the shoe leather everywhere, because it was a short campaign.

“My God, those people, as we like to call them, Fitzie’s army, soldiered on the roads, day and evening time”.

He was, he said, very grateful to the people of RoscommonGalway for putting their trust in him.

Fitzmaurice conﬁrmed that Independent Ireland were very much up for entering Government, should the opportunity arise.

Issues to do with agriculture and planning were of key importance, he indicated, adding that the two main parties in the last Government had taken on board a lot of what Independent Ireland has been saying about

agriculture.

“It was great to hear Micheál Martin saying the other day that he believes every member of the family deserves to get planning in rural Ireland. And these are the things we need to address.

Some of the things are big stuff, but some of the things are very important to people that live in small villages right throughout our country”.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said he wanted to acknowledge the Naughten family at this sad time, following the recent death of Cllr John Naughten, who had been selected to run in the General Election for Fine Gael.

“I want to remember the Naughten family. Denis is a colleague of mine, but so was John… and I want to pay tribute to all the Naughtens for the work they’ve done through the years”.

Congratulating Claire Kerrane and Martin Daly on their success in Friday’s election, he said:

“I’ve known Martin for years, he’s my doctor! You know, I grew up with Martin… I worked with Claire before, and I want to congratulate them.

“And I also want to remember everybody that put their name

on that poster (ballot paper), because you know, everyone can be critical of people, everyone can say this, that, and the other, but it takes guts, ﬁrst of all, to put their head above the parapet, and I want to commiserate with

Eugene (Murphy), and every other person that put their name on that ballot paper, because it’s very easy to be a winner, but… it takes courage and guts as well when, unfortunately, you don’t win the election”.

Declan Geraghty narrowly misses out on seat

The 2024 General Election in Galway East brought changes to the political landscape, with the rise of newcomers and the decline of established ﬁgures.

Fianna Fáil’s 25-year-old candidate Albert Dolan topped the poll with 10,140 ﬁrst preference votes, signalling a generational shift within the party’s local representation.

In contrast, Anne Rabbitte, the outgoing Minister of State for Disability and a Fianna Fáil TD since 2016, lost her seat after securing only 4,056 ﬁrst preference votes, indicating a shift in voter sentiment towards fresh leadership.

Pete Roche of Fine Gael managed to retain a seat for his party following Ciaran Cannon deciding to step back, citing “toxicity” in politics.

Independent Ireland’s candidate, Councillor Declan Geraghty, who received strong backing from Michael Fitzmaurice, ran a short and strong campaign, attracting 5,150 first preference votes, which had him in serious contention for a seat on Saturday night. Fitzmaurice, a prominent figure in Independent Ireland, had considered running in Galway East due to boundary changes but ultimately chose to remain in Roscommon-Galway, with Geraghty, a sitting councillor and popular community figure, contesting Galway East. Given how close Geraghty got to a Dáil seat, there has been speculation that had the announcement been made sooner, he may have stood a better chance of taking the seat. Certainly his performance augurs well for another run by Geraghty in the future.

The election saw Independent TD Seán Canney being re-elected, while Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara also secured a seat, marking Sinn Féin’s ﬁrst representation in Galway East since Liam Mellows who died in December 1922.

Michael Fitzmaurice… topped the poll and was elected on the first count. Photo: Michael Finan

Deputy Claire Kerrane speaks to the media at the count centre. Photo: Michael Finan

Results

Dr Martin Daly: a rising star for FF

< EMMETT CORCORAN

Dr Martin Daly’s election to the 34th Dáil marks a pivotal moment for Fianna Fáil in RoscommonGalway. After the party’s absence from representation in the constituency since 2020, Daly’s success in reclaiming a seat highlights his ability to resonate with voters despite a split in the Fianna Fáil camp with the departure of sitting senator Eugene Murphy.

A native of Ballygar and a newcomer to national politics, Daly’s campaign effectively combined his respected local reputation, his peripheral political experience as a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation and as a doctor with a clear focus on rural healthcare.

Within Fianna Fáil, senior party operatives have already tipped Daly as a ﬁgure to watch. His election has sparked speculation that, should Fianna Fáil return to government following coalition negotiations, he could be in line for a senior (or junior) ministerial position.

Daly’s evident appeal to both traditional Fianna Fáil voters and perhaps a younger, issue-focused demographic positions him as a potential key player in the party’s future.

Reaction

Analysis

Kerrane: From surprise to solidified success

< EMMETT CORCORAN

In 2020, Claire Kerrane’s election to the Dáil for Sinn Féin was a surprise success, reﬂecting the party’s surge at the time.

Fast-forward to 2024, and Kerrane’s re-election was far from surprising. Her performance this year, securing a seat on the seventh count and exceeding the quota with over 11,000 votes, demonstrates her ability to galvanise and solidify her support base.

The Roscommon-Galway electorate, known for its unforgiving nature, has shown clear conﬁdence in Kerrane’s ability to deliver for her constituents.

Over the past four years, she has transformed from a Sinn Féin standard-bearer riding a wave of national popularity to a proven public representative who has delivered tangible results. Kerrane’s success is a testament to her hard work and dedication, proving that her initial win was no ﬂuke but rather the start of a promising political career.

Speaking to the Roscommon People last weekend, Kerrane stated on message. She asserted that the left-leaning Sinn Féin would try to form a Government without Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael but would speak to everyone with respect to coalition

Claire Kerrane is congratulated by Cllr Nigel Dineen. Photo: Michael Finan

talks. The shift from being an antiestablishment party with a destiny of perpetual opposition just eight years ago having been made, Sinn Féin is now the second largest political party in the State and appears to be willing to enter Government with Fianna Fáil, should Fianna Fáil be willing to do so. Kerrane did note that prior to the

2020 General Election, Michéal Martin (Leader of Fianna Fáil) said he would not be willing to enter government with Fine Gael, which as we all know is what happened following that election. She noted this factual nugget when it was put to her that Michéal Martin made the same comments about Sinn Féin before last Friday’s election.

Electoral breakthrough proving elusive for Dolan

< EMMETT CORCORAN

For the second consecutive General Election, Fine Gael’s Aisling Dolan has narrowly missed out on a seat in the three-seat Roscommon-Galway constituency.

In 2020 she ﬁnished in ﬁfth place behind Eugene Murphy who contested that election as the incumbent Fianna Fáil TD.

Murphy also lost out on a seat in the 33rd Dáil, despite closing the significant first count gap between himself and Claire Kerrane of 3,058 first preferences to just 1,341 votes.

Despite Dolan’s impressive credentials and clear enthusiasm for public service, elite electoral success has proven elusive. Her campaign this year was marked by exceptional energy and commitment, but it is a reminder that such qualities, while admirable, do not always translate into votes.

results in her community. However, the results leave question marks over her political future.

Dolan, an outgoing senator based in Ballinasloe, has demonstrated signiﬁcant tenacity, building strong networks and delivering visible

Could Dolan look beyond the Seanad for further opportunities?

While her passion is evident, a shift in strategy or focus may be needed to achieve the breakthrough she seeks.

At the 2024 General Election count in the Dr Hyde Centre on Sunday were: Dr Martin Daly and his family (l-r) Dr Robert Daly, Dr Miriam Daly, Dr Martin Daly, Iseult Daly, Hughie Daly and Charlie Daly. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Aisling Dolan pictured with a supporter at the count.

Photo: Michael Finan

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

Next goal for ‘Fitz’ is seat at Cabinet

< PAUL HEALY

The 2024 General Election saw Michael Fitzmaurice conﬁrming his status as the dominant politician in this region.

After winning the 2014 by-election, Fitzmaurice was successful in his ﬁrst full-scale General Election, in 2016, attracting 9750 numbers ones, a highly impressive vote share of 21.3%. It marked the Independent candidate out as a political force even then.

That election featured a stunning performance by Denis Naughten, who topped the poll with 13936 in his ﬁrst electoral outing since his parting of the ways with Fine Gael following the Roscommon Hospital A&E Unit ﬁasco.

By 2020, Fitzmaurice had become established as a force of nature, a rural champion with a straighttalking style that appealed to a public that often felt disconnected from a perceived Dublin-based elite.

In that 2020 election, Fitzmaurice soared to ‘top dog’ status, emerging as the new star of Roscommon politics. He leapfrogged Naughten, topping the poll with 13077 ﬁrst preferences and a phenomenal 28.7% of the overall vote.

Last Friday, Fitzmaurice put paid to

any misguided speculation that his vote might drop due to the emergence of Dr Martin Daly, boundary changes, or any unlikely drop in his popularity. Instead, he performed better than

ever. He’s getting stronger! Fitzmaurice topped the poll in style, passing the quota on the ﬁrst count, and increasing his vote share to 29.2%. It marks him out as the clear dominant

Where now for Eugene Murphy?

< PAUL HEALY

Where now for Eugene Murphy?

Has last Friday’s election signalled the end of his political career, or are there more twists to come?

A philosophical Eugene was quick to tell the media on Saturday that his immediate focus now is on securing a nomination to run in the Seanad as an Independent candidate. He accepts that getting that green light will be difﬁcult, but is hopeful that the network of contacts he has built up politically can open doors for him.

It is only now, a number of weeks on from ‘ConventionGate’, that the scale of what recently happened within Fianna Fáil locally can be fully appreciated.

A few months ago, the prospect of long-time party member Eugene Murphy breaking from Fianna Fáil and running as an Independent would have seemed very unlikely. But it has happened, and it poses a question about the political future of a man who has been a public representative for just under 40 years.

The Scramogue man made the big decision after several days of soul-searching and consulting with family and friends. There was, and is, a lot at stake.

As Murphy saw it, Fianna Fáil HQ had turned against him, slamming a back door while ushering Dr Martin Daly in through the front door.

For Murphy, it was a stark development.

Ordinarily, an outgoing Oireachtas member would expect to be added as a second candidate if defeated at convention (Fianna Fáil delegates chose newcomer Dr Daly over Murphy). They would particularly expect to be added if there was a geographical consideration of substance. That applied in this case, with Murphy and his supporters able to argue that Fianna Fáil not running a candidate who is based in County Roscommon was a risky strategy, not to mention inequitable (as they saw it).

When Fianna Fáil chose to not add Murphy, his worst fears were realised. The party, at HQ level at least – but undoubtedly with some local support – was making it crystal clear that they wanted to make a fresh start in Roscommon. Eugene Murphy, who won a Dáil seat in 2016 but then lost it in 2020, was no longer part of their plans. Neither would there be any consolation ‘peace offering’ whereby the party would proactively promote a Seanad bid by Murphy. Fianna Fáil HQ wanted Dr Martin Daly as their sole candidate.

Many people will feel that Murphy, deeply hurt by the turn of events (he says he feels betrayed by Micheál Martin) should have remained loyal to the party, thrown his full support behind Dr Daly, and allowed time to pass.

It seems clear that Murphy saw no future for himself in Fianna Fáil, given recent events. He took the big decision to run as an

force in Roscommon-Galway politics, although Claire Kerrane is certainly ﬁrmly established now too.

Fitzmaurice’s highly impressive ﬁrst vote total (12,002) was an

acknowledgement by voters that he has been doing the business ‘on the ground’… connecting with people the length and breadth of the country, raising the issues that matter to local communities, and getting results for individuals and towns and villages. His is now arguably the single most recognisable voice for rural Ireland in the country, vocal on agriculture, balanced rural development, rural crime, immigration, health issues, infrastructure and a myriad of other topics.

Between the previous election and last Friday’s, Fitzmaurice also took the big step of co-founding Independent Ireland. Having established himself as a formidable advocate for rural Ireland, the focus for Fitzmaurice now – and he makes no secret of it – is to get the new party into Government, with the Roscommon-Galway poll-topper an obvious candidate for a seat at the Cabinet table.

For that scenario to play out, Fitzmaurice and his colleagues needed ‘the cards to fall’ a certain way nationally last weekend. It’s not yet clear that they did, but one way or another, Fitzmaurice is now a ‘trump card’ for the people of RoscommonGalway when it comes to championing issues with ‘central government’.

Independent. The odds were always against him being elected, although for a period during the campaign, he appeared to have some momentum.

What ended his chances of causing an upset was the clinical discipline within the party locally, with all Fianna Fáil councillors, its most prominent administrators in Roscommon, and local ‘party elders’ all rowing in behind Dr Daly.

At the convention, some speakers had appealed for Murphy to be added to a twocandidate ticket, but that initial opposition to HQ’s strategy never developed into even a mini-revolt. Yes, there was a split of sorts in that Murphy undoubtedly (and self-evidently) pulled FF votes last Friday, but the unanimous

backing for Dr Daly of recently-elected party councillors was crushing for Murphy and a decisive dynamic in this saga.

Fianna Fáil will understandably argue now that their strategy has been fully vindicated. Dr Daly ran a superb campaign and was elected comfortably. It was a big personal success for him, and an important seat gain for the party. For Fianna Fáil, it was mission accomplished. Dr Daly is now well placed to get a ministerial nod in a new Government.

For Eugene Murphy, the political outlook is decidedly less clear. He’s a proven battler, an experienced politician who has excelled in the past at bouncing back when faced with adversity.

But where now for Eugene Murphy?

Michael Fitzmaurice keeping an eye on proceedings during last weekend’s General Election count. Pic: Michael Finan

Counting of votes at Dr. Hyde Centre, Roscommon last weekend. Picture: Michael Finan.

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

Fitzmaurice underlines constituency-wide appeal

Michael Fitzmaurice is now the undisputed dominant player on the political scene in Roscommon-Galway. For the second election in a row, he topped the poll. For the second election in a row, he surpassed the quota and was elected on the ﬁrst count. He had almost 4,000 votes to spare over his nearest challenger (Claire Kerrane). He increased his vote share from 28.7% in 2020 to 29.2% last Friday (21.3% in 2016).

‘Fitz’ dealt with the emergence (in his own area) of a strong new candidate, Dr Martin Daly. He also dealt with the loss of a few thousand prospective votes (due to boundary changes).

On Saturday night, when Returning Ofﬁcer Olivia Bushell conﬁrmed that Fitzmaurice had amassed 12,002

number ones, the Glinsk man allowed himself a smile. You knew he was pleased to have crossed the 12,000 mark (as any candidate would be).

Moments later, he engaged in the traditional celebrations on being elected, hands aloft as supporters lifted him shoulder-high. Then he was back in businesslike mode, delivering his plain-talking, powerful message to the media with the conﬁdence and assurance that characterised his impressive campaign.

Right now, Michael Fitzmaurice dominates Roscommon-Galway politics. What he really needs now (but may not get this time) is a place at the Cabinet table.

Key to Fitzmaurice’s poll-topping performance was his popularity across the constituency. Eugene Murphy was quick to say that the main reason for his failure to be in contention was Fitzmaurice’s impact in plac-

es like Rooskey, Boyle, and in North Roscommon generally.

In Rooskey, Fitzmaurice outpolled Murphy (who is local to that area) by 150 votes to 139, with Claire Kerrane on 82 and Dr Martin Daly on 23. In Strokestown, Fitzmaurice attracted 208 number ones, compared to 388 for Murphy and 190 for Kerrane. Murphy may have won the day there, but it is his base, and Fitzmaurice’s 200-plus tally is evidence of his broad constituency-wide appeal.

Another example was Boyle – a long way from supposed Fitzmaurice heartland – where the Independent Ireland man polled a very impressive 355, compared to Kerrane’s 447, with Dympna Daly-Finn on 317 and Dr Daly on 265 (Murphy 126).

Unsurprisingly, Fitzmaurice swept the boards in Creggs and Glinsk, polling 371 of 467 votes cast in Glinsk and 144 of 229 cast in Creggs.

Kerrane and SF increase vote share

Claire Kerrane has conﬁrmed her status as a political force in this constituency with another excellent electoral outing.

The Sinn Féin TD’s ﬁrst preference vote was marginally up on 2020 in numerical terms (8039 last Friday v 8003 last time) but Kerrane increased her vote share quite signiﬁcantly, from 17.5% in 2020 to 19.5%.

That adds up to a powerful performance by Kerrane, now ﬁrmly established as holder of a ‘safe’ SF seat. Kerrane massively increased her vote in the Ballaghaderreen urban area, attracting 630 number ones last Friday from the 1204 votes cast. That’s over 50% of the vote in anyone’s estimation!

In 2020, Kerrane’s vote share in Ballaghaderreen was closer to 35%, so her dominance in the town’s polling booths last weekend is a reflection on the work she has done over her first term, that and her recent high profile raising of issues to do with crime and Garda resources in the area.

Like Fitzmaurice (and worryingly for other candidates now and in the future), but entirely in keeping with being a sitting TD, Kerrane is now pulling votes all over the constituency.

According to tallies, last Friday she received about 777 number ones in Ballinasloe, of 2912 cast. Kerrane is likely to have targeted more there, but it was a ﬁercely competitive area, with Aisling Dolan, Michael Fitzmaurice and Dr Martin Daly all going well there.

In Roscommon Town, she received 353 of 2533 votes cast.

Daly delivers ‘Holy Grail’ for Fianna Fáil

It was a successful election for Fianna Fáil in Roscommon-Galway with the party winning back a seat after the disappointing loss in 2020. Any doubts that the early campaign momentum built up by ﬁrst-time candidate Dr Martin Daly might be stalled by a Eugene Murphy surge were dispelled early on Saturday as tally ﬁgures came in.

Fianna Fáil won the seat despite only marginally increasing their vote share (17.7% last Friday compared with 17.3% four years ago) but given that long-time party man Eugene Murphy was running as a high proﬁle Independent that was a very satisfactory ‘slice of the cake’ for FF.

The fact is it was a most impressive General Election debut for Dr Daly, with the Ballygar man taking the third

seat with comfort, having polled 7283 number ones. That was no mean feat given how established Michael Fitzmaurice and Claire Kerrane are, not to mention the ‘Murphy factor’ and the candidature of Aisling Dolan for Fine Gael.

Fianna Fáil will be happy enough with a 17.7% vote share given that Murphy – a Fianna Fáil member for well over 40 years up to his recent exit from the party – was a prominent candidate in the race.

Whatever about vote share, Fianna Fáil will be thrilled to have won a seat, essentially restored a ‘natural order’ of sorts. The party is used to having at least one seat locally, and there was a time when a Roscommon constituency could deliver two FF TDs.

This was a huge personal success for Dr Daly, particularly as the fallout from the decision of FF HQ not to add Murphy as a second candidate lingered right up to election day. Daly kept his focus on his machine-like

campaign and took the seat comfortably. He ‘carried’ Ballygar in pretty spectacular fashion, collecting 494 number ones of 761 votes cast. Daly polled well across the constituency, something which augurs well for him in the future. Indeed at this early juncture (even allowing for the fact that a week is a long time in politics) one might speculate that, with a fair wind, Daly is likely to be untouchable as the FF frontrunner locally for many years into the future.

Roscommon Town had been viewed as a key battleground, and Daly performed well there. Eugene Murphy had highlighted what he considers to be an impressive record of delivery on projects in the county town, but FF voters largely stayed with their new candidate, Daly collecting about 741 number ones to 343 for Murphy. Daly will be pleased to have been top votegetter in the county town, Michael Fitzmaurice a formidable second on 641.

Claire Kerrane watches over the counting of votes at Dr. Hyde Centre, Roscommon last weekend. Picture: Michael Finan.

Supporters, family and friends celebrate after Michael Fitzmaurice is elected.

Picture: Michael Finan.

Dr. Martin Daly (fourth from left), pictured with Cllr. Marty McDermott, Cllr. Paschal Fizmaurice, Cllr. John Keogh, former Councillor John Cummins and Cllr. Sean Moylan at the Dr. Hyde Centre last weekend. Picture: Michael Finan.

HOW WE VOTED

PAUL HEALY HOW

HOW WE VOTED

PAUL HEALY

Murphy a couple of thousand votes off target

By his own reckoning, Eugene Murphy needed over 6,000 votes to realistically be in contention to pull off what most people would have considered a shock result. As it was, he polled a respectable 4327 number ones. That 10.5% vote share as an Independent was not unimpressive. It compared to his 10.8% vote share in 2020, when running as a Fianna Fáil candidate (on that occasion Murphy polled 4945 number ones).

However, Murphy wasn’t in the business of achieving a respectable vote last Friday; he wanted to sweep back into the Dáil, having argued (a) that he delivered for the constituency over recent years, (b) that he had been betrayed by Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil, and (c) that traditional Fianna Fáil voters needed the choice of voting for a Roscommon-based candidate. It’s hard to term Murphy’s decision to

leave Fianna Fáil and contest the election as an Independent as anything other than a gamble. He created some momentum during the campaign, but ultimately the gamble didn’t pay off. Murphy was never in the running for a seat once the ﬁrst count results were announced.

The Scramogue man was quick to suggest that Michael Fitzmaurice’s team of canvassers had swooped into North Roscommon to devastating effect – sweeping up votes in Murphy heartland – but the reality is that not nearly enough Fianna Fáil voters switched their allegiance to their former party man.

Fianna Fáil (Murphy himself and then-running mate Orla Leyden) delivered 17.3% of the vote in Roscommon-Galway in 2020 – last Friday, Dr Martin Daly did that himself, despite Murphy’s candidature.

Of course Murphy was right in noting the onward march of ‘Fitz’s army’ into Rooskey territory (and elsewhere). In Ballyleague, Fitzmaurice almost doubled his vote from 2020;

Fine Gael’s barren run continues

Fine Gael commanded 17.1% vote share in Roscommon-Galway last Friday. It was respectable, but ultimately not enough to win a seat, meaning the party’s woes continue in this constituency. If the new Dáil term lasts four years, 17 years will have passed since Fine Gael last had a TD elected here (Frank Feighan and Denis Naughten in 2011).

Of course it’s not a straightforward story; the Roscommon A&E Unit closure devastated the party infrastructure (and support) locally, and the pieces are still being picked up. With Denis Naughten becoming one of the most high proﬁle Independent TDs in the country, it wasn’t much fun being a Fine Gael runner here for a period.

Maura Hopkins had a respectable (but unsuccessful) showing in 2016, then Aisling Dolan emerged as a candidate in 2020. On that occasion, Dolan polled 5466, 12% of the vote,

but Denis Naughten swept back in, along with Michael Fitzmaurice and Claire Kerrane.

Last Friday, there was great interest in where the ‘Denis Naughten’ vote would go, on foot of his decision to retire from politics. Naughten’s vote spread to a number of candidates as it turned out, with neither Fine Gael candidate gaining sufﬁciently.

Dolan’s running mate was Arignabased Dympna Daly-Finn, who had a very modest debut, polling just 2164 ﬁrst preferences. All Fine Gael

hopes (in reality) were on Dolan. Fine Gael’s bid to regain a much-cherished seat came against a very sad background of course, with the late Cllr John Naughten having been selected to run for the party last September. This time around, Dolan actually polled lower than in 2020, both in vote numbers and percentage terms (4843 number ones, 11.8% of the vote). In fairness to her, the party ran two candidates this time. Still, it was a big blow to the Dolan camp that she didn’t beneﬁt more from Denis

Naughten’s absence. A major factor of course in all of this is the growing status of outgoing TDs Michael Fitzmaurice and Claire Kerrane, the emergence of Ballygar-based Martin Daly, and the fact that there were some boundary changes.

Dolan was strongest in her own area, naturally, polling 1279 number ones of 2912 votes cast (1082 in 2024). It wasn’t nearly enough. Claire Kerrane (Sinn Féin) came in with a tasty 777, up from 669 four years ago.

Comeback kid Feighan tops the poll

< EMMETT CORCORAN

Frank Feighan’s resounding success in the 2024 General Election marks a signiﬁcant political comeback for the Fine Gael veteran. Topping the poll in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency, his performance stands in contrast to his 2020 election, where he took the ﬁnal seat on the 15th count. Born in Sligo in 1962 but raised above his parents’ newsagents in Boyle, County Roscommon, Feighan’s ties to the region remain strong. Despite enduring political

fallout over the closure of Roscommon Hospital’s Emergency Department, a move that once seemed to spell the end of his career, Feighan has re-established himself as a key ﬁgure in the constituency. His journey to the 34th Dáil was a testament to political resilience with one political commentator at the Roscommon-Galway count centre telling this journalist that: “Frankie (as he is affectionately known as by those closest to him) is like the cat with nine lives except every time he comes back stronger”.

After opting not to contest the 2016 General Election due to intense public anger over the Roscommon Hospital A&E closure, Feighan was nominated to the Seanad by then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny. His return to the Dáil in 2020 for SligoLeitrim, and now his poll-topping performance, reﬂect renewed public conﬁdence in the veteran Fine Gael politician. Feighan has held key political roles. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Health from 2020 to 2022, overseeing Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy. His tenure

included the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol, a policy aimed at curbing excessive drinking. Feighan is married to Elaine Mooney, with whom he has two young children. Now based in Sligo, his personal ties to Roscommon are as strong as his political ones.

Following his recent electoral victory, he expressed gratitude for the warm reception from voters, remarking: “We were on people’s doorsteps, and they were kind, they listened, and they articulated their views”.

Frank Feighan.

86 number ones then versus 161 now. In contrast, Murphy rose from just 95 to 107.

Returning officer Olivia Bushell pictured at the Dr. Hyde Centre last weekend. Picture: Michael Finan.

Busy staff pictured at the Dr. Hyde Centre last weekend. Picutre: Michael Finan.

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

No thrills at the Hyde but ‘Big 3’ earned their celebrations!

Over 50 miles away in Markievicz Park at lunchtime on Sunday there was a thriller that went down to the last seconds before the outcome was known. In contrast, at the count centre at the Dr Hyde Centre there were no shocks or surprises.

Shortly after 3 pm there were wild celebrations as the players and supporters of Coolera-Strandhill celebrated a famous win in Sligo. At the same time in Roscommon town, Claire Kerrane and Dr Martin Daly were lifted high and cheered by their supporters as the ofﬁcial announcement was made that they had been elected on the 7th count. But in truth, the outcome of the election in RoscommonGalway was known from early on Saturday morning. Of all the elections that I have covered over the years, this count was the quietest, most predictable and most lacking in (any) controversy of them all.

Over the years here there were always sub-plots, surprises, unusual/unpredictable transfers, recriminations, rows and plenty of drama –but not this time around. The early tallies showed Michael Fitzmaurice attracting a massive vote in almost every box in the constituency. Claire Kerrane and Martin Daly were also polling strongly and it was clear that although Eugene Murphy and Aisling Dolan had also done well, the gap was growing too wide for them and the destination of the three seats was decided a long time before Returning Ofﬁcer Olivia Bushell made her ﬁnal announcement on Sunday. The usual large media presence was in evidence. At every new election there seems to more media interest than before. The advent of social media has meant that every broadcaster must now have a website, video coverage, photos and blogs, and all newspapers realistically must have interviews, videos and interaction with every major social media platform under the sun.

Carole Coleman was there for RTE TV, while Newstalk, RTE Radio, Virgin Media and all the national newspapers were represented. That’s before you even start to count the local newspapers, Shannonside, Galway Bay FM, Midwest Radio, etc. But in truth they didn’t have much out of the ordinary to report. Eugene Murphy arrived on Saturday afternoon and accepted that his decision to run as an independent was a gamble that did not pay off. He was very generous in his praise for the prospective

winners and said he would be trying to get back into the Seanad now.

One thing you have to say about Michael Fitzmaurice is that he has presence. When it became clear on Saturday night that he would top the poll and get in on the ﬁrst count, he swept into the count centre and chatted to everyone. There was a buzz when he came in the front door. He is an old-style politician in the mould of Michael Ring, the HealyRaes and Willie O’Dea. Fitzmaurice is a consummate

media performer and his high proﬁle is deﬁnitely a factor in his success.

His achievement in attracting over 12,000 ﬁrst preference votes is all the more remarkable when one considers that a big chunk of his own local area was moved back into the Galway East constituency this time around.

There are no airs or graces with Fitz. He began his day by feeding his cattle. He ended it along with his family and supporters in Glinsk after attracting a huge personal

vote. During his interviews he remembered the Naughten family (in the context of the recent passing of Cllr John Naughten), which was a nice touch on the night.

Fitzmaurice’s supporters and family, who were there in force, unfurled a joint Roscommon and Galway ﬂag. Their man had headed the poll again. He leaned across the barrier as the numbers were called out, a big smile on his face. Elected comfortably on the ﬁrst count, it was an astounding performance by any yardstick.

MEP Ciaran Mullooly was there to lend his support to his Independent Ireland colleague, and after doing a round of media interviews he appeared on our TV screens a couple of hours later having driven to Dublin from the count centre to appear with his old colleagues on RTE. We were 15 hours at the count centre on Saturday. Claire Kerrane and Martin Daly arrived late on but it became clear that there would not be any more seats decided until Sunday. Aisling Dolan was there too and although it was clear that her chances were gone she wasn’t conceding just yet. It seemed that progress was slow, but it was to pick up considerably on Sunday. As the candidates lower down the ballot paper were being eliminated, there was light appearing at the end of the tunnel. Some of us even got to see most of the Connacht Club ﬁnal on the laptop as Padraig Pearses and CooleraStrandhill battled it out in Markievicz Park.

It was ironic that the final few minutes of the game came at the exact same time as the final announcement was being made at the count centre, confirming the election of Claire Kerrane and Martin Daly. We were spared the agony of watching as Pearses were pipped at the post.

A big crowd had arrived for that ﬁnal announcement and there were resounding cheers for both candidates. Then, suddenly it was all over as the crowds headed off to celebrate. After 21 hours, it was time to go home. Nationally, it looks certain that we will see another coalition Government led by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Those who wanted change will have to wait another few years at least. It would seem that the negotiations on forming a new Government will be long and tricky.

So another election is done and dusted here in Roscommon. Thanks to everyone who helped out and thanks to Olivia Bushell and her staff for their cooperation and professionalism. Will we be here in ﬁve years’ time for the next one? Hopefully!

ELECTION DIARY

Seamus Duke

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

SPOILT VOTE

By Paul Healy

Relax, Michael…

There were many highlights during our recent election podcast series. The interview with Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice has received the highest number of views, ‘Fitz’ in relaxed form as he gives his opinion on a range of issues in typically forthright style, while also giving people an insight into what drives him.

Some of the best ‘content’ came towards the end of the interview when Fitzmaurice left no-one in any doubt that he would happily face down cowardly critics, before going on to answer my ques-

tion as to how he relaxes… with some priceless phrases.

As he conjured up an image of ‘Fitz’ listening to the birds while ‘above on the bog on a digger’ at 6 am in the morning, he added a throwaway line that I immediately identiﬁed as a memorable soundbite.

‘I’m not a Lanzarote person, or anything like that…’

We posted a reel on TikTok, which has almost 73,000 views as I write. And we had a word with our cartoonist…

Kerry? So good they named it thrice…

The following tweet posted by Deputy Michael Healy-Rae predictably wound up people who are

frustrated by so-called ‘parish pump politics’ or parochial politics:

‘The party leaders have my number and my phone is always on. I’ll talk to anybody but I won’t sell my soul and I have three items to discuss before going into government with anyone and that’s KERRY, KERRY and KERRY’.

Replies included the following: ‘There’s three good reasons you should not be in government’, ‘You’ve already sold your soul’, ‘You’re a TD. Your three items should be IRELAND, IRELAND and IRELAND’ and the rather witty: ‘Narrator: Nobody called’.

Worshipping Fitz…

MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (posting on ‘X’) on

Podcast series

Thanks to readers for the very positive feedback on our recent ‘Make Your Choice’ election podcast series (you can watch the podcasts on the Roscommon People YouTube channel).

At the count centre last weekend, people were very complimentary, and it’s clear that our series of interview with candidates brought a certain dynamic to the campaign.

For our part, we greatly enjoyed those informal engagements with the candidates. The podcasts were designed to introduce candidates – and their policies – to the electorate, while also giving an insight into the person behind the public persona.

I have absolutely no regrets – Murphy

Thanking everyone who voted for him, and the people who worked on his campaign, including his family and friends, Eugene Murphy accepted that his ﬁrst preference tally had fallen short of what was required if he was to succeed.

Speaking after the completion of full tallies on Saturday, he said: “I think we have about 11% of the vote, which is signiﬁcant. I think it’s around 4,300 ﬁrst preference (4327 in the end). It’s not enough. And I know I was talking to political experts in this county over recent days, and they were all saying if I was between six and seven (thousand), there would be a real chance. But realistically, we’re too low”.

Asked what had prevented him from getting that extra couple of thousand number ones, Murphy said: “It’s quite simple. I think the last week, Michael

Fitzmaurice just, he absolutely scoured North Roscommon. Like, I’m stunned in places like Rooskey that he actually beat me in the box.

“And he had a huge amount of people actually. And I think a lot of people from other counties came in who were involved in the turf war with him. They did a lot of canvassing with him”.

Murphy accepted that an insufﬁcient number of Fianna Fáil supporters had switched their allegiance to him (a long-time member of the party, the Scramogue man left Fianna Fáil in recent weeks).

“They didn’t switch signiﬁcantly enough, even though there are an awful lot of Fianna Fáil people out there. And again, I think it goes back to the fact that, whether people like it or not, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael still do have

that sort of, you know, rooted situation in rural Ireland still, and a lot of people won’t change (their vote).

“And look, that’s, as I say, that’s the role of the people. I accept that, that’s the way it is. But look, I’m still very proud of what I’ve done. I have absolutely no regrets”.

When it was put to him that many people will feel he adopted the wrong strategy in leaving Fianna Fáil and running as an Independent, Murphy said: “Any individual should do what they think in their mind, whatever they know. People who say that to me really annoy me, because it’s not being true… Who do they think they are? I gave the people a choice”.

The outgoing senator and former TD said he had never been offered a Seanad nomination by Fianna Fáil (in recent

weeks) and would now be seeking a nomination to run as an Independent. He accepted that this will be difﬁcult to achieve. He has contacts and friends (in politics) who may help him get a nomination so that he can contest the Seanad elections. If that doesn’t work out, he will be looking for a job (beyond politics).

People had speculated during the campaign that in the event of not being elected, he would be eligible for a pension of €40k or €50k, but he insisted this isn’t the case.

“I think people think that maybe because I’ve been so long in politics. But the reality (is), I’ve been only eight years in the Oireachtas, and while I’ve been better off than a lot of people, I would still have to work because that’s the reality of life. I look for a job if I

don’t get the Seanad, and I keep going”.

Philosophical about not getting elected, and adamant that he had made the right decision in running and giving people a choice, Eugene Murphy reﬂected: “We always have to accept the people’s choice”.

He had warned of the possibility of two TDs being elected in the Galway end of the constituency, and (he noted) that’s what had happened. He had given people a choice so that such a scenario could be avoided (given that Roscommon is by far the biggest part of the constituency).

“At least I gave them (the public) the choice to vote on that… and that apparently wasn’t an issue. They’re obviously right, I wasn’t. They have decided that’s the way they’re going, and that’s okay”.

his old turf-cutting campaigning buddy, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice: “He thinks he’s God”.

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

ELECTION 2024

• Results • Reaction • Analysis • Comment

Choose Castlerea this Christmas

Castlerea is brimming with Christmas spirit this season, as the town once again dazzles with a stunning display of festive street lights.

Christmas is always a wonderful time to visit Castlerea – a traditional market town with an assortment of small gift and fashion boutiques available to suit all tastes.

Many of the town’s traders will be offering great value in gifts and specialist items in the lead-

in to the festive period, with late opening of many shops offering an added beneﬁt for visitors!

Among the retail offerings is a new Christmas pop-up ﬂower shop on Patrick’s Street, which is very much worth a visit. In traditional style, Christmas is the time of year when diaspora from near and far ﬂock back to Castlerea to visit. There is such a strong sense of community spirit in the town and the Christmas season is an excellent

opportunity to get together, reminisce, and enjoy one of the town’s many cosy cafés, bars or restaurants.

As usual, the Christmas season in the town was kicked off with the recently-held Christmas Market in the Enterprise Hub, and will be followed by the Christmas Lights Switch-on –planned this year for Friday, December 6th.

Additionally, earlier in the month, the annual Christmas

Craft and Food Fair took place in The Hub featuring over seventy tables with lots of gift ideas. The event attracted a very large crowd to the town of all age groups. On Sunday, December 15th, the town’s illuminated Tractor Parade in aid of Bumbleance Children’s Ambulance Service takes place. The event begins from the rear of the local livestock mart from 6 pm and is organised by the Castlerea Agricultural Show.

CASTLEREA, CO. ROSCOMMON

For those visiting the town this festive season, Castlerea has an abundance of walking trails for all ages to enjoy. Somers Park has been transformed in recent years with extended walking areas and a children’s play area. The neighbouring Demesne gives people the opportunity to continue walking down to Clonalis Woods, and the beautiful Clonalis House. A highlight of the year in Castlerea this year was the visit of then Minister for Community and Rural Affairs Heather Humphreys, who ofﬁcially opened the new An Chistin

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025 from Niall and all the team at Tully’s Total Health Pharmacy

Food Hub in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

The 10,500 square foot space comprises ﬁve single EHOcompliant kitchen units, to include individual ofﬁce, toilet, sluice and plant room facilities. Construction of this facility began in March 2022 with substantial completion achieved in March of this year.

The facility will reduce food miles and carbon footprint, encouraging an artisan and small-scale local food culture, which will have a substantial impact in reducing food miles, in the process reducing carbon

emissions.

In conjunction with the Castlerea Town Team, Roscommon County Council would like to encourage visitors to delve deeper into what Castlerea has to offer this Christmas and frequent some of the friendliest shops, cafes, bakeries and bustling eateries while you rediscover what is available throughout this wonderful friendly town.

To add to the upcoming excitement in the town, later this month – on Sunday, December 29th – Sean Keane will be returning to perform in the

Trinity Arts Centre in Castlerea. After completing a successful sold-out show last year, the popular Caherlistrane singer will be performing his many songs at the much-anticipated event – songs which have made him beloved to audiences at home and abroad.

Please closely follow the local Town Team’s social media page and visit Castlerea.ie to be kept up to date on what’s happening where and when in the locality. For a full listing of all events and activities taking place in Roscommon this Christmas, go to visitroscommon.ie.

Keith Revins

Castlerea Christmas lights switch-on takes place this Friday!

The festive spirit is building in Castlerea ahead of the official switching-on of the Christmas lights in the town, planned to take place this Friday, December 6th. Last year, the official switch-on saw a brilliant turnout on the day – even despite the poor weather conditions –and no doubt local people will once again be looking forward to taking to the street this Friday to see the town lit up for the first time this festive season. Already however, there is a strong

festive spirit to be felt in Castlerea, given the recent success of the town’s 2024 Christmas Craft Fair, which was held over the weekend on Sunday, December 1st.

With a host of gifts, jewellery, décor, homeware, food, and much more on offer, the event was the perfect outing for those looking to stock up on all they need for the holidays, and no doubt has set the perfect tone for the town going into this Friday’s switch-on!

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Full selection of Blue Willow Delph. Epsom Salts for feet or baths (€1.99 per pound).

TABLE LAMPS AND LANTERNS FROM €12.99 CHRISTMAS TREES

Freshly cut, all sizes. FRESH HOLLY AND CHRISTMAS WREATHS AVAILABLE ALSO

CHRISTMAS TREES Freshly cut, all sizes. Fresh Holly and Christmas Wreaths available. Bluestone for soot in ranges and chimneys NOW IN STOCK LOTTO

Laminating, fax, stamps, colour photocopying service. Watch batteries watch straps and car key, batteries replaced.

BLUESTONE FOR SOOT IN RANGES AND CHIMNEYS NOW IN STOCK Lotto

Firelogs.

Bicycle Tyres, Tubes, Pumps and Repair Kits in store. Adult bicycle €250.

Real leather mens hats and belts, tin whistles, Stanley flasks (lifetime warranty).

SOME UNWELCOME CHRISTMAS VISITORS? Rats and Mice; try our one dose bait. Rat Traps, Mouse Traps, Mink Traps, Purse Nets, Goose Grease, Sulphur

Fishing tackle, Pike Rods, spinning rods, fly Rods, Reels, Spinners, Flys – largest selection in County Roscommon.

Laminating, Fax, Stamps, Colour Photocopying Service Watch Batteries, Watch Straps and Car Key Batteries Replaced

KEY CUTTING SERVICE – house keys, locker Keys, mortice, etc. See our selection of house safes.

Boxes of chocolates, tins of biscuits, Christmas lights, fibre optic trees, long red Christmas candles.

25% OFF ALL Fishing Tackle, Pike Rods, Spinning Rods, Fly Rods, Reels, Spinners, Flys - Largest Selection in Co. Roscommon KEY CUTTING SERVICEHOUSE KEYS, LOCKER KEYS MORTICE, CAR ETC.

See our selection of House Safes

PETS - See our selection of Rabbit Hutches, Bird cages, Aquariums, dog collars, Dog Leads, Dog Cushions, Dog Flea Collars. Wormers and flea treatments for cats and dogs.

Santa Claus himself is set to make an appearance at Castlerea Agricultural Show’s inaugural Illuminated Christmas Tractor Run, which will be in aid of the BUMBLEance children’s ambulance service.

Kicking off at 6 pm on Sunday, December 15th, from the back of the mart, the upcoming event is sure to be a real point of excitement in the town, as well as a visual spectacle. And not only will Santa Claus be in attendance on the evening, he will also be conducting a meet and greet in the fairgreen after the parade!

The run is being held in aid of a very worthy cause; BUMBLEance.

BUMBLEance is the children’s ambulance service of Ireland, and the ﬁrst of its kind worldwide. They provide hundreds of children

Please support local SMEs and shop local this Christmas

with free journeys to and from healthcare services and have all the amenities of a regular ambulance plus a few extras – providing a safe, comfortable and fun environment for Ireland’s youngest patients as they travel what can often be very

difﬁcult journeys. Don’t miss out on Castlerea Agricultural Show’s inaugural Illuminated Christmas Tractor Run –sure to be a great event, as well as a wonderful way to raise money for an important cause!

Castlerea food donation appeal for Christmas

For many, Christmas is a wonderful time, ﬁlled with positive associations of spending time with family, and enjoying new gifts, and of course, the ever-iconic Christmas Dinner.

However, it is also true that many local families will be struggling to put food on the table this festive season, which is why the Castlerea Community and Family Resource Centre are holding a food donation appeal to ensure everyone is able to enjoy a hot meal this Christmas.

The centre are inviting donations of non-perishable food items, which can be dropped in trolleys located in Cahill’s SuperValu and Lidl from Friday (December 6th), as well as into Castlerea Community and Family Resource Centre.

For enquiries, or for those wishing to donate turkeys or fresh food, please contact Elaine on 083 130347.

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year to all from the management and staff at

We are looking for individuals who share our values of respect, accountability, integrity, innovation and teamwork.

Applicants must have a Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) or 3 months’ work experience with a good command of the English language.

Come join the Harmac team and be a part of something greater

Please apply using our website www.harmac.com/careers/ireland Harmac Medical Products is an

Choose Strokestown this Christmas

Since 2019, Strokestown Town Team with the support of the local authority have injected new life and vibrancy in the town. Huge investment has been made into the ‘Making Strokestown Bright Again’ project following a period of time when the lights went out due to Covid-19.

Year on year, the lights have been expanded and now, for many, they mark the beginning of Christmas as people travelling make their way west for the holidays from the east coast or passing back from Ireland West International Airport in Knock.

The lights committee continue to improve and enhance the display year on year with donations from across the globe showing the connections that remain with Strokestown despite the distance some people are from home.

For four years, the Strokestown Christmas Market was the second largest event in Strokestown, with thousands passing through hundreds of vendors from across the region. This year, Strokestown Town Team are supporting Roscommon County Council, Roscommon Town Team, and Roscommon LEADER with the County Christmas Festival, taking place this weekend.

Strokestown Town Team wish everyone involved the very best of good luck and weather this weekend, and hope that the effort and attention to detail with the chalets will ensure strong growth for the Festival for years to come.

Keeping it local, Strokestown Town Team are also in the position to support our neighbours in Tulsk with their ﬁrst Christmas Market. The now familiar red gazebos will be used to assist the committee there as they look to bring some festive cheer to the town. Strokestown Town Team wish Declan and the team the very best of good luck with their event.

Additionally, once again this year, the enchanting Victorian Christmas experience returns to Strokestown Park House. Once again visitors

can experience the delightful Elf Quarter where friendly elves delight children with holiday surprises, to the cosy ﬁreside chats with Santa himself.

The Victorian Christmas Experience includes a journey through magical Elf Tunnel, an adventure with Elf Figgy to Elf Headquarters, some fun with Mrs Claus in the Galleried Kitchen, ﬁreside chats with Santa in the Grand Library as well as woodland games with the Elf Cobbler.

Children are also invited to decorate their own Christmas Tree decoration to take home with help from the Christmas Angel and enjoy a warming hot drink of one’s choice in the festive surroundings of our Woodland Cafe.

This year, Strokestown Park is hosting a Sensory and Accessibility Morning on Friday, December 13th, to ensure everyone can experience the wonder of the season. This adapted morning offers a quieter environment, featuring smallgroup visits with Santa in the mansion’s library. For those who need a break, a special chill-out area will be available nearby, providing a comfortable, calming space.

Yet another highlight of this year’s festive celebrations in Strokestown

will be the Christmas Charity Tractor Run through the town on Saturday, December 14th. This year’s event will support the Kilglass Sick Children’s Fund and Pieta House Darkness Into Light.

This year’s main run begins from 5.30 pm with the kids run commencing at 6 pm. The event is also a spectacular festival of lights which illuminates the town and generates great excitement among young and old.

Registration for this year’s Strokestown Christmas Charity Run takes place from 3.30 pm on the day of the event from Strokestown Community Centre (F42 H516). The support of participants and the community at large is always greatly appreciated.

Strokestown Town Team are working on a number of projects all centred around the Town Centre First Plan-Strokestown 2040. The Town Team hope to see investment continue to bring people to the region and are delighted to see some recent involvement from young people with some bright ideas that will make the town more accessible and easier to get around.

Recently, Strokestown Tidy Towns Committee were honoured with an award in the Best

Tidy Estates category in the annual Greener Spaces Awards, organised by the Environment Department of Roscommon County Council.

With lots of ﬁne artisan and gift shops to suit the discerning Christmas shopper as well as a range of family run business offering an extensive range of goods and services, Strokestown has much to offer, away from the hustle and bustle of many larger urban centres.

There are also a number of places where one can having a relaxing coffee or drink in Strokestown for the festive season, enjoy an indulgent lunch or else simply catch up with family and friends in the leadup to Christmas.

What’s more, like all towns the county, Strokestown offers free unlimited parking to all visitors, in a safe and hassle-free environment, with parking on the town’s Bawn, Main, Church and Elphin Street areas.

Both Strokestown Town Team in conjunction with Roscommon County Council wish all the people living in Strokestown, its immediate vicinity, or the diaspora who remain proud sons and daughters of Strokestown, a safe, peaceful Christmas.

Once again this year, the enchanting Victorian Christmas experience returns to Strokestown Park House

Lights switch-ons, seasonal fundraisers, and a visit from Mr and Mrs Claus… busy weekend ahead for Elphin!

The village of Elphin will be full of Christmas cheer this weekend, with a host of festive entertainment and events in store!

The festive weekend kicks off with the ofﬁcial switching-on of the Christmas lights, set to take place this year at 7 pm this Friday, December 6th

The ofﬁcial switch-on is set to be carried out by none other than Mr and Mrs Claus, so you won’t want to miss out!

In addition to this, a fundraising car wash has been organised to take place this Saturday, December 7th. Taking place from 10 am to 3 pm at the Elphin Fire Station, this event is being held to raise money to support the local community – more important than ever at this time of year.

The organisers behind this car wash have also hinted that the village could in for another visit from a certain, special someone with this event, as Santa Claus is rumoured to be planning to drop in for a quick wash before his big journey later this month!

Don’t miss out on an exciting festive weekend this Friday and Saturday in Elphin!

at €15) or please contact: 086 198 4252 or noelhelencollins@gmail.com

wonderful Christmas gift!

Pictured supporting Elphin in the AIB Connacht Club IFC were Ciara Higgins and Rachel McIntyre. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Pictured supporting Elphin in the AIB Connacht Club IFC were Rita, Jim and Emmett Kane. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Winners of the Jiving Competition (€500) at the Strokestown Show were Carla and Hannah Cunniffe from Glenamaddy who are pictured with John O’Beirne (Chairperson, Strokestown Show) and Martin Shiel (Treasurer, Strokestown Show). Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at Strokestown Show were Owen McManus and Ann and Pat Treacy (Kilrooskey). Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at Strokestown Show were Kieran, Orla and Alaoise Regan (Strokestown). Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at the Strokestown Show were Michael Dooner and Christy Tully. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at Strokestown Show were John O’Beirne (Chairperson), Jim Callery, John Smith, Cllr Sean Moylan and Roxy Moylan. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Another good year for Strokestown Park House

This year has been yet another good year for Strokestown Park House with visitor numbers continuing to increase. The amenity, Ireland’s National Famine Museum, has extensively refurbished in 2022 and continues to attract strong domestic and international visitor numbers.

This year, Strokestown Park House saw an epic trail undertaken by Jim Callery, whose vision inspired the creation of the Museum. Accompanied by his daughter Caroilin, Jim walked from Strokestown to Dublin, recreating the walk of emigrants from Strokestown to Dublin during Famine times.

Strokestown

Social Services

Christmas Party

The Strokestown Social Services Christmas Party will be held in the Silver Eel on Sunday, the 8th of December. Mass will take place at 4 pm, followed by Dinner, with music by Gerry Keenan. All are welcome to attend. If interested, please contact Anne on 086 0596004 or Maureen on 086 0824604.

An important message from the Roscommon SPCA at Christmas

Buyer’s regret is common all year, but especially at Christmas.

As such, as the festive season approaches, Roscommon SPCA are appealing to everyone to please refrain from giving or acquiring animals as gifts. Like the renowned slogan rightly says: an animal is for life, not just for Christmas. Pets do not have gift receipts.

Unfortunately, it is all too easy

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year from

to underestimate the time, energy and money required to properly care for our furry friends long-term. To forget that they chew, need patient toilet-training, and grow much larger than their original cute puppy or kitten phase. The festive season is entirely unsuitable for integrating a new fur baby – manic as it is in all households.

The Roscommon SPCA invariably end up trying to cope with a post-Christmas wave of abandoned and surrendered pets, which is hugely upsetting. As a non-funded organisation entirely dependent on a core group of dedicated volunteers, this also stretches the team to their limit.

The Roscommon SPCA do not have their own premises so try-

ing to source new homes is a difﬁcult, costly, and emotionally draining endeavour.

The Roscommon SPCA have a range of beautiful animals crying out for adoption throughout the year. So please – press pause (or ‘paws’) this Christmas to weigh up all the commitment required to being a responsible pet owner.

Pictured at Strokestown Show were Peter Corcoran and his dog Pepper.

Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at Strokestown Show were Fiona Jones, Tulsk and Aoibhe Fahy, Strokestown. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Pictured at Strokestown Show were committee members Martin Shiel and John O’Beirne with Senator Eugene Murphy and Cllr Sean Moylan. Photo: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Choose Ballaghaderreen this Christmas

There’s plenty of Christmas cheer in Ballaghaderreen this season, with the town again looking resplendent with an extensive array of festive street lighting.

As the gateway to the west, Ballaghaderreen is renowned for the quality and range of its on-street Christmas lights. This year is no exception, with the dedicated and hard-working local lights committee pulling out all the stops ahead of the

ofﬁcial switch-on which took place last Sunday (December 1st).

Ballaghaderreen is a traditional market town with an assortment of small gift and artisan shops suitable for all tastes. The town has a wide range of family-run businesses, which ensure visitors are assured of a quality and personal shopping experience. As a hotbed of traditional music, visitors to the town will be spoiled for choice of

entertainment. Once again this year Emondstown House is showcasing Irish drama of the highest order ,with a performance of the acclaimed ‘Sugar’ by Michael Patric on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week (December 6th, 7th, and 8th) from 7.30 pm each evening.

In conjunction with the Ballaghaderreen Town Team, Roscommon County Council encourages visitors to sample what Ballaghaderreen has to offer

this Christmas and frequent some of the friendly cafes or bustling eateries while rediscovering what’s available throughout the town.

Follow the Ballaghaderreen Town Team’s social media page to be kept up to date on what’s happening when and where in the locality.

For a full listing of all events and activities taking place in Ballaghaderreen this Christmas, go to visitroscommon.ie

Christmas Bingo

Loco is back by popular demand!

Back by popular demand, Ballaghaderreen GAA are once again holding their Christmas Bingo Loco event in the Brusna Inn!

Taking place on December 21st with doors opening at 8 pm for a 9 pm start, attendees can look forward to a night of madness, fun, and seriously bonkers bingo!

Whether you’re planning the ultimate work Christmas party, or just looking for a night of unforgettable craic, this event is not to be missed – last year’s event was a brilliant success and this year is sure to be the same!

Please note that attendance is limited for this popular local event, so don’t miss out on your chance and get your tickets now! Tickets can be bought for €25 via Eventbrite, where further information about the event can also be found.

Exciting projects

Anticipation is building in the town ahead of exciting new infrastructure developments. The town’s public realm will be considerably enhanced in the New Year, while works are expected to commence in the town’s new public park, which will be a welcome amenity for the shopper and the visitor experience for those visiting the town.

A feature of this year’s promotion of the town is the development of Ballaghaderreen.ie, a new online facility whereby the town’s retail outlets are showcasing their many retail offerings. This new service is modern, accessible, and a strong marketing tool in promoting the town. Work has commenced on the new

childcare facility for the town, which is expected to be completed next year. Also works are in hand for the town’s refurbished library, located in the iconic Dillon House building.

Like all of the county’s towns, Ballaghaderreen has extensive free parking at the cathedral carpark at Church Street and on Barrack Street, where shoppers can park in safety, yet have ease of access to all of the town centre.

A further investment for the town has been the deployment of new CCTV cameras. After many years of diligent work, the new cameras have been rolled out and will provide further reassurance for visitors and local people going about their business.

Edmondstown House in Ballaghaderreen.

10 Christmas movies to watch this festive season

Ava Bracken, a local TY student who recently completed her work experience with the Roscommon People, shares her picks for the best Christmas movies to settle in with over the festive period…

Let’s be honest – when Christmas comes around and it’s chilly outside, the ﬁrst thing we all want to do is settle down and watch a good movie. The question is: what movie?

To help you out, here’s our top ten best Christmas movies of all time!

1. Elf

This movie follows the story of Buddy – a human who, having been raised among elves in the North Pole all his life, embarks on a journey to New York to ﬁnd his biological father. Full of jokes, jingles, and Christmas magic, this hilarious movie starring Will Ferrell will deﬁnitely have you in the holiday mood! Rating: 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

2. Klaus

An unusual twist on the origins of Santa Claus, ‘Klaus’ is an animated Christmas adventure comedy made in 2019. In the ﬁlm, after proving himself to be the worst student at the academy, a postman is sent to a frozen town in the North. There, he discovers a reclusive toymaker named Klaus. Rating: 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. Love Actually

A festive classic, this heartwarming movie will show you Christmas time for people from all walks of life. Following multiple storylines and featuring a star-studded ensemble cast, this ﬁlm highlights our differences while showing us we all want the same thing: to be loved this Christmas. Rating: 72% on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. A Christmas Carol

9. The Polar Express

This beloved classic is based on the book by Charles Dickens. Another staple ﬁlm to catch over the holiday season, this is a movie we’ve all seen at one point, but it always deserves a rewatch. Rating: 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. The Snowman

‘The Snowman’ is the sweet tale of a young English boy who makes a snowman on Christmas Eve – only to ﬁnd, to his great surprise, that the snowman ends up coming to life! Rating: 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.

6. How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Hilarious, exciting, and loads of fun for everyone this Christmas, this ﬁlm follows the Grinch, who, having grown increasingly annoyed with the holiday cheer that engulfs the village of Whoville he resides just outside of, decides to

‘steal’ Christmas, the movie wrapping up with a heartfelt ending and on a real festive note! Rating: 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.

7. Angela’s Christmas

An Irish short ﬁlm set in the heart of Limerick, this animated movie centres around a family Christmas Eve trip to church, during which young Angela gets an extraordinary idea… one that not everyone approves of. Rating: 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.

8. The Christmas Chronicles In this ﬁlm, siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. However, the plan goes awry, and the kids must join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it’s too late. Rating: 76% on Rotten Tomatoes.

In ‘The Polar Express’, a young boy boards a train and embarks on an extraordinary journey to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. His life takes a turn along the way, after he encounters special people that make his journey memorable. Rating: 64% on Rotten Tomatoes.

10. It’s a Wonderful Life

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is yet another absolute classic ﬁlm to enjoy over the holidays. In the movie, frustrated businessman George Bailey becomes hopeless and inconsolable, due to his lack of contentment in life. And so an angel from Heaven, Clarence, is sent to him. To prompt a change of heart for George, Clarence shows him what life would have been like without his existence. Rating: 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

SVP annual appeal launched

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) launched its Annual Appeal recently, stating that calls for help are expected to exceed last year’s record of 250,000.

This year, on the 180th anniversary of the SVP in Ireland, the annual appeal is focused on providing help and hope to struggling parents who wonder how they will provide a happy Christmas for their families.

At the launch of this year’s annual appeal, national president Rose McGowan said, “The calls for help to our ofﬁces and local conferences (branches) continue to increase. In 2023, we had a record 250,000+ calls. This year, we are on track to exceed that number, as at the end of October, we had recorded 182,195 requests for assistance, which is up 1.4% on the same time last year. Help with food and energy continue to be the main reason for these requests.

“Our theme for this year, ‘The Wonder of Christmas’, reﬂects the questions our volunteers face most regularly in the run-up to Christmas; I wonder will I have enough for food and toys? I wonder do the kids know we are struggling? I wonder how it is affecting them? I wonder how we got into this situation?

I wonder if we will ever get us out of it? I wonder if you can help?”

She went on to say, “Despite the one-off payments made by the Government coming this month and next, there are many people who will continue to struggle to meet basic family expenses – particularly on special occasions such as Christmas”.

The 2024 SVP annual appeal was launched by broadcaster Marty Whelan. Special guests present were Mary Kennedy, who later this month will receive the Irish Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the television industry, and Doireann Garrihy, broadcaster and podcast host. Both have strong family connections with SVP.

Donations to SVP can be made online (via svp.ie), by phone (0818 176 176 for ROI, or 028 9075 0161 for NI), by post (to SVP, PO Box 1234, Dublin 1 – cheques made payable to ‘Society of St Vincent de Paul’ – or direct to a regional ofﬁce), and via the dedicated blue envelopes, which can be found in newspapers, churches, and delivered to homes throughout the country.

Pictured at the recent appeal launch were broadcaster Marty Whelan and Maureen Mitchell (SVP regional president for the west region – Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon).

GAA President unveils statue honouring the legendary Jimmy Murray

GAA

President Jarlath Burns ofﬁcially unveiled a statue of Roscommon GAA legend Jimmy Murray in the latter’s native village of Knockcroghery on Sunday afternoon last. On an emotion-charged occasion, a large crowd attended the eagerly-awaited unveiling.

The limestone statue weighs around four tonnes and was lovingly sculpted by local sculptor Mark Feeley, who has described working on the project as a labour of love.

Well-known GAA ﬁgures, members of the extended Murray family and local dignitaries were joined by people from all over the county for this celebration of the legacy of the late Jimmy Murray, who died In 2007.

Murray captained Roscommon to All-Ireland senior football glory in 1943 and ’44 and became one of the most respected captains in the game.

During his long life he was a revered ﬁgure in the GAA and a hugely respected ambassador for his beloved Knockcroghery and Roscommon. A devoted family man, Jimmy (‘Jamesie’) Murray ran a popular bar and shop in the premises which still trades to this day.

Sunday’s formalities saw members of the Artane Band march through the village accompanied by children representing the 32 GAA clubs in County Roscommon.

Thomas Murray, chairperson of the Jimmy Murray Statue Memorial Committee outlined the evolution of the project since it was launched in 2022. He thanked people from all over the country for the wonderful goodwill shown towards the initiative.

Speakers emphasised

that while the statue depicts Jimmy Murray, all his teammates (and the management) are also acknowledged. The statue is located in the village green, where Jimmy Murray regularly played football as a young boy.

Jarlath Burns, the President of the GAA, said he was privileged to be standing in a village that had given the GAA one of the greatest ﬁgures in the history of the sporting organisation, and indeed of the country.

Mr Burns said: “Today we honour not just James Murray’s extraordinary sporting achievement but the enduring values he represented, and the deep connections he fostered with this community and on this Green. The statue proudly in front of me is a fitting tribute to the man whose story reflects the resilience, pride and unity that defines our association”.

Mr Burns said the statue

will stand as a beacon of hope, a symbol of pride and an enduring tribute to Jimmy Murray’s enduring spirit.

Brian Carroll, Chairperson of Roscommon GAA, spoke of the heroics of the Roscommon team of the 1940s, under the inspired leadership of Jimmy Mur-

ray. He said it was a great day for Roscommon and one that would resonate with Roscommon people all over the world.

Also addressing guests and adding their congratulations to the organising committee were Michael O’Connor, chairperson of St Dominic’s, and Cllr

Paschal Fitzmaurice, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council. The sculptor, Mark Feeley, also addressed guests, during which he thanked the organisers for asking him to create the statue and for their ongoing support. Master of Ceremonies was Matt Rogers.

Pictured at the unveiling of the Jimmy Murray statue were (left to right) GAA President Jarlath Burns, Thomas Murray (Chairperson of the Jimmy Murray Memorial Statue Committee), and sculptor Mark Feeley, who created the sculpture. Pic: Will Keane

Pictured attending the Jimmy Murray statue unveiling last Sunday in Knockcroghery were Michael Fahey (son of the late JJ Fahey) and John Glynn (son of the late Frank Glynn (Lattie) of Tarmon, who was the Roscommon goalkeeper in 1943 and sub goalkeeper in 1944). Pic: Will Keane

Michael Fahey, Eileen Fahey, and GAA President Jarlath Burns pictured on Sunday at the unveiling of Jimmy Murray’s statue in Knockcroghery. Pic: Will Keane

Some members of the Murray family, GAA President Jarlath Burns, and Charlie Finneran (Derryglad Museum), pictured at the unveiling in Knockcroghery on Sunday. Pic: Will Keane

Pictured at the unveiling of the Jimmy Murray statue were (left to right) GAA President Jarlath Burns, Thomas Murray (Chairperson of the Jimmy Murray Memorial Statue Committee), and Brian Carroll, Chairperson of Roscommon County Board. Pic: Will Keane

GAA President Jarlath Burns and Michael O’Connor (Chairperson of St Dominic’s GAA Club) pictured on Sunday at the unveiling of Jimmy Murray’s statue in Knockcroghery. Pic: Will Keane

GAA President Jarlath Burns pictured with Sue Marie (Jamesie’s sister) at the unveiling of Jimmy Murray’s statue in Knockcroghery last Sunday. Pic: Will Keane

GAA President Jarlath Burns pictured chatting to GAA historian Tony Conboy at the unveiling in Knockcroghery on Sunday. Pic: Will Keane

GAA President Jarlath Burns pictured chatting to Val Beirne at the unveiling in Knockcroghery on Sunday. Pic: Will Keane

Tommy Fallon pictured presenting flowers to Sue Marie, the late Jamesie Murray’s sister. Tommy is a member of the Jimmy Murray Memorial Statue Committee. Pic: Will Keane

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

Brian Conboy and Ann Mulryan pictured during last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Brian Carroll, Brian Cody, and Pat Compton pictured during last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Val and Kelly Ann Browne pictured with Siobhan and Charlie Hunt attending last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

John Hynes, Brendan Quinn, David Waldron, Ronan O’Meara, Brian McGarvey, Anthony Clogher and Micheal Corcoran pictured at Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

RTE’s Darragh Maloney and Dermot Earley Junior pictured during last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Darragh Maloney chats with Brian Cody during Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

PJ and Helen Finan pictured during last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Newly-weds Mr and Mrs Dolan pictured at last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Paul Kelly and Mike Holland pictured during last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Dermot and Jenny Earley pictured during last Saturday’s ‘An Evening with Brian Cody’ event at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

FarmingPeople

Agri Aware National Dairy Council seek to dispel common myths on dairy

Agri Aware and the National Dairy Council are delighted to launch its Legen-Dairy initiative seeking to dispel common myths about Irish dairy and dairy consumption with the new campaign centred around a survey.

The survey calls on third level students in colleges across the country to engage with the Legen-Dairy survey and for those who complete it will be in with a chance to win a fantastic ski-trip for two in the new year. Students in third level

colleges, typically aged between 17-24 years of age are encouraged to take part in the campaign giving them access to the correct information on Irish dairy production and dairy’s essential nutritional beneﬁts. The results of the survey

Cattle: There was a large entry of stock on offer at last Friday’s special sale of bullocks (November 29th).

Bullocks fetched an average of €3.31 per kilo up to €4.11 per kilo. There was a smaller entry of dry cows and they made an average of €2.43 per kilo up to €3.19 per kilo. There was a large attendance of customers at the ringside with online bidders also active.

Dry cows ranged from an average of €2.43 per kilo up to €3.19 per kilo. Sample prices: three LM -700kg -€2230 -€3.19 per kg, LMX- 800kg- €2190- €2.74 per kg, LMX -755kg- €2000- €2.65 per kg, LMX -640kg -€2000- €3.13 per kg, LMX-640kg- €1880€2.94 per kg, LMX-720kg -€1880- €2.61 per kg, LMX- 670kg- €1650-€2.46 per kg, and CHX- 655kg- €1680-€2.56 per kg.

Bullocks ranged from an average of €3.31 per kilo up to €4.11 per kilo. Sample prices: two CHX-880kg- €2910- €3.31 per kg, CHX790kg- €2700 - €3.42 per kg, CHX-640kg€2430- €3.80 per kg, two LMX- 612kg- €2400€3.92 per kg, LMX- 535kg- €2200- €4.11 per kg, CHX – 510kg - €2040-€4.00 per kg, CHX495kg- €1970-€3.98 per kg, and CHX- 495kg€1960- €3.96 per kg.

Weanlings

There was a smaller entry of quality weanlings on offer at our sale held on Tuesday evening, December 3rd, with a strong trade for bulls and heifers. Our next weanling sale in Tuesday, December 10th. Bull weanlings fetched from an average of €3.50 per kilo up to €5.09 per kilo. Heifer weanlings made from an average of €3.29 per kilo up to €4.11. There was a very good attendance of customers ringside with online buyers also active.

up to €2590 while the runner ring reported an excellent clearance as farmers were out in force replacing sold stock.

Bull weanlings ranged from an average of €3.50 per kilo up to €5.09 per kilo. Sample prices: BBX- 385kg -€1960 -€5.09 per kg, CHX585kg- €1960- €3.35 per kg, BBX- 435kg€1910- €4.39 per kg, CHX- 380kg- €1580€4.16 per kg, LMX- 310kg- €1410- €4.55 per kg, and CHX- 285kg- €1200- €4.21 per kg. Heifer weanlings ranged from an average of €3.29 per kilo up to €4.11 per kilo. Sample prices: CHX-410kg -€1490- €3.63 per kg, CHX -365kg-€1470-€4.03 per kg, CHX-315kg€1210-€3.84 per kg, LMX- 290kg- €1180€4.07 per kg, CHX-275kg- €1040- €3.78 per kg, and CHX- 250kg- €870- €3.48 per kg.

Sheep

We had a larger number of sheep on offer at our weekly sale of lambs and stag ewes on Wednesday, December 4th, when compared to the previous week. Prices for spring lambs made up to €232 while stag ewes topped out at €300.

Our next sheep sale takes place on Wednesday, December 11th. The yard opens at 8 am and all stock must be penned by 10 am. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID tag set. The sale can be viewed live on livestock-live.com.

Spring lambs, sample prices: 80kgs-€232€2.90 per kg, 73kgs-€216- €2.96 per kg, 65kgs-€204-€3.14 per kg, 57.6kgs-€198€3.44 per kg, 49.1kgs-€187-€3.81 per kg, 46.5kgs-€178-€3.83 per kg, and 39.3kgs€165-€4.20 per kg.

Cast ewes, sample prices: 113kgs- €300€2.65 per kg, 108kgs-€240-€2.22 per kg, 84kgs-€226-€2.69 per kg, 80.2kgs-€178€2.22 per kg, 77.2kgs- €165-€2.14 per kg, and 68.3kgs-€150- €2.20 per kg.

will guide the organisations’ understanding of this age cohort’s attitudes towards dairy and its role in their diet.

Speaking at the launch of the Legen-Dairy campaign at the University College Dublin Student Centre on Monday, December 2nd, was Agri

Aware Executive Director

Marcus O’Halloran, who said: “This campaign is extremely important and the information that Agri

Aware and the NDC will be able to ﬁnd out from the target age demographic on their knowledge of Irish

dairy and consumption will be critical.

“Both organisations advocate on behalf of dairy farmers and campaigns like the Legen-Dairy initiative are another step towards enhancing Irish dairy literacy among students in the 17-24 years of age bracket.

“I’d encourage every third level student across the country to get involved, ﬁll out the survey and who knows, you could be the lucky person who wins the fantastic prize on offer”.

The Legen-Dairy survey is open for submissions until Friday, December 20th

620kgs €1860 Lm 645kgs €2010 Fr 490kgs €840 AA 450kgs €780. Cows with calves at foot made from €1740 to €2590. Springers made from €930 to €1500.

CALVES/RUNNERS: Increased numbers were on offer this week with lots making from €380 to €1120 for continental types.

WEANLING BULLS: Lm 295kgs €1230 Ch 285kgs €1180 Lm 285kgs €1070 Lm 400kgs €1760 Lm 365kgs €1510 Lm 395kgs €1500 AA 360kgs €1160 AA 380kgs €1370 Lim 320kgs €1310 Ch 340kgs €1180 AA 300kgs €1070 Lm 315kg €1190.

WEANLING HEIFERS: Lm 275kgs €1200 Ch 250kgs €970 Ch 240kgs €870 Lm 260kgs €940 BBx 335kgs €1800 AA 365kgs €1630 Lm 335kgs €1590 Lm 305kgs €1410.

Bullock Sale (25th of November): Over 200 lots presented for sale with a great clearance taking place. Quality stores made up to €3.65 a kilo while heavier lots made up to €2040.

SAMPLE PRICES: Lm 485kgs €1710 Ch 480kgs €1660 Lm 450kgs €1640 Ch 545kgs €1990 Lm 535kgs €1900 Lm 560kgs €1930 Lm 647kgs €2000 Ch 600kgs €1880 Lm 660kgs €2040.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart on Mondays and Thursdays. All sales commence at 11 am.

Mark Keller of the National Dairy Council and Marcus O’Halloran of Agri Aware pictured engaging with a student from University College Dublin on the Legen-Dairy survey. Third level students across the country are encouraged get involved and fill out the survey.

‘Water connection refund scheme must be extended’

Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice, has expressed disappointment after being advised by the Department of Housing that the refund scheme for Uisce Éireann water connection charges will not be extended beyond its current deadlines.

The scheme, introduced under the Housing for All Action Plan in April 2023, was designed to help alleviate rising building costs and incentivise housing construction during Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis. It allowed for the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges for residential developments that commenced between 25 April 2023 and 30 September 2024, with completion required by 31 December 2025.

Despite calls for a further extension, particularly from young couples and families struggling with high building costs, the Department of Housing has conﬁrmed that no further extensions are planned. The refund scheme will ofﬁcially end for developments not commenced before 30 September

2024. Commenting on the Department’s decision, Michael Fitzmaurice TD said: “This news is a major disappointment, particularly for young couples and families trying to build their first home. The housing crisis continues to place immense financial pressure on people, and the refund scheme was one small but significant way to ease that burden”.

Fitzmaurice highlighted the case of a young couple in Roscommon who started construction on their family home in October. After enduring years of delays in obtaining planning permission, they now face additional ﬁnancial challenges due to the scheme’s strict deadlines.

Michael Fitzmaurice TD has urged constituents to be aware of the strict deadlines for the refund scheme and to plan accordingly. He is calling on the Government to reconsider its decision and explore additional measures to support individuals and families grappling with the ongoing housing crisis.

Glinsk Christmas Fair and Santa experience

This year, Glinsk Community Development are holding their ﬁrst ever Christmas Fair and Santa experience! This event has something to offer everyone! The fair will take place in Glinsk Community Centre, from 10 am until 3 pm, on Sunday, December 8th. There will be free entry to the stalls. The organisers are looking forward to having some local crafters present on the day to showcase their talent and produce! Tea, coffee and mulled wine will also be provided for attendees. Family entry to the Christmas grotto and to meet Santa Claus will cost €10. For more information and to book your visit with Santa, visit form.jotform. com/241373778149366.

For queries about the overall event, email glinskcommunityevents@gmail.com.

Roscommon Solstice Choir festive concerts

The Roscommon Solstice Choir perform in Kilmurry Community Hall on Sunday, December 8th in aid of Castleplunkett National School. The choir will also perform on Friday, December 13th in Strokestown Parish Church in aid of the local Boys National School. Rahara Christmas lighting party

Festive celebrations await when the turning on of the Rahara community Christmas lights takes place at Rahara Old Church (beside Rahara NS) at 4.30 pm on Sunday, December 8th. The turning-on ceremony will be followed by festive refreshments and a big Christmas rafﬂe in Rahara NS. Rafﬂe tickets can be purchased on the night or via Revolut – text Orla at 086 6036432 for more info.

Fundraising table quiz in Ballygar

A ‘Building for Children’ fundraising table quiz will be held in Fallon’s Bar, Ballygar, on Friday, 6th of December at 9 pm. Tickets on door. €10 per person. Four persons per table. Rafﬂe on the night. All proceeds will go to 2025 trip to Sebeta Blind School, Ethiopia. Please support.

Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union reaffirms community commitment amid merger talks

Athlone and Castlerea Credit Union is delighted to announce the launch of its Community Support Fund 2025 reafﬁrming the credit union’s commitment to the local community ahead of a planned merger with St Jarlath’s Credit Union.

The proposed merger between ACCU and St Jarlath’s Credit Union is set to create one of Ireland’s largest credit unions, covering a vast region across the West of Ireland and Midlands.

Originally introduced to members in November 2023, the merger has gained substantial traction and will be put to a vote at the respective AGMs on the 8th of January 2025.

Speaking about the merger, Michael Evans, CEO of Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union, emphasised its long-term benefits: “This merger is all about delivering more benefits for our members. Together, we can create a more efficient organisation, capable of offering a larger range of services while maintaining our strong community focus. Very little will change for members. Whether you visit the branches in Athlone, Castlerea, or Tuam, you’ll still see the same familiar faces providing the same personalised service you’ve always known. Lending decisions will remain local, ensuring we stay true to our roots.

“We believe this merger will strengthen our ability to support our members and communities, and I truly hope it will be supported at the AGMs”.

Launch of Community Support Fund 2025

Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union is thrilled to launch its Community Support Fund 2025, reafﬁrming its dedication to local community development. Since its inception in 2022, the fund has provided over €100,000 in grants to support worthwhile projects, enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves.

Claire Mulvihill, Community Support Fund Co-ordinator, highlighted the credit union’s ongoing commitment: “Social responsibility and community development are at the core of our ethos here at Athlone & Castlerea Credit Union. We are delighted to announce the Community Support Fund 2025 is open for applications. The fund allows us to continue investing in initiatives that beneﬁt our members and the local community. We encourage local groups to apply for funding to assist with bringing signiﬁcant projects to life”.

The Community Support Fund 2025 is open for applications from Monday, 2nd of December 2024 to Monday, 6th of January 2025 to which local community, cultural, charity and sports groups may apply for funding to assist with signiﬁcant development.

Groups or organisations applying for funding must complete the ofﬁcial application form stating why they should qualify for funding. These application forms can be downloaded from our website www.accu.ie or picked up in any of our ofﬁces in Irishtown, Monksland (Athlone) or Castlerea. Completed application forms, together with any supporting documentation, must be returned to communitysupportfund@accu.ie by 6th of January 2025.

Annie Joyce from Ballymoe, Co Galway is pictured with her parents Annmarie and Micheal on the occasion of her graduation with a BA in Science at DCU, Dublin.

Michael Fitzmaurice TD has urged constituents to be aware of the strict deadlines for the refund scheme for Uisce Éireann water connection charges.

Siblings Sophie and Michael Flynn pictured supporting Padraig Pearses in the Connacht Club Senior Football Final against Coolera-Strandhill at Markievicz Park on Sunday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

CO. ROSCOMMON, F45 DE22

€200,000

Remax Team Earley

Tulsk lands

Cathal Meares of Remax Team Earley is inviting ﬁnal offers for approximately 28 acres of agricultural land, located at Rathnaglye, Tulsk, Co Roscommon (comprised in Folio No: RN17522).

This sale represents an excellent opportunity to acquire approximately 28.8 acres of exceptional-quality agricultural land, situated in a scenic and accessible area. This expansive property is well suited for a variety of agricultural uses, making it an ideal choice for livestock, general farming, or hobby farming.

The property features a charming derelict stone building, located at the entrance of a secondary road access point, offering po-

tential for restoration or use as a unique feature.

Please note that these lands are subject to a land lease until 1/1/2028 at annual rent of €7,500 per annum.

For further details or to arrange a viewing, please contact the auctioneer. This is a rare opportunity to secure a substantial and valuable landholding in a convenient and sought after location.

For further details or to arrange an appointment to view, please contact Remax Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon on 090 6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie, log onto teamearley.ie, or contact the auctioneer Cathal on 086 1409158.

We have a number of clients on our books looking for lands to rent or lease

Long or short term Enquiries in strictest conﬁdence to our ofﬁce

Cathal Meares of Remax Team Earley is pleased to advise that he has closed the sale of a superbly located renovation project, situated at Fearagh, Ballymurray, Co Roscommon, standing on a site area of approximately 1.01 acres.

The property offers spectacular

views on offer in a prime location beside Portrunny Bay. The BER rating is G. Remax Team Earley would like to advise that they are now urgently seeking residences in the Roscommon area for disappointed underbidders.

For further details or to arrange a free

consultation, please contact Remax Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090 66 26579, email teamearley@remax.ie, log onto teamearley. ie, or contact one of the auctioneers directly by phoning Cormac on 086 3519492, Cathal on 086 1409158, or Keith on 086 0848590.

Rathnaglye, Tulsk, Co Roscommon

Fearagh, Ballymurray, Co Roscommon

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

Culture&ARTS

Ó Cellaig book launched in Ballinasloe

Gullane’s Hotel in Ballinasloe recently saw the launch of a fascinating new book, which outlines in great detail the history and archaeology of the medieval territories of Uí Maine and Tír Maine – broadly, modern south Roscommon and a considerable part of east Galway.

Titled ‘The Uí Chellaig lords of Uí Maine and Tír Maine – An archaeological and landscape exploration of a later medieval inland Gaelic lordship’, it was researched and written by Dr Daniel Patrick Curley on the subject of his PhD dissertation, and was recently published by one of Ireland’s leading academic publishers, Four Courts Press.

The book explores the past environment, economic conditions, and elite settlement of this region, through the lens of the dominant political dynasty of that time and place – the Uí Chellaig (O’Kelly).

The launch night was well attended, with in excess of a hundred people in the audience. There was a great local attendance at the event, with people also travelling from as far aﬁeld as Mayo, Tipperary, Carlow, Wexford, Dublin and Donegal to celebrate the book and the author.

The master of ceremonies on the evening was the proliﬁc Sligo archaeologist Martin

A Timoney, who introduced both speakers and kept the show going while entertaining the attendees. Dr Curley, a Taughmaconnell native – right in the heart of the area under investigation – used the opportunity of his time on the podium to outline some of his motivations in engaging in the topic; what he learned and how proud he is of adding in some small way to the understanding of his own home place. Curley thanked the many people and organisations who were involved in making the book a reality, and he was joined on the night by friends and family.

The person charged with launching the book was Dr Kieran Denis O’Conor, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Galway. His contribution outlined some of the innovative work undertaken by Curley in his PhD research, and now this output. He also emphasised the signiﬁcance the book will have to future researchers and communities alike, when it comes to the study, appreciation, and promotion of medieval Gaelic Ireland, and formally celebrated the arrival of Dr Curley’s monograph to the shelves.

The book can be purchased online from Four Courts Press, Kenny’s Bookshop, Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, and in all good bookshops.

Dr Daniel Curley pictured with Colette Finneran at the launch of his new book at Gullane’s Hotel in Ballinasloe. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Dr Daniel Curley pictured with family members Danny, Patrick, Danielle, Grace, Aishling and Josephine Curley, at the recent launch of new his book at Gullane’s Hotel, Ballinasloe. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Dr Daniel Curley pictured with Emma Laffey and Cllr Evelyn Parsons at the recent launch of new his book at Gullane’s Hotel, Ballinasloe. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Dr Kieran O’Conor, Dr Daniel Curley, and archaeologist Martin Timoney pictured at the launch of Daniel’s new book at Gullane’s Hotel in Ballinasloe. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Dr Daniel Curley’s aunts, Martina Loughnane, Geraldine Cresham and Mary Farrell, pictured at the recent launch of Daniel’s new book at Gullane’s Hotel in Ballinasloe. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Dr Daniel Curley pictured with Gabriel O’Grady, Gerard Healy (Farming Rathcroghan), and Nollaig Feeney (Heritage Officer, Roscommon Co Council) at the launch of his new book at Gullane’s Hotel in Ballinasloe. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Classifieds

ALCOHOLICS

ANONYMOUS

< ALCOHOLICS

ANONYMOUS:

F42 RP21 (1st

Tuesday 8pm to 9pm,

1pm to 2pm, Thursday 8pm to 9pm, Friday 8pm to 9pm, Saturday 8pm to 9pm, Sunday 12 noon to 1.pm.

CHIMNEY CLEANING COMPLETE CHIMNEY SERVICES

Stephen

Specialising

Telephone: 086 8433433

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

CONNAUGHT CHIMNEY CLEANING

Chimneys Power Sweep ( no mess)

- Openfire - Stoves - Ranges

Chimney CCTV Inspection

OIL BOILERS SERVICED

Burners Repaired CARPETS CLEANING

Satellite and Digital

TV Installation

All areas covered Mob: 086 2495851

www.connaughtchimney cleaning.com

SUBMIT YOUR CLASSIFIED ONLINE

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

Mobile

Footcare

Professional and friendly

Kathleen Wynne MCFHP, MAFHP Foot Care Practitioner 086 3562718 kathleenwynne63@gmail.com www.kathleensmobilefootcare.ie

Strokestown, Co. Roscommon 087 9268424

stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com

COUNSELLING

& HYPNOTHERAPY

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

BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE

• Sprayers tested on owners premises • Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided.

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

All sprayers tested in 2020/2021 are now due re-test Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069

e-mail: thomasneilan4@ gmail.com

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

FENCING/GATES

FARMING

< MISSING: Missing from land at Stonepark, 5 lambs, blue brand on neck. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Contact – Pat Naughton 086 3203292.

CAR FOR SALE

< FOR SALE: 2008 Citroen Picasso 7-seater. New timing belt and water pump. Reversing sensors. Clean car. Metallic silver. Alloys. Central locking. Tel. 083 8828882.

TRAILERS

TRAILER SERVICING & REPAIRS to all makes and models (LED Lights, Brakes, Re-Wiring, etc.)

Call TrailerFix on 086 4041875 Rooskey, Co. Roscommon

• 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

FAMILY NOTICES

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon

Site Notice of Further Information/Revised Plans

Name of Applicant: Anthony and Sinead Blackweir

Ref. Number of the Application: PD/24/43

The development applied for consisted of: Planning Application for Permission to construct a dwelling house, domestic shed, proprietary waste-water treatment system with soil polishing filter and associated site works and a Natura Impact Statement was submitted with the application for a development at Carrowduff and Garbally, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon.

Significant Further Information/ Revised Plans4

has/have4 been furnished to the planning authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are4 available for inspection or purchase, at the offices of the authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority within the statutory time limit. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed €20 fee, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation.

Signed: Anthony and Sinead Blackweir.

Design Consultation Planning Applications

New Build, Extend, Renovate Bespoke Design Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural 086 3482387

info@moleskinarchitecture.com

facebook.com/moleskinarch

PROPERTIES TO LET/ RENT/WANTED

< HOUSE TO LET: Selfcontained detached, 2-bedrooms. Rural. Roscommon, Athlone and Ballinasloe 20 miles. Apply to Box no. 3114, c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

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

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Padraig Mannion intend to apply for planning permission to construct a single storey garage and for retention permission to existing dwellinghouse located at Rackins, Curraghboy, Athlone, Co: Roscommon N37 RR83.

(Permission for retention consists of)

Retention of alterations to dwelling from that previously granted under PD/06/1366. Alterations include, i) the alteration to a dormer section on the front elevation, removal of roof windows and addition of a two storey section in replacement of dormer section, ii) The addition of natural cut stone work on front elevation to the two storey section referred to under i), (Permission previously granted for plaster finish), iii) the removal of a dormer window to the rear elevation and the installation of a roof balcony window in lieu of same and iv) increase in roof pitch, removal of roof windows and addition of rear facing circular window to the single storey rear projection.

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

Signed: Padraig Mannion

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Paul Connaughton, am applying to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the following:

1. To refurbish a derelict house to include alterations to elevations and construct a new extension;

2. To install an upgraded treatment system and percolation area;

3. To construct a new site entrance, and carry out all ancillary site development works at Laragh, Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon.

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

Signed:

Unit 5, Ballypheason House, Circular Road, Roscommon, F42 C982. Ph: 090 6634365. Mob: 085 1299470. E: james@jlce.ie & elaine@jlce.ie Web: www.jlce.ie Planning & Design Consulting Engineers

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Seamus McDermott, Chairman of Oran GAA Club Parks Committee intend to apply for planning permission for development at Clooneenbaun, Oran, Co. Roscommon, F42 CD50.

The development will consist of the construction of – (a) Hurling wall & astroturf playing area, (b) Ball retaining nets & associated siteworks at existing GAA grounds.

Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors. 2 Cherryside Business Park, Castle St, Roscommon. Ph- (087) 2222874.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.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.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Hilary Hynes , intend to apply for planning permission, at Curryroe, Drum, Athlone, Co. Roscommon, for the construction of a new two story dwelling house, waste water treatment plant and percolation, accessed off the Drum road, via the existing entrance and site road to the existing dwelling, Eircode N37F702, and all associated and ancillary site works including landscaping.

Signed: Hilary Hynes.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, David Dunning and Olivia Young intend to apply for planning permission for development at Barrymore, Kiltoom, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

The development will consist of the construction of a dwellinghouse, garage & associated siteworks.

Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors. 2 Cherryside Business Park, Castle St, Roscommon. Ph- (087) 2222874.

The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. 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.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Niall Carty intends to apply for Permission to construct a four bay single slatted cattle shed on his lands at Cloonshask, Oldtown, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Niall Carty.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Donal Connaughton, Ballymore East or Corbally, Boyle, Co. Roscommon intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct single storey dwelling domestic garage, waste water treatment system and percolation area, associated site development works and services at Ballymore, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd., Architects, Fallon Avenue, Roscommon. Phone 090 6626974 / 086/8115449

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

APPOINTMENTS

< CARER REQUIRED: Experienced, kind, reliable carer required to care for elderly person in Roscommon, in the persons own home. Hours are from 6pm Fridays to 1pm Sundays, or part of these hours. Driving licence essential. Call 0861996358 for further information.

REQUIRED: 23hrs Part Time Carer in the Alzheimer’s Day Centre (ASI), Castlerea.

3 Days p/w Tue / Wed / Thurs + facilitate Cafe/ Social Club every 2nd Mon in Roscommon Town. Email: michelle.shiel@alzheimer.ie by 9th December.

REQUIRED: The Alzheimer’s Society (ASI). 18hrs p/w Part Time Day Care @ Home (Sitting Service, activities in the home) in Elphin, Strokestown, Rooskey, Ballyleague, Tarmonbarry, Boyle and surrounding areas. Email: michelle. shiel@alzheimer.ie by 9th December.

SHOP/GENERAL ASSISTANT required for part-time position.

• 18/20 flexible hours per week.

• Fluent English essential. Email replies to connaughtdrycleaners@gmail.com

Experienced candidates invited to apply

HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT

• Premium for Sundays and Bank Holidays.

• Free meals, tea and coffee.

• Paid lunchbreaks.

• Pension Scheme facilitated.

• Cycle to work scheme available.

• Care Assistants will assist in the provision of care and work as part of a team to achieve required standards.

Apply with cv & cover letter to be emailed to: office@shannonlodgenursinghome.ie or contact: 071 965 8667 Garda vetting and references will be required. We require the following:

Rooskey,

the agri/industrial sector Tel. P.J. on 043 3321155

JOYCE Margaret

Ballymoe, Co. Galway (38th Anniversary)

Treasured memories of our dear mother who passed away on December 4th 1986

Mam

When God was making mothers He must have made a fuss. He spent a lot of time on one and gave that one to us. Of all the gifts in life, however great or small, to have you as our Mother was the greatest gift of all. Because you were so special, no words could ever say, how much we love and miss you, today and every day.

Also remembering our father Tom Joyce who passed away on 1st May, 2000

Tom Joyce

Dad

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

Remembering our brother Paddy, who passed away on July 4th 2012

Paddy

Deep in our hearts your memory is kept. To love to cherish and never forget.

Remembering our brother Tommy, who passed away on July 13th 2021

Thomas B. (Tommy) Gone are the days we used to share, but in our hearts you are always there. The gates of memory will never close, we miss you more than anyone knows.

Remembering our sister Maureen, who passed away on February 25th 2023 Maureen (Coleman) Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.

Loved and missed by their family, Mickie, Sean, Stephen and Cyril and her daughters Chrissie, Eileen, Carmel

and Sheila and extended family members.

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES

DOOLAN

John Stonepark, Roscommon (2nd Anniversary)

Dad, what I would give to clasp your hand, your happy face to see, to hear your voice and see your smile, that meant so much to me.

Love, Frances, Patrick, Ciarán and Niamh.

Missing You.

We think about you always, we think about you still. You have never been forgetten and you never will. We hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain, to walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again.

Love, Chris, Noel, Mark, Shauna and Liam.

2nd Anniversary Mass will be held on Saturday 14th December in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon at 10.00am.

KENNY

Maureen

Lisnaville, Fuerty, Co. Roscommon (7th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Maureen who passed away on 9th December 2017

There are no words to tell you what losing you has meant, but now each day brings memories of happy years we spent. You’d want us all to smile again and that’s just what we do everytime we reminisce, with loving thoughts of you.

Sadly missed and always remembered by her loving family and extended family.

Anniversary Mass in Fuerty Church on Sunday 8th December at 11.30am

WARD Breege

O’Keeffe Park, Glenamaddy, Galway. Creggs, Roscommon. (1st Anniversary)

In loving memory of Breege, whose first anniversary occurs on 13th December 2024 You were always there with a willing heart, to listen, advise and understand. Your pleasures were small, your wants were few If your family was happy, so were you. We often sit and reminisce, we have a laugh or two, fondly telling stories of the things you used to do. They bring a laugh, sometimes a tear, but always a wish that you were here.

Sadly missed and forever loved by your sisters, Marian, Margaret, Gertrude, brother Willie, sister-in-law Kathleen, nieces, nephews and extended families.

First Anniversary Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Kilbegnet, on Sunday, 8th December at 11.30am.

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 nonpublication. 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.

KELLY Lindsey

Cois na Coille, Galway and Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon (4th Anniversary)

We see your smile, In every ray of sunshine after rain, We hear the echo of your laughter over all the pain, This World’s a little quieter without you now, and all the colours have lost their hue, The birds are singing softly, and our hearts are missing you, We think of you with love and pride, and miss you every day, and every night we search the skies to watch you where you lay, and when the clouds are gathering, and the air’s too cold to breathe, all the memories of you will warm us, and your bright star will help us see.

May the winds of Heaven blow softly and whisper in your ear, How much we love and miss you and wish we had you here.

Forever loved, missed and cherished, Mam, Dad, Ashling, Martin, jason and your little nephew Finn.

GLEESON

James

Racecourse Road, Roscommon

Three little words Forget Me Not, They don’t say much but they mean a lot Forget you not, We never will, Because in our hearts We keep you still.

Loved and remembered by Mum, Dad, Jude and Sinéad xxxx

GERAGHTY

Myra

Kilmore, Athleague, Roscommon Who passed away on 6th December 2010 (14th Anniversary)

Remembering Myra with love and affection

Your presence we miss Your memory we treasure. Forever in our thoughts Bernie and Mike.

O’CONNOR Gerry

Late of Cyprus Villas and Galway Road, Co. Roscommon (7th Anniversary9th December 2017)

A day that’s ﬁlled with sadness, returns to us today to mark the day you closed your eyes and quietly slipped away. You had a smile for everyone you had a heart of gold you left the sweetest memories, this world could ever hold.

A smile can hide our sadness, tears can be wiped away, but the heartache of losing you will never go away. Because you were so special, no words could ever say how much we love and miss you today and everyday. We sent a dove to Heaven with a parcel on its wings, be careful how you open it for its full of beautiful things. Inside are a million kisses, wrapped up in a million hugs to tell you that we miss you and give you all our love.

Loved and never forgotten by his heartbroken parents, daughters, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncle, nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

Anniversary Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Kilteevan on Sunday, 8th December at 10.00am.

JONES

Kitty Clooneen, Athleague, Co. Roscommon (13th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Kitty, who died on the 3rd December 2011. Also remembering her husband Jeremiah who died on 18th August 1989.

You left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide and though we cannot see you you are always at our side.

Sadly missed by your loving daughter Marcella, loving son Basil and daughter-in-law Fiona.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Athleague on Friday, 6th December at 7.00pm.

BRENNAN

Micheál Mount Mary, Ballygar, Co. Galway Who died on the 8th December 2017 (7th Anniversary)

We thought of you today, but that is nothing new, We though about you yesterday, and days before that too. We think of you in silence, We often speak your name, Now all we have are memories, and your picture in a frame. Your memory is our keepsake, with which we’ll never part. God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts. Always fondly remembered by Ita, Tomás, Kate and extended family and friends.

Anniversary Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Ballygar on Friday, 6th December at 7.30pm.

BRIAN MURRAY MEMORIALS

KEAVENEY-QUINN

Cathal, Damien, Sarajane & Maykla, and Adrienne’s brothers & sisters wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the kindness shown to us following the recent loss of our beloved Adrienne. Thank you to everyone who sympathised, sent Mass cards, sympathy cards, phoned, sent floral wreaths and left touching messages of condolence on Rip.ie Thank you to Fr. Mannion, also thank you to Pat & Caroline Coneran Funeral Directors, Kilkerrin. Thank you to Fidelma, Kim, & Ethan for making Adrienne’s home coming possible. Thank you to Martina Gibbons for providing beautiful food.

The Family also would like to thank the First Responders, the Ambulance Service, An Garda Siochana Ballina, & Mayo University Hospital. Thank you to Adrienne’s neighbours in Foxford and Carmel at Foxford Post Office.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our gratitude for the kindness and support we have received.

A Donation has been made to Galway Hospice and M.S. Tuam in acknowledgement of all your support. Fondly Remembered, Deeply Missed

REILLY

Paddy

Aughmaghree, Kilteevan (14th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Paddy who died on 11th December 2010

Special memories keep you near, as time unfolds another year. Each of us in our own way, have special thoughts of you today. Will those who think of him today a little prayer to Jesus say.

Loved and remembered always by his wife Phil and family.

Anniversary Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Kilteevan on Sunday, 8th December at 10am.

LAWLESS Phil (11th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Phil, whose anniversary occurs on December 5th

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

Remembered with love by all.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Cloverhill on Saturday, 7th December at 7pm.

Scrine, Athleague, Co. Roscommon

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES

CARROLL Anthony

Rhue, Kilmore, Carrick on Shannon, Co Roscommon who sadly passed away on the 31st October 2024.

Anthony’s wife Ethel, his sons and daughter, Daniel, Brendan, Mary, Anthony, Brian, brother Paddy together with the extended Carroll family wish to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who supported and sympathised with us during our sad loss. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who called to our home, attended the removal, Funeral Mass and burial, those who contacted us by phone call, sent messages, travelled long distances to support us, those who sent Mass and condolence cards, floral tributes and also left online messages of sympathy.

This has brought us unbelievable comfort.

A sincere heartfelt thank you to our families, wonderful neighbours, our many friends and our local Community who helped is so many ways over the days following Anthony’s passing. Thanks to the massive team of stewards and helpers who worked so hard managing traffic and parking over the 3 days and made it possible for us to carry out our wish for Anthony to repose at home surrounded by his beloved family. We received many compliments since the Funeral about the efficiency of the traffic management and the attention to detail was second to none. Thanks to An Garda Siochana for their assistance at the removal and the Funeral Mass. Thank you to everyone who catered for everyone who called to our home, thanks to those who prepared and served food, those who provided and brought food and beverages to the house, provided outdoor lighting, marquee, parking areas and provided chairs and tables. Thank you also to the Silver Eel and DG Restaurant for the lovely meal after the burial.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for everything you have done for us.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Fr Stephen Ezenwegbu for the beautiful Funeral Mass he celebrated for Anthony and for the lovely heartfelt and personal homily given at the Mass. Special thanks also to Fr Simon Cadam of St Mary’s Church Granard who con-celebrated the Funeral Mass. Thanks also to Fr John Joe Gannon, Fr Micheal O Brien, Fr Michael Donnelly and Fr Michael Breslin who called to our home during the days Anthony was reposing in the house. Thanks also to our altar servers Dara, Eanna and Nessa Carroll. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Mass in any way. Thank you to the videographer for streaming the Mass. Thank you to Mary and Maggie Keenan who decorated the altar and to the sacristan Ann Duignan for all her help. A special thanks to Eimear Dowd, Nollaig Geraghty and their families and also Carmel McLoughlin for their lovely music and singing during the Funeral Mass. Thank you to Cathal and Mary for the dignified manner in which they carried out the Funeral and this can’t have been easy in the circumstances but we have no doubt Anthony would have been very proud of the way his Funeral was organised. Thank you also to our own Mary for the lovely job on compiling the booklet for the Funeral Mass. Thank you most sincerely to all the neighbours and friends who prepared Anthony’s final resting place in Kilmore Cemetery, it was great comfort to us to see this was done with such care and attention. Thanks to Kilmore GAA Club and Kilmore/Hillstreet Fine Gael Branch for performing Guard of Honours at the removal and on the day of the Funeral Mass.

Thank you to Jarlath Burns, President of the GAA and Minister Peter Burke TD for attending the Funeral and thank you to Taoiseach Simon Harris for his sincere and warm contact with us following Anthony’s passing. To the doctors, nurses and staff at Sligo University Hospital we thank very much for your care and kindness shown to Anthony over the last number of years and for the days and weeks before he passed away. A special thanks to Irene White, Eileen Sweeney, The doctors and nurses in the Medical Centre Carrick on Shannon, Fintan and all the staff at Cox’s Pharmacy Carrick on Shannon and the ambulance crews for all their help over the past number of years. As it would not be possible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgment as a token of our sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to all who helped us in any way throughout this difficult time and continue to do so. The holy sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.

May his kind and generous soul rest in peace.

Anthony’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated in St Brigid’s Church, Dangan on Saturday the 7th of December at 5pm.

RICE

Gerry

London United Kingdom and formerly of Grange, Four-Mile-House Co. Roscommon who died on December 9th 2023.

The family of the late Gerry Rice would like to sincerely thank all those who sympathised with them on their great loss.

Our heartfelt thanks to staff in the Poppy Unit at Westgate House Care Centre, U.K who provided such wonderful, dignified care to Gerry during his short illness and for the amazing love and care shown to him in his final days.

We wish to express our immense gratitude to Gerry’s dearest friends, Enda, Shane, Paul, Joe, Emmet, Dave and Erkan, who went over and beyond to support Gerry throughout his life and in his final months and days. We are so thankful to all of you for everything you have done for him. Thank you for all your help during his Funeral preparations in both London and Ireland. We will forever be indebted for the kindness and support shown to the Rice Family.

Sincere thanks to all our wonderful neighbours in Four-Mile-House, Cloontuskert, Carrickmacross, Birmingham, London and beyond, extended family, friends, and work colleagues who visited all our homes in the days following Gerry’s passing.

For those who travelled to London to attend Gerry’s Funeral service and to those who attended Gerry’s remembrance Mass and burial in Ireland. For those who telephoned, travelled long distances, sent floral tributes, Mass cards and messages of condolences.

To all those who took part in the Masses to celebrate Gerry’s life, in both London and Ireland, including Fr. John Cunningham (Waltham Cross London) Fr. Eamonn O’Connor and Fr. Eamon Conaty. We thank you for your very meaningful Masses and support.

A special word of thanks to Pat Smyth, of Smyth Funeral Directors, for his kindness and support throughout those difficult days. Thank you also to Tom, Paul and Enda, who prepared Gerry’s final resting place.

Heartfelt thanks to musicians Teresa Costello and Sean Sweeney, for their beautiful music, which was a wonderful tribute to Gerry.

Thank you to Stephen and Tina Dowd for taking care of the catering and to Kilbride Community Centre, Four-Mile-House, for the use of their facilities. A special mention to Bernie Kearney and all the Community Volunteers who helped on the day. To those who helped in any way, your support and contribution was really appreciated.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. The Holy Sacrifice of Mass has been offered for your intentions.

The 1st Anniversary Mass for Gerry will be held on Sunday 8th December 2024 at 11.00am, in St. Bridget’s Church, Four-Mile-House, Roscommon F42 AY92. All Welcome.

In Loving memory of a dear Dad

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.

We think of you in silence, we often speak your name.

All we have are memories, your memories are our keepsakes, with which we never part, God has you in his arms, we have you in our hearts.

Love you always Dad, Jessica, Katie, Laura and their mum Irene xx

In loving memory of a dear brother

We remember you, dear brother, with your smile so bright and true, your laughter ﬁlled the room, and your heart was pure like dew.

Although you left us too soon, your memory remains evergreen, in our hearts, you’ll forever bloom, our love for you will never wean.

We miss you every single day, but our love for you will never fade, in our thoughts, you’ll always stay, your memory, with us will forever shade.

Rest in peace, dear brother, your kindness will never be forgotten, with happy memories, we’ll cover your absence from our hearts, that’s unspoken.

Loved and missed, forever in our heart, Mattie, John, Paul, Bernie, sister-in-law Mary and Bernie’s partner Brian.

In loving memory of a dear uncle and friend

As each day dawns we think of you, as each night falls we pray for you, and throughout our lives no matter where, in our hearts you are always there.

Loved and missed always by nieces, nephews, extended Family and Friends.

MONTH’S MIND MASS

KILCOMMINS

Kathleen Ballinacor, Newbridge, Co Galway Died November 6th 2024

We, the family of the late Kathleen Kilcommins, wish to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all those who sympathised and supported us during our recent bereavement.

We are particularly grateful to our many neighbours, relatives and friends both within the community and beyond, who helped us through our sad loss. For the outpouring of sympathy through Mass cards, messages, calls, and condolences on RIP.ie. To those who attended Kathleen’s reposal, requiem Funeral Mass and burial. We acknowledge with thanks those who travelled long distances and our thoughts are with those who were not able to be in attendance. Thank you to our wonderful neighbours and friends who prepared Kathleen’s place of rest at the graveyard. To those who organised the Mass and prepared the readings and church with such thought and respect.

Our thoughts extend to the many great people we encountered in a professional capacity over the years. People who contributed to Kathleen’s wellbeing and comfort. As a family we particularly acknowledge the care and compassion of all the staff at Dr Jim Moore’s Millennium Centre GP practice, and also Jill Moore’s pharmacy in Mountbellew, all the public health personnel who provided care and affiliated interagency teams.

We thank the incredible support from the Homecare teams both public and private. We wish to convey a special expression of gratitude to Kathleen Gavin HCA for her years of dedication, kindness, professionalism and friendship.

Thank you to the many great hospital based staff and outpatient teams we encountered over the years. We particularly acknowledge the paramedics, pathfinder, palliative care, CIT staff and out of hours medics. As a family we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff and management of Sonas Nursing Home, Knock, Co. Mayo, for the extraordinary care and sensitivity demonstrated, up to and including, the time of Kathleen’s death.

Our thanks to Michael and Evelyn Cunningham, Undertakers (Newbridge), for the thoughtfulness and professionalism throughout the difficult days of the Funeral preparation.

We also wish to thank Fr Louis Lohan and Fr Doughlas Binyan for the beautiful service. To Bernie Moran and the choir, eucharistic ministers and altar servers. To those who facilitated the Zoom live stream and slide show photo rotation. A word of gratitude also to the many who lined a guard of honour for Kathleen as her Funeral procession left the village for it’s final journey. We wish to acknowledge the management and staff of The Malt House, Mountbellew for the wonderful meal and service after the Funeral.

To Paul and all the staff at The Shiven Inn, Newbridge for their great support. To Yvonne and staff at Miland’s Garden Centre and Florists (Mountbellew) for their attention to detail and professionalism.

It would be impossible to thank all the wonderful people who contributed towards Kathleen Kilcommins’ long and happy life, or to those who shared our grief on her passing.

Please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our deepest appreciation. A Holy Sacrifice of Mass will be offered for your intentions.

Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated at Newbridge Church on Friday, December 6th, 2024 at 19.00 hrs.

“There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after they have gone the light remains.”

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

LOHAN Seamus

Tulsk, Co. Roscommon (3rd Anniversary)

In loving memory of Seamus, who passed away on 8th December 2021

We thought of you today, but that is nothing new, we thought about you yesterday and the day before that too. We think of you in silence, we often speak your name, all we have are memories, and your picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake from which we’ll never part, God has you in His arms, we have you in our hearts.

REST IN PEACE SEAMUS

Fondly remembered by his loving wife Mary, Caroline and Francis, James and Jenny, and his grandchildren Ella Jane, Noah, Reuben, Joshua and Jude.

Your life was love and labour, your love for your family true. You did your best for all of us, we will always remember you.

Fondly remembered on your 3rd anniversary by your brothers and sisters, nephews, nieces and extended families.

Seamus’s third Anniversary Mass will take place in the Church of St’s Eithne and Fidelma, Tulsk on Sunday, 8th December at 11.30am.

THANKSGIVINGS

THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER

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

UNFAILING NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Holy Spirit, you who make me see everything and showed me the way to reach my ideals. You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and you who are in all instances of my life with me. I want to thank you for everything and confirm once more that I never want to be separated from you no matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your Perpetual Glory. Amen. Mention your request. While making the request, promise to either publish this prayer to circu¬late the favour. Say prayer for three days. After the third day, the request will be granted. E.L.

UNFAILING NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY

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

AND ANNIVERSARIES

DOLAN

Leo & Delia

Munsboro House, Sligo Road, Roscommon

In loving memory of Leo and Delia Dolan. Leo who passed away on 4th June, 2009 and Delia who passed away 1st December 2016

R.I.P.

(15th Anniversary)

(8th Anniversary)

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and still very dear.

Missed and remembered by all their family.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 7th December at 10am.

COLLIGAN

Stephen

Scramogue, Co. Roscommon (5th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Stephen who passed away on the 3rd December 2019

Deep in our thoughts your memory is kept, to love and to cherish and never forget. Deep are the memories, precious they stay, no passing of time can take them away. Treasure him Lord in your garden of rest, while on earth he was one of the best. Loved and missed by your wife Ursula, children and grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass in St. Anne’s Church, Scramogue on Sunday, 8th December at 10am.

CONNAUGHTON

Theresa Brideswell (formerly Athleague) (3rd Anniversary)

In loving memory of Theresa who passed away on the 4th December 2021.

A special day, another year a loving thought, a silent tear, a little prayer to keep in touch with someone loved and missed so much. Loved forever and sadly missed by her family and friends. Mass has been celebrated for Theresa.

MONAGHAN

Denis and Mary (18th and 9th Anniversaries)

In loving memory of Denis who died on the 6th December 2006 and Mary who died on the 28th December 2015.

God looked around the garden and saw two empty spaces He then looked down upon the earth, and saw your tired faces. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful for He only takes the best.

He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb, so He closed your weary eyelids and whispered “Peace be thine.”

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone; for part of us went with you both, the day God called you Home.

Lovingly remembered by their son Denis, daughter-in-law Vera and grandchildren Amy and Shane.

Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Patrick’s Church, Athleague on Sunday, 8th December at 10am.

SCANLON

John, Mary Anne & Sean

Emlaghroyan, Donamon

Remembering our dear parents and brother whose anniversaries occur: John, 18th August 1979, Mary Anne, 6th December 2016 and Sean, 29th January 1997. Rest in Peace.

Words and times we can no longer share, but in our hearts you are always there.

Lovingly remembered by Michael, Mamie, Annie, Rosaleen, Eileen and extended families.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday 7th December 2024 at 7p.m in St. Patrick’s Church, Cloverhill.

COYLE

George Cummeen, Dysart, Co. Roscommon (3rd Anniversary) in loving memory of George who died on 11th December 2021

Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Maura, daughters Emer, Niamh and Siobhán, son James, grandchildren Erik, Siún, Ethan, Eamonn George, Lucy, George and Ben, Mario, brothers, sister, extended family and friends.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Dysart on Sunday, 8th December at 10.00am

KILLION

Jimmy Gailey, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon. (7th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Jimmy who died on 5th December 2017.

Until We Meet Again

Those special memories of you will always bring a smile. If only we could have you back for just a little while. Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen unheard but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

Loved and missed by all your family.

GUNNING

Richard Athleague, Co. Roscommon (10th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Richard, who died on 8th December 2014

R.I.P.

A silent thought a quiet prayer for you, dear Richard in God’s care. Deep in our hearts your memory is kept too dearly loved to ever forget.

Will those who think of him today a little prayer to Jesus say. So sadly missed and always remembered by his wife Margaret, daughter Belinda and families.

KEMMITT

Sadie (nee Keane)

Rathmoyle, Castlerea (5th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Sadie who passed away on the 3rd December 2019.

Your always had a smile to share, a laugh, a joke and time to care, a wonderful nature, warm and true, those are the memories we have of you. Sadly missed by her sisters, nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. Masses offered.

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.

Individually Designed and Printed

Mary Anne John Sean

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Sports PEOPLE

GAA County Board Convention to discuss positive outlook

< SEAMUS DUKE

The 2024 Roscommon GAA Convention will take place in the Percy French Hotel in Strokestown on this Friday night, 6th of December at 7 pm. There are no elections for any of the key positions this year and the executive will all be returned unopposed.

In his very comprehensive report to convention, County Board Secretary Brian Mullin reﬂects on a busy year on the ﬁeld of play with a highlight on the inter-county front being the Connacht title win by the U-20s.

With regard to King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, the report notes that Phase 2 of the developments at the ground will be commencing after consultations with the various stakeholders.

The secretary wished to record the thanks of the board to those who oversaw the recent developments at the venue. He also thanked everyone who was involved in securing grants of €160,000 (from the GAA) and €383,429 (from the Community Sports Facilities Fund) towards the redevelopment project.

The Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence received a grant of €5.5m recently and the secretary points out that the County Board will have to come up with 30% of that funding themselves as the project progresses. In that regard he points out that the latest County Board Draw www.winahominkildare.com is a very important fundraiser going forward.

There are ﬁve motions to be discussed including one from the Oran club that would seek to end the practice of championship games having to be ﬁnished on the day with a penalty shootout after extra-time. The motion would seek to play extratime on day one in the event of a draw and if the

teams were level then, a replay would take place.

If that second game ﬁnished level after extra-time then a penalty shootout would take place to decide the outcome.

The annual report is 82 pages long and contains reports from every committee that comes under

the County Board umbrella. County Board Chairperson Brian Carroll will make his address on the night and delegates will also discuss the ﬁnancial report from Treasurer David O’Connor.

Merry Christmas for Granemore

Roscommon champions Oran’s great season came to an end in Ballyshannon last Saturday when they were defeated by Armagh’s Granemore in the AllIreland Junior camogie semi-ﬁnal by 2-9 to 1-3.

Oran were well in the match at halftime at which stage they only trailed by a single point, but the Armagh ladies pulled away in the second half to win comfortably.

Oran were on target in the opening half with a point from Anna Hussey and an excellent goal from Claire Curley. However, three pointed frees from Granemore’s outstanding player Rachel Merry helped them to a narrow 0-5 to 1-1 lead at the interval.

Granemore were the better side in the second half and with Merry on target from play and frees they pulled away to win by nine points in the end. In the Junior B semi-ﬁnal at Abbotstown Padraig Pearses went down to Scottish side Ceann Creige by 3-11 to 0-1.

Caelim Keogh is blocked by Leo Doherty and the ball goes out of play during Sunday’s Connacht Club Senior Football Final at Markievicz Park. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Dejected Padraig Pearses players following their loss to Coolera-Strandhill in the Connacht Club Senior Football Final at Markievicz Park on Sunday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

This weekend’s racing action previewed

Horses for Courses

No racing today (Thursday), with evening racing tomorrow on the all-weather under lights in Dundalk, stalls for the ﬁrst opening at 5.30 pm.

On Saturday, racing is at Proudstown Park in Navan, with ﬁrst race at 11.35 pm, and features two Listed races, a hurdle and chase, both handicaps, and the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle.

Racing on Sunday is in Cork outside Mallow, starting at 12 pm with the EBF Mares Novice Chase, and then the Hilly Way Chase, both Grade 2 race backed up with the Grade 3 Stayers Novice Hurdle.

TV coverage starts on Saturday with ITV showing ﬁve races from Sandown including both Grade 1 races, the Henry VIII Novice Chase and the Tingle Creek Chase and three from Aintree. On Sunday, ITV is covering four races from Huntington, including the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase, and three from Kelso. On Sunday racing from Cork is on RTE 2.

In Sandown’s Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday, Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon heads the ﬁeld of eight at odds-on (1/2) but there is one Irish challenger in the shape of Henry De Bromhead’s Quilixios, 2nd at 11/2. De Bromhead knows what is needed to win this race having won it with Sizing Europe in 2011 and his 2021 Triumph Hurdle winner impressed last month at Naas, beating Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale in the Barberstown Castle Chase. On form, Jonbon should win, but do not rule out the Irish challenger.

Gordon Elliot’s yard suffered a massive blow on Saturday at Fairyhouse when in the opening beginners chase Twoohthree fell at the last and unlucky stable jockey Jack Kennedy suffered a broken for the 6th time and is again ruled out for a lengthy period. Elliott won the bumper with William Butler, by Yeats, who beat Trasna Na Pairce and stablemate Ma Jacks Hill, odds-on favourite, at 25/1. The winner was ridden by Josh Halford, son of trainer Michael Halford.

On Sunday only two favourites won, Lossimouth at 4/7 for the Mullins/Townend combination in the Grade 1 Hatton Grace Hurdle and British raider Washington at 4/1, trained by Harry Derham and ridden by Paul O’Brien in the Listed Handicap Hurdle. Lossiemouth is now favourite for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

by Tom Red

The Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase was won by Croke Park at 22/1 trained by Elliott and ridden by Sam Ewing for Elliott with the favourite Firefox, a stablemate, third at evens under Keith Donohue. With Ewing number two at Cullentra riding arrangements should have been a pointer.

The Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle was won by 12/1 shot Tounsivator for uncle/nephew Willie and Danny Mullins. Outsider Naturally Nimble, 33/1, was ridden to victory by Ritchie Deegan for Joseph O’Brien beating the Mullins 1/4 favourite Willy De Houelle. Elliott completed a bumper double over the two days with Gigginstown Stud’s Koktail Brut winning the bumper ridden by Harry Swan at 15/8 2nd favourite having been withdrawn on Saturday due to ground conditions. Could a small trainer and owner do this with yielding ground on both days?

Racing News

Tara Lee Cogan has taken over the licence at Shark Hanlon’s Bagenalstown, County Carlow, yard after his ban began on Monday.

While Hanlon can no part in the training, his stable star Hewick could defend his win in the King George VI Chase at Christmas in Kempton.

While Hanlon has to serve a six-month suspension, reduced from ten on appeal, it could possibility be cut to three after a Referrals Committee of the IHRB ruled he had acted in a manner that ‘caused signiﬁcant prejudice to the integrity, proper conduct, and good reputation of the sport of racing’ in the removal of a dead horse from his property in June this year.

Dubarry debut!

Buccaneers’ final home Energia AllIreland League game heralds the first competitive visit to Dubarry Park by Navan. This Division 2A fixture, sponsored by the Hodson Bay Group, has a 2.30 pm kick-off on Saturday.

PRE-MATCH: There will be a traditional ‘festive season’ pre-match function in The Bounty on Saturday ahead of the Navan match, starting at 12.30 pm. At the lunch the club will celebrate Ivana Kiripati playing for Ireland and Ivana is presenting her Ireland jersey to the club. Contact Geraldine at 086 1732711 to book. Bookings at the time of writing are strong and groups or individuals can be catered for.

U-20s: Buccaneers U-20s are the squad that is hoisting the club’s colours to best effect this season. They recovered from a disappointing Connacht League campaign to win all but one of their JP Fanagan Leinster League Premier 2B division matches.

This qualiﬁed them for the ‘Super Six’ second phase of the league where the top three teams in Pools A and B will now battle it out for honours.

University College Dublin and St Mary’s College were the other two sides to qualify from Buccs pool while Blackrock College, De La Salle Palmerston and Dublin University qualiﬁed from the other section. Buccs get their ﬁrst taste of ‘Super Six’ action when they host the latter at busy Dubarry Park on Sunday following a 2 pm kick-off.

SECONDS: Buccaneers Seconds are scheduled to play Tuam in the Bank of Ireland Connacht Junior 1A League at Dubarry Park on Saturday. Kick-off 2.30 pm.

Despite neither the Firsts or U-20s having fixtures last weekend, it was very disappointing and surprising that the Seconds were unable to field for their fixture away to Galway University on Sunday. Consequently,

Short putts

BALLAGHADERREEN

The following ofﬁcers were elected at the recent ladies AGM for the year 2025 – Captain: Eithne McGarry; ViceCaptain: Anne O’Brien; Secretary: Mary Cunniffe; Treasurer: Helen Curran; Competition Secretary: Patricia Reid, assisted by Anne O’Brien; Handicap Secretary: Breege Flanagan; Recruitment Ofﬁcers: Pauline Gibbons and Jean Towey; PROs: Maura Madden and Breege Flanagan; Committee members: Anne Meagher, Teresa Bruen, Mary Neilan, Geraldine Finn, Sarah McDonagh and Pauline Creagh.

The ladies acknowledged the dedication and hard work done by their outgoing captain Sarah McDonagh and wished the new incoming lady captain, Eithne McGarry every success in the year ahead.

OTHER NEWS: The annual ladies Christmas Golf Dinner takes place on

Saturday, 7th of December.

RESULTS: Recent competition winners – 18-hole stableford winner was Helen Curran; 2nd was Anne O’Brien on countback with Helen Curran.

ROSCOMMON

A Christmas social evening and presentation of outstanding prizes will be held at the clubhouse on Saturday, 14th of December at 7.30 pm. All members are invited to attend. The draw for the electric caddy car will be held on that night.

A presentation will also be made on the night to Thomas Higgins who was recently awarded honorary life membership of the club having been selected on the Irish men’s team in 2024. Readers might like to consider a green fees voucher for our course as an ideal Christmas present. Details from any of the club committee.

Countdown to Christmas Singles Darts event

The Hannon’s Hotel sponsored Roscommon Darts League continued last weekend with the following (Round 7) results: An Bothar Rua 6 Village Inn 3 (19 to 16 on legs); Hollywood 1 Sportsman’s 8 (7 to 21 on legs); McDermott’s 4 Flanagan’s 5 (14 to 15 on legs); Cosy Bar 5 Dalton’s 4 (14 to 13 on legs); Holly Tree 9 Tower Bar 0 (24 to 5 on legs).

CHRISTMAS SINGLES: It’s that time of year again with the Annual Christmas Singles Competition being played in Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon on Sunday, 15th of December.

This competition is open to Roscommon League and Youth players, or those who have played in the league previously, with a €10 entry fee for adults and €5 entry for youths. Names are to be in by 3.15 pm sharp, with the draw at 3.30 pm and games to begin at 4 pm sharp. Prize-money will be Money In/Money Out plus €200. There will be an open draw after every round and the format is Best of 9x501 up to the Board Finals. Quarter-ﬁnals and semi-ﬁnals are best of 11x501. Final is best of 13x501. All welcome to one of the most enjoyable darts events of the year!

there must be some doubt about the game against Tuam going ahead. U-16s: Buccaneers U-16s played Westport two weeks ago in the Bank of Ireland Connacht League and the Bulls returned to Athlone to play the semi-ﬁnal on Sunday. While the ﬁrst game had been a tight close contest, this was a tough open encounter which was decided by a rampant home side.

Tries by Elliot Friel, Darragh Murray, Scott Lowe, Adam Murphy, Aidan Costello and Callum McCormack

ensured this ﬁne win with Murray adding four conversions. He bookended each half with a penalty as Buccs enjoyed a clearcut 44-0 victory as they progress to the league ﬁnal. Buccs now have 36 active players all vying for starting positions and will hopefully have a challenge game next week.

WOMEN: Buccaneers Senior Women joined forces with their Lansdowne counterparts to play a friendly match v Navan Thirds on Sunday. Hosted by

Navan Women, it was a spectacular day of rugby for the club. At the fulltime whistle a very solid Navan team emerged victorious by 26-19. THANKS: Thank you to everyone who supported the club by purchasing ‘Your Club Your Country Super Draw’ tickets. Draw takes place on this Friday, December 6th. Thanks also to all who attended the Table Quiz on Thursday with a special word of gratitude to those who donated prizes for the rafﬂe.

Pictured are (l-r) Adam Lennon (Elite Sports Scholarship Co-ordinator, TUS), Sam Fogarty, Niall Tallon, Vincent Cunnane (TUS President), Sam Browne, Dylan Bolger and Gordon Brett (Sport and Recreation Manager, TUS). Missing from photo are Jack Crampton and Ryan Cahill.

Creggs RFC Report

THE GAIN LINE

Bonus point win for Creggs in Castlebar

Creggs RFC Firsts shook off the disappointment of losing by a point to Ballina last weekend with a bonus point away win over Castlebar in Saturday’s 1A league game (31-12).

Creggs took the lead somewhat against the run of play when Shane Purcell broke through for a try in the 25th minute which he also converted.

The second half was barely a minute old when the irrepressible Darren Gately carved his way through for a ﬁne try out wide following excellent interplay with team captain James Brandon. Creggs were now in the ascendancy when second row Xavier Woodhouse broke clear to sprint 40 metres for a well-worked try which Shane Purcell converted to put the current league champions 19 points clear.

However Castlebar responded with some spirited forward play which resulted in a try by Ross Murphy, converted by Luke Walmsley.

Creggs swept upﬁeld from the restart and the impressive Woodhouse scored his second try and Creggs’ fourth, a bonus point try following a rolling maul near the Castlebar try-line which was followed by Shane Purcell landing a superb conversion.

Sean Og Higgins added a fifth try for Creggs after another lineout maul before Castlebar’s Damien Togher made an interception in midfield to touch down for a try as the game headed towards added time. Overall this was an impressive display by Creggs with each member of the 20-man squad playing a vital role in this victory. Creggs have a home game this weekend against University of Galway with the date yet to be confirmed.

WOMEN’S TEAM: Well done to Creggs senior women’s team who bounced back from last week’s loss to defeat Ballinrobe RFC in the Women’s Senior League on Sunday in Creggs.

An early scoring rally pushed the Creggs side clear by half-time. Tries from Seren Grifﬁths, Jemima Adams Verling, Elaine O’Grady, Kelly Haugh, Kayleigh Mannion, Lisa O’Rourke and Merisa Kiripati and conversions from Eabha Dowd were the Creggs scores on the day. Thanks to Ballinrobe for travelling and best of

luck in the rest of the league. Well done to Seren Grifﬁths and Elaine O’Grady who won the ‘thumbs up’ award for their performances. Our next game is away to South East Galway Warriors this Sunday in Loughrea at 12 noon.

SECONDS: Creggs RFC 2nd team played host to Westport in their J1B league game on Sunday. Westport proved to be the stronger side on the day, winning 31-14.

Westport scored early through Alan Sheridan. The conversion went between the posts for a 7-point lead. From the kick-off, Devine was penalised, letting Westport gain possession and their same winger scored under the posts. 14-nil down after eight minutes Creggs went 21-0 behind when Westport scored their third try. A great reply saw Creggs attack with purpose forcing numerous penalties inside the 22 and the referee showing two yellow cards to Westport. Creggs ran each penalty with a deserved 7 points resulting, the try scored by Aodan Kelly and conversion by Mark Brandon. Creggs were in in control for the next 10 minutes before giving away a kickable

penalty to push the gap out to 17. Creggs subs were doing well and forced further attacks. With great forward pressure telling, Mike Feeley got in for a try which was converted by Brandon. At 24-14 Creggs were back in the match but Westport scored another try. The ﬁnal score of 31-14 was not a true reﬂection of the effort put in by Creggs.

U-16s: Our U-16 girls gave a spirited display against Ballinasloe RFC in Creggs on Saturday afternoon before losing 22-10. After going 12-0 down Creggs scored two second-hallf tries from Kate Madden and Ciara Kellehan. Congratulations to Ballinasloe and best of luck to them in the semiﬁnal next weekend.

GIRLS U-14s: Our U-14 girls played Ballinasloe RFC in Creggs on Saturday afternoon. The girls started the game brilliantly running in an early try to set the tone. Great offense and defence was on show and the girls went in with a healthy lead at half-time. The bench was emptied in the second half and the performance level never dropped with the team coming away with a great win. Well done team, a great performance from all. Scorers on the

day were Clodagh Finneran, Leah Connolly, Emer Timon, Isabelle Boyle, Kayla Walsh and Sophie Dwyer with conversions kicked by Maisie Holmes and Kayla Walsh.

BOYS U-14s: Creggs U-14s secured a home semi-final by defeating Sligo away on Sunday, 2614. It was a tale of two halves as Sligo dominated the first and went in leading 14-5 at half-time. But the half-time coaches’ chat brought out a muchimproved defensive display. Creggs clawed their way back and eventually pushed ahead. It was a super squad performance as each sub made a huge impact. Creggs sit second and will play the same opposition in Creggs next weekend in the semifinal.

BOYS U-13s: Creggs Boys U-13s hosted Ballinasloe RFC on Sunday for the home tie of the home and away league. Ballinasloe RFC won the ﬁrst leg 24-17.

Chris Walsh scored his first ever try. There were good forward carries from Ethan Coyne, Harrison Curran and Jack Donoghue. Liam Fleming crossed the line for Creggs’ second try. With fifteen minutes to play Ballinasloe led 14-10. Creggs upped their game to press for the winning score with Tadhg Duignan, Zac Kelly and Jack Donoghue all being stopped short of the try-line. Creggs finally won a scrum 10 metres out but unfortunately went left into traffic where the right side was more open. After being stopped the ref blew for time. A Ballinasloe win but consolation for Creggs with a very brave performance by the 23 players. LOTTO: The club lotto was not won and is now at €3200. The lucky dip winner was Frankie Whyte. Please support the club by joining our lotto via www.creggsrugby.ie

50th ANNIVERSARY DINNER: Creggs RFC’s 50th anniversary dinner dance will take place on Sunday, the 29th of December 2024 at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon. Guest speaker on the night is ex-Ireland international and Lion, Ollie Campbell. The event begins at 7 pm.

There is a big demand on these tickets, which are limited. Tickets are €60 and are available from Aidan at 087 2428471. Booking is essential.

The Creggs men’s 2nd team. Photo: Steve Fahey

The Girls U-14 team.

The Boys U-13 team.

The Girls U-16 team.

The Creggs women’s team. Photo: Steve Fahey

SportsPeople

Misfiring Pearses ‘stranded’ as Sligo champions claim stunning win

‘No excuses’ says Conor Daly as Pearses rue misses

AIB Connacht Club SFC Final

Coolera-Strandhill 1-15

Padraig Pearses 1-14 (after extra-time)

< KEVIN EGAN AT MARKIEVICZ PARK

After this game, Sligo footballer and Coolera-Strandhill captain Peter Laffey joked that this win meant that the upcoming festive season was ruined, since “We’ll be on the sand dunes for Christmas!” in preparation for their All-Ireland semi-ﬁnal clash with Cuala, due to be played on the ﬁrst weekend of the New Year.

There’s no doubt that their Pádraig Pearses counterparts would happily trade the taste of succulent roast turkey for the salty tang of sea air, as the sense that they threw away a glorious opportunity to compete for the All-Ireland club championship will haunt them every bit as much as any of Dickens’ ghosts in ‘A Christmas Carol’.

“Fair dues to Coolera-Strandhill, they came with a plan, they were the better team on the day and our skill execution was down time and time again” was how Conor Daly summarised his team’s performance.

“We had the best preparation that we had all year, we were down here at 8 am this morning, prepped and ready to go. There are no excuses” he conceded. For those who were in Dr Hyde Park last year to watch St Brigid’s toy with Coolera-Strandhill, holding them scoreless for 40 minutes before eventually easing to a 0-13 to 1-3 win, this result would have seemed almost impossible, barring a spectacular collapse from the current Roscommon champions.

To call it a collapse would be a gross overstatement. That Pearses were

below par is undeniable, but it’s also true that Coolera-Strandhill asked questions of them that no-one had so far in 2024, either in Roscommon, or in Connacht.

They competed as well as anyone has done in the breaking ball battle, and their ability to ﬁre over some outstanding strikes from distance would suggest that Sligo GAA chairperson Seán Carroll, a passionate Coolera-Strandhill clubman, will be gutted that he didn’t get the new twopoint arc in place for the All-Ireland semi-ﬁnals. Most of all, the injection of pace and fearlessness that Adam Higgins gave the seasiders off the bench was a critical turning point.

The marquee names on the CooleraStrandhill team – county stars Peter Laffey and Niall Murphy, as well as former Dublin panellist Ross O’Carroll – didn’t let the side down, but it was the collective sense of patience and the much smaller number of individual errors across the team that really drove the home side across the ﬁnish line.

That’s not to say that Pearses didn’t open the door by failing to keep up their own high standards. 14 wides and six shots dropped short speaks for itself, as does their failure to get any meaningful impact off the bench, or indeed the ability of some of their star players to ﬁnd a way to play themselves into a game that was passing them by.

Yet for long stretches, that lack of spark or pizzazz didn’t curtail them from taking control of proceedings.

After falling 0-4 to 0-2 behind, their second quarter was excellent, and in Jack Tumulty and Declan Kenny they

had two young players that were taking on leadership roles and thriving. Kelly split the posts on the run-in between two excellent Conor Daly points, and a brace from Tumulty before half-time made it 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.

Tumulty got fouled early in the second half for a penalty that Kenny converted, and with 40 minutes gone, it was 1-8 to 0-6 and no-one in the ground believed that Coolera-Strandhill had the winning of this one.

“We were down at half-time in the semi-final in Sligo, we were down going down the stretch in the (final) replay and in the first game. We were down against Stephenites at a vital period as well. We just don’t give in” said Laffey afterwards. Maybe we should say that no-one in the stand or terrace believed in a comeback.

But soon, one materialised. Despite good defensive play from David Murray, Niall Murphy started to get on more ball, and his one point from play, struck on the run from a tight angle,

was truly inspirational. Kevin Banks and Seán Taylor sent over boomers from miles out, and by the time fulltime loomed, it was the Sligo men who were the ones with momentum, even allowing for Emmett Kelly’s late free that might have made all the difference at the long whistle, had he set it off a bit further to the left.

By the time the momentum shifted in the second half of extra-time, Ross Doherty had punched in a crucial goal, and Pearses were left with too much to do.

“We didn’t lie down and die, we stayed going and came back from being four down in extra-time to give ourselves a chance to sneak penos, but we probably didn’t deserve it” admitted Daly.

Santa’s elves are always on the lookout for mistruths so the Roscommon player’s honesty will go down well at this time of year, but the freedom to savour everything that Christmas has to offer is not what he would have asked the big man for either.

Coolera-Strandhill: Keelan Harte (0-1); Conor McDonagh, Seán Taylor (0-1), Seán Murphy; Jonathan Cassidy, Ross O’Carroll (0-1), Oran Harte (0-1); Kevin Banks (0-2), Peter Laffey; Aaron O’Boyle (0-1), Barry O’Mahony, Ross Doherty (1-0); Leo Doherty, Niall Murphy (05, 0-4f), Mark McDaniel. Subs: Adam Higgins (0-3) for O’Boyle (36), Luke Bree for Cassidy (68), Hugh Rooney for L Doherty (70), Conor Burke for Kevin Banks (76).

Pádraig Pearses: Paul Whelan; Gavin Downey, David Murray, Niall Carty; Declan Kenny (1-2, 1-0 pen), Caelim Keogh, Conor Harley; Conor Ryan (01), Niall Daly; Conor Daly (0-2), Ronan Daly, Adam McGreal; Eoin Colleran (05, 0-4f), Paul Carey, Jack Tumulty (0-3, 0-1f). Subs: Seán Canning for McGreal (40), Conor Lohan for Downey (50), Jack Nevin (0-1) for Tumulty (51), Emmett Kelly for Carey (60), Tumulty for Kelly (full-time), Mark Richardson for Canning (72), Kelly for Keogh (73). Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway).

Coolera-Strandhill’s Niall Murphy goes in to block a shot from Padraig Pearses’ Jack Tumulty during the Connacht Club Senior Football Final at Markievicz Park on Sunday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Coolera-Strandhill’s Ross O’Carroll gets away from Padraig Pearses’ Paul Carey during Sunday’s Connacht Club Senior Football Final at Markievicz Park. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Padraig Pearses’ Seán Canning is tackled by Coolera-Strandhill’s Sean Taylor during Sunday’s Connacht Club Senior Football Final at Markievicz Park. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

SportsPeople

‘We just have to take it on the chin’

< KEVIN EGAN

It was a defeat that will leave scars on the Woodmount club for some time to come.

One Connacht title from three attempts and a win/loss record of six wins and two defeats in eight starts is nothing to be sniffed at, but Sunday’s 1-15 to 1-14 reverse will feel like one that Pádraig Pearses well and truly left behind them. In their analysis of the action at Markievicz Park, manager Frank Canning and defender Niall Carty honed in on different aspects of the performance as prime reasons for their

failure to win a second provincial title in four seasons.

“14 wides, to four for them, tells the story that we were well in the game but everything they seemed to touch turned to gold” said Canning. “Five out of ﬁve (for Coolera-Strandhill) in the ﬁrst half, seven out of 14 for us so we just didn’t close it out” he said.

Even so, once Declan Kenny’s penalty hit the net as the game approached the 40 minute mark, Pearses were four points up – ﬁve, once Eoin Colleran made it 1-8 to 0-6 with a free immediately afterwards. It was the team’s failure to build on that

platform that really frustrated Carty.

“We created a lot of chances in the ﬁrst half, we played some good football and went in two points ahead and you would have thought it would be a good position. But we didn’t come out in the second half” said the club and county veteran.

“We should have been able to see it through from there, but it’s been a problem over the years where we’ve let teams back into it a little bit, taking our foot off the gas and losing control a little bit. And that deﬁnitely happened out there.

Coolera-Strandhill captain Peter Laffey raises the Shane McGettigan Cup to the acclaim of the

“They put serious pressure on us and kicked some great scores, we weren’t getting much time on the ball and we just never got hold of the game in the last 15 minutes. We never got the platform to kick on and get that extra point, to make them have to work a bit harder to get back at us”.

Carty was one of the ten players that crowded the penalty area when Ross Doherty punched in the goal that ultimately made the crucial difference, but even though it was a hammer blow, he maintained that Pearses still had the time to try and undo the damage.

“It is hard to claw it back when you’ve only ten minutes to work with, but we had the chances. We just didn’t execute again. There were loads of mistakes out there all over the ﬁeld, and fair play to Coolera-Strandhill. They came back at us, they showed serious resolve”. 2024 will still be the year that Pearses won just their third ever senior football

championship in Roscommon, but there’s no doubt that it might take this week and longer for the Woodmount men to be able to see things that way.

“We just have to take it on the chin. Life goes on” said Canning.

The pain of this loss will go on for a while too.

STAT ATTACK

Red cards: 0

Black cards: 0 Yellow cards: Coolera-Strandhill 1 (Banks); Pádraig Pearses 1 (Carey) Wides:

Coolera-Strandhill 4; Pádraig Pearses 14 Man of the Match: Adam Higgins

fans.

Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Anxious moments for Padraig Pearses manager Frank Canning on the sideline during Sunday’s Connacht Club Senior Football Final between Padraig Pearses and Coolera-Strandhill at Markievicz Park. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell

Pictured is the Padraig Pearses squad who lost to Coolera-Strandhill in the Connacht Club Senior Football Final at Markievicz Park on Sunday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell