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*In contentious business, a solicitor maySolicitors not calculate fees or other Wills and Inheritance Law * In contentious business, a solicitor may notYour calculate or other charges assettlement a chargesfees as a percentage or proportion of any award or Carolan Cunningham Solicitors percentage or proportion ofByrne any award or settlement * In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
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e l p o e WATCHING P With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY
Eamon Ryan, Roscommon win in Croker…and that time capsule! SUNDAY MORNING
AT H L O N E Ι M O AT E L A N E S B O R O U G H Ι G A LWAY In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate DOLORES*GACQUIN – SOLICITOR fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of Tel: 090 6478433 • info@bccsolicitors.ie any award or settlement
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SCAR INJURY
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I was injured in a road traffic accident last year. My friend was driving too fast and he crashed the car when he failed to take a sharp bend on the road. I was not seriously injured but I have been left with a noticeable scar on my leg. My friend recently remarked that I may be entitled to compensation to cover some extra plastic surgery that I hope to undergo to improve the appearance of my leg. Is this true? Please advise me. It is not uncommon for a person who suffers an injury in a road traffic accident or otherwise to be left with scar tissue which forms after the injury heals. If the scar is the result of an injury received due to the negligence of another, you should be entitled to compensation. Such scar injury cases are often complicated. Beyond the physical pain of corrective surgeries, a scar victim can also suffer emotional and mental trauma from the change in their appearance caused by a disfiguring scar. When considering the implications of a scar injury, the age of the scar victim, the severity of the scar, the permanency of the scar and the number of corrective surgeries needed must be kept in mind. Expert medical advice from plastic surgeons and other medical practitioners is essential. The costs of any specialist medical treatment required, together with other out-of-pocket expenses, will form part of the compensation claim. Strict time limits apply in terms of initiating a legal action. For further advice, please feel free to contact Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors Litigation Department for expert advice in the strictest confidence.
Hey pal, you HAVE to help me… Huh? I can’t cope with this GREEN document! There’s too much in it! Yeah, well that’s Eamon Ryan for you, he’s a stickler for detail behind it all… CYCLING ACCIDENT Huh? And now that he’s spending less time on the If you were involved in a cycling road, not to mention less time in the shower, accident he has morecontact time for dreaming up all sorts Byrne Carolan of policies! Cunningham Solicitors Huh? Huh? Less time in the shower, Eamon Ryan… what are you on about? He wants us to curb energy costs…by spending less time in the shower! Why are you talking about Eamon Green…I mean Eamon Ryan? Well, you said the Green document is driving you mad! Yeah, but I don’t mean a Green Party document…I mean the census form! Oh, THAT! Yes, THAT! You have to help me with it…my wife is away for the day! Can you help me fill it in? Well, I can help you fill in the day! Let’s watch the match in one of our locals! SUNDAY AFTERNOON Anthracite! Is that Danish? I’m having a Heineken myself… No! I’m on about the questions in the census form. Mind-boggling! They want to know do we use anthracite! Ah sure that form is just the basics…how many in the family, health issues, occupa-
Endangered Species The barstool boyos
AFTER 3 PM… We’re gonna lose this one… Have faith! It’s level! Yeah, but Galway are asking all sorts of questions… A bit like the census form! We’re nervy… Go on Enda, give it to Diarmuid, he’s on your shoulder! (They stand, transfixed, as Diarmuid Murtagh weaves past opponents and closes in on goal. The pub bore stops telling a stranger about the legal implications of not filling in the census form…the pub clientele erupt as the ball hits the net) WOO HOO! WOO HOO! What a goal! Magic!
tion, that sort of thing! I’ll fill it out tonight in half an hour! No, you don’t understand! It’s a nightmare! I’m exhausted after reading the questions, much less answering them! What is your relationship with persons 1, 2, 3 and 4…it’s head-wrecking! As for a time capsule! It’s a doddle! Look, have a pint, and we’ll concentrate on Croker! The Rossies are coming out! You know it makes census! Great! Now let’s alternate between the as Gaeilge and Willie! (They pause to cheer as the Roscommon players line up for the team photo at Croke Park)
(The pub bore explains the rule on steps to a Galway man, insisting that the wonder goal was legitimate) SUNDAY EVENING It’s time to go home! Yes, but what a lovely afternoon! Now make sure to fill in that form! Huh! Thanks for all your help! By the way, now that I’ve had a few pints, I’m all over the time capsule idea… Huh? I think I’ll put the pub bore’s worst ever speech in! Oh, I forgot about the time capsule… HA! You’re stuck for something original… It’s okay! I’ll put in Willie’s commentary on Diarmuid’s wonder goal!
What we liked… It was a great weekend for Roscommon GAA, with our ladies’ team winning the Division Three title and the senior men’s team defeating Galway in a high-scoring Division Two final in Croke Park.
What we didn’t like… All those people on Twitter showing everyone else what they’ve submitted in the ‘Time Capsule’ section on their census form! Yawn!
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
What PEOPLE are talking about…
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PIC OF THE WEEK: Pictured celebrating Roscommon’s win in the National Football League Division Three final against Wexford last Sunday were Aisling McAuliffe, Aisling Hanly and Rachel Brady. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Russian atrocities in Ukraine; The ongoing cost of living crisis; Census 2022; Charlie Bird’s inspirational charity climb (of Croagh Patrick); Roscommon’s National League Division Two title win; David Clifford, who inspired Kerry to Division One title success; Delays at Dublin Airport…
03
Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
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Minister to visit refugees in Donamon 81669 Londis Timothys Press Ad 260mm x 155mm.indd 1
Kerrane raises need for supports < DAN DOONER
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has called for greater supports for those providing accommodation and ser-
vices to Ukrainian refugees at the former Cuisle holiday resort in Donamon. Deputy Kerrane commended Roscommon Lions Club, Roscommon County Council, and local volunteers who prepared the facility. The Sinn Féin TD raised the issue with Minister for Community and Rural Development Heather Humphreys
05/04/2022 17:10
during Priority Questions in the Dáil on Tuesday. “Minister Joe O’Brien confirmed this evening (Tuesday) that he is aware of the arrival of Ukrainian refugees at Donamon and the huge effort by the local community to make the accommodation available,” Deputy Kerrane said. “The Minister confirmed he intends to
visit Donamon to see the situation on the ground for himself and to see the level of response and if there are any gaps”. The Roscommon TD said she had been contacted by Roscommon Lions Club, who highlighted the need for extra supports. “I am proud that our county is playing its part in providing a roof over
the heads of people fleeing for their lives. They deserve our support and I commend the community and all who rolled up their sleeves in Donamon to create a home for refugees,” she said. “All of the good work by the community and voluntary sector must be backed up by resources from Government. I welcome the Minister’s intention to visit Donamon”.
Council CEO to step down later this year Cummins opts against contract extension
Eugene Cummins
The Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council will not seek an extension to his contract when his current term comes to an end in September. Eugene Cummins informed councillors of his decision to step aside during a Zoom meeting last week. Roscommon County Council confirmed to Roscommon People that Mr. Cummins would not be seeking an extension. In a statement this week, the local authority said: “The contract for the Chief Executive is for a period of seven years which comes to an end this year. “There is an option to extend by a further three years and the Chief Executive Mr. Cummins is not availing of this option”. Mr. Cummins, a native of Ballygar, was first appointed to the position in August 2015.
Happy scenes in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr after the National Football League Division Three final last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
04
Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople Phase 2 contracts signed for An Chistin
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the
The contracts for phase 2 of the An Chistin project at Castlerea Enterprise Hub were signed last week at Áras an Chontae. The next phase of the project, which is funded under the Rural Regeneration Fund alongside Roscommon County Council and Enterprise Castlerea, will see the construction of a number of food incubation units adjacent to The Hub. Local councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice said it was a brilliant day for Castlerea.“I want to thank all the members of Enterprise Castlerea and our Chairman Benny O’Connell for their hard work and commitment to the project. Also, thanks to the staff at Roscommon County Council for their help and commitments,” he said. “This project will see a €2.9m development in our town and we are confident it will help to create very significant employment”.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Of Roscommon Sports Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee Will take place on Thursday, 28th April 2022, at 8pm in Hannon’s Hotel, Athlone Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon All Sports Clubs, Active Retirement Associations and anyone interested in Sport and Physical Activity are requested to attend or send a representative.
Online link available upon request. Please email info@rosactive.org for details.
newsbriefs Darkness Into Light Ballaghaderreen Darkness Into Light will take place in Ballaghaderreen on Saturday, May 7th this year. After two years without this gathering, the committee is hoping the walk will be a huge success. Online registration is now open. Sign up today to ensure you get your iconic t-shirt in time for the event. You will also be in with a chance of winning one year’s free electricity for you and a friend from sponsors Electric Ireland. Entry fees: Adult €26; Children aged 6-17 years €5; Family (2 adults and 5 children) €62; OAP, Students and Jobseekers €21. Pre-registration days will be held on April 8th/9th and 22nd/23rd in Duffy’s SuperValu. Full details on www.darknessintolight.ie.
Pictured at the launch of Roscommon Gaels’s Monster Car Wash (running on April 15th and 16th) were Adrian Tully, Francie Hoare, Peter Mullen, Ronan O’Meara and Frankie Dolan.
Gaels’ car wash fundraiser will also aid Ukrainian refugees Roscommon Gaels GAA Club will be running a Monster Car Wash charity and club fundraiser on April 15th and 16th at the Hyde Centre, Athlone Road, Roscommon. Of the proceeds raised, 20 per cent will be donated to the Ukraine Appeal for Refugees, located at Cuisle Centre, Donamon. Club Development Officer Adrian Tully advised that as part of the fundraiser, it seemed timely to contribute to the Ukraine Appeal – something that is so close to us in our locality: “We are delighted to welcome Ukrainians into our community and anything that we as a club can do to make
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Based at the award-winning Access For All National Disability Centre, Ballyleague, County Roscommon The project is supported by the Department of Rural & Community Development & Pobail through the Community Services Programme. For more information go to: www.loughreeboattrips.com/JOBS Compliance with the funder’s requirements regarding eligibility of individuals to hold a CSP supported post is set out in the job descriptions for the above post which are now available on request from: accessforalljobs@gmail.com How to apply: Please submit a letter of application detailing how you meet the requirements along with your full CV clearly stating the reference number and the position you are applying for, to accessforalljobs@gmail.com or by post to the following address: FAO The Company Secretary, Lough Ree Access For All CLG, Ballyleague, Lanesborough, County Roscommon. Eircode: N39 E297
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their stay comfortable we will be happy to do,” he said. The Monster Car Wash will be managed on the days by the senior and underage hurling and football sides of the club. There are plans to have a number of car washing stations, with many hands on deck with sponges to make your car shine! The car wash will be part of a couple of events taking place in the club over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Roscommon Gaels will also have a number of underage boys and girls marching in the Easter Parade on Easter Sunday, so it’s set to be a busy weekend for everyone!
134 on Home Support waiting list
There are currently 134 people awaiting Home Support service in County Roscommon, according to figures released this week by the HSE. Following a Parliamentary Question from Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane, it was confirmed that 26 people are currently awaiting a new service while 108 are on the waiting list for additional hours. There are 98 people waiting for a new service in Galway and 180 on the list for additional hours.
Events at Castlerea Community and Family Resource Centre
Castlerea Community and Family Resource Centre will host a coffee morning today (Thursday, April 7th) from 12 pm to 1.30 pm as part of Mental Health Ireland’s ‘Hello, How Are You?’ campaign. All are welcome. Easter programmes will also be taking place at the centre from April 11th to 14th. The Family Drop-In Clinic continues every Tuesday morning from 9.30 am to 12 pm. This is a space for parents who want support or advice on issues relating to their family. The Community Drop-In service is open to the whole community and offers support with printing, photocopying, and help filling out forms. Contact Martina on 086-1711394 or Aisling on 086-4615537 for any of the above services.
Major conference to showcase opportunities along Suck Valley Way A major conference to showcase the opportunities along the Suck Valley Way region is set to take place on the 27th and 28th of April. The inaugural event, being held at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon, will see experts in the areas of industry, enterprise and business, manufacturing and production, tourism, and recreation and sport exploring the opportunities present throughout the region. The two-day showcase, organised by the Suck Valley Way Development Co-Op with the support of Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Roscommon County Council and AILG, is a first of its kind, and it is hoped that this will shine the spotlight on Roscommon and the surrounding counties, giving a voice to the endless possibilities available in rural areas. Cllr. Anthony Waldron, the driving force behind the event, believes a conference of this nature is of great importance for the region: “I am grateful for the positive response the conference has received from both contributors and attendees from across Roscommon, and the country. This event will raise some very important questions and help develop a roadmap to unlocking our potential”. The agenda will cover topics such as regeneration in the west of Ireland, unlocking tourism potential, ‘come west along the road’ (employment and enterprise opportunities), and
the building blocks of rural sustainability. Speakers at the event will include Colm O’Rourke (sports broadcaster and columnist), Paddy Mathews (Failte Ireland/Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands), Jarlath O’Dwyer (Clare EcoTourism), Pyers O’Conor Nash (Clonalis House), Michael Tobin (AIT), Joe Fenwick (NUIG), and representatives of Harmac Medical Products and Athlone Laboratories Ltd. A full list of speakers will be announced shortly.
Colm O’Rourke
05
Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople Castlerea chef Alan in Global Chef Challenge Final A Castlerea chef has secured a place at the finals of the Global Chef Challenge, which take place during the congress of the World Association of Chef Societies in Abu Dhabi next month. Alan Fitzmaurice, Executive Chef at The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo, will be supported by GMIT Culinary Arts student Chelsea Esquival as he produces a four-course meal for twelve people. The world’s top chefs will compete in three categories including Global Chef’s Challenge; Global Pastry Chefs Challenge; Global Young Chefs Challenge. Participants were selected on their performance at the Culinary World Cup and Worldchefs Regional semi-finals. Alan’s four-course meal will include a vegan starter, fish course, meat course and a chocolate dessert. “Training for this competition is a constant part of our week,” said Alan. “We have only a few weeks left to perfect our dishes”. He added that the team hopes to use as much Irish produces as possible, to highlight the standard of Irish food on a global stage.
Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ... Paul Healy’s take on top tweets!
species? -No comment, absolutely no comment
Tony - Pod Guy - Groves @Trickstersworld A former Green Party member once described Eamon Ryan to me as a man who was ‘born with a silver foot in his mouth.’ And I think that’s beautiful. -Poor Eamon ‘Shorter Showers’ Ryan is in…eh…hot water…with residents of Tweet Street again
Trish @Trishawwww People wasting their time capsule section giving out about the government and the mess they’ve made of things, that stuff will be well documented, I’ve used mine to give out about my neighbours #Census2022 -Trish’s neighbours have been warned (and given lots of notice)
Lauren Nic Giolla Phóil @LaurenGuilfoyle Grateful to live through the David Clifford era -No argument here!
Eamon Ryan
Roscommon GAA @RoscommonGAA GOOOOOAAAALLL DIARMUID MURTAGH!!!! -Roscommon GAA tweets like some of those wonderfully passionate football commentators from abroad! Suzanne Crowe @itsthatgirlsuzi
David Clifford
In the hours following my return from the supermarket my teenagers attempt to eat the entire week’s food before nightfall. Am i safe in assuming this is in keeping with the
Piers Morgan @piersmorgan Admit it.. you’ve missed me. -Piers Morgan promotes his upcoming new talk show… Gary Lineker @GaryLineker We’ll still miss you. -One of his many sparring partners was quickly in with a neat response! Laurita Blewitt @lauritablewitt Parked the car at 9.17, had a 5 min chat and still was through security and at the boarding gate at 9.25. That‘s @Irelandwest for ya -Knock 1, Dublin 0
Fire destroys Athlone businesses Four local business premises were destroyed after a fire broke out in the Baylough area of Athlone on Friday night last (April 1st). Fire service units from Athlone, Mullingar and Ferbane attended the scene at around 8.30 pm and fought the blaze for several hours before it was contained at 7 am on Saturday morning. A pub, off-licence, bookmakers, and a fast food restaurant were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The scene was preserved for a technical examination and the fire is not thought to have been started deliberately.
Train delayed due to anti-social behaviour Local Gardaí attended Roscommon Railway Station on Sunday evening last due to alleged anti-social behaviour onboard a special train from Heuston to Westport. There were reports that a group of people appeared to be intoxicated and shouting at innocent passengers. It is believed there was no security present on the train and no ticket collector and that the train driver was forced to deal with the problem. The group was escorted off the train at Roscommon and the service resumed following a short delay.
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06
Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor
paul@roscommonpeople.ie
Saturday/Sunday Social media and the newspapers have extensive coverage of Charlie Bird’s Croagh Patrick climb (credit to the Sunday Independent sub-editor who came up with ‘Peaky Blinder’ as a headline). No question about it, the former RTE reporter has shown tremendous courage in facing up to his diagnosis of motor neurone disease, and his subsequent campaigning/fundraising zeal has been remarkable. I do think it is also appropriate to acknowledge the many people suffering with this cruel disease who do not have the profile which Charlie has brilliantly used as a means to highlight motor neurone. But at the end of the day, Charlie had the determination, courage, will and generosity of spirit to use his relative celebrity status to selflessly highlight motor neurone and to raise funds – in the hope of ultimately easing the suffering of others. The scenes as Charlie reached the peak were extremely touching and powerful, and it was impossible not to feel great empathy and admiration for the man. I might add that his wife, Claire, has been a wonderful, dignified and supportive presence by Charlie’s side during his illness. She is heroic. Charlie Bird’s determination to realise his goal of climbing Croagh Patrick has been inspirational to observe. Well done also to the thousands of people – including many here in County Roscommon – who walked with him as part of the ‘Climb with Charlie’ campaign. As I write, it is estimated that over €2m has been raised for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and mental health charity Pieta.
Later on Sunday There must have been balmy summer evenings in the Murtagh family garden when young Diarmuid let his daydreams push logic and credibility to the limit. He must, like most kids, have soloed past invisible opponents, dodged doomed tackles, then added some exuberant commentary in his mind before rifling the ball past a forlorn goalkeeper, the imaginary crowd erupting in a crescendo of noise around the Murtagh garden. Back to his homework then as the light faded… Sometimes, just occasionally, childhood daydreams merge with reality. Diarmuid Murtagh’s 71st minute goal today – which won the Allianz League Division Two title for Roscommon – has to be one of the greatest solo goals ever scored in top level Gaelic football. There were 70 minutes and 35 seconds on
cy touched on these issues, not unreasonably speculating that a second Biden term – by the end of which he would be aged 86 – is surely unthinkable. A quote (on Biden) attributed to Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, is hardly reassuring: “He’s not senile, but clearly he’s losing a step”. Biden not seeking a second term wouldn’t necessarily leave the door open to vicepresident Kamala Harris – who isn’t exactly excelling either – as she would probably be challenged for the Democratic Party nomination. If only on the basis of the maxim that possession is ‘nine-tenths of the law’, Harris is well positioned, but she’s not a shoo-in. Unless the Democrats steady their ship, they may be playing into the hands of a former host of ‘The Apprentice’ – a man whom readers may have heard of.
Tuesday/Wednesday
Pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
the clock when Murtagh received the ball, after typically sterling build-up play by Ultan Harney and Enda Smith. He jinks past the first opponent, then is forced wide as he rounds a second man. He swivels as he finally shakes that man off, now entering the business end of the pitch. Next, he solos, then drops the shoulder to evade another desperate tackler. Three men down. Seconds later, there are three Galway men on him, and Diarmuid finally seems to be running out of options. Yet he somehow avoids their collective clutches, wriggling free like an eel escaping an angler’s net…now he finesses the mazy run by retaining the composure to strike crisply and beautifully, an exquisite left foot shot arrowing the ball into the corner of the net. 13 seconds of brilliance. The stuff of (day) dreams…and no homework to be finished.
Still on Sunday Kerry manager Jack O’Connor rarely allows a smile to escape in public (in fairness, he’s not the only GAA manager who seems determined not to give anything away on either the sideline or in media interviews). Today however, Jack was beaming and laughing during the final minutes of the Division One League final, a most unusual
display of happiness and contentment which cannot be casually put down to the fact that his Kerry team were thumping Mayo (winning easily has never stopped him being deadpan before). I can only conclude that if Jack is smiling on this scale, the other counties should be worried!
Monday He may be a neighbour (Mayo), a decent man too, and a calming (if dull!) presence after the chaotic Trump years, but US President Joe Biden has been very underwhelming since assuming office – and things aren’t likely to improve. Biden was disastrously wrong-footed over the botched withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, and there is nothing particularly noteworthy thus far about his leadership (admittedly, the circumstances are very challenging) in the face of shameful Russian aggression in Ukraine. And of course Biden continues to be prone to making verbal gaffes, while looking worryingly physically frail in his public appearances. Maybe I’m wrong, but it’s hard not to come to the conclusion that the presidency came about eight years too late for him. In yesterday’s Sunday Times, reporter Josh Glan-
We should be very proud of our county, our area. Last weekend, our footballers excelled on the national stage, the men winning a sparkling encounter with Galway in Croke Park (which, in fairness, could have gone either way). Seamus Duke reports on pages 46 & 47, with some stunning images from our friends in Sportsfile. Meanwhile, I go on and on about Diarmuid Murtagh’s glorious goal in GAA Studio on page 43. While the men were gracing Croke Park, our ladies team finished strongly to cap off a terrific league campaign, defeating Wexford in Birr, and becoming Division Three champions in the process. Our report is on pages 44 & 45, accompanied by excellent photos by Michelle Hughes Walsh, which really capture the emotion and atmosphere. Meanwhile, the response locally to the Ukrainian crisis continues to showcase the generosity and good nature of people. On page 7 we report on a phenomenally successful ‘Ballygar to Ukraine’ project. This mirrors the tremendous community solidarity which underpins the success of the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees in Donamon. On Sunday last, our friends in the Roscommon Ploughing Association hosted the County Ploughing Championships, a welcome return after the anguish of the last two Coviddominated years. Mick McCormack went along, not with a plough, but with his trusty story-telling, moment-capturing camera. Finally, planning continues for the annual Easter parades in Roscommon and Strokestown, and for the return of the County Fleadh (being held in Ballaghaderreen over the Easter). See today’s issue, and also our social platforms and next week’s issue for more.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople
Ballygar businessman reports on trip to Ukraine, hails local response The Ballygar to Ukraine Project wish to sincerely thank Ballygar and the surrounding communities for their overwhelming contribution to the Urgent Supplies Appeal for Ukraine in Ballygar last week. On March 28th, Gearóid Kelly (owner of Ballygar Transport) took to the road to begin his 2,727km journey to Lviv, Ukraine. Driving a truck filled with urgent medical supplies, beds, bedding and food to support the Aid from Ireland initiative at the Poland/Ukraine border was not a task taken lightly. “Hearing sirens going off when planes or helicopters were sighted from the ground was a scary eye-opener to the reality of so many that are living right now in Ukraine,” said Gearóid, who arrived in Lviv on Thursday, March 31st. Joined by Norman Hall (of Hall Transport, Long-
ford), Gearóid witnessed first-hand the urgent need for supplies by those remaining in Ukraine, alongside those still trying to flee. “Witnessing young children waiting days at the border in dire weather conditions, trying to exit Ukraine and hearing stories of parents whose children perished while trying to make the trip was heartbreaking. We can only hope that our donations will help make life just a fraction easier for those living through this devastation,” he said. “Reading stories of how one man, Charlie Bird, is uniting our country back at home and witnessing how another man, Vladimir Putin, is dividing the world out here, just goes to show the difference one can make. I cannot thank those who contributed to our appeal enough and rest assured their support will go
a long way on the ground as all donations were delivered to Lviv and Kyiv”. The Ballygar to Ukraine Appeal raised more than €15,000 for this project and filled a 45 ft. long truck with approximately €40,000 worth of medical supplies, beds, bedding, and food for those in need.
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MEMBERSHIPS Gearóid Kelly pictured unloading supplies at the Aid For Ireland hub.
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Roscommon town –
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newsbriefs Busy Needles Group host sale for Hospice The Busy Needles Knitting Group is hosting a bake sale and sale of their knitted work in aid of Mayo-Roscommon Hospice’s Palliative Care service. The sale takes place at Casey’s/Supermac’s, Athlone Road roundabout, Roscommon, on this Friday, April 8th, starting at 10 am. All are welcome, so please come along to support this great cause.
Ballygar Transport pictured getting ready for ‘take off’ in Ballygar.
Roscommon Town Easter Festival 2022 “My Community” Easter Saturday 16th & Easter Sunday 17th of April th APRIL 2022 16 Y A D R U T A S R E T EAS
t Square e rk a M in ic s u M e iv L om 3pm to 9pm fr
ds • Matt Molloy & Frien • Vinegar Bill ds • Matt Rogers & Frien • Blacksticks • Danny Arnold ive mon Ukulele Collect • Ukephoric - The Roscom
th APRIL 2022 EASTER SUNDAY 17
Betty OWN T N O M M O C S O R : m 12.30p 11.30am: Lady
e d a r a P y a d n u S r e t s Ea 70 - 2022.
Celebrating 50 years 19 et Unit,MarchingBands,Stre ed nt ou M a rd Ga , nd Ba a rd Ga ctivities. Performers, Children’s A 2.30pm: The
Parade awards kindly sponsored by ETL
Odd Sox Band
Roscommon Town Pubs: Lots of free live music happening after the music finishes up in Market Square on Saturday night
Funded by a Roscommon Leader Partnership grant. Also funded by Roscommon County Council & the Department of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports and Media under the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme. GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY ROSCOMMON BUSINESSES The LEADER Programme 2014-2020 is finance by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and by the EU under the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
Roscommon County Council | Tel. 090 6637100 | Email: info@roscommoncoco.ie | www.roscommoncoco.ie All offices of Roscommon County Council are now open to the public by prior appointment 9.30am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
TEMPORARY CLOSING OF ROADS ROADS ACT 1993, SECTION 75 ROADS REGULATIONS 1994, ARTICLE 12 In order to facilitate the carrying out of the 2022 Road Works Scheme, Roscommon County Council hereby gives notice that it will close various roads for periods of three to seven working days on dates between April 2022 and April 2023. Alternative routes will be signposted locally. Every effort will be made to accommodate local traffic. Roscommon County Council regrets any inconvenience. The Schedule of the roads pertaining to this notice may be viewed at www.roscommoncoco.ie Shane Tiernan Director of Services Roads and Transportation Department Roscommon County Council
Roscommon County Councils self-service platform “My Online Services” is 2 years old
To celebrate this birthday we are giving away a #Samsung #Galaxy #Tablet to one lucky registered user For a chance to #WIN you need to be registered with My Online Services by April 30th 2022. Register at: http://ow.ly/Rl6S50I3tWz to report, apply and make payments. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss the winner post and #MyOnlineServices in the comments below.. T&C’s: http://ow.ly/1uWY50I3tWv May be an image of text that says ‘WIN A TABLET COMPETITION REGISTER NOW HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2 MON My Online Services’
KNOCKCROGHERY TOWN & VILLAGE RENEWAL SCHEME PUBLIC ART COMMISSION 2022
Roscommon County Council invites submissions from artists for an artistic installation in Knockcroghery to highlight the history and heritage of the village and surrounding areas. This Public Art Commission is funded under the Department of Rural & Community Development Town & Village Renewal Scheme. The scheme will provide a platform for artists to respond creatively to public space, to the history, heritage and community of Knockcroghery, creating an identity for the village.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS 4pm, Wednesday 20th April 2022. Queries regarding the application process can be emailed to artsofficer@roscommoncoco.ie. Queries regarding the location and context can be emailed to Knockcroghery Tidy Towns c/o gordonoconnor@gmail.com Further info available at https://www.roscommoncoco.ie/.../arts-office/news.html
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople Local schools in climate quiz! Roscommon town’s three secondary schools will participate in a novel climate initiative this coming Friday, April 8th – the first of its kind nationally. Cracking-Carbon’s multimedia Climate QUIZ will pit three teams of four students (one team from each of the three schools) against each other, as they battle it out over six rounds (sixty questions) on everything climate-related, with the winners crowned climate brains of Roscommon! Students will answer questions from three categories: Climate Change Science and Geography, Climate Change Facts and Figures, and finally (the fun bit!), Climate Change People and Personalities. This last round includes questions on some of the more bizarre climate utterances, good and bad, from celebrities and personalities, with loads of hilarious video clips as clues, keeping students laughing and engaged while they answer the serious climate questions.
Strictly Come Dancing in aid of Ballygar GAA The stars will be on show this Friday and Saturday (April 8th and 9th) in Ballygar as St. Brendan’s GAA Club hosts a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ fundraiser in aid of a new pitch development on the Ballyforan Road. The event will take place over two nights at the Mattie McDonagh Centre in Ballygar as local dancing celebrity couples compete in front of three star judges including Galway dual star Caitriona Cormican and former Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran. Celebrity MC Ollie Turner and Ronan Lardner of Galway Bay FM will compere proceedings. There will be plenty of raffle prizes up for grabs on the night as well as a full bar (over-18s only). This eagerly-awaited event promises to be two nights of great fun and frolics with bragging rights on offer! Tickets are available now from the centre and The Bon Bon, Ballygar and the Shiven Inn in Newbridge. All support is greatly appreciated.
Pictured at the launch of Keadue’s representation in the Entente Florale Europe 2022 Competition were Bill Kearney (Secretary General, Entente Florale Europe), Cllr. John Cummins, Ronan O’Conghaile, John Carney (Tidy Towns Departments of Rural and Community Development), Breata Coyle (Roscommon County Council), Helen Murray (Tidy Towns Department of Rural and Community Development), Andy McGovern (general manager, Kilronan Castle), Nollaig Whyte, Senator Eugene Murphy, Terry Leydon (Keadue Tidy Towns), Colm O’Donnell, Padraig Noone (secretary, Keadue Tidy Towns), Christy Boylan (adjudicator, Entente Florale), Eamonn De Stafort (adjudicator, Entente Florale) and Margaret Grimes (Keadue Tidy Towns). Pic: Enda Regan
Keadue kicks off 2022 Entente Florale!
The launch of the European 2022 Entente Florale Competition, in which Keadue village was chosen to represent Ireland, took place on Thursday night, March 31st, in St. Ronan’s Hall.Present at the launch were Irish adjudicators Christy Boylan and Eamon De Stafort, Bill Kearney (Secretary General of Entente Florale Europe), John Carney and Helen Murray (National TidyTowns), and Nollaig Whyte and Breta Coyle (Roscommon County Council).
Historical novel has Roscommon connection < DAN DOONER
For anyone interested in Irish history, ‘Fierce Tears, Frail Deeds’ by Dr. Anne Good Forrestal, which tells the story of her Roscommonborn grandmother’s struggles through the State’s most turbulent period, is a mustread as the official Decade of Commemorations comes to a close this year. This historical novel is set in the period which straddled the signing of the Treaty in 1921 and the outbreak of bitter Civil War the following year and tells the story of the author’s grandparents as they got on with life in both Ireland and America. Sean MacCaoilte and his Roscommon-born wife Delia (neé Finlay) were deeply committed to the cause of a new Ireland and willing to take on the hardships and struggles faced by so many of our nation’s patriots
during that difficult time. 100 years to the present day, Sean was part of a three-man delegation sent to America by the Free State Government in March 1922. His own writings on the delegation’s strategy to convince the American people of the proTreaty argument as well as his own personal reflections intertwine with his wife’s own experiences of being at home in his absence. While Sean was working for the cause in America, Delia was in Dublin, coping with her fifth pregnancy. As the reality of Civil War draws ever nearer, she faces the added burden of keeping her children safe. ‘Fierce Tears, Frail Deeds’ is a very personal portrayal of the uncertainty faced by so many Irish families during that time which also carries historical weight. It is a deeply moving matter-of-fact retelling of the violent and
Before the launch, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the late Brendan Kelly and Sean McMorrow, both of whom were very involved in community work in Keadue. A presentation was given by Entente Florale judges, which showed previous winners and what is required to impress the judges. Nollaig Whyte spoke on behalf of Roscommon County Council and said they
were delighted to be involved with Keadue in this competition. The emphasis is on the partnership between Roscommon County Council and the local community working together to achieve common goals and objectives, so it is important that the entire community is involved. The countries taking part are Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Czech Republic. Judging will commence at 8.45 am on July 1st.
Enter all 4 races for a discounted rate of €30 Open to U16’s: €5 per Race - Must be accompanied by an adult
divisive birth of what is now modern Ireland. It also asks what lessons we can learn from a period of chaos and conflict and unintended consequences of the Treaty compromise which still impacts the State to this day. Published by Seaweed Mill Press, ‘Fierce Tears, Frail Deeds’ by Dr. Anne Good Forrestal is available through www.seaweedmillpress.com priced at €14.99.
AAI Permitted & Certified Measured Course FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Roscommon Harriers AC & Roscommon Harriers 10 Mile Road Race
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
The
G
D News page
Roscommon artists taking part in Incognito 2022 A total of 19 big-hearted Roscommon artists have generously donated their art for Incognito 2022 in aid of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. Ireland’s biggest online art sale, where the buyer has no idea who the
artist is until after the sale closes, is now in its sixth year. Among the Roscommon artists taking part this year are Sara Villarreal Hough from Ballyforan, Frances Crowe from Fourmilehouse, Carol Beirne from Castlerea, and Therese
Sara Villarreal Hough, Ballyforan.
Tierney from Lanesboro. Funds raised from Incognito 2022 will help provide specialist home nursing care, respite support and endof-life care for 14 children with highly complex medical and life-limiting conditions across the county.
The postcard-sized works of art are priced at €65 each and not only will purchasers be supporting a great cause in Jack and Jill, they will secure a piece of art that they truly love, without knowing who the artist is, and that’s something really special.
Therese Tierney, Lanesboro.
Frances Crowe, Fourmilehouse.
The collection can now be viewed online at www.incognito.ie, where prospective purchasers are being urged to register and select their favourites ahead of the sale which takes place on Thursday, April 21st from 9.30 am.
Joe’s World Record attempt for Cancer Fund for Children Irish ultra cyclist, Joe Barr, is aiming to beat the Guinness World Record for the furthest distance cycled in seven days in a bid to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Fund for Children and the construction of Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo. The current record is 3,580km, which Joe will atIrish ultra cyclist, Joe Barr, is aiming to beat the Guinness World Record for the furthest distance cycled in seven days in a bid to raise muchneeded funds for Cancer Fund for Children and the construction of Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo.
tempt to surpass on a route from Malin Head, Donegal to Mizen Head, Cork seven times. 62-year-old Joe’s 45-year professional cycling career has geared him up for the challenge to raise funds and also as a tribute to his son, Ross, now aged 15, who beat brain cancer.
Joe’s cycle will take him from Malin head and through, Londonderry, Strabane, Enniskillen, Longford, Athleague, Nenagh, Limerick, Charleville, Kanturk, Dunmanway, and Mizen head passing through Roscommon a number of times as he aims to beat the record.
Pictured is adjudicator, Eoin Butler, holding two of the entries received from Co. Roscommon this year – a work entitled ‘Nature in dark and light’ (left) and another entitled ‘Colourful mushroom sweets town’, both by pupils from Abbeycartron National School, Elphin.
Roscommon students compete in Texaco Children’s Art Competition
Following in the footsteps of leading Irish artists who took part during their early lives – renowned figures such as Graham Knuttel, Robert Ballagh, Dorothy Cross and Bernadette Madden – young artists who submitted entries to this year’s Texaco Children’s Art Competition, including a number from Co. Roscommon, are currently having their works evaluated as the judging process gets underway.
Winners in the seven age categories, including one exclusively for artworks by young artists with special needs, will be announced in late May. Currently in its 68th year, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition is the longest-running art sponsorship in Ireland. First held in 1955, it is hosted by Valero Energy (Ireland) limited – the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople
Strokestown Easter Parade makes a welcome return!
The Strokestown Easter Parade is set to make a welcome return following a two-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Strokestown Community Development Association will once again host the popular event, which commences at 3 pm on Easter Sunday (April 17th). All are welcome to take part with floats (at the discretion of the committee). A spokesperson for Strokestown Community Development Association told Roscommon People that there has already been great interest in this year’s parade. “We already have great interest in the event and we are encouraging voluntary participation from all community groups, including lots of fancy dress. “This year we will not be charging any entry fee but we would encourage people to support our Card Draw. Cards
Strokestown Easter Parade
Eveni gBar&BistroMenu 3 -9
are available from all local shops and will be on sale on the day as well. We are also indebted to local businesses for their great generosity”. There will be plenty of street entertainment on offer on Easter Sunday in Strokestown as well as music in local pubs. The organisers have encouraged all local businesses and those involved in agricultural business to take part on the day. “All individuals or groups who wish to enter the parade should contact 087-1668775 or 086-1385721 or drop your details in to Strokestown Community Development Association. “The association wishes to thank Roscommon County Council and particularly Tourism Officer Eimear Dowd for her assistance to date,” the spokesperson concluded.
Entry Form 2022
If you would like to take part in the Strokestown Easter Parade on Sunday 17th of April 2022 please select the category that best suits your business, club or organisation Community/Voluntary (Free of charge) Commercial (Free of charge) Shop Display
Name of Business/Organisation/Club: ____________________________________________ Contact Name: _____________________________ Tel. ______________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________ Float Theme/Content: _________________________________________________________
Please return completed form to Strokestown Easter Parade scdabawnst91@gmail.com Parade starts at 3pm from Circular Road and proceeds to Westward on Dublin Road and returns back onto Church Street.
test news For all the la n Easter ow st ke ro St on w us on Parade follo Facebook
Roscommon Tidy Towns AGM The AGM of Roscommon Tidy Towns Association will take place on Wednesday next (April 13th) at 7.30 pm in The Quad Youth Centre in Roscommon town and new members are welcome to attend.
Flashback from our files: Pictured at the Strokestown Easter Parade in 2019 were Grace, Caoimhe and Adam Casey. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
newsbriefs Tractor run and raffle in aid of Strokestown Ladies GAA
A tractor/car run (modern and vintage) in aid of Strokestown Ladies GAA is set to be held on Sunday, May 1st, 2022. Registration takes place from 10.30 am at the clubhouse and the run begins at 12 noon. There is an entry fee of €20 per vehicle. Refreshments will be served on the day. A raffle will also be held in aid of Strokestown Ladies GAA on Sunday, May 1st. The raffle will take place at 9.30 pm in the Sportsman’s Inn. Please come along and show your support!
RWN training services
Looking for a progression route to college or looking for a job in the healthcare sector? Why not get yourself a qualification that allows you to do both, with a guaranteed job at the end. The RWN Training Services in Castlerea is now recruiting for all courses in healthcare, computers and retail skills. Apply online at fetchcourses.ie and search RWN to see all our courses. Call 094-9621690, call/text 087-2718118, or email training@rwn.ie for more information.
Roscommon town is a Gold Medal status town in the National Tidy Towns competition. Members are currently working on projects for this year’s competition.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople
FRANK
BRANDON
FRANK BRANDON’S unique
take on life ...
Not exactly a (TV) licence to thrill…with the odd exception! Our man Frank on a reader’s concerns over the cost of living (and the TV licence); Why he’d empty the jam jar to back the Rossies in Connacht (!)…and his justified appeal for people to support the big draw being run by the super-progressive Creggs Rugby Club On Friday evening, as I was tucking into the evening tea, I got a phone call from one of the regular readers of this column. He had two things on his mind: the first is the extremely worrying rise in the cost of living (especially the cost of heating and energy), and the second is the terrible value he believes we are getting for
the large amount of money we pay every year for our TV licence. Dealing with the TV licence first, my caller mentioned something I hit on some time ago in a previous column – the number of house building, cookery, and travel programmes that have sprung up on various channels. There is hardly an hour goes by that at least one of those programmes is not on. What makes it worse is the fact that the houses in question are usually ‘top end’ properties that bear little relationship to the type of houses that most of us live in, and generally the budgets are totally outside the reach of normal folk. Throw in the fact that so many of the programmes are repeats, and my reader feels that if the TV licence fee was halved, it would be more representative of the value for money that we are actually getting. I have to admit that I was in total
agreement with him…though I didn’t have the heart to tell him (Editor: You have now!) that as a 70-year-old man, I am now exempt from having to pay for my TV licence. However, as I write this on Sunday evening, I have just watched a programme on RTÉ 1 that restored my faith in television, humanity, and the basic goodness of Irish people. Presented by Baz Ashmawy, the show revolves around Ashmawy’s team of volunteers (including Glinsk’s Stephen Brennan) as they set out to build a house entirely from scratch for Kilkenny’s Johnny Aylward, a man who is terminally ill with motor neurone disease and who may have less than two years to live. To see the massive effort put in by up to a thousand volunteers was so uplifting. In just ten days they had built an amazing home for the terminally ill man, a home that will mean
his family will have a place to live in even after Johnny has passed on. So, while I still agree with my reader’s assertion that the licence fee is poor enough value, I also have to admit that occasionally there can be something (on TV) to lift our spirits. As I pondered over his concern about the cost of living and the ferocious rise in the price of petrol, diesel, essential services and foodstuff, I got yet another call from another reader who was in almost terminal despair at the ESB bill they had just received. Believe it or not, in a small residential holding with two bedrooms and a dining room/ kitchen, her bill was an extraordinary €700 for two months! So, with everything gone absolutely crazy (my own two-month bill was €448) is it any wonder that people everywhere are worried sick and unsure as to what the economic future will hold? We keep hearing
I’m happy to acknowledge …it was a great weekend for Roscommon GAA! It’s now Monday morning as I write, and out here in border-land, it is only right to acknowledge the wonderful weekend that the Rossies had on the football fields of Ireland. The men’s senior team got the better of Galway again in the Division Two league final up in Croke Park, while the ladies beat a very fancied Wexford side in Birr to win the Division Three title. The goal that Diarmuid Murtagh scored in Croker will be talked about in Roscommon footballing circles probably until the end of time, and so it should, as it was one of those goals that defy all logic. If ever a score deserved to win a game, that was it. So, despite my lifelong allegiance to the maroon and white, I have to congratulate Anthony Cunningham’s men on a smashing win. They must be looking forward to a big crack at winning the Connacht Championship. As for Galway, I felt they were second best for a lot of Sunday’s game, but at least Kerry seem to have shown that Mayo are not the red-hot favourites for Connacht success as was once thought. At this stage, if I were a betting man I would be putting the contents of the jam jar on the Rossies! However, for us in Creggs, it was the victory by the ladies that gave us the greatest pleasure, because our own superstar Laura Fleming was captain of the Rossies from her centrefield position. For a good while now Laura has excelled on both the camogie and football fields, and we are very proud of her achievements. So, to her and all her teammates, congratulations on a famous win! At least the maroon and white (Creggs colours) can proudly fly in honour of their great win.
Roscommon players celebrating their win against Wexford at the National Football League Division Three final in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
promises from the Government that they will try to ease the pressure on the population, but the question is… what can they really do? According to a recent survey in a national newspaper, which incidentally took place before the ESB and Airtricity announced increases of 24 and 25 percent respectively on their bills, more than half (55%) of Irish people are struggling to pay their energy charges, and as there seems to be new increases in everything every day of the week, it’s no wonder that so many of us are stressed and worried. Anyway, without being a political genius, it does seem that there will be no relief until the horrendous war in the Ukraine is over. At this point in time, there doesn’t seem to be any likelihood of that, so it looks as if we will simply have to put up with rising prices for the foreseeable future.
50,000 reasons why you must be in the Rugby Club draw!
It’s ironic that I should be writing about the cost of living and the struggles that a lot of people are now facing, because out here in Creggs we are looking forward to the big Rugby Club draw which is taking place on Easter Sunday night, with a massive prize of €50,000 up for grabs. There is no doubt that for the lucky winner there will be no worries about ESB bills (or any other bills for that matter) for a long, long time. Whoever wins can opt to have the money, or a choice between a Toyota HiLux Invincible and an Electric VW ID. 4 SUV. I suppose the choice is yours, but if I win I’ll be passing on the car or the HiLux! Anyways, there’s just over a week left to get your ticket. The cost is €20 for one, €50 for three, or €100 for seven. You can purchase them online at win50000euro.com, or from a number of committee members. It is no secret that Creggs Rug-
by club is one of the most progressive and ambitious clubs in Connacht, and the facilities that are now in place in the tiny border village are the talk of rugby communities all over the country. The funds raised from this huge draw will go towards the development of state-of-the-art facilities for our girls and ladies teams. Anyone who drives into Creggs cannot fail to notice the incredible building that is going up behind the clubhouse. When it is completed, the facilities for our women’s teams will be second to none. So now is your chance to support a club that has punched above its weight all through the years since its formation in 1974, and in the process maybe boost your bank balance by an amazing €50,000! The draw is on Easter Sunday, so get on your bike and buy your ticket. If you win, you can buy me a pint of Guinness, or even two!
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople - - - - - - - - - - Advertorial - - - - - - - - - -
Aisling to share her slimming secrets with Ballaghaderreen! A slimmer who transformed her life is using her success to shape a whole new career in helping other people change their lives and achieve their weight loss dreams too. Aisling Anderson from Ballymote trained as a Consultant for Slimming World, the UK’s largest group-based weight loss organisation last November. She then took over the Slimming World group in Ballymote which became a roaring success. Every Wednesday evening at 7 pm, Loftus Hall is packed with men and woman of all ages, who are delighted with their weight loss results. Now Aisling is thrilled to be taking that success and relauching the Slimming World group in nearby Ballaghaderreen. Aisling will be relaunching the Slimming World group, upstairs in Durkin’s Bar and Restaurant, Ballaghaderreen on Tuesday, April 19th at 6 pm. Aisling said: “Everyone will be welcome; past members and brand new members as well. A warm welcome awaits everyone!” The latest Government figures reveal that around one in four adults are obese and it is estimated that, by 2034, this will increase to one in three. Aisling says her role has never been more important: “Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t have lost my weight without the weekly help, encouragement
and understanding of my own consultant and group. “As someone who has lost weight myself, I know the challenges people can face, which is why, along with the group, I will be there to support every one of my members all the way to their chosen target weight. Setting targets, sharing recipes and other ideas, and working together as a group to overcome challenges and celebrate success is so important to a successful journey. That’s why, at my Slimming World group, there’ll be tons of support, encouragement and fun. “Like a lot of Slimmers, I had tried to lose weight so many times before by following numerous diets but they were never sustainable because I’d always get tired of restricting what I ate. I thought I was destined to struggle with my weight for the rest of my life, but when I came to Slimming World it was different. I never felt like I was on a diet. The eating plan encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish. You are never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no deprivation. I couldn’t believe I’d found a way to lose weight without starving myself. “Slimming World isn’t just about changing what you eat. Becoming more active is important too. Our Body Magic programme takes the threat out of activity by showing people - many of whom have unpleasant memories of being forced
to take part in activity at school - how they can build activity into their daily routine without having to take up traditional forms of exercise like going to the gym or running. Everything counts from walking to gardening to washing the car. “As a Consultant it’s my role to create that warm, supportive atmosphere to get people sharing their ideas and experiences to help others - our group is great fun!” Like Aisling, Slimming World Consultants are all former members who have lost weight at their local group themselves and groups are set up as micro businesses in the heart of local communities. Pauline Bliss, who manages Aisling as a Team Developer, says: “Slimming World Consultants are chosen for their positive outlook and because they genuinely care about the health and happiness of others. With Aisling’s experience of being a successful Slimming World consultant in Ballymote and as former member, and her kind and warm personality and great sense of humour, I just know that she’ll be an amazing support to members, cheering them all the way to their target weight”. Aisling’s Slimming World group will be held upstairs in Durkin’s Bar and Restaurant in Ballaghaderreen every Tuesday at 6 pm. For more information or to join Aisling’s group, either pop along or call her on 0863622924.
New Consultant
Slimming World Ballaghaderreen Upstairs Durkin’s Bar and Restaurant
Tuesday, 19th April at 6pm
Call Aisling 086 3622924
Local artist’s ‘Mart Project’ exhibition opens at Arts Centre Roscommon Arts Centre’s gallery space hosts a new exhibition by Roscommon artist Laura Earley entitled ‘The Mart Project – Stories of a Community’. This multi-sensory exhibition is based on Laura’s experience of visiting sale days at local livestock marts in Co. Roscommon, documenting her experiences through lens-based media and audio recordings. The aim was to collect stories and to encour-
age memory recalling of both past and present farming experiences from the elderly, making visits to participants’ homes and to local nursing homes to carry out the recording sessions. The exhibition includes audio recordings from those who were and are involved in this community, and also hosts an extensive collection of photographs taken at various marts throughout the county, including Roscommon
Roscommon Arts Centre’s gallery space hosts a new exhibition by Roscommon artist Laura Earley entitled ‘The Mart Project – Stories of a Community’.
town, Castlerea and Elphin. The exhibition also plays host to an installation made by the artist which focuses on objects found in these environments. This aspect of the exhibition brings a playful component to the show. The work from this project is presented through a multi-sensory exhibition including audio, visual and sensory touch. Laura Earley is an Artist and Art Educator from Co. Roscommon. Laura has a Bachelor’s Degree in Textile Design and a Masters in Art and Design Education from the National College of Art and Design (NCAD). The exhibition continues at Roscommon Arts Centre until Thursday, April 14th. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. This exhibition is supported by the Roscommon County Council Creative Ireland Programme, under the Creativity in Older Age Fund 2021.
Roscommon Arts Centre’s gallery space hosts a new exhibition by Roscommon artist Laura Earley entitled ‘The Mart Project – Stories of a Community’.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople
Miriam’s
MUSINGS
Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS
Lads, if you’re suffering from stubble trouble…jog on! I have a confession to make, readers; I’m a big, screaming, card-carrying pogonophile! Before you start panicking and getting worried that I’ve suddenly morphed into a weirdo, let me explain that a pogonophile is: someone who adores beards on men. Yep, my name is Miriam and I’m a beardaholic! With that in mind, I was delighted to hear about An Garda Síochána’s latest policy change, which allows uniformed members who wish to grow a beard to do so… er, so long as (according to a memo), they don’t resemble ‘a badly watered lawn in a heatwave’. That’s fair enough! I mean come on, there’s a huge difference between a grown man with a healthy quota of face furniture and one who’s got the type of ‘bum fluff’ that makes him re-
semble a pre-pubescent teenage boy about to suddenly sprout whiskers! On the other hand, if it’s a toss-up between a closely-cropped, carefully manicured stubble, or the archetypal flatwhite-drinking, man-bun-wearing hipster look, then the former wins. Put it this way girls: if I were single and a bloke with a beard walked into a crowded room, I can guarantee you my pogonophilia would be on red alert! Yep, if it came to me making a choice between a closely-cropped Jason Statham lookalike or a hideously bushy Dumbledore/ Conor McGregor type beard, then the bold, bald and cropped Jayo gets this hormonal harpie’s vote every time! For me, in order for a beard to be deliciously rugged (as opposed to being scraggly, scruffy and unkempt), the
overall look must be topped off with the perfect haircut – as in bald! I’m quite fussy you see. Therefore, rather than seeing a manly mane on top of a bloke’s head, I prefer to see it on his face! And yes, I do realise I’m possibly a suitable case for psychiatric assessment! Oh, but it’s not just beards that get my attention – I also love a healthy moustache (with healthy being the operative word here). I can’t be doing with any of that sparsely-sprouting, myeyebrow fell-onto-my-upper-lip type of excuse normally displayed on a teenybopper about to release a breakthrough album following a split from his boyband! I’m talking a well sculpted, properly maintained, hairy badass Hulk Hogan horseshoe tache!
Russia's President Vladimir Putin
Has Putin got Ireland in his sights? As Ukrainian authorities released a series of disturbing and highly graphic images of bullet-ridden civilian men, murdered, bound and thrown onto a street in the town of Bucha, the response of the rest of the world to simply ‘tighten up sanctions’ against Putin’s forces appears to me to be pretty pathetic! One has to wonder just how far EU member states are going to allow Putin (whose savagery has served to strengthen the West’s unity in much the same way as the Brits caused a rift with Brexit) to continue? On a personal level, given I’m so disturbed by the horrific scenes I’m seeing day in, day out on the news, I can only imagine how damaging the impact has been on those who’ve fled their homeland in a bid to save
their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all those families currently staying locally at Donamon, who must surely be worried sick about the loved ones they were forced to leave behind. I’m sure these guests staying in our county are wondering if there’s ever going to be any way for them to claw back their lives following what is a totally senseless war. Indeed, as gaping holes from explosions are visible in home after home, apartment block after apartment block, school after school and hospital after hospital, we have to wonder what other atrocities, destruction and ruination we’re going to find left behind by these Russian aggressors? Will we witness more roads strewn with the bodies of executed innocents? Will Putin and his forc-
es face more allegations of rape, torture and war crimes? If they do, is anyone prepared to stop this dictatorial maniac’s reign of terror? Or will the EU, in a year’s time, continue to run scared as he continues to make Mariupols out of the rest of other European cities? Given we felt the need to expel four Russian diplomats in response to ‘increased espionage by the Kremlin’, I’m now wondering if our own defenceless little country will be next in Putin’s sights? If it is, and this madman decides to unleash a fusillade of fire in our direction, will we recall our boys and girls from their peacekeeping duties in the Leb; or will it be left to a group of fishermen from Cork to defend us? It’s a fair question, don’t you think?
That being said, when it comes to a man who displays an-all consuming passion with his beard – as in it becomes his ‘wingman’, literally taking over his life, rendering him to spend every waking moment online searching for ‘tache wax’ and ‘beard balm’ – then I’m afraid me and ZZ Top would swiftly be parting company. Before I go, let me make something clear! I am not slagging off any man who suffers from a serious case of stubble trouble. On the contrary, I’m offering them some friendly advice and it’s this: if you’ve got a significant lack of beard or moustache-growing capability, rendering your facial follicles to look more like a spattering of whiskers than the hairy, Holy Grail you’re trying to cultivate, then for God’s sake, admit defeat and give up!
Why reusable cups won’t work for a germaphobe like me!
In their bid to try and curtail plastic use, our government, in its wisdom, has, under the new Circular Economy Bill, come up with a plan to slap a 20 cent levy on disposable cups produced through the sale of hot beverages. Controversial though this extra charge is, given there’s a reported estimated 200 million disposable cups dumped right across this nation each year, as someone who’s environmentally friendly, I can see the government’s reasoning behind this latte levy, cappuccino charge or tea tax… whatever you decide to call it. On the other hand, I’m also someone who (like many readers) is constantly budgeting and trying to make ends meet. Therefore, if my Americano gets any dearer, my daily saunter up to the barista for a freshly brewed cup will now have to be seriously curtailed. And you can forget about telling me to brew my several caffeine hits at home – sure what with the rocketing rise in gas and electricity prices, I’m afraid to flick on the light never mind boil a kettle! I’m someone who never has and never will, trust other people’s basic hygiene practices when it comes to, well, completing lots of tasks. Therefore, if reusable cups do become a ‘thing’, I’d wonder if they’ll be kept clean enough to be deemed safe? I mean, we are still in
the midst of a pandemic, and Covid cases are on the rise. Therefore if our cups are being carried on public transport, or into the workplace (where people may be coughing and sneezing), aren’t they going to become impacted by germs? Let me put it this way folks: we’re all acquainted with that compulsive coffee/tea drinker who, instead of thoroughly cleaning out their mug, will simply run it under the tap and leave it at that! Yuck! On the other end of the scale, there’s me – and my OCD. Those who know me will tell you that if I (and fellow germaphobes) can’t give our cups a hot soapy scrub with a rough sponge every time they’re used, this reusable cup lark is probably not going to fly! The result? All those 20 cents will add up, and our government will make a flippin’ fortune!
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople
Successful return of the ploughing…
Donal, Noelene and Anna McDermott pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Cecilia and Brendan Mullin pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Eabha Kilcommons and Niamh Connelly from Creggs pictured getting a ‘Garda escort’ from Garda Maria Kenny (on Bradan) and Garda Joe Quinn (on Ruari) at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Johnny Duffy and Tim Feeley pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
John and Jack Regan pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Aishling, Darryl and Joe Burke (Newbridge) pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack Jim Smyth, Michael Muldoon and Seamus Reynolds pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
John and Tina Morris (Frenchpark) pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Padraic, Roisin, Billy and David Dolan pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Jamie and Alfie Bailey, Michelle McDermott, Eileen McGreevey, David McGreevey and Eliza McGreevey pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Cllr. Tony Waldron and Bernie Kearney pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
CIARAN MULLOOLY On The Back Benches
Time to ensure justice is seen to be done in our court system I will never forget the first day I stood in a court of law in this country. I am pleased to say it was just a district court and I was there not by way of a summons or a charge to be met. I was there by way of an order from my first news editor to go and cover the court as a journalist and bring back stories for the next edition of the local newspaper. It was a somewhat daunting mission for a young cub reporter to be given in his first year in the job, but I was ready for the task. The assignment was put on my desk on a Wednesday afternoon and the instruction was straightforward. My boss – the late Eugene McGee – was a native of north Longford on the Cavan border and had decided that the proceedings of the local court in the town of Arva, just a few miles away, should be reported upon in the next edition of the Longford Leader. The newspaper had a huge cross-border readership in Cavan, Leitrim and beyond. The exotic setting for me the next day was to be the somewhat dated environs of St Patrick’s community hall in Arva, which was being used at the time as a makeshift venue for the local court. The presiding judge was to be the learned Donal McArdle. The first thing to be said about Arva District Court that day is that there was no need for fear or loathing on behalf of anyone present – accused or otherwise – because the presiding judge was just about the most caring man I had ever come across on the bench of a court in this country – and an absolute gentleman too. Donal McArdle was a native of Dundalk, appointed as a judge by his old college friend, Progressive Democrats party leader Dessie O’Malley. McArdle’s common sense and good humour particularly suited the district court, where everyone agreed he had the ability to recognise the ‘chancers’ and the genuine people in the blink of an eye. Every week he headed up the highways and byways, boreens and back lanes of provincial Ireland to meet the local petty criminals and deal with misdemeanours. It was a pretty thankless task, but one that he never seemed to fail to enjoy. By the time I had got myself seated in the broad and lonely press benches of Arva District Court on that first court day, he was already on stage and ‘performing’ – and he seemed to be enjoying it very much too.
Pub after-hours The run of the mill business for the district courts in those days was bald tyres, tax-less cars and an odd row over a right of way between local farmers. True enough, every other month an odd yarn with a bit more intrigue, conspiracy or even assault would
St Patrick’s community hall in Arva
come before the judge, but for the most part we lived on a staple diet of after-hours prosecutions (remember them?) in local pubs, applications for late liquor and dance licences to cover the weekend of Arva Show, and perhaps the odd bit of sheep stealing or cattle rustling.
“
“Read your Constitution” was his opening salvo. He reminded me of the old adage, ‘justice must not only be done but be seen to be done’. He was right too
I covered Arva District Court for about two years and often remarked to my boss Eugene McGee that I was not sure if in fact it was really worth covering at all. It seemed to me the same people came back again and again into my notebook for pretty much the same misdemeanours month after month. But McGee was having none of it and on one occasion lectured me firmly as to why we were really there. “Read your Constitution” was his opening salvo. He reminded me of the old adage, ‘justice must not only be done but be seen to be done’. He was right too. Later, I searched a copy of the blue book (otherwise known as the Constitution) and read it for myself (this was before the arrival of Google into our lives): ‘Article 34.1 of the Constitution of Ireland, 1937 provides that justice shall be administered in public, save ‘in special and limited cases as may be prescribed by law’’. The second reason given by McGee for our presence in the court was simply based on good business and good newspaper sales techniques. “Everyone and anyone in Arva and north Longford wants to read about their neighbours’ sins” he said firmly. “They will never admit it in public, but that’s what country folk do – talk TO their neighbours half of the week and then talk ABOUT them for the other half. We will help them do so with a page of Arva court next week that will sell out the Leader in Arva in no time!”
Days numbered Over the years, the courts have changed very
In association with: LOUGH REE ACCESS FOR ALL
much from what I witnessed on that day in Arva, but those two principles haven’t. The urgent necessity to publicly report criminal prosecutions at all levels is continuously emphasised by senior Gardai and the Minister for Justice, but I have to say the days of the court reporter now appear to be numbered in many parts of the country. My experience in recent years is that the reporting of criminal prosecutions of people in the circuit court in the midlands is now pretty much a thing of the past in many areas (with the exception of Roscommon and Longford). Month after month now, dozens of cases come before the court and are dealt with by way of monetary penalties, custodial sentences or suspended periods of incarceration – but not a word appears in the local paper or on local radio, because there are no court reporters present. I for one feel this is not a good development. I have to say that of course I understand why this has happened. The modern-day newsrooms in local papers are understaffed and under-resourced in many cases. The electronic media is making life extremely difficult for the provincial press. Few editors can afford to assign a reporter to sit in a court for 8 or 10 hours a day anymore…for a return that just might include an adjourned verdict or a legal argument that in any event cannot be reported on. Still, for me there is a resounding and critically important reason why our local court proceedings should be reported. Simply put, that goes back to the Constitution and the absolute necessity for the breaking of law not just to be dealt with by the guards and the civil authorities, but for those breaches to be seen in the local media by everyone else in the community for what they are. This would be the sort of preventative medicine that any good law-maker or Garda would surely approve of.
Apprentices needed There is an easy way to rectify the situation. The Government already has a new apprenticeship scheme in place to increase skills in the workforce. What would be wrong with signing up a half a dozen young apprentices in every county in Ireland to learn to become court reporters – to carry out the important duties of the district and circuit court proceedings every week? Not only would they be learning the tools of the trade, we would be creating a few jobs too in an initiative that would help justice being SEEN to be done in every county in Ireland – the way it should be. We need court reporters for transparency too, so let’s go back and subsidise the jobs and put them in place again. The country needs them.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople newsbriefs Fine Gael 2022 AGM
The Sligo, Leitrim, North Roscommon, South Donegal Fine Gael Constituency Executive held its 2022 AGM last Thursday in the Castle Dargan Hotel. This was the first in-person meeting of the local Fine Gael organisation in over two years. Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English addressed the meeting, as did Minister of State for Health, local deputy Frank Feighan, and Cllrs. Thomas Walsh and Sean McDermott. The national executive was represented by Edel Cadden and Gerry McMunn, while Fine Gael HQ was represented by General Secretary John Carroll. Minister English outlined to the meeting his work alongside the Ta Tánaiste Leo Varadkar TD at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in promoting a better environment for workers and businesses based in the North West. Minister English said that counties Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal are bursting with ambitious local companies who want to invest and grow into the future. “They are part of a cohort of Irish SMEs which make up more than 99 % of the total number of Irish companies employing hundreds of thousands of talented people, all of which deserve the continued support of the Government”.
Fundraisers in aid of Fr Pat’s missionary work
Connacht Scór na nÓg Ballad Group champions: Kilmore GAA Club.
Roscommon clubs ‘Scór’ Connacht success! It was a fantastic day for Roscommon clubs on Saturday last when the Town Hall Theatre in Ballinasloe hosted the Connacht GAA Scór na nÓg Final 2022. A packed theatre was treated to an evening of top class music, song, dance and drama. First up for the county were the Kilglass Gaels team of Seán Hall, Coman Conroy, Rory Conroy, Seán Feeney and Daniel Fallon. They battled excellently against Bornacoola (Leitrim), Menlough/Skehana (Galway), and Castleconnor (Sligo) in the preliminary table quiz round, placing second and earning a place in the stage final, where they again finished second behind the Galway champions and secured their place in the All-Ireland Final. Roscommon’s Rince Foirne champions from Castlerea St. Kevin’s turned in a flawless display of ‘The Three Tunes’. The team of Alannah Flanagan, Kaniesha Beirne, Caoimhe Doran, Katie Murphy, Caoimhe Ffrench, Aoibhín Ffrench, Áine Morgan and Anna Keane faced stiff competition from St. Thomas’ (Galway), St. Mary’s (Leitrim) and eventual winners Louisburgh (Mayo). In a keenly contested Amhránaíocht Aonair event, Gemma Casey of St. Dominic’s carried the county’s hopes. She faced opposition from Rachel Mallon (Bornacoola, Leitrim), Peter Fox (Moy Davitts, Mayo) and Rachel Feeney (St. John’s, Sligo). To the absolute delight of Roscommon supporters, Gemma’s haunting rendition of ‘The Home I Left Behind’ wowed the judges and earned Roscommon its first Connacht title of the night. The county’s winning ways continued into the recitation/storytelling discipline, where Kilmore’s Matthew Ffrench had the audience in stitches with his delivery of ‘The Birthday Trip to Tramore’. His performance landed a first ever Connacht Scór na nÓg title for the Kilmore club. He did so at the expense of Caroline Gavigan (Bornacoola,
Leitrim) and Lucy McDermott (Davitts, Mayo). Kilmore’s history-making night was not over yet, as their ballad group of Annie Homes, Grace Collins, Joe, Shea and Cathal McKeon, delighted the audience, supporters and most importantly the judges with their delivery of ‘John Williams’ and ‘The Mad Lady and Me’, garnering a first ever Connacht title in this section. Against them were Bornacoola (Leitrim) and St. John’s (Sligo). In the novelty act competition, Elphin gave a very humorous and polished performance of ‘The Waiting Room’. The team of Hannah Gunn, Henry Gunn, Sarah Gunn, Grace Gunn, Leah Higgins, Annalise Murray, Moya Kelly and Annie Kelly gave the county great representation but were narrowly pipped by St. John’s of Sligo. The Roscommon Gaels musicians of Cormac and Diarmuid Fleming, Laurance O’Connor, Shauna Hynes and William Godfrey turned in wonderful renditions of ‘An Gaoth Aneas’ and ‘The Humours of Glentart’. In arguably the event with the highest standard, the young Gaels team faced the tough challenge of Shamrock Gaels (Sligo), Dromahair (Leitrim), Moy Davitts (Mayo) and eventual champions Claregalway (Galway). In the Rince Seit, the Elphin team of Hannah Gunn, Grace Gunn, Sarah Gunn, Maria Keane, Annalise Murray, Katie Flanagan, Annie Kelly and Jessie Cannell, rose the dust of the town hall stage. Despite a rousing performance, the title went to Annaduff from Leitrim. A huge well done to all of the Roscommon competitors and mentors who represented the county with such pride and enthusiasm on Saturday. Congratulations to St. Dominic’s and Kilmore, who now begin preparations for the GAA All-Ireland Scór na nÓg Final in the INEC of the Gleneagle Hotel Killarney, on Sunday, May 1st.
Fr. Pat Brennan is a Divine Word Mission priest currently working to help some of the poorest people living along the Amazon River in Northern Brazil. He was born in Johnsport, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon in 1948. Fr. Pat will celebrate Mass in St. John’s Community Centre on Saturday, April 23rd at 8 pm and this will be followed by refreshments, entertainment, and a raffle. All monies raised will be presented to Fr. Pat on the night for his Mission work in Brazil. A number of local fundraisers will also be held in the parish ahead of the Mass on April 23rd. There will be a cake sale and coffee morning at St. John’s Community Centre in Lecarrow at 12 noon this Sunday (April 10th). A fundraising 2k walk will also take place on the same date from the community centre from 12 noon. Cakes, buns and tarts can be dropped into the centre from 11 am. On Easter Sunday night (April 17th), an auction will be held in Coffey’s Lounge in Lecarrow at 7.30 pm. Lambs, bails, vouchers, and something for everyone on offer. If you wish to donate something, please contact Kevin (087-1903062) or Liam (086-8094679). Finally, a GoFundMe page will be set up for anyone who wishes to make a donation but cannot attend one of the fundraisers. All support greatly appreciated.
Social Strolling in Loughnaneane Park
Social Strolling will take place in Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon town on Tuesday, April 12th. Meet at 11.30 am for a gentle walk around the park. Contact Teresa on 086-0271215 (Roscommon LEADER Partnership). Depending on the level of interest, it is hoped that this will become a regular walk.
Community Games presentation Connacht Scór na nÓg Recitation champion Matthew Ffrench from Kilmore GAA Club.
Ballaghaderreen Community Games will host an end of year (2021) presentation upstairs in Durkin’s Bar & Restaurant this Friday, April 8th at 7 pm to recognise the efforts and achievements of last year. Everyone is welcome to attend.
RosFM appeals for new volunteers
RosFM, Roscommon’s only community radio station, is appealing for more volunteers to join its team. There are a number of roles available in music presentation, current affairs, sport, and administration. Full training will be provided and all age groups will be catered for. All are welcome. Contact RosFM at Athlone Road, Roscommon. Call 090-6626181 or email info@rosfm.ie.
Fashion Show at The Brusna Inn
Connacht Scór na nÓg Solo Singing champion Gemma Casey from St. Dominic’s GAA Club.
A Fashion Show will take place in The Brusna Inn this Friday (April 8th), commencing at 8 pm. The event will showcase clothing from Siobhán’s Fashion Scene, Charlestown, and La Mode, Ballaghaderreen. Admission is €10 and there will be a wine and cheese reception, a raffle, spot prizes and Best Dressed Lady prize on the night. All proceeds will go towards Brusna Community Park. Please support.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople
Flautist John launches first solo recording Local musician John Carlos is releasing his longawaited first solo recording, showcasing Irish traditional music on flute. The album will be launched in JJ Harlow’s, Roscommon at 8 pm on Thursday, April 14th. John has lived all his life in the townland of Castleplunkett, an area of the county which traditionally has had a strong association with music. He started on the tin whistle at the age of six, and with the help of his fa-
Moore & Clonfad Drama Society play in aid of Ukrainian Appeal Moore and Clonfad Drama Society are back on stage to present their very well received play ‘The Stations’ on Sunday, April 10th with proceeds going towards the Ukrainian Appeal. ‘The Stations’ is a three-act comedy by Mayo native Carole King and has just finished a successful three-night run with the group. The group will present ‘The Stations’ in Moore Community Hall this Sunday, with curtain up at 8 pm. A statement from the group read: “In an effort to do our bit and contribute to the major humanitarian effort underway to support the Ukrainian people fleeing their homes we have decided to run the play for one night with all proceeds going to a charity involved in the Ukrainian humanitarian effort”. This production from Moore and Clonfad Drama Group does not fail in bringing to life plenty of mayhem and comedic intrigue under the superb directing skills of Mr. Liam Curley. The group owes a huge debt of gratitude to all who help with the play with a special word of thanks to the stage crew, hall committee and Community Employment Scheme.
TAKE A BREAK
ther, also named John, who was a great flute and fiddle player, John Jnr soon moved on to the flute. John is also an outstanding banjo player. John joined a well-known local céili band, ‘The Killina’, at the age of fifteen and played with them for many years. He has been an All-Ireland champion in the underage flute competitions and has toured Britain, USA and Europe with CCE. He plays extensively in the local area, both in sessions and in a group called The Lancers.
It’s been a GOOD week for… Decency and generosity, with the Irish people responding in time-honoured fashion when moved and inspired by a major fundraising drive, in this instance the ‘Climb with Charlie’ project which saw former RTE reporter Charlie Bird (who was recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease) embark on a phenomenally successful charity climb of Croagh Patrick, Charlie and all who supported him raising over €2m for very worthy causes Roscommon GAA, with the county senior football team defeating Galway in the Allianz National Football League Division Two final in Croke Park, and our ladies team winning the Lidl Ladies National Football League Division Three title with victory over Wexford in Birr Community life locally, with the successful return of the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships, held in Rockfield on Sunday, a very welcome development after the cancellation, during the pandemic, of so much that we once took for granted Roscommon Scór winners, with a number of local participants claiming honours in last weekend’s Connacht Scór na nÓg 2022 Final, and all our representatives representing their clubs and our county with distinction (see details in this issue) Kerry senior footballers, who firmly established themselves as favourites for this year’s All-Ireland after an emphatic David Cliffordinspired win over Mayo in Croke Park, a victory that secured yet another National Football
League Division One title for the Kingdom… Sinn Féin, with the party moving up two percentage points – to a remarkable 33% – in the latest national opinion poll, conducted by the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks, Mary Lou McDonald’s party well clear of Fine Gael (22%) and Fianna Fáil (18%) Ireland-based American singer-songwriter Rhiannon Giddens (a former recipient of the Roscommon People-sponsored Annie McNulty Award), who won Best Folk Album at Sunday night’s Grammy Awards, for her album They’re Calling Me Home, written with her partner Francesco Turrisi
It’s been a BAD week for… Eastenders fans and everyone who loved the brilliant June Brown, with the sad news that the actress most famous for playing Dot Cotton in the popular soap has died at the age of 95 (what a wonderful one-off she was)
THE THINGS PEOPLE SAY…
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“April is the kindest month. April gets you out of your head and out working in the garden” -Marty Rubin
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Famous birthdays ... this week
Eamon Ryan (perhaps unfairly), with the Environment Minister criticised on social media after he suggested people should take shorter showers to bring down their energy costs Passengers at Dublin Airport, as long delays continue due to staff shortages (with some reports of missed flights and associated rising stress levels)
Skai Jackson (American actress, will be 20 on Friday)
The Ireland women’s rugby team, who were heavily defeated by France in their Six Nations game at the weekend, the French winning on a 40-5 scoreline
48 TUS students receive Scholarships of Excellence
The accomplishments of 48 high-achieving students took centre stage at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) in Athlone last week at the university’s inaugural Scholarship of Excellence awards. TUS Scholarships of Excellence are conferred upon first-year students who have distinguished themselves academically at second level, achieving more than 500 points in their Leaving Certificate exams. TUS President Professor Vincent CunSara Leskiewicz, who is currently studying for a BSc in nane congratulated the award recipients Veterinary Nursing at the Technological University of on their significant academic accomplishthe Shannon, Athlone, was awarded a Scholarship of ments, which he said were “no easy feat” Excellence award for achieving 500+ points in her Leaving to achieve and demonstrate “a high level Certificate. Sarah, who attended Vocational School, Co. of commitment, discipline, and dedicaRoscommon, is pictured with TUS President Professor tion” to their studies. Vincent Cunnane. Photograph: Nathan Cafolla
“You should be very proud,” Professor Cunnane said to the inaugural Scholarship of Excellence recipients, adding that he hoped this recognition would encourage them to continue applying themselves. TUS Scholarship of Excellence recipients receive a bursary of €500 and a full gym membership, giving them access to the university’s state-of-the-art facilities for an academic year; recipients also receive a memento made from locally sourced crystal and a commemorative plaque for their school. It has been six months since TUS’s inception, and it currently ranks in the top ten universities nationally on Ireland’s higher education leaderboard.
Jackie Chan (Chinese actor and martial artist, turns 68 on Thursday)
Kristen Stewart (American actress, celebrates 32nd birthday on Saturday)
Lil Nas X (American rapper and singer, turns 23 on Saturday)
For updates, check our social channels
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Kerrane demands action over hospital numbers Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has called on the Government to take a “zerotolerance approach to hospital overcrowding” following the publication of the INMO’s Trolley Watch figures for March which showed 339 patients without a bed at Portiuncula Hospital. “I am very concerned by the high number of people waiting on trolleys at Portiuncula Hospital. New figures show 339 people were without a bed this March at the hospital. This compares to 259 in 2017, which was al-
ready worryingly high and unacceptable,” Deputy Kerrane said. “The Government must take a zerotolerance approach to hospital overcrowding to ensure that people in Roscommon-Galway can get the high quality and timely healthcare they need. “The Minister must take charge of the situation, root out wasteful or poor management practices, and make sure that hospitals are able to adopt better patient management practices”.
newsbriefs Kiltoom Community Alert Group update
Pictured at the recent Graphite annual HR and Employment law conference in Dunboyne Castle were Damien English TD (left), Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, and Gabriel Lavin, Operations/HR Manager, RSG (Roscommon Disability Support Group). The Minister gave an overview of the Government’s policy approach on employment issues.
Death of Ballaghaderreen man who established Institute of Education Ballaghaderreen native, Raymond Kearns, who founded the Institute of Education on Dublin’s Leeson Street Lower, has passed away at the age of 91. The highly regarded educator, known as Ray, died in hospital on Friday night last surrounded by his friends and family. Hailing from Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Mr. Kearns left home at the age of 15, seeking employment with CIÉ as a clerk. He studied for his Leaving Certificate in his
spare time and later earned scholarships to study at the University of Pittsburgh in the US. He then took up a post as senior maths teacher in Gonzaga College before opening the Institute of Education in 1969. Funeral Mass took place yesterday (Wednesday) at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook. Mr. Kearns is survived by his wife Bríd, children Raymond, Edward, Andrew, Peter, and Una, extended family, and friends.
Kiltoom’s oldest senior citizen, Malachy Grehan, who is a resident of Tearmainn Bhride Nursing Home, Brideswell, was congratulated on celebrating his 102nd birthday in recent months by the Kiltoom Community Alert Group at a recent meeting in the Parish Hall, Ballybay. Mr. Grehan is father-in-law of the Kiltoom Community Alert Chairperson, John Daly, Moyvannion. Sympathy was also extended to a number of families in the parish area who had bereavements in recent months. The recipients were the Muldoon family, Curramore, Kiltoom, on the death of Peg Muldoon; Aidan O’Carroll, Hodson Bay, on the death of his wife Myrl; the Henry family, Station Road, Kiltoom, on the death of Mrs. Kitty Henry; Martin Quinn, Hodson Bay, on the death of his wife Madeline; Declan O’Grady, Newtown, Kiltoom, on the death of his wife Mary; Mrs. Myra Naughton, Ballycreggan, Kiltoom, on the death of her husband Pat; Mrs. Vera Cummins, Ardmullen, Kiltoom, on the death of her brother-in-law James Cummins, Birmingham; Tommy Kenny, Corroclough, Kiltoom, on the death of his brother Peter, Carnagh East, St. John’s; Mrs. Rhona Fitzgerald, Hodson Bay, on the death of her father Denis Hannon, Springwell Lodge, Athlone; Val Kenny, Gortfree, Curraghboy, on the death of his mother, Mrs. Kathleen Kenny, Gortfree; the Feeley family, Barrybeg, Kiltoom and the St. John of God Sisters on the death of Sister Clare Feeley, Wexford and the extended Travers family and Bishop and clergy of the Diocese of Elphin on the death of Right Rev. Mons. Charles Travers, Roscommon, who ministered as a CC in the parish of Kiltoom and Cam in 1962.
THIS WEEK...On The Political Beat This week, local public representatives call for an extension of the Fuel Allowance, welcome funding for rural roads and laneways, and question transparency around CAP correspondence…
Kerrane calls for Fuel Allowance extension
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has urged the Government to extend the Fuel Allowance before the current period comes to an end this Friday. Speaking this week, Deputy Kerrane said: “The Fuel Allowance is due to end this Friday (April 8th). It is astonishing that the Government would stop a vital support when workers and families are in the middle of a serious cost of living crisis. “I am urging the Government to extend the Fuel Allowance season by six weeks and then keep it under review”. Deputy Kerrane said the Government didn’t get “how serious the cost of living crisis is” and must also widen eligibility to include those in receipt of Working Family Payment.
Funding for rural roads and laneways
Local public representatives have this week welcomed €11million in funding for upgrade works on rural roads and laneways which includes
€456,990 for County Roscommon and €958,831 for County Galway. The Local Improvement Scheme funding is allocated for the continued improvement of nonpublic roads and lanes not maintained by local authorities. Independent TD Denis Naughten said it was “good news” for those seeking to upgrade cul-desacs around the county. “The Dáil Rural Affairs Committee that I chair has also sought matching funding from Minister Eamon Ryan, which if provided to the two local Councils, would help to clear the current backlog”. Deputy Naughten said the committee also wants to see a change to the condition that two farmers must be using the road. Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy said: “The funding represents an increase of €500,000 on the initial 2021 allocation, with each county receiving an increase in their allocation accordingly”. The Fianna Fáil Senator added that the funding, provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development, will be complemented by a local financial contribution from landowners and householders as well as local authorities.
Ming: Minister must publish CAP letter
Local MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan has called on Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to publish the “observation letter” sent to Ireland by the EU Commission on the State’s draft CAP Strategic Plan. Ireland had submitted its draft CAP Strategic
Irish unity tree-planting ceremony… Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane and Henry Hughes (Sinn Féin Unity Officer for County Roscommon) pictured planting the Irish unity tree (Crann na saoirse) near the Civic HQ in Roscommon town on Sunday. Also photographed are some of the attendees. The tree-planting was a well-attended event. In thanking Roscommon County Council for permission, Deputy Kerrane spoke of the hope for Irish unity and a “free and equal 32-county Republic”.
Plan to Brussels last December with the Commission making observations on this regarding amendments to aspects of the plan. “Ireland is now in receipt of the letter from the Commission, in which they will have outlined their response to Ireland’s submission and where we need to improve or tweak the plan to meet the nine overarching objectives that form the foundations of the new CAP reform,” MEP Flanagan said.
The MEP added that Sweden, Italy, Spain, and The Netherlands have each published their communication with the Commission, and in the interests of transparency, called on Minister McConalogue to do the same. “The CAP is a vital income support to all farmers. The new reform will have far-reaching implication on farm incomes. We cannot have decisions made behind closed doors – we need informed decision-making,” he concluded.
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From trolling to doxing – why online discourse always seems to go off the rails Let’s talk about ... How online discourse gets derailed (A student’s perspective)
Alannah Ita Healy The Instagram account ‘Crazy House Prices’, run by Dublin-based teacher Ciarán Mulqueen, is well-known for highlighting some of the more unbelievable rental prices on the market, as well as offering advice on how to navigate the housing crisis. This week however, Mulqueen had to take down one of the posts about a €4,000 per month property when it emerged that a handful of people, after seeing the post, had taken it upon themselves to show up to the property and shout at and harass the owner. This unmeasured response – to go from disagreeing with someone’s actions to actively going after them personally – is, unfortunately, nothing new. In fact, the impulse to react disproportionately seems like
a common occurrence whenever a disagreement is reached online. Even the tamest of topics quickly turn incendiary, pushing people into choosing one of two widely opposing sides, and all too often disagreements with someone on the opposite side turn toxic. From trolls to doxing (a form of cyberbullying that uses sensitive or secret information), so much of online discourse seems to veer away from the topic at hand in favour of ‘winning’ against the person on the other side of the debate. It becomes about cruel insults or ‘clapbacks’ to the cruel insults, or it becomes about putting a person in danger by revealing their private or identifying information online. Maybe it’s due to the anonymity you can adopt once
posting on the Internet, or the fact that people get fed up and forget to consider the real-life implications of what happens online. However it seems to me that one of the reasons we so often find ourselves having these ‘black and white’ debates is due to how our social media platforms are constricted in the first place. All the big social media platforms operate via algorithms written to create a personalised experience for the user. Once you spend a little time interacting with a given platform, it isn’t long before the algorithm figures you out – what you like and what you don’t like – and want to show you to keep you online. After all, keeping you online is the main objective for these platforms. The longer you spend logged on, the more they can market to you and convince you to buy whatever their advertisers are selling. Crucially, users spending more time online also adds to the wealth of consumer data that these platforms have at their disposal – a commodity that is only becoming more and more valuable as we continue to-
wards a more digital society. However the nature of algorithm-based social media platforms means that our curated online spaces are in danger of becoming echo chambers, our feeds parroting the same opinions we hold back at us. We here only what we want to hear, only what we already agree with, and become reassured that our point of view is the ‘right’ one because it’s
the same one that’s seemingly flooding the discourse. This encourages us to commit fully to our opinions as they are, and consequently, closes our minds to anything we don’t already believe. Of course this is not to say that it’s outside the realm of possibility to have a nuanced discussion online, but when people are less inclined to listen to opinions different than their own, capacity for
progress is severely limited. It’s ironic that the access to millions of different people, different opinions and different experiences that the Internet affords us has led us to have more shallow discussions. Hopefully, as we become more conscious of the pitfalls of personalised algorithms and how we debate issues online, we will find ourselves having more nuanced discussions.
Women’s Collective Ireland launches Strategic Plan, unveils new name and logo Women’s Collective Ireland (WCI) is a national women’s community development organisation, core funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, working to advance disadvantaged women’s equality through women’s community development. Women’s Collective Roscommon is one of the seventeen WCI grassroots women’s Community Development projects working directly with women experiencing disadvantage, with the other projects working in Clare, Donegal, Dublin, Kerry,
Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon, Waterford, Westmeath and Wexford. Since its inception in January 2011 as an alternative grassroots women’s structure, when the seventeen local Women’s Community Development Projects amalgamated under one national legal structure, WCI continued to develop and evolve through many changes and challenges. With this journey in mind, the new strategic plan reflects their evolution as a Collective with a new name and visual identity
and frames their direction for the coming years. Patron Ailbhe Smyth, a feminist and women’s rights activist, has supported the development and consultative processes, which used deep inquiry and research methods to capture and highlight the essence of what’s involved. The name change and rebranding alongside the Strategic Plan reflect the challenges and work that WCI have been doing and will continue to do, both on the ground and at representational level.
“WCI provides 1.5 staff members to work within Roscommon Women’s Network (RWN),” said Nora Fahy, WCI Roscommon Project Coordinator. “The local WCI Roscommon staff, including myself, support the work of RWN by engaging with women and understanding the needs of the county and region from the perspective of women’s experience. I am looking forward to attending the launch of our new WCI Strategic plan and name change this Thursday, April 7th, in Dublin and meeting up with all my WCI
colleagues from around the country again after the two years of Covid”. CEO of WCI Miriam Holt said: “As CEO of Women’s Collective Ireland, I welcome the leadership role working in such an exciting feminist organisation that works for women, with women, and is rooted in the community with collective spaces for women. Our work is grounded in the lives and experiences of the grassroots women we meet and work with. Women’s Collective Ireland – women inspiring women. Together we are stronger”.
Glenamaddy Theatre Festival a success
Connacht title for CBS!
The junior footballers of Roscommon CBS captured the Connacht Colleges ‘B’ title at the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan on Monday with a hard-fought 1-11 to 1-3 win over Calasanctius College, Oranmore. Trailing 1-3 to 0-4 at the break, CBS found their rhythm in the second half with Eoghan Murray kicking two excellent points and Rory Carthy converting three frees. St. Dominic’s’ Ruairi Kilcline put the game beyond the Galway side’s reach with a well-taken goal to clinch a first junior title for CBS since 2017. Roscommon CBS: G Staunton; M Harrington, C Petrie, E Carthy; M Moran, J Donnelly, K Cummins; R Carthy (0-3), J Betts (0-1); R Hanley, C Bikoi, C O’Reilly (0-2); J McGuinness (0-2), E Murray (0-2), R Kilcline (1-1). Subs used: C Grogan, C Murray, M Gillooly, D Bolger, and C Feerick.
Glenamaddy’s 59th Theatre Festival drew to a close on Saturday night last in Glenamaddy Town Hall Theatre. Palace Players from Cork and Clann Machua Drama Group from Kiltimagh were the big winners as the curtain came down. The results from the finals night in Glenamaddy went a long way to determining who will be appearing at the All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals in Ballyshannon and at the All-Ireland Open Finals, which will once again be held at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone. First place in the open section went to Palace Players with their play Chapatti, Ballyshannon Drama Group came in second and Dalkey Players came in third. The confined section was won by Clann Machua Drama Group in Mayo with their play Sive. The Glenamaddy Players finished second, and Lislea finished third. Glenamaddy Theatre Festival are honoured to announce that they will be hosting the 2023 All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals, which will be great for Glenamaddy. All ‘four roads’ will be full of drama from Friday, the 14th of April, to Saturday, the 22nd of April, 2023!
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Fleadh Cheoil 2022
Roscommon County Fleadh makes a welcome return at Easter Ballaghaderreen to host festival of traditional music It’s been a long wait since 2019 but finally people across the country are starting to move once again. And now, with the return of the Roscommon County Fleadh, a festival of traditional music and dance that unites all ages – the young, the old, the brave and the bold – Ballaghaderreen will come alive once again this Easter Bank Holiday weekend with craic agus ceoil at venues across the town. Ballaghaderreen last hosted the County Fleadh in 2019 prior to the outbreak of Covid-19. That event was a tremendous success and plans were well underway for the 2020 edition before the music was cruelly silenced by the pandemic. Nobody could have imagined then that it would be Easter 2022 before Ballaghaderreen would see another County Fleadh. Organiser and local publican, Neil Sheridan, says this year’s festival of music will aim to make up for lost time.
“The 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil will be three Fleadhs in one on account of the 2020 and 2021 events being cancelled,” Neil said. “There will be music sessions in the bars around the town as well as live outdoor performances and busking too. There will be plenty of events for people of all ages in Ballaghaderreen this Easter Bank Holiday weekend. “It’s been a long wait but this year’s Fleadh will be a welcome boost for Ballaghaderreen and we expect a good influx of people from across the country and further afield”. The Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil 2022 runs from Friday, April 15th, until Bank Holiday Monday, April 18th (…and probably until Tuesday, April 19th!). For all enquires, phone 094-9860144. You can also follow the event on Facebook at Roscommon Fleadh 2022.
Kieran Donoghue, Adrienne Lee, Mick Plunkett, PJ Hernon, John Carty, Anthony Waldron, Michaela Dillon, Rebecca Donoghue and Geraldine Seery performing at the official launch of the 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil which took place in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen recently. Pic: Mick McCormack
Catherine Hanly, John Keaveney and Margaret Hanly at the launch of the 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil which took place in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen recently. Pic: Mick McCormack
Eva Sheridan, Gerry Corrigan and James Sharkey at the launch of the 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen. Pic: Mick McCormack
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Fleadh Cheoil 2022
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Five-time world dancing champion Ronan Kelly performing at the launch of the 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Cheoil in Spells Bar, Ballaghaderreen recently. Pic: Mick McCormack
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Three Fleadhs in one this Easter weekend! This year’s County Fleadh Cheoil is being billed as ‘three in one’ as three fleadhs – 2020, 2021, and 2022 – will be rolled into one. Organisers say that this year’s Fleadh will be a long-awaited celebration of the return of live music. The outdoor stage at Duffy’s SuperValu will be up and running from Tuesday, April 12th, until Friday, April 15th, to
ease everybody into the Easter Fleadh weekend. The Fleadh ceíli, with ceíli supergroup Salamanca, hits Creaton’s Lounge on New Street on Friday, April 15th, from 8.30 pm to 11.30 pm. The stage on the town square will come to life with local and visiting traditional musicians, singers, and dancers on Easter Saturday from
Pictured is Ballaghaderreen native and flautist Paul Daly, who will receive the 2022 Roscommon County Fleadh Gradam Award in Ballaghaderreen on Easter Sunday.
3.30 pm. Included in Saturday’s ‘Open Air on the Square’ event is the official opening of the Fleadh at 5 pm. Well-known local musican, John Carlos, will also host the Ballaghaderreen launch of his new solo album on Easter Saturday night. On Easter Sunday, the ‘Open Air on the Square’ event is back, kicking off at 3.30 pm. Sunday’s
programme includes the presentation of the 2022 Fleadh Gradam Award to Ballaghaderreen native (now Manchester-based) and flute player extraordinaire, Paul Daly. Bank Holiday Monday is competition day in St. Nathy’s College, while Ballaghaderreen’s pubs and venues will be alive with seisiúins for the four days and nights of the Easter Fleadh!
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Pictured during the recent St Patrick’s Day parade in Ballaghaderreen, is the float for Roscommon Fleadh Ceoil, which takes place this Easter weekend (April 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th) in Ballaghaderreen. Pic: Mick McCormack
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Bucha: After the shock, can guilt be far behind? < PAUL HEALY
Asked on Shannonside Radio recently how the world can morally stand by and watch Ukraine being bombed – with ‘the West’ having ruled out a military response – I didn’t really have an answer. Not being an expert on wars, or complex international agreements, I could
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Along with the despair and shock, we feel a growing sense of collective guilt as Ukraine’s nightmare reveals new levels of horror
hardly venture an informed response, could I? I think it’s fair to say that my fellow guests – TDs Claire Kerrane and Joe Flaherty – were in much the same boat as I was. In reality, most of the watching world is thus conflicted. We despair for the plight of the people of Ukraine, but we feel powerless, apart that is from the largely impressive response internationally to the humanitarian crisis. Of course, along with the despair and shock, we feel a growing sense of collective guilt as Ukraine’s nightmare reveals new levels of horror. A fairly familiar pattern is being followed. Even as cities were being shelled a few weeks ago, deep down we knew there was every possibility that a grotesque ‘sub-war’ might well have been simultaneously underway. A ‘sub-war’ with no regard for accepted conventions, one in which Russia commits atrocities, hidden acts of barbarity – below the surface as it were – the type of stuff that some aggressors do in wars, either by design (and direction), or because soldiers will frequently resort to inhumane actions when go-
Lemass leads way on Taoiseach-ometer! Last weekend’s Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll asked respondents who they feel has been the best Taoiseach in our his-
tory (of those who have completed at least one term in office). It’s hardly the most riveting question, but for the record, the
The poll results suggested Sean Lemass was our best ever Taoiseach. Image shows Mr Lemass, as featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1963.
ing about the ‘business’ of destroying people, places and dreams. This week brought apparent confirmation that the barbarity that has been a feature of some recent wars around the world has indeed also manifested itself in Ukraine. There is compelling evidence of war crimes, of unnecessary targeting of civilians, with deeply upsetting images pointing to the massacre of people in their homes and on the streets, some of the victims tied up before being shot. There are reports too of Russian soldiers having raped women and then killed them. Yes, we feared, a few weeks ago, even
‘winner’ was Sean Lemass on 25.8%. Lemass in fact was well clear of the other fourteen in the field. I was quite surprised to see Garret Fitzgerald comfortably take second spot, on 14.2%. Jack Lynch was third choice, Bertie Ahern fourth, Eamon de Valera fifth, Leo Varadkar sixth, Charles Haughey seventh, Enda Kenny eighth and Albert Reynolds ninth. John A Costello spared Brian Cowen’s blushes, the former bottom of the ‘table’ on 0%, with Cowen second last. It should be said that this is a poll which proves nothing. After all, the 15 men in question have reigned in different times, different circumstances and for varying periods. The poll results may be mildly interesting, but this out-of-the-blue pretty random introduction of a Taoiseach-ometer to just over 1,000 people cannot be taken as a serious analysis of the standing of the varied holders of our top government role.
as this totally inexcusable and shameful invasion wreaked havoc on towns and cities via bombs and military advances on the ground (the latter resisted with stunning effect by the Ukrainian army), that this sub-war was probably going on too. Now it appears that humiliated Russian forces have been leaving a trail of carnage in Bucha and elsewhere. The world is outraged, but should we really be surprised? As for inaction by ‘the West’, that is deeply troubling, but undoubtedly complex. A few weeks back, the international community made it clear there would be no direct military response. The narrative was
(and remains) that Europe and America cannot risk World War 3. The nuclear risk cannot be dismissed, we are told. The Nato alliance would not and could not send forces into Ukraine (which is not a member of that club). Instead, the world would ‘fight’ Russia with economic sanctions, and by supplying Ukraine with arms. Meanwhile, President Biden whispers his contempt for Putin, well-intentioned words which in reality carry the weight and impact of feathers swirling through a hurricane. It is all poor consolation to the corpses lying askew on bloodied Ukrainian streets, in the shadow of burnt-out buildings. Poor consolation to the families of the dead, to the hundreds of thousands living in fear of every tomorrow. I had no answer on local radio – beyond the narrative we are fed – and I have no clear answer now. No answer that isn’t accompanied by serious nuances. No answer, just like millions of helpless people have no answer. But, like millions of people, I’m beginning to feel the guilt and shame closing in.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris pictured speaking with the media at the launch of Atlantic Technological University on Monday.
Harris launches new university… The Atlantic Technological University (Ollscoil Teichneolaíochta an Atlantaigh) was launched this week by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris. Speaking at a landmark event at ATU Sligo and livestreamed to campuses in Galway, Mayo and Donegal,
Minister Harris told a large gathering of students, staff and dignitaries – including ATU President Dr. Orla Flynn and ATU Chair Maura McNally – that the new Technological University would play a pivotal role in the strategic regional development of the west and north west. Minister Harris called the launch a
landmark day and said that the new ATU would become a ‘powerhouse’ in the region. The formation of ATU creates university campuses in counties Donegal, Sligo and Mayo for the first time, while giving Galway city a second university option. It also offers students in surrounding counties the option of a TU education.
GOING OUT
Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
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To feature in this section, call 090-6634632 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
Mark McDonagh, Tianna Kelly, Laura Corcoran and Andrew Fahy pictured celebrating Tianna’s 30th birthday at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue. Pic: Mick McCormack
Aoife Nolan, Evan Leavy, Kieran Leavy, Breege Kelly, Tianna Kelly and Fiachra Leavy pictured celebrating Tianna’s 30th birthday at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue. Pic: Mick McCormack
Orla, Samantha, Tianna and Eimear Kelly pictured celebrating Tianna’s 30th birthday at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue. Pic: Mick McCormack
Evelyn O’Donoghue, Tianna Kelly and Adrian Fallon pictured celebrating Tianna’s 30th birthday at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue. Pic: Mick McCormack
(Left) Peter Hand, Niall Morgan, Donal Treacy and Andrew Fahy pictured at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue recently. Pic: Mick McCormack (Right) Tianna Kelly, Rachel Corcoran and Noreen Corcoran pictured celebrating Tianna’s 30th birthday at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue. Pic: Mick McCormack
Joanne Kelly, Grace Kelly and Helen Nugent pictured at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue recently. Pic: Mick McCormack
Joseph Kelly, Tianna Kelly and Conor McNevin pictured celebrating Tianna’s 30th birthday at Leavy’s Bar in Scramogue. Pic: Mick McCormack
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
FarmingPeople Property Services Providers Licence No. 002249
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Golden calls for suckler and beef supports IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden has called for support for suckler and beef farmers at what he says is a crucial time of year for the sector where key decisions will determine supply for the next three years. “These decisions require a commitment from the suckler farmer to maintain the cow until she has reared the calf to weaning in the back end of 2023, which is 18 months away. The uncertainty around availability and costs of inputs such as feed, fertiliser and fuel will play a huge role in this decision making,” he said. Mr. Golden said the sector does not have the capacity to absorb the level of cost increases across all the key inputs that show no signs of abating and that it must be supported as a matter of urgency. “The lack of confidence in beef finishers for later this year and into next year is clearly evident in mart
sales of lighter animals over the past two weeks. Prices for lighter stores have dropped as finishers react to the increased production costs and uncertainty for the year ahead,” he said. The IFA Livestock Chairman said guaranteed prices from factories for this autumn and next spring are needed, combined with direct financial supports to farmers rearing and finishing cattle for the back end of this year and early next year. He urged Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to “come forward immediately with a financial package for suckler farmers and cattle finishers” from the €48 million fund to allow key breeding and management decisions be taken that will maintain our supply chain of the highest quality beef in this critical time of food insecurity. He added that monies clawed back from BEAM
payments of suckler and beef farmers must also be returned to the sectors it was taken from as part of a package of targeted payments. Brendan Golden was commenting following
Immediate increase in pig price needed to offset record losses – IFA IFA National Pigs Committee Chairperson, Roy Gallie, is calling on processors to deliver a very significant price increase for pig farmers. “Pig farmers have been haemorrhaging money since September 2021 and
losses have risen to €40 per pig sold,” he said. Since the introduction of the IFA’s DNA scheme, the Irish pig price has been at the European average. “We are currently 30c/kg below it. Farmers need an immediate price increase
Businesses: Reach your target market! 18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY
IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden.
IFA National Pigs Committee Chairperson, Roy Gallie.
given the very serious crisis in the sector,” Mr. Gallie added. Roy Gallie is calling on all processors to announce a 30c/kg rise tomorrow to restore the Irish pig market to the European average level.
a COPA-COGECA of the Beef and Veal Group where similar concerns were raised for beef production across other member states. The IFA Livestock Chairman said beef farmers
throughout Europe are experiencing the very same difficulties as Ireland in terms of production cost increases, but are more exposed on grain shortages than our grass-based system.
Castlerea MART WATCH Over 800 animals presented for sale on Thursday last. The heifer ring witnessed a very good demand for the forward store cattle with prices topping out at €1,910 for a 520kg Limousin heifer or €3.67 a kilo. Overall, a good clearance took place with farmers, northern customers, and agents anxious for stock. The cow trade saw prices peak at €2,500 with some very good cows on offer. The weanling ring saw the bulls a better trade this week with increased farmer activity while the heifer weanlings recorded a top price of €1,100 for 280kgs or €3.92 a kilo. Increased calf numbers recorded better prices for the better quality calves on offer while the plainer type lots were unchanged. Cows with calves made up to €1,900 and springers made up to €1,400. There was another large entry of calves with prices ranging up to €430 with an average of €183 paid. Runners ranged from €300 to €900 for continental lots. There was a great trade on offer for all classes of bullocks at last Monday’s sale. Lighter stores made up to €3.40 a kilo while heavier lots made up to €2,100 and an average price of €1,263 was paid on the day. Sales continue at Castlerea Mart. Sample prices for heifers: Chx 405kgs €1190, Lm 423kgs €1150, AA415kgs €1090, Lm 495kgs €1460, Lm 520kgs €1910, Ch 605kgs €1830, Ch 565kgs €1750, Lm 600kgs €1730, BBx 480kgs €1340. Dry cows: Hex 495kgs €930, Fr 445kgs €800, Ch 945kgs €2500, Ch 930kgs €2440, AAx 765kgs €1970, Sim 840kgs €1960. Weanling bulls: Ch 295kgs €1280, Ch 290kgs €1010, Lm 270kgs €940, Lm 275kgs €910, Lm 320kgs €980, Lm 350kgs €1040, Lm 300kgs €1100, Ch 380kgs €1180, Ch 365kgs €1230. Weanling heifers: Lm 280kgs €1100, Lm 290kgs €870, AA 265kgs €800, Ch 255kgs €740, Ch 355kgs €1220, Ch 365kgs €1200, Ch 345kgs €1080, AA 325kgs €920. Bullocks: Lm 495kgs €1560, Lm 445kgs €1400, AA 465kgs €1390, Lm 545kgs €1700, Ch 530kgs €1670, Lm 505kgs €1600, Ch 455kgs €1550, Ch 560kgs €1680, Ch 630kgs €1880, Lm 815kgs €2100, Lm 675kgs €1940, Lm 655kgs €1900.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
FarmingPeople
Roscommon SPCA urges dog owners to be extra vigilant during lambing season The Roscommon Society for the Protection of Animals is urging local dog owners to be extra vigilant this lambing season to avoid the “devastating consequences” of sheep attacks. Addressing the issues recently, IFA National Sheep Chairman Kevin Comiskey said: “All dog owners should take heed that they are fully liable for all damage and suffering caused to farmers and their sheep by their dogs. The irresponsible behaviour of some dog owners continues to lead to devastating consequences on farms and must stop”. Roscommon SPCA is once again urging all owners to beware of their dog’s whereabouts and ensure they are properly restrained when next to or near livestock. A RSPCA statement read: “Under the Control of Dogs Act; the owner of a dog is liable for any damage done to a farmer’s livestock. It is also extremely
important to note that Section 23 of this act also defends the right of a farmer to shoot a dog if it is worrying their livestock. “But this will be of little comfort to a farmer who has had their flock savaged and their income decimated. Not to mention the upset and cost for the dog owner involved. Dog owners must be responsible for their dogs at all times and responsible dog ownership begins with the laws that govern it. The Control of Dogs Act prohibits anyone from owning a dog unless they hold a license for that dog and that dog is microchipped. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to €2,500”. Roscommon SPCA says volunteers have seen a large increase in reports of straying dogs in recent weeks, adding that very few of these dogs had been micro-chipped and those that were weren’t registered. The statement continued:
Friday, April 8th at 11 a.m.
Late Spring Special Sale of Bullocks 65 pens of Bullocks on offer Also Heifers & Dry Cows
No Sale Friday, April 15th - Good Friday ----------------------
Friday, April 22nd at 11 a.m.
Late Spring Special Sale of Heifers Also Bullocks & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Monday, 18th April ----------------------
Tuesday, April 12th at 4 p.m.
Special Sale of Weanlings Also Suckler Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Thursday, 7th April ----------------------
Lambs & Cast Ewes “In light of this, Roscommon SPCA in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, are offering a 50 per cent discount on micro-chipping for
County Roscommon dog owners (ID and proof of address will be required). Contact Brigid on 0870505594 with your name, phone number, Eircode
and the details of the vet you currently use, and the volunteers of Roscommon SPCA will be happy to assist you in registering and microchipping your pet”.
rigallen, Co. Leitrim. 3 Furrow Senion (Confined) - 1st: Paddy Beirne, Ballinaheglish, Co. Roscommon. Vintage 2 Furrow Trailer (Open) - 1st: Seamus Crossan, Armagh; 2nd: Charlie Stewart, Clonturke, Longford; 3rd: James P Clarke, Sligo. Vintage 2 Furrow Mounted (Open) - 1st: Seamus McDaniel, Breeogue, Knocknahur, Co. Sligo; 2nd: Michael Dolan, Gulladoo, Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim; 3rd: Eamon McKiernan, Corboy, Mostrim, Co. Longford. Vintage Single Furrow (Open) - 1st: Alex Hunter, Sligo; 2nd: William Stewart, Longford. Loy Under-21 Open - 1st: Jack McDaniel, Co. Sligo.
Loy Men’s Junior Open - 1st: Kevin McNamee, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim; 2nd: Liam Dolan, Arvagh, Co. Cavan; 3rd: James Reynolds Jnr., Adoon, Gorvagh, Co. Leitrim. Loy Ladies (Open) – 1st: Alison Hunter, Sligo. Loy Ladies (Confined) – 1st: Deirdre Heavey, Knockhall, Rooskey, Co. Roscommon; 2nd: Pauline Lavin, Ardkillian, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. Loy Men’s Senior (Open) – 1st: Brian Casey, Longford; 2nd: PJ McStay, Gowna, Co. Cavan; 3rd: John Small, Mountain Lower, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Roscommon MART WATCH There were good numbers on offer again this week with a firm trade for all classes. Bullocks averaged from €2.54 per kilo up to €3 per kilo. Heifers ranged from an average of €2.67 per kilo up to €3.94 per kilo. Dry cows made from an average of €2.42 per kilo up to €3.08 per kilo. Buyers were active both at the ringside and online. This Friday (April 8th) will see a special sale of bullocks as well as heifers and dry cows. There is no sale on Good Friday (April 15th). The numbers on offer at Wednesday’s sheep sale were larger than the previous week with an improvement in trade for all classes. Hoggets made up to €174. Stag
Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373
----------------------
2022 Ploughing Championship results The results of last Sunday’s Roscommon Ploughing Championships, which took place on the lands of the Lambert family in Rockfield, were as follows: 2 Furrow Junior (Confined) - 1st: John Hanley, Crosswell, Creggs, Co. Roscommon. 2 Furrow Junior (Open) - 1st: Gerry Sheridan, Tullyduff, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo; 2nd: Andrew Stewart, Killashee, Co. Longford. Horse (Confined) - 1st: James Coffey, Lisphelim, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon. Horse (Open) - 1st: Owen Hand, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. Under-21 (Open) - 1st: David Johnston. Car-
(Proudly serving farmers for over 62 years)
ewes fetched up to €250. Ewes and lambs made up to €300 for one ewe with two lambs at foot. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID Tag set. The next sheep sale for lambs and cast ewes is on Wednesday next (April 13th) at 11 am. Sheep scanning service continues on Wednesday next from 9 am to 10 am. Yard opens at 8 am. All stock must be penned by 10 am. Sale can be viewed live on www. livestock-live.com. Sample prices for heifers: Lim X 520kgs €2050, Char X 665kgs €2040, Lim X 690kgs €2000, Char X 595kgs €1930, Lim X 580kgs €1900, Char X 585kgs €1860, Char X 560kgs €1680,
Char X 560kgs €1690, Char X 535kgs €1710, 4 Char X 595kgs €1680, Char X 515kgs €1550, Lim X 550kgs €1660, Char X 480kgs €1470, 2 Char X 467kgs €1470, Char X 465kgs €1510, Lim X 460kgs €1430, 3 Char X 481kgs €1380, Lim X 455kgs €1370. Bullocks: Char X 625kgs €1620, Lim X 610kgs €1610, Lim X 570kgs €1600, Lim X 570kgs €1600, Lim X 530kgs €1590, Char X 570kgs €1580, Lim X 510kgs €1450, 2 Lim X 520kgs €1380, HEX 560kgs €1330. Dry cows: Simm X 855kgs €2570, Char X 910kgs €2500, Lim X 795kgs €2450, Lim
800kgs €2360, Char X 810kgs €2330, BBX 825kgs €2250, Lim X 800kgs €2250, Char X 845kgs €2220, Lim 620kgs €1500, AUX 570kgs €1510, Char X 640kgs €1550, Lim X 715kgs €1750, Lim X 740kgs €1980, BBX 775kgs €2150, Lim 755kgs €1990. Finished hoggets: 60kgs €174, 60.3kgs €173, 52kgs €173, 57 €173, 58.5 €172, 54.7kgs €171, 52.4kgs €170, 54kgs €168, 48.8kgs €166, 50.5kgs €165, 51.8kgs €163, 47.1kgs €162. Spring lambs: 50kgs €170, 45.5kgs €154, 39.6kgs €148, 42kgs €136. Store hoggets: 42.7kgs €139, 42kgs €122, 40.5kgs €120, 37kgs €100.
Each Wednesday at 11 a.m. ----------------------
Sheep Scanning Service Each Wednesday -Strictly 9.am. to 10 a.m. ----------------------
Complete Dispersal Dairy Sale For John & Caitriona Carley Corristoona, Ballintubber, Co.Roscommon (Conducted by TAAFFE AUCTIONS) at Roscommon Mart on Saturday, April 9th at 12 Noon Entire PBNR Milking Herd (Good EBI) 90 Cows – Excellent Butterfat & Protein with good Milk Solids 19 Maiden Heifers,15 Fr Heifer Calves & 2 Purebred Lim Bulls TB Free Herd for over 30 years. Export Tested with immediate Export on sale day. Catalogues available & on Line at www.taaffeauctions.com Also A Maiden Heifer will be auctioned on the day of the sale with all proceeds donated to Roscommon/Mayo Hospice. Enquiries to Taaffe Auctions 041 9881288 ---------------------------------------
Monster Easter Farm Machinery Auction & Effects
Saturday, 16th April at 11.30 a.m. sharp Entries to Roscommon Mart up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 14th Entry fees for all items – Sale online with LSL and also at ringside Enquires to 090 6626352 Tom – 087 2602909 – John 086 3077091
ENQUIRIES 090 6626352
Email: roscommonmart@gmail.com Visit our website: www.roscommonmart.ie
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
Business
Strokestown woman becomes 39th President of Irish Hotels Federation The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has announced that Denyse Campbell, a hotelier with extensive experience spanning almost 20 years, has been elected its 39th President, succeeding Elaina Fitzgerald Kane. A native of Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Denyse Campbell is General Manager of the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport. After graduating from the College of Catering in Cathal Brugha Street, she began her career as a hotelier with the Hilton Group in the United States. Following a period with Jurys in the UK, she returned to Ireland where she worked for several independent hotels and groups. In 2015, she joined Dalata Hotel Group, spending several years at the Clayton Ballsbridge before assuming her current role at the Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport in 2018. Denyse has been an active member of the IHF since 2006 and has served as Secretary and Chair of the Dublin branch, Nation-
al Vice-President on two separate occasions and as a member of the National Council and Management Committee. As Chair of the IHF’s Marketing Group she oversaw the launch of the immensely successful ‘Go Anywhere Gift Card’, the official gift card of the Irish Hotels Federation.
Commenting on her election, Denyse Campbell said that her focus would be on rebuilding and renewing Ireland’s tourism industry after an unprecedented two years. “A vibrant domestic and international tourism industry is a cornerstone of economic growth and job creation across the island,
from Donegal to Dublin, Kerry to Kilkenny and everywhere in between,” she said. “Addressing the issues facing hotels, guesthouses and the wider tourism industry – which supported an estimated 270,000 jobs pre-pandemic, one in ten of all Irish jobs, 70 per cent of which are outside Dub-
Denyse Campbell was elected as the 39th President of the Irish Hotels Federation at the group’s recent annual conference at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan. Photo: Don McMonagle
Deadline day for Network Ireland Awards Eamonn, Mary, and Cáit Gleeson pictured in Gleeson’s, Roscommon.
Gleeson’s nominated for YesChef Awards Gleeson’s Restaurant and Rooms, Roscommon has just been nominated for the YesChef Awards 2022 run by the prestigious industry magazine. Judges will visit the Roscommon town guesthouse and restaurant and final decisions will be made by a panel comprised of hospitality professionals, culinary arts professionals, industry experts and media representatives from across the country. The eventual winners will be announced at a gala dinner on May 31st. This is a significant achievement for the family-run townhouse, who within the last year have been honoured with a Georgina Campbell Irish Food and Hospitality ‘Outdoor Dining, Guesthouse’ award. Gleeson’s were rewarded for their proactive approach to ensuring guests had a comfortable outdoor dining experience complete with heated bench seats! Gleeson’s have also won several Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards putting them in the top 10 per cent of hotels worldwide. “We are really pleased to be nominated for the YesChef Awards,” said Cáit Gleeson, General Manager. “It’s been a challenging time for all of us at Gleeson’s and it’s lovely to get recognised for what we do. I want to pay tribute to our whole team who put so much into looking after our guests”.
Women’s business group Network Ireland is encouraging its members to apply for its prestigious ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ awards ahead of today’s deadline (Thursday). National President of Network Ireland Noreen McKenzie said: “Last year’s award winners have described the experience as incredible saying it opened opportunities both personally and professionally. It is wonderful to hear such positive feedback about how our members have benefited from publicity and how the awards helped them to set new goals”. Preparation continues across 14 Network Ireland branches nationwide ahead of their local finals, from which winners will be selected to go forward to the national awards in Galway on Friday, October 7th. The gala event is a major highlight of the group’s calendar and will coincide with Network Ireland’s annual conference. The deadline for this year’s awards is 6 pm today (Thursday, April 7th).
lin – is crucial to rebuilding our national economy, and I look forward to working with the Government to ensure tourism remains at the heart of Ireland’s economic policy. “As businesses throughout the country rebuild, maintaining international competitiveness via the extension of the nine per cent VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sector will be a key priority and one I will be advocating strongly for on behalf of our members and the entire tourism industry. “I will also be focused on the escalating business costs facing the sector, with spiralling utility costs and ongoing challenges with insurance two areas of particular attention. “My Presidency will also place a strong emphasis on attracting, developing and retaining the next generation of talent in our industry – whether they are joining us after school or college, seeking a career change, or coming from overseas”.
Pictured (Left to right) at the IHF Annual Conference at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan were Ruby Kerwick (Denyse’s daughter), Kit Campbell (seated), Ian Campbell, and Denyse Campbell. Photo: Don MacMonagle
Peter Hendrick, National Broadband Ireland CEO, pictured with Claire Gough, Macra na Feirme Leinster Vice-President.
Entries open for Macra na Feirme’s Farm Business and Technology Award Entries are now open to Irish agricultural colleges students for the National Broadband Ireland sponsored Macra na Feirme Farm Business and Technology Award. The award, which was previously announced in November 2021, forms part of the annual ‘Ag Challenges Day’ involving Ireland’s seven agricultural colleges, with four of the colleges operated by Teagasc and three private colleges. Students in each of the colleges are invited to submit entries on the topic ‘The Technology I want to deploy on my farm/enterprise and why’.
In teams of four, students, and their individual teachers within each college, have been invited to submit a video presentation while using up to date technologies. A panel of judges will select a winner within each of the seven colleges. The winners will then go forward to the Macra Challenges Day for a live presentation on the topic. The overall winner will receive a top prize of €1,000 along and a trophy for their college as well as a €500 technology grant. The final will take place on April 27th at Gurteen College.
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NewsPeople
Pictured at the County Roscommon Ploughing Championships in Rockfield on Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Held over due to space constraints in our last two issues, this week we give correspondent ‘E. McAnraoigh’ (full name and address with Editor) and our columnist Miriam Kerins a final say on what they can agree about – and what they can’t quite see eye to eye on!
Thuggery or heroicism?
A FINAL SAY ON THE GLASNEVIN WALL…
E. McAnraoigh, Roscomain I didn’t expect that my Letter to the Editor (Roscommon People 25 February issue) – in which I commented on Miriam Kerins’ musings regarding the Necrology Wall in Glasnevin – would have caused such a mixed reaction from your columnist. At the outset of her response (Roscommon People 4 March issue) to my response, she was very appreciative and thankful for my “lovely comment” and “kind words” regarding her initial piece. I thank her for that and for going to the bother of responding to my letter. However, the bulk of her article is devoted to the fact that I could not reconcile with her attitude towards the people who attacked with sledgehammers the notorious Necrology Wall. I had stated that the people who attacked the wall were committing a heroic act in trying to rid the holy place of such an obnoxious edifice. While Miriam doesn’t support the wall as it stands, her viewpoint on the attackers of the wall was to call them a variety of colourful names i.e. vandals, yobbos, moronic cretins and petty lowlife louts. Miriam also takes a dim view of the fact that the attackers sneaked around under the cover of darkness and used paint and a sledgehammer as weapons. Miriam should remember that over a hundred years ago sledgehammers were also used by a group of women known as The Suffragettes, when, under the cover of darkness, they attacked the windows of public buildings in England to highlight their campaign for the women’s right to vote. I’m sure those same women were branded with some choice names by the establishment at that time. Miriam also took me up on my reference to the Easter Rising when I stated that the occupation of the GPO could be viewed as an act of vandalism at the time, which it was by the establishment. She says she would be alongside the volunteers if she was around at that time, and I admire her for that. But Miriam should know that in the aftermath of The Rising, the volunteers were branded as mindless thugs and worse – and one particular national daily newspaper referred to the Insurrection as criminal madness. The same newspaper called for the execution of the rebel leaders. It is amazing with the passage of time how events are viewed today. Going back to the attack on the Necrology Wall, here I will do an exercise in hypothesis. Imagine
if a memorial had been erected in Auschwitz commemorating the Jewish victims who perished there, and it was decided to add the names of the S.S. soldiers who might have died there as well. What an insult this would have been to the victims of the Holocaust. The smashing or defacing of this hypothetical offensive object would in my mind be a heroic act and I would take my hat off to the people who would have done it. I don’t think they would be referred to as yobbos or lowlifes! Similarly, imagine if the war in Ukraine ends with a Russian occupation of the country and a new puppet government is installed in Kyiv. The new government commissions a monument to all the Russian casualties that were killed in the conflict and as a sort of sop to the Ukrainians the names of Ukrainian soldiers killed are inscribed on the monument as well. What would the Ukrainians think of this insult? If they decided to deface or damage the memorial with paint or sledgehammers, would they be branded as vandals, yobbos, moronic cretins and petty lowlife louts? Perhaps they would be branded as such by Putin and Co. Finally…Miriam invokes the name of Michael Collins, (whom she obviously admires, and mentions four times) and says of the attackers, if they
had a smidgen of “the gallantry, backbone and the cunning of Big Mick and his 12 Apostles”, they’d have lobbied and peacefully protested to have the wall removed. I wonder what ‘Big Mick’ would have thought of lobbying and peaceful protest as a weapon? You see Miriam, there are times when pacifist and peaceful protests don’t succeed, especially when one is dealing with intransigent and inflexible agencies. History tells us that when an act of militancy takes place in the here and now it may be looked upon as thuggery, but when it is viewed from a distance of years it can become a heroic act. Having said all that, I’m glad that Miriam at least concurs with me on my view that the powers that be are a slavish entity, so we do share a common stance on that aspect of the narrative. I hope Miriam doesn’t take umbrage with my letter and I look forward to reading more of her musings.
Miriam Kerins Thank you for your latest perspective…I read it with great interest and respect. It’s lovely to know that something I’ve written has stirred
someone enough to react, not once, but twice! Tá áthas mór orm! For the record, I do not ‘take umbrage with your letter’ – on the contrary, I was delighted to read it, and I hope I can continue to keep you entertained and interested enough to carry on following my ‘musings’. You seemed surprised I went ‘to the bother’ of responding to your first letter, and perhaps you’re also surprised I’ve ‘bothered’ responding once again. However, why wouldn’t I? You were polite enough to read my column, and, as the readers are not just an important cog in this family-run newspaper, rather they’re the lifeblood, I believe it’s very important to treat them with the respect they deserve – especially when they’re so passionate about an event in our Irish history. That being said, dear reader, while I don’t wish us to become pen pals, this will be the last time I’ll respond, (to this particular subject at least). While I believe you’re a person after my own heart, in that you’re obviously a proud Irish national, and a fan of The Big Fella, it’s clear we both carry slightly different opinions on what may/may not constitute an act of vandalism. However I do take your point that there are times when pacifist and peaceful protests don’t succeed. Speaking of which, thank you for admiring me for saying I would have stood fighting with the volunteers at the GPO; anyone who knows me will confirm that’s not a word of a lie. I’m enormously proud of my Irish heritage and my culture; and why wouldn’t I be? We’re an utterly charming nation. In fact, dear reader, something in the tone of your letter tells me that, had you too been around in 1916, you also would have joined me in standing alongside our brave ancestors… would I be correct? We could have defeated the British and afterwards, had a celebratory drink or three…mine’s a large Jemmie and red! Sláinte! Perhaps some day we’ll get the chance to meet in person, sit down in the pub, raise a glass to our brave delegates (headed by Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins) and discuss how Big Mick did, in the end, in order to prevent any more bloodshed, actually use lobbying ‘as a weapon’ when he signed The Articles of Agreement for a Treaty between Ireland and the British. Yes, it was an act that hung heavy on him, and on the Republic of Ireland as a whole…but sure that’s a discussion for another day.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
NewsPeople
New to the market: four-bedroomed, semi-detached house in Glenview New to the market with Bradley Homes is a four-bedroomed, semi-detached house, located in the sought after estate of Glen-
view on the Galway Road. In excellent condition throughout, 44 Glenview is an ideal starter home or investment property.
Situated at the entrance to the estate, the property is within walking distance of shops, primary and secondary schools,
ROSCOMMON & GALWAY Built on Experience & Trust PSRA Licence No: 004430
NEW TO THE MARKET – FOR SALE
Four Bed Residence
44 GLENVIEW, GALWAY ROAD, ROSCOMMON
public transport, and all amenities on offer in the town. The living accommodation is generous, with a total floor area of approximately 1,399 square feet (130 square metres), and includes a reception hallway with guest WC off, a large sitting room with an open fireplace and double doors, opening into the kitchen/dining room, with utility room off. On the first floor, there are four bedrooms (three double and one single) and a main bathroom, which is modern and fully tiled off the landing area. The master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom. Features include a tarmacadamed driveway with ample parking, mature hedging to the side boundary, fencing to the rear boundary, a large shed at the rear garden, a patio area (accessed via double sliding
doors) and oil fired central heating. The insulation has been upgraded with external walls pumped, bringing it to a C2 BER rating. The interior is decorated to a high standard, from the modern colour scheme to the solid wood kitchen units. For further information and to arrange a viewing, contact Deirdre on
• Four bed/three bath semi- detached house • Located at the front of the estate • In walk-in condition with no works required
For further details and to arrange a viewing contact
Deirdre at Bradley Homes on 086 171 3417 or sales@bradleyhomes.ie www.bradleyhomes.ie 44 Glenview, Galway Road, Roscommon town
Sale closed this week at RE/MAX Team Earley RE/MAX Team Earley are pleased to advise that they have closed the sale of a one-bedroomed, second floor apartment, located at Apt. 17 Stonecourt Centre, The Square, Roscommon. The apartment was presented in excellent condition. Living accommodation is comprised of an entrance hall, kitchen, dining/living room, bedroom, and bathroom. The property is heated via storage heaters, with double-glazed windows fitted throughout. The apartment is situated in a prime location within the centre of Roscommon town. There is access from both the front and rear and ample free parking available. All the amenities one would require are available in the vicinity, including schools, pre-schools, hospital, various retail shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, hotel, Loughnaneane Park, playgrounds, church, hospital, medical centre, Roscommon Castle, various sporting facilities and public transport links. We are currently looking for similar properties in all areas for cash buyers. For further details or to arrange a free consultation, please contact RE/MAX Team Earley, Stonecourt, Roscommon, on 090-6626579, email teamearley@remax.ie or log onto teamearley.ie. Contact auctioneer Cormac directly on 086-3519492.
086-1713417 or email sales@ bradleyhomes.ie.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
PropertyPeople
PSRA Licence No. 004420
NEW TO THE MARKET
NO 8 STONECOURT, THE SQUARE, ROSCOMMON TOWN CENTRE F42 KV80 (TENANT NOT AFFECTED)
A primely located retail unit of approx. 700 sq ft. Located in the busy Stone Court development on the Town Square and benefiting from ample free car parking facilities at the rear. • Extensive glass/display frontage into the Stonecourt mall. • Kitchenette and toilet facility. • Fully Let • Management Fees for Stone Court: approx. €4,750 per annum. • County Council Rates: approx. €1,671 per annum. The auctioneer now invites immediate viewings and all offers to sell.
Cathal 086 1409158
Cormac 086 3519492
FINAL OFFERS INVITED 12.5 ACRES (APPROX) OF PRIME LANDS LOCATED AT
CARNS, TULSK, CO. ROSCOMMON AMV: €120,000 o.n.o. The sale of these said lands must offer all farmers a great opportunity to acquire lands in this regarded farming area between Roscommon and Tulsk Services: Mains water, Cattle Crush and Pen Folio No. RN22427 Quality land with cattle crush and holding pen Legals: Terry O’Keefe Roscommon 0906626239 The Auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and offers to sell.
NEW TO THE MARKET
NEW TO THE MARKET 3 B/R BUNGALOW RESIDENCE
BUNNEGEDDY EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
CORSKEAGH, STROKESTOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON F42WR04
KILMACANENNENY, STROKETOWN F42 YE93
AMV: PRICE ON APPLICATION A most impressive and substantial equestrian facility of approx. 32,000 sq.ft under one roof and standing on a site area of approx. 9.02 acres. The said property offers a vast array of facilities such as: • A substantial sand arena. • c.30 horse boxes. • Offices. • Stores. • Sales ring etc...
A primely located 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, bungalow Residence located just outside Strokestown. Situated on approx. 0.4 of an acre and with significant outbuildings this property is sure to impress first time buyers and downsizers alike. Accommodation briefly comprises of open plan living room/kitchen with adjoining utility room with 3 large bedrooms one of which is en suite. The site benefits with unobstructed views of the rolling green countryside to the rear The Auctioneer now invites all offers to sell.
The auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and all offers to sell for this fine property.
Stone Court Centre, The Square, Roscommon. Tel: (090) 6626579 / 6626796. Mobile: Cormac 086 3519492 or Cathal 086 1409158 Email: teamearley@remax.ie • Web: www.teamearley.ie
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
Classifieds
Everyone wants it Everyone reads it 80,000 PEOPLE READ OUR NEWSPAPER EVERY WEEK!
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
CHIMNEY CLEANING
Complete Chimney Services
Chimney Cleaning
• Power brush and vacuum technology for cleaning chimneys, stoves, ranges and open fires
• Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods CCTV CAMERA INSPECTIONS • Firebacks replaced and flues repaired • Can be cleaned from the bottom up • Chimney cowls and crow guards fitted Power washing and gutter cleaning services. Telephone:
087 2798704
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
CHIROPRACTOR
ROSCOMMON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC Specialising in:
• BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • NECK PAIN • LIMB PAIN
Telephone: 086 8433433
Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon. David Connor
BSC (Hon.) Chiro. MSc. Chiropractic Association of Ireland
VHI and Laya Covered
COMPUTERS
DC Computer Services Providing IT services for Homes, Businesses & Schools. Home Callouts.
NO FIX NO FEE
PC Maintenance – Upgrades, Repairs, Virus & Spyware removal. Network Solutions – Cabling, Hardware & Software Installation & Maintenance. Contact David Conboy Tel: 087 7496459 Email: info@dccomputerservices.ie Web: www.dccomputerservices.ie
FARMING
COUNSELLING & HYPNOTHERAPY
BOOM SPRAYER TESTING SERVICE
Are you affected by Anger Issues, Bullying, Bereavement, Confidence/self-esteem issues, OCD, Stress, Depression, Eating disorders Panic/Anxiety, Relationships, Exam pressure, Sexual Abuse Contact: Billy 094 96 59966 Mobile: 086 0675433 or visit www.billybrogan.com
COUNSELLING Are you experiencing difficulties in your life? Such as depression, anxiety, life or spiritural crisis. Are you having difficulties in relationships at work? Have you experienced sexual abuse or abuse and need counselling to help you?
Stephen Casey
Construction l
l General Building Extensions & Roofing l Groundworks l Renovations l Chimney CCTV Inspections l Chimney Repair - Insurance Claims
Strokestown, Co. Roscommon
087 9268424 stephenrockcasey@ gmail.com
MIAM ROSPA Approved Driving Instructor Former BSM Driving Instructor and UK advanced Met. Police Driver. GIFT VOUCHER CARDS AVAILABLE Castlerea & Roscommon
EDT Lessons Available Telephone:
094 96 20099
advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie
086 8936012
Mobile:
NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation
Tree Services
• Hedge Cutting • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Fully Insured
All sprayers tested in 2016/2017 are now due re-test Contact: Thomas Neilan on 087 2395171 or 090 6663069 e-mail: thomasneilan4@ gmail.com D.A.F.M. Approved Reg No: EI000083
< FOR SALE: BB Hex LM AA SPX Bulls and Heifers. Orders now taken for calves. Call Mark: 086 1996367
GARDENING SERVICES Including: • Hedge Cutting • Hedge Planting • Grass Cutting • Spraying • Strimming • Weeding • Garden Tidy-ups • Planting • Gutter Cleaning, etc. Chainsaw work also available
Phone John on
087 2860428
FENCING/GATES
FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD l l
• Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped
For all your fencing needs. GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail l
Des Kelly Fencing
Paul McStay DSA/ADI (UK) RSA
JOE HEALY
087 2721193
email: downeyglynis@yahoo.co.uk
DRIVING LESSONS
GARDENING
Phone:
Tel: 087 2172281
085 2514394
Send your Classified advertisement to
or alternatively call 090 66 34633
• Sprayers tested on owners premises • Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided. • Small stock of parts available and can be fitted on sprayers
Please call Glynis on
web: www.psychotherapyglynisdowney.com
CONSTRUCTION
Submit your Classified online
COUNSELLING
Over 20 years in business All types of fencing supplied and erected Including: • Cresoted Posts • Agricultural Fencing • Site Fencing • Security Fencing • Post & Rail Fencing • Concrete Fencing • Grant Approved Fencing No job too big or too small Just give us a call on
087 2346364
FOR SALE < FOR SALE: All types of trees and hedgings, Laurel, Beech, Whitethorn, can be delivered. Tel: 087 4177148
< FOR SALE: Good quality reclining chair, 4ft transport box, door 30”x78” high nearly new with glass panels, door 34”x78” half glass and half panels, lawnmower - fully serviced, good condition 5.5hp. Tel: 083 8828882
Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member.
Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165 www.parklaw treeservices.com
CORBETT
TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING
General Maintenance Dangerous Tree Removal l Garden Hedges & Trees reduced and shaped l Wood Chipping l Fully Insured Contact Alan on l
l
087 6558597
www.corbetttreecareandlandscaping.com
GARDENING
PLANNINGS
GATELY GARDENING
Four Roads, Co. Roscommon • Landscaping • Timber Decking • Patios • General Maintenance Contact Liam on 086 8749550 or 090 66 27496
HOLISTIC COUNSELLING
Design Consultation Planning Applications New Build, Extend, Renovate Bespoke Design Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural
086 3482387 HolHolistic isic Counselling & Psychotherapy Counselling & Are any of the following issues Psychotherapy
AreImpacti any ng yourof daily lthe ife. following issues Stress, Panic, Anxiety, Depressi on, impacting your
daily OCD, Grief, life: Abuse? Stress, Panic, Anxiety, You Don’t have to deal wiOCD, th it Depression, Grief, Abuse? On your own. You don’t have to deal with Giitve yoursel onf a your gift of therapy. own Give yourself a gift of Contact: Nora therapy 0858007355Nora Contact: 085 800 7355 nj2tiernan@icloud.com nj2tiernan@icloud.com
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Roscommon Physical Therapy Clinic Movement Matters 20 years experience treating babies to adults. Everyday aches & pains to sports injuries. Physical Therapy CranioSacral Therapy Medical Dry Needling Prescription Orthotics Pilates – Small Classes
Can we help you? Call us today to enquire 090 663 0009 Like us on Facebook www.rosptc.com 1 Castleview, Roscommon F42 C902
info@moleskinarchitecture.com
facebook.com/moleskinarch ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, the Board of Management of Tulsk National School, intend to apply for permission for the construction of an all-weather Astro-turf playing pitch (20m x 32m) along with sport fence enclosure and all other associated site works at Tulsk National School, Carrownageelaun Td., Tulsk, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. F45 VE84 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Collins Boyd Engineering Ltd. Engineers & Architects Galway Road, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon. Ph (090) 6634421 Fax: (090) 6634423 Email: info@collinsboydeng.com
Businesses: Reach your target market! 18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
Classifieds PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Deeney Engineering and Planning Services are applying to Roscommon County Council on behalf of Johnny Loftus for Planning Permission to construct 2 No houses with all ancillary site works and connection to public utilities at Lisacul Park, Creevy TD, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. This 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 a prescribed fee within a period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Signed: Deeney Engineering and Planning Services Tel.: 086 2503109 ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Enda Garvey intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct single storey dwelling domestic garage, effluent waste water treatment system and percolation area, associated site development works and services at Cloontogher, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon. Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue, Roscommon. Phone: 090 6626974 Mobile: 086 8115449 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.
PROPERTIES TO LET/RENT/WANTED CHAZEY PROPERTIES: We require properties for waiting tenants, we advertise, conduct viewings, arrange references, read meters, set up tenancy agreements and arrange direct debit payments straight into your bank. We charge a one off fee only if we are successful in renting your property. If not no fees are payable. Tel: 086 8212732
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
PODIATRIST Podiatrist/Chiropodist
Sarah Fleming
CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI at
Tullys
HSE Trained and Approved l Home visits available l
For any of your foot issues call:
094 9620009
PODIATRIST
For all foot ailments
Corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, verruca, orthotics, diabetic assessments and treatment.
REFLEXOLOGY
REFLEXOLOGY
SIOBHAN ALSO RUNS A CLINIC FROM KNOCK
• 20 years experience
PODIATRIST/ CHIROPODIST Mark Kilgallon B.Sc Podiatry (Hons) M.Ch.S.I.
USEFUL SERVICES
MARINA FUREY (MNRRI)
Reflexology may bring relief from conditions such as: • Allergies • Colic • Eczema • Constipation • Migraine • Back Problems • Stress • Infertility • Insomnia • Respiratory Disorders • Blood Pressure • Pain • Bowel Disorders • Joint/Muscle Problems • Thyroid Imbalance • Emotional Disorders - Fertility Reflexology - Ante Natal Reflexology - Baby Reflexology - Cancer Care Reflexology - Special Needs Reflexology Mobile Service Available Marina Furey B. Sc. (Hons)
Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon
Tel: 087 2264951 Find us on facebook
ROOFING
Siobhan Murray BSc (Hons) Podiatry M.Ch.S.I.
Department of Health Approved Kearney’s Chemist Main Street, Castlerea For appointment: (094) 96 21647 / (089) 4142233 • Home visits
TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD
Phone: 091 416029 Liam or Mick 085 7619827
Affordable Roofing and Gutter Repairs, we replace and install in Roscommon area. Our Services: • Roof Repairs • Gutter Repairs • New Roofs • Flat Roofs • Gutter Exchange • Lead Valley Roof • Cleaning Gutter • Cleaning
email: roofingcontractors27@gmail.com
Phone: 091 416029
TARMACADAM
Department of Health Approved
EVERY FRIDAY St. Joseph’s Resource Centre, Boyle For appointment
085 1503353 086 8538404
Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business
TOP QUALITY TURF
For a cleaner, healthier home.
083 0684011
We professionally clean; l Carpet l Upholstery l Area rugs l Leather l Tile & Grout
WANTED:
Contact Desi:
10x6 Loads of Turf, saved in good weather and stored in dry shed, will deliver. Phone:
Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn. We are safety certified and insured. Phone:
086 2437376 < THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS: • Net bags of seasoned firewood only €3 per bag, buy 20 bags get 1 free • Tonne bags firewood/turf only €35 per bag. Half tonne bags of Ash/Beech only €35 per bag. All includes free delivery. Contact Tom: 086 2628439 or Tony 087 7055800
085 8082707 HOME MAINTENANCE < PAINTER & DECORATOR AVAILABLE: For all your painting needs, keen and competive prices. Tel: Tom on 086 0815802
USEFUL SERVICES Carpenter Available Doors l Floors l Stairs l Wall Panelling l
TURF AVAILABLE
Over 30 years experience
Bulk bags of Turf available
086 8934576
Tel: Donal
Electrician Available
086 2721812 (All areas)
Also loads of Peat bedding for livestock (delivered)
TUITION
Phone Tommy
Safe Electric Registered. Domestic and Industrial, All work considered. No Job too small.
Phone Paul 086 2553153 or email: p086255315@gmail. com
Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com
• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services
Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar
FOOT CLINIC ROSCOMMON – MOLLOYS PHARMACY (Monday to Saturday) Also available in Boyle & Athlone -------Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain. Orthotics prescribed
By Appointment Only – Tel:
087 2982214
USEFUL SERVICES
LOFT LADDERS Aluminium
Supplied & Fitted From
The company that can do all them small jobs
FROM
To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us!
Day 1: Financial Maths Day 2: The Line & The Circle Tuesday 19th April & Wednesday 20th April Jacksons, The Square, Roscommon
Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call
- Booking Deposit Required -
090 66 34633
FOR ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PAINTING
Tried & Trusted Since 1993
094 9373445 087 9100477
083 8838022
www.oddjobsolutions.ie Established since 2005
Plumbing & Maintenance • Bathroom planning and design to suit you • All aspects of plumbing and maintenance • Boiler Servicing • Heating Installation • Call for FREE QUOTATION
Contact Luke on
085 7359120 Working throughout current restrictions with full PPE equipment.
Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed? If so ring:
087 9657933 or 090 66 33084
Phone JOHN
PAINTER & DECORATOR Private & Commercial Power washing 25 years experience Free Estimates Given
Phone Alan on:
090 6661635 or Mobile:
087 2683079
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & DECORATING CONTRACTOR For all your decorating needs CONTACT JOHN
086 4679798
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED PERMIT NO: WCP - MO - 09 - 0267 - 01
Submit your Classified online
PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN CABINET PAINTER AVAILABLE
€190
DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED Harpur Bros, Castlecole, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
USEFUL SERVICES
COVERING ROSCOMMON AREA TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815 < LADIES OF CULTURE: Treat your lawn/flower garden/vegetable plot to a complete organic fertilizer. Excellent results also lawns cut etc. Contact Joe 089 4357158
Alan O’Toole
WINDOW CLEANING
Window Protection Ireland Commercial/Domestic Registered and Insured All areas covered Also protecting windows during construction see windowprotection.ie GUTTER CLEANING ALSO AVAILABLE Telephone
087 9795226
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
Classifieds
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
Appointments SITUATIONS VACANT < LADY WANTED: To help look after elderly lady in ladies own home. Flexible hours. Please send your CV and cover letter to: PO Box No 3017 c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon < SUB CONTRACT JOINERS: Required to fit windows and doors for a window company based in the West of Ireland and operating throughout the country. Attractive rates of pay negotiable. Tel. 086 3889712
Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633
ATHLEAGUE
ARE NOW RECRUITING A MAINTENANCE ADMINISTRATOR
Requires:
Maintenance Fitter and
Apprentice Fitter Please apply in writing to Site Manager, Murray Timber Group Hermitage, Ballygar, Co. Galway or Email: info@mtg.ie
Duties to include:
• Operating a computerised maintenance system (CMMS) • Planning and scheduling works for Maintenance staff • Purchasing engineering spares and services • Controlling invoices
SHANNON LODGE NURSING HOME
The ideal candidate must have:
Good computer skills Excellent English Communicating skills Roscommon Volunteer Centre Teamprovides player county-wide services Experienced negotiator to people who wish to volunteer withprice non-profit organisations, and to nonExperience inin managing budgets profit organisations sourcing volunteers
Rooskey, Co. Roscommon
EXPERIENCED STAFF NURSE
them pursue their aims. Co. Roscommon Send your CV to:to HRhelp Department, Kepak Athleague, Our purpose is to support people of Roscommon to have a flourishing, or email the CV to: claire.finneran@kepak.com vibrant community, with volunteering at its heart.
&
HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT
We invite applications for the position of
Volunteer Engagement Officer
FETAC Level 5 - Care of the Elderly. Full-time
Applications, including CVs can be emailed to:
LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB?
shannonlodgenh@gmail.com Garda vetting and references will be required.
with us! THE MOST READ NEWSPAPER IN COUNTY ROSCOMMON!
The local paper! TELEPHONE: 090 66 34633 EMAIL: advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie OUR DEADLINE IS STRICTLY 2PM ON TUESDAY We cannot guarantee publication after this time
The role will involveVolunteer working to recruit for a wide range of voluntary Roscommon Centre providesvolunteers county-wide services to people who wish to volunteer with non-profit and to non-profit organisations sourcing organisations and groups in organisations, County Roscommon, ensuring that in volunteers are Volunteer Centre provides county-wide services and volunteers to help them pursue their aims. matchedRoscommon to a volunteering opportunity suitable to their skills/interests to people who wish to volunteer with non-profit organisations, and to nonOur purpose support thegroups people ofto Roscommon have avolunteer flourishing, vibrant providing support tois to voluntary developtotheir programmes community, with volunteering at its heart. profit organisations and volunteer management practices. in sourcing volunteers We invite applications for the position of
to help them pursue their aims. purpose is to will support people of Roscommon to have flourishing, Engagement InOur addition, theVolunteer role entailthe working to support the rollOfficer out of theaCommunity vibrantFullcommunity, with volunteering at heart.recruitment, Volunteers Programme in Roscommon. This- subject involves theitsdirect Time, Permanent Contract to funding
To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise
Full Time, Permanent Contract - subject to funding
training, andwillmanagement ofrecruit volunteers response situations and at The role involve working to volunteersin forurgent a wide range of voluntary organisations and groups in County Roscommon, ensuring that volunteers are matched to a volunteering planned festivals and community events. for the position of We invite applications
Hanly Quarries, part of the Hanly Group of companies, is currently recruiting at our headquarters in Laragan, Elphin, Co. Roscommon.
opportunity suitable to their skills/interests and providing support to voluntary groups to develop their volunteer programmes and volunteer management practices.
Plant Fitter
Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to volunteering, excellent communication
Volunteer Engagement Officer
Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to volunteering, excellent In addition, the role will entail working to support the roll out of the Community Volunteers communication and IT skills, a thorough approach to administrative tasks, a HGV Mechanic ProgrammeFull in Roscommon. This involves the direct recruitment, training and management of Time, Permanent Contract tomanner. funding and adaptable attitude, enthusiasm and-festivals asubject friendly Onsite Quarry Electrician flexible volunteers in urgent response situations and at planned and community events. Experience ideally in an industrial setting. Positions are full time permanent.
Please send your CV to: ehanly@hbl.ie or contact (087) 2936086 Hanly Quarries is an equal opportunities employer
The roleemail will involve working to recruit volunteers for a wide range of voluntary IT skills,manager@volunteerroscommon.ie a thorough approach to administrative tasks, a for flexible attitude, Pleaseand a and full adaptable job description. To organisations and groups in County Roscommon, ensuring that volunteers enthusiasm and a friendly manner. apply for this post, send a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability to are matched toBudhai, a volunteering their skills/interests Please email manager@volunteerroscommon.ie for a full jobto description. To for this Shannette Manager ofopportunity Roscommonsuitable Volunteer Centre byapply 5 p.m. on 15and post, send a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability to Shannette Budhai, Manager of providing support to voluntary develop their volunteer programmes April 2022. Applications, by emailgroups only, totomanager@volunteerroscommon.ie. Roscommon Volunteer Centre by 5 p.m. on 15 April 2022. and volunteer management practices. Applications, by email only, to manager@volunteerroscommon.ie
Supporting, celebrating and promoting volunteering. Supporting, celebrating and promoting volunteering.
In addition, the role will entail working to support the roll out of the Community Volunteers Programme in Roscommon. This involves the direct recruitment, training, and management of volunteers in urgent response situations and at planned festivals and community events.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
AtYourService BLINDS
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
CARS
FARMING
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED
Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE
BRENDAN DOOLIN
TEL: (090) 96 88606
Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.
(090) 96 88830 or (090) 96 87651
Tel: 090 66 30521 Mobile: 086 8115928
CHIMNEY REPAIRS
- Chimney Repairs - Soot & Smoke Problems - Demolish, Re Build & Re Flue Line - Chimney Fires - Flexible Stainless Steel Liner - Insurance Claims processed
- CCTV Camera Inspection For Professional For Professional Advice Contact Advice Contact: John Hibbitt: Tel: 090
9673336 Mob: 086 2678350
Lowest price guaranteed
We buy any CARS, VANS, TRUCKS, JEEPS all types wanted. End of life certs can be provided. Also scrap metal
Daily collection
Tel: 090
INSURANCE CLAIMS
CLEANING
S tephen H oare
Martin Hibbitt CIP, CDIP Martin HibbittAPA-PL, APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA LA Martin Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA
Martin Hibbitt APA-PL, CIP, CDIP LA Mountbellew, Co. Mountbellew, Co.Galway Galway Mountbellew, Co. Galway
info@mhla.ie 091 380900 | 0879818153 9818153Co. Galway info@mhla.ie Mountbellew, 091 || 087 info@mhla.ie 091 380900 380900 087 9818153
Cleaning Services • Roscommon
www.mhla.ie www.mhla.ie www.mhla.ie 091 380900 | 087 9818153 Dip in Loss Certified Dip DipCertified in Loss Loss Certified in Adjusting Adjusting Adjusting Loss Assessor Services Loss Assessor Assessor Services Loss Services
KEEN and COMPETITIVE PRICES
Certified Dip in Loss Adjusting
Kieran Kelly Dance Email: KieranKellyDance@gmail.com Phone: 087 7414968 Adults Beginner Social Dance Classes in Castlerea, Carrick-On-Shannon and Loughglynn. NEW CLASSES COMMENCING 25TH APRIL
info@mhla.ie
Monday: 7.30pm €12.50 Scoil Liatrioma, Castlecara Road, Aghameeny, Carrick-OnShannon Tuesday: The Hub Castlerea 7pm Dance-Fitness Member of the PSAB-GI 8pm Beginners Social Dancing Waltz and Jive €10pp Regulated by the Central Thursday: Loughglynn Community Centre Bank of Ireland 7pm Dance-Fitness 8pm Beginners Social Dancing Waltz and Jive €10pp Call Kieran Kelly for more details
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES PENNEY Frances 39 Celtic Ave, Roscommon. In loving memory of our dear mother.
SHANNON Philomena 10 The Spinney, Abbeytown (7th Anniversary)
R.I.P.
BRIAN MURRAY MEMORIALS
MONTH’S MIND MASS KELLY Matt
• Superior Quality Headstones • Restoration work carried out • New Inscriptions added
Fortfield, Four-Mile-House, Roscommmon Who passed away on the 7th March 2022
CONTACT HAZEL
087 6758874
Our lives go on without you, but nothing is the same, we have to hide the heartache, when someone speaks your name. Sad are the hearts that love you, silent the tears that fall, living our lives without you, is the hardest thing of all. You did so many things for us, your heart was kind and true, and then when we needed someone to talk to, we could always count on you. The special years will not return, when we are all together, but with your love within our hearts, you will walk with us forever.
Greatly missed by her sons Noel, Padraig and Brendan, daughters-in-law Allison and Rosemarie, grandsons Cathal and Conor. Anniversary Mass will be held in the Sacred Heart Church Roscommon on Saturday, April 9th at 7pm.
Nana No matter how life changes, no matter what we do, a special place within our hearts is always kept for you.
Lovingly remembered by your grandchildren Cathal and Conor. Thanks to all our neighbours for their prayers and kindness shown and those who lined Celtic Ave on Mam’s final Journey. Thanks to the Ambulance staff for all they did when called to the house and lastly to all management and staff of Portiuncla Hospital especially those in St. Brigid’s Ward who made mam’s final few hours so peaceful.
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.
Always loved and remembered by your husband Tony, sons Anthony and Paul and extended family.
Will those who think of her today, a little prayer to Jesus say.
Sadly missed by your sister Marie Healy, nieces and nephews. Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 9th April in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon at 11am.
GACQUIN John William Kilderney, Curraghboy, Co. Roscommon (5th Anniversary)
In loving memory of John William Gacquin, whose anniversary occurs on 10 April 2022.
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We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain. To walk with us throughout our lives until we meet again. So Rest In Peace dear loved one. And thanks for all you’ve done. We pray that God has given you The crown you’ve truly won.
Deeply loved, sadly missed and always remembered by his son William, daughter Maureen, daughters-inlaw Rosaleen and Carmel, grandchildren Colm, Suzanna and Raymond. Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Bridget’s Church, Curraghboy on Sunday, 10th April at 10.30am.
Scrine, Athleague, www.brianmuraystone.com Co. Roscommon E: brianmurraystone@gmail.com
The family of Matt wish to express their deepest gratitude to our relatives, neighbours, friends and all who sympathised with us on our recent sad bereavement. Our heartfelt thanks to all those who called to the house, brought food and refreshments, telephoned, sent Mass cards, sympathy cards, perpetual enrolments, floral tributes, attended the removal, Funeral Mass and Burial and particularly all those who travelled long distances to be with us. A special thanks to Fr. Eamon Conaty and Deacon Seamus Talbot who celebrated the Mass. Brenda Grealis thank you for the beautiful singing and John for the music in the church. To Dr. Gerry O’Mara we wish to sincerely thank you for the fantastic care you provided to Mattie during his illness. We are forever indebted to you for the kindness, patience and respect you afforded Mattie. Our thanks also to the amazing Super Heros of St. Teresa’s Ward, Room 8 in Roscommon University Hospital. We will never forget the outstanding care each and every one of you gave to Mattie during his time with you, going above and beyond the call of duty on so many occasions. Thank you also for the fantastic support and advice you gave to us during Mattie’s time with you. We would also like to thank the staff of Drumderrig Nursing Home for their care of Mattie during the past few months. A special thanks also to the wonderful staff of Sligo General Hospital, although Mattie spent a short time with you in the Stroke Unit, Medical 7, you were fantastic in your care to Mattie and so wonderfully supportive and accommodating to us during those difficult days. We can never relay in words how truly thankful we are all to the fantastic staff in the North West Hospice in Sligo. The dedication, respect and kindness you gave Mattie, was a gift to both Mattie and us. It is impossible to convey in words how special and peaceful you made our time with Mattie during his time with you. A sincere thank you to Pat Smyth, Funeral Director, for the professional and dignified manner in which he carried out his duties. Thank you to the gravediggers who prepared Mattie’s final resting place. Thank you to Gleesons Restaurant for providing a beautiful meal after the funeral. Again we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mattie’s neighbours and friends who have supported us in so many ways since Mattie’s passing and helped us through this sad time. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgment as a token of our deep appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions. Matt’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 10th April at 11am in Four-Mile-House Church.
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KENNY Henry Cloontuskert, Roscommon / Newtowncashel, Longford (2nd Anniversary)
In loving memory of Henry Kenny whose second anniversary occurs on 6th April 2022. Deep in our hearts your memory is kept to love and cherish and never forget. You left us beautiful memories Henry, that often make us cry, but the love that’s locked within our hearts, no millionaires can buy. Many a lonely moment, many a silent tear but always a beautiful memory of the one we loved so dear.
Deeply cherished, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Mary, sons and daughters, grandchildren and extended family. ‘Grandad’ In our hearts lies a picture more precious than silver or gold It’s a picture of our Grandad who’s memory will never grow old.
Treasured memories of a loving husband, father and grandfather. Forever in our hearts. Henry’s Memorial and Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 8th April 2022 at 6 o’clock in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague.
THANKSGIVINGS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days. B.+W. THE MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. B.+W.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES MANNION Pat Joe Cloonara, Derrane, Roscommon Who passed away on 9th April 2015 (7th Anniversary)
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE WARD Teresa (Tess) Keelogues, Williamstown In loving memory of our dear mother Teresa (Tess) who 100th birthday occurs on 13th April 2022
KELLY Thomas Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon (5th Anniversary)
Will those who think of Thomas today, a little prayer to Jesus say.
Loved and missed by his wife Kitty and family.
MUM ON YOUR BIRTHDAY So many happy memories, Mum, come flooding back today, of birthday celebrations before you went away. Those wonderful occasions never changed throughout the years, but now your smile is missing, replaced with birthday tears. You may not be here with us, but the day means just as much, and we can feel your presence and the comfort of your touch. We’ll celebrate your birthday, Mum, the way we always do, for the precious love between us and all we owe to you.
Loved and sadly missed by your loving family.
Phil, Donald and family.
MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed
Clare Connellan (organiser), Dermot Foley (winner of the men’s race), and Trevor Hunt (chairperson of Kilmore Ladies Club) pictured at the recent 8k race in Kilmore, held to raise funds for a community walkway and Kilmore Ladies Board.
Teresa Conlon, Brain Lavin and Ann McMahon pictured at the 8k race in Kilmore, held to raise funds for a community walkway and Kilmore Ladies Board.
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Josie Munnelly (ladies secretary), Denise Carroll (winner of the ladies race), and Trevor Hunt (chairperson of Kilmore Ladies Club) pictured at the 8k race in Kilmore, held to raise funds for a community walkway and Kilmore Ladies Board.
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Kilmore 8km Walk/Run
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Members of the 2022 Kilmore Ladies Football team pictured at the 8k race in Kilmore, held to raise funds for a community walkway and Kilmore Ladies Board.
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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. K.D. NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask for this special one (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within Your own broken heart where Your Father sees it. Then, in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. Never known to fail. Many thanks. Sincere thanksgiving to the Sacred heart of Jesus, Blessed Virgin Fr. Rookey, St. Peregrine Cancer St., St. Martin, St. Anthony, St. Padre Pio and all the Angels and Saints for wonderful favours received. K.D.
A smile for all a heart of gold the very best this world could hold. Never selfish, always kind those are the memories you left behind. Will those who think of Pat Joe today say a Rosary in his name.
Always remembered by his brothers, sisters, brotherin-law, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews.
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Emily Hunt, Lauren Connellan and Mia Connellan pictured at the 8k race in Kilmore, held to raise funds for a community walkway and Kilmore Ladies Board.
Cycle all the way! Leighton O’Flynn, John Hunt, Killian Fitzmaurice and Matthew and Ryan McElhone pictured at the recent 8k race in Kilmore, held to raise funds for a community walkway and Kilmore Ladies Board.
• Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Remembrance Phone: (090) 66 34633 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
Sean Boland, Dermot Foley, Brian Lavin, Gerry Fitzmaurice, Trevor Hunt, Darren Kerins, John Craughwell and Anthony Carroll pictured at the 8k race in Kilmore, held to raise funds for a community walkway and Kilmore Ladies Board.
Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
Sports PEOPLE Hurlers hoping for another Orchard raid Nicky Rackard Cup (First Round): Armagh v Roscommon at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh on Sunday at 2 pm < SEAMUS DUKE
These teams meet for the third time in just a couple of months on Sunday and with the
score at one win each, there are grounds for optimism for both sides as they go into this first round championship game. In Hyde Park two weeks ago, Roscommon were without Peter Kellehan and Cathal Dolan and it proved costly as Armagh pulled away in the final quarter to seal a place in the Division Three final of the National Hurling League. The word on the grapevine is that Kellehan will be back for this match but that
Dolan remains doubtful. Roscommon will need all their players on top form to get a result here. Roscommon’s failure to score a point from play in the second half of that recent meeting was a concern and they will be hoping the likes of Daniel Glynn, Brendan Mulry and Mickey Joe Egan can keep the scoreboard ticking over this Sunday. Armagh suffered a two-point defeat to Tyrone in the Division Three three final
last weekend so both sides will go into this game with something to prove. Travelling to play Armagh in their own back yard will provide a very tough test for Roscommon and it will take another very good performance if they want to get off to a winning start in the championship. Without Cathal Dolan it may prove a step too far for them. Prediction: Armagh
39
GAA Results GE Warehousing New York Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section A St. Brigid’s 3-12 St. Faithleach’s 0-8 Pádraig Pearses 3-11 St. Dominic’s 2-11 Western Gaels 1-19 Boyle 0-16 GE Warehousing New York Division One (O’Rourke Cup) Section B Roscommon Gaels 3-9 Michael Glavey’s 0-9 Elphin 1-8 Tulsk Lord Edwards 0-10 Leydon Bros London Division Two (O’Gara Cup ) Fuerty 3-12 Kilbride 3-7 Éire Óg 1-10 Castlerea St. Kevin’s 2-7 Kilmore 1-12 St. Brigid’s 0-12 Oran 1-12 Clann na nGael 0-8 Shannon Gaels 3-6 St. Croan’s 1-11 Atlantis IPS Division Three (Tansey Cup) Ballinameen 3-8 St. Dominics 2-11 St. Barry’s 2-19 Kilglass Gaels 1-11 St. Aidan’s 1-21 Castlerea St. Kevin’s 1-3 Strokestown 1-10 Creggs 1-10 Sidero AFL Division Four (Section A) Elphin 3-13 Fuerty 2-10
Fixtures Friday, April 8th AFL Division Five (Section C) At Kilbride: Kilbride v Roscommon Gaels. 8.15 pm
SILVERWARE: Roscommon’s Donie Smith pictured lifting the cup after the Allianz National Football League Division Two final between Roscommon and Galway at Croke Park. See match coverage on pages 46 and 47. Pic: Eóin Noonan (Sportsfile)
Youngsters face tough Sligo test Eirgrid Connacht U-20 FC semi-final: Roscommon v Sligo at Markievicz Park on Wednesday, April 13th at 7.30 pm < SEAMUS DUKE
Roscommon’s U-20 footballers provided GAA followers in the county with their highlight in 2021, reaching the All-Ireland final and losing out narrowly to Offaly in a memorable decider in Croke Park. The journey back to Croke Park begins in Sligo next Wednesday evening and the home side will fancy their chances of causing an upset following two very good
years at underage level. In the delayed minor championship final in 2020, Roscommon were the outsiders against a strongly fancied Sligo team but Emmett Durney’s men prevailed on a really foul day of weather on St. Stephen’s Day in Bekan. Roscommon followers will also remember Sligo beating Roscommon in the Connacht minor final at Dr. Hyde Park in the summer of 2021. Roscommon manager Liam Tully is well aware that his team face a tough test next Wednesday. “We know the quality that Sligo have. They were probably unlucky against Roscommon two years ago and last year they won in The Hyde at underage level. They have plenty of good young players and at home they will be confident that they can
beat Roscommon so we will have to play well”. Liam says that there are a number of Roscommon players carrying knocks at the moment: “Paddy Gavin, Cian Glennon and Cormac Regan are all doubtful and we have a couple more lads who are not 100 per cent but hopefully they will come right over the next week or so,” he said. “We were happy enough with how we have prepared. We played in the pre-season league competition and we looked at a lot of players and we played Dublin in a challenge last week as well so we are happy enough with that”. The Kilbride man says that Roscommon will have to be ready for a major test and will need to perform if they want to win. “We have a number of lads who have
experience from last year and that’s good, but what we need from the team is a good performance. If we can get that then the scoreboard will look after itself and hopefully that will mean a Roscommon win,” he concluded. This is a dangerous game for Roscommon. If there is any complacency then Sligo will make them pay. Sligo GAA is in mourning for one of their greatest ever young players, Red Óg Murphy, and emotions will be raw and it could well be a motivating factor for the Sligo players on Wednesday. In what will be a tight game, Roscommon should - with the likes of Daire Cregg and Adam McDermott up front - have enough to advance to the provincial decider. Prediction: Roscommon.
Saturday, April 9th AFL Division Four (Section A) At Tulsk: Tulsk Lord Edwards v Western Gaels. 5.30 pm At Orchard Park: Elphin v Boyle. 6 pm AFL Division Four (Section B) (6 pm) At Enfield: St. Croan’s v Roscommon Gaels St. Joseph’s v St. Ronan’s AFL Division Five (Section A) (6 pm unless stated) At Croghan: Shannon Gaels v Pádraig Pearses At Rockfield: Oran v St. Aidan’s At Davonna Park: Ballinameen v St. Dominic’s. 6.45 pm AFL Division Five (Section B) (6 pm) At Johnstown: Clann na nGael v Kilglass Gaels At Ardcarne Park: St. Michael’s v Strokestown At Peadar Earley Memorial Park: Michael Glavey’s v Fuerty AFL Division Five (Section C) (6 pm) At Mulhern Park: Creggs v St. Barry’s At James Timothy Park: Éire Óg v St. Brigid’s Sunday, April 10th AFL Division Four (Section A) At Ballyleague: St. Faithleach’s v Fuerty. 12 pm AFL Division Four (Section B) At Kilmore: Kilmore v Oran. 12 pm
ggs
ort
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
SportsPeople
Athletics
Silver for Coyle and Team Ireland in Wales
Horses for Courses
by Tom Red
Reeside AC athlete and CBS Roscommon student, Eamonn Coyle, was part of a 40-strong Irish contingent which clinched a silver medal at the recent SIAB International Cross Country Competition in Wales. Team Ireland took on top cross country runners from English, Welsh and Scottish schools at the competition in Pembry. The best-placed Irish athletes finished 6th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 20th and 24th with the top six scoring to seal silver. Eamonn, who finished 11th in 14:58 on a very tough course, said: “It was an amazing experience to run for my country at such a big event”.
Cycling
Feeley’s Kingdom success
Roscommon cyclist Daire Feeley was victorious in the John Drumm Memorial in Kerry last weekend. Representing the EvoPro Racing team, Feeley held off challenges from Paul Kennedy (Burren CC) and Conor Hennebry (Dan Morrisey Pactimo) to cross the line in first place. Feeley is in good form ahead of Rás Tailteann in June, having taken second place at the Tour of Ards on Saturday and claiming the final stage of Rás Mhaigh Eo the week previous.
Roscommon cyclist Daire Feeley was victorious in the John Drumm Memorial in Kerry last weekend
Snow Leopardess won the Becher Chase in December.
This weekend’s racing begins today with two meetings down for decision, on the flat at Gowran Park, first race at 3.55 pm and over the sticks in the afternoon at Greenmount Park in Limerick at 1.20 pm. Tomorrow (Thursday) sees another double card with national hunt racing at Ballinrobe away at 4.30 pm and flat on the all-weather in Dundalk off 5.20 pm. No racing on Saturday, due to the Grand National, and another double fixture on Sunday, on the level at headquarters in the Curragh featuring two Group 3 races, the Alleged Stakes and Gladness Stakes at 1.20 pm and over the jumps in the sunny southeast at Tramore at 2.47 pm. Tramore race again on Monday with another NH card. Cross-channel, the big Aintree Grand National meeting takes place over three days starting on Thursday. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday ITV racing features five races from Aintree each day. There is one Grade 1 on Thursday, the Jewson Novice Hurdle, four Grade 1 races on Friday and the three Grade 1 races, including the Grand National, on Saturday. The Christian Williams trained Win My Wings, ridden by Irish amateur jockey Rob James, won the Coral Scottish Grand National from stablemate Kitty’s Light. It was James’s second win in the UK having won the Kim Muir at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival on Milan Native.
Aintree Preview
The South Roscommon and Galway owned dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter is in the JRL
Group Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday. Henry de Bromhead has confirmed last year’s dream team will be reunited in the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday with Rachael Blackmore set to ride Minella Times. Blackmore made history on the JP McManus-owned gelding in the race last year when she became the first female rider to win the world’s most famous jumps race. Gordon Elliott will be responsible for eight of the 40 runners in the Randox Grand National with a late substitution on the team seeing Death Duty, who was first reserve, replace Battleoverdo yen, who is set to tackle the Topham on Friday instead. Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Jordan Gainford will take the ride on Death Duty and the only decision left to be made is whether Davy Russell will ride Run Wild Fred or last year’s fifth Farclas, both of whom are 25-1 with Paddy Power. My own fancy is a horse trained outside Mullingar who rarely runs a bad race, Envoy D’Allen trained by Ciaran Murphy and recently acquired by J McManus. Now a 12/1 shot, I have backed him at much greater odds, hard to know if 12/1 is a bad price, a reflection of JP’s purchase, not the horse’s ability. Snow Leopardess, who had a foal before returning to race, is contesting favouritism for Saturday’s race after a gamble on the grey mare intensified on Monday. She won the Becher Chase over the National course in December and leads the market with Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now and Elliott’s Delta Work.
Racing News
BoyleSports, sponsors of Easter Monday’s Irish
Grand National, will also sponsor the Gold Cup on Easter Sunday, one of two Grade 1 races on Sunday. They will also continue their sponsorship on the Grand National for another four years. Shishkin is suffering from a rare bone disease that is affecting four of his joints and will not run again this season according to trainer Nicky Henderson. It is this, not the going, that resulted in the poor run at Cheltenham. He is expected to make a full recovery and will race again next season. Roscommon’s racing season begins on May 8th and the July meeting has already been moved from the Tuesday to the Monday. A major development will take place at the venue when the season ends.
Point-to-Point Corner
The meeting down for decision on Saturday is at Taylorstown outside Newry in Co. Down with an entry of 94 off at 2 pm. On Sunday, there are three meetings down for decision at Stradbally in Co. Laois with 94 entries, the Louths race at Fairyhouse inside the track having 139 entries, and at Dromahane in Co. Cork with 148 entries. Stradbally and Fairyhouse race at 2.30 pm and Dromahane an hour earlier at 1.3 0pm. There is a midweek meeting on Wednesday when the Ballyknocks race at Killeagh in Co. Cork at 1.30 pm with 176 entered. The start time has been brought forward to pm. The IHRB have announced that the Fermanagh (H) point-to-point scheduled for 13th and 14th of May at Necarne have been cancelled due to operational reasons.
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
SportsPeople
THE GAIN LINE
Creggs RFC Report
Handball
U-18.5s qualify for Connacht Plate decider Creggs RFC 30 Corrib RFC 21 (Connacht Plate Semi-Final): Creggs U-18.5s have qualified for the Connacht Plate Final following a thrilling 30-21 win over Corrib RFC at Creggs on Sunday last. Creggs led 19-14 at half-time thanks to tries from Ciaran Purcell, Mark Kilcommons and Jack Fleming. DJ Hession extended Creggs’ lead in the second half with a 55th minute penalty before Purcell crossed over once more to make it 27-14. Corrib didn’t go down without a fight, however, and breached the Creggs line to reduce the deficit to 2721 before a Hession penalty sealed the win for Creggs and secured their place in the Connacht final on April 24th. Creggs RFC 55 Westport RFC 10 (Connacht U-14 Plate Semi-Final): Creggs U-14s secured their place in the Connacht Plate Final with an emphatic 45-point home win over Westport on Sunday. This game was as good as over by half-time with Creggs cruising to a 26-0 lead by the interval with tries from Dan Kelly, Pierce Fannon, Cian Kieran, and Cian Trimble, three of which were converted by Kaylum Curran. There was no let up in the second half and further tries from Trimble, Conor Diffley, Jack Dolan and Kelly and a penalty from Curran ensured the hosts’ place in the Connacht final on April 24th.
Connacht champions! Michael Green and John Reilly from Lisacul, who won the U-13 Connacht Doubles Final in Salthill recently. Pic: Mick McCormack
Soccer results
Creggs U-14s enjoyed an impressive win over Westport in the Plate semi-final last Sunday.
Fixtures
Friday, April 8th
Norio’s Premier Division (8 pm) Ballymoe FC v Moylough ‘79 Castlerea Celtic v Kilkerrin United RDFL Division One Shiven Rovers v Dysart FC. 8 pm
Youth Rugby The U-15s take on Galway Bay in a friendly match at 2.30 pm this Saturday in Creggs. Creggs U-13s, meanwhile, travel to local rivals Buccaneers for their Connacht Cup Semi-Final at 11 am.
Mini Rugby Creggs U-7s and U-12s are in Connacht Blitz action next Saturday morning. The U-7s are in Claremorris while the U-12s are in Ballinasloe.
Creggs U-18.5s have qualified for the Connacht Plate Final following a thrilling 30-21 win over Corrib RFC at Creggs on Sunday last.
Countdown to Creggs Draw! The Creggs RFC €50,000 Draw takes place in just ten days’ time on Easter weekend. Tonight (Thursday, April 7th) sees the March Monthly Draw with an excellent €1,000 K Club
Prize up for grabs. The voucher for the County Kildare resort can be used for luxury accommodation, fine dining, or playing one of two world-renowned golf courses. Buy your ticket today from
C’mon The Town
(Roscommon Town Youth Soccer) In association with the AGM...
The 2022 AGM will take place on Tuesday, April 12th next at 9 pm. Parents, volunteers and all with an interest in soccer in the town and surrounding areas are welcome to attend. The presence of many new faces at recent planning meetings and at registration nights reflects the energy that is in the club.
Norio’s Premier Division Boyle Celtic v Ballymoe FC, postponed. Ballinasloe Town 2 Moore United 0 St. John’s Athletic 2 Cloonfad United 1 RDFL Division One Glen Celtic 1 CP Ajax 0 Skyvalley Rovers 5 Roscommon United 2 Dysart FC 3 Dunmore Town 1 RDFL Division Two Skyvalley Rovers B 2 Ballaghaderreen FC B 4 Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Third Round Castlerea Celtic 2 Shiven Rovers 4 St. John’s B v Kilkerrin United, postponed. Ballinasloe Town B 2 Ballaghaderreen FC 1 David Kelly Shield First Round Ballymoe FC B 2 Ballinagare Manor United 3 St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United 2 Dunmore Town B 2 AET (St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United won 4-2 on penalties)
Supportive Sidelines...
The codes of conduct have been revised for the new season. Communication, cooperation, continuity, consistency, and consideration are crucial elements in our club. The behaviour of all is rooted in respect for all. Our players are at the core of the circle, the top of
the pyramid. Our Community. Our Children. Our Club. Players - Listen, learn, laugh, have fun, try your best. Respect the referee. Parents - Support the team, avoid instructing the players. Trust the coach. Coaches - Guide your team and facilitate a creative, positive and safe environment for players under your care. Respect the referee.
any club member or online at www.Win50000euro. com. All proceeds go towards the development of new dressing rooms and a gym. Thank you for your continued support.
Saturday, April 9th
Norio’s Premier Division Boyle Celtic v Moore United. 7 pm RDFL Division Two Moore United B v Ballymoe FC B. 8 pm
Sunday, April 10th
Norio’s Premier Division (11 am) St. John’s Athletic v Cloonfad United Ballinasloe Town v Ballaghaderreen FC RDFL Division One Roscommon United v Dunmore Town. 11 am Ballinasloe Town B v Skyvalley Rovers. 2 pm RDFL Division Two (2 pm) St. John’s Athletic B v Ballaghaderreen FC B Dunmore Town B v Skyvalley Rovers B Rahara Rovers v Boyle Celtic B Roscommon United B v St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United
Player Profile...
Name: Maria Vieira Team: U-16s Position: Left wing Skill strength: Shooting Skill weakness: Heading tty. e me: Awesome, funny, pre Three words that describ er United Favourite team: Manchest Ronaldo o tian Cris : yer Favourite pla : Old Trafford Best stadium in the world er: Ronaldo Messi or Ronaldo or Neith XBox ation or XBox or Neither: Check out our Facebook and Twit- PlaySt Favourite film: Shrek 2 ter pages. Rodrigo Also, the RDYSL Facebook and Favourite song: Good 4 U - Olivia Twitter pages are great for fixtures Favourite book: Girl Missing and results. teammates What makes me happy: My st: Hannah Person you admire the mo Why I play soccer: Friends score Don’t sweat on the small stuff. Hopes for this season: To
Keep in touch...
Wise Words...
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Roscommon People Friday 08 April 2022
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s t t u p t Shor Athlone
Boyle
‘Get Into Golf’ for Ladies will recommence on Thursday, April 28th at 7 pm. For further information, contact Imelda on 087-3613961 or email i.sheeran508@gmail.com or athlonegolfclub@gmail.com. The Men’s 3Ts Charity competition takes place this weekend and members are reminded to take the ongoing roadworks at Barry More into consideration when booking tee times. Members extend their condolences to our Office Administrator, Aileen Dolan, on a recent family bereavement. Angela Veldon won the Ladies’ competition on Tuesday, March 29th with 36 points while last week’s competition was won by Chris Fuery with 22 points. The 97 Club competition was won by Mary Jo O’Farrell with 27 points while J. Costello was the winner of the AWGS with 32 points.
Pat Brogan and Owen Garvin won the Boyle round of the Holmpatrick Cup, which was played on March 26th and 27th. Padraig O’Connell and Gerry Carty finished runners-up while Tom Kearney and Pat Conroy were third. A fundraising competition will take place over the Easter weekend and there will be a chance to win a year’s membership in the Voucher competition on Sunday, April 24th. The Ladies’ ‘Get Into Golf’ programme will have an information evening on April 27th with lessons starting on Wednesday, May 4th. Contact Aisling on 087-2029064 for further information. A very happy birthday to former President, Captain, and long-standing committee member, Martin Higgins, who celebrated his 90th birthday recently. There was a great turnout for the Scramble and social event to mark the occasion on Saturday last.
Carrick Congratulations to Oliver Duignan who had a hole in one on the 17th last Sunday in the Lynch Cup qualifier. Carrick’s Masters Fundraiser returns with €1,000 up for grabs. Sign up at www.carrickgolfclub.ie/masters. Martin Talbot was the winner of last Thursday’s competition with 43 points. Other results: Cat 1: Johnny Martin (39); Cat 2: Michael Duignan (42); Cat 3: Eamon Costello (42); Front 9: Tom Owens (20); Back 9: Michael Keville (22).
Castlerea Cian McLoughlin Gilmore was the winner of the recent Men’s competition in Castlerea with 45 points. Michael Moran was second (44). Category results – Cat 1: Jimmy Joyce (36); Cat 2: Tom Burke (38); Cat 3: Emmett Patton (44). The Ladies’ 9-hole competition on Tuesday, March 29th was won by Margaret Waters with 24 points. Mary Kenny was second with 22 and Maura Tully was third with 20.
Roscommon
Boyle Captain Gabriel Lavin with the winner of the 2021 King Harmon Matchplay Cup, Lochlainn Conboy.
Roscommon Golf Club’s Junior Girls Golfer of the Year 2021, Olivia Costello, pictured with junior conveyor Sandra Crean.
(News from local golf clubs)
Congratulations to Anna Higgins, Olivia Costello and Niamh Lennon on winning the Connacht Girls’ Irish Senior Schools team competition in Tuam last week. The girls will be playing in the national final in Milltown on Monday, April 25th. Congratulations also to Marina Dolan and Francie Grehan on winning the Ladies’ and Men’s Golfer of the Year 2021 prizes respectively. Prizes were kindly sponsored by Town & Country, Athleague. The Junior Girls’ Golfer of the Year was Olivia Costello and the Junior Boys’ Golfer of the Year was Cian O’Connor. Due to Covid restrictions this presentation was postponed until last Sunday. Well done to all the winners. The Roscommon People sponsored Men’s competition on March 27th was won by Andrew Lalor Jnr. with 45 points. Dan O’Brien was second with 42 points while Declan Dowling was third with 41. Tommy Grehan won the gross prize with 32. Meanwhile, C. McDonnell won the Senior Men’s competition with 40 points. Other results: Cat 1: S. Byrne (36); Cat 2: E Smith (33); Cat 3: J Grogan (37); Over 80s: C Brennan (33); Deuces: F Grehan and M Sharkey. Sandra Crean won the Ladies’ 18hole competition with 41 points with Noreen O’Grady second with 39. The recent Ladies’ 0-9-hole competition was won by Una Gleeson with 17 points. The Senior Ladies’ 9-hole competition on March 31st went to Marian Kilroy. Kay Ruane was runner-up with Mary Cunningham third and Mary O’Gara fourth. Finally, the Spring League finals will take place this Saturday (April 9th) with tee reserved from 11 am to 1 pm and all to play for. Presentation will take place afterwards.
Roscommon Golf Club Ladies Golfer of the Year 2021, Marina Dolan, pictured with 2021 Lady Captain Mary O’Connor and sponsor Patricia Donnelly, Town & Country Athleague.
Roscommon Golf Cub’s Junior Boys Golfer of the Year 2021, Cian O’Connor, pictured with 2021 Captain Johnny Walker and junior conveyor John Lennon.
Roscommon Golf Club Men’s Golfer of the Year 2021, Francie Grehan, pictured with 2021 Captain Johnny Walker and sponsor Aidan Donnelly, Town & Country Athleague.
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Compiled by: Paul Healy
The
Weekend Rewind
GAA Studio
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Weekend Fast-forward
A Studio special… on Diarmuid’s wonder goal Diarmuid Murtagh’s amazing solo goal had viewers raving at the weekend. Yours truly (PH) was very quickly out of the traps, declaring (on Twitter, and around our house to anyone who’d listen) that it was arguably one of the greatest goals EVER scored by a Gaelic footballer. Just as I wondered if I’d overreacted, Roscommon County Board chairperson Brian Carroll helpfully tweeted: “Might be a small bit biased but this is probably the greatest ever goal scored in Croke Park!” Meanwhile, the man from the (Irish) Mirror will never have a bad word said about him in Diarmuid Murtagh’s house! While some commentators/observers had Diarmuid down for beating “three” or “four” or even “five” men during his mazy run and goal, the Mirror’s Oisin Doherty didn’t hold back: “Diarmuid Murtagh proved to be the match winner for Roscommon deep into injury time, when he beat half a dozen men before rifling a fierce shot into the top corner”. For a breakdown on 13 seconds of brilliance (i.e. a description of that winning goal), see Paul Healy’s Week on page 6.
The goal of the year…already?! A challenge has been laid down to all Gaelic footballers to see if any of them can score a goal over the coming months to surpass Diarmuid Murtagh’s wonder strike against Galway in Croke Park (hopefully David Clifford’s not reading this). Here’s what Paul Brennan*, Sports Editor of The Kerryman and Corkman newspapers, said on Twitter: “Diarmuid Murtagh just wrapped up the Goal of the Year there”. *Yes, we are happy to disclose that Paul is a Rossie (long adopted by The Kingdom).
But an ‘inquest’ to follow in Galway? Yes, more on the Murtagh goal: “It was a fabulous finish, but there will surely be an inquest in the Galway dressing room as to how he was allowed to get into the position he did to shoot” said John Harrington from GAA.ie., while Eoghan Cormican from the Irish Examiner took a similar line: “You can be absolutely certain that the five Galway players who sub, Diarmuid Murtagh, waltzed past en route to landing the game-winning goal one minute into secondhalf stoppages will be squirming in their seats when the clip is replayed during this week’s video analysis meeting”.
Roscommon’s Diarmuid Murtagh shoots past Galway substitute goalkeeper Conor Gleeson for a wonderful late goal during the Allianz National Football League Division Two final between Roscommon and Galway at Croke Park. Pic: Ray McManus (Sportsfile)
Roscommon will aim to build on great finale to league < PAUL HEALY
Just when Roscommon’s brilliant point-taking, and their admirable doggedness in the face of a devastating late Galway surge, looked like they wouldn’t be enough to secure victory in Sunday’s entertaining league final in Croke Park, up popped Diarmuid Murtagh with magic in his boots. Murtagh’s 71st minute goal – a stunning solo effort fit to grace any final ever played in GAA HQ – finally (just about) shook off Galway at a time when Pádraic Joyce’s team were on top. In a free-flowing game which was devoid of cynicism, fortunes swayed back and forth.
Roscommon trailed by 0-3 to 0-1, but then took control, before Galway reeled them in again. A first-half shoot-out which featured some great scores from both teams was as good an advertisement for the game as we’ve seen in a while. Honours were even at the break, 0-9 apiece. Although Galway, led by the magnificent Paul Conroy, were bang in contention, Roscommon’s relentless, stylish pointtaking moved them five clear (0-17 to 0-12). Several Rossies were in dynamic form, including Ultan Harney, Niall Kilroy, Ciarain Murtagh, Donie Smith and Conor Cox. A Galway fightback was always likely, but few could
have anticipated just how dominant they would be in a 10-minute spell which saw them clinically dismantle Roscommon’s lead. When Galway’s score-spree saw them go one in front, Roscommon began to wobble, and you sensed that the momentum would almost inevitably see maroon colours adorning the Division Two league trophy. The sides were level going into the 71st minute, and that’s when Murtagh wrote his own fairytale. These Murtagh boys have always had magic in their boots, and now we saw Diarmuid parade all his talents. An audacious run initially brought him wide, before the St Faithleach’s ace entered heavy traf-
fic in the centre, somehow dodging increasingly frantic defenders. Just when it looked as if he might be running out of time and space – and with three defenders circling him like bees around a hive – Murtagh flashed a magnificent shot into the corner of the net. Galway threw everything at Roscommon during the remainder of an eight-minute injury-time phase, but Anthony Cunningham’s team held on to win by 1-20 to 0-22. Roscommon are National Football League Division Two champions after a league campaign in which they played eight, winning six and drawing two. A good day at the office, but bigger days ahead.
Congratulations Roscommon on a great GAA double! l Roscommon men Division Two champions l Roscommon ladies Division Three champions
From a proud Rossie… Owen McManus (Wexford)
Roscommon players Roisin Wynne, Sinead Kenny, Honor Ennis, Natalie McHugh, Saoirse Wynne, Rachel Brady, Mikala Keogh, Louise Brady, Lisa O’Rourke and Saoirse Timon celebrating Roscommon’s win against Wexford in the National Football League Division Three final last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Browne ‘removed’ from Camogie hot seat The Roscommon Camogie Board unanimously agreed to “remove” junior county manager Frank Browne and his backroom team at a meeting on Tuesday last (4th). A statement from the Camogie
Board read: “Following a County Board meeting by Roscommon Camogie on April 4th, it was unanimously decided that the Junior county manager and management team be removed from their positions.
“We would like to thank the manager and the management team and wish them all the best going forward”. There had been growing speculation that not all was well in the Roscommon camp
after the team suffered a demoralising defeat to Cavan in a fixture which saw ten players making their debuts for the county. Roscommon were then forced to withdraw form the Division
Three league campaign after they were unable to field in two of their games. The Camogie Board is now on the lookout for a new management team to guide the county’s promising young
stars: “At present, the County Board is actively seeking a new management team and expressions of interest are welcome and should be submitted to secretary. roscommon@camogie.ie”.
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Action from the National Football League Division Three final (Roscommon v Wexford) in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
All eyes on the ball during the National Football League Division Three (Roscommon v Wexford) final in St. Brendan’s Park, Birr last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Rosie delivers Ladies are Division Three champs! Lidl Ladies NFL Division Three Final Roscommon 0-9 Wexford 1-5 < AISLING CLERY
Player of the Match, Roscommon’s Niamh Feeney, with LGFA President, Michael Naughton at the National Football League Division Three final on Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Pictured are Jenny and Brian Lennon celebrating Roscommon’s win in the National Football League Division Three final last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Roscommon manager Ollie Lennon says his players had taken a huge step forward as they bridged a 13-year gap to claim the Lidl National Football League Division Three title on Sunday afternoon last. The former Kilbride manager, who took the reins ahead of the 2022 campaign, watched on as his team somehow found
Pictured is the Roscommon Ladies panel prior to their National Football League Division Three final against Wexford last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
the wherewithal to fight back after Catríona Murray’s goal looked to have sealed promotion for Wexford. Wexford had gone all the way to Croke Park last September for the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship final, and although they fell to a big defeat at the hands of Westmeath, they would have fancied their chances at St. Brendan’s Park in Birr last Sunday. But Rosie Lennon scored points from two late frees to send the Division Three crown west instead. “Even at half-time, they knew they weren’t at their best, in the second half
they still weren’t at their best but you dig out these results,” said Lennon. “At the end of it all, the history books will show we won, nobody will be bothered about the quality of the game. “We are absolutely thrilled. You can play all the fancy football you want, it’s (this) a better result than going out in a shoot-out and losing by a point. “We are thrilled for the girls, it’s a huge achievement and a huge step forward for this bunch of players”. Wexford beat Meath in the 2018 final and they were on top in the early
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SportsPeople
for Rossies! Pictured are the National Football League Division Three champions, Roscommon. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
exchanges here with Murray scoring two frees to put them in the ascendancy. But the sides were level, 0-4 each, at the first water break and Murray’s next free was the only score of the second quarter as Wexford took a narrow lead into half-time. Wexford’s goal arrived in the 50th minute when Murray blasted high into the Roscommon net and her side were 1-5 to 0-6 in front at that stage. But late points from Laura Fleming and Lennon (two) ensured the silverware went to Roscommon while Wexford suffered another agonising final defeat. Roscommon: H Cummins;
S Kenny, R Fitzmaurice, L O’Rourke; R Wynne, R Brady, A McAuliffe; K Nolan, L Fleming (0-4, 3 frees); M McHugh, J Higgins (0-1), C Conway; A Hanly, F Tully (0-1), N Feeney. Subs used: R Lennon (0-2, 2 frees) for Hanly (30), L Shanagher (0-1) for McHugh (39), S McVeigh for Brady (48), N McHugh for Conway (51). Wexford: S Merrigan; C Neville, A Halligan, N Cloke-Rochford; O Kehoe, R Murphy, C Donnelly; K Kearney, C Banville; S Hamilton (0-1), C Murray (1-3, 3 frees), E O’Brien; A Wilson (0-1), A Murphy, B Breen. Subs used: S HardingKenny for Cloke-Rochford (45), A Cullen for Wilson (46), T Doyle for Breen (50), E Tomkins for O’Brien (59). Referee: Gavin Finnegan (Down).
Picture shows Wexford’s Sherene Hamilton and Roscommon’s Rachel Fitzmaurice trying to gain possession of the ball during the National Football League Division Three final last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Roscommon…the 2022 National Football League Division Three champions. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Pictured are John Kennedy and Roscommon players Jenny Higgins and Helena Cummins celebrating Roscommon’s win against Wexford in the National Football League Division Three final last Sunday. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
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SportsPeople Connacht SFC Semi-Final: Galway 2-11 Roscommon 0-12
League title win a massive confidence boost – Cunningham STUNNING MURTAGH GOAL DELIVERS MEMORABLE WIN Allianz National Football League Division Two Final Roscommon 1-20 Galway 0-22 < SEAMUS DUKE
Roscommon manager Anthony Cunningham says Sunday’s Division Two title win against Galway in Croke Park has delivered a “massive” confidence boost for the team ahead of the Connacht Championship. Roscommon will face the winners of New York v Sligo and are in excellent shape following an unbeaten league
run which culminated in winning some welcome silverware on Sunday. After a rollercoaster contest, the Rossies edged past Galway largely thanks to a sensational late goal from substitute Diarmuid Murtagh which Anthony Cunningham described as “an excellent strike”. The manager told People Sport: “We were on the ropes there with ten minutes to go. We were five up… but we showed our mettle out there when they scored the six points in a row. It was a magnificent strike from Diarmuid. It is testimony to the man. He is fighting to get his place back on the team and he is working very hard,
as are all the players. I’m delighted for them all today”. Cunningham continued: “We have played a lot of games in recent weeks but we got some great scores again today. Galway are a top class side and it was never going to be easy. It was a great test and super preparation for the championship. “Our midfield was good again today and we looked solid in defence too and we threatened up front. Ciarain (Murtagh) was buzzing all day out there, and inside, Donie (Smith) and Coxie (Conor) were always a threat”. Roscommon’s magnificent league season ended in some style in Croke
Park when Anthony Cunningham’s men defeated Galway for the second time in a week to land the Division Two title after a thrilling battle against their old rivals. It was fitting that such an exciting game was decided by a brilliant individual goal, scored by Diarmuid Murtagh. The St Faithleach’s man slalomed his way through the Galway defence in the first minute of injurytime before unleashing a rocket of a shot into the top corner of the Galway net. There were a couple of anxious moments for Roscommon after that explosive strike, but they had done enough to get the job done on the day.
On a perfect day for football, it was Galway who began best. Rob Finnerty was causing a lot of trouble for the Roscommon defence in the opening 10 minutes, but once Davy Murray was switched on to the Galway attacker his influence waned considerably. With Galway leading by four points to two, Ultan Harney (who was magnificent again) had a great goal chance in the 13th minute but his shot was well saved by Conor Flaherty. Galway, with Paul Conroy fantastic in the middle of the field, were probably slightly the better team in the opening half, but Roscommon hung
Roscommon’s Diarmuid Murtagh pictured scoring his side’s goal during the closing stages of the Allianz National Football League Division Two final between Roscommon and Galway at Croke Park. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach (Sportsfile)
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SportsPeople
Roscommon players pictured with the cup after the Allianz National Football League Division Two final between Roscommon and Galway at Croke Park. Pic: Ray McManus (Sportsfile)
in well and two magnificent longrange frees from Eddie Nolan helped them to a share of the spoils at half-time (0-9 apiece). The second half was a real rollercoaster of contrasting fortunes. Roscommon used their new exciting brand of running, attacking football to brilliant effect in the third quarter. Harney was the driving force at midfield while Ciarain Murtagh was having his best game in a Roscommon jersey for ages. Not far behind him was Donie Smith, while Conor Cox was unerring from frees. By the 52nd minute Roscommon led by 0-17 to 0-12, at which point Galway manager Pádraic Joyce sprang the multi-talented Shane Walsh from the bench. He made an instant impact, Galway firing six points in a row to hit the front (0-18 to 0-17) with seven minutes left. But Roscommon had brought on their own ‘supersub’. Diarmuid Murtagh struck a trademark point to equalise, and his big brother Ciarain followed up to edge Roscommon in front in the 67th minute. Rob Finnerty levelled the match again as the clock went over the 70-minute mark. Then, enter Diarmuid Murtagh, who took the ball from Enda Smith in the 71st minute and raced across the 20-metre line trying to engineer an opening. He beat three Galway defenders and blasted home one of the finest goals seen at GAA HQ in many a long day. Matthew Tierney and Roscommon sub Keith Doyle exchanged points in injury-time. There was still time for Tierney to narrow the gap further and for Galway sub goalie Conor Gleeson to fist over in the dying seconds. But that fabulous Murtagh goal was decisive and Roscommon held on. Beating Galway twice in the space of a week is certainly no mean achievement. Roll on May 1st.
THREE LEAGUE LESSONS… \
Teams & scorers Roscommon: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Brian Stack, Eoin McCormack; Niall Kilroy, Niall Daly, Ronan Daly; Ultan Harney, Eddie Nolan (0-2, 1 free, ’45); Ciarain Murtagh (04, 1 free), Enda Smith, Cathal Heneghan; Cian McKeon (0-2), Donie Smith (0-5, 2 frees), Conor Cox (0-5, 4 frees). Subs: Keith Doyle (0-1) for McKeon (60), Diarmuid Murtagh (1-1) for Cox (63), Andrew Glennon for D Smith (68), Conor Hussey for Heneghan (75). Galway: Conor Flaherty; Jack Glynn, Kieran Molloy, Liam Silke; Sean Fitzgerald, John Daly, Finnian O Laoi (0-1); Sean Kelly (0-1), Paul Conroy (0-6); Matthew Tierney (0-2), Niall Daly, Johnny Heaney (0-1); Robert Finnerty (0-3, 1 mark), Damien Comer (0-4), Dessie Conneely (0-3, 1 free). Subs: Johnny McGrath for J Daly (47), Shane Walsh for Glynn (47), Conor Gleeson (0-1) for Flaherty (52), James McLoughlin for N Daly (53), Sean Fitzgerald for O Laoi (64), Patrick Kelly for Finnerty (69). Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)..
< SEAMUS DUKE
A change of style Roscommon’s more direct style of play this year is not only much easier on the eye, it is also proving very effective. Roscommon have some excellent attackers and the new hard-running and accurate passing game is favouring players like Donie Smith, Ciarain Murtagh, Conor Cox, Enda Smith, Diarmuid Murtagh and others. As was pointed out on RTE last Sunday night, Roscommon are now playing to their strengths up front.
Midfield marvels After a number of years during which Roscommon have struggled in the middle of the field, Ultan Harney and Eddie Nolan have both been magnificent in this campaign. Harney is such a resilient and powerful player on the ball, while Nolan is improving with every outing. The way he stroked over the two long-range frees last Sunday was a joy to behold.
Championship chances As the Connacht Championship approaches, confidence among the players will be sky-high after remaining unbeaten this year thus far. To have defeated old rivals Galway twice in a week will add to the already-soaring morale of the squad. Mayo are smarting from another pasting from Kerry and will have to recover quickly for the clash with Galway in just over two weeks. Roscommon need to treat New York or Sligo with respect. I would not be fearful of either Galway or Mayo later in the championship. The Roscommon panel is also getting stronger, and with Richard Hughes to come back (he was unavailable last Sunday due to injury) and the likes of Keith Doyle and Diarmuid Murtagh chomping at the bit for starting places on the team, the prospects for the summer look good at this stage.
Stat Attack
Roscommon’s Donie Smith pictured lifting the cup after the Allianz National Football League Division Two final between Roscommon and Galway at Croke Park. Pic: Eóin Noonan (Sportsfile)
Wides: Roscommon 2 (1, first half ); Galway 7 (4, first half ) Red cards: 0 Black cards: 0 Yellow cards: Roscommon 2 (Niall Kilroy, Andrew Glennon); Galway 1 (Tony Gill) Man of the Match: Ciarain Murtagh (Roscommon) Attendance: 31,506
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